April 1, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

I’ll critically review budget before assent, says Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi, Washington DC and Joel Ajayi

Buhari

Vol. 6 N0. 1339

resident Muhammadu Buhari said in Washington DC yesterday that he will

critically review the 2016 Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly before assenting to it. Speaking at a meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Mr.

John Kerry, President Buhari said in view of the controversial alteration and padding, he needed to review the document to be certain that its conCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

NNPC targets 650,000bpd refining capacity

P.4

Kachikwu

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Crisis tears APC leadership apart –Spokesperson N Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

ational leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is currently embroiled in crisis, it has been confirmed. The party’s leadership has been divided into two camps with different interests, according to Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Timi Frank. Frank, in an interview yesterday in Abuja, said anybody saying that there CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Kaduna pastor dies in kidnappers’ P.42 den

L-R: Third wife, Princess Ikpakpa named the Ohe N’Erie; second wife, Princess Iyayiota named the Obazuwa N’Erie and first wife of the Crown Prince, Princess Iroghama named the Obazuaye N’Erie, after being inducted into the Royal Court of Benin Kingdom, following the conferment of traditional titles in Benin, yesterday. Inset: Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa. PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram: World Bank earmarks $800m for P.5 rebuilding N/East

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Crisis tears APC leadership apart –Spokesperson CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

is no crisis in the party was not telling the truth. He said: “If anybody should tell you there’s no division even at the national level, they’re telling lies, I can tell you there are issues, there are very critical issues. “The issue of the Senate president is still lingering, nobody is saying anything at the national level but I tell you, any Nigerian that knows will tell you very clearly that with the body language of our party as at today, if we are not careful we are going to lose our popularity. “It will be a very big disgrace that we have hands that are not competent at the centre to harmonise the aggrieved persons and make us to move forward. “So, there is crisis in the party. If anybody says there is no crisis, we have too many divisions right now within the party, so I won’t be scared to speak. That is my personal opinion and I’ve spoken again and I will continue to speak out.”

L-R: Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Ltd, Mr Ike Chioke; Founding Chairman, Diamond Bank, Mr Pascal Dozie; official of Interstate Electrics Ltd, Mr Kayode Adetokunbo; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Director, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Kester Enwereonu and Chief Executive Officer, Geometric Power Ltd, Prof. Bart Nnaji, during the signing of agreement between Geometric Power Ltd, and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company in Abuja, yesterday. Reacting to controversy over who speaks for the party, the deputy national publicity secretary said: I’m making it clear that I’m the acting publicity secretary of APC. I’m saying it without fear

or favour. I’m the acting spokesperson of the party. “Those persons in the party that do not want me to speak, Nigerians will start asking them questions anytime soon but I’m on top of my game

and I can tell you it’s not something I have to beg or lobby anybody or beg any chairman that calls himself national chairman. “I don’t have any national chairman to beg, I don’t have anybody to

lobby to get this position, its automatic except the party wants to portray itself as not democratic or a party that follows due process. “If this party is a party that follows due process, I

don’t need to beg and that is why I continue to insist I will not beg or lobby anybody. Whether they like it or not, Nigerians on the streets know I’m the acting publicity secretary of this party,” he added.

I’ll critically review budget before assent, says Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tents tallied with the authentic budget proposal presented to the National Assembly. He said: “Some bureaucrats removed what we put in the proposal and replaced it with what they wanted. I have to look at the bill that has been passed by the National Assembly, ministry by ministry, to be sure that what has been brought back for me to sign is in line with our original submission.” Declaring that his administration will continue to vigorously prosecute its war against corruption, President Buhari sought and received an assurance from Mr. Kerry that the United States Government will facilitate the repatriation of all stolen Nigerian funds found within the American banking system. “It will greatly help our country if you assist us to recover all our sto-

len funds which we can establish to be within your financial system,” the President told Mr. Kerry. Acknowledging that the United States has been of great help to his administration in the retraining and reequipping of the Armed Forces that has resulted in the significant success already achieved against Boko Haram, President Buhari said the Federal Government was now working very hard to restore full normalcy in the North East. “Boko Haram no longer holds any local government area. We are reconstructing damaged facilities and preparing the police to take over and reassert civilian control over areas affected by the insurgency,” he said. Responding, the Secretary of State said he has been told that the stolen Nigerian funds were in billions of dollars.

“It’s not easy to hide that amount of money and we are pretty good in tracing them,” Mr. Kerry assured, adding that relevant United States Government officials will meet with the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to discuss further cooperation in that regard. Mr. Kerry applauded the Buhari administration’s success in rolling back the Boko Haram insurgency, saying the United States will continue to give Nigeria all possible support to ensure that the sect is finally eliminated as a threat to national and regional security. The Secretary of State also praised President Buhari’s clear order that Nigeria’s Armed Forces must show greater regard for the human rights of persons in the theatre of operations against Boko Haram. Meanwhile, Minis-

ter of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, yesterday said there is no disagreement between the Executive and the Legislature over the 2016 budget. He disclosed in Abuja during his continuous engagement with stakeholders in the media industry. He said: “There is absolutely no rift, no issue of budget being sent back. Things are just taking their due course. “It was not true that the President has refused to sign the Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly. “It takes a few days (after the passage) for the National Assembly to clean up the document in readiness for the President’s assent.” Alhaji Mohammed said proper implementation of the budget will lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, due to the six focal areas of social intervention contained

therein. “The first is the employment of 500,000 unemployed university graduates, who we are going to train as teachers. We are also employing 370,000 unemployed non-graduates, people with National Diploma and Technical Certificate. “The third tranche is the social intervention targeted at 1 million people made up of market women, traders and artisans to be trained and given loans through their cooperatives. “The fourth one is the home-grown One-MealA-Day Programme. Here we are targeting several millions of pupils in primary schools all over Nigeria. “The exponential effect of this one meal a day is huge. Even if we are targeting five million pupils and we are giving each of them one egg a day, you are talking about five million eggs

that will be provided by our poultry farmers. “This will also help to increase the demand for maize and then you are going to employ people all around,” he said. The minister further disclosed that the Federal Government will also commence the Conditional Cash Transfer to the most vulnerable Nigerians, in collaboration with some development partners, to bring succour to such people. He said a special bursary scheme will also come on stream to grant scholarships to students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while also bolstering the nation’s drive for industrialisation. Alhaji Mohammed also said the N350bn that would soon be injected into the economy will enable contractors to resume work on abandoned infrastructural projects, with timeline and target on project delivery and job creation.

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NNPC targets 650,000bpd refining capacity Chidi Ugwu and Adeola Tukuru

igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has restated its determination to increase the nation’s refining capacity from 445,000 barrels per day to 650,000. The corporation said it is committed to boost the nation’s refining capacity which in turn would put an end to perennial fuel scarcity. Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad, in a statement said that NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer, COO, (Refineries), Mr. Anibo Kragha, made the remark at the opening of the technical bid for location of new refineries within the existing refineries in the country yesterday in Abuja. He said the open bidding exercise was a demonstration of the determination of the Federal Government and NNPC to increase the nation’s refining capacity. “The aim is to leverage on the existing facilities to fast track the take-off of the refineries as soon as possible,” Kragha said. According to him, a technical evaluation committee has been set up to study the bids and announce winners as soon as possible. Speaking earlier, the Corporation’s General Manager, Supply Chain Management, Sophia Mbakwe enjoined all the companies to accept the outcome as the exercise would be transparent. She stressed that all the rules of public procurement as spelt out in the Bureau for Public Procurement Act would be strictly adhered to. The exercise was witnessed by representatives of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, NEITI, and the Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP. A total of nine companies submitted bids. In a related development, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Ka-

chikwu has waded into the lingering crises within the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN. According to a statement by Muhammad, the minister invited all stakeholders within the IPMAN hierarchy to his office in Abuja and raised a 14man committee, charged with the task of doing everything possible to bring back peace to the association at national, zonal and depot levels. Kachikwu noted that as critical stakeholders in the downstream sector, the contribution of IPMAN is crucial in the drive to end the prevailing fuel supply situation across the nation. The minister, who called on all members to see IPMAN as one indivisible entity, also charged them to work with relevant government agencies such as NNPC, DPR and other stakeholders to ensure that the prevailing fuel scarcity becomes a thing of the past as quickly as possible. Speaking shortly after the meeting, National Secretary of IPMAN, Alhaji Danladi Pasali expressed the readiness of the association to assist government in finding lasting solution to the fuel scarcity within the next two weeks as stated by Dr. Kachikwu during a recent meeting with the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream. He said: “In the spirit of reconciliation and patriotism, we have resolved to forget our differences and work together towards providing products to our various stations across the country in order to ease the hardship on Nigerians.” He added that IPMAN, which controls a massive chunk of the market share in the downstream sector, will mandate its stations to operate a 24 hour service in order to ease the current hardship. Also speaking, another top IPMAN executive, Mr. Augustine Erhabor, commended the minister for his efforts towards bringing lasting peace within the association. He said IPMAN will set up teams to monitor products distribution and

Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire (l) and Acting World Bank Country Director, Dr Sateh Chafic El-Arnaout, during the World Bank Policy Makers’ Summit in Abuja. deliveries at all their outlets nationwide, even as he assured that members will get products at official ex-depot price so that they can sell at government approved price to Nigerians. According to him, IPMAN will liaise with the NNPC Management to facilitate the quick loading of about 7,000 outstanding products tickets for onward dispensing into the hinterland across the country. He called on members of the public to refrain from hoarding and panic buying, assuring that in no distant future, the fuel queues will vanish. “All of us in IPMAN are united and I want to assure Nigerians that this unity will help us see the end of this prevailing situation,” Erhabor said. Meanwhile, a group of

22 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, yesterday appealed to Dr Kachikwu and President Muhammadu Buhari to speed up the reforms in the oil sector to ensure that Nigerians will never again have cause to spend days and nights on fuel queues once the current shortage has been addressed. National President of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Positive Change, Venatius Torkuma, who spoke on behalf of the groups in Abuja urged that the Federal Government strongly think of measures to immediately cushion the hardship that citizens suffer, particularly in the face of poor electricity supply that is concurrent with the fuel shortage. He said the group had earlier planned mass pro-

tests against the Minister of State for Petroleum over the lingering crisis but had to call off the action. Torkuma noted that the protests would be counterproductive if they end up creating instability that could further worsen the fuel crisis. He said: “We also have concerns that a mass action can be easily hijacked at a critical time like this since those behind the long fuel queues are desperate and would go to any length to have their way, which in this case is to ensure that they remove Dr Kachikwu as the Group Managing Director of NNPC and Minister of State for Petroleum for their own selfish reasons that have nothing to do with our desire to end the suffering of Nigerians. “Our intention in plan-

ning the mass action is noble and we will not unwittingly play into the hands of those destroying the oil industry by helping them create a vacancy at the NNPC and Petroleum Ministry to install their puppet. “If we allow this to happen then the tendency is for these heartless people to renew their hold on the oil industry in a way that will make Nigerians suffer more.” Others at the occasion were Ahmedu Usman of Middle Youth Leaders Congress, MYLC; Labake Boboye, Executive DirectorStand Up for Nigeria, SUN; Ikpa Isaac of Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, CSJET; and Khadijat Babangida from the Advocates of Social Justice for All, ASJA.

Solid minerals roadmap will grow industry, economy –Fayemi

inister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, said a road map for the ministry would provide far-reaching views and opinions toward developing and growing the industry and the Nigerian economy. The minister said this in Abuja when he received the report of a 16-man committee on the road map which he inaugurated on March 1. Fayemi said the map would enable the nation to embark on sustainable development journey for the mining and metal sector. He added that the ministry would soon review the road map and subject it to stakeholders’ review to ensure an airtight document that could withstand the test of time.

The minister added that the ministry was mandated during the recent National Economic Summit to circulate the road map to state governors to respond to it when completed He said: “The document will be accordingly made available to the state governors and if there is any amendment to be done, then we will amend before making it available to the public. “This will help people to track our work and commitment; we will not allow the document to be dormant or remain on the minister’s table.” Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, said that the road map was a mechanism to ensure timely and sustainable means of developing the sector.

He said the sector was facing a lot of threats, saying that most investors were scared of investing in the sector. He added that the crucial threat confronting the sector was that states would want to have some level of control, as the Land Use Act gave them control over all land in their domain, but the Nigerian constitution says the mineral under the land must be controlled by the Federal Government. “This is an area where the federal and state governments must collaborate on in order not to scare investors,” he said He urged the ministry to empower existing small-scale miners to enable them to pay taxes.

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Ministry intervenes in union, Bristow Helicopters’ rift Olusegun Koiki

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel (right) receiving a souvenir from Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubarkar, during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Uyo, yesterday.

Govt’ll not compromise ban on goods importation Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

inister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, yesterday restated Federal Government’s ban on importation of certain goods into the country. Ngige, who stated this on the occasion of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE’s special day at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair, assured that “government will not compromise its resolve to enforce existing laws barring the importation of certain goods over which the country has a comparative advantage.” He stressed that the policy would stimulate the need and eventual emergence of new efforts in the areas of increased and improved agricultural production, as well as value addition to agricultural produce that would lead to job creation and national food security. The minister, while on Federal Government’s present efforts aimed at increased job creation, emphasised that “the creation of sustainable employment lies basically with the private sector, especially the small and medium scale enterprises.” He, however, assured that “this administration is creating the enabling environment for these groups to do business that will create jobs for our teeming unemployed youths.” Earlier, the minister had

during a courtesy call on Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, harped on a coordinated efforts at all levels of government aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy from its present mono-economy status. They both observed that the diversification of the nation’s economy would reduce its over-dependence on the oil sector for survival, especially now that oil price has crashed by twothirds of what it was a year ago. They maintained that

the advocated measure of diversification has become necessary as it would bring a permanent end to uncertainties associated with oil as the major income earner for the country. According to the governor, “in pursuit of this goal, we have among other things, scheduled an International Investment Summit to hold here in Enugu from April 12 to 14, 2016; it would help us showcase the rich potentials of the state to investors around the world. “I am sure that the hou-

nourable minister will be willing to help us secure necessary support from the Federal Government to ensure that these noble efforts to attract investors and boost economic activities in the state and region, yield the desired dividends.” On his part, the minister said his ministry would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in training and empowering Nigerians particularly youths in various skills acquisition programmes.

inistry of Labour and Productivity yesterday intervened in the picketing and warning strike against Bristow Helicopters by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, over wage disparity. Intervention of the ministry, however, led to the suspension of the strike by the union. NAAPE had originally planned to picket the company for three days beginning from Tuesday. Also, the ministry called the two parties to a meeting today in Abuja to resolve the issues. General Secretary of NAAPE, Comrade Aba Ocheme, told aviation journalists in Lagos, yesterday that as a responsible union, the leadership called off picketing of the company, hoping that issues raised by body would be addressed by the ministry. Ocheme said the ministry made a passionate appeal to the union to allow it offer mediation service, stressing that the union called off the warning strike ahead of the scheduled time out of great respect for the ministry. He said the suspension of the strike took immediate effect. The union also informed all its members to resume their normal duties from today.

Boko Haram: World Bank earmarks $800m for rebuilding N’East

orld Bank has earmarked $800 million to support the rebuilding of infrastructure destroyed in the North East by the Boko Haram insurgency. UN resident and humanitarian coordinator, Ms. Fatma Samoura, made the disclosure yesterday in Maiduguri during a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima. Samoura, who is also a UN Development Programme, UNDP, resident representative, said the UN was scaling up its presence in Borno and other North Eastern states ravaged by the insurgency. “Yesterday, we had a long discussion with the World Bank team that came from Washington to attend the workshop.

“The workshop is for validating the year’s findings of the recovery and peace-building assessment. “They have promised to leverage $800 million for the North East to response to recovery, rehabilitation, de-mining, waste management and debris processing for the North East of Nigeria,’’ she said. The UN representative regretted that the UN was having challenges in mobilising resources for Nigeria in view of the humanitarian crises in other parts of the world. “As we all know, the Syrian crisis that is affecting Europe is also taking a heavy toll in terms of funding from our traditional donors. “We are trying our best

to ensure that our advocacy and our communication strategy are up to the level where we will be receiving more attention from the donor community. “The humanitarian response plan, as we speak, is just 10 per cent funded, meaning we have only received $24 million. “This is out of the $248 million budgeted for the North East of Nigeria for 2016,” she said. Samoura, however, pledged that the UN would continue to complement the World Bank and the EU supports to address the root causes of poverty and exclusion in the North East. Samoura said her visit to Maiduguri was to demonstrate the sympathy of

the UN to the appalling situation of the 1.8 million people who have been displaced by insurgency. She commended the strong leadership and commitment of the governor to finding sustainable solutions to safe and voluntary return of the IDPs to their places of origin. Responding, Governor Shettima commended the UN for standing by the government and people of Borno State in identifying the root causes and also finding lasting solutions to the insurgency. Shettima, however, described that the $800 million pledge by the World Bank as grossly inadequate in view of the enormous challenges left behind by the insurgency.

Ocheme disclosed that if the intervention of the ministry didn’t yield the expected result, the union would be forced to embark on an indefinite strike, which would cripple the activities of the airline. The union had in the morning of yesterday shutdown the operations of the helicopter company, singing solidarity songs and making sure that no worker of Bristow Helicopters was allowed into the company’s premises. It will be recalled that NAAPE had earlier in the week threaten to embark on a three-day warning strike, following the vexed issue of pay disparity by which Nigerian pilots and engineers were discriminated against in favour of foreign nationals. The union also alleged that there is no valid condition of service for its members. It pointed out that all efforts by NAAPE to get the management of Bristow to ameliorate these acts of injustice and violation of the constitution of Nigeria, as well as contravention of Bristow Code of Business Integrity, COBI, failed to yield any positive result. He said: “NAAPE has since offered a proposal to the management, which has received an even more unpalatable response. Any unbiased third party will easily agree that NAAPE has bent double backwards to show maturity and good faith, and has amply demonstrated restraint and forbearance. But, management has paid us back with utter disdain and blackmail. “While we have been playing for time to allow for workable solutions, management has been digging trenches and fortifying its position. While we have been offending our members by showing understanding, management has been degrading our country’s laws by massing up expatriate recruitments, in fragrant disregard of subsisting expatriate quota laws - all in a bid to decimate and weaken the position of nationals. And, as a nail on our coffin, the management has set out to massively lay off Nigerian pilots and engineers as a weapon of war against NAAPE.”

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L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya and Executive Secretary, LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, during a courtesy visit on collaboration between LSSTF and Airtel Nigeria, at the Telco’s headquarters in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Acting MD/CEO, FMBN, Mr. Richard Etim; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase; DIG, Finance and Admin, Mr. Danladi Doma; Commissioner of Police, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Dorothy Gimba and COO, Urban Shelter Limited, Hajia Sa’adiya Aminu, during the commissioning of Police Staff Homes at Brick City Estate in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

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L-R: Associate Director, Risk Consulting, KPMG, Tolu Odukale,; Head, Sales and Markets, Nike Oyewolu; Partner and Head, Risk Consulting, Olumide Olayinka and Partner, Risk Consulting, Tomi Adepoju, during a press conference and launch of KPMG survey report on “The Top Ten Business Risks for 2016” in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

L-R: Senior Programmes Officer, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Mr Okeke Anya; State of the Union Programme Advisor, Ms Caroline Waiganjo; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on IDPs, Refugees and North-East Initiatives, Hon Muhammed Sani Zorro and Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reform, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, during the official launch of the 2015 Country Report of Nigeria’s Compliance with African Union Standards in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

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Rivers: INEC to consult for repeat polls

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it will consult political stakeholders in Rivers State on logistics for repeat of legislative rerun election in areas the exercise was cancelled on March 19. Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity in the commission, Mr Nick Dazang, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja. Dazang said the consultation would commence soon because INEC was eager to ensure conclusion of the election. “We stated it clearly in our previous statement on Friday that we will not announce new date for the election until we have engaged stakeholders, and that engagement has not taken place. “It is after the engagement that INEC will fix

a date to conclude the election. We cannot just go back to Rivers State like that, given what happened during the election. “Engagement at the level of stakeholders will start soon,” he said, adding that the date for consultation would be made public when fixed. Dazang also said the commission would not release any other results from the March 19 re-run until the elections are concluded. “There cannot be more results than we have announced because, as at the time we suspended the election, not all the elections were concluded. “It is only when election has been concluded that returns can be made. “When INEC suspended the elections, in some areas voting had just started; in some areas

collation had just started, and in some areas collation had been concluded

but returns had not been made. “So, it is only in places

where elections have been far announced results,” he concluded that we have so said.

tors to fall in line with the N10,000 truck entry permit fee, saying the money ought to be more “but is being subsidised by NPA.’’ He said truck owners should report any incident of extortion by any NPA security official at the port gate. General Manager, Western Ports of NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi, said so far, more than 2,000 truck owners had keyed into the exercise. Ajayi said those compliant included the fleet owners, terminal operators such as Greenview Development Nigeria Ltd., GDNL, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, ENL Consortium, Flour Mills of Nigeria and others. He said despite some resistance to payment of the N10,000 by some truck associ-

ations, the NPA had received tremendous encouragement from Corporate Independent Fleet Owners. The general manager said that the fleet owners had done their certification and paid the required fee. Also, the President of Corporate Independent Fleet

NPA flags off enforcement of minimum standard for trucks

anaging Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Habib Abdullahi, yesterday flagged off enforcement of implementation of minimum standard for all trucks doing business at the Western ports in Lagos State. Abdullahi, at the flag-off ceremony, said the primary objective of the exercise was for safety and security of port users. He said enforcement of the minimum standard would ensure accountability as well as make sure the lives of Nigerians were safe. Abdullahi said the standardisation of trucks was part of the responsibilities of NPA in ensuring that trucks accessing the ports meet acceptable international standards. He urged truck opera-

Truck Owners Association, Mrs Folake George, pledged the cooperation of the group with NPA on the implementation of the exercise. She said members who had complied had all been given NPA stickers and their trucks were going in and out of the ports undisturbed.

Police arrest 8 persons over Gwagwalada clash

ommissioner of Police in Federal Capital Territory, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, said eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the clash in Gwagwalada on Saturday. Inalegwu told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that investigation on the incident in which houses, shops and vehicles were

destroyed, had reached advanced stage to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the fracas. “All those found wanting will soon be taken to court for prompt prosecution,’’ he said, adding that no stone would be left unturned in applying the law fully in order to serve as deterrent to anyone who may want to follow the same barbaric path.

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Friday, April 1, 2016

LASPOTECH to honour Ooni, Ayangburen at convocation Saidat Alausa

L-R: Special Adviser, Lagos Global, Prof. Ademola Abass; Permanent Secretary, Office of Overseas/Investment (Lagos Global), Mr. Yakub Bashorun and representative of Lagos State Governor/Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, during the launch of Lagos Global at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, yesterday.

Buhari urged to declare 3-year emergency on economy Obiora Ifoh Abuja

s part of efforts to revive the country’s dwindling economy, a group under the auspices of South-East South-South Professionals has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a three-year state of emergency on the economy. President of the professional body, Emeka UgwuOju, made the call when he led a delegation to the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday to invite Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the 2nd SouthEast South-South Forum coming up on April 28 and 29. Ugwu-Oju told newsmen that such step should not be politicised as the current economic situation was neither an All Progressives Congress, APC, nor Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, mat-

ter, hence all Nigerians must come together to find a lasting solution to the problem. He said, “On the current state of the economy, we strongly suggest and advise Mr. President to, as a matter of urgency, in consultation with the National Assembly, declare a three-year state of emergency on the economy. “And this is not about APC and PDP; it’s something that is non-partisan. Our economy is bad, people should realise this because we are making it seem like it’s something that will go away. We were having $100 a barrel and now we might not have $50 a barrel in the next three years and we have to factor this in. “This issue of fuel scarcity is a typical example of what has happened. We didn’t plan for it. Now, we have to get every citizen (to help). It’s not a question of Mr. Bad or Mr.

Good, the total leadership has to realise that all Nigerians have to come together. We have to roll up our sleeves so that everyone has a role to play; not only the poor should be making sacrifices. For example, I see no reason a minister, governor or whoever, should be travelling outside our (shores) on economy class. We have to show that things are bad. You can’t tell me things are bad and I see you drinking champagne, flying first class or private jet; same goes for the private sector. “These were the things we tried to make the vice president know and then communicate. We had a good engagement and as you know, he is very intelligent, very hardworking, very cerebral and we are happy he is the vice president of the country.” Ugwu-Oju said the delegation came to the Presidential

Lagos affirms monthly sanitation policy Francis Suberu

agos State government has denied reports making rounds on social media that the monthly environmental sanitation in the state has been outlawed; saying the policy on the monthly exercise has not been reviewed for now. In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the government said the erroneous story, which was attributed to Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Ad-

ejare, was inaccurate. Ayorinde said Adejare was quoted out of context when he indicated that the restriction of movement may be dispensed with, stressing that his colleague did not in any way suggest that the monthly sanitation had been outlawed. Ayorinde said, “While Dr. Adejare did meet with journalists today and indicated that the restriction of movement every last Saturday of the month would ultimately be dispensed with, he did not say the monthly sanitation exercise would no longer hold in Lagos.

“The last two sanitation exercises could not hold due to JAMB examination in February and the Easter celebration in March. Nevertheless, Lagos State government has always encouraged residents to clean their environment and observe hygienic behaviour, without necessarily having to shut the state down. “It is the wish of the Lagos government to ensure that every part of the state is clean with waste properly disposed; and this will always involve a concerted effort on the part of government and citizens alike.

Villa to inform the vice president on the 2nd South-South South-East Forum. He added: “And we took the opportunity to formally invite him (Prof Osinbajo) to be the special guest of honour which he gladly accepted. “We talked on the state of the economy. Although we may be perceived as a geopolitical group, we do have a pan-Nigerian outlook. We try to interface South-West professionals and others from other geo-political zones on how we can get the Nigerian economy out of the woods.

agos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, will at its convocation on Thursday, April 7, honour the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi and former Group Managing Director of Chams Plc, Sir Ademola Aladekomo, with a fellowship award of the institution. Rector of the institution, Dr. Samuel Sogunro, disclosed this at a press conference yesterday to announce the institution’s 24th convocation ceremony. According to him, the following distinguished Nigerians are being recognised for their role in the support and development of the institution in the state and country. Sogunro also said the convocation tagged ‘Poised for a Brighter Future’ will include the launch of N5 billion endowment funds that would be committed to infrastructural development and research projects such as the school’s administrative building, medical centre, fire substation and students’ hall of residence.

On the convocation ceremony, the rector said the polytechnic will be conferring National Diploma and Higher National Diploma on 8,519 students from both fulltime and part-time programmes. He said a total of 263 will graduate with distinction, 1,317 with upper credit, 5,629 with lower credit and 1,310 during the convocation ceremony. Other programmes slated for the ceremony include the convocation Jumat service, which will hold at the Ikorodu campus of the institution by 12 noon today. The convocation dinner/variety show by the polytechnic performing troupe will hold on Sunday, April 3 at Sheraton Hotels and Towers by 5pm. Next day, April 4, has been scheduled for the convocation football match at Ikorodu football field while the convocation lecture titled ‘Funding Challenge in Tertiary Institution: The Way Forward,’ will be delivered by the Director-General, The Electoral Institute, Abuja, Prof. Abubakar Mommoh on Tuesday, April 7 at the school auditorium.

ICAO boss tasks agencies on human capacity building Olusegun Koiki

resident of International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Dr. Bernard Aliu, has called on aviation agencies in Nigeria to cultivate the habit of human capacity building. Aliu stressed the need for constant training of aviation personnel, especially as technologies in the sector often changes. He gave the advice yesterday in Abuja while addressing union members from Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and heads of aviation parastatals. Aliu maintained that with all the facilities and navigational aids in place, without a trained workforce there would be no development, insisting that human capacity development was a

key factor. The ICAO president explained that with the projection of double traffic in passenger and aircraft movements by 2030 globally, there was need to strengthen security and safety across the globe, adding that the industry must be ready for growth. He also warned that doubling of traffic and passengers’ movements should not be the doubling of air accidents. He however assured Nigerians that the country’s aviation sector would not be left behind, saying that every open item would be closed for better results. He commended the unions for the industrial harmony existing between them and management of parastatals, saying this would further foster development of the industry. Earlier, the President of ATSSSAN, Comrade Benja-

min Okewu, said it was an honour to have a Nigerian as the president of ICAO. Okewu said with Aliu’s position, Nigeria has been rightly placed in the world map, adding that he has been collaborating with the organisation’s members at the International Transport Federation, ITF. Okewu also expressed optimism that Nigeria would scale through at the just concluded ICAO audit, adding that Nigeria, though not occupying its rightful position, would soon attain it. Besides, the General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, said the aviation family in Nigeria would support the second bid of Aliu as ICAO president. Abioye noted that since Aliu became ICAO president, Nigeria has witnessed significant changes with the review of various acts setting up agencies.

South West

Friday, April 1, 2016

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Why Buhari’s anti-graft war may fail –Falana Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, yesterday said the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari may record no tangible success until the principal causes of the menace are tackled. Falana, who spoke at the Special Congress and Public Lecture of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU chapter, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, insisted that the neo-colonial capitalist system of government practised in the country as well as the less effective administration of criminal justice in Nigeria has always impeded on Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade. Speaking on the topic ‘The Limits of Anti-Corruption War,’ Falana lamented that both the Bar and Bench have always aided corruption in the country through filing and granting perpetual frivolous injunctions in cases of corruption, thereby scuttling the anticorruption war. While calling for review of the nation’s criminal laws to make them more effective in tackling graft, Falana explained that judges who grant and lawyers who file such injunctions should be investigated, particularly as they often insist on pursuing such cases to the Supreme Court, just to

waste time and frustrate witnesses. He urged the federal government to publish names of lawyers handling cases of corruption involving big men in the country in order for the people to ask questions. Falana, who was the guest lecturer at the event also attended by President of ASUU, Isa Fagge, noted that the neo-colonialist nature of capitalism being practised in the country had produced a set of wealthy Nigerians who “are bigger than the nation’s laws. “The criminal justice system has been hijacked by the corrupt and looters of the public treasury and their lawyers. It is only in Nigeria that an accused will ask that his trial be suspended.” While tasking ASUU to take up the anti-graft war, Falana also urged all Nigerians to support the Buhari Federal Government in fighting the menace of corruption. Falana said he believed in Buhari and his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to fight corruption because “I know their personalities.” Falana explained that since 2007 till date, of all the corrupt cases that involve big personalities, only two have been convicted of corrupt practices. He said the diversion and theft of stolen funds meant for execution of projects also aided the under-development of the country.

L-R:Head, National Action Movement, Olawale Okunniyi; Human right lawyer, Femi Falana and son of the late Tunji Braithwaite, Olumide Braithwaite, during Falana’s condolence visit to the Braithwaites’ house in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SALIU TITILAYO.

Lagos to complete $1.65bn Lekki seaport in 2019 Francis Suberu

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said the $1.65bn Lekki seaport would be completed by 2019 to further boost economic activities in the state. Ambode, who spoke in Lagos at the formal unveiling of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, otherwise known as Lagos Global, said in anticipation of the increased socio-economic activities in the state, his administration has resolved to prioritise achievement of the four pillars of the Lagos State Development Plan (20122015). The Lagos Global, which is an initiative of

the Ambode administration, is a one-stop shop designed to encourage ease of doing business and help turn Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and global economic and financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive. The governor, who was represented at the event by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said efforts put in place so far have ensured that Lagos remains the desired business hub, attracting massive Foreign Direct Investments, FDI, such as the sum for Lekki seaport. He assured that the seaport would be completed in 2019 and upon completion will be the

deepest seaport in subSaharan Africa. He added that the Badagry Creek Industrial Park, a $1.3billion investment meant for completion in 2018 and the $12 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Park were among other investments coming to the state. Earlier in his welcome address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass, said the office was created by the current administration as a one-stop shop with the mandate of promoting foreign investment in the state and managing exportsfrom the state. In his keynote address, renowned economist and

social crusader, Prof. Pat Utomi, said the creation of Lagos Global is a major step towards transforming the state into a modern city-state. He said Lagos’ economy must therefore be a 24/7 economy, and that the growth of the state requires significant cooperation from neighbouring states. Utomi said Lagos offers hope for rapid growth of the country in that it has the capacity to serve as the yardstick to measure and encourage development. He however maintained the need for concerted effort to make the state more developed, through asound plan and branding process.

Nigeria endowed with effective civil service –Mabogunje K emi O laitan IBADAN

ith the country in the throes of collapsing leadership and national values that have made corruption and its allegations rampant in high places, two foremost Nigerians, a poet and gubernatorial aspirant in Edo State, Odia Ofeimun and Professor Emeritus, Akin Mabogunje, have said Nigeria still has heroes who can compare with those of advanced countries.

They also said the Nigerian Civil Service has prospects that would make it to go places. The two prominent Nigerians spoke in separate forewords to two new books written by former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Dr. Tunji Olaopa. The books are entitled ‘Labour of our heroes past’ and ‘Civil Service and the Imperative of Nation Building.’ In his foreword in the Civil Service book, Mabogunje, the first

African president of the Inter national Geographical Union, traced the chequered history of the Nigerian civil service. He said the book “has taken on the challenge of delving into the workings of the Nigerian Civil Service to dissect the basis of its dysfunction, failings, successes, progress and future possibilities from both a theoretical and practical perspectives.” He said, “His passion for research and the

intellectual confidence with which he presents his findings, observations and conclusions are attributes not commonly found among career civil servants. Indeed, the structure of most of the essays in the volume is certainly a critical notch above the conventional public commentaries that populate our nation’s newspapers, with most of the analysis duly spiced with personal anecdotes and wisdom quotes from great minds in the political

and administration arena.” According to Ofeimun, ‘Labour of our heroes past’ holds prospects for the exploration of heroes long forgotten. He said: “It (the book) is a painstaking exposition of the travails of managing change in a society quite desperately in need of prime movers. The desperation, as a virtual fabric of the whole society, is clearly the reason the author is ready to grant the outstanding per-

formers in our midst, the feat-makers, so to say, the status of culture heroes. “Otherwise, truly evident and uplifting, across Olaopa’s many books, is that he has turned his own admiration and worship of our heroes past into a means of personal, communal and national pursuit of organisational effectiveness.” According to him, the book is a new insight into the theory of charismatic leadership as a political theory.

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South West

Friday, April 1, 2016

Pray more for Nigeria, Olubadan charges clerics Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

lubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Olasupo Adetunji, has charged religious leaders in the country to increase intercession prayers for Nigeria. The monarch gave the charge yesterday while hosting Presiding Bishop of Rehoboth Cathedral, Bishop Taiwo Victor Adelakun, at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace. According to the Olubadan, when an individual or a society is faced with challenges of life, what needs to be done is to turn to God in prayer as He is the only One that can bring an end to such challenges. He said, “At 88 years, I have lived long to know that failure in life is failure in the place of prayer and fasting. I believe very much in the efficacy of prayer and fasting to overcome life’s challenges.” Oba Adetunji added that his emergence as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland could not have been

his own making, but God to whom all powers belong, stating that although all men are created equal by God, some human beings have gone out of their way to seek Him more than others and He rewards them. The Olubadan, who lauded all clerics in the city, particularly Bishop Adelakun, for their forthrightness, then urged them to increase the tempo of their prayers not only for Nigeria in general, but for Ibadan in particular. Bishop Adelakun had earlier congratulated Oba Adetunji on his emergence as the new Olubadan, praying God to give the monarch long life, sound health, remarkable peace and progress. While also praying to God to grant the Olubadan’s vision of an Ibadan State and Ibadan International Airport during his reign, the cleric recalled that he came to Ibadan as an 8-year-old boy with a pair of slippers, 45 years ago from the village.

Ekiti lawmakers vow to resist harassment, intimidation Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

embersof EkitiState House of Assembly yesterday vowed to resist any harassment and intimidation of its members and other government officials by the Nigeria Police. Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Segun Adewumi, who led the Chairmen, House Committee on Information and Health, Gboyega Aribisogan and Samuel Omotoso, and others, said the petition they wrote to the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, became necessary following constant threats by men of the Nigeria Police, government officials and party leaders in the state. The lawmakers had in a petition asked the IGP to call his men, who constantly threaten to arrest them, to order. Omotosho, who spoke on behalf of others said; “We thank the good people of Nigeria for standing up to condemn the attempted holocaust in Ekiti State by men of the Directorate of State Security, DSS. We are here today

to submit a petition to the office of the Inspector General of Police, the British High Commission and the Ambassador of the United States of America to intimate them of the ugly incident happening in Ekiti State. “Some persons, who claimed to be policemen, invaded Ekiti State and attempted to arrest 11 members of the House of Assembly and some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leaders in the state. This is further extension of the campaign of calumny against the government of Ekiti State. “At this point, we must appreciate the IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase, who promptly ordered the policemen to leave the state. Since then, they have been hanging around, threatening everybody, which has made it difficult for us to stay in the state. We doubt if those policemen that came to Ekiti State are actually working for the Nigeria Police. If they are actually members of the Nigeria Police or are operating illegal duties, we plead with the IGP to fish them out and bring them to book.

L-R: Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Segun Adewunmi; Chairman, House Committee on Information,Youth and Sports, Mr Gboyega Aribisogun and Mr Samuel Omotosho at the news conference in Ibadan on the political crisis in Ekiti State, on Wednesday. PHOTO:NAN

Cultism: Two Ekiti varsity students bag 3-year jail Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

n Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced two students of Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado Ekiti, to three years imprisonment over involvement in secret cult. Justice Mosun Abodunde in her judgment said the prosecution counsel had established a case of secret cult against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Abodunde, who found the accused guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly, said the punishment would serve as deterrent to other students in higher institutions that

they should always face their studies and shun secret cult activities. The accused, Akintunde Olumide and Oladapo Olaoluwa, faced a threecount charge of stealing, assault and secret cult. The judge said the accused made confessional statement as members of Black Axe at the Criminal Investigation Department during interrogation, adding that the police found in their custody small cutlasses, black head warmer, black T-shirt and black trousers during investigation. The judge held that the short cutlasses could not be mistaken with the one

used for agriculture or weeding grass, saying: “It is not a tool for education. It is a weapon of danger and intimidation, which should not be seen within school premises.” She described secret cult, according to Ekiti State laws, as a grou, whose membership are kept in secret, committing or inciting violence, encouraging the disturbance of the state. Justice Abodunde said the exhibit recovered from the accused made the case weighty and voluminous. The judge resolved two of the issues in favour of the accused and used

the last count to sentence them to three years imprisonment without any option of fine. Police prosecution, Mr Femi Falade, had told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on July 13, 2013, at a hotel in Iworoko area of Ekiti State. According to him, the offence was punishable under Section 355, 4(1) of Criminal Code Laws of Ekiti State 2012 and Secret Cults (Abolition and Prohibition). The prosecution called four witnesses to prove his case, while the defendants also called three witnesses.

governor. He said the repair works will include covering all potholes on the road while the drainage systems will also be given a face-lift. Sodeinde listed the roads earmarked for repairs to include Iyana Ishasi-Ribamu Bus Stop (both sides), Ketu Bus Stop-Cele Nica, FGC Ijanikan-Iyana Era, ACOED Pedestrian Bridge-Alafia Bus Stop, former Toll Gate–Ibiye/ Morogbo and Pure Water Bus Stop–Magbon (both sides). Other roads expected to get a facelift include Ile-Epo Bus Stop–Oko Afo Outward Badagry, Mowo Bus Stop–Elijah Araromi Bridge (both sides), Limca

Bus Stop–Mosafejo (both sides), French Village–Low Cost Housing Scheme and Ibereko (both sides). According to Sodeinde, the repair works on Lagos Badagry Expressway was in line with the mandate of the present administration to ensure zero tolerance for potholes. He expressed optimism that when the rehabilitation works are completed, it will to a large extent reduce the traffic congestion on the road, assuring that the Public Works agency will work day and night to on the roads. “The governor has said it times without number that he wants all the roads in Lagos to be motorable

and free of potholes. He wants the hard life that Lagosians are going through to be alleviated. He cannot stand Lagosians going through hardship due to bad roads. “You know when the roads are good, it means economic growth, people will be able to move from one part of the state to another, transport their goods without stress, you will notice that even the activities of hoodlums and pickpockets thrive when there is gridlock, as far as gridlock that are caused by potholes are concerned, we are on our feet to ensure that we put the road in order to reduce the traffic congestion,” Sodeinde said.

Ambode orders repair of Lagos-Badagry expressway Francis Suberu

agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has ordered the State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, to immediately embark on extensive repair of the ever- busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway so as to improve driving experience of motorists in the area. Special Adviser to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of Public Works, Ayotunde Sodeinde, who made this known to journalists on Thursday, said the corporation has already mobilised its workers to commence work on the road as directed by the

South East

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NDIC invites liquidated Enugu banks’ depositors to claim N60m Emmanuel EzehEnugu

igeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, yesterday called on de-

positors of liquidated banks in Enugu State to come forward and claim their money. A breakdown showed unclaimed depositors’

fund of N17.02m from three micro finance banks, as well as N43.68m for depositors in the closed Havard Trust Savings and Loans. Managing Direc-

tor/Chief Executive of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, made the call at the ongoing 27th Enugu International Trade Fair. Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr. Nicho-

L-R: Officials of Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Principal Manager, Mr Emeka Nnaji; Assistant Director, Mr Olawale Bakare and representative of Managing Director, NDIC, Mr Ayuba Ibrahim and Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) Vice President, Trade Fair, Mr Jasper Nduagwuike, during NDIC’s Day at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

NGO to sue ISOPADEC over FoI Chris Njoku, Owerri

non-gover nmental organisation, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption, MIIVOC,

yesterday in Owerri said it has concluded plans to sue the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ISOPADEC, as a result of its refusal to respond to a request bothering on misappropriation

of funds made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. MIIVOC’s information/ FoI officer, Phillip Inyang, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Ow-

NCS impounds N663m good in 3 months Chris Njoku, Owerri

igeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone C, Owerri, has disclosed that it made 70 seizures with a duty paid value, DPV, of N663m in January, February and March this year as against the N650m recorded in 2015. Addressing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State capital, yesterday, area comptroller in charge of the unit, Mr. Haruna Mamudu, said while the underpayment recovered stands at N214.9m, more than 34 suspects were arrested in connection with the shady deal within the period under review. According to Haruna, 18 cases arising from the seizures are now pending in court. He listed the contraband goods confiscated as 44 vehicles, 380 cartons of

plastic articles, 1,656 pieces of used tyres, 3,614 cartons of imported frozen poultry products as well as 818 cartons of foreign soap and detergents. Others are 181 bales of textile fabrics, 737 pieces of bags and suitcases and 85 bundles of footwear as well as 120 packages of furniture and 906 cartons of unregistered drugs - all of which were seized on the Benin, Agbor, Onitsha-Asaba, Owerri, Calabar and Aba/Eleme axes. Aside this, the Customs Unit area comptroller said over 19 trucks with 50kg rice also impounded by his men have been detained for proper and thorough investigation. He vowed to bring to book those caught in the illegal business, adding that there are no more hiding places for smugglers in the country as men of the NCS are more than ever ready to dislodge them wherever they

are. “Our men are now better trained, well equipped and motivated to deal with the nefarious activities of smugglers that have continued to inflict a devastating blow on the nation’s economy.” Haruna added that the crusade against smugglers, their agents and collaborators has been intensified and would be pursued with stronger vigour until the battle is won. While inspecting the impounded items at the NCS premises, he advised those still trapped in the illicit deal of smuggling to desist forthwith in their own interest, just as he appealed to members of the public with useful information about smugglers to always make such information available to his men or other sister agencies for prompt action.

erri, yesterday. According to him, “in an FoI request dated March 11, 2016, signed by MIIVOC’s programme officer, Promise Ibe, and addressed to the acting managing director, ISOPADEC, we made a fivepoint request, asking for information on issues bothering on alleged misappropriation of funds and breach of public trust.” The FoI request, which he availed newsmen, reads in part: “We are concerned about the raging controversy over deplorable state of the newly-built ISOPADEC secretariat. We are also worried over the seeming poor impact of the commission in the lives of oilproducing communities in the state as well as the unstable financial status of the commission.” Considering the controversy trailing the commission and in view of the right of Imo citizens and Nigerians at large to know, the organisation said it would invoke sections 1, 2 (3) (V), 2 (3) (Vi) of the Freedom of Information Act (2011) to request: “Details of the contract for the construction of the new ISOPADEC secretariat; the documents

las Ayuba Ibrahim, urged depositors who have funds in liquidated banks “to endeavour to file their claims with the corporation for immediate payment.” “I wish to use this opportunity to call on depositors of the three MFBs here in Enugu, whose licences were revoked recently to, as a matter of urgency, come forward and file claims for payment of their deposits. “Of the total insured deposit, amounting to N75.49 million for the three MFBs, N58.47m has been paid, leaving a balance of N17.02m. “Furthermore, depositors of the closed Havard Trust Savings and Loans, also in Enugu, are advised to file their claims as N37.96m only has been paid to some of them to date out of the insured sum of N81.64m, leaving an outstanding balance of N43.68m.” The NDIC boss equally cautioned Nigerians against patronising ‘wonder banks,’ which

he said “offer mouthwatering interest rates to dupe unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned incomes in the name of investments. “For the avoidance of doubt, these ‘wonder banks’ or illegal funds managers are neither licensed by either the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN or Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, nor are they under the NDIC deposit insurance scheme.” While urging members of the public to avail themselves the opportunity of the NDIC help desk, Ibrahim disclosed that “there are 958 micro finance banks, and 62 primary mortgage banks in the country as at December 31, 2015. He added that the corporation has embarked on a nationwide sensitisation on NDIC’s mandate and financial literacy for NYSC members, a process that led to the education of over 27,000 members of the scheme.

Chris Njoku,

man that every political appointment must end one day. In his vote of thanks, Sir Eche promised that he would bring the needed change to the office of the Secretary to the State Government for better and expressed gratitude to the governor for finding him worthy for such a position. Meanwhile, Governor Okorocha used the opportunity to call on the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Imo State University chapter, to call off the strike embarked on by lecturers in the university, expressing shock that the lecturers would go on strike in the second week of March over outstanding February salary. His words: “It is shocking that ASUU in IMSU told lecturers to go on strike in the second week of March because of February salary, and when they had been paid full salary for the month of January. This is shocking. It is not acceptable to the state government.

Okorocha begs IMSU lecturers to call off strike Owerri

overnor Rochas Okorocha yesterday swore in the new Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir George Eche, who replaces Sir Jude Ejiogu, who was sacked penultimate week by the governor. Governor Okorocha said Sir Eche’s appointment was to bridge a gap, saying that in the state Ngor Okpuala, where the new scribe comes from, Ohaji/Egbema and Onuimo are the most marginalised local governments in the state as they have not been treated fairly. He told Sir Eche, who is a career civil servant, to unite his people of Owerri zone, and by extension, the state. The governor expressed optimism that Sir Eche would leave up to expectation, adding that his predecessor was never sacked out of dishonour, and that he also put in his best, reminding the new helms-

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South-South

Friday, April 1, 2016

Rivers re-run: Group calls for Wike’s trial at ICC Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

ne of the Observer groups in the just concluded state and National Assembly elections in Rivers State, Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative, BBLLI, has written to Ambassador of the United States in Nigeria, demanding justice over the killing of a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC member during the election. The observer group is also seeking intervention of the United States govern-

ment over the lives of security personnel that were lost during the election. In the letter dated March 29, 2016, and signed by Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, BBLLI, Anthony Onuya Yusuf, the group said the Governor, Nyesom Wike, should be held responsible for the crisis that erupted during elections in the state. He said the governor should be thoroughly investigated and charged before the International Criminal Court, ICC, at The Hague, for committing crimes against humanity during

the recent re-run elections in Rivers State. “The unpleasant atmosphere created by stakeholders of the two major political parties to wit; All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, particularly series of unwarranted threats issued by Governor Nyesom Wike, no doubt, are the root causes of the wanton killings and destruction of valuable properties. “We have it on record that Governor Nyesom Wike, who is statutorily duty-bound as Chief Security Officer to maintain

peace, law and order in Rivers State, had openly threatened violence and death to stakeholders long before and even during the re-run elections. “In fact, Governor Wike was reported to have told all staffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, posted to Rivers State on election duties to write their Wills ahead of the re-run elections, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and their acolytes were battle ready to decapitated anyone attempting to stand as an obstacle to their vic-

L-R: President, South East, South South Professionals of Nigeria, Mr. Chike Okoroafor; Deputy President, South East, South South Professionals of Nigeria, Mr. Nuhu Yakubu and President, SESS Priofesionals of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, during a courtesy visit to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja, yesterday.

tory at the polls. “Unfortunately, Wike’s threats materialised and the re-run elections were greeted by violence, leading to numerous atrocities perpetrated against our security agencies by some armed gang believed to have been sponsored by the Rivers State government. “Worthy of mention is the brutal murder in Ahoada-West Local Government Area of the State of a member of the National Youth Service Corps named Samuel Chukwudumebi Okonta, who served as an INEC ad-hoc staff with call-up number RV/15B/5539. “The murder of Mr. Okonta, an orphan and indigene of Illah community in Oshimili-North Local Government Area of Delta State, has attracted both local and international condemnation. His death was not only painful and condemnable, but avoidable. “We are rudely shocked that Nigerians and members of the international community, who usually cry foul and castigate our security operatives whenever they go wrong in the discharge of their duties, have thrown their conscience to the wind by choosing to keep mute instead of demanding justice on account of the unimaginable atrocities and provocations perpetrated against security agencies in recent past.” In the letter, he also said

the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Nigerian Army maimed, tortured and beheaded by the dreaded Ombatse cult in Nasarawa State together with those incessantly killed in the South-East by Biafran agitators and Colonel Samaila Inusa of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna, abducted on Saturday, 26th March, 2016, are entitled to human rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. “The slain men and officers who laid down their lives for the service of fatherland are not angels from heaven, but responsible Nigerians with obligations to families, friends and dependants. Their lives deserved adequate protection and at death their killers ought to be brought to face the wrath of the law without fear or favour. “We join other advocates of justice across the world in condemning the callousness and political opportunism exhibited by agents of the Rivers State Government against humanity in the name of preventing the APC led Federal Government of Nigeria from taking over power at the state level”

Air Force deploys aircraft against pipeline vandalism, sea piracy APC chieftain accuses Fayose Richard Ndoma CALABAR

hief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, says Nigerian Air Force NAF, would no longer fold its arms and watch the South South coastal waters invaded by pirates and vandals, but would henceforth deploy maritime aircraft to assist the Nigerian

Navy to police the creeks of Bakassi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and beyond. Abubakar dropped this hint while on a maiden visit to the 207 Special Mobility Group of the NAF in Calabar. The air force boss maintained that the aircraft that would be deployed would assist in patrolling the creeks of the South South with a view to pre-

venting oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which are the economic resources of the country. “We are working with the Nigerian Navy, and very soon, we will deploy a maritime aircraft that would assist them in their activities. “They is a comprehensive plan on ground already through the operation Pulo Shield and

the military is working together to ensure that petroleum infrastructure in the South South are given adequate protection. “We are working towards getting rid of these criminals. We need intelligence information too from members of the public that would help us curb this menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism,’’ Abubakar added.

Unpaid salaries: Youths vow to shun Edo governorship election Onazena Abbey BENIN

housands of youths under Edo State Youth Employment Scheme (Edo YES), have resolved to distance themselves from the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state billed for November 10, 2016, over alleged failure by the state government to pay their outstanding eight months salaries The over 10,000 youths,

who staged a peaceful protest in major streets in Benin city yesterday, demanded immediate reinstatement and regularisation of the scheme, payment of salaries of affected workers who were never informed before the abrogation of the scheme on June 10, 2015. President, EDO YES, Comrade Victor Olusegun Idonigie, who pegged the total number of youths employed under the scheme at 12,000 and later downsized

to 8,000, majority of whom he claimed are graduates, masters degree holders, spread across the various ministries were affected. He said of the 305 teachers from the scheme recalled for interview by the Professor Dennis Aghonlahor committee in February 2016 are yet to receive their appointment letters. According to them, besides the 50 persons later employed by the state government, no single person was considered from the

scheme, more so the computer interview was alien to them. The group posited they are yet to endorse any candidate for the governorship election and will not likely do so until the government fulfills its pledge. They equally submitted that the circular letter dated 10th June 2015 for the abrogation of the Edo YES was to regularised the scheme in respect to the resolution of the House of Assembly.

of incitement against Buhari Onazena Abbey BENIN

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Hon Charles Idahosa, has described what he called the incessant attack on President Muhammudu Buhari by Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, as deliberately orchestrated to whip up public sentiment. The Political Adviser to Governor Oshiomhole accused the governor of biting more than he can chew, adding that nemesis will soon catch up with him. Idahosa, who made this assertion while speaking with newsmen in Benin city, Edo State capital, also said his decision to throw his weight behind Governor Oshiomhole’s preferred candidate remains unshakable, saying the party’s primary will be free and fair. “I am always shocked when people take Fayose

seriously. This regular attack on Buhari, he knows, is to prepare ground because he knows he will go down. All he is doing is to whip up public sentiments so that when his sins catch up with him, people will be saying it is because he is always attacking the government and that’s why this is happening to him. Is he the publicity secretary or spokesman of the PDP? “I hear people talk about Governor Oshiomhole adopting Godwin Obaseki and I tell you there is nothing wrong in that. I am in support of the candidate, my support for him is based on the conviction that he can do well. “The era of being a governor has gone scientific; it has gone beyond the era of going to Abuja for allocation. His preference for Obaseki is right because he is the right person equipped to pilot the affairs of the state,” Idahosa said.

North

Friday, April 1, 2016

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Shi’ite: We’ll not allow anyone to hold Katsina to ransom –Govt James Danjuma KATSINA

atsina State government has vowed not to allow any persons or group of persons to hold the state to ransom under the guise of religion. It also vowed not to allow what happened in Kaduna State, where several Shi’ite members clashed with military personnel, in the state. The vow is coming on the heels of a planned procession on Wednesday by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, which was prevented from taking place by security personnel in the state. The planned procession was scheduled to begin from the Central Mosque area in the metropolis, but armed personnel told them to disperse from the area. The Shi’ite members gathered to hold the Maulud procession, a yearly event to commemorate the birthday of Fatima, daughter of the prophet and founder of Islam. Leader of the move-

ment in the state, who spoke on the issue, Shiek Yakubu Yahaya, said about 10 armed police vehicles had stormed the venue of their gathering and confiscated their banners and flags. Yahaya described the action as unfortunate and that he and members of the group have resorted to prayers on the issue. Meanwhile, to ensure compliance and stop breakdown of law and order, security personnel have continued to guard the central mosque and patrol major streets in the state capital yesterday. But in a statement signed by the senior special adviser to the state governor on media, Abdu Labaran, the state government denied stopping citizens from practising their religion. The statement said the claim in the social media on the issue didn’t reflect the true situation of events, even as it reiterated commitment to promoting security in the state. It said some people were “using the social me-

Youths protest fuel hoarding in Katsina James Danjuma KATSINA

undreds of youths took to the streets yesterday to protest alleged hoarding of premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, by filling station owners. The protesters shouted slogans like “Say no to petrol hoarding,” and “hoarding of fuel is detrimental to societal growth,” among others. They also displayed placards with similar slogans, while they walked through major streets, distributing pamphlets with related messages in the metropolis. Though organisers of the protest were unavailable for comment, some of the protesters said they were venting their frustration over alleged hoarding of petrol by filling station owners. One of the protesters, who spoke on the issue said: “We have it on good authority that fuel tankers had recently brought sizeable amount of petrol into the state, but most of

the filling stations are not selling the product.” He added that “some of the filling stations that have the commodity are selling at exorbitant prices,” and that the “scarcity of the product is impacting negatively on the people.” He however called on relevant authorities to take urgent steps to check the situation, to “alleviate the suffering of the masses.” The state, like most other states in the country, has been grappling with the problem of fuel scarcity in recent months. This has led to the re-emergence of long queues at filling stations that are lucky to get the product. A few of the stations that sell the commodity often sell at high prices, with a litre sometimes selling for between N165 and N195. But rumours have been making the round that some of the filling station owners are hoarding fuel so that they could later sell at exorbitant prices.

dia to spread false and malicious information with the intention of causing disaffection in the state.” The statement said it was falsely reported that the state government was “planning to stop citizens from practising their religion as dictated by their faith.” It however said such an allegation is not true, but that the state government

“recognises the constitutional guarantee to all citizens to freely practice the religion of their choice without let or hindrance. “However, in the exercise of that freedom they must remember not to trample on or encroach on the rights of others. “Let it be made clear that this administration accords the highest pri-

ority to security. We will therefore not fold our arms and allow any person or group of persons to hold the state to ransom under whatever guise. “On issues of security, we will not compromise; we will go to all and any length to not only ensure, but also guarantee that every citizen lives peacefully in the state. “Accordingly, we will not

allow any person or group of persons to convert public spaces for their exclusive religious or other purposes at the detriment of the rest of the society. “We will not allow what happened in Kaduna State to happen in Katsina. We are determined to make sure Katsina remains a peaceful state for everyone to live and practice his religious faith unmolested.”

L-R: Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Nuhu Gidado; National President of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Musa Isiwele and National Deputy President, RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, during a courtesy visit to the deputy governor in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

New electricity tariff ill-timed –Bello Priscilla Dennis MINNA

iger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, says the electricity tariff being proposed by National Electricity Regulation Commission, NERC, is illtimed as it is coming when Nigerians are grappling with economic challenges. He also stated that the power outage being witnessed in the state, especially in Minna, the state

capital, is an indictment on him and his government as he has not been able to solve it. Bello, who stated this during a visit by the board of directors and officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, in Minna, said the hike in the price of electricity would further compound government and the people’s woes. Against this background, he declared that the people of the state

would not be able to pay the tariff, saying most citizens are depending on government finances to survive. According to him, “the increase in electricity tariff is coming at a wrong time because we are facing lots of difficulties at the moment as a nation. My state, Niger, is a government-dependent state; most of the citizens are dependent on government finances to survive and unfortunately, we have not

Assembly, stating that the state government gave the ex-chairmen N390 million in the twilight of their exit from office. But Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair, Ahmed Aliyu Tijani, in a chat with journalists in Lafia, the state capital, dismissed the allegation as a lie aimed at tarnishing the image of the government. He, however, said the state government has only

shared N120 million among the various local councils, being derivations that accrued from Value Added Tax, VAT. According to him, the decision to share the VAT was arrived at among the chairmen during one of their meetings, which resolved that instead of continued usage of the VAT for recurrent expenditure, it is better for them to share the money and undertake some capital projects at the council level.

Nasarawa denies giving N390m to ex-chairmen Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

asarawa State government yesterday denied allegation that it paid N390 million into the accounts of former chairmen of local government areas of the state, two days to the expiration of their tenure. Recently, a group, Concerned Nasarawa Citizens, had petitioned Nasarawa State House of

embarked on commercial activities or industrialisation. “Now that the government has no money, it is having a negative impact on everyone and to now request for more payments in terms of tariff is making things worse for the people. I hope something will be done about it.” The governor decried the percentage of power supplied to the state in the past four months, and urged the regulators to increase distribution to at least 40 per cent. Speaking earlier, chairman of the AEDC board of directors, Ambassador Shehu Malami, promised that the company would do its best to improve on power distribution to Niger State and its franchise area. He lamented that the company’s major challenge is that it could only distribute the power allocated to it by the generating company, assuring that soon, the days of power shortage in the state would be over.

Friday, March 25, 2016

In support of Dogara’s call for North-East donor confab

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Politics

Bayelsa Poll: Sylva seeks tribunal’s nod to inspect election materials Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

he All Progressive Congress, APC governorship candidate in the recently conducted governorship election in Bayelsa State, Chief, Timipre Sylvia yesterday told the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to allow him inspect election materials used for the December 5, 2015 and January 9, 2016 governorship election held in the state. Sylva in the motion on notice filed and argued by Mr. Sebastine Hon (SAN) sought an order of the Tribunal to compel the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to allow him inspect the election materials used for the polls. Among the 37 materials sought to be inspected are the ballot papers used and thumb printed and counted as valid, the ballot papers recorded as spoilt, un-used and print out of records of accreditation as captured by the Smart Card Readers. Others are the voters register in all the polling units and the eight Local. Government Areas, INEC result sheets, security report on the election, appointed observers’ reports, video and audio reports on the election and letters of complaints of irregularities and malpractices during the election addressed to INEC. Moving the motion, predicated on seven grounds, Sylva’s counsel, Hon prayed the Tribunal to grant the request since the electoral body which conducted the election and is in possession of the items did not oppose the application. Hon said, in law, the facts deposed to in an affidavit and not challenged by way of counter affidavit are deemed admitted by the force of law. Hon argued that the coun-

ter affidavit filed by Governor Dickson through his counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) was misconceived and misplaced because it did not address the issues raised in the petitioners motion. The counsel argued that it was wrong of the governor to have claimed that the petitioners motion is vague because the documents sought to be inspected by the petitioner are well pleaded in the petition and in-line with section 151 of the Electoral Act 2010. However, in his opposition to the request, Governor Dickson urged the Tribunal to refuse the application for lacking in merit. Oyetibo submitted that the prayers in the application of Sylva did not support what he wanted the Tribunal to do for him. The Governor’s counsel specifically insisted that the petitioners request was vague because it failed to mention the author or maker of the material sought to be inspected. Besides, Dickson’s counsel claimed that the petitioner failed to give reasons on why he wanted to inspect the materials used for the election, adding also that the request also violated Section 104 of the Evidence Act because the mandatory fee for certification of the materials has not been paid by the petitioner. Oyetibo also submitted that his client has every right to oppose the inspection of the election materials by reason of fair hearing because the inspection, if carried out, can have direct negative consequences on the Governor, his client. He urged the dismissal of the application for lacking in merit. The three- man panel headed by Justice Kazeem Alogba after listening to all the submission fixed April 11, 2016 to deliver ruling on whether to allow the inspection of the materials or not.

Cross section of Interim Chairmen of LGAs taking Oath of Office before Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday.

Obasanjo tasks African leaders on good governance

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to African leaders to focus on good governance, equity and other variables that would bring about growth and development in the continent. Obasanjo made this known at the recently concluded Commonwealth Day Service and The Commonwealth Africa Summit event held in commemoration of the Commonwealth Week in London organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative and GLEEHD Foundation. The Commonwealth Africa Summit with the theme “Shared Prosperity. Mutual Security” was also attended by Mayors from across London; High Commissioners, Members of Parliament and a huge number of the African Diaspora Community leaders and citizens from across the Commonwealth. Obasanjo said that good governance will bring

sustainable development and reduce tension and unhealthy rivalry among members state in Africa . He said that the world will listen to us and globalisation will favour African when we look inward and make effort to solve our problems without necessary looking to the west for aid and grants. He said “the World will listen when they think you are serious and you are doing what is right. We, as Africans should remember that nobody will do anything for you unless you do it yourself”. He said that “Although the notion is that Africa must always learn from their commonwealth counterpart in developed world, the reality is that there are a lot of good things that can also be learnt from Africa”. The former President also added “If Globalisation means, I open my door and you take things out but you

close your own door to me, then to hell with globalisation”. “Africa is not an unmitigated failure, there are good things in Africa. Africa remains the cradle of humanity. We need to put our pad on our head as Africans and stand by our load and be ready to carry, then they will help us”, he said. He added that Africa greatest asset is its people.” Let us train and educate our people. People will say, too many people, the truth is that the so called youth budge can be an asset and a responsibility. Let us educate them and give them skills. “60% of arable lands in the World is in Africa, what we do with it. Let us stop regarding agriculture as a development project; it’s a business, Agriculture business”, he said. Obasanjo, who is also the Co-chairman of Commonwealth African Initiative

said “Leadership can do and undo. What I have seen in Africa is that I think on incremental basis, our leadership qualities are improving, but our leaders need to be educated. They need to understand the world and know that by themselves alone we can’t go farther. He recalled that ECOWAS celebrated 40 years last year and “all we can say in ECOWAS is that we have free movement. Even that, you try to move between Cotonou and Lagos and you will meet over 40 check points. I am not saying remove the borders, but lower the borders. “When I had smuggling problem in Benin, and I said to Benin, anything you produce, we in Nigeria will take it but I will not allow your economy to become a dumping ground to goods from all over the world. Whatever we see your stamp on as produced, we will allow in into Nigeria. That is Leadership”, he said.

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Friday, April 1, 2016

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In support of Dogara’s call for North-East donor confab Turaki Adamu Hassan

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has been making calls for the convening of an international donors conference that would holistically tackled the economic and infrastructural needs of the north-eastern part of Nigeria which has borne the brunt of the six-year violent uprising from adherents of the Jama’atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati Wal Jihad, known commonly as Boko Haram. Dogara first made the call in a motion he personally sponsored in August last year on the urgent need for rehabilitation, recovery, reconstruction and resettlement of the violence- ravaged region. Since then, at every fora, the Speaker has continued to champion the plights of the north - east while arguing that the region deserves global attention as a member of the international community. His call is in line with what has been happening since the end of the World War II where international conferences were held for Western Europe and Japan which were rebuilt following adoption of the American Marshall Plan, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, Gaza and recently for Syria. There is therefore, no reason such a conference can’t be held for the north-east of Nigeria. This is the kind of patriotic zeal that comes when true leaders that are vision - inclined are in power. It should be noted that, the scale of devastation, destruction and damage in the region far supercedes what happened in some of the countries and regions listed above but which the international community didn’t hesitate to come to their aid. The region, even before the violence erupted years ago, is one of the most poorest in the world. A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP said Borno state alone has lost trillions of Naira economic wise while not fewer than 20,000 people were killed even though most of us who come from the north - east strongly believe that the number of casualty far outweigh the official figure of 20,000 with some putting it at over 100,000. To be convinced about a call for conference one needs to take a trip to some of the villages recently liberated in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Communities were not only totally razed to the ground but one is left with no option than to conclude that the insurgents were all out to extinct and annihilate every living and non-living beings in the affected areas. These fundamentalists succeeded in leaving to waste large swaths of territories in those states, especially Borno state, which happened to be the epic-center of the violence. Right now, officially over 2.2 million Nigerians are living as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in several states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory, while thousand others are refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic. Again, the number of IDPs is far more than 2.2 million as it ranges between 5 million to 5.5 million because majority of those displaced are not living in camps but are being housed by relations both within and out-

Dogara

The

enormity of the task ahead in

rebuilding the area, especially the cost is something that even the federal government might not be able to totally shoulder hence the call for the donor conference. side the affected areas. To buttress Dogara’s call for an international donor conference, UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Ms Angele Dikongue- Atangana, during the UNHCR 2015 stakeholders’ briefing of the commission’s representation in Nigeria, urged donors and partners to take a trip to the ‘field’ to be aware of the level of destruction for a better understanding of the situation. This is because there are dozens of villages in the north-east that have been totally destroyed. The case of the attack on Dalori is still fresh in our minds where reports said entire houses in the village were torched. The enormity of the task ahead in rebuilding the area, especially the cost is something that even the federal government might not be able to totally shoulder hence the call for the donor conference. This much was also agreed by the Chairman, Presidential Committee on North-east Initiative, retired Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma recently, when he said that conservatively, over two trillion naira (N2 trillion) will be required in the short-term to rebuild areas devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency. This is just for the short term measure! He added that the rebuilding of the region would require the co-operation of all, considering that the magnitude of destruction was

beyond the means of the federal or state governments. He further noted that the rebuilding the North- east would demand maximum cooperation and resources. “Rebuilding the North- east is one of the biggest and most complex challenges that Nigeria is facing today. To hold government or any one agency alone responsible for this task is to underestimate the enormity of the problem. The task would involve massive reconstruction of physical infrastructure, much of which have been totally destroyed and, of course, the more challenging one, which is the rebuilding of peace and social cohesion,’’ he said during the opening of a two-day security seminar, organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College. The rebuilding effort being done by some of the governors of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are mere drops in a vast ocean of need that wouldn’t make much difference. For example, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has been building some houses in Bama and other local governments. But without help from outside to address the destruction in over 20 local governments that were initially intermittently occupied and destroyed by the insurgents, it would not go far. More so, the destruction in Gwoza and

Bama, two of the worst-hit local governments in Borno and their current needs goes beyond even the complete federal allocations that accrue to Borno state for now. Same for other local governments in the state and other north- east states where their need stands beyond rebuilding houses. But issues of topmost important for the north-east revolves around not only the housing but health care, women and youth empowerment, education and agriculture. Sufficiently meeting these needs would require the involvement of the international community. As with these areas targeted, the people of the north-east and the region in general stand the chance of having positive multiplier effect roll back on them. This is why the call by the speaker for an international donor conference is apt, timely and holds the solution to addressing the destruction in the north- east, because other places have held such international conferences with success. The recent one was the International Donors conference for reconstruction and development in Dafur, held in Doha, Qatar from 7-8 April 2013. This donor conference brought together representatives of the Government of Sudan, the international donor community, the development banking sectors, international and national Non-Governmental Organizations and international funds and foundations and provided a forum for the Darfur Regional Authority and the Government of Sudan to discuss with its development partners the needs for economic recovery, development and poverty eradication in the aftermath of the conflict in Darfur. Likewise, the Syrian donor conference held in London where over $10 billion was pledged so much that the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon hailed the conference as a “great success,” saying, “Never has the international community raised so much money on a single day for a single crisis. ” Just like the speaker noted, the world now is a global village in which the effect of a massive population shift within the northeast could have spiraling effect on the world. Europe is battling to halt the massive influx of refugees from Syria, Iraq and the middle east; it is therefore in the collective interest of the international community that funds are raised to resettle the IDPs and refugees from Nigeria so as to avoid another surge to the Mediterranean sea where thousands of migrants are dying every year in their desperate effort to cross to Europe. Already, the impact of the effect of the insurgents is felt in our neighboring countries and the need for such conference now can’t be over-emphasised. Consequently, just like the speaker has done, the leaders of this country should start persuading world leaders and work toward having something like that, even if it’s in Africa. Dogara deserves not only to be supported but also commended by all for his consistency in pushing for the convocation of the confab. The responsibility of doing that now rests with the Federal government or the Executive as the parliament or legislature cannot delve into that since it is not within its powers to do so.

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Abiodun Nejo Ado Ekiti

he embattled former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Secretary in Ekiti State, Dr Tope Aluko, said yesterday that the party allowed the governorship candidates of other parties in the June 21, 2014 election in the state to win their wards only “to make the charade called election appeared real”. Aluko, who said while the PDP released N200,000 to each unit in the other wards in the state for distribution on election day, only a paltry N50,000 was released to each unit in the wards of candidates of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Labour Party, LP, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, to weaken the PDP. The 177 political wards in Ekiti State comprised of 2,195 wards. The embattled former PDP scribe, who spoke in reaction to accusation by the state government that he did not win in his ward at Iyin Ekiti in the 2014 election, said the decision to allow Fayemi and Bamidele win at their wards was in view of their

Politics

Friday, April 1, 2016

Ekiti 2014: We allowed Fayemi, Bamidele win wards to make election real- Aluko financial muscle to approach the election petition tribunal. The governor had in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka on Wednesday, taunted Aluko, branding him as an insignificant politician in Ekiti who could not win in his unit and ward during the poll, where Fayose won in 158 out of the 177 wards across the state. Aluko, who hails from Bamidele’s ward, said the agreement to allow the two candidates win their wards was contained in a postelection strategic document which he threatened would be released to the public if the governor wanted him to. He told journalists: “My attention has been drawn to why I lost my ward during the June 21 Governorship poll. But I want it to be on records that losing my ward was part of the postelection strategy, which involves issues of judges and judgment, because we were aware that Fayemi would go

to court after losing the election. “Being the leader of the Fayose’s political army, we both agreed that we should allow Fayemi and Bamidele to win in their wards, because you are all aware that these are the only two candidates that could take us up and incidentally I was from the same ward with Bamidele and former Governor Adebayo. “It was a way of having

genuine reasons in court that made me lost my ward. That was why we distributed a sum of N200,000 per polling unit during the election, but we only gave N50,000 to the polling units of our opponents and this formed part of our argument at the Election Petition Tribunal”, he explained. Aluko denied allegation from the governor that he had been bribed with millions of naira by APC to

bring down his government, saying: “I remain a PDP member. It was petitions from the APC that led me to police, DSS and EFCC detentions for 26 days after I revealed how the election was rigged”. He also described as mere smokescreen, the allegation by some members of Ekiti State House of Assembly in Ibadan on Wednesday of fresh attempt to arrest 11 of them as part of the plot to im-

peach the governor. Aluko said: “I know Fayose’s strategy. He is only seeking attention. If you get to Ado Ekiti now, all the lawmakers are moving around freely. I don’t know what their intention is by heating up the polity and threatening people around, including me. “Though, I am not afraid of them and I am ready for them any time, any day”, he said.

Group wants CCT trial of Saraki quashed Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

group, Yoruba Solidarity Frontier, has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to stop the bickering that led to the suit against the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, initiated by the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC which took away the role of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB and rushed the case before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT in the interest of a lasting peace. This was contained in a statement made available to journalists after its meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Adeyemi Sulaimon . The group cited the withdrawal of the Presiding Judge in the case, Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, as a pointer to the dirty politics behind the case. The group asked why Saraki would be denied the right to be heard before the

case was referred to the CCT, describing the anti-graft action as a gross violation of the Senate President’s right to fair hearing, querying why he should be compelled to face trial before a tribunal whose “impartiality and fairness cannot be guaranteed”. “It is now obvious that the whole charge against the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, is highly malicious and nothing but a political witch-hunt by persons plotting to drag him down. “Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was once arraigned for the same offence and we all knew how the trial was swept under the carpet. We believe APC leadership in their wisdom should have waded in by now and stop the whole ‘political drama”, the statement read. The group however, insisted that the trial of Saraki was politically motivated, contending that all the allegations against him were brought before the CCT in bad-faith and the trial not in public interest but a “political vendetta”.

L-R: National Coordinator, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams; representative of Alaafin of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola and Eze Ndigbo, Eti-Osa Local Government, Gerald Onuchukwu, at the celebration of Eledumare Festival in Lagos, Yesterday.

Braithwaite’s memory will linger — Agbaje, Soyode, Akerele Samuel Adetimehin

minent Nigerians have continue to express their condolences to the family of late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite who died last Monday in a Lagos hospital. Among those who visited the deceased’s residence in Victoria Island Lagos yesterday was the Lagos State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2015 general election , Mr Jimi Agbaje, Barrister Frank Akerele (SAN), former Lagos CJ, Ayo Phillips and father to the wife of the Vice President, Elder Tayo Soyode. The former Lagos CJ, Ayo Phillips, described late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite as a man she looks up to before being called to the bar. “His demise is a national loss and we will miss him for he possessed

character that is good to emulate’. She also described him as a titan who has touched the life of many people.” We are hoping to have more people like him in this nation”, she said. Frank Akerele(SAN) who has been a friend of the Braithwaite family and neighbour for 43 years described Dr. Tunji Braithwaite’s death as sad ‘despite the fact that he died at a ripe age saying his memory will linger on”.

Also present at the deceased’s house was APC Chieftain, Prince Tajudeen Olusi who described Braithwaite as a man who has passion for the common man. “ His steadfastness and commitment to true federalism made him to form his own political party , he said. The father of the wife of the Vice President, Elder Tayo Soyode said he found Braithwaite to be pragmatic while alive and that he was always frank about his feelings on any issue, es-

pecially on national issues without minding what happens . He urged the new generation to follow his foot steps by reading his speeches, works and even if possible his dress style, he said. Agbaje on his part described the late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite as a titan who has done his part, saying, ” We should all take over, doing the right thing”. If we have more Nigerians like him then this nation will be a better place”, he said.

Economic downturn has weighed me down- Dankwambo Williams Attah Gombe

ombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has explained the difficult financial condition facing his administration saying he sweats under his cosy air-

conditioned office when he is not able to fulfil certain basic responsibilities to the people. According to the Governor who was continuing his thank you tour of all Emirates in the State yesterday said he is not finding things easy due to the dwindling revenue coming from the

Federal Government. Speaking at the Palace of Emir of Pindiga, Alhaji Seyoji Ahmed, Governor Dankwambo said he had to borrow N1.550 billion just to complete and pay salaries of Local Government staff from the month of December last year up to March 2016.

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All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR n PUBLISHER

SUNDAY OLAJIDE n MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON n ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI n SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN n SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA n COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE n EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OBIORA IFOH n ACTING ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

Benin Republic’s electoral breakthrough F or a continent under the siege of mostly kleptocrats and sit-tight leaders, whose lust for power and its glitz are scarcely satiable at the expense of their people, the emergence of opposition candidate, Mr. Patrice Talon, as Benin Republic’s President-elect in that country’s presidential poll held on March 20 is a plus for the entire African continent. The feat achieved by Benin Republic is comparable in contemporary African history to the experience Nigeria, one of her closest neighbours, had during the 2015 general elections, when former President Goodluck Jonathan generously bowed to defeat by incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, notwithstanding the Aegean Stable and financial sleaze the Jonathan government left behind. In the case of Benin Republic, Talon (57) emerged winner of the presidential election on garnering majority of the ballots in the second round of polls. He defeated the candidate of the country’s ruling party - Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin - and Prime Minister, Lionel Zinsou, in an election to select the replacement for President Thomas Boni Yayi, who has spent the two five-year terms in office constitutionally allowed by Benin Republic’s Constitution. A former ally of President Yayi, whose elections in 2006 and 2011

he supported before they parted ways, Talon ran as an independent candidate in the presidential poll, finishing second to Prime Minister Zinsou in the first round of voting, but winning the second round with 65 per cent of the votes. Like Nigeria’s former President Jonathan did, reports said Zinsou called Talon to congratulate him even before the results of the election were officially declared. The March 28, 2015 and March 20, 2016 records of Jonathan and Talon respectively, have shamed the shenanigans of Africa’s despots who tinker with their countries’ constitutions and indulge in all manner of lawlessness to cling to power. We talk of the likes of exPresident Laurent Gbagbo of Côte d’Ivoire, who lost a re-election bid in 2010 to the opposition candidate, Alassane Ouattara, but refused to quit; and in the end, plunged his country into avoidable political disputes, failed negotiations, massive violence and killings until he was arrested in November 2011 and slammed with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). There is also Blaise Compaoré , President of Burkina for 27 years; who was insistent on twisting and turning the country’s constitution to extend his rule until the Burkinabé uprising of October 31, 2014, when irate citizens sacked

At the root of the sit-tight rot in Africa is feverish

greed for authority and prestige not meant to serve the needs of the collective him and the country’s complicit National Assembly, before Compaoré fled to Côte d’Ivoire for cover. Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza, won a shambolic third term in office last year July; and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni won a fifth term quite recently to extend his 30-year rule at 71 years of age. Indeed, European Union’s (EU) Chief Observer to the Ugandan election, Eduard Kukan, said the ruling party’s (National Resistance Movement, NRM) “domination of the political landscape distorted the fairness of the campaign”; while Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the head of the Commonwealth election observers’ team, said vote delays and other problems seriously detracted from the fairness and credibility of the results. America’s State Department also observed that delays in the delivery of voting materials, reports of pre-checked

ON THIS DAY April 1, 1992 The Bosnian war started. The war was an international armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between March 1, 1992 and December 14, 1995. The war involved several factions. The main belligerents were the forces of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and those of the self-proclaimed Bosnian Serb and Bosnian Croat entities within Bosnia and Herzegovina, among others.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

April 1, 2001 Same-sex marriage became legal in the Netherlands, the first country to allow it. As early as the mid-1980s, a group of gay rights activists, headed by Henk Krol – the Editor-in-Chief of the Gay Krant – asked the country’s government to allow same sex couples to marry. The parliament decided in 1995 to create a special commission which was to investigate the possibility of samesex marriages.

ballots and vote buying, blockage of social media sites and excessive use of force by the police, collectively undermined the integrity of the Ugandan electoral process. But Museveni is sitting tight. As has been widely canvassed locally and internationally, monumental corruption, excessive gluttony, as well as profligate and outrageous consumption at public expense, more than anything else, are behind the sit tight virus in Africa. Like Van Woudenberg has said, “at the very essence of it (the sit-tight malaise) is the hunger for continued power”. That, however, is putting it mildly. For at the root of the sit-tight rot in Africa is feverish greed for authority and prestige not meant to serve the needs of the collective; or advance the development and greatness of nations on the continent. The craving streams from the recesses of the hypocrisy of a great many African leaders who are strictly out to serve self and other interests cluttering around self. Therefore, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Tanzania and Rwanda, among others, currently viewed as promising African democracies in a hurry to strip governance of profligacy and corruption; and deliver value-for-money to their citizens, deserve great commendation. However, they should strive harder to institutionalise the gains they have made so far.

x April 1, 2011 Protests against the burning of the Quran turned violent, leading to mob attack on United Nations’ compound in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan and the deaths of thirteen people. On March 20, 2011, American pastor, Terry Jones, held a “trial of the Quran” in his Gainesville church in the United States. Finding the scriptures guilty of “crimes against humanity”; and the Quran was burned in the church’s sanctuary.

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Views

Friday, April 1, 2016

Boko Haram and the dimensions of suicide bombings Counter-terrorism Tips With

Ethelbert Oney ethelbertoney@zissltd.com, 08029929121 (sms only)

errorism has existed for years. Suicide attacks have grown in number since the late 1990s. This particular kind of terrorism was long used by the Jewish Zealots in the Roman occupied Judaea and by the Islamic order of assassins during the early Christian crusades. Individuals or groups use violence to achive political or social objectives. For the fact that Boko Haram suicide bombers murder more people than conventional groups in a single strike, their acts provide greater potential in traumatising their intended audience so that they can pressure current administration to cave in to their demands. In recent years, there have been a number of treatments concerning suicide bombings to explain how such drastic measures may have a rational basis in terms of the perpetrators or their leaders. Generally, endowed perpetrators murder more people when carrying out their assignments against the targets. Suicide bombers use unique instruments with greater carnage against hardened targets quite different from conventional terrorist groups. These in-

struments provide social services. Some may be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the communities just like the founder of this deadly sect, Mohammed Yusuf, did by using social service and gesture strategies to gain support and popularity in communities in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. In suicidal bombings, the main intention of the bomber is to kill himself or herself with others, irrespective of who is around. The bomber takes care to choose an isolated spot. Homicidal bombing, which is a regular modus operandi of Boko Haram, is represented by cases where vehicles loaded with explosives are left at crowded places or buildings and then detonated. Accidental explosions do occur in several situations, such as bursting of gas tanks, or when fire is kindled in areas where explosives are stored. Suicidal bombings constitutes those where an individual either straps explosives on his/ her body and detonates them in crowded places, or rams an explosive-laden vehicle into a crowd of people or into a building killing many innocent Nigerians in the process. The process of tying explosives to the body can be regarded as tied trinitrotoluene (TNT) with natural gas. The potential energy release from chemical explosives depends on the rate of decomposition, which in turn is determined by the chemical compounds used for the explosives and their group of engineers wasting their God given talents to kill innocent citizens via explosives manufac-

Suicide attacks have grown in number since the late

1990s

turing. Most of the deadly attacks should contain, for example, black powder which possesses a lower rate of decomposition than TNT that detonates at much higher speeds. Dispersed fragmentation is the mechanism primarily intended to kill persons in the vicinity of the explosiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s epicentre. Small metal objects, such as nails, screws, balls, or bearings, also form an integral part of the explosive device. Many devices have a backup trigger system, such as an electronic timer or pager type switch. If the attacker is killed, apprehended, or has to abort the attack by any other reason, a secondary trigger system can then provide an alternative ignition. In order to conduct a more effective investigation after a bomb blast incident, first the forensic expert should at least be familiar with the basic design of bombs used by the sect. Devices are usually concealed within an article of clothing worn close to the body, such as a vest, belt, or jacket. Most bombing devices used by different terrorist organisations worldwide or Boko Haram in particular are mainly constructed based on similar principles, although there may be subtle variations according to the level of their operations.

It is usually the intention of a suicide bomber to cause as many casualties as possible; mainly crowded places, confined or open space, are normally chosen for detonation of the explosives. Therefore, the scenes of suicide bombing are usually characterised by massive destruction. It must be kept in mind by analysts that when an initial attack occurs, it is usually followed by even more powerful attacks shortly thereafter - a tactic always utilised by Boko Haram. Injuries directly inflicted by the sudden increase in air pressure after an explosion are referred to as primary blast injuries and involve almost exclusively gas-containing internal organs known as primary blast, while secondary blast injuries result from blast-energised bomb fragments and other displaced objects at the site of explosion. In multiple blasts, identification of deceased is an important task, and even more important is to identify the person responsible for the attack. Usually, the body of the suicide bomber will be the worst damaged or perhaps completely disrupted. If isolated limbs are recovered, unusually high concentration of explosive residues on hands would indicate that the person handled the explosives. Most bombing devices used by different terrorist organisations worldwide, like earlier said, are mainly constructed based on similar principles, although there may be subtle variations based on their capabilities, opulence and reach.

Conflict of interest in medical practice Victor Ifedayo Adekeye

he role of medicine in human environment cannot be overstated; medical practice over the years has ensured the continuous existence of the humans. Thus this importance of the medical profession has prompted the need for a well-disciplined practice backed with certain ethical principles that should help regulate the treatment of patients. Medical practitioners, for example, are mandated to make a conscious effort to avoid going into a conflict situation in their professional relationship with their patients. One of the triggers of conflict of interest in recent times is the ownership of private and specialty medical facilities such as ambulatory, endoscopy centres by medical practitioners in public employment. This ownership leads to a lot of referrals by these practitioners to their private business for tests and even medical treatment. This has shifted their role from medical practitioners to medical businessmen, who now pay more attention to their financial interest rather than to the health of patients, who should ethically be their primary interest. Conflict occurs when there is the need for a referral and the medical practitioner refers his/ her patient to his/her hospital or specialty centre even in situation when such is not necessary. It has been researched and discovered that these privately owned centres sometimes are not as equipped as other centres, but these doctors in protecting their financial interest still refer their patients there.

In Nigeria, conflict of interest has caused a lot of damage to the medical practice Another source of conflict is the vendor relationship. Vendor relationship exists when a medical practitioner, intentionally or unintentionally, favours a pharmaceutical company or organisation through the prescription or the recommendation of its products to his/ her patient. This is usually due to the fact that such pharmaceutical companies are making a contribution to the development of the doctor or his/her medical centre. These contributions includes but not limited to financial incentives, gifts, infrastructure and industry - sponsored continuing medical education. Studies over the years have shown that gifts from pharmaceutical companies have influenced the prescription pattern of medical practitioners, the scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours system sometimes leads to medical doctors prescribing drugs from pharmaceutical companies contributing to the growth of his/her organisation or himself/herself over the drugs of other companies even though the non-contributing companies drugs might be more potent than the contributing ones. In this situation, conflict sets in as such medical practitioner will feel an obligation to the contributing pharmaceutical company. Few advertisement media are available for medical devices and pills, so most pharmaceu-

tical companies use a variety of interpersonal techniques including gifts-giving to establish a favour-like relationship with medical officers so as to enhance the promotion of their products. Pharmaceutical companies usually target physicians who are with the highest probability of prescribing their products, court them with gifts or other persuasive agents to secure their loyalty.For example, a pharmaceutical company that deals in baby drugs will pay more attention to courting more paediatricians over other medical practitioners. The treatment of family and friends can sometimes lead to conflict of interest in which case medical practitioners breach ethics in a bid to efficiently and adequately treat their family members. Sometimes the lives of other patients are put in jeopardy. Conflict of interest can also come from the development of a sexual relationship between a medical practitioner and his/her patient. In certain jurisdictions inclusive of Nigeria, sexual relationship with patient is strongly frowned at, and can lead to sanctions like the loss of the medical licence of such practitioner. In the fight against conflict of interest, medical practitioners are to deter from treating a patient if he/she discovers the existence of a conflict. Such patient should be referred to another medical practitioner. Even when he/she has been treating such patient, the patient should be transferred to another medical practitioner. Communication of conflict should be made to such patient. Medical practitioners should be en-stopped from taking gifts from pharmaceutical companies and organisations, even when gifts and grants are taken, there should be an express

communication to the pharmaceutical companies that no preference would be given to them. In short words, conditional grants from pharmaceutical organisations should be refused by medical practitioners and medical centres. Ultimately, it is expedient to state that in the case of any conflict, such conflict should be resolved in favour of the patient. In Nigeria, conflict of interest has caused a lot of damage to the medical practice. Studies show that most of medical practitioners in public employment have financial interest in medical centres, pharmaceutical companies or specialty clinics thus inducing them to placing priority on their private businesses over the benefit of their patients. This is a breach of the medical beneficence principle. Medical practitioners in public employment should be prevented from owning private medical businesses or having financial interest in any pharmaceutical company or medical centres. Finally, the medical and dental regulatory body has a lot of role to play to stem the tide, starting from the enactment of regulations imposing sanctions on practitioners involved in situations of conflict of interest. Adekeye is a Lagos-based medical law practitioner. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Mail Mirror

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Child witch-hunting in Nigeria

C Lagos water consumers deserve better deal

ermit me to use your widely read medium to air my views on the incessant disruption of water supply by Lagos State Water Corporation. While admitting the herculean task of satisfying the water needs of millions of Lagosians, I feel it is appropriate for the state Water Corporation to give notice to the people when it becomes imperative that water supply be disrupted. I praise the people-friendly policies and programmes of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration. In particular, I doff my hat for the administration’s creative management of the mass movement of Lagosians, using very new, clean and comfortable buses at affordable cost. However, a lot needed to be done to improve the performance of Lagos State Water Corporation. Withholding water supply for days could be very unsettling, but doing so for more than a week like happened last November is surely not the best for the teeming population of the state. In this month of January such disruption has occurred. Again during the Easter celebrations, many parts of Ketu were without water for three days. In the absence of public water supply, it is left to the imagination of people what should be the option of water deprived Lagosians. Next to food is water, so it behooves on political leaders to take proactive measures to ensure steady supply of this all important life saver. Governor Ambode or the supervising commissioner should call the General Manager of Lagos Water Corporation to find out why this incessant water stoppage in parts of the state. While accepting the imperative of occasional maintenance of the infrastructure of the Water Corporation, it is important that sufficient notice be given to allow people plan for the period of disruption. This is in the spirit of the change philosophy of the ruling APC in the state and federal level. Let something positive be done to prevent a reoccurrence. Eko o ni baje o! Grace Dickson, Suru Lere, Lagos

Letters to the Editor

hildren in Nigeria suffer brutality in so many horrendous ways. They include child trafficking, childlabour, child-assault and so on. One infamous means of brutality against children is the shameful child-witch parade. The presence of children labelled as “child witches” is known to a lot of people across the nation and practised nation-wide. These labeled witches or wizards are shamed, humiliated, tortured and blamed for life’s problems like sicknesses, untimely death, loss of job, poverty and so on. These children are draped in ugly togas of witchcraft accusation and made to suffer horrendous violations. The children are taken to shrines, churches and traditionalists, who employ means such as prayers, sacri-

fices, flogging and so on in the shameful acts of exorcism. It is, however, worrisome that the primary perpetrators of these evils are the family members of these children who feel a need to rid these children of the supposed ‘evil spirits.’ Other gross remedies employed include beating, chaining, sawing, tying up, starving and nails driven into the head. These superstitious and unfounded beliefs have become a fertile ground for churches, shrines and traditionalists who now claim to possess power to effect exorcism and deliverance on these hapless children in exchange for cash and other material benefits. These children are driven out of homes by parents, ostracised by the community, and end up

on the streets eating from garbage if they are lucky enough. They may even progress to societal vices like drug abuse, pick pocketing and robbery for sustenance. The children suffer the risk of being trafficked out of the country or to far flung parts of the country. There is also a high rate of teenage pregnancy amongst the girls after being sexually abused due to their vulnerability. The extreme stigma they are faced with deprives them of any social support network from their schools, mosques, families, communities and churches. They are called names at school and suffer both physical and verbal attacks. They, therefore, go through untold physical and psychological trauma. All these and many more

characterize the violation of the right to dignity of children in Nigeria through the child witch-hunt, which is a prevalent practice in many states of the country. It is worrisome that these happen in spite of the various legislations protecting the rights of the child in the country. One lesson we can take away from that is the fact that legislations are nothing but mere words if there is no resolve to make positive changes by the stakeholders involved. It, therefore, behooves on everybody to fight this unwholesome practice by doing everything to alleviate the plight of these children and report all cases of abuse to the relevant law enforcement agents. These children are all around us in street parks, uncompleted buildings, markets and so on. The change we all desire begins with us as no law protecting the rights of children can be stronger than the strong resolve of a people to protect these little ones. Emmanuel Ayoola, is an Abuja-based lawyer and child rights activist

Demolition of Mosafejo Village

Children at the Apa IDPS camp during a Public Health Intervention Programme on Child Health in Apa Lga of Benue state on Easter Monday.

Whose interest is NYSC serving?

n one of my ruminating escapades, I stumbled upon this thought: ‘Is NYSC really in the interest if youth corp members?’ Many people have put forth their views regarding the National Youth Service Corp scheme that was put in place in 1973 by the General Yakubu Gowon military administration in Nigeria to cushion the effects of the civil war which ended in 1970. In this piece I would be examining the situation quite uniquely as my custom is when I write on social issues that affect the wellbeing of a large number of Nigerians. For many graduates, the NYSC is the next thing on their mind. Some have, however, found many ways to boycott it. Many people see it as a waste of one year of their life, many others think differently. For many,

NYSC is one year of free money; for many others, it is one year of under productivity. Many see the scheme as a necessary break in between school and ‘real life’. I remember when I just graduated from the prestigious Lagos State University, where I trained to become a sociologist. I was elated like many others and optimistic of my NYSC experience. I read several online accounts of different people’s experiences in order to prepare myself for the unexpected. My position on whether NYSC should be scrapped or not is quite unique. I believe that NYSC should not be scrapped, but it should be overhauled. I believe that corp members should be allowed to serve in companies instead of posting majority of them to schools. I think this has contributed a

great deal in the ‘assumption’ that some of our graduates are unemployable. These days, most of the vacancies require years of experience. If graduates are allowed to work in companies, they would be able to get the necessary experience that would make them employable instead of sending everyone to teach. I would also advise prospective corp members and students to volunteer in various capacities so as to get the necessary skills and experience that they might need in ‘real life’. This is my humble opinion. It does not mean I just want to make common sense; I also want our graduates to find jobs and make my Nigerian dream a reality. I’m a proud Nigerian! God bless Nigeria! Adeleke Ademo wrote via ademoadeleke@gmail.com

s we all celebrate the season at our different locations, it is disheartening to note that the displaced people of Mosafejo community have no choice but to sleep on the street, with families separated, because of the recent unjust demolition of their entire community by the Lagos State government. Before the unjust and unconstitutional exercise, former Governor Babatunde Fashola visited the community and promised to build hospital for them. Whatever aggression Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has with Fashola, if any, should not be digressed on the innocent Lagosians. Without any prior notification, the community was served seven days notice to vacate a place they had lived long before Nigeria’s independent. The village was stormed in the midnight before the end of the seven days, residents brutalized and their properties all destroyed. Victims include a retired ACP who served Lagos State for over 17 years. A retired military officer also died out of the brutality sustained. All these people are now helpless, yet we insist these victims should not take the laws into their hand. Comrade Buna O. Isiak, National Coordinator, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (08038040123)

Send your letters The Editor reserves thethe right letters or or mails mailsto toPMB PMB10001, 10001,Ikoyi, Ikoyi,or orour our Email: Email:mirrorlagos@yahoo.com mirrorlagos@yahoo.comand andinfo@nationalmirroronline.net info@nationalmirroronline.netoror08056180209, 08054103275,07033375481 07033375481(SMS (SMSonly). only). The Editor reserves right to to edit and reject letters photographs. Psuedonyms may used, must clearly marked such. edit and reject letters or or photographs. Psuedonyms may bebe used, butbut must bebe clearly marked asas such.

Your

FRIDAY

Flavour

Friday , April 1, 2016

‘How DJs, OAPs collect bribes from us’

Arty News

Isiguzo Destiny

Friday Flavour gathered that DJs and On Air Personalities collect as much as N20,000 monthly in other to play the songs of up-coming artistes will mean the end of his career and warned the reporter that he will deny his statements if he is quoted in the story. Another female music artiste who also begged for anonymity said one of the DJs in Lagos asked her to come to a hotel if she wants to make it. The DJ revealed to her that female musicians who cannot afford to pay in cash pay in kind. A popular musician Nomoreloss of blessed memory was one of those that lent his voice in condemning the exploitation of upcoming artistes. Before he died, it was reported he fought this menace personally and also through social media. He tweeted that: “Nigerian on air personalities demand money from artistes to use their works on

their shows. Do foreign artistes pay you to get air play? I understand when promoters ask for payment to cover logistics but artistes’ paying on air personalities to do their job is simply ridiculous! “If the artiste pays on air personalities as a reflection of gratitude it’s okay but, for them to demand when we already given our music for free... The problem with the music/artiste community in Nigeria is not the on air personalities demanding money... it’s our ignorance as artistes! I, Nomoreloss Osinuga refuse to be a part of a corrupt system of giving money to any on air personality for air play. Music air play used to be on merit not cash, talent not nudity and profanity...I need real Nigerian on air per-

sonalities to “stand up”. When real Nigerian artistes summon the courage to name those who have demanded money from them for air play, we will end this madness! But unfortunately, no new act is ready to talk about it or mention names for fear of reprisal actions from these people. They are too scared to talk and usually beg for anonymity when they open up to reporters. If DJs and on air radio personalities keep on mortgaging the future of these upcoming artistes for few Naira notes, it means that the quality of music we will be getting be decline because the real talents may not afford the exorbitant demands of these people. No wonder we get to hear DJs and on air radio personalities play all manners of gibberish in the name of songs.

P. 22. 27

Inside a radio studio

Inside FCT

P.28. 29

igerian upcoming artistes are lamenting over the exploitation going on in the music industry. Many artistes cannot see the light of the day due to the fact exorbitant fees are being demanded by DJs and on air radio personalities to play their songs on air and in their different programs. Friday Flavour gathered that DJs and On Air Personalities collect as much as N20,000 monthly in other to play the songs of up-coming artistes. This exploitation may account for the several disconsolate tunes we hear them play on radio, probably because the artistes behind such songs have yielded to their demands. If this practice is not checked, there is growing concern and fear that many good upcoming artistes who may not afford the exorbitant demands may not see the light of the day in the music hall of fame. Some alleged that some of the DJs and radio personalities go as far as sexually exploiting female musicians in other to play their songs. Even though some DJs have debunked these allegations, the level of complaints is still persistent and overwhelming. Popular female Disk Jocker, Nana Abedoh aka DJ Nana in a recent interview said she has never collected money from any artiste and in the same vein condemned such act. “For me, I have never collected money from any artiste to play his or her songs in the club nor anywhere, neither have I heard of any DJ that has done that. As for me, I can confidently say that nobody can point at DJ Nana over such allegations” she averred. Some of the upcoming artistes insisted that it is not an allegation but a shocking reality. A Lagos based new act told Friday Flavour that paying for your songs to be played on radio is a norm. He revealed that most of the DJs and on air personalities are so vicious that once it is getting around 26th of every month, they will stop playing your songs. Asked why he has refused his identity be revealed, he replied that revealing his identity

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16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND

Critics

VOL. 4 No. 827

WEEKEND STARTERS

P.20. 21

igerians and NolOxford Gardens tells the story of a cancer patient who lywood fans in the met a frustrated boxer and how they managed to pack Texas, Houston area life into their affair in one day. of US, have the opportunity of catching a glimpse of Obi Emelonye’s lastest work, Oxford Gardens this weekend. The film which stars twotime Golden Gloves champion, Nigerian Ngo Okafor will be showing at All Saints Community Hall, Renn Road, South West Houston on Saturday, the 2nd of April from 9pm. The organisers said it would be ‘a night of fun, Nollywood glamour, glitz, comedy, music, Oxford Gardens partying, drinks and food’.

Book Club comes to Lagos Goethe

Reading at Goethe Institut

hare Your Experience With A book amongst some of the most exciting people and n one of the most relaxed ambience; Goethe-Institut Book Club. Goethe-Institut Book Club exists to nurture reading culture, increase communication skills and broaden the mind of members and the general public alike. Today’s

event kicks off at 2.30pm at the GoetheInstitut Library. Chocolates will be available for participants.

Art Man

Oxford Gardens premieres in Texas

Art Man

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I preach originality in entertainment —Phil Roberts What have you done and still doing to impact lives? I have served as the music director of KICC Abuja but presently the Head of Music Christ Embassy Gwarinpa Branch in Abuja Nigeria and the C.E.O of Phil Roberts & Da Sound Signatures and The Phil Roberts Foundation for all my charity projects. Notably, I have also worked with several talent hunt and exhibition projects/shows as Judges and music director/instructor here in Nigeria. I am also the National Coordinator of Project SAC a CSO for the Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Nigeria as part of my community projects. I am a member of the prestigious American Society for Non Destructive Testing Engineers. In service to humanity and passion for the emancipation of the Nigerian Youths I was recently initiated as one of the very few Nigerians to join the prestigious Young Parliamentarians Forum to be part of those that will observe the credibility of The House. In my ambition to strengthen young people, I have organised so many major talent empowerment projects with several Churches and NGOs as I was part of the team pushing the 35% youth affirmative action in Nigeria By the grace of God, I am the Gospel Rock ambassador, having won some awards of Excellence and was the first President of Abuja Gospel Artistes Forum which was designed to help upcoming acts with hit songs to the Phil Roberts brand like Faithful God, Mighty God, Ebube, Saviour , Lifter of my hands ,Chioma Heaven Play. I have spoken a lot already. More like a complete profile. What is your passion? I will say my passion is helping people to achieve their goals especially through entertainment. How did you come about Night of Worship? Oh, it was an inspiration from God. What is the aim of the project? Night Of Worship Concert (NOW) is an end time mission concert designed to bring people into one venue to experience raw and undiluted worship as we bow down our heads to God to heal the land, reach the unreached in an atmosphere for Yahweh to come dwell

Phil Roberts is an end-time conscious gospel singer with a passion to win lost souls. A professional engineer, he talks about some of his major projects for the year 2016 like the Prison to the Pew initiative in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA. Excerpts: It is funded by God. You’ll be shocked at the way funds come in, though we have some people that just come in to support us once in a while and we’ve also be asking for people to come in to support this project. Who are your sponsors and partners for Night of Worship, NOW? I have partners that are working with me as committee members and they decided to bring all their companies to partner on this project. How will this project affect Nigeria positively? This project is designed to give back to the society and the concert itself is designed for us to worship God in an atmosphere of miracles and deliverance through worship. How do you spend your time outside work? Hmm! I like travelling! So I just take a walk to any beautiful environment to feed my eyes. It brings more inspiration.

Phil Roberts

amongst us. This concert is passion driven to make a difference in all worship Events in Abuja and beyond as we are looking forward to converting souls more than 500 souls for Yahweh through this worship experience. What should people expect from this project? This project will touch the lives of the less privileged in the society as we will be doing the reaching through building a mini studio in the kuje prison. This idea was birthed from our various prison visits as you will be shocked at the talents that are wasting in our prisons. Rehabilitating an orphanage home and having a Celebrity Visit to the IDP camps. At the end of the above charity project the N.O.W Live recording concert will hit the stage as we are partnering with major media houses in and outside the country. Who will be the beneficiaries? Our first beneficiaries are the less privileged as we do several charity projects that will birth the N.O.W concert. Is there a sustainable plan for the beneficiaries after the project? Oh! Yes we plan to do a follow up on all our structures that we have established for this project. We have also put together a team for this project to monitor the facilities that has being put in place for this project You are a gospel artiste. Why did you choose Gospel? I did not choose gospel, it’s a calling from God as I have been in the gospel music sphere since i was in the children’s department at Assemblies of God, Nigeria.

How would you describe yourself? I am Phil Roberts, a mechanical Engineer with highly technical, professional skills, coupled with a well developed acumen reflecting a career of strong leadership in the entertainment industry by the grace of God. I always find a place in my heart to worship God. How many albums do you have so far? Just one, my debut but the Live Worship concert will birth my second album as it will be recorded live on the concert. Could you name some of the producers you have worked with? Mac Roc, Manus, Gospel on the Beat and Mekoyo Do you write all your songs? Tell us more about this. Yes I do! As I am an advocate of originality in entertainment contents because several of our musicians are really lazy, they only like to clone people’s intellectual works to build theirs and this limits the power in the songs, repeat of the same message which also limits the content delivery.

What is your message to your fans? Just keep moving on! Believe on your dreams as you are beautiful just like the rainbow! It will come to pass. What are your last words for your readers? I prophesy greatness into your day! God will make you grow from glory to glory spreading you with massive joy and fulfillment all around the world.

Apart from music, do you do any other business? I’m a media consultant, I develop concepts and ideas for people as I have a part of the Phil Roberts brand that handles my media consultancy and because of my strength in engineering I do so much of engineering consultancy too. How do you fund your charity projects as a Gospel musician?

I like travelling! So I just take a walk to any beautiful environment to feed my eyes

On keyboards

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Art Man

Friday, April 1, 2016

I’ve identified the problems in our music industry —eLDee One of Nigeria’s best producers, rapper, and music entrepreneurs whose works led to the present evolution seen in the Nigerian music industry today, Lanre Dabiri (elDeee), in this interview, talks about solving the piracy problem in the music industry. Excerpts. What kind of kid were you? I’m from Lagos state, I grew up in Kaduna. I didn’t really spend time in Lagos until I moved here for my University. I studied architecture at UNILAG. I was a smart kid, I grasped things very quickly. I had all As in my WAEC. I had the number two score for JAMB that year in the country. But did your passion for music as an undergraduate affect your studies? It did. Actually I feel like the reason why I ended up focusing on music was because I didn’t want to go to UNILAG. I didn’t want to school in Nigeria. I already had an admission into a school in US but my dad insisted I stayed back. The fact that I stayed here meant I became eLDee. How has your journey been from several years ago as one of the members of Trybesmen ? It has been tough, fun and I wouldn’t do anything else if I had the option. I am an architect with a Masters Degree, I dumped that. I had an interactive media business that was doing very well; I dumped that to do music. To be here and see my dreams come to fruition to me is a super privilege. The organisational structure of this building right here was my thesis design. When I was in school, I wanted to create a record label and distribution company. Tell me about your wife. When did you meet her and how does she cope with the demands of your career? I met my wife in 1998 just as I was about to get into music. She has been a part of it from the beginning so she gets it. Nothing really changed when we got married; it was just business as usual. She is very supportive. What’s been happening to you? I have been working on a new website that will benefit all of us in the music industry, and with it piracy can be a thing of the past. Are you saying that the ‘Alaba piracy’ can be a thing of the past? Yea, there are new streams of income available through the digital perspective. So

all I am doing is that I am trying to find a way to boycott it and still make income. Everybody is screaming piracy, piracy, piracy and the challenge is beginning to take a new form because now we are moving into digital age. Now, the good thing about digital is that with the same technology, you can track it, which is why some of us have decided to try to create solutions. Solution that can help to attend to the kind of problems we have. Everybody is talking about government doing this, government doing that. All we need is for government to create an enabling environment for everyone to thrive. From there, we will solve our own problems. They should just give us light, roads, water and security. We are okay. We will solve our problems. That’s what I think we need. Those are the problems that face us every day and I think piracy can be solved if we have all the basic amenities. We will solve it. We are smart people. All of us know we are smart. Why are we so blind? Why? There is no reason but only for the fact that we are not thinking about our problems the right way. Everybody likes to complain. Personally, I am tired of complaining. If I see a problem, I will look for a solution. And do you think this is the solution? Yes! This is the solution. I have identified the problems in the music industry. Actually, music, marketing, advertising, promotion, broadcast, anything that has to do with content on radio, T.V, or anywhere it’s used, the challenge is we don’t know how it is being used. Now, there is light, we can see it now. You understand what I am saying. That’s what ‘my play data’ stands for. If you check the website, myplaydata.com, you will get information on how the technology works, what it is useful for, why it is important to adopt its use. Presently, the music industry is like walking into a room where there is no light and you don’t have any kind of torch light with you. That’s why you see many musicians start their careers and try, try, try and try and get frustrated out of it the industry because they can’t plan, you know. I was talking about simple things, simple challenges the average content producer faces. Not even just average, even those who produce movies. You give your movies to broadcast houses, they pay you for ten plays, and then they play it fifteen times. How do you know? You can never know. To the guy who wants to advertise his product, he makes this advert now and put it on radio and thinks that If he can put this ad to play one thousand times and the station has one thousand listeners, that means he will get ten thousand people that will get to hear about his product, but the station finally plays it seven hundred times and the guy has paid for one thousand times, how

eLDee will he know? Or for the broadcast station who gives you more than you pay for, how will you know that they have helped you? Why should we not be able to give that kind of information? How easy is it for you to achieve the technology? The technology is easy to achieve. I don’t think anybody exists that doesn’t want an easier life. It’s going to help all of us, so why should anybody reject it? Its jut like installing an air conditioner here now, why should anyone reject it? Can you educate us more on the website, myplaydata? It’s a broadcast monitoring technology that allows you to see what’s going on in the broadcast space. Whether you are an advertiser, a content creator, a content user, broadcaster or you are COSON, an artiste manager or you are just somebody who is interested with what’s happening with music, now you can see how content is being used. If somebody plays a movie for instance, on a specific channel, you can tell when the movie was played and how long it was played for. You

I was a smart kid; I grasped things very quickly. I had all As in my WAEC. I had the number two score for JAMB that e-Dee performing

year in the country

can tell who played it and the frequency of play. And it shows all of this in a very simple format that you can understand, not that it will just give you one spreadsheet with numbers. I want to check that this particular song against this other one, I want to know how one is doing and from there you can deduce why one is not doing well. It is a very transparent monitoring technology. It is also very accessible on mobile phones. Between the myplaydata website and music, which one is the most fulfilling for you? Think about it this way: I have a passion, but I also can do something that can be a solution for everybody not just personal. It is for the person, who is making movies, music, and for someone who is being paid for a content that is being paid for something that is related to the content that is being created somewhere that now has an opportunity. That guy that is in Kafanchan somewhere that is hustling as an artiste and the radio in Kafanchan is playing his music but he never gets royalties here because we don’t know him Lagos. So, whenever they are sharing money, his name will never come out. Now, he can get access to his royalties because he can monitor his songs through the website. It is just not for big artistes; new artistes can also join and benefit from it. If somebody is playing your stuff, you should be paid; either you are a new artiste or an old one because if you don’t pay the small artistes, how will they grow?

Critics

Friday, April 1, 2016

MUSIC

Naeto C’s Festival

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Often regarded as the future of rap, he once again demonstrates that in this album

FILM

companion piece to the more hard core Day 1, Festival, with its highlife leaning, dance friendly, pseudo traditional vibes came as something of a shock to many folks familiar with the Naeto C brand. The very married rapper and father has always worn his Igbo roots proudly but this seeming full scale turn around was worsened by the fact that after his leave of absence – his last album Super CSeason was released in 2011-, his delivery and word play appeared to have been the first victims of his time away. The market responded in kind. If Naeto C could not be bothered with coming up with the goods lyrically after a four year spell, it would be hard to fault fickle audiences justifying their indifference to his comeback on his unpreparedness. Granted, Festival is not the kind of record one would expect from the guy who brought us You know my P and Kini big deal but the current era of local rappers taking over the imagination of audiences nationwide has at the very least called for a realignment of strategies and expectations. Festival is

simply Naeto C adjusting to the realities on ground that have made such sonic powerhouses of Olamide and Phyno in the space of time he has been away. On one hand Festival can be appreciated as evidence of a young man getting in touch

with his roots in the most crowd pleasing way possible. On the other hand, more cynical folks are likely to see it as a desperate play for relevance by an artiste whose influences are more westernized than indigenous. Both sides of this divide are probably right but

such over thinking is likely to cloud the fact that as a piece of art, Festival is made up of both upsides and downsides. Some of the highlights are when Naeto C teams with new school superstars like Cynthia Morgan on the change of pace Never

Inside The Visit

The Visit, the sophomore production from KOGA Studios, captivates the viewer.

Naeto_C_Festival

he rarity of feature films, which keep viewers glued to their seats for more than two hours is the singular most important reason to see The Visit, where a four-man cast offer unending entertainment. Whereas Eugenia (Bhaira McWizu) and Chidi (Femi Jacobs) are prim and proper, their neighbours with whom they share a building, Ajiri (Nse Ikpe-Etim) and Lanre (Blossom Chukwujekwu) are carefree and rough. An incident prompts the latter couple to visit the former and the masks of nobility, respectability and affectation, which envelop these couples, come off totally. Chukwujekwu wears the character of Lanre Shagaya (Lord Shagwell) like a prized birthday garment in what is arguably his most brilliant performance yet; his looks are well-crafted for this role. Femi Jacobs is competent as the slimy Chidi while his wife, Eugenia cannot be beaten by anyone, real or imagined, in the ‘faking’ game. McWizu’s performance is at par with her portrayal of Cindy in her Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO)-winning movie, Cindy’s Notes. Of course, Ikpe-Etim does not disappoint. READ: #Nollywood Movie Review Of Mo Abudu’s ‘Fifty’ The screenwriters are acknowledged for creating expectations and taking the story to a different direction, each time. For instance, when Lanre calls Ajiri a bitch and she responds by asking him, ‘Is it is not losers that

The movie also tasks the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other traffic regulatory agencies albeit

subtly to introduce punitive penalties

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

for

marry bitches?, one thought domestic abuse will follow, but the story goes another way. In fact, whenever Lanre steps up to his wife in anger, it appears a showdown is underway. The deployment of witty dialogue and innumerable subtexts do not go unnoticed. Even the sexual innuendo in the name Shagaya – Shagwell – is apt. The movie also tasks the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other traffic regulatory agencies albeit subtly to introduce punitive penalties for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) so as to deter offenders and saving lives at the same time. The Visit’s shortcoming is that it is built on, at least, two faulty premises. One, the contact between the two couples is triggered by the unruly behaviour of the Shagayas, which becomes intolerable when the glass window is shattered. Two, Ajiri and Eugenia are said

Scene in the film, The Visit to have grown up in Warri and Sapele (two neighbouring towns in Delta State) respectively. For the former, an upwardly mobile couple like Eugenia (a popular, full-time blogger) and Chidi, an IT Professional who consults for Google, would have thinned out the smell of marijuana plus the noise from their neighbours by constantly turning on their air conditioners, which are seen one of the days Ajiri and Lanre run round the house. Yet, there could have been explanations as to why their windows are open. They live in Nigeria where electricity is still a luxury. It could have been that their generator is faulty and the regular repairer has not come to fix it. Eugenia’s condescending attitude is enough to keep the generator repairer away for days; then maybe the couple do not like too many hands touching their machines and appliances. Additionally, since everything is on schedule for Eugenia, maybe the windows have to be open every Saturday to

let in fresh air, but locked on other days. On the second faulty premise, the Warri variant of the Pidgin English is unmistakable, contradicting Ajiri’s claim that she was raised in Warri and lived there for 18 years. Above all, she could not pronounce her name appropriately, the Warri way. Ajiri is pronounced /airi/ as in measure not /adiri/ as in judge; same for Ejiro and Damijo, two other names from that part of the country. The fact that Ajiri is from Warri should have come from her accent, she did not have to say so herself because dialogue could also show action in film. However, the director fails to execute this properly. Even when Eugenia speaks Pidgin English, the “Waffi” accent is not very discernable. Eugenia could not even properly pronounce Sapele the second time. Still, the producers could have made two ladies come from any part of the country. Eugenia says “offsprings”, offspring does not take ‘s’in the plural form. The prim and

Friday, April 1, 2016

Jumaada al-Thaani 23, 1437A.H.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Call to Worship

On the authority of Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of Allah, the prophet said: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

RELATED BY BUKHARI AND MUSLIM

NASFAT gets kudos for peace walk Sekinah L awal

s Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society, NASFAT, celebrated its 21 years anniversary in style recently with a walk on religious harmony among other programmes, a clarion call has gone to Muslims and Christians to live peacefully with one another. This advice was given by all dignitaries that attended the walk in Lagos recently. The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, NASFAT’s President, Alhaji Kamil Bolarinwa, Chief Missioner of NASFAT, Alhaji Abdullah Akinbode, Amir of The Muslim Congress, TMC, Dr. Luqman AbdulRaheem, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor Godwin Elabor of the Foursquare Gospel Church and others. The fitness walk tagged; “Walk for religious harmony”, was flagged off by Dr. AbdulLateef from Sheraton, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony to Lagos State Secretariat Mosque extension in Alausa, where they were received by Dr. Adebule. In her speech, Dr. Adebule stated that unhindered religious understanding and tolerance was essential to meaningful development as she said peaceful co-existence is a priority for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led adminstration. She commended NASFAT, the Redeemed Church, the Foursquare Gospel Church, TMC and others who participated in the walk because there cannot be any meaningful achievement in an environment that is not peaceful. “For us in Lagos, peace is a priority because that is the only way we can enjoy dividends of democracy and fulfill our dreams. And to our religious leaders, I want to enjoin you all to preach adequately on need for religious tolerance and good

L-R: Spiritual Father of the Day, Fadilat Sheikh Yusuff Isa (Oba Tapa Dopemu Land, Wakilu Nupe Dopemu Land); Fadilat Sheikh Muhammad Tajudeen Olohungbo and Fadilat Sheikh Muh. Raji Sulaymon Alaga (Baba Dowomu) at the 22nd Walimotul Quran graduation ceremony of Nurudeen Arabic and Islamic Center, Dopemu-Lagos.

neighbourliness because no society can thrive in a state of war and violence.” Also, Dr. AbdulLateef added that the walk was in line with the policy thrust of the government while commending NASFAT and other religious groups that participated in the walk. “As we all know that insecurity and religious extremism are our greatest challenges in the country and how we check this is for religious leaders and their followers to come together and lend their voices to condemn the ugly trend. Also, religious leaders must realise that they are development partners with the government. “We must ensure we walk the talk and this is why the state government has put in place the celebration of the World Tolerance Day and football competition between

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We must get things right

Muslim and Christian organisations. With this, adherents will understand that misinterpreting the religion of Abraham and extremist tendencies must be done away with.” Also speaking, Alhaji Akinbode, disclosed that the walk was aimed at identifying with Christians in the country as they celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The representative of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Micheal Lawson, said that the walk was an expression of unity among believers of different faiths regardless of the diverse religious doctrines. “I therefore appealed to Nigerians to be united regardless of diversity in our religious beliefs. We were created by one God; therefore, there

is no reasons for religious disharmony or discrimination as both religions preach mutual love, kindness, justice, tolerance, unity and good behaviour to fellow human beings, adding that both religions set these as necessary criteria for those that believe in God and have respect for the Day of Judgement.” Alhaji Bolarinwa urged participants to take special care of their spiritual, physical and emotional needs. “Islam enjoins us to take care of our spiritual, physical and emotional parts, as our body, which is the most complex of machine, is given to us by Allah and, therefore, should not be abused or neglected. Islam places emphasis on good diet and exercise of the body. All our actions must be aimed at promoting peace in our nation and the world at large.”

Al- Quran 49:13 “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”

Lagos fixes 2016 Hajj fees 25

Express your love for God

Call to Worship

We must get things right Y es, there is absolutely nothing that is wrong with Islam. A Christian friend asked me some days back if something is wrong with Islam and I told him that things are truly wrong with some Muslims just like any other individual but definitely not with Islam. I was about writ-

ing my column for this week on this topic when I saw this piece written by a Christian and I feel it’s worth sharing coming from a non-Muslim. Nnam Okocha Solomon writes; “There Is Nothing Wrong With Islam” Islam is the official religion in the United Arab Emirates, yet

Pomp as community gets new Imam

ll roads recently led to Mazamaza area of Lagos State where a new Imam was turbaned for Aduramigba Central Mosque. The new Chief Imam, Sheikh Sofiyyullahi Salahudeen Temidire succeeds the first Imam of the mosques, the late Sheikh Shuaib Muhammadu Ballo. Leading top Islamic scholars at the event was the Chairman, Council of Chief Imams, Badagry Division, Sheikh Mustapha Akanni Akiolu, who doubles as the Chief Imam of Amuwo Central Mosque. Other clerics at the events were the Secretary,

Amuwo Central Mosque, Alhaji Iklim Muhammed Jumah, Chief Imam of Kirikiri, Sheikh Yunus Oduntan, Chief Imam of IjegunEgba, Sheikh Abdul Majeed and Sheikh Yemi Idowu of FESTAC Mosque among others. Sheikh Akiolu charged him to lead with the fair of God, do justice to all and take members of his congregation along in all his dealings. In his response, the new Imam, promised to do his best to discharge his duties to the best of his ability with the fear of God and fairness to all without fear or favour.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Jumaada al-Thaani 23, 1437A.H.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE PLATFORM that country remains one of the most peaceful and fascinating country in the world. There is no insurgency in UAE. Citizens of UAE are paid monthly from their national coffer, whether they work or not. They are also entitled to a certain percentage from any new business that starts operations in the Emirates. Saudi Arabia practices Sharia Law; yet, her economy remains one of the most stable in world. Infrastructure in Saudi is beyond imagination, and their free welfare package is with little or no international comparison. There is no insurgency in Saudi Arabia. Islamic Banks all over the world survived the global depression, and they have remained as one of the best financial institutions in the world for a long while, even in Nigeria. They boast of a robust financial base, passionate and loyal staff, and an unending stream of strong customer network. It is on record that with little or no inter-

with

Sekinah Lawal t: 08055102994 e: sakinah207@yahoo.com est, they manage your financial transactions, and they will never renege on any financial agreement that they have with you. There are very similar examples all over the world. I can go on and on... I am not a Muslim, but I think that those who court cheap publicity by taking a swipe at Buhari’s religion are doing so because they are either ignorant, less exposed, or victims and

slaves of the same religious extremism that they bicker about. Let us leave religion alone. We are all free to worship our God whichever way we want. Your religion should not disturb me, neither should mine disturb you. There is nothing wrong with religion. It is we that should check ourselves. And truly, the true Islam is for peace and all about peace and love for all even animals.

Those who court cheap publicity by taking a swipe at Buhari’s religion are doing so because they are either ignorant, less exposed, or victims and slaves of the same religious extremism that they bicker about.

L-R: Azeezat Sulaymon; Rodiyat Sulaymon; Moryam Adebisi; Moshood Sulaymon and Moryam Adewunmi during their Walimotul Qur’an graduation ceremony at Nurudeen Arabic and Islamic Center, Dopemu-Lagos.

Cross section of NASFAT women leaders at the walk for religious harmony organised by NASFAT as part of activities marking its 21st anniversary.

Parents of three of the graduating students, Ustaz AbdulRahman Sulaymon Alaga, his wife and others at the 22nd Walimotul Quran graduation ceremony of Nurudeen Arabic and Islamic Center, DopemuLagos.

The PRO of the Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria, MAVIN, Abdulwasiu Salaudeen being turbaned as Akorede Adini by Jamalu Deen Islamic Foundation in Lagos recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, April 1, 2016

Jumaada al-Thaani 23, 1437A.H.a

Lagos fixes 2016 Hajj fees

he Lagos State government has said that a minimum of N1.2million (one million and two hundred thousand naira only) would be required by interested pilgrims who intend to join the Lagos contingent for the 2016 Hajj. The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef said this at a stakeholders meeting with the intending pilgrims in Ikeja recently. He noted that the state had earlier announced nine hundred and fifty thousand naira but said the two hundred thousand naira difference was due to a hike in accommodation and other essential needs in Saudi Arabia. “Saudi authority has increased fees by thirty percent which they attributed to the fall in oil prices. Here in Nigeria, the usual concession on the purchase of dollars by pilgrims from the Federal Government has also been stopped” “Government has assured pilgrims that one dollar will be sold to them at the offi-

cial rate of one hundred and ninety seven naira. Each pilgrim will be allowed to purchase a maximum of one thousand dollars at official rate.” The Commissioner stressed that the state government arrived at the amount after considering the position of the commission on the 2016 Hajj exercise and the current economic realities. Dr. AbdulLateef however said that government has made provision for replacements should any intending pilgrim wishes to withdraw as a result of inability to pay the balance to make up for the 2016 Hajj fees. Arrangement to refund a total of fifty million naira to three thousand and forty seven pilgrims who took part in the 2015 Hajj operations from the state has also been concluded. This is sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive as well as the National Hajj Commission’s decision to return unspent funds to the rightful owners.

MAVIN PRO bags new Islamic title

Mohammed. An Islamic presenter on Bond FM 92.9, brother Salaudeen, popularly called he Public Relations Officer of the ‘Omo to mo colour’ anchors various Muslim Association of Visually programmes on radio including enterImpaired of Nigeria, MAVIN, Ab- tainment and Islamic programmes with dulwasiu Salaudeen was turbaned as Islamic contents through which he propAkorede Adini by an Islamic group, Ja- agates Islamic doctrine. The Chief Missioner of the Foundamalu Deen Islamic Foundation. The ceremony was held at Somolu tion, Alhaji Abdul Kabir Elewukumasi Central Mosque, with a view to appre- appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to ciating his contributions towards the spend their wealth for Islam. In his lecture, Alhaji Hammed Rufai propagation of Islam especially through his programmes on radio as well as to Abdul-Kadri admonished those honencouraging him and others to do every- oured to see the gesture as a way of rething in their capacity to widen the prop- dedicating themselves to the tenets of agation of the teaching of holy Prophet Islam.

Abolaji Adebayo

L-R: District Sadr,Lajnal Imahillah Nigeria, Ishagamu Ogun State, Alhaja Qudrat Ghaffar-Oye; President, Agidingbi Circuit, Mrs. Ramot Lawal; Sadr,Dr. Mrs. Basirat Dikko; Representative of Lagos State Governor, Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Ayo Agbesanwa and General Secretary, Lajnal Imahillah Nigeria, Mrs. Monsurat Owolabi, during the pAYYAG 01: closing ceremony Ahmadi Youth All African Games in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State during the presention of award at the closing ceremony of Ahmadi Youth All African Games in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State.

L-R: Production Manager, MTA TV International Africa, Mr. Luqman Ahmed; Director, MTA TV International UK, Mr. Afzal Qureshi; Naib Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaa,at Nigeria, Engr. Alhaji Ahmed Alhassan;

Express your love for God

true believer is akin to a truthful friend. Once a father remarked to his son that none of your friends are truthful. They are here to take advantage of you. The father said I have only found one truthful friend throughout my life. The father wanted the son to test his friends. When the friends realized the son is no longer being supported by his father they distanced themselves from him and abandoned him. The son approached his friends and none wanted to meet him. The son told his father all of them were disloyal. The father said now I will introduce you to my friend. He arrived at his friends house in the dead of night and knocked on his door. But the friend did not come for a long time and the son thought that his father’s friend also was the same. But after a long time the father’s friend came and when he did he explained the delay was due to him thinking that he may need to help his friend and so he came with a sword, a bag of money, and his wife so as to be able to offer him whatever assistance he may be in need of. He brought a sword in case his friend was in danger. He brought the sum of money to financially assist him. He brought his wife in case his friend was sick. The father remarked I mean no trouble. I am only here to teach my son a lesson. This was example of a good friendship. Our friendship with God should be far greater. Believers should pray to God sincerely. God has made many items for our comforts. God fulfills our wishes without measure and if he does not fulfill a single wish, we become dismayed. Those who do not pay dues of worship, should evaluate themselves. Those who fail to give precedence to faith should evaluate themselves. Those who have come to western nations for sake of Ahmadiyyat but have not paid dues should evaluate themselves. We should prepare ourselves for sacrifices for the sake of God. Wherever true love exists, rationale is not sought. When we makes claims of obedience, they do not seek clarification. When God reveals, true believers willingly accept and make plans how to accomplish God’s plans. God awoke Holy Prophet (sa) for guidance of humanity and he made plans how to accomplish his goals. Now it has been 126-127 years since the New Era began. How many of us truly ponder over why we were given this happiness? Many awaited for the Messiah and passed away. This day of success and happiness was given because God raised an individual for sake of mankind. Crying and laughing is outside the characteristics of God but in matter of

Call to Worship

Every Friday with

Khalifatul Ahmadiyya great love, He can display his emotions. If God could laugh, he would laugh at how an individual has stood up to face the world. God would have cried if He could upon seeing a person deeply in love with Him. The example of friendship is nothing compared to the friendship of Prophets with God. Prophets relation with God is of a much higher degree. In matters of love, the poor friend came out with a sword, wealth, and his wife to assist his friend. When one is truly in love, one’s senses are left aside. When one is worried, senses are left aside. The reality is that passion and love is truthful. When Messengers are revealed to by God, that God who looks upon the entire world, asks his Messenger to help. The Messenger does not say how can I help you when you are the guardian of all universes? The Messenger says Here I am, Here I am, Here I am. 126 years ago today, that God raised His voice and called upon an individual in Qadian who was in seclusion. That God said world has defamed me. I am helpless, O my Creation, Help me! That individual did not think that God is all-powerful. How can I truly help Him? That individual stood up and said O My Lord, I am Present, I am Present. I will save. I will save the world with this faith When we claim to be in the fold of the most ardent devotee of our beloved Prophet (sa), when we believe Islam has entered it’s era of renaissance and will reach corners of the world. If we have entered his fold to be helpers of the Messiah (as), then we should says Lab-baik and present ourselves. Express your love for God, His Messenger, and His Messiah. Evaluate yourselves and elevate your standards May Allah enable us to do so. Ameen All praise is due to Allah. We laud Him, we beseech help from Him and ask His protection; We confide in Him, we trust Him alone and we seek protection against the evils. Whomsoever He guides on the right path, none can misguide him. He is alone and has no partner. We bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O servants of Allah! May Allah be merciful to you. Verily, Allah commands you to act with justice. Forbids evil which pertain to your own selves and evils which affect others. He warns you against being unmindful. Remember Allah; He too will remember you. Call on Him and He will make a response to your call. Verily divine remembrance is the highest virtue. •Concluded

Audio Visual Secretary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaa, at Nigeria, Engr. Abdul Waheed Adeoye; Sadr. Majlis Khuddamul-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Abdul Rafi Abdul Qadir and Deputy Director Grassroots Spots Development, Department of Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Abuja, Dr. Oluwasegun Akinlotan, during the presentionof Award at the closing ceremony Ahmadi Youth All African Games in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State.

Arty News

Friday, April 1, 2016

Empress marks Easter with Abuja children Regina Otokpa

Empress Njamah with some kids Pouring out their hearts, the children in their different ways noted that she was a source of hope and inspiration and would go any length to ensure their futures were secured. Eight year old Prisca Anunu from Good Shepherd Orphanage Home, Bako, says “I have attended lots of aunty Empress’s par-

ties and I always look forward to them because I feel very happy when I come.” Esther Emmanuel, 15 years old and also from Good shepherd noted “Aunt empress is a very good person and God will continue to bless whatever she does in life because it is not easy to put up something like this.” 18 year old Favor Gabriel who found her

Miss Culture comes to Ekiti

Participants at Miss Culture Ekiti

Abiodun Nejo

novel idea targeted at re-igniting culture and bringing it to its pride of place and as well as empowering youths is turning into reality in Ekiti State.

It is the maiden edition of Miss Culture Ekiti, a month-long cultural festival, which began on March 25, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital. The programme, among others, is targeted at reviving and repositioning culture as revenue earner, empowering Ekiti youths and aiding young female to discover themselves and their potentials. The 30 female housemates participating in the event will undergo trainings on how to make tie and dye fabric, Ankara and Kampala bags among others. They will also undergo the task of tracing the historical backgroung of Ikogosi Warm Spring, participate in beauty pageant, treasure search, TV reality show and as well pay visits to natural tourist centres like the Arinta Waterfall, cultural sites and agricultural

settlements, among others in the state. According to the facilitator and owner of Ebony T. Creation, Isaac Anifowose, the festival was designed to reignite the dying Nigerian culture and also help in producing youths that can be propelling forces in modeling in the country and beyond. He said the festival “is to propel the youth potentials and create wealth for Ekiti State through youth empowerment”.

Joel Ajayi

At Nzeh Mada Festival festival in the country According to her, Mada culture is rich, the location is safe and serene, and the people are very hospitable. As you know, most of the tourist sites are not all in the cities, I therefore

atholic priest, Fr. Albert Ofere who recently released his debut album, Every Day of My Life, has his priorities in music ever before he ventured into the studio to record the six-track album. While the songs with titles like God Dey My Side, When I Think, Where Were You, Jesus Lamb of God, God You are Good and Oghene me do are currently available online for downloads, the Reverend Farther who caught the music bug as a mass servant in Warri, Delta State says he intends to plough back the proceeds back into charity. “My sole aim of doing this is not to make money. If money comes, that will be fine, but I intend to plough it back into some charitable projects that will touch humanity.” According to him, a video of one of the songs is already available on You Tube with the title, God Dey My Side; it was directed by award-winning filmmaker, Obi Emelonye and features Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh. “The video is trending online and it was shot aboard a London train. Viewers will relate with the massage of assurance inherent in the video and of course, Nkem Owoh was at his best in the video”. While one would wonder why the priest had to enlist the partnership of Nkem Owoh for a gospel video, he says Nkem Owoh has been a good friend of his, who saw the need for the songs at this time. “I have known him, and he is a good friend of mine. He likes the songs and most especially the assurances that come with the songs. My songs are filled with assurances for people who trust God”.

Anifowose, an artiste and culture promoter, said N25 million was being expended on the programme targeted at showcasing Ekiti rich cultural heritage and its natural endowments to the outside world. He said the first position would get a brand new car and N500,000 while the runner-up

NTDC re-defines Nzeh Mada Festival t a time when cultural sector is being given a shot as an alternative to oil in terms of revenue generation, the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, has intensified strategies towards using tourism potential to generate more income for the country. The DG who made this known during the 3rd edition of Nzeh Mada festival in Akwanga, Nasarawa state, said if cultural festival is promoted in the country, would not only be of economic value to the country, but also engage the teeming unemployed youth. She maintained that, the onus of developing tourist sites doesn’t solely rely on the government, adding that NTDC would do everything within its powers to promote cultural

I’m not in Afropop music for money —Fr. Albert Ofere Tosin Adams

creen diva, Empress Njamah and children of her foundation numbering over 300 from eight different orphanage homes located at Karu site, Maraba, Bako community, Kuje, Lugbe and other areas in the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday, rocked the Easter celebration at her usual spot at Gwarinpa to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The passionate humanitarian in her usual boisterous mood, left no stone unturned as she consistently glided gracefully to ensure that her children from eight different orphanage homes in Abuja, had more than enough to eat and drink. Speaking to the children, she said “the joy alone I have today I cannot explain it, this is our first celebration in Abuja this year and I am very happy, I love you all. I appreciate all my friends who took out time to come and celebrate this day with us.” Notable celebrities including Paul Sambo, Rachel d Piper, some members of the WAZOBIA crew, Phil Roberts, MC Bob, Shortcut and other notable personalities from different fields of endeavour, spent the day playing games and dancing with the children.

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encourage tourists to explore the local sites and communities, which is embodied in Mada Hills, its waterfall, serene climate and the hospitability of the people.” “We have taken time to visit all the tour-

ists’ locations across the country to see what they have and what we can do to help develop them and market them. Nigeria has over 1,000 tourist destinations including 33 museums, 65 national monuments. Speaking further, Mbanefo stated that tourism development in Nigeria is gradually becoming g concern of many stakeholders. “Domestic Tourism remains one of the enablers behind the country’s developmental programmes of job creation and as people travel within Nigeria, it will create unity and peaceful harmony. We believed in the local tourism, that is why we are supporting every festival, we want to rebrand, reposition every of our historical sites. Festivals in Nigeria will no doubt facilitate travel businesses and promote hospitality and tourism services in Nigeria and if this is done it means there will be more job opportunity, there would be more revenue for country especially this time around when oil price in the world de-

Artman In The House

Friday, April 1, 2016

On one hand Festival can be appreciated as evidence of a young man getting in touch with his roots forget this and Olamide on the boisterous, radio friendly Fuji laced Kere. Both songs are as disparate as the featured artistes are different, but they serve the same purpose. They help the often cold rapper warm up to new audiences and provide credibility for him as he tests the waters of new genres. Naeto C appears convinced that repetition is a virtue, hence the common denominator for the record is to repeat terms, titles and choruses long enough to make them stick in that part of the brain that all pop singles and advert jingles bind themselves to for easy recall. This casual trick works when it does, like on light, harmless fare like the auto tuned Ordinary as well as the album opener Ati de. But they are not always successful and on duds like Langbe jina, Shake yeah (with Bular), and Complete– featuring a contribution from Omawumi which she will spend the rest of her career distancing herself from,- they only manage to induce mild headaches. The record is drenched in traditional sounds and every track is doused in highlife instrumentations, be they Yoruba or Igbo. The only exception to this is Soft, an updated rappers delight (considering what else is on offer here) that for just over 3 minutes, brings back the Naeto C older fans will be more familiar with. The major problem with Festival isn’t that Naeto C has gone all local, it lies in the fact that with many things Nigerian, this reversal of sound wasn’t thought out properly, neither was it planned and communicated effectively. Naeto C has always flirted with a pop sound most of his career (Ten over ten, 5 and 6) so a total venture into indigenous, crowd pleasing sounds ideally should not be a concept so hard to sell. But Naeto C and his management (if there is any) have surprisingly botched this outing so spectacularly. The tunes are mostly easy on the ear and go down well enough but his song writing, not exactly on Kendrick Lamar levels even at his prime is severely anaemic on Festival, problematic even for a light hearted feel good record. He falls under that industry impression that what is meant to be fun doesn’t deserve to be smart and even the cover of the album shows a kind of carelessness that shouldn’t be forgiven easily. It may well be that Naeto C put out this record as some sort of compromise, even as he re-enters an industry that has learnt to move on without him. With this logic, the more detailed Day 1 is for the fans of old while the broadly embarrassing Festival stakes out new listeners and supplies the hit singles that will keep him on the Globacom endorsement roster. But if Naeto C cannot respect his anticipated audience enough to package his product and brand properly, he does not deserve their attention.

BOOK

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The Matters of Conscience

The conscience is one of the most confusing topics to discuss but courageously, this author opens our eyes. Tosin Adams

“I

magine that you tell a three year old that you do not want to see anybody and lie that you are sleeping. The three year old will tell visitors that mummy says she’s sleeping; that is the innocence of the child. By teaching our children diplomacy, we are invariably teaching them to lie and when they grow up and live a life of lies, we are offended” “The conscience can be a judge of what is right and wrong in man helping a man to avoid errors, save his soul from destruction, help him to maintain a good character of integrity and honesty. He lives by set of principles and moral standard that put him in an unblemished status above his peers. In extreme cases, the conscience can be judgmental, without mercy and vindictive, to the point that many people have committed suicide and done unimaginable damage because of the inner voice of their conscience” These are two of the excerpts from the book reflecting the musings the author has been able to arrive at upon his studious research which included two highly ranked academicians from the University of Lagos and the bible. The author used illustrations to depict his stand; he also used research from academics also Greek meanings. This is illustrated when he used the Greek language, “Suneidesis” to explain the meaning of the conscience, revealing its status as a ‘co-perceiver’, a side-kick rather than the main character. He further disclosed that there must be a main truth which is the ‘perceiver’ to which the ‘co perceiver’ testifies. He opines that, “the Holy Spirit is the main Perceiver in a believer thus correcting misconceptions and contrary beliefs that the ‘Truth,’ is actually the word of God. However, the 101 page book reveals that truth differs according to cultures, society and beliefs, the author unfurled more. “Some people believe that a believer should not join the Army as it involves termination of human lives when required, while others do not see it so. “Some believe that a believer should not work in the alcohol industry, while others believe that is extremism. “Some believe that a believer must not be an hotelier or bars owner, while others think there is nothing wrong with it”. With the book, the author reveals that the conscience reacts to known facts, and in the absence of facts it can be docile, passive and inactive. A per-

son’s clear conscience does not imply an absence of offence. Even if there is no offence, it will still depend on known facts at the time of reflection. This statement explains the cover of the book which speaks volume, illustrating a ‘love’ heart that has been chained in gold. Could the heart depict truth and the gold chain illustrates the conscience... An irony! The author believes that knowledge awakens conscience and once awakened, it is good to abide by its terms, or else there will be condemnation, guilt and pain, as depicted in its cover page, unless a superior knowledge is received

While the publishing of the book should have

fared better, the book scores high in research

that will heal it. Chapter two talks about a controversial subject: the location of the soul. That the conscience will be present with the soul means that it will also end up where the soul ends up. It might be logical to say that they are part of one another. The soul’s destination will also be the destination for the conscience. Chapter three dissects the human being as a tripartite being and states the functions of each part. The author also explains the operations of the conscience as a witness, judge, as the meter for the degree of goodness or evil, while the next chapter gives an insight on the types of conscience; the Good, Corrupt, weak, and Dead Conscience. In the later chapters of the book, the author juxtaposes the conscience as opposed to the Spirit, while also explaining the fallibility of conscience and disclosing why the conscience should nurtured by the truth, which is the word of God. “When conscience becomes good by learning the word of God, then it has to be enhanced in order not to degenerate” While the publishing of the book should have fared better, the book scores high in research, sequential arrangement and content because it tries to correct the notions of people about the misconstrued topic.

Inside FCT

Doosuur Iwambe

esidents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), seem not to be totally excited about the Easter celebration this year as the hustle and bustle that characterised the celebrations were absent from the city. The usual stream of cars in front of Wuse and Garki markets were absent at the weekend. In Utako market, a small basket of tomatoes that sold for N400 was going for N600, while a big basket of same item in Garki and Wuse markets was sold for N1300 and N1500 which were formally sold for N600. Other food items that witnessed changes in prices included fresh, stock and iced fish; chicken and beef, onions and other food stuffs. At the popular Millennium Park, the case was not totally different as the usually filled up park was scanty. Some traders complained of low sales unlike previous celebrations. “This Easter is different,” said a soft drink seller at the Millennium Park. A house wife, Theresa Omea, who bought some items for Easter at Wuse market lamented the obvious price hike of some commodities and attributed the increase to scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as “fuel” currently affecting Nigerians in the country.” the cost of transporting these commodities have increase due to the increase in transportation fare. “It cost me almost N50,000 to transport my goods from Kano to Abuja.” She said. Commuters also complained about hike in fares especially for inter-state routes. Be-

Friday, April 1, 2016

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How Abuja residents marked Easter

On Saturday morning, some inter-state buses at Utako and Jabi parks were virtually empty. This is not always the case during the festive seasons.

Fun seekers at Abuja Park during Easter tween N2000 and 10,000 were charged for trips to Makurdi or Lagos instead of the N1,500 or N8000 previously charged by buses of the same grade. This affected the number of passengers willing to board the vehicles. On Saturday morning, some inter-state buses at Utako and Jabi parks were virtually empty. This is not always the case during the festive seasons. Some residents however expressed different views saying,they did not allow the lingering fuel scarcity to dampen their enthusiasm for Easter fun.

Mr. Victor Aniagboso, a civil servant resident in Abuja who decried the pains accompanied with fuel scarcity said, he could not afford to travel because of the fuel scarcity. According to him, “I would have love to travel with my family but the fuel scarcity is biting too hard on us. “I slept at the filling station on Friday just to get a little of the commodity and I have been controlling my movement since then so as to economise it.” Mr. Ordue Akaase who was at the popular Millennium Park in the Central Business District, with his family to catch fun told

our reporter that they could not stay at home throughout the holiday. Another of the fun-seekers, Mr. Adejoh Umaname said that he went to the park in company of family members because they were tired of staying at home, pointing out that marking such important holidays like Easter and Christmas in parks and gardens was the best way to relax and unwind with their families. Mr. Umaname said his family chose the Millennium Park because it was affordable and convenient for them. “If you look at the holiday, it’s quite a long one,” he said. “We have been indoors since Friday. The thing was becoming too boring for us, so we decided to go out and I think this place is not bad at all. Services were also held in different churchCONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Advertising agency builds ‘rock’ in Abuja Marcus Fatunmole and Joel Ajayi

eople watching from the rear see massive building erected on an artificial rock, but the front of the “rock” shows a huge most modern led-advert-platform showing all manners of products and information that serve the need of the public. The new innovation, GEMS Rocks, was installed at the Wuse 11 Abuja during the week to boost public knowledge on availability of products and services in the country, including the business of advertising. Designed by GEMS Communication Ltd, the multi-million naira GEMS Rock certainly looks like natural rock because it is absolutely made of rock and constructed like one. It is the first in Nigeria, said Managing Director, GEMs Communication Ltd, Mr. Atilola Odudare, while addressing journalists at the commissioning of the project. Odudare said the effort intends to refine outdoor advertising “by blending emerging technology with art and environment friendliness, a blend totally out of the box. We combine customer demand with creative thinking and innovative technology. GEMSROCK was born from the desire to do the unimaginable (bring a rock to town) while upgrading from obsolete technology to the latest technology. “We are also moving outdoor from the reactive mode to the proactive mode. That is why we give clients the right and freedom to check in on their exposure delivery anytime, anywhere around the globe. Because we keep ourselves on our toes to deliver to our clients, we don’t wait for them to run after us, we take our self-evaluation to their doorstep, and put it in their palms. And, of course, we have more upcoming innovations in the offing, innovation that will redefine outdoor practice in the coming generation. “Primarily, we are commissioning GEMSROCK, an iconic led billboard set in a rock and executed with the latest led technology from a leading manufacturer. The billboard is proposed to be the first user-friendly in Nigeria and will be interactive with the immediate environment. It’s the first of

its kind in out-of-the-box outdoor advertising/engineering. The product gives users of outdoor “exposure to budget” as it is programmed to deliver time-sharing with all accompanying flexibility. It’s also a web-based product and eliminates the rigors of physical visit to the site by client, they can view the exposure delivery of the product on their palms,” he added. In addition, he said the innovation enhances the ambience of the city-centre, “pedestrians are treated to the wonder of a rock at the heart of Nigerians.” According to him, GEMS works closely with advertisers and agencies to create beautiful and effective advertising platforms and continually develop high-quality sites, building billboards, using latest tools and technologies. He added that new technologies and ideas are opening up what is possible within outdoor advertising, and that the organisation is at the forefront of the change, making smart use of technologies and realising the potential of the medium. Odudare argued that the company’s vision to be the best display company in and out of home, using the latest tools and technology in the world has prompted the introduction of the device, which he said counts traffic volume and speed, which can determine the peak periods of traffic that can be used as data by clients to monitor the effectiveness of their return on investments on billboards, ROI, and that the information could be accessed anytime anywhere around the globe. He also mentioned that Nigeria advertising industry had experienced a colossal growth in recent times, but like most

The new innovation, GEMS Rocks, was installed at the

Wuse 11 Abuja

during the week

Atilola Odudare of Gems businesses has had its humble beginnings. “The outdoor advertising industry has evolved from the days of 40 sheets to digital boards which are fast gaining ground as city monuments which define the landscape of major cities,” he said. He reiterated that the aim of the company is to move outdoor advertising from the reactive mode to the proactive mode. In his remarks, Director, Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage at the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Ibrahim Yusuf, said the project was a landmark achievement in outdoor advertising in the country and expressed optimism the business would deploy better and bigger technologies for growth in the coming years.

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Inside FCT

Friday, April 1, 2016

Giving succour to the less-privileged at Easter

ts marked Easter At the Dunamis Church during Easter

Adeola Tukuru

t was a cheerful moments of orphans, patients and detainees when the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Phase 4,Kubwa, Abuja visited them to mark the Easter celebrations. Places visited were the Divine Wound of Jesus Orphanage, Ark of Refuge Orphanage, Kubwa Divine Orphanage, patients at Kubwa General Hospital, King’s Care Hospital, Unity Clinic and Maternity and detainees at Police Area Command Headquarters Kubwa, Abuja. The church in the spirit of Easter, donated bags of rice, cartons of indomie, cartons of soaps, toiletries, pampers, baby milk, biscuits, fruit juice, shoes, cloths, foodstuffs, bibles and the church’s daily devotional-Seeds of Destiny. Many of the beneficiaries expressed their

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 es across the capital city as Christians, gave thanks to God for his faithfulness and His goodness for allowing this year’s Easter celebrations to come to pass despite the numerous challenges confronting the nation. A Christian, Jide Akinwale who celebrated his Easter at his Church’s annual event called “Easter Retreat” gave thanks to God for the peace in the nation. “I enjoyed the period at our programme that taught us to always appreciate the goodness of the Lord in our nation and to continue to preach peace.” “Particularly, we thank God for giving us Jesus Christ who is the Person we are celebrating at Easter,” he said.

joy and appreciation to the church, for sharing the joy of the season with them. One of the beneficiaries and also a patient in Kubwa General Hospital, Tochi Akun, who expressed her joy over the gesture, said that she has benefited from the outreach. She therefore and prayed for God to replenish the initiator of the annual outreach programme. Another beneficiary, Priscilla James, who was lost words to express how she felt regarding the kind gesture done to her and others by the church, said most of them had lost hope of what to celebrate with their children during this season. “Before now, I have lost hope on how to celebrate this Easter season because there was neither food nor cloth to wear. “But with this succour provided to me today, I can go home and meet my six chil-

For this Abuja based Lawyer Mr. Cosmas Akigher, many residents could hardly make ends meet and therefore could not afford the luxury of bringing their wards outside to enjoy themselves. “It is no longer news that the economic situation in the country is bad, even the mad man on the street knows about this. “How can you take your family out for a treat when you have overwhelming problems to solve” he wondered. Some Church leaders also sent their goodwill messages of encouragement to Nigerians at Easter. Cardinal Bishop John Oniakan of the Catholic Arch Diocese of Abuja called on Nigerians to thank God for giving His Son Jesus Christ to the world to broker peace between God and man.

Many of the beneficiaries expressed their joy and appreciation

to the church, for sharing the joy of the season with them.

dren with what to eat and be happy ,” she expressed. On his part, the Pastor Dunamis International Gospel Centre‎, Great Olusegun Ayodele and his wife, Jane, prayed for the recipients and assured them of divine intervention in their condition. According to him the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead would lift them from their afflictions. Pastor Ayodele charged them to be of good behavior and reassured them that the church would keep praying for them. He also prayed for the nation and urged Nigerians to eschew evil and embrace the love of God as demonstrated by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He admonished government at all levels to rule with the fear of God and provide divi-

dend of democracy to the longsuffering citizenry to improve their standards of living. Pastor Ayodele said there would be a transformation, restoration, transmogrification and turnaround in the economy that would usher a rain of abundance in Nigeria. He urged the populace to be patriotic, resilient and resolute in the task of building a strong, united, prosperous and just society. “Nigeria will be great and will remain the great arsenal of democracy in Africa and pride of the black race in the world. I see a prosperous Nigeria where the people will live in peace, unity and fear of God. “It is time for spiritual revival, socio-political renewal and economic rebirth that will propel Nigeria to its manifest destiny in the comity of nations. “God is at work in Nigeria and will set the captives free this season as we rededicate our lives to the service of God and the fatherland. Our long national nightmare is over forever. “It is time to heal and break forth on every side in our collective march to greatness”, Pastor Ayodele declared. Earlier in his sermon titled, “The Revelation from the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ”, Pastor Great Olusegun Ayodele who read from Matthew 28:1-7, said the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the reason for the gospel which makes Christianity real. He exhorted the congregation stating that the resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms that God’s purpose in the lives of believers must come to pass no matter how long it takes. Pastor Ayodele further admonished the congregation saying that the resurrection of Jesus is the confirmation of the supremacy of life over death, love over hate and light over darkness. He said Easter shows that our God is a God of new beginning, better life and destiny for those who believe in Him.

Capital Market

Friday, April 1, 2016

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Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at March 31, 2016 1st Tier Securities

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Arty News

Friday, April 1, 2016

29 31

Miss Heart of Nigeria focuses on volunteer works —Lauretta Nigerian model, Lauretta Charles, is the founder Miss Heart of Nigeria beauty pageant. She is a graduate of English from the University of Maiduguri and doubles as the CEO Glam Slam International. She discloses how she is utilising her platform to impact lives in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA. Excerpts:

has either been raped or kidnapped. It’s just unfortunate. There is need for more sensitization on the girl child; because they are more vulnerable to this onslaught which is gradually becoming a norm. The over 200 girls abducted in Chibok remains fresh in one’s mind and I’m still praying for these girls to return... What is the way out? The way out is for parents to do their jobs as parents rather than leaving the responsibility to house helps. Parents should create time for their children and listen to them. Most times, parents don’t listen and the children tend to find help elsewhere. Remember that whatever you fail to teach your child at home, they will inadvertently learn from society the wrong way. It therefore behoves on every parent to tutor kids on values that impact would positively affect the family and the society at large. Children on their part must ensure that they do away with bad company.

You have been at the vanguard of touching lives, what has been your driving force or motivation? Touching lives positively is something that I have always wanted do and love doing, so when I was crowned Queen last year, I felt that this is a platform for me to do more for humanity. For me, life becomes interesting when we live it to the service of God and humanity. Secondly, coming from a humble family was what made the difference; I was nurtured to care for humanity. What have you been up to lately? Well, I’m currently serving my country in Kano. I have been carrying out humanitarian works across the length and breadth of the country, giving hope to the less privileged and the vulnerable in the society. As a matter of fact, I recently visited one of the IDP camps in Konduga area of Borno State. However, in one of the interviews I had with you, I did promise that I will give young girls a platform to live up their dreams of becoming models/ beauty Queens, among others and today that has come to fruition as I am coming up with Miss Heart of Nigeria Beauty Pageant. What is the event all about and what informed it? The main focus of the pageant is the need to have volunteers who are ready to use beauty to add value to humanity. Miss Heart of Nigeria is a pageant that focuses on volunteer work; each contestant must have a background in volunteer work for her community if they are chosen to represent their State. Meanwhile, there will be no losers in the Miss Heart of Nigeria pageant as every contestant will go home with gifts from our sponsors. Miss Heart of Nigeria Pageant has a category for every woman because we believe every woman has a voice at any stage of her life. Our pageant has four areas of competition: Interview; cultural attires and decent evening gowns. No bikinis or indecent exposure as commonly seen in other beauty pageants. The essence is to restore the dignity of womanhood with a view to giving them confidence in themselves. Are you in partnership with any organisation? Of course, we are currently partnering with Airtel, Dala FM, Masters Energy Oil and Gas, Cest Bon table water, Gold foam, PZ Cussons. Being the first of its kind, what does the event hope to achieve? As I said earlier, the proposed event is one that encourages developmental projects that would better the lots of Nigerians. As

Having come this far, what would be your advice to upcoming artistes? They should believe in themselves. They should not be afraid of failure because failure is a sign that you are doing something. The worst thing that can happen to an up-coming artist is to not try at all, there must be a consistent push until you get to where you desire. It only takes courage and determination. Are you impressed with the Nigeria entertainment industry? Well the industry is growing. The mad rush for western music has drastically reduced, that perhaps goes to show that our entertainment industry is doing well but then there is still room for improvement.

Lauretta the country is gradually winning the war on terrorism, it becomes imperative for us as a nation to start winning the peace so as to fast track development in the country and that is where this event comes to play. The event hopes to be a unifying factor that would bring Nigerians together irrespective of their religious background and culture and that explained why it is holding at the ancient city of Kano. Going by the number of pageants in the country, do you think yours will stand the test of time? For sure, Miss Heart of Nigeria will stand the test of time judging by our mission and vision. Miss Heart of Nigeria is redefining the concept of pageantry. It’s not just going to join the normal bandwagon that pageantry is known for. We are working on inculcating both service and humanity to beauty. We believe in the synergy of a beautiful outlook and a beautiful heart. What is your opinion about parents that discourage their children from beau-

For sure, Miss Heart of Nigeria will stand the test of time judging by our mission and vision

ty pageants? This is based on the long standing negative but naive and uninformed perception that society has erroneously viewed pageantry. However, pageantry has long metamorphosed from that perception. Beauty Pageantry, in all sincerity is not bad, it’s just that sometimes people are misinformed about it and they are quick to pass judgment on people that venture into it. But that is not to say that there are no bad eggs in the industry like any other field of endeavour;”in every twelve there is always a Judah”. But let me say this, parents should allow their children to live up their dreams with proper guidance and counselling. The fact that it didn’t work for Miss A doesn’t mean it will apply for Miss B. I think it all depends on parental approach to issues. Child abduction especially the female folk seems to be the news today, what do you think is responsible for this ugly trend? It is really disheartening to hear that children especially the female folks are being abducted and perhaps used as sex slaves. It calls for concern. I am a woman and I know how it feels for a woman to lose her child to some unscrupulous elements in society. The case of Bayelsa- born Ese is trending now and I’m imagining the kind of trauma the 14 year old who is reported to be 5 months pregnant is going through including her parents. This is just one of the many cases we hear as no day passes without news making rounds that a minor

The Nigerian Entertainment industry is full of scandals among others, how have you been able to isolate yourself from scandal? That’s because I come from a good Christian family that has helped me to always stay on track. This is because, if you know where you are from, you will know where you are heading to. My family has been giving me the moral push to move on and stay focused. What else do I want? I love them. Furthermore, greed and lack of contentment has always been a major cause for indulgence in situations that create scandals. However, my upbringing has already given me victory over these things hence I have been able to consistently live above board. Who is your role model? My parents have always been my model and inspiration. They unrelentingly raised me on the path of truth particularly during my formative stages in life. That parental strong foundation they laid for me has been seeing me through the “thicks” and “thins” of life. What does the future hold for you? The future is exceedingly bright with lots of hopes. I believe I will be breaking new and uncommon grounds using pageantry as a tool. The drive for all these is already ongoing. What is your advice to Nigerians? My advice for Nigerians is to keep keeping on in whatever field of endeavour one finds himself.

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kewalram Group to assemble 78,000 vehicles at Lagos plant Adejuwon Osunnuyi

ewalram Chanrai Group, a major dealer of Foton, Isuzu Cherry and Mitsubishi in the country, has revealed that it is set to be producing about 78,000 new vehicles annually at its new vehicle assembly plant in Isolo, Lagos. For a start, the company is assembling 12,000 Foton and Isuzu trucks, 30,000 mini buses and cars and 36,000 3-wheeler vehicles (Keke Napep) making a total of 78,000 vehicles to be assembled by the company in a year. The Group’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr Victor Eburajolo, said that part of the company included the production of 120,000 Indian lead motorcycle brand, Hero. Kewalram is partnering Daimler, maker of the Mercedes Benz

to bring the best quality to the Nigerian automobile market. Speaking with journalists shortly before a tour of the automobile assembly plant, Eburajolo said the company had engaged 100 skilled Nigerians to work in the plant, noting that this is capable of creating about 500 indirect jobs at this early stage. He said: “Let me emphasise that we are for now doing only one shift, which is about 60 per cent of the full capacity of the plant.We are starting with Foton trucks. We are also including buses and of course Isuzu. Isuzu is not new in this country. We have entered into agreement with General Motors to assemble Chevrolet brand and we also signed agreement to assemble 3-wheelers and 2-wheelers. “If necessary, as demand increases, we can do three shifts. We are target four lines and for starting we are employing about

100 direct skilled employees”, he added. While expressing appreciation to the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Eburajolo explained that despite the fact that people created doubt about the automotive policy, the company was investing $400 million, to demonstrate its belief in the policy. “We thank the NADDC for their support. We are working also with banks to finance auto acquisition. That is the only way to stop a the preference for used cars by Nigerians “Going forward we want appeal to some agencies that seem to create bottlenecks. We appeal that various agencies affiliated to this and various aspects of the Nigerian economy. Timely approvals for documents of imports. If all agencies work in unison, we will have great results.

“The NADDC has been very helpful, but there are some departments that make things so difficult for us. But let me emphasis that we are not going to cut corners, but agencies should give approvals timely,” he said.

Aonther top official of the company, Mr Anil Sahgal said that “the most important part of auto policy is quality”, adding that the company is not compromising and that it will consistently improve by putting all equipment required for the production line. NADDC’s director for policy and planning, Mr Luqman Mamudu, said that the National Automotive Policy was designed in such a way that it would encourage patronage of made-inNigeria vehicles. He dispelled insinuations that made-in-Nigeria vehicles are costlier, explaining that with the

huge rebate for knocked down parts, there was no way vehicles assembled locally would be costlier than imported ones of same brand, model and specifications. He explained: “Vehicles imported are heavily levied but the local manufacturers are allowed to pay only 10 per cent on the knocked down parts used for assembling locally. “The moment a company registers as the an auto assembler we send its name to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ensure ease in procuring knocked down parts. “It is not true that price of locally made are costlier. We have made it in such a way that if you assemble one, you can bring in two, but we encourage them to produce more. We are trying to get component manufacturers because assembling is like a precursor of real manufacturing”, Mamudu added.

Barbedos unveils 2016 S500 Mercedes Maybach model CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA

arbedos Cars Limited (BCL);one of Weststar’s authorised dealers for Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria last week unveiled the new 2016 Mercedes Maybach S500 in Abuja The Mercedes-Maybach SClass combines stylish, effortless superiority with trendsetting exclusivity and features distinctive characteristics that set the Maybach apart from its standard production model, which include more space, special seats, lavish designs and prestigious interior. The new S-Class Maybach boasts of comfort-giving features which not only differentiates it from just any model out there but also makes it fulfill the needs of any discerning car lover. Unveiling the newest addition to the Luxury family, Mrs. Elisabeth Itegbe - General Manager, Weststar Associates Limited, explained that the much anticipated Mercedes-Maybach had finally made to Nigeria. She enthused: “Safety is at the forefront in the manufacture of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and the Maybach S-Class is no exception. The model has a number of innovative assistance systems that make driving more comfortable and safer. The PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian detection, Adap-

Mercedes Maybach

tive High beam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus are part of the Intelligent Drive systems. “The Mercedes-Maybach SClass is truly in a class of its own; rugged yet with class and luxury. According to the event host, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said that the new Mercedes-Maybach S-class was the first in its segment, adding that “there is no doubt that passengers of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class are enveloped in lounge style modern luxury.

“The Mercedes-Benz brand stands for the aspiration to deliver ‘The best’ in terms of products, technology and services. In the S-Class segment in particular, customers have very high expectations with regard to exclusivity and individuality and Mercedes-Maybach enables us further to fulfill these desires in the exclusive top segment of the market”, he added. The Managing Director of Barbedos Cars Limited, Mr Shiju Sasi, while unveiling the latest model, noted that the

2016 Mercedes-Benz S Class Maybach was a mission accomplished for the Mercedes-Benz family, adding that the one sold in Nigeria was specifically designed to suit not only the country’s climate but its peculiar roads. He said that the brand came with higher suspension and Euro 3 petrol quality keeping in mind the type of petrol obtainable in Nigeria. “In terms of luxury it has much larger leg space, the biggest advantage of the car is that

it is wider and it comes with executive chairs massage, panoramic view and it is really a comfortable car to ride on. We are authorized Mercedes Benz dealer in Lagos and Abuja, we have workshops in Abuja Kaduna and Lagos and we have expatriate engineers that understand all the technologies of the brand. “I think the car is a missionaccomplished for Mercedes Benz, it is a top of the range car you can get in the market now and it is absolute luxury. “It is made in Germany but it is actually designed for the Nigerian roads, the shock absolvers are a bit higher, with higher suspension and the petrol quality is Euro 3 keeping in mind the Nigerian environment.” He noted that elements of AMG and S Class were infused into the new Maybach to give the combination of the desired luxury as well as unique performance quality. The Mercedes-Maybach SClass extends the range of SClass Saloon models with the addition of a vehicle in the luxury segment: the generous interior and extended wheelbase, which fully benefits the rear compartment, create maximum spaciousness and the use of fine materials and quality appointments makes the MercedesMaybach S-Class an impressive chauffeur vehicle for demanding customers throughout the world.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, April 1, 2016

Enugu Fair: Peugeot showcases locally assembled vehicles

eugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited, PAN, has continued to show a strong presence at the on-going 27th Enugu International Trade Fair holding in Enugu. According to the company, it is thrilling exhibitors and participants with outstanding products assembled in Nigeria at the fair. Zonal Sales Manager, South East, of the company, Mr. Gerald Ikejiofor, said that they were in the fair to showcase the locally assembled automobiles, including the new 508, 301 and the Expert Tepee all assembled in the PAN Kaduna plant. According to him, the various models of cars on display is attracting high traffic to PAN Pavilion. Many participants at the fair trooped to Peugeot stand to catch glimpses of the new products on display. Also on display along with the various models of cars, are genuine spare parts and after sales service advisory which Peugeot offers to their clients across the nation and beyond. The manager revealed that PAN has put everything in place and working round the clock to achieve the target of 60,000 annual output, under the agreement signed with

Kia Motors celebrates two millionth vehicle roll-out in U.S.

Peugeot 301

PSA on the 301 CKD production which commences soon. Ikejiofor thanked the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ENCCIMA) for the opportunity to show case the new Peugeot products which are currently competing favourably with an edge in the market. The Zonal Manager called on prospective customers particularly the low income earners, to embrace the Peugeot Vehicle Acquisition Finance Scheme (PVAFS) currently going on with Access Bank, FCMB and JAIZ Bank to grab a life time opportunity of owning brand new Peugeot cars. It would be recalled that the PAN group had taken some innovative steps to present some technical skill acquisition programmes available at the PAN

Learning Center, which is a subsidiary of PAN group. The 27th edition Enugu international trade fair with the theme; “Diversification of the Nation’s Economy from Rhetorics to Coordinated Action” was declared open on Friday, March 25, by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah who was the Special Guest of Honour. The Minister who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Investment, Chief Sam Egwu, assured participants of government’s continuous support in business activities through a strong partnership and providing conducive atmosphere for commerce to thrive. The fair holds between March 24 and April 4, 2016.

Ambode to speak at FRSC 6th Annual Lecture

he Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has been announced as the Guest Speaker at the 6th Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Annual Lecture Series for 2016 scheduled to hold next Tuesday in Abuja. According to the programme of events released by the organising committee for this year’s programme, the Annual lecture series is part of FRSC’s strategies for creating public awareness on issues of road safety with the theme, “State Road Traffic Management Efforts: The LASTMA Experience.” Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC the FRSC Annual Lecture Series, said that the programme which was initiated in October 2009 was pursuant to the United Nations

megacrown1@yahoo.com 08025237926

call for global action to stem the tide of road traffic crashes and the impact of the menace on the socio-economic conditions of the people of the world, particularly the third world countries. He stated that Commission keyed into the programme as a veritable mechanism for actualising the goals of public awareness creation on issues of road safety. Kazeem stated: “Since its inception, the Lecture series had been addressed by such eminent personalities as the former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Ayaoku, who was the Guest Speaker at the maiden edition held in October 2009 on the theme, “The Capital Waste on Nigeria Road.” Other notable speakers at the annual programme includes,

according to Kazeem included His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent, who chaired the second edition in 2010 with Mr Kiran Kuma Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation (IRF) speaking on “Decade of Action For Road Safety: The imperatives for Developing Economies.” Professor Richard Tay of La Trobe University, Melbourne, Austria had his turn in 2011 when he spoke at the 3rd edition of the programme on the theme: “Achieving the Decade of Action On Road Safety: 2011-2020,” while Mr Neil Schuster of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administration delivered the 4th edition of the lecture series in 2012 on the theme: “Safe and Sustainable Transport Lessons for Nigeria.”

ia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) on Wednesday celebrated as the plant’s two millionth vehicle – a white 2016 Sorento SXL – rolled off the assembly line in West Point, Georgia. Representing an investment of more than $1.1 billion, KMMG began mass production on November 16, 2009 and today produces more than forty percent of all Kia vehicles sold in the United States. “Assembling two million vehicles in less than seven years is a remarkable achievement, and one that each of our team members can take a lot of pride in,” said KMMG President and CEO Hyun-Jong Shin. “The world-class quality that goes into every Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan we build is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our team members, and today we salute their commitment to excellence.”

Together with on-site and local suppliers, KMMG is responsible for the creation of more than 15,000 jobs in West Point and the surrounding region, and achieved its highest-ever ranking – top five among vehicle assembly plants in the U.S. – in J.D. Power’s most recent Initial Quality Study. “Together, Kia and Georgia have a strong reputation of success,” said Governor Nathan Deal.

Shin

Hardcore Land Rover Discovery SVX coming

aguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has begun working on its third model after the Range Rover SVR and Jaguar F-TYPE SVR, based on the Discovery SUV. Likely to be called the Discovery SVX, the new flagship of next year’s all-new Land Rover Discovery will have more power but, instead of focusing on Nurburgring lap times like SVO’s SVR models, the new SVX will offer owners extreme off-road capability. When the SVO-developed Disco SVX goes on sale sometime in 2018, with the absence of a Defender replacement in the line-up, the Discovery SVX will be the most capable off-road vehicle Land Rover sells. Based on the all-new Discovery 5 that will be unveiled later this year, the tough SVX version is set to arrive 12-18 months later, says Brit mag Autocar, which broke the story. Originally, it was thought

SVO might develop another fast SUV developed with a bias towards on-road performance and handling, but the Range Rover SVR and upcoming Jaguar F-PACE have forced a different approach. In the future, SVO-developed Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will focus on ‘luxury’, ‘performance’ or ‘capability’, with the new ‘SVX’ trim falling into the latter. Speaking to Autocar, SVO boss John Edwards refused to confirm the Discovery SVX is the next vehicle on the way from the performance division, but added: “Land Rover is all about bandwidth. What we have done over 65 years is broaden the breadth of capability of our vehicles. We have taken the opportunity with the Sport SVR to go right, and SVX gives us a chance to go left. It’s clear that a result of that will be that the Land Rover proposition will benefit overall — we will be amplifying the core brand values.”

People In The Mirror

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo acknowledging cheers from Internally Displayed Persons (IDPS), during her visit to the camp in Makurdi yesterday. PHOTO:NAN Commander, Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP. Olatunji Disu (middle), flank with medalist of RRS at the just concluded 2016 Police Games in Abuja.

L-R: Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye; Majority Leader, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, at the Awards Ceremony of the 2015 edition of Etisalat Prize for Literature in Lagos.

L-R: Chairperson, Planning Committee, year 2016 Bi-annual Ministers’ wives’ retreat, Princess Bola Ajayi; President, African Church Ministers’ Wives’ Association, Lady Evangelist Ene Udofia; Primate, The African Church, His Eminence, Emmanuel Udofia and Mrs. Oluwakemi Odufuwa during the 2016 ministers’ wives’ retreat in Lagos.

President of Nigeria Gospel Artiest, Asu Ekiye, Mr. Paul IK Dairo(right) representative of the Senate President and Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth Affairs , Barrister Mac Obi Oscar(third left) Sam Song, Nigeria Rock Music Ambassador, Phil Roberts(second left) and others at the commissioning of Orphanage Building project built by Mr. Phil Roberts at Shining Star Motherless Baby Home and Widows with Less Privilege at Lugbe, Abuja.

L-R: Government and Community Relations Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Esun; Principal, Ugborikoko Secondary School, Mr. Charles Okotie and Customer Relationship Manager MTN Nigeria, Ms. Gloria Osako, during the handing over school furniture donated to the school by the MTN Foundation as part of its ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative.

L-R: Teens/Youth Pastor, First Baptist Church Festac, Pastor Tobi Adeniji; Conference President, Lagos East Baptist Conference, Dr Emmanuel Awotunde; President, Lagos West Baptist Conference, Dr Julius Adeniji and Pastor, Triumphant Baptist Church, Akowonjo, Lagos, Dr Sunday Oladejo, at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Church.

L-R: Vice Chairman, Eko Shopping Plaza, Mrs. Wunmi Dada; Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Dada; Chairman, Diadem College, Mr. Poju Oladinni; Proprietress, of the School, Mrs. Abimbola Oladinni and Chief Executive Officer, Seeds of Wealth, Mrs. Wellington Olaitan, during the maiden inter-house Sports competition of Diadem College, Ifako, Gbagada in Lagos…recently.

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Maritime

Assessing implications of rice import ban for economy The recent reversal of the rice importation through the land borders policy by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has continued to elicit reactions from various stakeholders with most of them seeing the measure as undesirable for the nation’s economy. FRANCIS EZEM reports.

hat Nigeria remains one of the major countries that have consistently failed to sustain fiscal and other policy regimes in order to tap the huge socio-economic opportunities in key sectors of their economies is not in doubt. For several decades, changes in government have always led to policy reversals all in the attempt of each successive government to either rubbish the plans of past governments or to demonstrate that they have superior knowledge on certain economic matters. The policy trend, as it were today, appears to be doing more damage to the nation’s economy than good. Before now and precisely in 2012, the Federal Government through the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, restricted rice imports only to the seaports. This was in exercises of the powers of the service to place restrictions on the importation of some categories of goods through the land border as provided in section 19 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA, The reason was that the importation of the product only through the seaports would checkmate its smuggling through land borders, especially given the porous nature of these borders, a development that is made worse by the existence of more than 200 unapproved routes through which smugglers ferry these products into the country. This decision of the government to reverse this policy even without considering its possible effects, negative or positive, underscores the mindset of many top officials of the government at all levels, who make policy pronouncements without re-thinking possible effects of such pronouncements. Little wonder the barrage of criticisms that trailed the pronouncement, which also left the

nation’s upper legislative chamber, the Senate to summon the Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali, (rtd)to explain the pronouncement, especially given the hurried manner in which it was done. In what however appeared a self-reversal less than six months after, the CG penultimate week announced that the service has once again banned the importation of rice through the land borders. National Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr. Wale Adeniyi had in a statement, admitted that the service in 2012 imposed the restriction on importation through the land borders because the borders were believed to be a difficult terrain in terms of effectively monitoring and controlling the importation of the commodity. According to him, the decision to reintroduce the restriction was sequel to a review session held with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal Operation Units of the service held recently in Abuja, during which it was observed that the dwindling revenue from rice imports through the land borders do not correspond with the volume of rice that is handled in the ports of neighbouring African countries. Intelligence reports show that there is a serious upsurge in the volume of the product smuggled across the borders, a development that had necessitated the re-introduction of the restriction. This

Adeosun points to the fact that the policy was not well thought out. Official statistics available to National Mirror also indicated that for the five-month period during which the restriction was relaxed covering October, 2015 to March 17, 2016, a total of 24.992 metric tonnes of rice valued at N2.4billion was imported through the land borders. In addition, the data during this five-month period, total revenue generated amounted to N1.7billion, which the service suspected was considerably lower than the revenue projected to be generated with the removal of import restrictions. For instance, in the first two months of 2016, a total of 9,238 bags were seized with a Duty Paid Value DPV of N64.7 million was made by the anti-smuggling patrol units of the Federal Operations and Border commands. Prior to the reversal of rice border imports last year and its recent re-introduction, the Nigerian fis-

What is ultimate is that in the long term, Nigeria should work towards achieving self sufficiency not only on rice production but also other agricultural produce because countries that rely on importation hardly grow

Ali cal policy has been replete with so much summersault. For between 2012 and 2015, the Federal Government reviewed its tariff on rice importation more than four times. From a tariff of about 40 per cent in 2012, the government increased it to 110 per cent in 2013, which gave rise to the massive smuggling of the commodity. In an attempt to curb this, the government reduced the tariff to 30 per cent for rice millers, who have capacity for backward integration while other rice dealers imported at 60 per cent tariff. The cumulative effect of all these is the uncertainties and dislocations they create in the economy. Head Corporate and Government Relations, Olam Nigeria Limited, largest player in the rice value chain in Nigeria, Mr. Ade Adefeko, says frequent change in Nigeria’s rice import policy promotes smuggling, among other issues. While reacting to the importation of rice through the borders, he observed that borders are very porous. Monitoring all the imports through them remains an uphill task. As per industry reports, the quantity of rice that was discharged in the neighboring ports were much higher than what was declared as imported through land borders. “The frequent policy changes adversely affect the industry. It is encourages smuggling from the neighbouring countries. It also

undermines various investments in the rice value chain within Nigeria. There is a substantial gap between production and consumption of rice in Nigeria, which was fulfilled through legitimate imports earlier and now the same supply gap is being met by smuggled rice from across the borders”, he said. President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, who bemoaned the inconsistent policy on rice importation, made a strong case for the evolution of mechanisms that would make the country self sufficient in rice production as a way of ending the current regime of massive importation of the commodity. “What is ultimate is that in the long term, Nigeria should work towards achieving self sufficiency not only on rice production but also other agricultural produce because countries that rely on importation hardly grow”, he argued. It is estimated that Nigeria needs approximately 2.5 million metric tonnes of rice annually to cover the gap between local production and consumption, which must therefore be augmented through imports. In view of the supply gap, analysts have therefore charged all relevant government agencies to evolve measures to bridge this gap as a way of ending rice importation and smuggling.

Business Maritime

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Unifying ship owners’ groups good for industry’s growth –SOAN STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

he Shipowners Association of Nigeria SOAN, has said that the decision of the Federal Government to ask all the fragments of ship owners in the

Amaechi

country was a good counsel that promote proper cohesion and thus engender growth and development of the industry. Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi, had on assumption of duty asked the various ship

owners to come together in order to speak with one voice for the general good of the industry, which led to the formation of the Shipowners Forum. President of the association, Mr. Greg Obeifun, who spoke against

Ogbeifun

Group tasks Minister over agents, freight forwarders’ rivalry

he National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, has petitioned the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, over the dissolution of the Governing Board of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, and the need to resolve the dichotomy between freight forwarders and licensed customs agents. Maritime stakeholders have been divided over the dichotomy between freight forwarders and licensed customs agents, a development that has given rise to calls for the harmonisation of the Customs and Excise Management Act and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria CRFFN Act 2007. In a letter dated March 30, 2016 and signed on behalf of the association by a member of the Technical Committee of the NAGAFF headquarters, Mr. Increase Uche, observed that there was urgent need for the Minister to differentiate between the regulation of freight forwarders and Licensed Customs Agents. The petition, which also made reference to an earlier letter by an operator to the Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa command, observed that as its name implies, the Customs Agent implies a vocation, which its growth is limited to the extent the name could propel the bearer and the importing public who are majorly businessmen, who have the natu-

ral penchant to maximise profit. According to the group, this is allegedly done through the complex circumstances of dishonest declarations often aided by the licensed customs agents and therefore alleged that the beneficiaries of this prevailing old order of illicit profit maximisation would always support the status quo. The group however observed that a Customs Licensed Agent is a company registered under Part C of the Company and Allied matters Act of 1990, and licensed by the Nigeria Customs Service to carry out businesses relating to Customs formalities in the import/export transactions as provided by Customs and Excise It also cited sections 153 – 156 of CEMA, which recognises the individual firms and corporate bodies as Customs agents, a development that currently makes all Licensed Customs Agents in Nigeria corporate bodies. Conversely, the group told the Minister that the freight forwarder does jobs distinct and different from that of a licensed customs agent. “For the purposes of clarity, the freight forwarding family comprises the following: consolidators and cargo brokers, packing and packaging firms, storage and warehousing operators, air freighting companies, customs brokers, courier companies, multimodal transport operators, global logistics providers and logistics supply

chain, among several others”, the group said. The letter also reads in part: “Of the many services rendered by the freight forwarder, customs brokerage is just a segment. It is extremely difficult and rarely impossible for a customs broker to exclusively complete the clearance process of a single consignment without plunging into one or two other aspect of freight forwarding” This, according to the group is a clear proof that customs brokerage is an integral aspect of freight forwarding, adding that It is instructive to note that the freight forwarder operates both at the upstream and the downstream sectors of the logistics supply chain, even as he is referred to as the architect of transport because of his versatility in the use of the vari-

the background of some side comments trailing the Minister’s counsel asking the various ship owners not ship owning associations to come together, said that the move was also informed by what some stakeholders told the Minister. According to him, there is nothing wrong for the various ship owners in the country to come under one umbrella so as to speak with one voice on matters of common interest and by so doing engender the growth and development of the industry. The president, who also admitted that there have been calls in the past for the ship owners to come together, but regretted that such calls were not heeded by the concerned stakeholders, which had kept them fragmented. He however noted that those who are making issues out of the emergence of the new group are merely being mischievous, insisting that the concept of the new forum, which stakeholders like the acting President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association NISA, Alhaji Aminu Umar, himself, Chief Isaac Jolapamo, Mr. Temi Omatseye, president of the African Shipowners Association and Mrs. Mar-

Norwegian Ship owners predict further slump in 2016

orwegian Shipowners’ Association has predicted that the 2016 would be extremely difficult year for many segments of the maritime industry. The association in its yearly outlook report, is anticipating weaker profitability, job losses and tighter capital access. “Expectations for developments in the capital market through 2016 are largely negative. Almost no shipowners anticipate improved capital availability, and 55 per cent expect the situation to worsen,” said the report, pointing out that offshore service shipowners are the most pessimistic regarding capital availability. Taking into account the dra-

Strong tanker market surges CSDC’s profit

he Chinese shipping major, China Shipping Development Company Limited (CSDC) achieved 34.95 per cent higher profit for 2015 totaling in RMB417 million (USD 64.3 million) when compared to figures from 2014, mostly due to a very strong tanker market. The group’s revenue was on course and amounted to RMB 12.213 billion, representing a decrease of approximately 0.50% as compared to 2014.

garet Oraekwusi, who emerged chairman of the new forum played prominent roles. “The press statement issued after the inaugural meeting of the forum was clear and unambiguous because it stated that membership is open to true ship owners duly registered with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, whether they are in SOAN, NISA or neither in any of the above associations provided they own ships and have a track record of running them”, the president said. Ogbeifun, who is the CEO of Starz Group, which engages in shipping line and ship repair yard operations, insisted that the forum was only for ship owning members and argued that it was unacceptable for non ship owners to discuss and decide the fate of ship owners. “Is it possible for non-lawyers to be members of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA or members of the Nigerian Medical Association NMA to sit in the association with people who are not medical doctors, it is not possible and such can also not be allowed among ship owners”, he insisted.

In 2015, the volume of cargo shipped by the company was 184 million tonnes, up 1.1% year-on-year while the transport turnover reached around 470.9 billion tonne-nautical miles, up by 9.5% year-on-year. With respect to the outlook for 2016, CSDC said that the international economic environment remains complex, however world economic growth is expected to rebound slightly coupled with slow growth trend in the next few years.

matic decline in oil price and general fall in raw material prices, the association says these factors can cause weakening of many links in Norwegian maritime value chain. Shipping is the country’s second-largest export industry, with total value creation in 2014 of approx. USD 23 billion (NOK 190 billion) and 100,000 employees. The Norwegian Shipowners have recorded a drop of 15 percent in ship orders by January 2016, compared to the previous year. The orders have been primarily related to offshore oil and gas, and the decline is related to the slowdown in offshore activity, according to the association. The report also said that shipowners anticipate lower turnover in 2016, expecting it to fall by 3 percent. Positive development in turnover is expected by short sea and deep sea shipowners, while the negative one is to be seen in the offshore segment. Weaker operating results are to be expected in 2016 as well, according to the association. “A combined number of 4,0004,500 layoffs and terminations are anticipated in 2016, compared with 7,300 in 2015. 3,150 jobs were cut in 2015 in the offshore service segment, while shipowners expect further 1,000-1,500 jobs to disappear in 2016,” the report said, adding that available training positions are to be reduced, too.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, April 1, 2016

Banks should brace for hard times ahead –Agbaje

…sets N125bn PBT target for GTBank in 2016 Tola Akinmutimi

he Managing Director of Guarantee Trust Bank Plc, GTBank, Mr Segun Agbaje, yesterday predicted that given the prevailing fiscal and other macroeconomic constraints in the nation’s economy, banks in the country

should be prepared for harder times and be proactive in order to sustain earnings and returns on shareholders’ investments. Agbaje, who disclosed this during a Pre- Annual General Meeting interactive session with journalists in Lagos, noted that monetary policy

changes as well as fiscal challenges associated with the lull in the global oil market had continued to pose serious revenue hurdles for Nigeria such that all key sectors would feel the negative impact this year than previously. Specifically, he explained that with dwindling foreign

L-R: Secretary, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Mrs Abimbola Okoilu-Miro; Program Coordinator/Senior Program Officer, Mr Okeke Anya and Program Officer, Mr Augustine Erameh, during a Press briefing on Supporting Effective Tobacco Control in Nigeria, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Nigeria loses over N5.3trn to market fire incidents Olufemi Adeosun, Abuja

he National Association Nigerian Traders (NANTs), has lamented the spate of market fires in the country, putting the economy’s loss to the incidents at over N5.3trillion in the last seventeen years. Disclosing the figures during a media interaction on the incessant fire outbreaks in Abuja yesterday, the association’s National President, Mr. Ken Ukaoha, said it was worrisome that the nation had also recorded over 10 major market fires in the last three months. Ukaoha pointed out that in all the instances, all state authorities could do was to offer sympathy visits and pronouncement of support, which never saw the light of the day. He noted that it was ironical that government could be wooing foreign investors into the country all in a bid to improve Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows, without sparing a thought about thousands of small businesses in the country that are being ruined by incessant fires. The NANTs boss said:”It is rather sad and unfortunate that while successive Nigerian governments have continued

to chase Foreign Direct Investments even with tax incentives and other attractions, the local traders who constitute the largest domestic investors in the country are neglected while their investments are left to wither away through fire. “The consequence of this neglect is that Nigerian traders, and by extension the Nigerian economy has lost over N5.3trn to market fires between May 1999 and March 2016. “Yet, more annoying is that no government in power has either deemed it necessary to investigate or take actions to forestall further losses occasioned by market fires. Worst still is that the government that enjoys collection of taxes from the traders would never have ‘compensation’ in her dictionary for the affected traders when such market fires occur.”, Ukaoha added. He, however, refused to mainly blame the governments, explaining that some of the fire outbreaks were linked to some contributory factors such as fuel storage, power surge or electric sparks, illegal connection of electricity, lighted match or forgotten candle lights, stoves, cookers and gas cylinders in the markets as well as the total ignorance of safety procedures.

As part of the strategies to curtail the incidence of fire outbreaks in the nation’s markets, the NANTs boss appealed to government to begin to consider and pursue, as a matter of urgency, the production of a national investment protection architecture that is laced with a comprehensive fire policy. “We further appeal to government to revisit the nation’s Firefighting Agency (the Fire Service) with a view to re-organizing and retooling it for effectiveness. We cannot afford to continue wasting resources and tax payers fund on an Agency that is always weak to respond, engage and address their calling – the rescue mission and operation during fires. “We call on government to set up of an Advisory Committee that would come up with ideas and implementable action plans targeted at curbing the menace of market fires in Nigeria. Such Committee must include NANTS as the traders’ national umbrella, Insurance regulatory body (NAICOM), the Federal Fire Service, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and of course the Presidency,” Ukaoha appealed.

exchange accruals to the Nigerian government it was most certain that available foreign exchange for import at the disposal of banks would reduce, thereby making capacity building in the domestic economy for improved exports the most viable option of improving the exchange rate of the Naira and repositioning the economy on the path of sustainable growth. He said: “I can tell you, the 2016 year will be very challenging for Nigerian banks in view of the developments in the international oil market. This implies that banks must adopt appropriate strategies to navigate through the turbulence and sustain their operations and ensure good returns on their shareholders’ funds” Agbaje, who spoke elaborately on the performance of GTBank in 2015 financial year, reported that the bank’s Gross earnings grew from N278.5 billion in 2014 to N301.9 billion last year, indicating 8.4 per cent improvement while Profit Before Tax, PBT, grew from N116.4 billion in the preceding year to N120.7 billion, representing 3.7 per cent growth. The Profit After Tax (PAT) figures indicated a rise from 94.4 per cent in 2014 to 99.4 per cent in 2015. He explained that the gross earnings growth of 8.4 per

cent was inspite of the tepid system liquidity that characterised the first three quarters of 2015, forex scarcity as well as general lull in the economy during the year. This is even as he attributed the improved growth in revenue to N28.6 billion increase in interest income due to efficient Balance Sheet management and growth in other fee lines. On the bank’s performance projections in 2016, Agbaje projected a ROE of 25 per cent, PBT of N125 billion, Cost to Income ratio of below 45 per cent and Non Performing Loan, NPL, of below 5 per cent. Other strategies he identified as crucial to the bank’s improved performance in the current year include, increase in subsidiaries contribution to Group’s PBT, revenue optimization and cost minimization of all subsidiaries, aligning the bank’s operations to global practices to ensure that it remains the best-run bank in the industry and commitment to corporate governance and compliance policies. He also restated the management’s commitment to ensuring that GTBank sustained its support to key sectors of the economy, especially the retail Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, businesses by lowering cost of funds and maintenance of margins.

China’s trade value with Nigeria down to $14.9bn in 2015 –Envoy Regina Otokpa, Abuja

hina has declared that Nigeria remains her biggest trading partner with a trade value of about $14.9 billion in the year 2015. The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with the minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja. According to him, arrangements have been concluded for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the Republic of China next month, to further strengthen diplomatic relationships between both countries. He said: “The relationship right now is a strategic partnership that will definitely help to expand mutual beneficially relationship between the two countries to look at widening areas and scope of cooperation. “And to look for new areas of cooperation between China

and Nigeria against the background that this year China and Nigeria are celebrating 45 years anniversary of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.” “Nigeria remains the biggest trading partner of trade with China in Africa, the volume of trade between Nigeria and China last year stood at 14.9 billion US dollars , it was a bit down against the previous years, 2014. “We are looking at cooperating against the background that Nigeria is diversifying its economy so we think that investment in agriculture; mining and infrastructure are areas of cooperation with Nigeria that would be very promising.” Earlier, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, noted that the Federal Government would honour the agreement signed with Peoples’ Republic of China on Scientific research and Innovations for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Business News

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

U.S. plans $600m investment in Nigeria in 2016 Tola Akinmutimi

he United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, yesterday said that the U.S. government planned to invest $600 million in Nigeria as development assistance to the country in the current financial year. Kerry, who gave this hint in a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the U.S Embassy in Abuja, was quoted as making the disclosure at a bilateral meeting between Nigerian and U.S. officials in Washington D.C. He stated: “Our development

assistance this year will top 600 million dollars.We are working closely with your leaders, the leaders of your health ministry, to halt the misery that is spread by HIV/ AIDS, by malaria, and by TB.’’ While commending the President Buhari-led administration’s actions in the area of security and the attempt to diversify the economy, Kerry said that the U.S. government was encouraged by by the efforts being put by the government to diversify the Nigerian economy in order to make it less dependent on a single commodity for export earnings, and that means we need to develop sustain-

ability. According to him , sustainable growth depends on a climate that is welcoming to investment and respectful of the environment and of workers’ rights. He explained further that the U.S. Power Africa Initiative was aimed at strengthening the energy sector, where shortage in electricity frustrated the population and impeded growth. Similarly, he noted that the U.S. Young African Leaders Programme which many Nigerians participate in, was preparing the next generation to take the reins of responsibility just as he also

said his government was also working with Nigeria in the area of education to fight illiteracy, especially in the Northern part of the country. In his remarks, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, was quoted as commending the U.S. support to the Nigerian government’s initiatives aimed at diversifying the country’s economic base He said: “We’re really looking to diversify into areas such as agriculture, solid minerals and

Federation of Out-of-Home Advertising Association ratifies charter tomorrow

L-R: Council Member Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Ndukwo Ogbuja; ECCIMA Vice President Public Affairs, Lady Claire Asogwa and representative of Tata Africa, Mr Charles Ofoma, during ECCIMA’S visit to Tata Stand at the ongoing 27th Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

We’re ready for regional operations –Bi-Courtney Olusegun Koiki

he management of BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MMA2, yesterday restated its commitment to commence international operations at its terminal in furtherance of its determination to continuously add value to the nation’s economy. BASL said the size of its apron was big enough to park the number of aircraft that operate and would operate there. The spokesman of BASL, Mr. Remi Ladigbolu, who in a statement was apparently dispelling rumors in some quarters that insufficient space for parking aircraft was delaying the disclosed that the delay in obtaining the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s, NCAA, approval has nothing to do with the size of its apron or any other operational issue. Ladigbolu hinted that various teams of inspectors from NCAA

and other statutory agencies, including the Department of State Security, DSS, Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and the Port Health Service supervised its preparation for the international operations to ensure that it complied with all the requirements. He added that the above agencies had also deployed their personnel at the terminal in readiness for the commencement of international operations, while the interior ministry had already accorded MMA2 the status of an entry point into the country. Besides, he said that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, had given the terminal operator the authorisation to commence regional operations, but noted that it still required other approvals from the regulatory agency, NCAA. He said: “We don’t have any issue with parking space for aircraft.

That is a false allegation. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has given us the authorisation to commence regional operations. And we have complied with all the requirements set by NCAA. “These areas cover safety, security and operations audit. We have invested huge sum for the commencement of the regional operations for the past six months. We have signed the agreement with FAAN since last year.” Also reacting to the reported plans by an airline to move its operations from the terminal to the General Aviation Terminal, which is being run by FAAN due to purported high charges at MMA2, the company denied that no airline was planning to relocate from its terminal. It observed that it was unlikely any airline that had enjoyed the excellent facility at MMA2 would contemplate subjecting itself to the sub-standard service that currently obtains at GAT.

other extractive industries. We have to promote our manufacturing sector and look at sustainable economic growth. For sustainable economic growth, we appreciate that we have to also develop a manufacturing base.’’ Onyeama restated the Federal Government’s determination to ensure improved Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, inflows into the economy as a strategic option of boosting growth, creating jobs and achieving macroeconomic stability in the country.

he West African Federation of Out-of-Home Advertising Association (WAFOHA) will tomorrow ratify its operational charter as well as draw up a strategic road map for the growth and development of out-of-home advertising business in the West African sub region. The association which members cut across all the West African countries such as Ghana, Cote Devoir Sierra Leone, Kenya, Republic of Benin, Nigeria and Ivory Coast will take these decisions at its executive meeting slated for Sheraton Hotels, Lagos. Dropping the hint in Lagos early in the week, President of the association, Mr. Charles Chijide in a statement said the meeting has become very necessary as it marks a major turning point in the annals of the regional body because of key and critical decisions to be taking in moving the association forward. “We hold tomorrow’s meeting holding in Nigeria in high esteem because it will help us to clearly draw up the association’s strategic

road map considering the different challenges facing our business nationally and regionally,” Chijide disclosed. He further disclosed that the role of a regional body like WAFOHA cannot be over-emphasized in view of the rising incidents of regulations and over-regulations by different tiers of governments across the regions. Chijide stated that these overregulations coupled with multiple taxations have continued to impact negatively on out-door advertising business in the West African countries hence, the need for all the players to come together as one entity to confront these challenges as they are inimical to economic growth and prosperity in the region. “We will unify as a single entity to galvanise progressive movement for our members and our business,” Chijide assured. Some of the key objectives of the association are, to grow the outdoor advertising medium and protect the interests of members, organisations and companies who are involved in promoting outdoor advertising; promote the harmonisation of research methods.

Standard Chartered closes Geneva Commodity Office

tandard Chartered Plc is closing its office in Geneva, the global center of the commodity-trading industry, in Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters’s latest move to slash the lender’s exposure to the oil, gas and agricultural industries. While the bank says commodities trading and agribusiness, or CTA, will continue to be a “core activity,” it will be transferred to London as “a consequence of our decision to reduce our overall exposure to commodity-related clients,” the bank said in a statement in response to questions. Closing the Geneva office, which opened in 2007, “marks the end of Standard Chartered’s client coverage from Switzerland,” it said. The move leaves Standard Chartered without a physical

presence in a city home to the world’s largest oil traders, including Vitol Group and Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. Traders accounted for $20 billion of Standard Chartered’s $40 billion commodity exposure last year, down from $33 billion during 2014, according to its annual report. Winters is undertaking a rootand-branch overhaul of the struggling firm, which made its first annual loss in more than a quarter of a century last year. The CEO had to raise $5.1 billion of capital to shore up its balance sheet amid spiraling losses from loans made during the commodity boom, and has also replaced its entire senior management team while pledging to cut 15,000 jobs and restructure or ditch about $100 billion of assets.

Friday, April 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ERA, others renew campaign against genetically modified crops BY SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

nvironmental Rights Action, ERA, and some faith-based organisations have kicked against the introduction of genetically-modified cotton and maize into the nation’s food and farming systems. In a petition signed and addressed to the National Bio-safety Management Agency, NABMA, the groups listed some serious health and environmental reasons, noting failures of these crops, especially cotton in Africa. The petition was signed on-behalf of the groups by the Food Sovereignty Manager of the Environmental Rights Action, ERA/Friends of the Earth International, Mariann Orovwuje and the Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HoMEF. Nnimmo Bassey. This came on the heels of an application by Monsanto Agricultural Nigeria Limited to the NABMA for the release of genetically-modified cotton (BT cotton, event MON 15985) into the northern market. The company also applied for the confined field trial (CFT) of two genetically-modified maize varieties, (NK603 and stacked event MON 89034 x NK603) in multiple locations in the country. In a swift objection to the commercial release of the products into the Nigerian market, the rights groups raised the alarm that the planned introduction of the products into the country was due to dismal failures of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso. “We are totally shocked that it should come so soon, after peer reviewed studies have shown that the technology has failed dismally in Burkina Faso”’, Mr. Bassey of HoMEF stated. Bt corn is a variant of maize that has

been genetically altered to express one or more proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Its protein is poisonous to certain insect pests and is widely used in organic gardening. The European corn borer causes about a billion dollars in damage to corn crops each year.

Experts said when a vulnerable insect eats the Bt-containing plant; the protein is activated in its gut, which is

alkaline. In the alkaline environment the protein partially unfolds and is cut by other proteins, forming a toxin that paralyzes the insect’s digestive system and forms holes in the gut wall. The insect stops eating within a few hours and eventually starves.

L-R: Director, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Amin Bello; Technical Assistant, MAN, Mr. Irokalibe; Director, MAN, Mr. Olanipekun; Director, British-American Tobacco, Chinwe Uzu; Chairman, MAN Export Promotion Group (MANEG), Tunde Oyelola; Hon. Minister of State, on Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Ore Famurewa; CEO Sapele Integrated Industry, Ede Dafinone; Director in the Ministry and Mike Onuoha of Guinness Nigeria Plc on a courtesy visit of MANEG delegates to the minister, recently.

Gospel artiste to invest in rice business …as farmers, senator charge consumers on local rice Abolaji Adebayo

veteran gospel singer, Kenny Saint Best, has disclosed her plans to venture into agro produce in rice distribution and marketing . She hinted that she would be investing on a massive stall, which would be unveiled later in the year and that she was putting finish-

SA’s Land Bank offers drought-affected farmers relief measures

tate-owned specialist land and agricultural financial services provider Land Bank has called on farmers in drought-declared provinces to apply for concessional loans, raised by the bank from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), to help ease the effects of the drought and return to viability in the long term. The IDC advanced a concessional loan of R400-million to the Land Bank for onlending to farmers affected by the current drought. The farmers could apply for these loans immediately. Government last year declared KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo and Free State as drought disaster areas, following poor rainfall which led to critical losses in production, especially that of maize. Maize production, particularly white maize is set to decline considerably this season owing to a marked reduction of some 27.1% in the area planted.

In recent years, traits have been added to ward off Corn ear worms and root worms, the latter of which annually causes about a billion dollars in damages.

Further, agriculture growth fell by 8.4%, the largest yearly fall since 1995, according to Statistics South Africa, while weather phenomenon El Niño’s effects have seen the sector contract by 14% and resulted in losses of more than $1-billion. “The conditions in the affected provinces are unforgiving – to the crops and livestock. In keeping with our mandate, this collaboration effort with the IDC is an offer of practical support to help farmers cope with the drought and recover when conditions improve,” Land Bank CEO TP Nchocho said in a statement on Wednesday. He explained that the lending conditions for the concessionary loans were “fairly relaxed” and available in three forms. These included the rate of interest being pegged at prime less 3%, repayments that could be made over an extended period, or the bank’s offering of extended capital moratorium of up to two years.

ing touches on the plans, adding that “very soon, I am going to open a rice stall. We are stocking different types of rice but I wouldn’t disclose further than that.” The singer diversified into food business last year. She is set to take her business to the next level by opening a stall that sells rice only. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Bruce, has continued his campaign for the patronage of Nigeria’s homegrown products as he charged Nigerians to jettison imported rice for the locally produced ones. The senator, who posted his picture eating a popular and investment friendly variety of rice called ofada on his facebook page, said Nigerians have to appreciate and promote their own products to grow their economy. In a comment attached to the post, he lamented the huge expenditure on rice importation and its impact on the economy as against the country’s local heritage. He commented, “Every single blessed day, Nigeria spends N1billion on imported rice. Imagine the impact on the value of the Naira if we spent that amount on our local and delicious ofada rice. #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira” It would be recalled that the need to boost Nigeria’s economy by patronising made-inNigeria products has been on the front burner and the Bayelsa born senator has been unapologetic in pursuing that campaign. The ofada rice farmers were urged to think towards striking a partnership with

the House of Assembly on patronage. Meanwhile, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RiFAN, said that it had launched the `Operation Produce More and Eat Nigerian Rice’ campaign as part of efforts to boost local production and consumption. The South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Segun Athoh disclosed in Lagos that rice farmers had the dedication and ability to improve production. Athoh said that the association was already clearing and preparing the lands in the Badagry area of the state to grow rice. “We are presently on the farm now doing land preparations to grow rice in Badagry, Lagos. What I will advise Nigerians, according to my slogan, is: Operation produce more and eat Nigerian rice. “We have the dedication, ability and discipline to achieve this, so that we can match other nations shoulder to shoulder. “It is high time Nigerians changed their pattern of feeding; if we can grow rice, wheat, guinea corn and many others, there is nothing bad to eat our own. Nobody will query us for eating our local produce, we have to change our pattern and look inward,’’ he said. The coordinator, however, urged the Federal Government to do more in terms of direct funding. He said it was high time for everybody to have a sober reflection on the state of agriculture in the country, appealing to people to start farming in their own capacity in order to make foods available in large quantity for consumption.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, April 1, 2016

Market records N1.15trn loss in first quarter

…as index gains 0.64% yesterday Johnson Okanlawon

tock trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange for the first quarter this year dipped by 13.2 per cent as market capitalisation for the first quarter closed at N8.704 trillion against the N9.850 trillion it opened with in January. This is even as the All Share Index, ASI, also shed 3,336.03 basis points to close at 25,306.22 compared to 28,642.25 basis points it recorded at the opening of trad-

ing for the year 2016, as the Year-to-Date (YTD) returns currently stands at -11.65 per cent. At the end of close of trading activities yesterday, the market however recorded 0.64 per cent gain with the ASI closing at 25,306.22 basis points compared to 25,145.28 points recorded in the preceding trading day. Similarly, Market Capitalisation added N55.4bn to close at N8.7 trillion compared to N45 billion lost previously to close at N8.69

trillion. A total of 264 million shares amounting to N1.94 billion were exchanged at the market in 3,298 deals today, with top three traders recorded as FCMB which sold 44.4 million shares worth N38.1 million, Fidelity Bank with total sales of 34.8mn shares amounting to N46.24 million and Sterling Bank transactions of 32.43 million shares valued at N52.5 million. The day’s index appreciation is attributed to the

increase in share prices of Total Plc which rose by N7.32 to close at N153.82 per share, Mobil which also increased by N5.99 to close at N161.99 per share, Dangote Cement’s appreciation of N3.75 to close at N167.8 per share, Julius Berger Plc addition of N3.3 to close at N44.8 per share and 7up’s growth of N2 to close at N155 per share. Top five financial decliners during the day’s transactions were SEPLAT which lost N10 to close at Source: NSE N300 per share, WAPCO dropped N2 to close at N77 per share and Inter-Bank Rate Gainers Okomuoil fell N1.57 to close at and Losers Start Date 30/03/2016 through End DateNaira 31/03/2016 US Dollar N29.85 per share. Guinness also lost Print Date 31/03/2016 $1 N197.00 N1.25 to close at N104.5 per share while Unilever declined by 25 kobo Gainers and Losers Market indicators to close at N29 per share. Start Date 30/03/2016 through End Date 31/03/2016 Gainers for Equities All-Share Index 25,306.22 points Print Date 31/03/2016 2016-03-30 2016-03-31

Fidelity Bank posts N146.9bn gross earnings in 2015 Johnson Okanlawon

idelity Bank Plc on Thursday said its gross earnings for the period ended December 31, 2015 grew to N146.9 billion from N136.1 billion recorded in 2014 Financial Year (FY). The bank promised shareholders N4.6 billion as dividend payout, thus maintaining a tradition of consistent dividend pay-out for the past six years. According to the lender’s audited financial statements for the period under review, Fidelity Bank posted a rise of 7.9 per cent and 0.8 per cent in its gross earnings and profit respectively, despite the nation’s harsh operating environment characterised by regulatory and economic headwinds. The Profit after Tax (PAT) for the period ended December 31, 2015 rose marginally to N13.9 billion as against N13.8

billion made in the comparable period last year. Whereas total equity increased by 6.0 per cent to N183.5 billion from N173.1 billion in 2014, net operating income stood at N83.9 billion, a moderate 12.5 per cent rise from N74.6 billion in 2014. Commenting on the result, the Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said that the bank’s 2015 performance reflects the disciplined execution of the management’s medium term strategy and the resilience of evolving business models despite the extremely challenging business environment in 2015. He explained that the bank improved the earning capacity of its balance sheet even in the face of decline in fee income precipitated by a N10.0 billion reduction in its foreign exchange income. “We continued to increase yields on earning assets faster

than the growth in funding costs which improved our Net Interest Margin (NIM) to 6.9 per cent in 2015.” Okonkwo explained that this development was indicative of the bank’s continual focus on balance sheet optimisation, rebalancing of its loan portfolio in consonance with its medium term strategy and increased growth in retail deposit base. In spite of the strong double digit growth of 12.5 percent in net operating income, Profit before Tax (PBT) for the period ended December 31, 2015 assumed a downward trajectory, declining by 9.6 percent to N14.0 billion from N15.5 billion in 2014 financial year. “PBT declined by 9.6 percent largely due to two critical factors: the 17.1 per cent increase in total expenses due to strategic investments and cost incurred in 2015 to position the business for further growth in line with our aspirations.

S/N

Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N) MarketSymbol capitalisation 8.70trn

the two events were unrelated. The company had said in October that it hoped to apply to the Financial Stability Oversight Council for “de-designation” in the first quarter. The 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law authorized regulators to designate nonbank companies as “systemically important,” largely in response to the $182 billion U.S. government bailout that insurer American International Group Inc received during the 2008 financial crisis. Only a few non-banks have been deemed “to big to fail,” and the label has prompted most to consider reorganizing to pre-empt possible increased regulation. Shares of General Electric

were up 0.3 per cent at $31.91 in morning trading. Long an industrial company, it has been working to reduce GE Capital’s size and said last April that it would focus on technology and manufacturing. GE Capital, which received the “systemically important” label in 2013, said it had more than halved its assets to $265 billion from $549 billion at the end of 2012. The unit said it had ended all consumer lending in the United States, reduced real estate debt by more than 75 per cent, eliminated its real estate equity and cut outstanding commercial paper by almost 90 percent. “Our plan to change our business model, shrink the company and reduce our risk

% Change

JBERGER

41.50

44.80

3.30

7.95

INTBREW

19.00

20.49

1.49

7.84

3 AFRIPRUD 2.28 2.43 Gainers for Equities The increase in impairments 4 FCMB 0.83 0.88 2016-03-30 2016-03-31 due to a more prudent ap- S/N5 FBNHSymbol 3.00 Closing Price(N) 3.15 Closing Price(N) TOTAL 146.50 153.82 proach adopted with respect to 16 JBERGER 41.50 44.80 7 VITAFOAM 5.17 5.42 2 INTBREW 19.00 20.49 a special regulatory provision 8 OANDO 3.99 4.18 3 AFRIPRUD 2.28 2.43 9 STERLNBANK 1.55 1.62 which was charged directly to 4 FCMB 0.83 0.88 10 UNITYBNK 0.67 0.70 5 FBNH 3.00 3.15 the Profit and Loss (P&L) was 11 AIRSERVICE 2.00 2.08 6 TOTAL 146.50 153.82 12 MOBIL 156.00 161.99 responsible for the decline in 7 VITAFOAM 5.17 5.42 13 CONTINSURE 0.87 0.90 8 OANDO 3.99 4.18 profit”, he added. 14 FIDSON 2.53 2.60 9 STERLNBANK 1.55 1.62 But more importantly, the 15 DANGSUGAR 5.98 6.14 10 UNITYBNK 0.67 0.70 16 NPFMCRFBK 1.17 1.20 lender’s cost of risk remained 11 AIRSERVICE 2.00 2.08 17 WEMABANK 0.79 0.81 12 MOBIL 156.00 161.99 within its guidance of 1.0 18 UACN 20.00 20.48 13 CONTINSURE 0.87 0.90 19 NASCON 7.08 7.25 per cent despite a 6.7 per cent 14 FIDSON 2.53 2.60 20 DANGCEM 164.05 167.80 15 DANGSUGAR 5.98 6.14 growth in the loan book and 21 FIDELITYBK 1.32 1.34 16 NPFMCRFBK 1.17 1.20 22 7UP 153.00 155.00 weaker macro-economic indi17 WEMABANK 0.79 0.81 23 AIICO 0.79 0.80 ces in the 2015. 18 UACN 20.00 20.48 19 NASCON 7.08 7.25 While total expenses rose 20 DANGCEM 164.05 167.80 Losers for Equities by 17.1 per cent to N64.1billion 21 FIDELITYBK 1.32 1.34 2016-03-30 2016-03-31 22 153.00 Closing Price(N) 155.00 from N54.8 billion in 2014 FY, S/N 7UP Symbol Closing Price(N) 231 AIICO 0.79 0.80 OKOMUOIL 31.42 29.85 deposits fell to N769.6 billion 2 UCAP 1.85 1.43 from N820.0 billion represent3 TIGERBRANDS 2.43 2.32 Losers 4 TRANSCORP 1.11for Equities 1.06 ing a 6.1 per cent decline. 2016-03-301.12 2016-03-31 1.07 Okonkwo explained that the S/N56 LIVESTOCK Symbol Closing Price(N) TRANSEXPR 1.13 Closing Price(N) 1.09 17 OKOMUOIL 31.42 29.85 decline was due to the impleSEPLAT 310.00 300.00 28 UCAP 1.85 1.43 NAHCO 3.90 3.78 mentation of the Treasury Sin39 TIGERBRANDS 2.43 2.32 UBA 3.23 3.14 gle Account (TSA), adding that 410 TRANSCORP 1.11 1.06 DIAMONDBNK 1.18 1.15 511 LIVESTOCK 1.12 1.07 WAPCO 79.00 77.00 the disciplined execution of 6 TRANSEXPR 1.13 1.09 the bank’s retail strategy con7 SEPLAT 310.00 300.00 NAHCO 3.90 3.78 tinued to deliver strong results Published by The8Nigerian Stock Exchange © FGN Bonds 9 UBA 3.23 3.14 as savings deposits grew by 22 10 DIAMONDBNK 1.18 1.15 Bid 11 WAPCO 79.00 77.00 per cent YoY in the 2015FY.

0.15

6.58

GE Capital asks U.S. govt to lift ‘too big to fail’ designation

eneral Electric Co’s GE Capital financing arm on Thursday asked the U.S. government to stop designating it as a “systemically important financial institution,” a label for companies considered “too big to fail,” now that it has less influence on the U.S. economy. GE Capital Chief Executive Officer Keith Sherin said in a statement that the unit had shrunk to the point where it no longer meets the criteria for the designation, which can trigger possible requirements for stricter oversight and holding more capital. The application came the day after a federal judge struck down the designation of MetLife Inc, but GE Capital said

Gain(N)

Description

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Yield

6.02

0.15 Gain(N) 7.32 3.30

5.00 % Change 5.00 7.95

0.17

2.40

0.25 1.49 0.19 0.15 0.07 0.05 0.03 0.15 0.08 7.32 5.99 0.25 0.03 0.19 0.07 0.07 0.16 0.03 0.03 0.08 0.02 5.99 0.48 0.03 0.17 0.07 3.75 0.16 0.02 0.03 2.00 0.02 0.01 0.48

4.84 7.84 4.76 6.58 4.52 6.02 4.48 5.00 4.00 5.00 3.84 4.84 3.45 4.76 2.77 4.52 2.68 4.48 2.56 4.00 2.53 3.84 2.40 3.45 2.40 2.77 2.29 2.68 1.52 2.56 1.31 2.53 1.27 2.40

3.75

2.29

0.02

1.52

2.00 Loss(N) 0.01 -1.57

1.31 % Change 1.27 -5.00

-0.07

-4.67

-0.11

-4.53

-0.05

-4.50

-0.05 Loss(N) -0.04

-4.46 % Change -3.54

-0.11 -0.09 -0.05 -0.03

-4.53 -2.79 -4.50 -2.54

-1.57 -10.00 -0.07 -0.12

-0.05 -2.00 -0.04 -10.00

-5.00 -3.23 -4.67 -3.08

-4.46 -2.53 -3.54 -3.23

-0.12Page -0.09

-3.08 1 of -2.79

-0.03

-2.54

-2.00

-2.53

Offer

Price Page

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.07

104.64

10.40

104.79

10.26 1

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.24

114.58

10.56

114.88

10.46

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.87

111.95

11.61

112.25

11.51

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.83

120.59

11.44

120.89

11.38

14.20 14-MAR-2024

7.95

109.22

12.34

109.52

12.29

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.81

100.08

12.48

100.38

12.42

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

profile has been successful,” Sherin said. (Source – Reuters. com).

Price

0.05

Closing Market Prices of March 31, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

30-Jun-16

8.40

8.58

WAUA

270

USD

197.00

6-Oct-16

8.87

9.30

EURO

214

16-Mar-17

9.42

10.35

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

6.9583

POUNDS STERLING

293

9.8519

11.6578

SDR

273

13.0575

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, April 1, 2016

World News Reconstruction process will rely on the three main states that have supported Syria during this crisis, that is, Russia, China and Iran. –SYRIAN PRESIDENT, BASHAR AL-ASSAD

House repair: Court finds Zuma guilty of ‘blowing state funds’ Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he highest court in South Africa yesterday ruled that President Jacob Zuma violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money spent on his private home, giving the Treasury 60 days to determine how much the beleaguered leader should repay. The ruling is a victory for the opposition, who responded swiftly that it would push for Zuma’s impeachment. In a unanimous judgement on behalf of the Constitutional Court’s 11 judges, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said the public protector was a Biblical David fighting against the Goliath of corruption. “The President’s failure to repay the money was inconsistent with the constitution as he failed to uphold, defend and

Beleaguered: South Africa President Jacob Zuma respect the constitution,” Mogoeng declared, adding, “He had unduly benefited from the renovations and should repay a portion of the money.” The chief justice warned that public officials ignored

the constitution at their peril, and should remember that the rule of law was the sharp and mighty sword that stands ready to chop the ugly head of impunity from its stiffened neck.

Calcutta flyover collapse claims lives

flyover under construction in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta collapsed yesterday, killing at least 18 people and injuring others. Reports said many people were feared trapped under the concrete and steel bridge, which fell on a busy road as images showed residents using their bare hands to help the rescue effort. Safety issues such as lack of inspections and the use of substandard materials have plagued construction projects in the country. The accident took place in an area near Girish Park, one of Kolkata’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, with narrow lanes, and shops and houses built close

together. The 2km-long (1.2 mile) flyover has been under construction since 2009 and missed several deadlines for completion. The causes of the disaster were not immediately clear but the company in charge of the construction, IVRCL, said it would cooperate with investigators. CCTV footage posted on social media appears to show the moment the structure collapses, hitting passers-by, auto rickshaws and nearby buildings. Witnesses said other cars, buses and lorries have also been hit as people were said to have been living in makeshift homes under the flyover.

The army and national disaster agency in India have joined the rescue operation, which has been hampered by difficulties in getting ambulances and other vehicles

Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta

close to the site. According to officials, at least 70 injured were admitted to hospitals. “Emergency teams have been sent with sniffer dogs, concrete cutters, drilling machines and sensors to detect life,” a rescue official said.

Belgium to extradite terrorist Paris terror attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam can be extradited to France, a Belgian court ruled yesterday. Belgian and French authorities will now consider how to carry out the transfer. It was unclear however when the extradition would occur. Abdeslam was the most wanted man in Europe following the terror attacks at several sites in Paris on November 13 that left 130 people dead. Belgian authorities captured him this month after a shootout in Molenbeek, an impoverished suburb of Brussels that has also been home to several other terror suspects. Abdeslam, 26, is being held in Belgium under a European arrest warrant issued March 19 at the demand of French authorities.

Rwanda minister dies in Burundi jail A former Rwandan minister, Jacques Bihozagara, has died in jail in Burundi nearly four months after being arrested for espionage. The successor to Jacques Bihozagara as Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium has called the death an assassination. No official reason has been given for his death. Relations between the two neighbours have been strained recently, amid claims Rwanda was backing rebels seeking to overthrow Burundi’s president, which Rwanda denied. Bihozagara was dead within minutes of arriving at the prison hospital, according to fellow prisoners.

Club owner seeks Congo job Rescue workers at the collapsed flyover yesterday

State of the Nation: Whistles disrupt Uhuru address oud whistling interrupted President UHuru Kenyatta yesterday as he tried to make his annual state of the nation address broadcast to parliament in Nairobi. Opposition MPs began blowing on whistles a few seconds into Kenyatta’s speech. They had earlier vowed to disrupt proceedings to protest at the government’s failure to address what they termed deep-rooted corruption in Kenya. Seven MPs were removed and

A government statement however said Zuma would reflect on the judgement and take appropriate action. A spokeswoman for the governing African National Congress (ANC) said the party’s top six officials, who include Zuma and his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, would meet to discuss the implications of the ruling, even as Zuma has refused to bow to pressure to resign. An anti-corruption body, known as the public protector, ruled in 2014 that $23m (£15m) had been spent on his rural home in Nkandla in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province. Opposition parties now plan to strike against the 73-year-old leader, and hope that ANC MPs will vote with them to impeach him. Another option is for the ANC to recall Zuma, as it did with his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, in 2008.

WORLD BULLETIN

the address was delayed by half an hour. The speaker of the house, Justin Muturi, described the commotion as a gross disorder and ordered that the troublemakers be forcefully ejected as they were ignoring his commands to stop whistling. Reports said the whistling affair was a big embarrassment for the president as diplomats also attended the event. Kenyans are very active on Twitter and the hashtag #SON2016 is trending, debating rights and

wrongs of the incident. Using the same hashtag, the president’s official account tweeted: “Criticism without alternative is reckless sport”. Kenya was ranked 139 out of 168 countries last year on Transparency International’s global corruption perceptions index, where first place is perceived to be the least corrupt nation. A recent survey by Kenya’s anti-corruption commission suggested that nearly 75 per cent of the population thought there was a very high level of corruption in the country.

The owner of African’s top football club TP Mazembe, Moise Katumbi, has told the president of Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, to step down when his second term in office ends in December. Katumbi, who has also urged Kabila to stick to the constitution, has been nominated by seven opposition parties to be their presidential candidate in the elections expected in November. Kabila took power in 2001 after his father Laurent Kabila was assassinated. He has won two disputed elections since he took power in 2001, and is constitutionally barred from contesting the poll. Violent protests erupted last year over fears that Kabila was trying to delay polls. “If Kabila stands down in December, he will go out as a great president who will be praised everywhere,” Katumbi said yesterday.

North

Friday, April 1, 2016

FG resolves dispute between EEDC, Geometric Power Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

ederal Government yesterday settled the dispute between the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, and Geometric Power Limited over which of the two companies would supply power to Aba and environs. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who brokered peace between the warring parties, said settlement of the dispute was a historic achievement in the sector. The minister spoke in Abuja where the companies signed their agreements; saying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had initiated the settlement. He recalled that Thursday was usually energy week when all stakeholders in the industry gather to discuss issues on energy and was happy that everybody is around to witness the agreement. He said it was important that two former ministers in the country, Professor Barth Nnaji and Mr Tokunbo Kayode were on different sides of the dispute. Fashola expressed appreciation to Vice PresidentCONFIRMATION Osinbajo,OFwho NAME he MUDASHIRU: This is the to confirm that said, initiated process MUDASHIRU OMOSHOOD ADEBAYO of dispute six and settling ALFA MOSUDIthe ADEBAYO MUDASIRU refer to one ago. and same person. Henceforth months wish to be known and addressed as MUDASHIR MOSHUUD ADEBAYO. All The minister also exdocuments reflecting any of the Stated pressed thanks Osinbannames remain valid and to should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public jo, and to himself, takeKayode, note. who were all OF lawyers CHANGE NAME that midwifed the and withdrawal Formerly known addressed of case from the court as the TAJUDEEN ADEOGUN, now wishsettling to be known and addressed and it amicably . asFashola OLUSOJI TAJUDEEN said with this ADEOGUN. All former development, documents remainthe valid. people General of Abashould and Ariaria public please takemarket note. would CHANGE now have electricOF NAME Formerly knownwould and addressed MISS ity which aid asthem AKINYEMI ATINUKE TEMITOPE, now greatly theirand businesses. wish to beinknown addressed as MRS. TEMITOPE of HeAKECHI saidATINUKE it was more Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, National meaning for traders Teacher’s Institute and my date of birthin is 9th ofto May, 1986. All former documents Aba produce more made remain valid. General public please take in Aba goods and they renote. quiredCHANGE powerOFtoNAME carry on this business. Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUNYERE BLESSING, now The minister added that wish to beofknown addressed signing the and agreement as FAITH AKPATOBI. All former showed one documents that remainwithin valid. General DISCO there could be two public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ASHIMI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ASHIMI ABISOLA RAMOTA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADESANYA ABISOLA RAMOTA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ILORI: Formerly known and addressed as ILORI OMOLOLA MOSIDATU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SULYMAN OMOLOLA MOSIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

or more players within the market. Fashola said though there were many power crises due to vandalism and theft of power equipment by hoodlums, the future was still bright for the industry. He said an investor that had 500 million dollars could invest in the sector and would make power available in a few months because power project in the area was almost completed. He added that people of Aba and environs would now have peace and justice due to the settlement of the dispute. Fashola explained that 200 megawatts of power generated by Geometric would add to available power in the country, adding that this increment would also add to the target set by Mr President. He expressed thanks to the people that helped in settling the dispute, while Nnaji signed on behalf of Geometric, Kayode a director from Interstate Electric, signed on behalf of EEDC. Earlier, Nnaji said the signing of the agreement was historic because two companies drawn from the private sector were seen resolving their dispute by the minister. He expressed thanks to the, President, Vice president and the Permanent Secretary for their efforts in seeing that the disagreement was resolved out of court. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as HUSEIN KARIMOT OLUWAPONMILE, now wish to be known and addressed as SULEIMAN KARIMAT OLUWAPONMILE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Kaduna pastor dies in kidnappers’ den …two others regain freedom A za Msue KADUNA

ne of the three clergy men kidnapped in Kaduna about 10 days ago, Reverend Iliya Anto, has died in kidnappers den. However, two other clergies kidnapped along with him, Reverend Emmanuel Dziggau, who is President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, and Reverend Yakubu Dzarma, have regained their freedom. The three men of God were abducted at the Kaduna-Abuja expressway where they had gone to clear a piece of land for the foundation of the church’s seminary. Our correspondent gathered that Reverend Anto reportedly died after he was left in the bush by the kidnappers following his worsening health condition. Speaking with our correspondent, a top official of the United Church of Christ, who pleaded not to be named, said Dziggau and Dzarma were freed on Wednesday night, while the corpse of Reverend Anto was found, almost decomposing in the bush. The source said the two clergymen were immediately taken to a private CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADEBAWO OLUWATOSIN JEREMIAH, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAWO OLUWATOSIN ELIJAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

(L-R) UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Fatma Samoura, handing over UNFPA health kits to Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, during her visit to Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

hospital in Kaduna after they were brought to the church at Katsina Road, Kaduna. “They were not looking too good and as soon as they brought them in, a decision was taken that they needed to see a doctor, so they were taken to a private hospital in Kaduna for medical check-up, but I will not tell you the hospital because they need some rest. “We don’t want people to disturb them until they are psychologically and physically fit to see people,” the source explained. CHANGE OF NAME

MUFTAU: Formerly known and addressed as MUFTAU KULITU now wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI KULITUMI OMOBOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ODEYEMI: I, formerly known and addressed as ODEYEMI DADA BOSEDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEWUMI DADA BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWENDIM JOEL NWITE and NWENYIM JOEL, now wish to be known and addressed as NWENYIM JOEL NWITE. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

BULUS: Formerly known and addressed as BULUS RAYMOND ANTHONY now wish to be known and addressed as BULUS RAYMOND JOHNBOSCO ALFRED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME NYAMUGA: Formerly known and addressed as MR NYAMUGA YABRIGA GANI now wish to be known and addressed as MR THEOPHILUS NYAMUGA YABRIGA GANI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EKOE MICHEAL, now wish to be known and addressed as YAOVI MIKE JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NWAJAGU: Formerly known and addressed as NWAJAGU CHIDINMA JOSEPHINE now wish to be known and addressed as NNAJIOFOR CHIDINMA JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FLORENCE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS FLORENCE OLUCHUKWU OKOLI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FLORENCE OLUCHUKWU NDUBUZO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Formerly known and addressed as FATUSIN ADESOLA GBEMISOLA now wish to be addressed and known as MOSLEY O. GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OWOYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as OWOYEMI KIKELOMO S. now wish to be known and addressed as AKINOLA KIKELOMO SHADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

PAUL: Formerly known and addressed as PAUL UKA now wish to be known and addressed as OKEAGHALAM OKECHUKWU LAWRENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEGOKE: Formerly known and addressed as MRS ADEGOKE OLUWASEYI BASIRAT now wish to be known and addressed as ALHAJA OJUPON OLUWASEYI BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

GABRIEL: Formerly known and addressed as GABRIEL ABAYOMI OLUWASEGUN now wish to be known and addressed as KAZEEM ABAYOMI GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

He added, “The person who went to bring them took them on a bike from where they dropped them for four hours before they could reach a motorable road. This is very traumatic and they need some rest.” The source further explained that Anto’s corpse was found in the bush after he was abandoned by the kidnappers because of his ill health. He said a day after their abduction, the kidnappers had called to inform that Anto was not well and they had dropped him at a CHANGE OF NAME

location in the bush. “But when we dispatched people to the location to carry him, we couldn’t get him after combing the area. The kidnappers who may have been watching us from their hideout said we sent too many people to pick him, so they refused to give further description of the location and we thought they must have gone with him,” he said. The source, however, refused to comment on whether a ransom was paid for the release of the two clergymen. CHANGE OF NAME

UCHE: Formerly known and addressed as UCHE ECHEDOM now wish to be known and addressed as NWANAGU UCHE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OSHODI: Formerly known and addressed as OSHODI DAMILOLA ISHOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OSHODI YUSUF ISHOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME ADETUTU: This is to confirm that ADETUTU ODUOLA ADAMS, ADETUTU ODUOLA ADAMS_ OMOTOYINBO and ADETUTU ODUOLA OMOTOYINBO refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note.

EPHRAIM: Formerly known and addressed as EPHRAIM MATHEW , now wish to be known and addressed as THEOPHILUS OCHEJE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE CENTER FOR SOCIAL REINTEGRATION, REHABILITATION, REORIENTATION AND EMPOWERMENT (CSRRRE)

This to inform the general public that the above named organisation has applied for the registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990 The Trustees are: (4) Mrs Adeniji Funmilola Hannah (1) Mr Oluwaleye Adeniji - (Executive Director) (5) Mr Obatola Abayomi Toyin (2) Mr Jimoh Adebowale Henry (3) Barr. Oyebanji Oluwaseun Tope (Legal Officer) (6) Mr Adedapo James Olufemi

Our objectives are:

1) To reintegrate ex convicts and children from correctional centers back to the society 2) To rehabilitate ex-convicts and people from welfare homes through the provision of welfare materials and accommodation 3) To empower ex convicts and less privileged people in the society through offering of skill acquisition training and established them appreciately at the end of the training 4) Provision of after care services, free legal and medical services to the the exconvicts and less privileged people in the society 5) To reorientate convicted criminals within the prison premises through offering of Entrepreneurship training and leadership training and mentoring for proper reformation. Any objection(s) should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: The Trustees. Our Address: Suite 2, Aniyeloye Shopping complex, beside Ekiti State High Court, Fajuyi, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. E-mail address: csrrre@yahoo.com. Phone No: 08038523346 or 08068296064

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, April 1, 2016

Sport

Soccer is a simple-minded game for simple people; golf is merely an expensive way of leaving home

U.S. women footballers 46 sue for equal pay

– Michael Parkinson Bats in the Pavilion (1977)

Siasia gets stakeholders’ vote

AFCON 2017 ouster

he Secretary, Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Samuel Ikpea, yesterday advocated for the dissolution of the incumbent board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as a way forward for the country’s football. Ikpea told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the dissolution was the only way to put the nation’s football on the right track and restore its lost glory. He described the Amaju

Supporters Club wants NFF dissolved Pinnick-led board as the problem with the senior national men’s team, Super Eagles, adding that Pinnick’s leadership had failed the entire country and should quit. “My frustrations hinges on the Super Eagles ouster from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the second consecutive time. “It’s rather unfortunate that we have administrators who do not have the interest of Nigeria at heart because it is obvious by the way they

run the affairs of our football industry. “We need people who are passionate, ready to work and show practical commitment because that is what is lacking and has repeatedly affected the Super Eagles’ performances. “The problem is not with the footballers because it was the same unserious attitude that frustrated Coach Sunday Oliseh to abandon the team half way. “Even when Oliseh led the

national team to draw, the board threatened to resign but now that they have an obvious reason to resign, what are they still doing there,” he said. Ikpea, who described Nigeria as a football loving nation, pleaded with Nigerians to overlook sentiments and deal with the inefficiency of the administrators to avoid recurrence of issues affecting the team. The secretary, who applauded Eagles performance in the

failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should be a big lesson for the federation ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. “The NFF should keep Siasia and give him a mandate, because from my own experience Siasia is one of Nigeria’s top coaches. Now, he has proved his worth more than any other person.

“I urge the NFF to do more by providing Siasia some background information about the opponents we will meet in the qualifiers because a war is half won if you have information about your opponent. “This is one of the areas the Technical Committee of the NFF must dwell on. There are so many ways they can do this and one of them is through the

Retain Siasia at Super Eagles –Ekeji

former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to retain Samson Siasia as the Super Eagles Head Coach. Ekeji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that this will help to guarantee Nigeria a ticket to

the 2018 World Cup finals. He said experience had shown that Siasia was capable of qualifying the country for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The former Green Eagles coach said any decision by the NFF or the Ministry of Youth and Sports to bring a foreign coach would amount to a “wild goose chase”. He said that Super Eagles’

1-1 first leg draw in Kaduna, said the team was unlucky in the second leg in Alexandra, Egypt where they lost 0-1. Ikpea also applauded the team’s interim handler, Samson Siasia, in accepting to coach the national team and his effort to bring stability to the team at the dying minutes of the qualifiers. “In spite of the Eagles poor showings, Siasia has proved that he has so much to offer,” he said. Ikpea also urged the media and football fans in Nigeria and in the Diaspora to be united and disarm the NFF which, he claimed, was running down the nation’s football. “The truth is that the media and football fans should be the voice of Nigerians, they should come out with one voice and speak volume of the situation on ground,” he said. According to him, the NFF is very careless and obviously has ulterior motive in running football in Nigeria.

Friday April 1, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UYAH SAMUEL MAYOWA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADENIRAN SAMUEL MAYOWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. DAVID CHIOMA CHIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDI CHIOMA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as KUBURAT TIAMIYU KEMISOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as KUBURAT TIAMIYU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that FALOPE ASHABI is the same person as ALAO OLUWABUNMI ASHABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AGIPU MUSA, now wish to be known and addressed as AYENBE QUEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that OLAKUNLE DARAMOLA and OLAKUNLE ROBINSON DARAMOLA is the same person.That I wish to be known and called OLAKUNLE DARAMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OWOLABI TESLEEM AKINTUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as DAUDA OWOLABI AKINTUNDE TESILIM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADENIYI VICTOR SENYON, now wish to be known and addressed as EDIDI VICTOR SENYON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF AGE

Formerly known and addressed as MAROJUOWO OMODEBOLA TITILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as ASHADE TITILAYO BOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BABATUNDE RASHEED KOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED RASHEED KOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as GRACIOUS OCHUKO SHARTA, now wish to be known and addressed as GRACE OCHUKO SHARTA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEOLU TAJUDEEN OLUWADAMILARE, now wish to be known and addressed as MUSHAFAU TAJUDEEN ADEOLU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SHOKUNBI DUROJAIYE MARIA ABEJE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUBODUN DUROJAIYE MARIA ABEJE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as DURODOLA OLUWASEUN OYEBANJI, now wish to be known and addressed as DURODOLA OLUWASEUN MICHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS TAIWO YEMISI OMOLARA now wish to be called and known as MRS. OMOSEEBI YEMISI OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid, Wema Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and called as MISS RAJI BOLA MUINAT now wish to be addressed and called as MRS OGUNMEFUN OLADIMEJI BOLA MUINAT RAJI. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OMOITAN SOLOMON BOLAJI, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEKANBI BOLAJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MR. MOMOH WAHAB ABIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. AMINU WAHAB ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as EMMANUEL AMEH EKOJA now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL HENRY EKOJA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly addressed and known as ADEBISI TAJUDEEN SUNDAY now wish to be called and addressed as ADEBISI OLUWAFEMI SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UBECHU LOUIS OBINNA now wish to be known and addressed as LUCKY AGUHLOR OBINNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OBI PERPETUA AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as OBIERIBIE PERPETUAL AMARACHI. All former documenst remain valid. general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGEDENGBE YEMISI RACHAEL now wish to be known and called as ADEYEMO JULIANA YEMISI. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINTUNDE OLAYINKA FELICIA, now wish to be known and called as MRS BIBILARI FELICIA OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid,First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as GEORGE ABIODUN FUNMILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as LADAN HADIJAT FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS OJO IDOWU FLORENCE now wish to be addressed and called as MRS OGUNLEYE FELICIA IDOWU. All former documents remain valid, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB),First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note.

AKINTOYE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINTOYE FUNMI STELLA, now wish to be called and addressed as MRS. OMOYENI FUNMI STELLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJO: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OJO OMONIYI MARY, now wish to be called and addressed as MRS. PELEMO OMONIYI MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as AUGUSTINA CHUKWUNONYELUM KALIKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as AUGUSTINA C H U K W U N O NYE LU M IKPEAMAEZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that my correct name is HAMZA ABUBAKAR not MUHAMMED HASSAN and henceforth wish to be known and addressed as such. To whom it may concern and general public please take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS EGBEJIMI TOYIN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS EGBEJIMI TOYIN ADESOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as MRS OKERINDE GRACE ADETUTU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GRACE ADEFUYE-ONIGBINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NASSIAH ELIZABETH ADETOKUNBO now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSOJI ELIZABETH ADETOKUNBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OLATUNBOSUN TOPE ELIAH, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ABODUNRIN TOPE ELIAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID SAKI WEST L-G-A AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OKE VICTORIA ADEKEMI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OLADELE VICTORIA ADEKEMI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, WEMA BANK, GTBANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

This is to confirm that GANIYU ADESINA is the same person bearing ALIMI ADEBAYO GANIYU. All documents bearing the names remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

MUDASHIRU: This is to confirm that MUDASHIRU OMOSHOOD ADEBAYO and ALFA MOSUDI ADEBAYO MUDASIRU refer to one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MUDASHIR MOSHUUD ADEBAYO. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to confirm that my name was wrongly written as NWONUMARA SIMON ALGA, that my correct name is NWONUMARA SIMON ALAGBA and my correct date of birth is 5TH June, 1981. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

Formerly Known and addressed as NUREN OMONLA ABIODUN now wish to be known and addressed as NURENI SANNI ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY MISS ADIGUN OYEKEMI OMOLADE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS KEHINDE JULIET OLUWAKEMI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNWON AND ADDRESSED AS AZEEZ ADEDOKUN, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ABUBAKAR ABDUL-AZEEZ ADEDOKUN ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as OBIASO NGOZI AUGUSTINA and AUGUSTINA EBUKA OBIASO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKEREKE NGOZI AUGUSTINA. All documents bearing these names to remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABRAHAM UMUAKPERO PHILIP now wish to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM UYOYOGHENE PHILIP. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formally known as ADESINA FUNMILAYO MAKANJUOLA now wants to be known as ADEOYE FUNMILAYO MAKANJUOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ONYEJIDE ANGELA .I. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IGWEH ANGELA .I. All former document remain valid.General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. FASASI FLORENCE OLAONIYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEWALE FLORENCE OLAONIYE. All former document remain valid. The General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINYEMI ATINUKE TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKECHI ATINUKE TEMITOPE of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, National Teacher’s Institute and my date of birth is 9th of May, 1986. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUNYERE BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as FAITH AKPATOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as TAJUDEEN ADEOGUN, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSOJI TAJUDEEN ADEOGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

COMFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. JINADU ENIOLA SIKIRAT. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAYI ENIOLA TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. ACCESS Bank and general public take note.

This is to certify and confirm that OMOWAYE OMOMAYOWA TUNDE is one and same person as OMOWAYE MAYOWA AKINOLA. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIKAODIRI CLEMENT now wish to be known and addressed as ANYAOGU MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK PLC and GENERAL PUBLIC take note.

MKPOKILI: Formerly known as MKPOKILI ELISUS ESESINDU CHUKWUJEKWU, now wish to be known and address as ESESINDU ELISUS CHUKS. All former documents remains valid. General public take note.

OBI: This is to confirm that OBI STEPHANIE CLAIR and OBI NGOZI STEPHANIE CLAIR is the same one person now henceforth wish to be known and address as OBI STEPHANIE CLAIR NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DANLADI: FORMERLY known and addressed as DANLADI BERDUNG NOW wish to be known and addressed as DANLADI PANKSHIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME CHARITY: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS CHARITY NYIZOFOR EMMANUEL NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHARITY NYIZOFOR MULERO. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic Bida and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MARY: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS OWOKOLA OLUWATOYIN MARY and MRS IPAYE OLUWATOYIN MARY NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS OWOKOLA-IPAYE OLUWATOYIN MARY. All former documents remain valid. FCTA and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OMEIZA: FORMERLY known and addressed as SHEIDU ABDULLAHI OMEIZA NOW wish to be known and addressed as SHEIDU SAMUEL OMEIZA . All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ABDULWAHAB: FORMERLY known and addressed as ABDULWAHAB SUBERU OMEIZA now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULWAHAB LAWAL. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK PLC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ONOTU: FORMERLY known and addressed as MOMOH SANI ONOTU NOW wish to be known and addressed as MUSA IBRAHIM ONOTU. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK PLC And General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME HAMISU: FORMERLY known and addressed as HAMISU ABUBAKAR BADAMASI, NOW wish to be known and addressed as HAMISU BADAMASI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that OSANYINTUYI ADESOLA LANRE is the same person as OLOSUNDE ADESOLA LANRE, that henceforth wish to be known andaddressed as OLOSUNDE ADESOLA LANRE,all former document remain valid, Access bank,Union Bank and the general public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADENIKE ESTHER NASIRU NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AS ADENIKE ESTHER AREGBE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KAREEM IFEOLUWA ABDULRASAK NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BASIRU SUNDAY ABDULRASAK. ALL FORMERLY DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.FIRST BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OGUNSANYA MODUPE AFOLAKE NOW MRS ADEBAJO MODUPE AFOLAKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. WEMA BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ISAAC CECILIA IS ONE AND SAME PERSON AS GBEMISOLA CECILIA OLANIKE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS GBEMISOLA CECILIA OLANIKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS ADEKOYA IBUKUNOLUWA ESTHER now WHICH TO BE KNOWN AS Miss: OGUNFUWA IBUKUNOLUWA ANU. NYSC, First Bank, Zenith Bank and General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

LAWAL FAUSAT OYEYEMI same person as ODUSOLA OYEYEMI FAUSAT now wish to be known and addressed as Lawal Fausat Oyeyemi. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

Former known and addressed as MISS QUADRI RACHEAL OLUWABEPELUMI now which to be known as MRS OLORUNKOYA RACHEAL ADETUTU OLUWABEPELUMI MARIAM. Former documents remain valid.General public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ONYEBUCHI AMARACHI .S. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MADUKA AMARACHI .S. All former document remain valid.General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. OWOEYE FEMI IROKO, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. KOLAWOLE FEMI OJO. All former documents remain valid. HERITAGE BANK and GENERAL PUBLIC Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ALONGE SALAWU SOBALAJE now wish to be called and addressed as AJIKOBI ALONGE SALAWU. All former documents remain valid,general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as JOAN PHILLIP now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUELLA ALEXANDRA ODIBENUAH. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as LAISI OJO FATAI now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM FATAI. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS SALAU AYINKE ALIAT, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS ADEBISI AYINKE ALIAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.WEMA BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OGECHUKWU RUTH OKAFOR now wish to be known and addressed as OGECHUKWU RUTH OKORONKWO. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, OKUSANYA ADEKUNLE SAMUEL IS THE SAME PERSON BEARING ADEGBOYEGA PALEPATA, NOW KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS OKUSANYA ADEKUNLE SAMUEL. DATE OF BIRTH 15/12/64. ALL FORMER DOCUMETS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED ABU now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR YARIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as AMEDI ADISA RAHIM, now wish to be known and addressed as RAHEEM HAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME

HANATU: FORMERLY known and addressed as HANATU NAZIRU, NOW wish to be known and addressed as HANATU ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as KAMAL OTESHADE MALIK OLAWALE now wish to be addressed as MALIK KAMAL OLAWALE ESHINLOKUN. All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

Friday APRIL 1, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

FOLMI: FORMERLY known and addressed as ISHAYA FOLMI SHOMGWAN, NOW wish to be known and addressed as ISHAYA FOLMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

LIMAN: FORMERLY known and addressed as YAHAYA LIMAN, NOW wish to be known and addressed as YAHAYA NUHU LIMAN. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK PLC and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as MERCY EBONG AKPAN now wish to be addressed as BABALOLA MERCY ANU.All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

CHANGE OF NAME BISI: FORMERLY known and addressed as BISI RAJI KAFAYAT NOW wish to be known and addressed as BISI KAFAYAT SAMSON AMDI. All former documents remain valid. Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Barnawa Kaduna Banks and General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, IKPONMWONSA QUEEN OSARIYEKEMWEN is the same person bearing WILLIAM JOY OSARUMEN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as OYOM IGWE MAGDALENE, now wish to be addressed as EDUKWA MAGDALENE NELSON IGWE. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Sometime in 2007 in September, I lost a newspaper edition of DAILY TRUST changing my name from EMMANUEL ISHENI G to EMMANUEL ISHENI and efforts to trace same proved abortive as old document remain valid. General public take note.

MORDI: FORMERLY known and addressed as AWELE MORDI NOW wish to be known and addressed as AWELE ADIMA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned And General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that I, MR JOHN MEGGISON now residing at U. 1A, Dan Alhaji Street, Barnawa new extension, Kaduna State, lost my original CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY on 07/03/2016. No 2076w-1253c-Se2dr-cf4eu-10 issued 3rd August 2005 Plot No 374 with the File No TR10138 at Cadastral Zone Bo2 Abuja off Durumi, bearing Mal. Ungwa Tamti Usman. All efforts to trace it proved abortive. The general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ANENE PRINCE CHUKWUNONSO, now wish to be known and addressed as ANENE PROMISE CHUKWUNONSO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ENIEKEBI EBIKEBENA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EMOGBO EBIKEBENA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NJIDEKA EZE, now wish to be known and addressed as NJIDEKA COMFORT EZENWABASILI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as EGUASA OSEMWOYEMWEN EDITA, now wish to be known and addressed as EGUASA OSEMWOYEMWEN EDITA. All former documents remain valid. UBA, ACCESS Bank and general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AUGUSTINA ONWUKA TINA now wish to be known and addressed as NWOHA TINA UCHE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME LARTEY: I, formerly known and addressed as FLORA IGHOERU LARTEY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as GRACEFLORA IGHOERU OHWOBETE. All former documents remain valid. All financial institutions and the general public should please take note.

OSUAGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIBUNNA WILSON OSUAGWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHIBUNNA WILSON NWABUISI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as IFEANYICHUKWU CHISOM VICTOR instead of MALIZE CHISOM VICTOR. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as MALIZE CHISOM VICTOR. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as GODFREY EMMANUEL CHIKWADO, now wish to be known and addressed as ELUMEZIE EMMANUEL CHIKWADO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as EDITH CHINYERE NDIGWE, now wish to be known as EDITH CHINYERE NDIGWE CHIMEZIE.General public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KUBURAT: FORMERLY known and addressed as KUBURAT JIMOH NOW wish to be known and addressed as KUBURAT BOLA JIMOH. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK PLC and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as EKEH BENEDICTA OLACHI, now wish to be addressed as IBEZIM BENEDICTA OLACHI. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that my names was wrongly written as: FAMAOLU BAMIDURO OLAROTIMI, that my correct Names are: FAMOLU DUROJAIYE KELVIN. All my former documents remain valid and Authentic. UBA PLC, ACCESS BANK PLC, GTBANK PLC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as TOSSOU MAHULEKPOMI DAVID, now wish to be known and addressed as EDWARD DAVID AYO.That my date of birth was wrongly written as 29TH September, 1999 instead of 29TH August, 1999. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

Formerly known as AKPABIO INIOBONG JIMMY now wish to be addressed as JIMMY INIOBONG AKPABIO. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS HASHIM SULAIMAN, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ALIYU AHMED WASAGU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABALU EUNICE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANENE EUNICE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as UMEUGOCHUKWU ANOLIEFO ONWUAHADIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as UMEUGOCHUKWU DIKEOMA UDODINOBI. All former documents remain valid. FIDELITY Bank Plc, and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AYEGBE FOLAKE OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWOLE FOLAKE OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL EDET, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL EHIKOCHO OMALE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNMOLU: I, formerly known and addressed as AMRESH DREY OGUNMOLU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AMRESH OLUWADAMILARE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OKOYE: I, formerly known and addressed as OKOYE AUGUSTA IKWUNNE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKOYE CHINWE FRANK. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, ABIGAL ANTHONY is one and the same person that is known and bears NNENNA ABAGIHIGBA. That my full name is ABIGAL NNENNA ANTHONY ABAGIHIGBA. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. Concerned bank, Authorities Concerned and general public to take note.

ROSEMARY ORANAGWA is one and same person known and addressed as ROSEMARY OGECHI ORANAGWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKOLI: I, formerly known and addressed as OGECHI ANTHONIA OKOLI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OGECHI ANTHONIA NWABUISI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as AJAERO ALBERT UCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as AJAERO DONATUS UCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

UBANA: I, formerly known and addressed as EBRI SAMSON UBANA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as VICTOR EBRI JEKYLL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MRS. CHIAGORO FELICIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHIAGORO FELICIA AGWAJINMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note . CHANGE OF NAME

IYARAMBE: I, formerly known and addressed as IYARAMBE MODU, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED MOHAMMED MADUGANA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OBAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as OBAJI EJIKE EMMANUEL PAUL, now wish to be known and addressed as OBAJI EJIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ARINZE: I, formerly known and addressed as ARINZE PETER now wish to be known and addressed as ANINZE PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGBONNA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBONNA LOVELINE CHIDIEBERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AWA LOVELINE CHIDIEBERE. All former documents remain valid. UNTH, Nursing, Midwifery Council, National Open University of Nigeria and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANEKE CATHERINE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGBO CATHERINE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Union Bank, Spring Bank, Iyikwu Local Govt. Enugu State and general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that BONIFACE OKWUDILI EDEH, GIDEON EDEH and GIDEON OKWUDILI EDEH refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as GIDEON OKWUDILI EDEH. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as LORNUMBE BENJAMIN BEMSHIMA IMBOR, now wish to be known and addressed as LORNUMBE BENJAMIN BEMSHIMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that JAMILU ABUBAKAR is the same person as MUSA JAMILU ABUBAKAR. All former documents bearing the two names remain valid. General Public should take note.

I was formerly known as DAMIEBI NGOYE CHAMBERLYN, now wishes to be known as DAMIEIBI NGOYE MELFORD. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EJIM: I, formerly known and addressed as EJIM VICTOR CHIDIEBUBE, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL VICTOR. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ENESI CHRISTOPHER AMOTO now wish to be known and addressed as SHAIBU CHRISTOPHER AMOTO. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MARY DANJUMMA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MARYAM DANJUMMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS Y.A TALABI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHRISTIANA YEMISI BABAYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NWACHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWACHUKWU MONICA, now wish to be known and addressed as AJA MONICA JENETH. All former documents remain valid. IVO Local Govt. Ebonyi State and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as IDAYAT DADANLA OMOTOLA, now to be addressed as APATA ABIMBOLA OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

NJOKU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NJOKU GRACE NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UDO NJOKU GRACE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMI ONADIPE, now wish to be known and addressed as SALABIU ONADIPE. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME MUHAMMED: FORMERLY known and addressed as MUHAMMED MUTY and mistakenly used wrong date of birth as 14/2/1985 instead of 14/2/1990 NOW wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMED MUKTAR. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK PLC and General public should please take note.

Formerly known as MRS IDOWU SHAKIRATU SANNI, now wish to be addressed as MRS IDOWU SHAKIRATU SANNI FOLARIN. All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

OSIGE: I, formerly known and addressed as AGBONLENIN EUGINE OSIGE, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBONLENIN EUGINE EWERE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should

CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as YUSUF IBRAHIM OLANREWAJU, now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU SAHEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SILAS VICTORIA NKECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UKWUOMA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINYELE: I, formerly known and addressed as YEMI AKANDE AKINYELE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as YEMI DISUN AKINYELE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

This is to notify the general public that I, MERCY DURU whose date of birth was wrongly written as 12th March 1988, wish to inform the general public that my correct date of birth is 1st October 1990. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AGU: I, formerly known and addressed as AGU CHRISTIAN OKONKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as AGU MONDAY CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ENEH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ENEH BLESSING CYNTHIA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ILOGU BLESSING CYNTHIA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLAJIDE STINA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAJIDE JUSTINA. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

UMARU: I, formerly known and addressed as MODUKURA UMARU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ALHAJA MODU UMARU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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Formerly known and addressed as ALABI ANIMASHAUN SULAIMAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIMASHAUN LAWAL SULAIMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Sports

ive senior members of the World Cup-winning US football team have filed a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federationnation for wage discrimination. BBC Sport reports that Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Hope Solo say they are paid less than half of what the male USA players receive. “The numbers speak for themselves,” said goalkeeper Solo in a statement. “We are the best in the world, have three World Cup Championships, four Olympic Championships, and the USMNT (men’s team) get paid more just to show up than we get paid to win major championships,” said Solo. Her team-mate, Lloyd, who was named the best player at last year’s World Cup, said they had been patient over the years in waiting for action to deliver fair pay. American women’s football has dominated the international

game in recent decades, with a string of titles. The US Soccer Federation said it was disappointed, given the work it had done in building the women’s game. But former Everton and LA Galaxy winger, Landon Donovan who won 157 caps for the US men’s team - tweeted his support for the women’s team’s cause. “#USWNT absolutely deserve to be treated fairly in all ways,” he said. “Important to remember that these issues are/can be collectively bargained.” The lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission yesterday morning. One of the lawyers representing the players, Jeffrey Kessler, said the women’s game generated more income for US Soccer than the men’s and it was time to address the “discriminatory and unfair treatment’” they have endured for years. The five players were acting on

Amokachi’s Hercules drowned with goals

oach Daniel Amokachiled JS Hercules were thrashed by Finnish topflight club and Europa League qualifiers, RoPS, 8-0 in a fifth round cup tie. However, Amokachi said it was not a bad outing for his third-tier league team as they came up against a top team. “After all, it was a good game for us. We played really well against a really good team. When playing Veikkausliiga runners-up and the Finnish representatives in Europe, the game’s strength and speed will show that we are just at different levels,” Hercules coach, Amokachi conceded.

Sunderland terminate Eboue’s contract

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, April 1, 2016

underland are set to terminate the contract of defender Emmanuel Eboue after he was suspended by FIFA from all football-related activity for one year. The 32-year-old, who joined the Black Cats until the end of the season on March 9, was given the ban after failing to pay money owed to a former agent. According to BBC Sport, Sunderland boss, Sam Allardyce, said the club were “completely in the dark” over the dispute which started in July 2013. “I’m massively disappointed like everyone else is,” said Allardyce. The Sunderland manager added, “The problem is what has happened in the past has caught up with Emmanuel, for whatever the reason. “He has got a ban and the contract gets terminated on that basis.” Allardyce did suggest “there could be a way back” for Eboue, if he resolves the dispute. The Ivorian international has two weeks to appeal against the decision.

However, former Everton star, Amokachi, still saw the positives from the trouncing. “When we play like this against good teams, we can know how much we should improve our performance,” he said. “RoPS did everything right. They kept the ball when the ball had to be held and pressured us they needed to. “I think this tells us that we played against a top team.” Nigerian player John Williams Oluremi scored the sixth goal for RoPS.

Hope Solo

U.S. women footballers sue for equal pay

Barca without Mathieu eye ‘Clasico’ win for Cruyff

emories and images of Johan Cruyff will provide an emotional backdrop to tomorrow’s Nou Camp ‘Clasico’ against Real Madrid when Barcelona pay tribute to the man who transformed the club from also-rans into one of the game’s superpowers. In their first match since

their much-loved former player and Coach, Cruyff, died from cancer last week, fans will hold up a mosaic reading ‘Gracies Johan’ (thanks Johan, in Catalan) and the home side’s players will bear the same message on their shirts. Midfielder Andres Iniesta believes a win over Madrid is

Messi

the best way to pay tribute to the Dutchman who as a player helped end a 14-year title drought in 1974 and as a coach led them to a hat-trick of domestic championships and their first European Cup success in 1992 and put in place the template for much of their subsequent success. “It would be very special to

win the Clasico in tribute to Cruyff, although the best tribute is what he has given everyone, especially Barcelona fans, but the whole football world too,” Iniesta told a news conference. Meanwhile, Barcelona defender, Jeremy Mathieu, looks set to miss the rest of the La Liga season after the European champions confirmed the French international will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery yesterday. “Jeremy Mathieu has been satisfactorily operated on this Thursday,” Barca said in a statement. “The player will be out for approximately six to eight weeks.” However, Mathieu tweeted that he is hopeful of being fit within four weeks. “Thank you all for your messages and your support! See you in 4 weeks!!” He posted on his official Twitter account. Barca sit nine points clear of nearest challengers, Atletico Madrid, at the top of La Liga with eight matches left this season and 10 ahead of third-placed Real, giving them the biggest advantage over their rivals before a ‘Clasico’ for 10 years.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Taye Taiwo slams Marseille president

ormer Nigeria international left-back, Taye Taïwo, has slammed Olympique Marseille president, Vincent Labrune, for his poor management of the club. “I am struggling to understand how he makes a call when he signs a player. After two good games, he brings them to Marseille for 17 million. It is not possible,” the former Marseille defender told So Foot. “You simply cannot let Dimitri Payet go. The same applies to André Ayew, Mathieu Valbuena or André-Pierre Gignac. It doesn’t make any sense,” added Taïwo, who won the French Ligue 1 during his six-year spell at Marseille from 2005 t0 2011. “There are too many young-

sters in this team. There is no safety at the back. Against Rennes, it is unbelievable. They conceded three goals in five minutes. Marseille need leaders at the back. Steve Mandanda cannot do everything. “OM don’t play as a team. They all move upfront. On the left they move upfront, on the right they move upfront, it doesn’t work like that.” In 2005, at the age of 20, Taiwo, who now plies his trade with HJK Helsinki, was signed by Olympique de Marseille. He was brought in to fill the void Bixente Lizarazu had left when he departed for Bayern Munich. Olympique Marseille are lying 12th in the Ligue 1 table, only six points above the danger zone.

Taiye Taiwo

Lagos FA Cup: Synergy clash with MFM in s/final today Ifeanyi Eduzor

ynergy Ultimate Strikers FC continued their good run in the Lagos FA Cup yesterday morning by recording a resounding 3-0 defeat over Gbagada United in a quarter-final game decided at the Agege stadium. Two beautiful goals by Idowu Aremu and a second half strike by Emmanuel Omodeyin guaranteed a semi-final ticket for the Coach Chinedu Ogbenna led side. They will today meet Premiership side, MFM FC that defeated Thunder Balogun FC 2-1 in one of the quarter-final matches for the semi-final match at the Agege Stadium. Coach Ogbenna told National Mirror shortly after the match that his target remains winning the Lagos FA Cup on their debut. “I am happy that my team in its debut at the Lagos FA Cup has produced good football artistry that ensured we qualified for the semi-final of the prestigious competition. “We know that MFM is pres-

Sports

Friday, April 1, 2016

ently doing well in the Premiership but my players are going to approach the game with determination and seriousness because our ultimate aim is to emerge victorious in the competition,” said the former handler of Golden Eaglets player, Victor Osimhen. Meanwhile, Coordinator of Synergy Ultimate Strikers, Paul Erikewe, has made a passionate appeal to the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, to reconsider ban on use of school fields for training by teams. Erikewe said the order is hindering efforts to discover more quality footballers like, Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali. He explained that his team has been suffering untold hardship since they were deprived usage of the Olusosan Primary School, Oregun play ground that is very central to players and officials of Synergy Strikers. According to him, other teams are facing similar challenges, noting that there is the need for the state government to reverse the decision.

MANDATE

THE

Sylvester Ikuejamoye

mopheys13@gmail.com 0805-407-1194 (SMS only)

For a new NFF

he embarrassing defeat of Super Eagles by the Pharaohs of Egypt is currently the talk in most gatherings of football faithful. It is not unexpected. Indeed, it should be the norm. Otherwise, something fundamental should be amiss somewhere. The pain inflicted on the psyche of ardent football followers in Nigeria is enormously huge. It is therefore understandable that the tears and weeping from Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria football has been torrential. However, we should also understand that building mansions on nothing equals to nothing. For about 10 years now, Nigeria football has been on flops, fumbling and wobbling, (apology to whomever), except in 2013 AFPinnick CON finals and the qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with unimaginable embarrassing outing for the country. You don’t have to be a prophet to know that those at the helm of affairs of Nigeria football for the last decade are mere football fans and supporters and certainly not football administrators. The irony of the Nigerian situation and which has become the bane of the country’s development is the issue of ‘Godfatherism’ at the expense of national interest and development. Without any form of apology, most of those who are currently running our football has no business at the Secretariat of the NFF. Having failed to woefully to qualify Nigeria for the AFCON for the second consecutive time, it is only sensible for those in-charge of this almost irreversible sinking boat of Nigeria football to give way for other competent hands. This is what INTEGRITY and COMMONSENSE all about. It is nauseating and nonsensical to assume that few months of political appointment either as commissioner for sports or even as director of sports without incontrovertible evidence of result oriented performance, that should confer on anybody, any form of competence or administrative capability to run Nigeria football or any other board at the national level for

that matter. No one should expect any tangible result from a board with permanent scars, cracks, divisions as a result of in-house fighting. A board not in harmony with itself. A board with constant altercations with the technical crew. A board without clear cut blue print for football development. A board whose common interest is individual bread and butter. A board that is not concerned about the exit of three out of four

Nigeria clubs from continental assignment. A board that has not been able to appreciate the fact that the state of our local league speaks volume on the early exit of Nigerian teams campaigning at CAF organized competitions. Some prominent members of the immediate past board of NFF who saw nothing good about Samson Siasia and ensure his sacking as the then Eagles’ coach are in the present board that suddenly discovered that Siasia should be drafted in for the failed rescue mission against Pharaohs of Egypt. I’m completely in agreement with what the Sports Minister Solomon Dalung was quoted as saying-“that if the board should fail to qualify Nigeria for AFCON 2017, then they should give way for those who can do the job”. In any case, it’s not as easy as that, except if the minister is relying on the alleged subsisting court pronouncement on the board. No sane mind is in doubt that our football is in a quagmire that needs urgent surgical operation before it is too late. What is playing out at the glass house should teach us a lesson on the issue of membership of

the board of Nigeria football federation and indeed other sports federations. There must be check-list on the track records of those who are interested to be members of any board. It is not enough for state government or minister to hijack elective congresses of sports federations with pre-determined objectives that are clearly inimical to the growth and development of sports in the country. Government and Nigerians should insist that the emergence of candidates for membership is based on experience and verifiable track records of achievement and competence. Nigeria should avoid running in a circle, motion without movement. I repeat again, there is great virtue in the act of integrity and common sense. In more civilised clime, the current board of the NFF should have resigned enmass for failing for the second time consecutively to qualify for the AFCON competition. Of course, we know that is a rare virtue and honour in this part of the world. We should learn to display the virtues of integrity and commonsense. It is more honourable. I have said repeatedly in the past that government should ask for the score cards of all the boards to measure the performance of all sporting federations. Some are practically dead while some are in a state of coma. Boards without focus and direction and nothing to show for their tenure should have no business remaining in office. No more, No less. Thanks to all the Obas in Ilaje-land With profound gratitude, this is just to say a big thank you to the Amapetu of Mahin-Kingdom, HRM. Oba (Dr) Lawrence Omowole III, former Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, former National Chairman, Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities of Nigeria and current Chairman, Ilaje Local Government Area Coucil of Obas. The Odede of IgboEgurin, HRH Oba (Dr) P. Kalejaiye, JP. The Alagho of Odo-Nla, HRH Oba Elias Ikuomola. The Olu of Igbokoda, HRH Oba (Barrister) Afolabi Odidi-Oma, and The Ajagun-Igbala of Ramasilo, Apostle Joshua Oluwasatimi and other invited dignitaries for your presence at the commissioning of the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Out-Post-Station at Ebute Ipare, my very home town. I am most grateful. Hard but the bitter truth Work genuinely and positively hard to be appreciated in order to avoid depreciation. Hard But The Bitter Truth. Until next week Friday, stay out of trouble and God bless Nigeria.

WORLD RECORD

Pogo stick jumping - fastest mile

Vol. 06 No. 1339

Friday, April 1, 2016

N150

The fastest mile jumping on a pogo stick is 9 min 56 sec and was achieved by Fred Grzybowski (USA) in Wooster, Ohio, USA, on 4 November 2014.

Chibok girl, now a suicide bomber?

he report last weekend that a yet unidentified female suicide bomber claimed to be one of the 219 female students kidnapped in April 2014 from Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno State by the violent Boko Haram Islamist sect has again stirred the hornet’s nest on the whereabouts of the girls and how they ended up. The girl was one of the two female suspects strapped with bombs held by local self defence groups in Limani village, north of Cameroun last Friday before they had the opportunity of blowing themselves up, according to reports. Northern Cameroun is said to have come under recurring suicide bomb attacks in recent times. The Federal Government, according to Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, planned to send some members of the Chibok community to

he League Management Company (LMC) has handed owner of FC Ifeanyiubah, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, 10-match suspension from venues of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). LMC took the latest deci-

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) Cameroun to verify the veracity or otherwise of the girl’s claim, though doubts were said to be trailing the claim in the light of fresh information from Cameroun that the two girls were in the range of ten years of age. If the information on the girls’ age bracket is proved to be correct, the public impression may well be that the claim of one of them of being among the abducted Chibok girls is false, as it is presumed that all the abducted girls were above the age of ten at the time they were taken hostage by the Boko Haram sect. Nonetheless, the girl’s claim, whether true of false, offers an opportunity to ruminate on former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent remark that the search for the Chibok girls might end up not yielding any fruits because their whereabouts were unknown. Speaking at a programme he graced at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in Osun State lately, Obasanjo blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan for ignoring distress calls to attend to the mass kidnap of the girls; and his failure to respond until after 72 hours, at which time the girls must have been taken too far. In addition, the girl’s claim has amplified the need for conscious efforts to de-intoxicate North East youths especially from Boko Haram indoctrination and religious pretensions, since one of the very first projects the group embarks on after taking victims captive is to usher them into its world of religious fundamentalism and hypocrisy.

Identifying a setback without moving swiftly to remedy it is as good as encouraging the challenge to linger and fester This is not the first time the world is being told of the insurgent group’s penchant for recruiting children, both male and female, to carry out heinous terrorist acts, particularly suicide bombings.In December 2014, for example, a 13-year-old girl that said her parents handed her over to the Boko Haram sect for use as a suicide bomber was arrested by the Kano State Police Command. She was picked up after the December 10, 2014 double suicide bomb attacks by her co-female suicide bomber near a market in Kano, which claimed the lives of at least four people, with about seven others injured. The girl in her ‘hijab’ when arrested was still wearing explosives that had not yet gone off. The unconfirmed story of the Chibok girl suicide bomber also seems a classic throwback to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State’s wise counsel in July last year on the importance of identifying Islamic scholars with the intellectual depth and mass followership needed to turn around the Boko

Haram narrative so that ‘young souls’ could be saved from listening to the sect. “Changing the ideology of the Boko Haram will require intellectual roles by leading Islamic scholars with mass appeal. It is most disturbing to note that today in northern Nigeria, there is no single Islamic scholar that preaches against the Boko Haram ideology; and the reason is because everyone is afraid. Leading scholars like Sheikh Jaafar Mahmud Adam and Sheikh Albani Zaria, who vehemently preached against the (Boko Haram) ideology have been killed. In Maiduguri, scholars like Sheikh Ibrahim Gomari, Mallam Bashir Gomari and over 30 different scholars who were opposed to the Boko Haram ideology have all been killed”, Shettima said. President Muhammadu Buhari, when he had audience with the new Ambassador of Ecuador to Nigeria, Mr. Leopoldo Rovayo Verdesoto, in Abuja late last month, also expressed his expectation that religious leaders in the country should do more to assist the FG strip Boko Haram of all its religious gimmicks and fully expose the group as vicious terrorists having no moral or philosophical direction. “What we have succeeded in doing is to separate terrorism from religion… now, people cannot relate with their relevance anymore and they are only associated with the destruction of lives and properties…”, the President had stated. However, the truth of President Buhari’s assertion may easily be interrogated by the maximum damages to life and property in the North East still being wrought by childterrorists under the spell of Boko Haram’s religious indoctrination. In the light of the revelation of Governor Shettima, therefore, the FG should move fast and deliberately seek out those brands of Islamic scholars needed to counter Boko Haram’s perversion of Muslim religion and round them and their families with state security, enough to embolden them on the turf. Identifying a setback without moving swiftly to remedy it is as good as encouraging the challenge to linger and fester.

Sport Extra

LMC slams 10-match ban on Ifeanyi Ubah sion yesterday after finding Ubah guilty of encroaching on the field of play during his team’s match against Heartland on March 23 and further “assaulting Heartland player, Ebele Obi.” Ubah was also fined the sum

of N2.5million and is expected to write “a letter of apology and an undertaking to be a good ambassador of the Nigerian league.” The league body further announced that four of the 10-match ban to Ubah is “sus-

pended for a probationary period till the end of the season.” However, Ubah has until 5pm tomorrow to appeal the ruling. The LMC had earlier on Wednesday reprimanded Ubah for his action until an inde-

pendent video emerged on micro-blogging social media, Twitter, showing the Heartland goalkeeper, Obi, being assaulted by Ubah and his security personnel. Thegoalkeeperwashanded asix-gamebanonWednesday.

Ubah

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