April 4,2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Upstream firms to provide forex for fuel import –FG

‘Buhari, govs agree on ranches to end herdsmen/ farmers clashes’

NNPC gets 41% allocation for supply of PMS- PPPRA Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

Kachikwu

Vol. 6 N0. 1340

roup Executive Director/Chief Operations

Officer, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, (Downstream), Mr. Henry Ikem-Obih, has said companies in the up-

stream oil and gas sector are to provide foreign exchange for fuel importation. This came even as CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

National Mirror Online Monday, April 4, 2016

P.5

@NationalMirror N150

Osoba rejoins APC as S’West leaders end rift …Tinubu, Aregbesola, Ajimobi, Ambode, others meet in Lagos

Francis Suberu

he leadership crisis rocking All Progressives Congress, APC, in the south west appeared to have been resolved following a meeting held by the party’s regional leaders in Lagos yesterday. At the meeting, Chief Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State and the leader of the Social Democratic Party, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

Officers of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, guarding a seized wooden boats loaded with 160 drums of illegally refined diesel in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Afe Babalola drags ex-solicitor general to ICPC over alleged $10m scam P.12

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 4, 2016

News

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Osoba rejoins APC as S’West leaders end rift CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

SDP, returned to the APC fold. The meeting took place at the Ikoyi residence of Chief Osoba and the leaders restated their commitment to work together to move the country and particularly the region forward. Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who spoke to journalists shortly after the meeting, said the leadership of the party in the region have resolved their differences and are more than ever ready to pursue an agenda for development of the region. Aregbesola said: “We have resolved all the differences within the leadership and as such we are happy to tell the world that the leadership of progressive politics in western part of Nigeria is united and ready to jointly prosecute the agenda for growth, purposeful leadership, development, good governance in the western part of Nigeria. “And we are committed to doing that for the entire nation and through that, support the effort at the national level to revive the Nigerian economy and put the people in a better stead than we inherited when our party took over governance in Nigeria.” Aregbesola expressed optimism that good governance and purposeful leadership can trigger the desired change, which according to him will not only profit Nigeria, but also the African continent and the black race. He reiterated that progressive leadership of the Yoruba race is now fully united and are ready and charged to lead all efforts at repositioning the region in particular and the country in general. “I have told you very clearly that the progressive leadership of the Yoruba race is now fully united and are ready and charged to lead our efforts to reposition our land and integrate with others nationwide to put Nigeria in its proper footing,” Aregbesola said. The governor announced the return of Chief Osoba to APC. He said: “There was a time when Osoba switched to another party, he was a foundation member of APC and he was in the APC throughout my election. Yes, he was for a time with the SDP, but

L-R: Pastor Austin Ukaiwe; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; celebrant, Pastor J. T. Kalejaiye and his wife Mrs. F. P. Kalejaiye, during the celebration of Pastor J.T Kalejaiye ‘20 God’s Faithfulness of Fresh Anointing’ in Lagos, on Saturday. with what we have just done today, Akinrogun Osoba, the Aremo himself, is back with the progressive leadership of the Yoruba race.” Also speaking, national leader of APC, Chief Bola

Tinubu said it was very crucial for the party to strengthen its front. “I am an unapologetic progressive and I will remain one and that is the only principle I abide with. “Wherever the progres-

sives are, they must be united with their vision. Nobody is left out, it is all progressives and no one is left out, no matter your insinuation,” Tinubu said. The meeting was also attended by Governor

Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, (Lagos), represented by his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former interim National Chairman of

APC, Chief Bisi Akande; former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Segun Olusegun; APC National Vice Chairman, South West, Chief Pius Akinyelure; Senator Gbenga Obadara, among others.

Fuel cost, naira value aggravate airlines’ challenges –DG NCAA Olusegun Koiki

he current skyrocketing price of Jet A1, otherwise known as aviation fuel in the local parlance and the poor value of the nation’s currency, naira, have been identified as some of the major challenges affecting the growth of the airline sub-sector in Nigeria. Other identified challenges are the high cost of providing standard air transport services, increasing demand for customer satisfaction by air travellers and rising cost of operation. The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Muktar Usman, stated these over the weekend in Abuja while delivering a paper entitled, ‘The acts of promoting a sustainable air transport economy while maintaining high level of aviation safety standards,’ at the Airport Business Summit and Expo. Usman further noted that human and cargo traffics at many airports, not just in Nigeria alone, but

around the world had also dwindled with the declining purchasing power of passengers and shippers. He pointed out that in Nigeria for instance, aviation fuel constitutes between 40 and 50 per cent of the airlines’ direct operating costs, which he said was having an untold effect on the performance and profit of domestic airline operators. Despite the astronomical

crash in the price of crude oil from over $100 per barrel over a year ago to less than $40 in the market today, domestic airline operators still purchase a litre of aviation fuel at skyrocketing price of N120 per litre, depending on the airport, marketer and the litres such an airline is purchasing from. In other climes, price of aviation fuel is determined by the price of the crude

oil in the international market, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria in spite of the fact that the product has been deregulated in the country for almost a decade. Usman noted that with the obvious challenges, the nation’s airlines would not be able to compete with their counterparts in Europe and elsewhere, stressing that in almost three decades, revenue flow to air-

lines globally had dropped substantially in the face of discontinued state funding, sustained deregulation, privatisation and intense competition. Within the period in reference, he said a lot of small and average airlines around the world have either collapsed or gone bankrupt, while most, if not all the world’s major airlines have recorded losses or sharp falls in profit.

Upstream firms to provide forex for fuel import –FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

NNPC announced yesterday that the three refineries in the country would commence production this month. Ikem-Obih told journalists after touring some petrol stations in Abuja yesterday that the corporation was working extremely hard to ensure that it eliminates the queues. He also spoke on measures to tackle the issue of foreign exchange for marketers to enable them import products, considering the recent second quarter allocation given to oil dealers. “As you know, forex was

one of the prime reasons why we didn’t do well in the first quarter. Most marketers who had allocations could not import because they couldn’t access forex. “The minister has worked very closely through his own initiatives with the upstream oil companies. So, we have a number of them onboard with us and they will support the local entities and downstream companies. “They will help provide forex for the downstream companies to import and meet their Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, allocation. “So through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,

NNPC will support importation of fuel in the second quarter and the oil companies too will work with us. With this combined efforts, we hope we will be able to meet the import allocation for Q2,” he said. Ikem-Obih also noted that the three refineries would commence production this April. He said: “Most of the work being done at the refineries are on site, that is, just getting them ready to start cracking crude so that they too can start contributing to the pool of the amount of fuel we have to distribute across Nigeria. “We have to ensure that within the month of April,

we have some local refining contributing to the amount of fuel we have to distribute across the country. “The work will be across the three locations and they are all at various stages of start-up. “And in terms of moving them to their optimal yield, there is a lot of work going on and we are hoping that within this month of April, we will also have locally produced fuel as part of what people are buying at the pumps.” In another development, PPPRA said NNPC, would have 41.73 per cent allocation for supply of Premium Motor Spirit in the second CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, April 4, 2016

Army denies gun battle among troops Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

igerian Army yesterday said there was no rancour amongst its troops anywhere, to have resulted in gun battle and loss of lives of soldiers. This followed report by a section of the media, that there was an altercation in an unnamed barracks in 82 Division, Enugu State, over nomination for “peacekeeping operations” which led to exchange of gunfire among troops that resulted in loss of lives. The report had claimed that there was tribal war at the army barracks, where three soldiers were feared killed. However, in a statement, Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, described the report as a deliberate and calculated campaign of calumny aimed at misleading the public and cause disaffection among troops. The Army stated emphatically that no such incident occurred anywhere in the Nigerian Army, let alone 82 Division. “In fact, the alleged reported incident existed only in the obviously negatively skewed minds of the authors of such fabrication. “The intent and goals of this band of miscreants is

L-R: Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar; Dr. Yemi Badero, Prof. Diotu Esiogbu, President Muhammadu Buhari, Miss Zuriel Oduwole, Prof. Austin Esogbue and Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa after a meeting between President Buhari and some Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora in Washington DC, USA, over the weekend. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

to cause distrust amongst our troops and the country’s populace at large, which unknown to them is an exercise in futility because the Nigerian Army is cohesive,” Usman said. He said the report was aimed at distorting an established reign of peaceful,

harmonious and esprit-decorps culture in 82 Division and the entire Nigerian Army. However, Usman added that the campaign was a failed one as the entire Nigerian Army remained indivisible, unprovoked and not gullible to such cheap

and heinous insinuations. The Army therefore urged the public to discountenance the false story, saying there was no iota of truth in it. “We would like to inform the public that the 82 Division Nigerian Army is intact in all its locations and

deployments, same goes for all the various formations, units, cantonments and barracks of the Nigerian Army. “Above all, the Nigerian Army remains committed to providing aid to civil authority as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and wishes to assure the public of the Chief of Army Staff ’s unalloyed commitment to protect lives and property whenever called upon to do so in line with extant provisions of the law,” Usman said.

market performances and make reasonable changes consistent with the newlyadopted price modulation principles. It appealed to depot owners to strictly adhere to the prevailing truck-out policy made by the agency, to ensure that petroleum products got to their designated retail outlets nationwide. It warned that adequate sanctions awaited any depot-owner found to be hoarding products. On the news making the rounds that the agency was planning to increase the pump-price, it urged members of the public to ignore such rumour, as prevailing market indicators did not support such. “PPPRA is resolutely committed to the sustenance of its reform initiatives, in order to further guarantee adequate supply of products nationwide. “We therefore assure Nigerians of our total commitment to service delivery, in the quest to deliver on our mandate to the people

of Nigeria,” the statement said. It urged motorists to desist from panic-buying, as PPPRA was working hard with other sister-organisations to ensure that the current supply and distribution challenges were resolved within the coming days. Meanwhile, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said the reoccurring fuel have affected workers productivity adversely nationwide. NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, made this known in an interview in Abuja yesterday. Wabba said the inability of the Federal Government to consistently handle the fuel scarcity had affected the economic development of the country. “If you look at the scenario, it is a reoccurring decimal; people are facing serious fuel challenges from one day to the other. “This is affecting productivity; it also put workers on unnecessary and undue pressure because you know

that the salary is fixed. “Anytime there is an increase in any commodity either power or petroleum product, certainly it deplete available income at the disposal of the worker. “So, it is workers that are at the receiving end and in that way you can see that the workers will begin to come late and the management will say you are coming late without making a redress on the alarm factor. “Those are the clear issues and I think that government must look at the policies and tackle the situation head long,” he said. Wabba said government must fashion out medium and long term measures that would fixed the problem holistically. He noted that the issue of fuel scarcity had been on since 1999 and there was need for drastic action to be taken. He said: “It means that the prescription for solving the fuel situation cannot take us to the promise land. “Then if it cannot take

us to the promise land, why should we continue to do just a quick fix on this very major issue?” Wabba said there was need to resuscitate the refineries in the country as a way to remove untold hardship from the people while boasting the economy. He said NLC had done an extensive research on the four refineries and findings revealed that they could still be classified as new ones. According to him, some of the refineries around the world were built in 1981, even as he said an India refinery has stayed for over a 100 years. “The argument that the four refineries in the country cannot meet our domestic needs is false. “We have seen refineries that have lower capacity but through the process of upgrading refining capacity, were able to meet local and international needs. “So, if Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries can be upgraded among others,

their capacity of refining can also be upgraded and with adequate maintenance, these refineries can work for over a 100 years. “It is just that we are not doing what is right. That is why they are referring to our refineries as scrap. “They want to buy and upgrade them (and) in that way monopolising them. “So, the argument is flat. That is why we have remained consistent on our position that once we get the policies right, then it will be okay for us to move forward,” he said. Wabba gave an instance of Chevron, a multinational oil company that had been in Nigeria for many years, but did not have a refinery in the country. He noted that Chevron had refineries in Singapore, even when that country did not have oil. He said: “What Chevron does is to transfer our oil from Nigeria to Singapore and refine it there and bring it back as a refine product for us to buy.”

Upstream firms to provide forex for fuel import –FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

quarter. This was contained in a statement signed by Lanre Oladele, Head, Corporate Services, yesterday in Abuja. It said: “The NNPC has 41.73 per cent of the total allocation, while the rest of the oil marketing companies got a total allocation of 58.27 per cent.” According to the statement, Acting Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Mrs. Sotonye Iyoyo, said the agency will retain the retail prices of N86.00 for the NNPC, and N86.50 for the other marketing companies. It added that the pump price of Household Kerosene (HHK) would also remain unchanged from what it was in the last quarter. “Therefore, marketers are advised to ensure that there is no price distortion in their respective retail outlets,” it added It further added that PPPRA would continue to monitor the global oil

Photo

Monday, April 4, 2016

NEWS

L-R: General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) Mr. Sam Adurogboye, President, International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO) Dr. Olumuyiwa Aliu and General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) Mr. Yakubu Dati at a reception in honour of Dr. Aliu, in Lagos at the weekend.

L-R: Nollywood Actor, Mr.Richard Mofe Damijo; Regional Manager, M-net West Africa, Wangi MbaUzoukwu and another Actor, Rotimi Adelegan, during the HUSH Premier in Lagos, at the weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Representative of Lagos State Governor/Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, presenting an award plaque to first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the re-birth of the Lagos Weekend Television (LWT), at the Combo Hall, Lagos Television, Agindingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend.

Former Senate President, Senator David Mark (right) with son of the late Mrs Dorcas Aragbaiye, Mr Ade Aragbaiye (L); his wife, Bosede, during the funeral service of Mrs Dorcas Aragbaiye at the Cathedral Church of St Andrews, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of Owo in Akure, Ondo state, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National News

Bakare proffers solution for national rebirth Ayo Esan

astor of Latter Rain Assembly and former Vice Presidential Candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Pastor Tunde Bakare has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a Presidential Commission for National Reconciliation, Reintegration and Restructuring. The commission, according to him, would have highly respected national influencers of high moral standing and unquestionable integrity, and having bridge-building antecedents as a way of ensuring national rebirth. Speaking during the 27th anniversary thanksgiving service of his church in Lagos yesterday, Bakare said with the ascension of Buhari as the president, it is obvious to all, that there is a new sheriff in town and that this is not an era of business as usual. He said all that is required

now to give Nigeria a national rebirth is the political will of a president who enjoys a great deal of respect from the people, including those who do not support him. He said the president may exercise this political will by creating a novel institution – the Presidential Commission for National Reconciliation, Reintegration and Restructuring, which should be mandated to work closely with stakeholders and power blocs as well as legislative houses to create a new national identity for the Nigerian people. It will also promote forgiveness and reconciliation among contentious interest groups in Nigeria; foster the integration of the diverse sectional groups into true nationhood; facilitate the creation of an acceptable functional governmental structure; and midwife a process of constitutional rebirth that will culminate in a referendum by which the

people will adopt a new constitution. He said the report of the 2014 National Conference with its Nigerian Charter for National Reconciliation and Integration will provide a ready-made operational springboard for the team. Bakare said in a threedimensional strategic arrangement, this national rebirth process can go on seamlessly alongside socio-economic development championed by the economic team of the administration headed by the Vice President as well as a national security and anticorruption strategy spearheaded by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He called on Nigerians to give President Buhari the needed support in the making of a new Nigeria saying “doing so with the assurance that God, who ordained our national destiny, is greater than our challenges. “Nigeria will be saved,

Nigeria will be changed, and Nigeria will be great,” he prophesied. Bakare said it is a symptom of chronic national laziness to blame the global economic downturn for the country’s current economic

woes, or to wait expectantly for a rise in crude oil prices in order to sustain our consumptive economic patterns. He commended Chief Olusegun Obasanjo saying his economic management team, which comprised of

the likes of Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Dr. Charles Chukwuma Soludo and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, among others is the most competent ever assembled by any government in Nigeria’s history till date.

Political stability, continuity, key elements in fight against B/Haram – Osinbajo

ice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has identified continuity in governance and political stability in the West African sub-region as important elements in the fight against Boko Haram and insurgency. This was contained in a statement issued yesteday in Abuja by Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande,. The statement said Osinbajo made the remark at the weekend in Niamey, Niger, at the inauguration of President Issoufou Mahamadou for a second term in office.

According to Osinbajo, the re-election of the Nigerien leader is significant for the sub-regional coalition against insurgents and terrorists. He said: “As you know, Niger is an important partner, and also an important ally in the war against terrorism and we are good neighbours. “Mahamadou’s investiture has great significance because Nigeria understands him well. “He is an old hand and Nigeria has worked well with him as a partner. “So, his re-election brings continuity and is good for the fight against Boko Haram and

the insurgency in general.” Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the ceremony, said Nigeria hold the Nigerien President in high esteem. “He is an old friend of President Buhari who is abroad attending the nuclear security summit in Washington DC, which is why he could not attend this event,” he said. Osinbajo added that the inauguration of the Nigerien President was also an opportunity to honour a strong ally and “to reinforce all our important diplomatic and military ties.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PAGE

Monday, April 4, 2016

Good Health

Abdominal obesity could be strong predictor of heart disease … Researchers say shape of your body may determine if you are at greater risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction Sam Eferaro

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

ou may have to watch it if you find your tummy protruding more than usual . . . unless you are pregnant! Researchers have found that abdominal obesity, or having an apple-shaped body, could be a strong predictor of serious heart disease in patients who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and haven’t displayed any symptoms of heart disease. The new study from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City and John Hopkins lends more credence to the idea that it’s better to be shaped like a pear – with weight around the hips – as opposed to an apple – with weight around the abdomen. In a hospital in Baltimore, researchers from the two centers found that abdominal obesity – or having an apple-shaped body – is a strong predictor of serious heart disease in patients who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and haven’t displayed any symptoms of heart disease. Apple-shaped bodies are already associated with metabolic syndrome (which includes high blood pressure, high sugar levels and high cholesterol), as well as coronary artery disease and heart failure, but this new study found that waist circumference is also a strong predictor of left ventricular dysfunction in patients. Metabolic syndrome is often accompanied by excess body fat around the abdomen.

The collaborative team of researchers studied 200 diabetic men and women who had not yet exhibited any coronary disease. The researchers found that even independently of total body weight and body mass index or BMI, abdominal obesity was strongly associated with regional left ventricular dysfunction, which is a common cause of heart disease, including congestive heart failure. Results of the study was reported last weekend at the 2016 American College of Cardiology Scientific Session in Chicago. “Our research examined patients with diabetes, who are considered high risk for developing heart disease already, and found that the shape of your body determined if you were at a greater risk to develop left ventricular dysfunction,” said Brent Muhlestein, co-director of research at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City. “This study confirms that having an apple-shaped body -- or a high waist circumference -- can lead to heart disease, and that reducing your waist size can reduce your risks,” adds Dr. Muhlestein. Studies show a strong correlation between weight gain and regional left ventricular function – and obesity is a major worldwide health risk. One in three people will have cardiovascular disease in their lifetime, and about a third of them will die from a heart attack or similar malfunction before their heart disease is diagnosed. The results of the new research expands

DID YOU KNOW?

Asthma may worsen migraine

re-existing asthma may be a strong predictor of future chronic migraine attacks in individuals experiencing occasional migraine headaches, according to researchers from the University of Cincinnati (UC), Montefiore Headache Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Vedanta Research. The findings were published online in November in the journal Headache, a publication of the American Headache Society. “If you have asthma along with episodic or occasional migraine, then your headaches are more likely to evolve into a more disabling form known as chronic migraine,” explains Vincent Martin, MD, professor of medicine in UC’s Division of General Internal Medicine, co-director of the Headache and Facial Pain Program at the UC Neuroscience Institute and lead author in the study. Martin teamed with Richard Lipton, MD, and Dawn Buse, PhD, both of Montefiore Headache Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Kristina Fanning, PhD, Daniel Serrano, PhD, and Michael Reed, PhD, all from Vedanta Research, to study about 4,500 individuals who experienced episodic migraine or fewer than 15 headaches per month in 2008. “Migraine and asthma are disorders that involve inflammation and activa-

tion of smooth muscle either in blood vessels or in the airways,” says Lipton, director of Montefiore Headache Center, vice chair of neurology and the Edwin S. Lowe Chair in Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and founder of the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study. “Therefore, asthma-related inflammation may lead to migraine progression.” About 12 percent of the U.S. population experiences migraine, which is almost three times more common in women than in men, according to Martin. Individuals with chronic migraine have headaches 15 or more days per month; this affects about 1 percent of the U.S. population and takes a severe toll on sufferers who often miss work and social events. Asthma affects about 8 percent of American adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

on the results of a previously published study called faCTor-64, also conducted by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute and Johns Hopkins, which showed that the greater a person’s body mass index, the greater their risk of heart disease. FaCTor-64 enrolled patients with diabetes who were considered to be at high risk for heart attacks, strokes, or death but had no evidence of heart disease as of yet. Study participants completed randomized screening for coronary artery disease by

CT coronary angiography, then received recommendations to change their care or their lifestyles, or continue routine standard diabetes care, based on their results. They were then followed to track future adverse heart events. During the new study, 200 participants who received CT screenings also had echocardiography to assess their left ventricular function. The left ventricle is the chamber of the heart that pumps oxygenrich blood to the brain and the body. When there’s a dysfunction in the left ventricle, blood backs up into the lungs and lower extremities, which often leads to heart failure and increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Although any form of obesity can produce stress on the heart, the new Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute/ Johns Hopkins study shows that abdominal obesity, more so than total body weight or BMI (weight to height ratio), is a strong predictor of left ventricle dysfunction. “We specifically found that waist circumference appears to be a stronger predictor for left ventricle dysfunction than total body weight or body mass index,” says Boaz D. Rosen, MD, of Johns Hopkins, who is the study’s principal investigator Dr. Rosen says further studies are needed to verify these findings. “It will be important to see if these patients are indeed at risk of developing heart failure or coronary artery disease in the future,” he added.

Hormonal contraceptives increase risk of seizures

ould certain types of hormonal contraceptives cause an increase in seizures in women with epilepsy? A recent Texas A&M Health Science Center study suggests that ethinyl estradiol, the primary component of oral contraceptives, could be detrimental to the epileptic brain. The findings were recently published in the journal Epilepsy Research. “We were inspired by an earlier study which surveyed women with epilepsy and found that those using hormonal contraceptives self-reported 4.5 times more seizures than those that did not use oral contraceptives,” said D. Samba Reddy, Ph.D., R.Ph., professor of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, principal investigator of the study. The study found that when epileptic animal models received ethinyl estradiol, they not only had more frequent seizures, but the seizures were more likely to be uncontrolled. “We suspected for some time that hormonal birth control increases seizure activity in women with epilepsy, but now we know what part of the contraceptive is problematic.” Reddy says epilepsy is more difficult to control in women once they reach sexual maturity. “The hormones that control men-

struation and pregnancy can trigger seizures,” he says. “Women often experience more seizures in the week before their period due to the change in these hormones.” While epilepsy affects men more than women, women with epilepsy tend to experience seizures more frequently than men and women’s seizures are more likely to be uncontrolled. Uncontrolled seizures last longer than 30-40 seconds and are more likely to permanently damage the brain. “Controlled seizures don’t tend to leave lasting damage, but uncontrolled seizures originate deeper in the brain,” says Reddy, “some parts of the brain are more vulnerable to damage than others, for example the hippocampus, which has a role in regulating memory and spatial orientation. If that is damaged the person can suffer impairments to their normal functioning.”

South West

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Strike imminent, as Ogun govt, labour's meeting deadlocked Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

trong indications emerged over the weekend in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital,that the leadership of the state's works may call out its members on another round of workboycott following the failure of government and leadership of the unions to reach an acceptable ground over workers' demands.

The decision of the workers to go on another indefinite strike may also not be unconnected with the labour leaders' insistence that government should stop further deductions of workers' salaries under the Contributory Pension Scheme in which Ogun State Government maintained that such is a statutory function. National Mirror however, gathered that the final decision by the state workforce either to or not to embark on another strike will be taken

today during the expanded State Executive meeting of the organised labour in Ogun Sate which is expected to hold at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. National Mirror recalled that the state government had last week, met with the leadership of the labour unions with the possibilities of finding lasting solutions to the three issues raised by the state workers which bothered on unremitted salary deductions, payment of

gratuities as well as the issue of 68 months unremitted contributory pension. At the meeting, which had in attendance, the state deputy chairman of the NLC, Dare Ilekoya; that of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Olubunmi Fajobi, the state chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNC, Abiodun Olakanmi among others and chaired by the state's deputy governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, both parties agreed that they would re-

port back to their respective constituencies on labour's demands and government's positions. Addressing journalists at the end of their meeting, the labour leaders vowed that they would not entertain anything lesser from the state government should it continue with the Contributory Pension Scheme deduction. Fajobi, who spoke with journalists, said since the state government has violated the statutory provision for the Contributory Pension Scheme and rendered it nonfunctional since the past 68 months, further deductions, should be halted forthwith. The TUC state chairman also demanded that government should allow whoever among the workers that wants to quit its membership or reduce its contribution to the workers' cooperative societies to do so without being coerced; stressing that workers in the state would not take anything less. Responding to the workers' demand however, Sec-

retary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, told the labour leaders that the state would not be part of any illegality as to halt further deductions under the Contributory Pension Scheme. Adeoluwa further declared that the labour movement would need the Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, to repel the law establishing the Contributory Pension Scheme before government could stop further deductions. The SSG, however, urged leadership of the agitating labour movement in the state to instruct their members to comply with the Federal Government's directive on the Bank Verification Number, BVN, stressing that salaries in Ogun would henceforth be paid with the BVN. Leadership of the labour union in Ogun State is however, expected to resume their negotiation with government anytime from tomorrow Tuesday after both parties must have "briefed their principals".

Osun doctors call off seven- month-old strike

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Prof. Oye Gureje; Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Chairman on the occasion, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Olayinka, at the presentation of Award of Excellence for Courage and Perseverance on Governor Aregbesola, at the 30th Anniversary and official commissioning of the Root Club House, Ilesa, Osun State.

Francis Suberu

s part of the measures to curb the spread of unwholesome processed meat and meat products in Lagos State, the state government has over the weekend, shut two illegal slaughter slabs in Okeafa and Ejigbo; both located in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of the state. According to the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Toyin Suarau, these slaughter slabs were shut as part of effort to put the issue of unwholesome meat and meat products from unlicensed and illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs to a total halt and guarantee wholesomeness in the process of meat that residents of Lagos State consume. Suarau, while sounding a note of warning to

Lagos shuts two slaughter slabs, restricts three others operators of illegal and unlicensed abattoirs and slaughter slabs operating in the state; also said that the state government has ordered an immediate stop to all slaughtering activities in Idiaraba, Ashimowu (both by Lawanson in Mushin Local Government Area and Ilupeju-Oshodi illegal sheep/goats slaughter slabs. “Any butcher or group of butchers caught at any of these illegal and unlicensed abattoirs and slaughter slabs or violate this order will be prosecuted and henceforth have their meat confiscated,” he warned The commissioner noted that for butchers and residents of the aforementioned areas

where these illegal and unlicensed abattoirs and slaughter slabs operates, only Matori Modern Abattoir is the closet and approved slab by the state government for any slaughtering activities. He therefore urged butchers and the residents of these areas to patronise only the Matori modern abattoir, adding that Central Oko-Oba Abattoir is also open to all for slaughtering activities. He said that the issue of animal slaughtering is still a big issue because a lot of animals must be inspected before and after slaughtering according to the meat inspection law. “The danger with unrecognised abattoirs is

that the animals slaughtered there are not inspected by veterinary professionals to detect the one that has diseased or pregnant ones because it is illegal to slaughter pregnant animal,” he revealed. The commissioner who stressed that government ultimatum to operators of unauthorised abattoir within the state to close down operations has elapsed; he noted that government can no longer tolerate such illegal practice. He however, reiterated that government will continue to clamp down and arrest operators of any abattoirs within the nooks and crannies of the state that is not licensed or approved.

triking medical doctors in Osun State, under the aegis of Association of Medical and Dental Officers, on Sunday suspended their seven months industrial action. Chairman of the association, Dr Isiaka Adekunle, confirmed the suspension of the strike in a telephone interview in Osogbo yesterday. He said the doctors would report for duty today. Adekunle said though the government was yet to meet any of their demands, their decision to resume work was in response to appeals from well-meaning people of the state. He, however, said that the association would continue to dialogue with the government. Adekunle said the association took the decision to call off the strike at its Annual General Meeting held on March 30. He said: “The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam and some other people prevailed on us to call off the strike. “We also observed that the people who are at the receiving end of our strike

are the masses who can only access health care from state owned hospitals. “Based on this, the doctors unanimously agreed at our AGM that the strike be suspended despite the fact that none of our demands has been met by the government “While we pray for good fortune for the state and the nation as a whole, when the economy of the state improves, government will have no choice than to answer our demands." Adekunle appealed to the government to keep to its promises by not victimising its members who participated in the strike. “We want a promise from the government that none of our members will be victimised for participating in the strike. “We believe government will keep to its side of agreement while we keep to ours," he said. It would be recalled the doctors went on strike on September 28, 2015 to protest unpaid salaries and nonremittance of their cooperative and contributory deductions from their salaries to the appropriate quarters.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Monday, April 4, 2016

Job creation key to security –Akeredolu Francis Suberu

L-R: Director-General, Africa Clean Energy Summit, Dr. Victor Fodeke; Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles Ayo; Chief Operating Director, Africa Clean Energy Summit, Pastor Olawale Akinwumi and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Taiwo Abioye, at the signing of MOU on Clean Energy Technologies between Africa Clean Energy Summit and Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State, yesterday.

Ife riot: Osun dismisses culprits, reopens schools Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

fter four months of closure occasioned by students’ unrest, Osun State government yesterday announced the reopening of four secondary schools located within Ile Ife metropolis. The schools are Oduduwa High School, St. David’s High School, St. John’s High School and Seven Day Adventist High School.

Government also announced the dismissal of students found culpable in the rampage, which led to wanton destruction of properties in the four schools as well as Broadcasting Corporation of Osun State (Orisun F.M) Ile Ife. It would be recalled that some students last year protested non-payment of their WAEC fees by government and attacked the broadcasting station. Seven of the protesters

were later arrested and arraigned before a magistrate court. While two of them were remanded in prison custody, others were taken to a corrective centre in Osogbo, the state capital. The government, in a statement in Osogbo, signed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Festus Olajide, said it took the decision after various meetings with ANCOPSS, teachers and parents of students

of the affected schools. The statement also stated that students of the affected schools are to pay reparation fee for damages done during the unrest, adding that arrangement was in place to ensure they comply with the directive. Parents, guardians and students are also to sign Code of Conduct to be of good behavior as a condition precedent to the resumption of the students in any of the four schools.

of lives. Lagos Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corp, FRSC, Hyginus Omejo, who confirmed the incident, said about 13 persons were involved in the accident. “Five persons died on the spot, while seven oth-

ers sustained severe injuries. Both injured and deceased were rushed to the hospital,” he said. Omeje attributed the cause of the accident to recklessness on the part of the commercial bus driver. He said the driver, who

was driving against traffic, wrongly overtook another vehicle on the expressway before crashing into the incoming truck. The FRSC boss also confirmed that the bus driver violated the traffic laws by wrongly overtaking other vehicles.

Five die, seven injured in Lagos accident Patience Ogbo

fatal auto crash along the Mile 2-Badagry expressway yesterday claimed five lives, including a nursing mother and left seven others with varying degree of injuries. The auto crash, which occurred at Abule Osun bus stop in Ojo Local Government Area of the state, involved a commercial Volkswagen bus with registration number FST 652 XF and a Max truck with number plate AA188 SR. It was gathered that the driver of the Volkswagen bus was driving against traffic, when he rammed into the incoming truck, resulting to the fatal loss

eading gubernatorial aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said there cannot be adequate security in Nigeria until jobs are created and made available to the teeming unemployed youths. Akeredolu, who said this in Lagos yesterday, during a brief interaction with journalists, observed that the major goal of every government is to provide security, but noted that job creation is key to security provision. He described unemployment as one of Nigeria’s major problem. “There is no way we will continue like this; without creating jobs for our people and you think there will be security. When people are out of jobs as we have an army of graduates who are not working, the devil will find work for them,” he said The gubernatorial aspi-

Build more refineries now – Lagos NAWOJ tells FG Sekinah L awal

igeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Lagos Chapter, has urged the Federal Government to find permanent solution to the lingering fuel crisis in the country by building more refineries while tackling the issue of vandals among others. This was contained in a communiqué the association issued at the end of its April Congress. In the communiqué,

APC accuses Ekiti govt of borrowing N10bn for needless flyover Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State and the state government yesterday bickered over borrowing by the state government to finance capital projects. While the APC alleged that the present administration in the state had borrowed N10billion to

construct a “needless flyover” while workers and pensioners were not paid their salaries and pensions, the state government which denied borrowing to fund the project, said it would always be transparent in its dealings. APC State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday, that the governor embarked on

some “needless projects” to feather his nest. Olatunbosun stated: “Even though the governor criticised former Governor Kayode Fayemi for borrowing money for development purposes, Fayose has gone to borrow N10 billion to construct a needless flyover, while workers and pensioners are being owed between five and six months in arrears.

rant berated the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko-led administration in Ondo State for lacking in vision and creativity. He said despite the huge deposit of human and material resources in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party-led government continues to impoverish the people. “When I say Mimiko has failed, let him point out any major thing he has done to create jobs for our people. We are talking of creating jobs for thousands of people. He claimed he was doing something about agriculture at Ore. Those boys complained they were not paid and left. “He claimed he was doing cattle ranch. There is no single cow there. They imported cow sometimes and showed people. The place is abandoned. “Agriculture is key because it can bring massive employment. This is what has been lacking. That is why I said he had not been effective. We have made a lot of money without result,” he added.

“The money was in a fixed account over a period of time, but Fayose has not told Ekiti people how much interest has accrued on the money. The APC spokesman alleged that the governor’s new attitude could not be divorced from the “20 per cent syndrome in government contracts award in Ekiti State in which case public funds end up in private pockets”.

signed by Lagos State Chairman, Mrs. Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu and Secretary, Uche Akwuobi, NAWOJ charged the President Muhammadu Buhari–led administration to commence building new refineries now that the 2016 budget has been approved. The union also noted that the old refineries should be made to work while private investors should also be encouraged to build more refineries. On the pipeline vandalism and other corrupt practices in the country, NAWOJ advised the Federal Government to establish Special Courts to expedite justice in the land. Against the backdrop of massive retrenchment going on in the private sector, NAWOJ called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to review the restriction policy placed on foreign exchange for importation of some raw materials, pending the time the country will be self-sufficient.

South East

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCC raises alarm over vandalisation of telecom infrastructure in S’East Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

igerian Communications Commission, NCC,

over the weekend identified multiple- taxation as one of the major challenges affecting telecommunications services in the country.

Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, stated this at the on-going Enu-

gu International Trade Fair, calling on state and local governments to desist from placing such hurdles on the way of telecom operators.

L-R: Registration Officer, National Agaency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs Edith Solaji; NAFDAC Deputy Director Investment, Mrs Doris Akalusi; Vice President, Publicity, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Chief Emeka Nwankpa and NAFDAC Chief Public Relations Officer South-East, Mr Celestine Nwuruku at the ongoing 27th Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Enugu Chamber of Commerce lauds Dangote ingenuity

angote Group’s giant strides in establishing cement plants across Africa has attracted commendation of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Power, ECCIMA, which described the conglomerate as an emerging global player from Africa. President of ECCIMA, Ugochukwu Chime, speaking at the weekend during Dangote Group’s special day at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair also lauded the group for operating in almost every sec-

tor of the economy, while adding a lot of value to the growth of the Nigerian economy. He said more of Dangote is all Nigeria needs to be an industrial giant in the committee of nations, adding that the present challenges facing the country presents opportunity to investors to do business in Nigeria especially Nigerians. According to him, “Dangote Group has gone beyond being a Nigerian conglomerate to an African conglomerate, operating in many countries across the

continent. It has demystified the production process, perfected backward integration and in years to come will become a global player, deepening the creation of wealth and employment generation.” Chime added; “Dangote business and entrepreneurship indulgence has spread to many parts of the African continent, employing thousands of people across the world of which not less than 85 percent are Nigerians.” Regional Sales Director,

Greg Okwuosa, told NAN that the response of Nigerians, especially businessmen, women and people of other works of life to the campaign had been encouraging. “What we basically do in this campaign is to give people the word of God with practical testimonies from our members, introduce new business ideas and next level business strategies to achieve it,’’ he said. The manager said that the group’s stand continued to receive appreciable

number of people at the fair with at least 60 persons visiting the stand per day since March 25 when the fair started. “The people who come to subscribe and listen to us are served a good meal to make them relax to listen to the gospel and business idea,’’ he added. The fair is being organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, with the theme: “Diversification of Nation’s Economy: From Rhetoric to Coordinated Action.” The fair will close today.

Christian group takes ‘Doing Business with Fear of God’ campaign to trade fair

o fewer than 600 people have subscribed to the “Doing Business with Fear of God’’ campaign of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the campaign was meant to advertise Christ to Nigerians as well as positively touch the lives of businessmen to influence the way they carry out their businesses. The fellowship’s District Manager, South East, Dr

South East, Dangote Cement, Tunde Mabogunje, who led the Dangote Group team said that the group has grown from a trading company to an integrated manufacturing conglomerate and has succeeded in making Nigeria selfsufficient in goods that were been imported in the past. He said that the group pays attention to quality, thereby ensuring that all products from its stable are of high quality. A high point of the special day was the raffle draw by NASCON, where Amaka Ude, won the first prize of a microwave oven, Lovina Chukwu won a gas cooker. Other prizes won include blenders and nonstick cooking pots. All participants at the special day received free gift packs containing different ranges of products from the group’s stable as well as free plates of delicacies prepared with danq seasong cubes. Some of the products displayed at the fair include Dangote sugar, Dangote Flour, spaghetti, noodles and macaroni, Dangote salt, Danq (seasoning), various ranges of fruit juice products and bottled water from Dansa Foods.

While noting that power supply was equally a critical factor in the provision of uninterruptible telecom services, he noted that more worrisome is the attitude and actions of state and local governments, who impose all kinds of taxes and levies, including regulations that restrict right of way for the service providers to deploy or expand services. Danbatta regretted that even when the service providers are willing to make services available, we as members of government at various levels and communities, put bottlenecks on their ways. “There are also reports that vandalism of telecom infrastructure is very high in the South East region. Therefore, this is another opportunity to call on the state, local governments and communities in the South East to support the commission by easing the right of way for provision of telecom infrastructure and to be vigilant over such infrastructure.” Danbatta, however, assured that the new

NCC leadership had instituted a task force to take a comprehensive overview of the factors militating against quality service. On the issue of unsolicited messages, the NCC boss further disclosed that “the commission is almost set to launch a uniform code, which subscribers can press to stop the service provider from inundating them with unsolicited messages.

“We have also created a second level compliant platform, where subscribers whose problems are not resolved by the service provider could reach the NCC to resolve such issues.” Earlier, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, urged the NCC to do more, especially in having the courage to regulate operators in the sector “in doing what is right and protecting vulnerable customers of the various GSM network operating in the country.”

Cleric urges Christians to imbibe virtue of forgiveness

cleric, Reverend Ifeanyi Okonkwo, has called on Christians to imbibe the virtue of forgiveness as exemplified by Jesus Christ even when he was nailed to the cross.

Delivering a homily at the Anglican Church of Ascension, Achara Layout in Enugu on Sunday, Okonkwo admonished Christians not to allow hatred, anger and vengeful thoughts to dwell on their minds. ``Forgiveness is a command, a standard and a choice imposed on Christians by the teaching, standard and lifestyle of Christ. ``The more you rehearse the hurtful words or deeds, the more indelible they become in your mind.

`Ìf you continue to talk about it, you think about it; then, you feel it the more and it will hurt you the more,’’ he said. Okonkwo said that `àn eye for an eye’’ meant `ìf you do that to me, I will do it also to you,’’ explaining, however, that forgiveness meant `Ì could, but I won’t retaliate, but I will find a way to let you go scot-free.’’ He noted that most time, the person who forgives was not necessarily the loser as forgiving could be winning because God has many ways of compensating those that forgive. The cleric also prayed for Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliation to imbibe the spirit of giving to make the country a better place.

South South

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 4, 2016

APC insists on fresh re-run in Rivers

…rejects declared results Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

ivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct fresh parliamentary rerun elections in the state.

State

chairman

APC, Davies Ikanya, who made the call in a statement issued yesterday, also rejected all the results of the March 19 poll so far released by the electoral body. Ikanya said: “Nothing, but the total cancellation of the process and the holding of fresh rerun polls would be ac-

Alleged fraud: Edo APC youths petition IGP Ubong Ukpong Abuja

oncerned All Progressives Congress, APC youths in Edo State have dragged a former Commissioner representing Edo State in the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, Mr Bamidele Balogun, before the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase over alleged plan to cover the police report against him. The youths in an open letter to the IGP, titled ‘Attempt to cover-up a case of fraud being investigated by the Nigerian Police Force, Abuja,” alleged that one Denis, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has boasted that he would ensure that the report of the police investigation on the matter did not see the light of the day. The youths in the letter signed by the trio of Omorodion Osayade, Elighiator Ehinoman and Isreal Okomayin, Chairman, Secretary and Public Relations Officer, PRO, respectively, alleged that the said Denis boasted that he was going to use his connection with the police hierarchy to ensure that nothing was heard of the police investigation. According to the letter, the former commissioner with the PCC and candidate of the PDP in the 2015 House of Representatives election for Akoko Edo Federal Constituency of Edo State was alleged to have been collecting salaries from the commission up till February 2015, when he had claimed that he resigned from the commission in 2014.

This the group stated necessitated a petition to the Force Headquarters in 2015 as according to the youths, the alleged action of the PDP candidate in the election ran contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian laws. The youths said that after the presentation of the petition to the police, proper investigation was carried out with the Public Complaints Commission as well as the bank where the salaries were paid. This, they added, ought to have necessitated the arrest of Bankole Bamidele Balogun with the evidence at the possession of the police, but rather, he was issued a letter of request to come in person to the Force Headquarters and was let go after police had recovered from him the government property in his custody. However, the youths said that they were authoritatively informed that a certain Denis, a stalwart of the opposition party in Edo State who claimed to be very connected to the top police hierarchy, has vowed to kill the case by ensuring that the report of the investigation is silenced. They appealed to the IGP not to allow those bent on tarnishing the image of the police to have their way so as to stop impunity and act of manipulations in the police going by the change mantra of the present administration. “It is upon this conviction that we call on you, the IGP, to kindly intervene to ensure that justice is done as you have demonstrated in several other cases,” the youths stated in the letter.

ceptable. “We wish to put on record our total and uncompromising rejection of the results of the March 19, 2016 rerun elections so far announced by INEC as these do not in any way reflect the current political realities on ground in Rivers State. “These results, which indicate a mysterious landslide victory for

PDP, were allocated results to the ruling party in the state following unrelenting threats by Governor Nyesom Wike to the effect that anybody coming to conduct election that would not favour PDP in the state should first write their wills before coming to the state. The statement berated Wike for claiming that APC is not in a posi-

tion to win an election in the Rivers State, and for accusing the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, of sponsoring violence to remain politically relevant. “If Wike feels that he is very popular let him allow free and fair election devoid of his gang of killers and he will see how he is hated in Rivers State. “Time will tell the

heroic role played by Amaechi in this dispensation, adding that; “we expect the APC government at the centre not to allow PDP to decimate our ranks any further in view of the strategic roles we played in freeing Nigeria from the inept PDP administration that would have completely grounded the country if it was reelected, the party said.

A customer taking a nap at a filling station in Benin after waiting for so long to buy fuel yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Navy seizes 2 boats with N20.4m stolen diesel …arrests 3 suspects

Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

igerian Navy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State said it had confiscated two wooden boats used in conveying about 100,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of

Rivers State. The Nigerian Navy Ship, (NNS) Pathfinder’s Base Operations Officer, Comander Ugochukwu Ajulu, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the products is worth N20.4 million. Ajulu also disclosed that three suspects were arrested on board one of the wooden boats.

Ajulu said the boats were both seized during troops’ routine patrol of waterways and creeks in the state. He said; “In-line with strategic directives from naval authorities, on March 31, our troops on routine patrol impounded two wooden boats carrying suspected illegally refined diesel in quantity of about 100,000 litres. “The first wooden boat

Wike warns principals against charging illegal fees

Dennis Naku Port Harcourt

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has warned school principals to desist from charging illegal levies. This is as the governor distributed science equipment to 247 schools across the state. Making the presentation to school principals at the weekend, Wike said with the distribution of the science equipment and materials for practicals, school

principals have no reason to charge illegal levies of any kind to indigent students in public schools. He said the equipment would stop principals and schools from extorting money from parents for practical examinations during West African Examination Council, WAEC, Senior Secondary School Examination, SSCE. The governor also distributed funds to all the 247 secondary schools to empower them to purchase

perishable consumables for the science practicals during the SSCE. Represented by the Chairman of the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board, Chief David Briggs, the governor directed that all science practical materials for 2015/2016 WAEC remain free for every students to use and that no principal should surcharge any student for the practical materials which is provided free and at no cost for Rivers People.

transporting about 60 drums fully loaded with suspected stolen diesel was impounded along Bakana waterways with three suspects onboard. “The second boat which had over 100 drums laden with illegally refined diesel was also seized while it anchored at Aiteo Jetty near Abonema. “About 5,000 litres of diesel was also stored in a compartment on the boat,” Ajulu added. He said that naval operatives were unable to make any arrest from the second boat as its crew members had fled the scene on sighting advancing naval patrol gunboats. The Commander said preliminary investigation was ongoing to unravel the source and supply chain of the products. According to him, the suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for further investigation and possible arraignment in court.

News

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Afe Babalola drags ex-solicitor-general to ICPC over alleged $10m scam Francis Suberu

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Afe Babalola has petitioned Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, demanding investigation of former SolicitorGeneral of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro for allegedly defrauding his law firm of $10m in professional fees. Babalola also asked ICPC to investigate how the family of Gbadamosi Eletu of Osapa village, Lagos, substituted his law firm for that of Pedro, thereby depriving him of the $10m. In the petition, addressed to Chairman of ICPC, Mr.

Ekpo Nta, Babalola detailed how the former solicitorgeneral allegedly abused his office and hijacked the briefs he handled for the family of Eletu at the Supreme Court while his professional fees had not been paid. The senior advocate also asked ICPC to investigate the corrupt practices in respect of the settlement of some lawsuits, which Pedro concluded in connivance with the Eletu family and other parties “to defraud his law firm of its professional fees.” He said Remedium Chambers was the private law firm, which Pedro used to hijack the briefs of other lawyers while he was in the employment of Lagos State Government.

He alleged that Pedro used the private law firm to hijack the negotiation of Suit No: LD/4897/2014 between Beach Resorts and the Eletu family. He buttressed his claims in a suit no: LD/1827/ LMW/15, which he recently filed at a Lagos High Court contending that after his retirement, Pedro moved “to the premises of De Remedium Chambers located at No. 2 Akintoye Shogunle Street, Off John Olugbemi Street, Ikeja where he practices law privately. He has since changed the name of the said office to Lawal Pedro, SAN and Co.” Babalola said the Eletu family approached his law firm through a lawyer, Mr. Ademola Koko in 2005 ask-

ing him to appeal against the decision of a Court of Appeal involving 254 hectares of land. After he agreed to handle the appeal at the Supreme Court, Babalola said he asked the Eletu family for a professional fee of $20m, which he said, was reduced to $10m. But when asked to pay part of the fees, the senior advocate noted that the Eletu family offered to give him land to cover the payment, which he said, was rejected in favour of cash payment. The senior lawyer said he requested for an agreement on his professional fees to be in writing, executed before a magistrate, which the family complied with as proof of

good faith. He added that his law firm prosecuted the appeal for eight years, before the Supreme Court finally delivered judgment on July 12, 2013 and awarded 216.7 hectares of land in favour of the Eletu family. He said attempt by his firm to pursue the execution of the Supreme Court judgment stoked diverse litigations and protests, which compelled the Lagos State Government to intervene in the dispute. He alleged that all the suits filed after the judgment of the Supreme Court were fraudulently settled without

Four die as cult members clash in Ilorin

Minister of Solid Minerals/Guest lecturer, Dr Kayode Fayemi (left) with the Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral S.I. Alade, shortly after the minister delivered a lecture “Solid Minerals and National Development in Nigeria”, at the NDC, Abuja, at the weekend.

his knowledge. He cited suits filed by Wole Olanipekun & Co on behalf of Lekki Silver Touch Limited; Dele Farotimi & Co. on behalf of Sun City Properties Limited; Olalekan Yusuf on behalf of UACN Properties Development Company and Joseph Nwobike & Co. on behalf of Beach Resorts Nigeria Plc. He noted that the suits, which arose from the decision of the Supreme Court secured by his law firm for the Eletu family, were settled without his knowledge, but with involvement of Pedro, who allegedly used his private firm.

our persons were killed at the weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State during a fight that broke out between members of two rival cult groups over supremacy claim. It would be recalled that last week Sunday, suspected members of cult groups struck at Ikokoro/Sakamo area of Ilorin and allegedly killed a boy simply identified as Wasiu. The latest cult clash occurred at Babako, Ita-Amodu and Agbo-Oba areas of Ilorin metropolis between Saturday night and 4 yesterday morning. It was gathered that the clash heightened tension in the affected areas while residents scampered for safety. Eyewitness account said that at the end of the clash,

four persons, including a 20year-old boy were allegedly shot. The eyewitness, who did not want his name mentioned, said members of “Aiye” Confraternity first struck at Baboko around 9.30 p.m. on Saturday and allegedly killed two persons. He said at the end of the operation at Baboko, the suspected cultists headed for Ita-Amodu and AgboOba areas of the metropolis on revenge mission. When contacted, spokesman of the state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the incident. “I can confirm to you that one person has been killed by suspected cultists and this happened at Babaoko area of Ilorin.

NSITF to prosecute erring employers over compensation scheme Olufemi Adeosun Abuja

igeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, has threatened to prosecute employers that fail to enroll their workers on the Employees Compensation Scheme, ECS. Acting Managing Director of the Fund, Ismail Agaka, said this while playing host to Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the NSITF Lagos regional office. He explained that only employers that have genu-

ine reasons not to comply for now, would be given an extended period to key into the scheme. He said: “Whoever is defaulting is liable and would be prosecuted in the law courts. The law is very clear about the punishment for defaulting. It is our responsibility to prosecute those who are not willing to comply without any genuine cause. “There are other ways of dealing with those who are unable to comply genuinely. We will go after those who feel that they can go about their businesses without

complying. “But before we prosecute, defaulters would be given another opportunity by reminding them of their obligations and penalties that are prescribed for non-compliance and that they would be prosecuted if they do not comply after the expiration of the extended period.” Agaka stressed that the ministerial directive to increase the number of employers to 50,000 by the minister would be pursued within the prevailing economic realities in the country.

“The mandate to increase the number of employers on the scheme to 50,000 before the end of the year will be taken in tandem with the economic realities prevailing in our country today. “We have given marching orders to our staff to go after companies and employers who ought to have registered but have failed to do so. “In carrying out the prosecution of the defaulting companies, we have to do that within the economic outlook of the country,” he said.

He hinted that in order to increase the number of employers and companies on the scheme, NSITF would soon be visiting the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, NACCIMA, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and the organised private sector in order to use them as entry points to employers. Agaka identified low awareness of the scheme among critical stakeholders as the major challenge confronting the implementation of ECS. Also speaking, Ngige

observed that registering only 9,400 employers by the Lagos regional office was abysmally low, stressing that the office has the capacity to achieve 100,000 target before the end of the year. While decrying lack of electricity to make the environment conducive and boost productivity, Ngige ordered the management to acquire one 100KVA generating set, which was promptly delivered to the premises within 24 hours after the order was given.

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Minister tasks security agencies on explosives Ayo Esan

inister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has challenged security agencies in the country to come up with technology that could be deployed to track the use of explosives for which permits were given in the country. The Minister who disclosed that part of his tasks as minister in charge of the Solid minerals development is to sign explosives permits for use in quarries and mining sites, said it is important to also track their use as part of efforts to curtail activities of insurgent groups and violent crimes in the country. Fayemi who spoke as a guest lecturer at the National Defence College, Abuja at weekend , said there should be a technological approach to tracking the use of explosives by those who sought

and obtained permit for its use so that it does not end up in the hands of those who would use it for criminal purposes. The Minister also assured the gathering that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to ensuring that the Ajaokuta Steel Company works, in order to boost the country’s technological development. “This will also help us in the areas of arms and ammunitions. And the defence industry will also benefit from this when we get it right”, he added. The Minister who spoke on “Solid Minerals and National Development in Nigeria”, lamented that the country was losing a lot to illegal mining activities, being carried out by some citizens aided by some foreigners. He said the ministry was collaborating with relevant security agencies to en-

sure that the ugly trend is stopped. Specifically, he pointed out that about 100 kilogrammes of gold leaves the country everyday without any record, adding that there is need to deploy technology, build capacity of staff of the ministry and get the required assistance from the security agencies to check the situation. He disclosed that part of

the efforts of the ministry is to also educate security agents on how to identify these minerals. “Many of them do not recognise these minerals. So, in most cases they do not know the value of what the person is taking out illegally. “So we are partnering with security agencies, the customs, immigration, police, civil defence, to as-

sist us. “Once we get the regulatory framework right and create a conducive environment for investment to thrive, we shall witness huge investment in the sector, create wealth and employment opportunities.”, he added. Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear

Admiral S.I. Alade, had said that the military was doing a lot to assist the ministry to curtail illegal mining. He hailed the minister’s enforcement of the “use it or lose it” clause in the mining Act, saying the country needs to make the best of the solid minerals sector now that the oil and gas sector is facing a challenge.

Braithwaite family releases burial arrangements Samuel Adetimehin

he burial programme of Dr. Tunji Braithwaite who died in a Lagos hospital penultimate Monday will begin with the Service of Songs at Yards 158, Oregun Street, Ikeja Lagos on the 26th of April 2016. According to the burial plan announced by his family , this will be followed by the Christian wake keep which will take place at his Victoria Island residence on , 27th of April 2016 while on the 28th April, Funeral Service shall take place at Reverend Braithwaite Memorial Church, Papa Epe, Lagos. Meanwhile the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo paid a visit to the Braithwaite family last Saturday where he said Nigerians

will miss him for his great interventions in the social and political sphere. “We will always miss him for all his interventions in all the political and social life. Until his death he always stood for rights, justice and was consistently doing that all through his life”, Osinbajo said. He also recalled Braithwaite’s insistence on Nigeria holding a Sovereign National Conference saying he believed Nigerian people needed to dialogue to move the country forward. The Vice President also described the late lawyer as a scholar saying “I am sure many would remember his jurisprudence pursuit on incredible issues and law, especially, natural laws. ‘He stood for all the great causes, “ Osinbajo said.

Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa (left) presenting tools to Haruna Musa (right), a beneficiary of Women/Youth Empowerment Programme organized member representing Yola North, Yola South and Girei Federal Constituency in Yola yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Aza Msue Kaduna

he umbrella organization of youths in the north, Arewa Youth Forum, AYF yesterday called for patience and understanding with President Muhammadu Buhari and his Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu over the present fuel scarcity in the country . The call AYF said has become imperative as the issue of fuel scarcity across the country has become a recurrent decimal and need careful planning to alleviate.

Fuel scarcity: Northern youths call for understanding with Buhari, Kachikwu In a statement signed by AYF National President, Comrade Gambo Gujungu, and made available to journalists in Kaduna , the body said Northern youths expressed concerned especially on the current situation been witnessed in the country by all. According to the statement: “However we also want to say that looking at events of the immediate past in the country that culminated in the election

of President Muhammadu Buhari, shows that Nigerians wanted change and we all know that change anywhere in the world do not come easy and takes time and sacrifice.” AYF added: “It is in view of this that we are calling on Nigerians as a whole, the political elite and youths in particular to exercise patience with President Muhammadu Buhari and his Minister of state for Petroleum, Dr. Kachikwu to bring the

needed change especially in the petroleum sector. “We are also aware that the quest for change in the country unfortunately has collided with serious uncertainty in the world economy and the drastic reduction of the price of crude the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. This has negatively affected the expectation of government to deliver on promises and that of Nigerians on expectations from those that promise change”.

Politics

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Re-arrest, prosecute Tinubu, Lagos PDP charges CCB

he Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has charged the Code of Conduct Bureau , CCB to immediately re- arrest and prosecute the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC and former governor of Lagos state, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is just as the Party has also accused the president of manifesting selective fight and prosecution in his anti -corruption crusade. The Party in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Barrister Taofik Gani said its call is consequent upon the disclosure by the CCB lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) that the former governor, Tinubu, was erroneously discharged by the CCT in the trial of holding 10 foreign accounts contrary to section 7 of the CCB & Tribunal Act, Cap 15 LFN, 2004 as amended. The learned SAN made the disclosure in his opposition to the application by Senate President, Dr Olubukola Saraki, that he be discharged. The Lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) described Tinubu’s discharge as wrong and that the tribunal was misled into discharging the former governor. Lawyer to Saraki, Kanu Agabi (SAN) applied for Saraki’s discharge on the basis that he was also not invited before he was charged by the CCB, which is similar to Tinubu’s fact of case. Hewondered why Tinubu was discharged whereas Saraki continues to be prosecuted even when the surrounding facts are similar. “We demand the immediate invitation, arrest and prosecution of Tinubu for violating the laws of the land and breaching public trust by operating several

foreign accounts during his tenure as Lagos state governor between 1999 and 2007. During this period, the state did not witness meaningful developments commensurate to its internally generated revenues and federal government allocations. We strongly believe that those foreign accounts were used to steal Lagos funds. It still amazes us how a Tinubu, well known before he became Lagos state governor, is now the undoubtedly wealthiest and ‘influential’ personality out of politics in the country. “The code of conduct tribunal erroneously discharged him but that does not remove the fact that the offence was committed. Now that the facts of Tinubu’s erroneous discharge are in the public glare and in the spirit of the hyped anti - corruption crusade, President Buhari ought to take a stance and speak out on the proprietary of Tinubu walking free while Saraki, Dasuki, Kanu, are being prosecuted with vigour. Alas! Rather, the president and other APC leaders chose to adopt and celebrate a betrayer of public service. “The President particularly recently directed the grounding of the Capital city to celebrate Tinubu’s birthday. An unequivocal declaration of loyalty to Tinubu who no doubt bankrolled the president’s election. No doubt that president Buhari is only mouthing anticorruption and cannot summon the gut to prosecute APC leaders”, Lagos PDP said. ‘The erroneous discharge of Tinubu must be appealed against. Alternatively, Tinubu should be invited, interrogated and prosecuted. He was discharged and not acquitted and there is no time limitation for criminal trial”, Lagos PDP further said.

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson; National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, during the Christian Wake-Keep/Lying in State of the late mother of the Ebonyi State Governo,Deaconess Margaret Umahi, at Agu-Ugwu, Umunaga-Uburu, Ebonyi State.

EKITI 2018: APC chieftain canvasses way forward Abiodun Nejo Ado Ekiti

ll Progressives Congress, APC Chieftain in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has said it is the responsibility of all Ekiti people at home and abroad to join hands to rebuild the state. Oluyede, who is eyeing the governorship in 2018, said the infrastructures decay, the pillage of the state resources and its indebtedness should not bar anybody from bringing his wealth of experience and resources to the state for its development. The APC chieftain, who spoke to journalists at his Ikere- Ekiti hometown at the weekend, said the state had natural endowments that could be harnessed to bring about its transformation. The Australia-based medical expert said his intention to vie for the governorship in

the 2018 election was a duty he owed to ensure change, promising to address basic issues of producing wealth and prosperity for the land and its people, increasing the people’s commonwealth and tackling food production. He described divisive politics as the bane of the country, particularly in the area of infrastructural development, saying “all our leaders know how to do is to build infrastructures they cannot maintain. Instead of maintaining the ones on ground, they tend to build their own just because of what they will gain. “That is why our schools, hospitals, roads, industries have been destroyed. They can’t maintain them because there are no sustainable policies. But we are in Ekiti to stabilize the system and make poverty history in our land.

“I’m going to serve as rallying point to those living abroad, so that they can bring their wealth down here to develop the economy. The time for Ekiti rebirth is now, because Ekiti has been pillaged and needed to be reborn. “There is a lot of work to be done to help us out of the wood. No commerce, no industry, education is down. All we have is celebration of poverty and idiocy all in the name of politics. I have invested over one billion naira in the hospitality and medical sectors in Nigeria in the last five years. “So, I want to say that we are all Ekiti indigenes. Both home and abroad based should join hands together to help our state by preventing mediocres from hijacking powers”, he said, adding that all well-meaning Ekiti people have roles to play to enshrine good governance,

El-Rufai’s religious bill is Biblical says Agbese Adeola Tukuru Abuja

civil rights activist, Comrade Philip Agbese has thrown his weight behind the Kaduna State Religious Activities Regulation Bill describing it as a Biblical concept that was initiated by Apostle Paul in the Bible. Speaking in a telephone conversation, the United Kingdom based activist said “Governor Nasir el Rufai is

more of a prophet of God than those who have predicted his death. Anyone that wants elRufai to die does not have a copy of the New Testament or lacks basic knowledge of simple comprehension or both”. “The prophet calling for el- Rufai’s death is not only a joker playing the brain cards of prosperity on his followers but as well guilty of the offences that are enclosed in the letters of the

Bill already sent to the Kaduna State House of Assembly. ‘These very persons were the same goons who collected our had earned money in foreign currency from former President Goodluck Jonathan that he would win the Presidential election. “Unfortunately, when the results turned upside down, they still shamelessly attempted to deceive their congregations that it was God who changed his mind.

How do we explain the flip flops in their prophetic narrative when those calling for el- Rufai’s head had predicted that he will never become Governor, that Okorocha will lose his second term and that Goodluck Jonathan was going to win again?” he queried. Supporting the move by el-Rufai, he informed that it was Apostle Paul in the Bible who encouraged Christians that all men and women should learn

to conduct themselves in an orderly manner. “ Whoever doesn’t respect this admonishment cannot in the first instance address him/herself as a Christian anywhere in the world?”, he said. He advised that the Bill when passed into law shall restrict what he termed “cut and join Pastors and Imams” from misleading people in Nigeria . According to Agbese, Nigeria has the highest

progress and development in the state. Reacting to the clamour in some quarters that the governorship should be zoned to Ekiti South Senatorial District where Oluyede hails from, the APC chieftain said that although zoning does not have any constitutional backing, there is an unwritten agreement in that direction which must be honoured. According to him, it will be fair that the party zones the governorship to the Southern Senatorial district since it is yet to produce a governor. Oluyede said: “It is fair the Southern Senatorial District is considered for the slot this time around. The other two districts have been rotating the governorship between them while the South is left out. Also necessary criteria to have a quality governor should be applied”.

number of churches and mosques in the world yet we still find it difficult to live together in peace and harmony due to hate preachings and sermons that have become a part and parcel of us. He however called on genuine Prophets of God to pray for the Governor to succeed in his quest to protect the citizens of Kaduna State irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Monday, April 4, 2016

Unfortunate state of GSM in Nigeria George Bayo

here is no denying the fact that the current state of GSM service in Nigeria is irritating, embarrassing, degrading and unacceptable. It is very disheartening that the most populous African country is the one suffering from virtually everything that ought to be delivered to us without much stress. January 19th this year marked exactly 15 years that Nigeria embraced the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). Its entry has changed the face of telecoms landscape in Africa and made Nigeria competitive. Its adoption is expected to serve as a viable alternative to the then analog Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) system. Also, during its launching in 2001, the core objective is to provide effective telecommunication services that will support good speech quality, roaming, spectral efficiency, minimized crosstalk, etc. The deployment of GSM system into Nigerian market was universally embraced and found to be relatively efficient at the inception. With time, operators in the industry experienced an unprecedented growth in customer base, which later incapacitated the networks to function efficiently. Although, this explosive growth has brought huge revenue to both the operators and government through tax and licence fees, but the question is, has the growth in customers’ patronage really guaranteed expected satisfaction of the customers? Why do we pay for such GSM

services and never receive value for our hard-earned money? This can only be possible in a country where there is no active regulatory body. The problems experienced by users include dropped and failed calls; network interruption; network congestion; failed attempts to load recharge payments and inability to change tariff plans. Others are inability to activate the service offered, inability to send or receive SMS, unsolicited messages/calls without an option to opt out, and calls misdirected to unintended numbers, among others. In spite of these challenges, GSM operators continue to attract more subscribers to their networks through all manner of promotions, without simultaneously expanding their network capacity. Many unsatisfied subscribers who have tried to report the problems to their service providers report that it is nearly impossible to get through on the busy telephone lines provided, and that they are constantly put on hold. Some say their inquiries go unanswered for days. Consequently, most Nigerians are compelled to own more than one mobile phone with SIM cards from different operators. According to a Telecommunications Poll Report by NOIPolls Limited of November 2014, a high proportion of Nigerians use two mobile phone connections. It is abundantly clear now that the various organizations responsible for GSM operations are just in Nigeria to dupe Nigerians. In other words, the Quality of Service (QoS) no longer exists. This is not the best in our great country, Nigeria. The law

The Senate and Nigerian women Ernest Omoarelojie

old is hardly the right word to describe Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West senatorial district in the upper chamber of the national assembly. From his days as a student activist through the contemptuous stint in the House of Representatives and now, he was available for undertakings that would make Lucifer cringe. Before he was kicked out of the lower chamber, he was a nightmare for himself and colleagues. Since he managed to crawl his way back to public relevance by winning the ticket to represent his people in the senate, ostensibly to continue acting his role, he has played the leopard, very conscious of his spots. For so long, Dino remained in the minds of most Nigerians as one man who cherishes his relationship with controversy. Those who know him beyond his repugnant public image will vow that his domestic life is as unsavory as it can be for one with any responsibility to direct public affairs. Indeed, they say his penchant for sizzling romance with the mundane is as legendary as his reputation for having a very short fuse that blows out at the drop of a hat. Clearly, women are, to him, fancy commodities in market stalls, to be acquired and dispensed with at whim. Dino’s notoriety and obvious mis-

By continuing to accept them as qualified to be

where they are, we accepted outlaws as genuine patriots haps in his relationship with good moral conduct is comparable only to the manner he cherishes riding to fame on the back of controversy. At the House of Representatives, he demonstrated his disdain for urbane conduct by orchestrated street-like brawl inside the chambers that left him in tattered attire. While the world looked on with eye-popping disappointment, he faced television cameras without batting an eye lid. Better reasoning prevailed and he was suspended sine die. For a man in his mold to remain “honourable member” of the nation’s law making organ, no one needs to wonder why issues concerning women end up dead on arrival. Unfortunately, there are many more Dinos in the senate. With able lieutenants like Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, Alhaji Ahmad Sani Yerima and others, he is not alone. Sani it is who legitimized the status of a pedophile having given an official seal to an ungodly union between grandfathers and uninformed underage, one of which he reportedly married. Just recently Ndume,

Network

performance is the most important parameter for measuring the quality of service mandates the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to promote the provision of a modern, universal, efficient, reliable, affordable and easily accessible communications service. Sections 4 (1b-d) and 104 of the Nigerian Communication Act give telecoms subscribers a right to high quality service and value for money. Similarly, section 2 of the Consumer Protection Council Act, LFN 2004, and Regulations 2 (a-c), 3 and 8 of Quality of Service Regulations 2012 made by NCC emphasise the same rights of telecoms subscribers. Operators have consistently blamed the poor state of infrastructure in Nigeria for the bad call quality and unreliable connection. Yet, the huge amount of money generated by them is more than enough to improve their service provisions for their highly expectant subscribers. However, the NCC should wake up urgently and play its basic and mandatory functions for the benefit of all Nigerians. Consumers are generally worried with the quality of service they receive. The NCC should, therefore, compel the operators to improve on their services or face some serious sanctions. Just like the water poured on a tortoise’s shell, which has no effect on its real

the senator representing Borno South urged senate president, Bukola Saraki and his other senators to marry more wives to fully demonstrate the fact that they truly care for women. “I urge men to marry more than one wife. The first care of a woman is marriage. Men should take care of women by not just befriending them, but by going further to marry them”, Ndume intoned. The height of their profane opinion of women became public when Senator Oluremi Tinubu moved a motion on Gender Parity and Prohibition of Violence Against Women. The motion which seeks equal rights for women in marriage, education, job, etc, suffered a stillbirth as some senators, mostly Muslims, dealt death blows on it, citing mundane religious reasons. One of them actually posited that such rights would give women the licence to “go out and return home” without any control. The trouble with Nigeria is that of a lie told too many times that they often become the truth. In the manner we have accepted their unacceptable proposals, we lend them our support in instituting evil ways as Holy Grail. By continuing to accept them as qualified to be where they are, we accepted outlaws as genuine patriots. It is, therefore, not surprising that like rhinos, they developed thick skins and plates of armor with which they ward off our often trite reaction to their out-

body, it is on record that in July 18, 2007, the House of Representative mandated an impromptu ad hoc committee to investigate the activities of the service providers, also the Senate constituted a committee to urgently investigate the inefficiency of the service providers. It is most worrisome that the QoS by the operators have degenerated, in fact, graduated from worst to worse. Many Nigerians are very much aware of the N1.17billion fine imposed on four GSM operators by the NCC between March and May 2012 for failing to meet with their Key Performance Indicators (KPI). Despite this, it is disgusting that Nigerians continue to witness more poor services. This connotes that some heavier measures are better dished out to them to curtail these unscrupulous traits exhibited by these socalled GSM service providers. Network performance is the most important parameter for measuring the quality of service. Poor performance of a telecom network would induce customer complaints and faults, thereby leading to customer dissatisfaction. It is evident from the current situations of network operation in Nigeria that the quality of service rendered by these operators is far below expectation. So, urgent and proactive actions should be taken by the operators towards improving network performance. The NCC should wake up, tighten up its belt and play its watch dog roles so that Nigerians can get improved GSM services. George wrote from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State via georgebayoo@gmail.com

rages. How on earth we remain silent as wife beaters, pedophiles, religious bigots, etc, continue to run rough shod over all of us, beats my imagination. I get even more confused when in utter helplessness, people pray for divine intervention to correct the sad reality. In my opinion, we are ripe for divine thrashing to wake us up to the fact that Senators Melaye, Ndume, Yerima et al do not have a place in the Nigerian Senate. They have no place in directing public affairs in a forward and positive-looking Nigeria Senate. But the problem is that we only make academic statements in condemnation of the manner they consign our collective essence to commodities. In so doing, we refused to see that our attitude became a licence for them to reduce serious issues to the ludicrous. Today, they see and want all of us to see or treat issues from their narrow perspectives. Little wonder they want us to regard the next woman as an off-the-shelf item designed only for pleasure. Omoarelojie wrote from Benin City, Edo State. 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.

Editorial

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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 ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

Bomadi General Hospital saga

t a time when the country is still battling with Lassa fever epidemic, a viral hemorrhagic kind of fever caused by virus traceable to rodents, the recently reported case of rats and mosquitoes allegedly sacking patients at the Bomadi General Hospital in Delta State is distressing. Workers and patients in the hospital were said to have raised the alarm while lamenting the generally poor state of facilities in the hospital. A human rights activist that once had a ward in the hospital, Mr. Edward Opukiri, was quoted as saying, for example: “My wife was admitted into the hospital due to ill health. When I visited her, my experiences for the two days l spent with her were pathetic. There is no light, no water around the hospital premises. When the rechargeable lamp goes off, rats come in large numbers and spread everywhere. There are so many rats in the hospital, including mosquitoes. This might cause Lassa fever if not prevented”. The hospital’s morgue was also written off as an eye sore. Corpses were dried around the morgue vicinity in the sun, with the stench that oozes out circulating and spreading foul odour around the hospital premises. A patient identified simply as Rosemary, that left the hospital lately related

her experience this way: “We were suffering without good facilities, inside mosquitoes’ and rats’ den, poor facilities and no doctors. But few nurses are working under the dilapidated buildings of the hospital”. Ostensibly embarrassed by the unsavoury finds, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, was more or less aggressive when newshounds confronted him with the sordid discoveries. “How did you get my (telephone) number, who gave you my number? I cannot speak with you now because I don’t know who gave you my number in the first place”, the commissioner was quoted as saying; though it was also reported that the state government was now poised to renovate the hospital and shore up its services to acceptable standards. Similar conditions were reported by doctors at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, a tertiary medical institution where the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) embarked on a protracted strike in protest, until late last year when the then newly appointed Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, intervened skillfully and got the doctors back to work. But the UNTH doctors said they embarked on indefinite strike to draw public attention to grave system failure in the hospital.

The government… should not be

contented with the overzealousness, pretensions and cover-ups of

officials charged with sensitive public assignments

Said the doctors: “The aims for which this tertiary hospital was established, which are service, research and training, have failed totally. UNTH being on strike is better. The hospital has been turned to a money-collecting centre, where patients are made to pay for oxygen when they did not use same. In times of emergency, common investigations like HB, CT scan and blood bank tests cannot be done in the hospital. Patients are made to travel 20 km to private hospitals in the metropolis (Enugu) to do these tests, which compounds a simple ailment to a complex one… patients die as a result. We carry out surgeries with torch and candle lights following power failure and dysfunctional generators. It is only the poorest of the poor that comes to UNTH as a last resort”. When such scary claims of degeneration are laid bare against a hospital, whether federal or

ON THIS DAY April 4, 1979 President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan was executed. Ali Bhutto (January 5, 1928 – April 4, 1979) was a Pakistani politician and statesman who served as the 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that as the 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. He was also the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP); and served as its chairman until his execution in 1979.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

April 4, 2009 Three police officers were shot and killed during a shootout in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The killing occurred following a mother and her 22-year-old son’s argument over a dog urinating in the house. Richard Poplawski (22) opened fire on the Pittsburgh Police officers that were responding to a 9-1-1 call from Poplawski’s mother to get the police to remove her son from the home.

state-owned, the authorities ought to demonstrate genuine concern to redress the situation, which if allowed to rot further, could turn the hospitals in question to vectors of diseases instead of being facilities citizens run to in times of ill-health. Would the Delta State Health Commissioner prefer the Bomadi General Hospital to remain the way it allegedly was simply because the newshounds that stumbled on the filth did not bow before him to obtain his telephone number? Does it not prick his conscience that a secondary medical care giver like the said general hospital had no single medical doctor to attend to patients; and what manner of medical doctor that plies his or her trade in deference to human dignity and global best medical standards would work in a hospital environment not befitting for even quacks? The government at federal or state level should not be contented with the overzealousness, pretensions and cover-ups of officials charged with sensitive public assignments, when what is really required is probing what led to embarrassing system failures and taking drastic steps to reverse the situation for the better. This is exactly what we feel should be the case for the purpose of reclaiming Bomadi General Hospital, UNTH and others like them nationwide.

x April 4, 2013 More than 74 people died, including 18 children, 23 women and 33 men, while more than 100 others survived in a building collapse in Thane, India. The search for additional survivors ended on April 6, 2013. The building was under construction and did not have an occupancy certificate for its 100 to 150 low-to-middle-income residents. It was reported that the building was illegally constructed and lacking in standard practices.

A2 18

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DO YOU WISH TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

NICON PROPERTIES LTD

APAPA, VICTORIA ISLAND

WE HAVE OUR CLIENT’S INSTRUCTIONS TO SELL, BUY, MANAGE AND HELP YOU OUT IN THE AFOREMNTIONED CITIES PLEASE CONTACT US TODAY AT NICON PROPERTIES 3RD FLOOR NIGERIAN REINSURANCE BUILDING, 784a HERBERT MACAULAY WAY CBD, ABUJA 08067770999 & 08033203414 Email:niconpropertiesltd@gmail.com.www.niconpropertieslimited.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

A3 19

Cover

2016 Budget:

National Assembly, Abuja

Assessing capital budget performance prospects amid Appropriation Bill’s delay Stakeholders call for efforts towards reversing the trend of budget delay which often leads to poor budget implementation is apt even as the capital expenditure segment of the nation’s budget continues to suffer resulting in huge infrastructure deficit and lack of development. Udo Onyeka reports

he Federal Government’s budget is the lifeline of any economy. Government fiscal dynamics remains a major gauge of business confidence. Government spending on contractors, import bills, wages and allowances triggers other multiplier effects across the broad spectrum which translates into increased activities across the sectors. This obviously trickles down right through the entire value chain down to the small businesses that get contracts for

supplies and even to the food vendors. It therefore means that if government fiscal framework represents such a major lifeline to the economy, it should be expected of the managers of the nation’s treasury to ensure the prompt release and implementation of the government’s budget. Since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999, the country has barely implemented any of its budgets fully within any fiscal year. One of the major reason for this being the delay in passing the and assenting to it

by both the legislative and the president. Therefore apology for inability to implement previous year budgets has become a regular feature of almost all presidential budget speech to the joint houses of the national assembly since 2000. So it was no surprising to many the controversy brewing between executive and the legislative over signing the 2016 budget into law. President Muhammadu Buhari through his Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly

Matters, House of Representatives, Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu, had said last week that until the budget details were submitted for scrutiny, it would not be assented to by the President. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, said the President was at liberty to assent to the budget or refuse to do so. Jibrin said he was sure that the statement did not emanate from the Presidency as former President Olusegun Obasanjo assented to

the budget during his administration without the details. He, however, assured that details of the budget would be made available to the Presidency within the next two weeks, insisting that from the side of the National Assembly, the budget had been passed. “There is nothing that has happened so far that is abnormal. Let me put it straight and clear that I doubt that such a statement could come from the Presidency, knowing fully the challenges we went through during the budgeting process. “Ordinarily, the National AssemContinued on pg A4 UDO ONYEKA, EDITOR BUSINESS COURAGE udonyeka@gmail.com c

Global Media Mirror Limited

A4 20

Business Courage

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 4, 2016

Cover Continued from pg A3

Bukola Saraki, Senate President

country as at December 2012”. This number must have risen. A seasoned financial analyst and management consultant, Dr Boniface Chizea, speaking concerning the 2015 Budget last had said the country has not had good record as a country with budget implementation. “We graft beautiful budgets that end up adorning shelves in offices without implementation and it is therefore little surprising that this country has not made the sort of focused progress it should have made by now. President Buhari recently mandated the National Planning Commission to go ahead and reduce the recurrent budget in Budget 2015 but there was no talk regarding the N800bn that has been included in the budget for capital expenditure. “The fact remains that there will be no development if all we do is concern ourselves with recurrent expenditure. What will facilitate development in the economy, it goes without saying, is the implementation of capital budget”, Chizea had said. A Lagos based financial consultant Kassim Lasaki said the continous delay in passing and signing the nation’s budget has always negatively affected the private sector. He said the private sector is always in anticipation of the Federal Government budget. The budget he said determines what will be the likely government expenditures; what will be the likely interest rates and what will be the likely exchange rates. “Budget outlines government’s current fiscal policies. These policies in turn shape the socio-economic outlook for the year. With this, investment options and directions are made. When these expectations are delayed, it creates fiscal uncertainties. The effective and timely execution of quarterly and annual work plans is certainly more difficult if funds are not released”, he said. According to him the Private sector players doing business with government agencies and

Udo Udoma

institutions still find it a challenging exercise because of late payment for jobs done, nonpayment for jobs done in some cases and disregard for contractual agreements. “Over the years, budget delays and poor implementation by the executive arm of government at the local, state, and federal levels have sabotaged key public infrastructure. This sad development has unfortunately led to a steady increase in the cost of doing business in Nigeria. Foreign investors are being scared away. Several multi-national companies either have relocated to neighbouring countries or are contemplating doing so. Nigeria has painfully missed several opportunities of being a preferred country of destination for international investors, ” he noted. The Capital budget in 2015 will be further undermined by the falling price in crude petroleum products. “It will be recalled that the budget benchmark was $53 per barrel and most certainly it is not looking good the prospects of meeting this benchmark and once we have shortfall in this connection it goes without saying that the implementation of the Capital Budget is going to be further affected and therefore we should expect the President to submit a supplementary budget for legislative consideration as soon he appoints the ministers that will help him run the affairs of the country”, Chizea said. An Abuja-based development economist, Odilim Enwegbara in his advocacy piece titled: “Nigeria needs stringent budget deadlines”, expressed optimism about the possibilities of change under the current dispensation and he also emphasised the need for firm rules.

Jibrin

“Since overseeing budget planning and execution is now the core responsibility of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, there is no doubt that henceforth, there wouldn’t be any justifiable reason for any future lateness in both budget presentation and its implementation in Nigeria. In other words, the lateness in the presentation of the 2016 budget ought to be the last in the history of budget presentation in the country. “Insistence on early budget presentation has some obvious advantages. First, it gives an ample opportunity for lawmakers to exhaustively deliberate on it and harmonise differences emanating from the two chambers of the National Assembly. Second, there’s enough time for procurement, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation planning. “Third, the level of transparency that accompanies public participation makes budget more responsive to the needs and priorities of the citizens. Fourth, in promoting transparency, it becomes a fiscal instrument for promoting strategic priorities that deliver maximum value for money, as well as ensure that borrowed money is truly used in promoting growth and development. “Also, early budget presentation, passage and signing will always make it extremely difficult to bypass the stringent public procurement rules as mandated by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act, especially since these rules are made purposefully to engender transparency and accountability”, Enwegbara said. He said to ensure stringent implementation, the law should re-emphasise that the budget cannot be presented without be-

‘

Over the years, budget delays and poor implementation by the executive arm of government at the local, state, and federal levels have sabotaged key public infrastructure. This sad development has unfortunately led to a steady increase in the cost of doing business in Nigeria

‘

bly should not have responded to the issues raised but we are duty-bound to put the issues into perspective and put records straight, even though we doubt very much if the Presidency will issue such a statement, knowing the challenges the budget has faced so far. “The general public should note that the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and 2016 budget proposal came to NASS very late. You will also recall that a lot of dust was raised over different versions of the budget circulated in the National Assembly. Further, some ministers disowned the content of the budget during defence before NASS. “Amid these inconsistencies and discrepancies, the NASS had been deeply engrossed in perfecting the anomalies inherent in the 2016 Appropriation Bill”, Jibrin said. According to Jibrin, in order for the nation to move forward and avoid stagnation of administrative processes, the tradition is that the bill is passed and forwarded to the Presidency for assent, while the lawmakers continue to work on the details. “There is nothing abnormal about this practice and yet nothing abnormal about a President assenting a budget before or after seeing the details. In any case, the budget details are usually sent within a week or two after passing the budget. “In view of the inconsistencies, errors, omissions and padding that characterised the 2016 Budget, it would be unpatriotic of NASS to forward the budget details without being extra-careful, meticulous and cautious in discharging its duties.This are to ensure we do not make same mistake that the executive made. “We have been working day and night, we are doing our best, we have been very generous to the executive arm of government. With all these series of challenges in the course of working on the budget, I doubt very much that the executive arm of government or the Presidency, knowing what has transpired in the last few months, will be throwing stones at the National Assembly, ” the lawmaker had said. According to a financial analyst Mr Francis Obi efforts should be directed towards reversing the trend of poor budget implementation. He said for instance as at September 2014, less than 60 per cent of the 2014 budget has been implemented. He noted that as a result of the weaknesses of the traditional line item budgeting approach being used, new projects are easily inserted in each year’s budget while uncompleted projects in the previous year become abandoned, adding that “the government estimated that there are over 6,000 of such uncompleted and/or abandoned projects existing across the

ing accompanied with its Annual Cash Plans and Disbursement Schedule as mandated by sections 25 and 26 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, adding that “it should also insist on the illegality of turning the weekly Federal Executive Council, Wednesdays, meetings into a lobbying ground for such indiscriminate budget implementation rather than for sharpening national economic policies and strategies”. Many analysts have however said key factors responsible for delay in Federal Government budget approval and implementation, bureaucracy in the public sector and government, political differences, corruption, self and group interests and Over dependant on crude oil. Other reasons include: Interference from nongovernment functionaries, late preparation and failure to learn from past mistakes. However what is disturbing many analysts in the present quagmire between the Presidency and, by extension, the executive arm of government, and the National Assembly, is that the economy is nose-diving with the common man, bearing the brunt. “The President would still be globetrotting in the guise of attending to state matters. Also, the lawmakers would continue to enjoin themselves with huge state funds allocated to them. It is worthy of note that many foreign investors are pulling their money out of the country. “As Nigeria lags, other countries in sub-Saharan Africa have gotten more appealing. Last month, Nigeria fell from first to fourth, behind Ivory Coast, Kenya and Tanzania, in a ranking of business prospects by the research unit of Nielsen Holdings Plc. Portfolio investors including Aberdeen Asset Management Plc and Ashmore Group Plc, which together oversee about $450bn of assets, have retreated from Nigerian markets. The main stock index is down 10 percent this year, while the MSCI Frontier Markets Index has lost 2.8 percent2, a report had said recently. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

A5 21

News Trucks minimum standarards to ensure safety, security at ports – NPA Francis Ezem

he Nigerian Ports Authority NPA has said that the primary objetive of the newly introduced Minimum Standarsds on haulage trucks that operate at the nation’s seaports was to ensure the safety and security of port users. The exercise which saw the registrtion of over 2,000 trucks applied some basic minimum standards for all the trucks, also imposed a N10, 000 annual sticker fee to be paid by each certified truck. Managing Director of the authority, Malam Habib Abdullahi, who performed the official flag off of the enforcement of the implementation of the new policy in Lagos said that the primary objective of the exercise was to ensure safety and security of port users as well as entrench a regime of accountability and public safety in every aspect of port operations. According to him, the decision of the authority to embark on the standardisation of trucks is part of the core responsibilities of NPA by ensuring that haulage vehicles that pick and drop consignments at the nation’s seaports comply with the required international standards of practice. “For several years, there have been many cases of containers falling off the haulage trucks have been rampant through which scores of innocent citizens have been killed, this is of great concerns to us”, the managing director said emphatically. He insisted that as part of efforts to reverse this ugly trend, the authority felt it should make the haulage trucks to comply with global standards in managing such haulage fleet, adding that it is also the responsibility of NPA to ensure that all such trucks entering the seaport are properly maintained and secure. While reacting to the decision of some truck operators not to pay the N10, 000 annual sticker fee, said that its introduction was with the best of intentions, as it was originally higher than that but had to be reduced to accommodate everybody. He however disclosed that the N10,000 sticker to be paid annually is to cover the administrative cost of the new truck regulatory regime, which according to him is heavily subsidised by NPA. He therefore urged the truck operators to cooperate with NPA in its renewed efforts to ensure a safe and secure port environment.

L – R: Head, Corporate Services Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Bola Adeeko; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar N. Onyema; Yusuff Ogunsola; Mukhtar Muhammed; Boluwatiwi Omidiji; Edidiong Etuk; Princess Kele-Nzeh; Yetunde Fatungase; Chimaobi Nduwugwe; (Graduated Students), Loretta Balla; Head, Human Resources, NSE, Pai Gamde; Executive Director, Capital Market Division, NSE, Haruna Jalo-Waziri and Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE, Ade Bajomo, at the Closing Gong Ceremony in celebration of NSE Graduate Trainee Programme Class of 2016 Graduation Ceremony at the Exchange

On the alleged cases of extortion by some security and traffic officials, he enjoined the leadership of the various truckin associations to encourage their members report all cases of extortion by any security official at port gates to his office. Meanwhile, General Manager, Western Ports of NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi, who also spoke at the event disclosed that more than 2,000 trucks including those belonging to fleet owners, terminal operators have so far been registered. Some of the terminal operators and fleet owners whose trucks were registered are Greenview Development Nigeria Limited GDNL, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group, ENL Consortium and Flour Mills of Nigeria plc, among several others.

eral government deficit would grow further after doubling to 3.7 per cent of GDP in 2015. The IMF executive board said Nigeria needed to urgently implement policies to safeguard fiscal sustainability, reduce external imbalances and advance structural reforms that promote more inclusive growth. “Directors emphasised the critical need to raise nonoil revenues to ensure fiscal sustainability while maintaining infrastructure and social spending,” the IMF said. “They urged a gradual increase in the VAT rate, further improvements in revenue administration, and a broadening of the tax base.” Discussions between Nigeria and the World Bank are continuing on a possible loan or credit facility that is tied to policy reforms of government.

Nigeria’s GDP growth to drop by 2.3% in 2016- IMF

he International Monetary Fund, IMF, has again cut its growth forecast for Nigeria as the country faces “substantial challenges” from low crude prices. In its annual review of Nigeria’s economic situation, the IMF said that gross domestic product growth would slow to 2.3 per cent in 2016 from an estimated 2.7 per cent in 2015. In February, after IMF officials visited the country, the Fund had forecast 3.2 per cent growth for Nigeria in 2016. “Key risks to the outlook include lower oil prices, shortfalls in non-oil revenues, a further deterioration in finances of state and local Governments, deepening disruptions in private sector activity due to constraints on access to foreign exchange, and resurgence in security concerns,” the IMF said in a statement. It added that Nigeria’s gen-

Ogunsanwo

LIRS urges firms, individuals on tax compliance Udo Onyeka

agos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, has commenced the prosecution of tax evaders and offenders in Lagos State on April 1. According a statement signed by Head, Corporate Affairs, LIRS, Monsurat Amasa, under the Personal Income Tax Act,

a taxable person is statutorily required to file a return of income for the preceding year within 90days from the commencement of every year of assessment, March 31, is the deadline, whilst any employer of labour is required to file all emoluments paid to its employees for the preceding year, not later than 31st of January each year. The statement said that any taxable person or corporate organisation who fails to file their tax returns with LIRS by the stipulated date is in breach of the provisions of the law, which is a criminal offence that is punishable under the tax laws. The LIRS, having put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the enforcement of the tax laws and warned all erring taxpayers to comply, adding that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on taxable persons who fail to file requisite returns as provided by the law. “While many taxpayers have complied willingly by filing their returns in the last months, it is disheartening to note that in spite of all efforts by the LIRS, a large fraction of eligible taxpayers are still not complying, thereby failing to contribute to the common purse for the common good of all. “In the wake of little or no proceeds from the federation account, the focus of the present administration in renewing infrastructure and general development of the State cannot be achieved by the attitude of those who deliberately refuse to discharge their civic responsibility to the State. “Without revenue, all of those things that facilitate our progress as a civilized community will not materialize, if there are no infrastructural developments like roads to get to business sites businesses cannot thrive, if we do not have all the services that government is compelled to offer such as

security, education, healthcare, and law and order as it is being proffered by the court then we cannot make progress collectively”, the statement said. LIRS has in the last three months embarked on massive advocacy and enlightenment programmes, taking people through a process of education on the laws bordering on tax administration and the need and benefits of paying their taxes as at when due. According to the agency there has been initiatives to ease the methodology of paying taxes in Lagos, starting with the simplification of our tax payment processes, through the compression of the ‘Tax Form A’ from 6pages to 2 pages, introduction of new payment platforms, e-submission of annual returns, creation of the LIRS hotline (0700CALLLIRS) and help desks in all tax stations, relaxation of requirements for replacement of lost e-TCC among others, all of which are focused on building convenience into the payment of taxes and subsequently promoting voluntary compliance. Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, said the agency has a robust database that captures all taxable individuals and firms in Lagos State as well as transactions for the purpose of audit, so there is no hiding place for any tax evader’’. He therefore calls on every taxable person in Lagos State to take advantage of the window on or before the March 31st deadline to ensure that his or her tax return has been duly filed. He added that Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice will through the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit commence prosecution of tax defaulters in Lagos State without further notice.

Adeosun advocates sustainable, inclusive growth for Africa

he Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has called for sustainable and inclusive growth for Africa. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Festus Akanbi, Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister on Friday in Abuja. The statement said that the minister made the call at a high-level seminar of G20 Finance Ministers held in Paris last week end.. It said that the Finance Ministers met to discuss current challenges to the international financial architecture and ways of combating macroeconomic volatility. The seminar, it added, assessed volatility in capital flows and their impact on global

A6 22

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Adeosun

economic conditions. The statement quoted Adeosun as saying that the first line of defence was sound macroeconomic policies, adding that Africa in general and Nigeria specifically, had been tackling with series of fiscal housekeeping initiatives. Adeosun said that there had been excessive focus on Gross Domestic Product ,GDP, as a measure of economic progress, which often concealed vulnerabilities, particularly inequalities. She, therefore, called for a more holistic measure of economic growth and essential component of more careful management of capital flows to build better economic mapping. She also stressed the need for surveillance to manage risks and spill over, adding that this should be a priority for G20 Finance Ministers. Adeosun highlighted the risks associated with international capital flows and warned that African economies needed to be insulated from the disruptive effects of volatile short term portfolio flows. ``Africa can build the necessary resilience, but there must be more careful management of capital flows and a move toward long term and sustainable growth,’’ she said. She also called for more understanding and flexibility for Africa to grow and protect key markets as developed countries had done. The minister also called for long term partnerships and foreign direct investment into African economies to deliver the necessary investment, particularly in infrastructure, to unlock sustainable growth. The statement said that the meeting was called at the request of China, which is chairing the G20 this year, and aims to make reform of the world’s financial architecture a top priority. The statement said that the Managing Director, International Monetary Fund ,IMF, Christine Lagarde, Vice-President, European Commission, Valdis Dombrovkis, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Zhou Xiaochuan, attended the

occasion. Others were Governor of the Banque de France, François Villeroy de Galhau; Minister of Finance and Public Accounts, France, Michel Sapin, and Minister of Finance, Germany, Wolfgang Schäuble. It said that Chancellor of the Exchequer, United Kingdom, George Osborne, and Minister of Economy and Finance, Italy, Pietro Padoan, also made the list of those that attended the event. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. The members include 19 individual countries and the European Union.

DPR sanctions 15 filling stations in Kano, Jigawa

he Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, said it had sanctioned 15 filling stations in Jigawa and Kano state for various offences in the dispensing of petrol. The Department’s Controller in charge of both states, Alhaji Isa Tafida, made this known to news men in Kano on Friday after monitoring some filling station in the city. He said that one of the erring stations was charged for breaking the seal of the department, in addition to the offence of selling above approved pump price. Tafida said that the station paid fines of N1 million for breaking the seal and addition to N300, 000 for selling above approved price. He said that the sanction on the station would serve as warning to all petroleum marketers to desist from breaking the seal of the department. He appealed to the media and the public to assist the department in monitoring the stations and identify those selling above approved pump price or engaging in sharp deals.

According to him, shippers are almost grounded. ``The cost of doing business has not changed that much. Each terminal has its own peculiar challenges. ``Some terminals are no-go areas, especially one of the car terminals in Lagos, because of some overzealous officers’ negative activities,’’ he told NAN. He explained that some vessel operators preferred to discharge at the nearest port of Cotonou. Nicol also said that the double payment of handling fees to Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, had not been checked. ``Demurrage charges have not changed. As a matter of fact, is (demurrage) getting out of hand in some terminals because of ``frivolous ‘’ queries raised on Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). ``We as shippers have spoken. We await immediate action of the Federal Government to make the maritime industry normal. ``We are operating in an abnormal environment at the moment,’’ the shipper said. In the week under review, the Federal Government was advised to make efforts to retain the hosting right of the Headquarters of the Regional Maritime Bank, presently being touted to go Democratic Republic of Congo. The Chairman, Committee of Experts on the Regional Maritime Bank, Chief Chris Orode, who gave the advice, said that the Franco-phone countries were angling for the headquarters of the bank to be ceded to Central Africa. Orode said that he had brought this to the attention of government, adding that government had started giving the regional bank serious consideration. According to him, Nigeria has the cargo traffic, the population and in a good position to retain the headquarters of the Regional Maritime Bank in Abuja. Orode said that the bank would serve 25 countries from Angola to Mauritania in the West and Central Africa. NAN reports that the 25

Shippers groan under high charges – Association

resident of the Shippers Association Lagos State, Mr Jonathan Nicol, said on Friday that shippers (importers and exporters, were going through hard moments and operating under high charges. Nicol stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos, as maritime activities closed for the week.

Nicol

countries constitute the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), a body that gave Nigeria the final approval to host and start the bank. NAN also reports that the idea to establish the regional bank was mooted at the Bureau of Transport Ministers’ meeting in Angola in 2005 and Nigeria agreed to host the headquarters. The approval for Nigeria to host the banks’ headquarters came through the 13th General Assembly of MOWCA in Dakar, Senegal in July 2008.

Oando explains delay in filing 2015 financial result

“While we are actively restructuring the business to adapt to this difficult period, we are optimistic and steadfast in our commitment to return to profitability in 2016,” it added. It would be recalled that SEC had in November 2015 sanctioned for delayed filing of its audited financial statements (AFS) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014. It was sanctioned for violating post-listing obligations in accordance with applicable rules of the Exchange. Oando then filed its 2014 result and that of its first quarter and half year 2015 interim unaudited accounts on Oct. 23, 2015.

ando Nigeria Plc on Friday explained the delay in the release of its audited result for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2015 before the March 31 deadline, as required by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rules. The company in a statement made available in Lagos said its 2015 audited result would be ready on or before May 31, 2016. The statement noted that the company had worked diligently with its external auditor, Ernst & Young ,“EY”, to ensure a swift conclusion to the audit process. ``The management of Oando would like to advise its valued shareholders, stakeholders and the wider investor community that from available indications, iwe are unlikely to complete the 2015 audit.’’ It stated that after reviewing the financials, EY indicated that the accounts may likely need to be referred to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRC, pursuant to Rule 5 of the recently publicised FRC Rules. ``We expect the process to be concluded on or before May, 31, 2016. However, this is dependent on the completion of the external review process as referred to above,” the statement said. The company also disclosed that the 2015 full year earnings would be lower in line with the third quarter 2015 performance. ``The company’s management would also like to bring to the attention of its shareholders and the investor community that the accounts of the company for 2015 would be in line with its Q3 2015 performance,” said the statement. It explained that the expected decline was attributable to the industry’s downturn, prevalent economic headwinds, fiscal and monetary restrictions driven by challenging macro environment.

Chime

Dangote Group assures Nigerians of quality products

angote Group has assured Nigerians of quality products at the ongoing 27th Enugu International Trade Fair on Friday. The South East Zonal Director of the company, Mr Tunde Mabogunje, gave the assurance in Enugu, stressing that the company always work hard to ensure that all its products were of high standard. Mabogunje said that the products were always affordable, adding that they were cheaper than every other product both in the supermarkets and open markets. The director said that the company was embarking on sales promotion for all products at the fair, explaining that ``if a customer buys two cartons of Dangote noodles, he or she will get one extra carton free.’’ The President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, said that Dangote group had added a lot of value to the growth of the Nigerian economy. Chime said he had no doubt that in the years to come; the company would become not just a big industry player in Nigeria and Africa but the entire globe in the creation of wealth and employment generation. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

A7 23

Companies & Markets

Firm to unveil IT platform to curb kidnapping, car theft Udo Onyeka

ith the incidence of insecurity, phone and car theft on the increase, the Nigerian public may no longer have to fret as a technology firm launches new server platform, capable of tracking humans, phones and vehicles. The said server according to the host firm, Fastanet Limited is also capable of tracking containers even at sea, railway trains and other objects that are not mobile. Announcing the availability of the server, Mr. Olisa Anene of Fastanet said although the company has been in business of utilizing high technology security equipment in securing the assets and valuables for the past five years, the introduction of the new server platform was the firm’s way of supporting the efforts of the government to provide good security for her citizenry. “Of recent, Nigeria like any other emerging economy is faced

with a lot of security challenges. In response to the effort of the federal government to provide good security for her citizens, Fastanet has gone ahead to invest in a robust and versatile server platform essentially for telematics solutions. We believe that all hands must be on deck to support government in ensuring secure environment for Nigerians and their assets.” Speaking on how the server platform works to secure phones, Anene said, “for phone, the server will interact with it through the imei number; even if somebody removes your sim and puts another, as long as there is data on that phone, it will surely report its location. One major advantage of this is that it will aid security. A person we did it for in London said he is afraid to come to Nigeria because of this kidnapping issue but we know that one thing kidnappers do now is that they use the phone of the kidnapped victim to communicate so as

they are making call, you know where they are and this will help police in carrying out their rescue operations.” He said the only way the server cannot track a missing phone is where the phone is switched off, but will however give the last location of the phone. Anene explained that the configuration for phone tracker can be done at the comfort of a person’s home as it just requires the intender to follow some guidelines. “You don’t need to bring the phone to us, there is a software we will guide you to download, we have developed a procedure, step by steps, once you contact us, we will tell you where to go to, once you finish with the procedure, you will send us the imei number which the downloaded software can also pick up for you.” In tracking trains, the Fastanet boss said they use hybrid tracker that combines both satellite and GPRS connection such that when the train goes out of

network area, it connects to satellite and back to GPRS whenever it finds network. In the area of tracking of vehicles, Anene stressed that the tracker does much than just tracking. According to him, it will also enable the client to know the exact measurement of fuel their vehicle has used, behavior of their driver such as when a vehicle is stationery, how many minutes it is stationed, when a vehicle is moving, when the engine is on and the vehicle is not moving, when it starts and when it stops, the direction the vehicle is moving, if it is over speeding, when a vehicle is off its route and can scan and tell when a vehicle is due for servicing. “This platform can scan your vehicles on a continuous basis and give you report; all the sensors most of these handheld scanners are doing, it scans it through the equipment that would be installed in the vehicle. When talking about vehicles we mean every vehicular item.” BC

First Bank accounts for 45% bills payment on ATM

irst Bank of Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, said it has continued to maintain leadership position in the banking sector as it presently accounts for 45 percent of bills payment services on ATM in 2015. According to a statement signed by Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, as at December 2015, about 275,000 bill payments were made through the bank’s Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, while the value of airtime purchase on all its ATMs was about N3 billion. It said the bills payment option is one of the features of FirstBank’s ATMs, which also have other unique functional features which include cash transfer, airtime top-up, cash deposit among others. “The bills payment option is the non-cash transaction feature on the ATM that makes it easier for customers to pay for bills such as Cable TV subscription, post-paid phone bills, and pre- booked airline tickets. These transactions can be executed through the Quickteller option on any of the bank’s ATMs “The Transfer feature enables customers to transfer money from their accounts to both intra ,within FirstBank and interbank ,other banks, accounts, thereby reducing the queues in the banking hall, save time as well as provide a more convenient op-

tion for customers’ money transfer needs”, the statement said. Ani-Mumuney, said to reach out to more customers and in line with its strategy to drive ease of service in banking, FirstBank is presently leading in the industry as the bank with the highest number of ATMs with about 2,700 ATMs deployed across the country, making it the nation’s financial institution with the widest retail footprint. She said the bank is also currently responsible for over 40 percent of interbank transactions and 27 percent of airtime vending. As active mobile network users in Nigeria are over 151 million and the need to recharge is on the increase, the bank’s ATMs also provide the platform for easy top-up. To further enhance convenience, FirstBank’s ATMs also operate the Cash Deposit func-

Ani-Mumuney

tion which allows customers to deposit funds without customarily having to enter a banking hall for this transaction. This is a direct testament to its value proposition of putting customers first. The bank’s spokesperson, said this distinct development was

achieved as a result of the bank’s desire to reach out to more people in the country and as part of living true to putting customers at the heart of our business. “FirstBank is positioned to meet the needs of its customers and to reach out to the under banked and unbanked. Our mission is to make banking as convenient for our customers as is obtainable globally”, she said. She said that to aid the use of its ATMs nationwide and for enhanced protection of customers’ funds, the Bank has, in particular, designed innovative and tailored-made financial services products to ease banking transactions. A major product is the FirstBank Verve Debit card, a Naira denominated domestic payment card accepted for payment throughout Nigeria on all electronic channels, including the ATMs. BC

Forte Oil raises N100bn for expansion

Olagbende

orte Oil company is planning to raise about 100 billion naira ($503 million) to expand its operations in the country, and will seek shareholder approval at its annual general meeting this April . The company may raise the funds through a rights issue, bond or share offering, or global depository receipts, according to a statement issued on Thursday. “The capital raising is part of our preparations to take ad-

vantage of opportunities in the economy,” said Akinleye Olagbende, Forte Oil’s chief compliance officer. Olagbende said the company could explore opportunities in the upstream sector of the oil industry and tap into other viable businesses to bolster its bottom line. In January, Forte Oil reported a profit before tax of 7.02 billion naira for its 2015 financial year compared with 6.01 billion naira the previous year. BC

Regulation transforming Africa’s insurance sector – Survey

here are indications to suggest that the insurance industry in Africa and in particular South Africa are being transformed, according to KPMG’s South African Insurance Survey 2015. The survey says, some of the changes in South Africa’s insurance sector have been as a result of regulatory and accounting changes. It adds that the sector remains concerned about GDP growth and high unemployment. Raimund Snyders, Mutual & Federal’s chief executive officer told CNBC Africa that South Africa’s insurance industry was under pressure just like the rest of the economy. “The insurance industry in a developed insurance market grows with the economy and it is unlikely that one will see the sector growing outside of the growth trend of the economy,” Snyders told CNBC Africa. He added that, when the economy is under pressure one way of remaining afloat is staying closer to the customers and being efficient. The report also says the global risk landscape was marred by political conflict in both emerging and developed markets. It adds that this had its own upside challenges. “Investing in these markets or other developing markets can offer great opportunities if you are able to effectively manage your exposure to the prevailing political risks,” said the report. Political risks prevalent in emerging economies presented opportunities for actors in this space.“The underwriting of political risk insurance, locally and internationally, is a dynamic and growing business. The challenges faced by business today are fundamentally different to those 20-30 years ago. Current worldwide events highlight the growing need for political risk insurance globally,” added the report. BC

Snyders

A8 24

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brand Watch

CSR: BAT, firm partner to boost cassava productivity Stories by David Audu

n continuation of its policy of investing in communities to positively impact the lives of smallholder farmers across Nigeria, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, BATNF, recently rehabilitated the Cassava Processing Cottage at Ago-Are, in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. The Executive Director, BATNF, Oluwaseyi Ashade, said that the rehabilitated cassava processing cottage industry was initially commissioned and handed over to the community in 2004. Due to expansion of agricultural activities, especially the cassava value-chain enterprise, a request for facility expansion, toincrease cassava processing into various derivatives, was made by the Ago Are agrarian community in 2015,

which the Foundation honoured. “Our work in supporting smallholder farmers in rural communities in Nigeria is our answer to the challenge of poverty and our approach to transforming the society to self-sufficient people who can feed themselves, earn an income from their farms through processing and feed the larger population. So far, the Foundation has established community development projects in all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, some of which have resulted in wealth creation and food security.” ” According to Ashade, the rehabilitation of Ago-Are Cassava Processing Cottage signposts the Foundation’s commitment to supporting efforts targeted at alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers. While urging the smallholder

Ashade

farmers to take advantage of this initiative to enhance their livelihood, Ashade added that with the handing over of the facilities, BATF expected that the ben-

eficiaries and the community at large will put the equipment into proper use in order to increase their productivity and income, thereby making life more meaningful to them, their household and the social-economic life of the community. The Aare of Ago-Are, His Royal Highness, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla II, while commissioning the cassava processing cottage, noted because agriculture is very key, it therefore becomes necessary to support and encourage smallholder farmers through periodic incentives that would enable them earn a better living. “In this regard, the exemplary role of BATNF in alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers is noteworthy and what we have witnessed today is not surprising as the Foundation is reputed for

its wealth creation agenda among smallholder farmers.” While acknowledging the foundation’s giant strides in agricultural development in Ago-Are, the monarch urged BATNF to also extend its interventionist schemes to the area of provision of potable water so as to enhance the livelihoods of all members of the community. Director of Rural Community Development in Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Pastor Yode Ayanlowo, who represented the state Governor, said that BATNF’s impressive agricultural interventions and development agenda have given Oyo State indigenes a renewed sense of hope. He reiterated the government’s willingness to continue to partner with the Foundation in its transformation drive by engendering an enabling environment. BC

Undergraduate wins Hyundai car at Cliqfest

n continuation of its engagement with Nigerian youths, Etisalat Nigeria’s Cliqfest train made its third stop for 2016 at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Ogun State last week as the two-day event culminated in the emergence of a HND1 student of Accounting, Ogundeyi Ayobami emerging winner of the star prize, a Hyundai i10 Car. An elated Ayobami was full of praises for Etisalat for giving him the wonderful opportunity to experience Cliqfest. “I never believed that I will win the car and I am still pinching myself to make sure it’s not a dream,” he

Matthew Wilsher, CEO, Etisalat

told newsmen. Speaking on the Cliqfest initiative with Nigerian students, Manager, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria,Debo Agun, described the engagement level with the students of MAPOLY as a great experience for the brand, pointing out that this is the second time the Cliqfest train will be visiting the school, having debuted at the school last year. “They were impacted on the first day of the seminar and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves during the concert and the football tournament which they didn’t want to end,” he said. He explained that through

Cliqfest, Etisalat has been to over 70 institutions of higher learning across the country. “I don’t think there is any brand or company that has been to as many campuses as Etisalat has done with Cliqfest, which is what makes us a truly Nigerian brand and one that is loved by youths,” he concluded Earlier, the students were treated to a concert which featured rap act; Reminisce, singer; Lil Kesh of the “Shoki fame and Nigerian Idol 4 winner; Evelle who performed hit after hits from their chart topping albums. Motivational speaker and life

coach, Niyi Adesanya anchored the seminar on the first day and spoke on the theme: “Activate your Dreams,” as he provided the students with a roadmap on how to succeed beyond the four walls of their school and in their professional careers. There was also a novelty football tournament, dance competitions, rap battles among the students and a music concert which featured singers and rappers from MAPOLY such as Pappy-Jay, Tonny Pliz, Shakes, Solak, Sirlammz and Dotman who thrilled their fellow students to renditions of their songs. BC

Communication experts, others caution banks on charges

n order to address excessive and multiple charges levied on customers’ account by Nigerian Banks, stakeholders in the integrated marketing communication industry gathered in Lagos recently to find a lasting solution to the incessant acts. Stakeholders who spoke at the one day symposium tagged: ‘’Banking in Nigeria: Developments and Customers Challenges’’ organized by Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, BJAN, recently to mark the World Consumer Rights Day to address one of the worst banking customers experience. Speaking at the event, the Chairman of TPT, a leading public relations agency, Mr. Tokunbo Modupe, who was the key speaker at the symposium said the both corporate and individual banking customers are worried by the cur-

rent trends of multiple and excessive charges. Modupe said while in year 2015 alone, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) investigated ‘over 6,000 complaints from banks’ customers and compelled banks ‘to refund the sum of over 6.2 billion to affected customers’, the apex bank however, failed to state the total amount claimed by customers, whether or not the affected customers were satisfied or not with the amount refunded and whether the culprit banks were sanctioned. He said such information would have assisted in appreciating the convergence or divergence of what was claimed and what was refunded, the feelings of the claimant customers about the final outcome of their complaints, and CBN’s ‘resolve’ to continuously enforce the provisions of the

Revised Guide to Bank Charges. “Of course, there have been many complaints by customers of banks about unauthorized and illegal charges. Such fleecing of the customers has become the rule rather than the exception. The excesses come under different descriptions such as management fees, processing fees, interest charges, commission on turnover, card maintenance fees, account maintenance fees, deposit, withdrawal and transfer telephone alert fees, and ATM fees. ‘’Even the recently introduced stamp duty charge has become another source through which they have commenced overcharging their customers. In one transaction, some banks send more than two text message alerts and charge for each. The banks, for reasons, such as greed, moral

Modupe

and professional bankruptcy, have often chosen to be the proverbial dogs eating the meat kept in their care. This has of necessity built distrust in the banks or the banking industry. This has had

adverse implications for CBN’s programme of financial inclusion as well as the volume of money outside the banking system and effectiveness of monetary policy,” he said. Also, the President of Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, CAFON, Mrs. Sola Salako, who rallied consumer advocacy groups penultimate week for a NoBankingDay protest, said banking customers should expect more shock as CBN is about to release banking charges for the next three years. She said from the draft copy published on CBN website, the annual card maintenance fee has now been brought back as monthly fee. “I plead to Nigerians to take time out to study the draft and starta conversation about it. This is the time for all of us to stand up against these,” she said. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

MNOs key to financial inclusion

Technotalk

he mobile network operators in the country have been identified as critical stakeholders in the success of the full digitisation of the financial services sector in Nigeria. Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho Etisalat, who made the observation while speaking at the 2016 eWorld Forum organised by Ajomedia identified four enabling factors that can facilitate the achievement of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s goal of the full digitisation of the financial services sector in Nigeria. Sowho who spoke on the subject, Financial Inclusion and Digital Financial Services said that the factors include interoperability of standards for money exchange across operators, agents and products, agent/ merchant distribution network that accept and processes clients’ transactions, technology platform or avenue by which digital financial

services are being provided to the target customers as well as product variety which addresses key pain points and creates value in the community. She called on relevant stakeholders in the digital financial services ecosystem to evolve ways that could help them remain relevant, assuring the commitment of Etisalat to seeking and creating more innovative ways to create value for consumers. She said, “Research results show that only 12 per cent are doing mobile banking while online banking has just 18 per cent of the population. This is a long road to our destination, and it calls for a strategic approach that involves the collaboration of all stakeholders.” She noted that there must be regulatory interventions in place to foster the right conditions for increased collaboration stressing that the banks must see and work towards the greater need for client-centric and digital mind set to increase customer

Mobile optimisation strategies you can’t afford to ignore

I Sowho

base and deposits while reducing cost to acquire and serve. “On our part, we are committed to efforts that will drive smartphone and broadband penetration to enhance the experience of customers who are expected to carry out financial services”, said Sowho. Etisalat Nigeria recently won the 2016 MobileMoneyExpo Kalahari Financial Inclusion Product of the Year Award for its contribution to the growth of the financial sector of the economy through its mobile money product, GTeasysavers. BC

Microsoft unveils innovations on Windows 10

icrosoft has revealed how it is working to aid the embrace of the new era of conversational intelligence and to create more personal computing for every customer, industry and business. Chief Executive Officer, Satya Nadella and Executive Vice President of Windows and Devices Group, Terry Myerson, while speaking with developers

Nadella

showcased improvements in Cortana and announced previews of new cloud services and toolkits designed to understand the world around us and create intelligent bots. Myerson announced the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which will deliver significant new innovations for consumers and developers for the Universal Windows Platform. “As an industry, we are on the cusp of a new frontier that pairs the power of natural human language with advanced machine intelligence,” said Nadella, adding that “At Microsoft, we call this Conversations as a Platform, and it builds on and extends the power of the Microsoft Azure, Office 365 and Windows platforms to empower developers everywhere.” He disclosed that with Windows 10 now running on over 270 million active devices, Microsoft is celebrating with its fans by delivering the Windows 10 Anniversary Update stress-

ing that this significant update will help interact with Windows 10 devices as naturally as users interact with the world around them. Myerson said, “We are dedicated to making Windows the most productive development environment for all developers, with all-new capabilities for the Universal Windows Platform and all-new tools for bringing apps to Windows 10 from any platform.” The Cortana Intelligence Suite, formerly known as the Cortana Analytics Suite, is powered by cutting-edge research into big data, machine learning, perception, analytics and intelligent bots. Built on Microsoft Azure, these capabilities can be used by developers and businesses to create intelligent end-to-end solutions, including new apps that learn about our world and bots and agents that interact with people in personalized, intelligent ways. BC

Airtel customers can now deactivate VAS subscription – Mokhles

irtel Nigeria, has introduced a new Service Short Code, which enables customers to choose, activate or deactivate their Value Added Service (VAS) subscription at any point in time. Customers are to dial *902# to choose from two options of either activating or deactivating a VAS or SMS service. The customer either presses 2 to deactivate or 1 to activate a

service. Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmad Mokhles, described the new offering as ‘placing power back in the hands of consumers’, as it enables them to easily decide what services to enjoy on the Smart Phone network. Mokhles said, “With the introduction of the service short code, Airtel as a customercentric brand has yet again,

with Esther Ozue (ozueesther@nationalmirroronline.net) 08059234648 (sms only)

– Sowho

Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

A9 25

broken new grounds and also set another benchmark for the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.” He added that this simplestep service short code offers our customers ‘freedom of choice’ which ties with our commitment towards enriching the lives of Nigerians through the provision of exceptional service experience, driven by innovative products and services.BC

don’t know about you, but I am glued to mobile technology from the moment I get up in the morning, until the moment I go to bed. I rely on my iPhone and iPad to help me in almost everything I do, including finding addresses and phone numbers for businesses to figure out the nearest outlet close to me and how to get there as quickly as possible. I know that mobile technology plays a huge role in everyday life and because of that, it’s becoming critical for businesses to get on board with mobile optimisation for business growth. Marketers often say that if you are ignoring mobile, you are losing visibility and losing market share. When I say mobile optimisation, I am not referring to building and optimising a mobile website but rather optimising your business to be found through mobile usage. However, I want to address five mobile optimisation strategies that your business can’t afford to ignore: Responsive web design First and foremost, having a website that is easily accessible from any mobile device is critical to the success of your business. Five years ago, this was accomplished by developing a “mobile version” of your website that would be served to you if you were on a mobile device. Today, mobile versions are phasing out and responsive designs which are a set of techniques and ideas working together have come to stay. For those who are unfamiliar with responsive web design, to put it simply, the website and each design element are resized based on the width of the browser. It doesn’t matter if you are viewing a site on a 24′ thunderbolt monitor, or an iPhone, the site will resize and be easy to use. This is just the first thing you need to do to get your business optimised for mobile. Maps Optimisation The second thing you need to do to get your business optimised is to make sure that you have your Google+ local page (Google Map) and your Bing and yahoo maps set up and optimised properly. If you have run any local search queries on a mobile device, they are triggering map results and if your map isn’t set up or optimised, you are losing potential revenue. Social media The third way to optimise your business for mobile is to get social! Social media consumption continues to grow every day and more people are using services like yelp and foursquare to find new places to eat and shop. They are also turning to their friends on twitter, facebook, linkedin, google+, instagram and so on. The goal here is to have a presence wherever your potential customers are, so be strategic about it. First understand who your customers are and then where and how to reach them. Siri The fourth way to get your business optimised for Mobile is to get serious about Siri as the demand for devices powered by iOS continues to grow, so will siri usage. I use Siri daily, and am positive that millions of other users do as well. Since Siri is so new, marketers are still testing and figuring out how to optimize to show up higher in the returned results. App Development The fifth and last way to get your business optimised for mobile is to develop a mobile app. This may sound unreasonable for many businesses, but the smart ones develop it and push it to their customers. Having a mobile app is not only perfect for increasing your stickiness and growing your customer lifetime value, but to also attract new customers. BC BC BC

A10 26

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Folorunsho Alakija:

The Amazon of Nigeria’s oil business She was born into a wealthy but highly polygamous family of eight wives and 52 children. But as fate would have it, she and her sister, Doyin survived. Today, the competitive spirit, passion and resilience which has become the hallmark of Folorunsho Alakija has put her on top of her game, emerging as the world’s richest black woman. This is the amazing story of Nigerian billionaire oil tycoon, fashion designer and philanthropist owner of Famfa Oil and Gas

erhaps, except those in the high class, who operates at the same pedestal with her, it is very likely that not many will know with certainty, who Folorunsho Alakija really is. Yet, this is one woman, whose philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavours stand her out of the crowd both in Nigeria and other parts of the world. This is the face behind Famfa Oil and Gas, operators of the highly lucrative OML 127, a 200,000 barrel per day oil exploration and production company. Born on July 15, 1951 into the wealthy but extremely polygamous family of the Olowus in the Ikorodu division of Lagos State, Folorunsho’s father, the late Pa Olowu had 52 children from eight wives but Folorunsho happens to be the second surviving child. Her mother was a fabric merchant, from whom she, at a very tender age, learnt how to market fabrics to Nigerian women. That was how she developed her business and fashion sense at the very early stage of her life. Folorunsho, according to her own account, had a very happy childhood and enjoyed her upbringing. At just seven years old, her parents decided to give her and sister, Doyin, an international education, sending them off to a private girls’ boarding school in Northern Wales, United Kingdom, where they were the only black people. Folorunsho and Doyin eventually adapted to their new life be-

coming Flo and Doy, monikers given by their English friends. After four years abroad, they returned to Nigeria at the behest of their parents who didn’t want them to lose their African values, culture and tradition. However, despite the robust childhood she enjoyed, her parents, not minding that only two of their 52 children survived did not treat Folorunsho and her sister, Doyin with kids’ gloves. She recalled with fond memories, sometimes in the early 1960s, when she just returned to Nigeria from her first educational years in England when her mother sent her to take a note to her father at home. By the time she got to her father’s room, the old man was having his nap. As she made tried to turn away with the note undelivered, her father said, ‘You might as well put it in my mouth.’ As a teenager, Folorunsho did as he said. “I put the note in his mouth. Suddenly, he jumped up, took his brush and spanked me hard several times while telling me that I was silly, stupid and disrespectful. I did not understand why I was being spanked; after all, I had done as he asked. I cried all the way as I ran back to my mother, hoping to find understanding, compassion and perhaps even approval from her,” she recounts. Surprising to her, rather than comfort her, her mother further scolded her, laughed at her and told the story to everyone who cared to listen. “I could

not fathom the “injustice” and wanted to get on the next plane out of Nigeria to England, as it seemed the whole of Nigeria was against me. I did not realise my folly until many years later as an adult,” she said. Many years after she returned from England, Folorunsho admitted remembering England with nostalgia and with the determination to return someday.” I was sure that something was still out there waiting for me, and that without it, life would just be meaningless. I applied for an international passport and a visa, which took ages. While waiting for all these documents, and because I was not quite sure what the future held in store for me, I decided to apply for my Higher School Certificate (HSC),” she recounted. Two years after completing her HSC studies, she got a job as a secretary at Sijuade Enterprises then located inside the Western House, Broad Street, Lagos and worked there for a year and half, marking her initiation into the corporate world. Along the line, Modupe Alakija, her husband, who at that time was her boyfriend, had heard of an opening at a new American bank that was planning to commence business in Nigeria. She applied, and in mid-1974, she was employed as the Executive Secretary to the Managing Director of The First National Bank of Chicago (formerly International Merchant Bank Limited and now Finbank Plc) at St. Gregory’s Road, Ikoyi.

Alakija

As the Executive Secretary, one of her first tasks was to organise the bank’s launch at a corporate reception, where everyone relevant in the banking industry was to be invited. “This was quite a responsibility, and I got to work in earnest. I was given quite a lot of free reign, and now, in retrospect, I realise that must have been what helped to sharpen my organisational skills, which have come in so handy in all my endeavours,” she said. With the astuteness with which she handled her assignment, Alakija’s progression along the corporate ladder was rather swift. With her creativity and organisational skills, she became the bank’s first Head of Corporate Affairs and excelled so much in that position so much that, two years later, she already had another responsibility waiting for her. This time,

in the bank’s treasury department, even though she had no prior core banking experience. Prior to that time, however, Folorunsho was selected along with ten others to attend an inhouse intensive banking course. She was the only non-professional banker and also the only one without a university degree, but when they were rated after the training and her result was outstanding “I was very proud. I brought a lot of excitement to my new role and made a lot of friends in the banking industry. I saw it as an avenue to practice my trading and business skills for which I had a natural flair,” she recollected. At that point in her banking career, when she had garnered enough exposure, and made many high profile friends and above all, had sufficient fund in her account, the idea of quitting the job to put steam to her

entrepreneurial dream grew higher. She wanted to start her own business in the fashion industry based on the experience she had learnt from her mother. After some initial hesitation, she opted out of the bank, and went back to England for a course in fashion design, thus fulfilling a lifelong desire to return to that part of her childhood. On returning to Nigeria in 1985, Alakija began what became an award-winning, pioneer fashion institution, Supreme Stitches, a premium Nigerian fashion label which catered exclusively to upscale clientele, from a three-bedroom apartment in Surulere, Lagos. The business thrived, and Alakija quickly made a tidy fortune, selling high-end Nigerian clothing to fashionable wives of military bigwigs and society women. One year later, she emerged as the nation’s best designer and a household name, catering to many society women. However, Folorunsho’s biggest break came in the early 90s when she got involved in the lucrative oil and gas business. As the story goes, the idea of investing in the sector was broached by a friend she met while was still actively involved in the world of fashion. As a starting point, she incorporated FAMFA Oil Limited, a family-run oil and gas exploration and production company in September 1991 and in May 1993, Alakija applied for an allocation of an Oil Prospecting License (OPL) under the regime of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida. The license to explore for oil on a 617,000 acre block – (now referred to as OPL 216), located approximately 220 miles South East of Lagos and 70 miles offshore Nigeria in the central Niger Delta was granted to Famfa Limited in August same year. . In February 1996, the name was changed to Famfa Oil Limited with the vision to be the leading indigenous oil and gas exploration and production company in Nigeria. Incidentally, OPL 216 was an oil bloc which no one wanted at that time for several reasons, it was this same oil bloc they got allocated. At that time, many wealthy Nigerian businessmen and military bigwigs who had been allocated oil blocs by the military administration had no clue as to the technicalities in operating an oil block, so many of them typically acquired OPLs, and then flipped them off to international oil companies for substantial profits. But Alakija was intelligent. She had no expertise or experience in running an oil field, but she decided not to sell off her license. In September 1996, she entered into a joint venture agreement with Star

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

‘

However, Folorunsho’s biggest break came in the early 90s when she got involved in the lucrative oil and gas business. As the story goes, the idea of investing in the sector was broached by a friend she met while was still actively involved in the world of fashion

Deep Water Petroleum Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Texaco) and appointed the company as a technical adviser for the exploration of the license, transferring 40 percent of her 100 percent stake to Star Deep. Subsequently, Star Deep sold off eight percent of its stake in OPL 216 to Petrobas, a Brazilian oil company, still leaving Folorunsho Alakija and her family with 60 per cent equity. Star Deep Petroleum carried on with exploitation of the oil field and in 2000, the first appraisal well was confirmed to have recoverable reserves in excess of one billion barrels of oil equivalent. The first well which was drilled in 1999, Agbami was the first prospect identified with the 3-D visualisation technology for finding exploration targets. The wildcat was 4,700 feet under water, which made it the deepest water depth well at that time. In 2000, the first appraisal well was confirmed to have recoverable reserves in excess of one billion barrels of oil equivalent, thus surpassing expectation and ranks among the largest single finds in deepwater West Africa. In August 2001, an additional 14 wells appraisal programme confirmed earlier reserve figures. With Peak production estimated at 200,000 barrels of Oil per day, Agbami is clearly a world class and high impact project. In February 2005, a unitization agreement was signed between licencees OPL 216 and OPL 217, where Statoil is the operator with Chevron as a partner. A Unitization agreement came to be because Agbami reservoir straddles between OPL 216 and OPL 217. Till date, wells have been drilled on the field. These include wells on OML 127 side of the field and wells on OML 128 side of the field. Incidentally, this discovery turned the government’s attention to the virtually abandoned bloc as the Federal Government at that time immediately ordered that a 40 per cent interest in OPL 216 be allocated to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the Back-in-Right Regulation of 2003 which gives the government participatory rights in any OPL or OML. The 40 per cent forceful acquisition means that Famfa was

‘

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

left with a 20 per cent stake even when the government did not pay for the stakes it allotted to itself. In 2003, Famfa applied for a conversion from an OPL to an OML, the request which was granted in 2004, thus turning OPL 216 to OML 127. Not contented with the 40 per cent it pulled from Famfa, the government again in 2005, forcefully acquired a further 10 per cent stake in OML 127. Expectedly, Folorunsho Alakija immediately went to the courts to challenge the government’s forceful acquisition which raised the government’s stake to 50 per cent and left Famfa with mere 10 per cent equity. The company filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge government’s forceful acquisition. Among other reliefs, it asked the court to declare that the decision of government to take 50 per cent stake in the licence was illegal and unconstitutional. It further asked the court to restrain the government from taking the said 50 per cent stake, claiming that government’s action was arbitrary and was not done in accordance with the due process. The company said that there ought to be a negotiation before government could take the 50 per cent stake. Expectedly, the Federal Government countered the submission and argued that it had the right to take the stake.

The Federal High Court agreed with the Federal Government, awarded the case to the government but Famfa proceeded to the appellate court which set aside the judgement of the High Court . The legal rigmarole did not ended there. The Federal Government, dissatisfied with the Appeal Court ruling, lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court. However, in May this year, the Supreme Court finally voided the government’s acquisition of a 50 per cent stake in OML 127 and subsequently transferred the 50 per cent stake back to Famfa Oil. In a unanimous judgement, the apex court held that the Minister of Petroleum Resources did not follow due process and the law in the forceful takeover of the 50 per cent interest in OML 127. It rejected the argument of the Federal Government that there was an agreement between it and the plaintiff (Famfa) allowing it (the government) to take up 50 per cent stake in the licence. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour who delivered the judgement of the court said: “The agreement executed by the parties was done in clear violation of the provisions of paragraph 35 of the 1st Schedule to the Petroleum Act. “It remains for all time a worthless piece of paper in the light of the long settled position of the law that parties even by consent cannot alter the provision of a statute.” The court held that though the Federal Government had a right to a participating interest of 50 per cent in OML 127, and indeed in any OML, it found that there was no compliance by the Minister of Petroleum Resources with the provisions of paragraph 35 of the 1st Schedule of the Petroleum Act. The court consequently de-

A11 27

clared the acquisition illegal and unconstitutional because it offended section 44 of the constitution. Section 44 (1) of the constitution states that “No moveable property or any interest in an immoveable property shall be taken possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the prescribed by a law.” Aside her interest in Famfa Oil, Folorunsho Alakija also has a real estate portfolio worth well over $100 million. Earlier this year, there were reports that Alakija acquired a property at One Hyde Park in the United Kingdom for $102 million through Rose of Sharon 5 Ltd. She is also reported to own a Bombardier Global Express 6000 which she bought earlier this year for about $46 million. Alakija has since turned to the next natural step of a successful businesswoman: giving back to her community. She became a more religious person at the age of 40 and from then on, she found passion in caring for the under-privileged. This passion led to the establishment of Rose of Sharon Foundation, a private, voluntary, non-profit, faith-based, non-governmental Organisation based in Lagos, established to serve as vehicle for easing the burdens of existence for widows and orphans, through community network amongst others. Believing that there is a particular stigma widows face that affects them adversely, her idea was to be a stop gap for these marginalised set, who by African culture and tradition lose out immediately after the death of their husbands. So her idea is to help provide a platform that aids by helping with interest free loans to at-least start a business or continue with one “Once they lose their husbands, the society turns their backs on them, their in-laws begin to mistreat them, they become depressed, they don’t know where to turn, they don’t know where their next meal is coming from.” So far, about four years after, Rose of Sharon has empowered about 3, 000 widows, providing them with workshops to connect with other widows and share their testimonies. These women also received monetary support, scholarships for their children and interest free loans to start up small businesses. Recently, Folorunsho was ranked as the world’s richest black woman, beating the record set last year by the American pop star actress, Oprah Winfrey. Her estimated networth is put at $3.3 billion. With a 200, 000 barrels per day daily production at OML 127, Alakija’s 60 per cent stake in a $10.74 billion oil well is worth $6.44 billion. BC

A12 28

Business Courage

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 4, 2016

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs KLINIC

With Mamora Victor Mamora is a system thinker and advisor whose belief and activator leadership strengths are directed towards improving workers perspective for city and enterprise development.

e-mail: olusegunmamora@gmail.com

aw provides a fair playground for everybody in any system, but only those who understand that maximise its benefits. Universal laws have no respect for selected persons, but everyone who has respect for it will experience its positive result. If the president of Nigeria and President of United States plant maize, the soil will not have respect for one president more than it would for the other simply because of the size of his country’s economy or political power. The law of seedtime and harvest will respond to both of them without bias and both presidents will harvest maize. If the poor man from California and another poor woman from Kumasi plant maize in the same soil, irrespective of their citizenship and national economy, both will reap maize. Dear friend, law works for everybody irrespective of the nationality or gender. Leverage on the opportunity that universal principles provide and experience success you desire. Some of the universal laws may be suspended but they cannot be destroyed. You will always need another universal law to suspend any universal law. For example, law of gravitational pull can be suspended through the law of aerodynamics. This is the principle that the Wright brothers leverage on to build the first flying object and the aviation business have respect for this law. The birds that fly do so by simply leveraging on the law of aerodynamics to move from place to place, they suspend the law of gravitational pull. The business success and sustainable expansion recorded by enterprises that have been around for century is because they leverage on universal laws. Principle or law makes business decision outcome predictable. A leader must look for point of advan-

tage always and universal law is it. One of the facts about law is that it makes life predictable and business success possible. Laws are levelers because they provide a fair playground for all, despite age, sex or status in life. An example is the Mark Zukerberg, the CEO of Facebook, who became a billionaire in his 20s. Law does not discriminate because of age. Obedience to principles brings providential help that results in miracles. Principle gives creative power for any people who have respect for it. Principle centre thinking makes an entrepreneur to accept responsibility for her startup. Listed below are five laws or principles that can help any entrepreneur experience business expansion. 1. “Law of Progress” This law says, “first within and then without.” The journey from grass to grace, rags to riches is an internal trip. All progress remains at a point of rest until mental force is applied. In the year 1998, I was a youth who was frustrated about life and was finding it difficult to succeed

Five laws of business expansion

‘

The business success and sustainable expansion recorded by enterprises that have been around for century is because they leverage on universal laws. Principle or law makes business decision outcome predictable

at attempt to get college education. Since I could not get into college, I opted to visit a Catholic organisation public library every morning and was always there reading different management, economy, and leadership topics for an average of 8 hours for about 2 years. Over time, I realised that my confidence and approach to life improved significantly and the outcome was very encouraging. My emphasis is that it is mental work that gives values to physical work. Progress in business begins with improvement in entrepreneur’s perspective. Entrepreneur will make significant progress when she invest is developing qualitative mental model through learning consistently. 2. “Law of Desire” This law says, “Success

ning the better is productivity. Preparation is essential for any entrepreneur who will be successful. Make plan for five, ten and twenty years of that business now.

‘

BUSINESS

is for the hungry”. Desire means to crave for something with passion. A.L William said, “I want it so bad, I can’t stand it”. You create desire by painting a picture of business expansion in your mind. You should let your mouth water for the possibility of global brand business, no matter the circumstances. Be dissatisfied with local champion mindset and engage inspirational dissatisfaction to compel you reach for expansion and global relevance. 3. “Law of preparation” This law says that “success happens when preparation meets opportunity”. The key word is planning. Let me also say that the Law of time perspective helps in planning too. The law of time perspective says the longer time you consider in plan-

Motivational Business Quotes

o succeed… You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. – Tony Dorsett Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business. – Zig Ziglar I wasn’t satisfied just to earn a good living. I was looking to make a statement. – Donald Trump Whether it’s Google or Apple or free software, we’ve got some fantastic competitors and it keeps us on our toes. – Bill Gates The critical ingredient is getting off your

butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. – Nolan Bushnell My son is now an ‘entrepreneur’. That’s what you’re called when you don’t have a job. – Ted Turner Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy. – Norman Schwarzkopf The golden rule for every business man is this: “Put yourself in your customer’s place. – Orison Swett Marden BC

4. “Law of responsibility” This law says “You are completely responsible for everything and everything you will become”. Whether your business fails or succeeds is your fault. While I was in the college of earth sciences, one key indicator to extrapolate events in any geological setting is to find the line of fault, where there is shift in arrangement of minerals. In the same way, whatever shift you see in your personal life and business is your fault. Take responsibility and believe God for support. 5. “Law of Suggestion” This law says that whatever you hear and see consistently over time enters your heart and controls your mind. The advertising industry leverage on this law to market goods and services because the heart is the seedbed. You can guide your heart with all diligence because out of it are the issues of life. Practice selfsuggestion on what is possible with your startup and your long term projection. Talk to yourself, programme your heart for what you want to see and hear. “With your heart you believe and with your mouth you confess to freedom”-Holy Bible. I will encourage that you get hungrier for expansion and new result in your business. Law is a good leverage for you and a level playing ground for everybody in any society, maximise it. Everyday offers you opportunity and I believe this is another opportunity for you to experience a new level of success as you leverage on these laws. Be courageous to move higher and expand both to right and left. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

A13 29

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs A daring pioneer in unexplored business landscape In a country where sexual issues are seen as morally anathemic as even discussing problems associated with it largely regarded as taboo, obviously, going into such a business, for a young man, could be said to be daring and obviously suicidal. But not minding its conservative nature, exuding rare courage, passion and determination to help educate people on sexuality and by so doing, help them make smart sexual choices that can be lifesaving, Uche Edochie, about a decade ago decided to choose a career in sexual solutions and adult products business. Today, Zee Virtual Media Ltd, where he calls the shots as the Managing Director, has blossomed into flourishing enterprise with so much for the owners’ efforts in terms of investment returns, efficient services to customers.

‘

as the MD/CEO, has blossomed into multi-million naira enterprise. “Yes, it has been rewarding. Whatever it is you do, if it is done well, you will succeed.” He told Business Courage. Basically, Zee Virtual Media’s clients cut across the strata. “Everybody buys from us. People who have more money spend more but everybody buys from us.” He said. Uche said he believes basically, human beings are the same everywhere and Nigerians are just as interested in sex as people from other countries. According to him, “Most adults are sexually active and want to have better sex and gain sexual knowledge even if they don’t admit it publicly. So I always knew that the interest was there, but first, I had to earn the trust of the people at all levels. Admitting the challenges he has had to cope with over the years, Uche noted, “What scares people most when it comes to businesses like mine is the issue of boundaries. Overseas for instance, big adult shops don’t just retail novelties only. A lot of them also own strip clubs, organize sex parties and have call girl services. So people in Nigeria weren’t quite sure of my intentions at first. But by the time they started reading my column, they gradually understood that Zee Virtual Media is about sex education and giving adults access to products that can solve their sex and romance problems. That’s all. We don’t own strip clubs, we don’t throw sex parties and we don’t run call girl services. I have no interest in those things. So gradually, we earned the peo-

What we hope for (stakeholders in the industry) is that the Nigerian government can come out publicly to recognize our efforts, embrace our industry and even make common sense laws that can help guide the industry better

‘

che Edochie is someone many would describe as a man who walks where even angels fear to tread. Born about 39 years ago in Lagos, against all odds, he has built a thriving career as a sexual solution expert firmly establishing his feet in the ever dynamic field of business and entrepreneurship. For Uche, the third child of the popular veteran actor, Pete Edochie, while his educational background is in the art, he is a man of many parts. He is a painter, interior designer, photographer, writer, relationship counsellor and a dynamic business man. At a very tender of 19 years old, he entered into the world of entrepreneurship as an artist and interior designer. However, his line of business took a dramatic change about ten years ago, as he became a sex education columnist and adult business owner. How did he come to the idea of going into the sex business? Like most successful business owners would admit that identifying needs of people of and the ability to provide prompt solutions go a long way in determining the success of the business, as a result of pains taking researches, Uche also found a vacuum and decided to fill it with live saving solutions. He believes that basically, rather than engage in immoral acts in seeking for sexual satisfaction with multi-partners, which could lead to sexual diseases, a man or woman could safely engage in the use of adult toys. According to him, for many years, having watched how black Africa was portrayed on main stream news as the face of HIV and AIDS, he discovered that while he felt so bad about the situation, the very first person that we all know that died of AIDS was a homosexual American Actor named Rock Hudson. He wondered why the mainstream news managed to turn the whole thing around and

Edochie

pinned the origin of AIDS to Africa. “I always wished that I could do something about it but I wasn’t sure how.” Uche told Business Courage in an interview. However, while he was still worried about the AIDS misconception about Africans issue, one day, he was brainstorming with a friend who needed a business idea and the adult business popped into his head. “At that very moment, I knew that I had finally found a voice to help make the kind of contribution I desired. I started researching the idea and decided on an online business model for privacy and greater access to the public. Like I said, rather than sit on the chair and complain about how the West always portrays us negatively, I was determined to help rewrite our history by starting a business that helps educate people about human sexuality to help them make smart sexual choices that can be life-saving.” He explained. While Uche was feeling fulfilled with the idea of going into what he called the adult business, expectedly, family members as well as friends tried all they could to discourage him because they saw the business as a no go area. “I remember friends telling me in the beginning that the business will not succeed because Nigerians ‘weren’t into that sort of thing’.” However, due to his exuding rare courage, passion and determination to help educate people about human sexuality that would help them make smart sexual choices that can be life-saving, Uche went ahead with the business and today, his Zee Virtual Media Ltd, where he calls the shot

ple’s trust and now everybody writes and calls us for help with their numerous problems.” To the Zee Virtual Media boss, “Nigeria is a conservative country. Amongst other things, this just means that a lot of the acceptance we get both people and the government is unofficial. My clients will never publicly endorse our business as such because it is sex related. I understand it. Sex embarrasses people but it shouldn’t. The same goes for the authorities. But privately, people (both citizens and government officials) call us to thank us and ask for help and advice with all manner of problems. Now, this is fine with me because when you have everybody patronizing you and recommending you to their friends, it means that you are doing something right.” However, Uche is of the opinion that despite the numerous advantages of having more adult business, until Nigerians publicly recognize the adult industry, it might not be able to grow beyond a certain level. “What we hope for (stakeholders in the industry) is that the Nigerian government can come out publicly to recognize our efforts, embrace our industry and even make common sense laws that can help guide the industry better.” He said. According to him, “For instance, in South Africa and different countries around the world, the adult industry is well recognized and approved by their different governments. Absolutely, these governments benefit too through the taxes they collect and the job creation that the adult businesses help provide amongst other things. “So everybody wins and nothing is done in hiding. I have been to adult shops in Cape Town, Paris and America. All I needed was an ID that showed I am of legal age. In these countries, if you are eighteen years and above, you can buy an adult product, sell an adult prod-

uct and participate in the making of adult products. But here, because everything is unofficial, we cannot grow beyond a certain level. “Adult shop owners here are reluctant to open shops publicly and do more for fear of being harassed by the police even though they all buy and use what we sell. Do you get my point? We are not children. We need to rise above this level. This country cannot survive on oil alone. Trade is vital too. When you recognize businesses like ours and issue licenses and guidelines to practitioners, the industry can function better and grow. “There is tax money to be made, jobs to be created, people to be guided to make better sexual choices and lives to be saved. In other countries, stakeholders in the adult industry are able to have huge expos and debut new products and ideas from manufacturers. And they get visitors from all over the world, which facilitates tourism. That is how development happens. “But we pretend a lot in this country and try to hide behind religion even though everybody has sex and uses these products. Sex is not a crime. We shouldn’t be ashamed of our sexuality. So I hope that one day, we can be invited by the government to be part of a panel that can work towards establishing guidelines for recognizing and guiding the adult industry. We all want the same thing. “I want safe sex for everyone. I want our children protected from sex related matters until they are of legal age. I am a parent. Of course, we all want a better Nigeria but we must have the courage to discuss these things publicly not in secret.” To the Zee Virtual Media boss, “I want the world to respect black people and not portray us as the face of AIDs, Ebola, fraud and terrorism. These problems are everywhere. I want the world to look at countries like Nigeria and concede that we are decent people who practice safe sex and make smart sexual choices. For this to happen, sex education is vital because when people know better, they do better.” Zee Virtual Media is virtually a one stop shop for all adult novelties. It sells lingerie, costumes, books, magazines, props, adult toys, games, films, lubricants, pheromones, cushions and supplements. Aside selling adult products, Uche also counsels many people with common complaints of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, vaginal dryness, low libido, lack of romance, lack of sexual enjoyment and sexual knowledge through his sex educational columns in five newspapers including the National Mirror every week. BC

A14 30

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Commerce & Industry

NIPC advocates synergy to promote made- in- Nigeria products Abolaji Adebayo

he Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, has promised to work in collaboration with National Cotton, Textile and Garment, CTG, policy committee in order to promote made- in- Nigeria products and encourage the resuscitation of Textiles industries in the country. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan Baba, who met with the sub-committee on Communication and Local Patronage of CTG in her office on Friday, stated that NIPC was not only promoting foreign direct investment, FDI, but also encouraging local direct investment, LDI, as it contributed so much to the growth of the

economy. She maintained that the Commission would partner with the Committee to realise most of its initiatives to encourage and promote indigenous products as that would spur the creation of wealth and generate employments for Nigerian youths. She stressed that NIPC was aware that there were wealthy Nigerians, who were ready to invest in the local economy rather than keeping their money outside the country if encouraged and guided properly. She said that the Commission would strive in its marketing drive to seek foreign investors that could partner with Nigerian investors to resuscitate the ailing textile industry in the country. The NIPC boss disclosed that

the Commission was already partnering with the State Governors to promote agriculture in their various states in order to grow products like cotton that is the main raw materials for textiles and garments products, adding that the NIPC has put many strategies in place to realise its mandate of attracting and promoting investments in the sector. Earlier, the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Communication and Local Patronage of CTG and Made – in – Nigeria products, Mr. William Iheanacho Otabil stated that the CTG policy of the Federal Government, which was inaugurated in December 2014, was envisioned to create a competitive cotton, textile and garment sub-sector capable of stimulat-

ing and supporting sustainable value addition along the entire CTG value chain. He announced that as part

of their initiative to propagate made-in-Nigeria products, they have concluded arrangements to hold “Buy-Naija Dress Day; Buy-Naija Military and Paramilitary patronage and buy-Naija Schools Patronage”, all aimed at patronising Nigerian textile materials. However, the committee disclosed that lack of funds has been impeding the implementation of the policy since its inauguration in 2014 by the former administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. It stated that the government has refused to finance the implementation of the policy, adding that the committee was asked by the former government of Goodluck Jonathan to source the fund on its own for the implementation of the policy. BC

certain actors in the negotiation process are against our resolve to provide improved services to our customers and are fixated on jeopardizing our overall interest to move the industry forward so we had no choice but to withdraw in the interest of our consumers”, he added. Ofulue noted that the electricity sector had suffered great setback over several decades of mismanagement and stressed that it was time to focus on applying quality human capital to salvage the situation. Calling for restraint, the Ikeja Electric spokesman pointed out that labour was morally bound to protect the overall wellbeing of the

masses, and not the interests of a select few. He cited the last picketing exercise which caused great distress to the general public and cautioned against saboteurs and detractors who were bent on scuttling the negotiation process for selfish reasons. He stressed that Ikeja Electric would resist any attempt to allow its customers go through another harrowing outage ordeal, cautioning that the company will not hesitate to seek redress at the Industrial Court should Labour disrupt its ability to provide customers electricity supply and worsen the power situation which over the few weeks have been dismal due to grid challenges and gas shortage.BC

Baba

Ikeja Electric shuns talk with labour

keja Electric ,IE, has discontinued talks with Labour over the recent disengagement of workers, stating that the negotiation was tending towards a proposition that would jeopardise transparency, employee performance and service excellence to customers. Last month, Labour had picketed the electricity distribution company for three days over the disengagement of workers who failed to meet the company’s performance objectives and were deemed to be performing below standard. However, the picketing was suspended after Ikeja Electric reached an agreement with the National Union of Electricity Workers (NUEE) and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to

set up a committee to review the performance appraisal and competency assessment process. Citing the reason for its action, Ikeja Electric’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, explained that the company had to discontinue due to a clear determination by representatives of Labour to stick to a pre-conceived and irreversible position that the process was flawed. Therefore, the review process was an exercise in futility. Rather than engage in an objective and constructive review of the whole appraisal process which is tailored in line with global best practices as Ofulue pointed out, Labour preferred an arbitrary re-

view in which reduced criteria would be applied to certain selected employees who are members of the union”. In his words: “The performance review process was classified into four stages, clearly detailing steps to be taken at each stage. However, Labour, without taking any of these steps into consideration and any justifiable rationale, insisted the process was flawed and demanded that Ikeja Electric must recall all disengaged staff”. “While we remain committed to upholding best human capital processes and stakeholder engagement in fostering excellence in the workplace, there are indications that the propositions of

Nigerian firms need to improve on standards – Oladapo

he manufacturing sector stakeholders including experts and exporters need to debate and find ways to deal with stringent private standards in order to access lucrative markets of the world

Oladapo

and boost shipments, a top economic expert the Group Chairman of Comtrade Group, a conglomerate of Commodity Trading and Service, Comtrade Global Mart Ltd., Nigeria, and Comtrade Global Mart Inc. (USA), Abiodun Oladapo, has said. He said that these private standards, mainly meant for sectors such as food, agriculture, textiles and agro-forestry products, are fixed by multinational companies and are often more stringent than those followed by respective governments, which jacks up the compliance cost for domestic suppliers, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, from developing countries. According to him, the governments may also follow suit and

step up their own standards in line with those of multi-national companies, which may make it difficult for exporters from developing countries like Nigeria to access such markets. He said, “This is imperative for us to look very seriously at a hub, at a place where we can

actively debate these issues and find ways forward to support our domestic industry to access markets. Private standards are emerging as significant in the world trade. “Standards refer to product quality, which are gradually replacing tariffs in international

trade as Customs duties on products are in decline.” These standards, he said, raised a number of issues mostly due to the nature of their ownership and development process and sometimes tend to become barriers for market access. BC

Ogun assures on land for industrialisation Ayo Esan

he Ogun State Government has assured the people of the State that its developmental agenda on land administration is still on course as the present administration would do everything necessary to make the state very habitable for every one. Director –General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Olubiyi

Ismail stated this during the Nigerian institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers’ ,NIESV, week and awards ceremony tagged, ‘Celebration of Achievers’ held in Abeokuta. He said part of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun -led administration’s five cardinal agenda include: Agricultural Production/ Industrialisation and this according to him, had madethestate government allocate lands to

genuine investors to establish industries that would generate employment for the teeming youth. “We are change agents of the Government. So, let us go out there and sensitize the citizens on the achievement and developmental agenda of this administration. Let us change their perceptions about land matters and tell them the proper way of buying land without getting into trouble,” Ismail said. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

A15 31

Stock market last week Equities turnover of 1.552 billion shares worth N10.453bn in 14,994 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 11.907 billion shares valued at N18.338bn that exchanged hands last week in 19,508 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.187 billion shares valued at N7.298bn traded in 10,457 deals; thus contributing 76.49 per cent and 69.82 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 160.334 million shares worth N1.547bn in 2,167 deals. The third place was occupied by the Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 79.549 million shares worth N122.754m in 527 deals. Trading in the Top Three Equities namely – Zenith Bank International Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and United Capital Plc.(measured by volume) accounted for 536.253 million shares worth N5.852bn in 4,735 deals, contributing 34.55 per cent and 55.98 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. ETPs: Also traded during the week were a total of 118,976 units of Exchange Traded Prod-

NASD OTC REPORT

NSE trading hall

ucts (ETPs) valued at N1.267m executed in 20 deals, compared with a total of 294,047 units valued at N3.209m transacted last week in 42 deals. Bonds: A total of 91,918 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N100.479m were traded in 7 deals compared to a total of 12,470 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N14.348m transacted last week in 8 deals. Index Movement: The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 0.80 per cent to close the week at 25,899.91 and N8.909trn respectively. Similarly, all other Indices finished lower during the

NASD OTC MARKET REPORT

week, with the exception of the NSE Main Board Index, NSE 30 Index, NSE Banking Index and the NSE Consumer Goods Index that increased by 1.68 per cent, 1.47 per cent, 1.37 per cent, and 4.96 per cent respectively. Summary of Price Changes: Twenty-two (22) equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than twenty (20) equities of the previous week. Thirtyeight (38) equities depreciated in price, lower than forty-one (41) equities of the previous week, while one hundred and twenty nine (129) equities remained unchanged higher than one hundred and twenty eight (128) equities recorded in the previous week. BC

WEEK 8

1 OUTSTANDING OFFERS AND BIDS ON NASD OTC Outstanding deals for Febuary, 2016. Security SD ACORN PETROLEUM PLC SD ARM LIFE PLC SD ARM PROPERTIES PLC SD AFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC SD BGL PLC SD CAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC SD CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC SD DUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC SD FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC

Offers Industry Oil & Gas Financials Financials Financials Financials Industrials Financials Consumer Goods Consumer Goods

Nominal value (₦) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 1.00 0.50

Offer Date 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16

Bids

Volume offered Last Offer Price 400,600 0.35 983,905 2.16 848,862 2.57 128,149 63.00 100,000 6.10 -

SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC

Consumer Services

0.50

26-Feb-16

SD FREE RANGE FARMS PLC

Consumer Goods

1.00

SD FUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC SD GEO-FLUIDS PLC SD GOLDEN CAPITAL PLC SD INDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC SD JAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC SD NIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC SD NIGERIA MORTGAGE REFINANCE COMPANY PLC

Consumer Goods Industrials Financials Financials Financials Oil & Gas Financials

26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 -

1,294,500 8,014,270 517,217 243,151 -

SD PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC SD RESOURCERY PLC SD RIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC SD SPRING MORTGAGE PLC SD SWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC

Financials Technology Industrials Financials Technology Financials Consumer Goods

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 10.00 1.00 0.50

26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16 26-Feb-16

1,140,300 933,000 241,940 -

RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC TP VITAL PRODUCTS PLC

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 0.50

1,000,000 -

2 DEMATERIALISATION AND CUMULATIVE TRADE IN OTC SECURITIES 26-Feb-16 Security SD ACORN PETROLEUM PLC SD ARM LIFE PLC SD ARM PROPERTIES PLC SD AFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC SD BGL PLC SD CAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC SD CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC SD DUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC SD FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC SD FREE RANGE FARMS PLC SD FUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC SD GEO-FLUIDS PLC SD GOLDEN CAPITAL PLC SD INDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC SD JAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC SD NIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC SD NIGERIA MORTGAGE REFINANCE COMPANY PLC SD PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC SD RESOURCERY PLC SD RIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC SD SPRING MORTGAGE PLC SD SWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC TP VITAL PRODUCTS PLC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 01-04-16 All-Share Index 25,507.09 points Market Capitalization 8,782,552,879,110.63

Industry Oil and Gas Financials Financials Financials Financials Industrial Financials Consumer Goods Consumer Goods Consumer Services Consumer Goods Consumer Goods Industrial Financials Financials Financials Oil and Gas Financials Financials Technology Industrial Financials Technology Financials Consumer Goods

Introduced by Meristem Securities Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited Mega Equity Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited Nigerian Int. Securities Ltd UBA Stockbroking Firm Greenwich Securities Limited Anchoria Investment & Securities Limited Capital Bancorp Plc Stanbic IBTC stockbrokers limited CSL Stockbroking Limited Integrated Trust & Investment Limited Icon Stockbrokers Limited Sterling Capital Market Limited Greenwich Securities Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited FCSL Asset Management Co. Limited Cordros Capital Plc APT Securities & Fund Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited Primera Africa Securities Limited Signet Investment and Securities Limited Prominent Securities Limited CSL Stockbroking Limited

Company Registrars CardinalStone Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc African Prudential Registrars Plc African Prudential Registrars Plc Unity Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc African Prudential Registrars Plc Nnenna Ejekam Associates First Registrars Limited Meristem Registrars Limited Meristem Registrars Limited PAC Registrars Limited Meristem Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc GTL Registrars Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc United Securities Limited Meristem Registrars Limited First Registrars Limited EDC Registrars Limited Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited PAC Registrars Limited PAC Registrars Limited United Securities Limited Centurion Registrars Limited

Year end 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Mar 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec

0.70 -

Bid Price 0.55 5.70 9.80 113.00 -

Volume Bidded Last Bid Date 600 26-Feb-16 250,000 26-Feb-16 1,000,000 26-Feb-16 45,172 26-Feb-16 -

0.47 0.10 1.41 127.30 0.72

0.48 0.78 -

TRADE INFORMATION (JAN 2016) DEMATERIALISATION INFORMATION Total Share Capital Volume % DEALS VOLUME '000 Dematerialised Dematerialised 66,704,146 2,000,000,000 3.34% 9 38,700 606,000,000 5,785,673,000 10.47% 49,884,038 1,900,000,000 2.63% 6 8,275 66,963,602 1,249,000,000 5.36% 29 25,681,134 9,628,657,533 12,000,000,000 80.24% 2,692,664 196,875,000 1.37% 779,359,719 5,000,000,000 15.59% 121 32,347,119 6,753,333,334 0.00% 185,791,314 976,335,936 19.03% 177 2,061,124 110,811,770 5,650,000,000 1.96% 2 1,100 872,307 519,999,631 0.17% 69,369,303 1,200,000,000 5.78% 568,235,594 4,257,668,000 13.35% 4 93,100 252,655,056 1,170,324,536 21.59% 1,023,194,820 14,231,238,000 7.19% 10 42,370,600 321,247,809 11,829,700,000 2.72% 7 808,783 20,603,435 181,408,000 11.36% 20 534,283 125,000,000 1,762,500,000 7.09% 210,821,244 2,875,595,000 7.33% 1 400 520,000,000 2,576,686,039 20.18% 2 200 1,726,264,230 0.00% 7,138,199,210 0.00% 1,539,242,000 2,705,378,000 56.90% 129,097,505 10,945,334,000 1.18% 4 900 1,823,084,076 0.00% 106,454,595,992 16,277,203,859 15.29% 392 103,945,718

VALUE (₦) 13,920.00 17,874.00 4,373,618.22 185,047,284.29 257,649,389.93 825.00 48,367.00 5,050,765.00 1,252,959.03 56,021,348.60 328.00 96.00 621.00 509,477,396.07

A16 32

Business Courage

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

Adejuwon Osunnuyi

azda has used the New York auto show to reveal a slick fastback look for the retractable hard-top version of its fourth-generation ND MX-5 roadster. Uniquely, the MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) drops a roof panel and rear window glass for an open-top feel at the flick of a switch, but keeps the sloping B-pillar and rear roof section in place to create a Targa-style effect. It’s a significantly different look to the first powered hardtop launched with the third-generation NC MX-5, which pretty much aped the shape of the softtop. Before that Mazda offered manually detachable hard-tops with the NA and NB MX-5. Mazda Australia says the MX-5 RF will hopefully go on sale here this year and certainly within 12 months. Australian choice will be restricted to the 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine, even though the RF will be available internationally with the 1.5 SKYACTIV-G that is offered in the soft-top here. Mazda says it went for this fastback look and retractable roof system because it wanted to expand the appeal of the MX-5 further from its traditional drop-top loving base. Intriguingly, while the design has been commonly referred to as a coupe in the me-

dia, that word appears nowhere in Mazda’s press material. The fastback style makes this version of the MX-5 a logical competitor for the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ coupes, which also boast rear-wheel drive and a fastback style. “The basic premise of the soft-top model is top-down driving, and in comparison we expect MX-5 RF owners will spend more time with the top closed,” explained Mazda MX-5 Program Manager Nobuhiro Yamamoto in the press material issued for the NY show. “So we began development by throwing our thinking into reverse; our aim was a convertible sports car with gorgeous fastback lines when the roof is closed and an exhilarating open-air feel when open. “We asked ourselves what it meant to make a driver’s car with a power-retractable roof, ditched the traditional idea of stowing the entire roof and realized styling that further articulates an iconic sports car design. “The cabin is luxurious and quiet when closed, and the rear roof produces a completely new open-air driving feel when the top is down. And with the ability to smartly and smoothly transition between the two, the car will provide thrills in any driving conditions.” Pricing and model structure is yet to be confirmed by Mazda Australia but you can expect both

RF and RF GT models with the choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, and to be offered at a surcharge of only a few per cent over the equivalent soft-tops launched late last year. Mazda has strong expectations for the RF internationally and in Australia because the ‘roadster coupe’ was the top-selling NC MX-5, appealing to an older demographic seeking more comfort and quietness. The fully powered roof can be opened and closed at speeds up to 10km/h and is stowed without eating into the existing 130-litre (DIN) boot. Mazda has not specified how quickly the roof opens and closes, but an official video showed both processes happening in about 10 seconds. The hard-top consists of front roof, middle roof, rear roof and a vertical sheet of back window glass. When the rear glass is retracted an acrylic aero board acts as a wind blocker. Roof material

and any weight gain are not specified in Mazda’s press material. The RF measures up identically to the soft-top in terms of an overall 3915mm length, 1735mm width and 2310mm wheelbase, but it is 5mm taller at 1245mm. “To convey the fun and charm of the MX-5 experience to a larger, more diverse range of people rather than just sports car fans, I felt the MX-5 RF must embody natural beauty and not attempt to attract attention by merely being different,” Mazda MX-5 Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama said. “This led me to quickly decide to adopt fastback styling. The rub was that this also became the biggest hurdle in designing the MX-5 RF. It may not look like it at a glance, but this is a car with a retractable roof! “It’s a car that lets drivers enjoy the pleasure of open-air driving along with a unique sense of being ensconced securely in the

cabin!” Both the suspension and electric-assist power steering have been retuned for the RF. Mazda says that’s to ensure it retains the same lively driving performance as the soft-top while also delivering “relaxing comfort and refined ride”. An exterior option will be a new ‘Machine Gray’ colour using Mazda’s new three-coat paint structure as new equipment includes the i-ACTIVESENSE safety package that incorporates blind-spot monitoring and high-beam control. A new interior design feature is a dedicated 4.6-inch color TFT LCD screen that displays an animation of the roof when it is opening or closing. The MX-5 has now been on sale for more than 25 years and has become the world’s most popular sports car. It will soon top the one million mark in global production volume. BC

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

Every citizen in this country has a right to go to court and present his case and it must be left to the court to decide he is a mere busy body or not. —Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, retired Justice of the Supreme Court

Let state govts create their Appellate courts –Yusuf Ali 34 Fani-Kayode

Williams

Challenges of managing law partnership firms —Investigation How Njemanze, highlife musician was killed 37

Irving and Bonnar founded in 1917 was the first law firm to be established in Nigeria. It took about 31 years later before the first indigenous law partnership firm emerged. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes on the changing fortunes and challenges of managing law partnership firms in the country.

Corruption: Chinese court sentences vicegovernor to 12 years jail term 38

rving and Bonnar, founded in 1917, was the law firm to be established in Nigeria. The founding partners, who were Britons, had a vision to build a world-class law firm based on the tradition and efficacy of an old prestigious English law firm. Despite the fact that Christopher Sapara Williams was the first indigenous Nigerian qualified lawyer called to the English Bar on November 17, 1879 and he later enrolled in 1888 in Nigeria, there was no known record of the existence of law partnership firms in the country until 1913. Interestingly, Sapara Williams was not the only one involved in the practice of the law at the time. Due to the shortage of qualified lawyers it was common for nonlawyers with basic education and

jointly formed the law firm known as

partnership law firm then known as Michael, Chris & Samuel and located their office at Tinubu Square in the heart of Lagos. Following the dissolution of the law firm, Ogunbanjo established Chris Ogunbanjo & Co in 1960. Notable among the law firms set up in the same period was ‘’Poroye Chambers’’ founded by the first Republic Information Minister, Otunba T.O.S Benson. The firm still exists today and is being managed by his children and other Benson descendants. Outside Lagos, Punuka Chambers founded by Chukwuweike Idigbe, later Justice Idigbe was set up in Warri where Idigbe initially settled after his return from the United Kingdom. Idigbe now late was the first Asaba lawyer in the Asaba division covering the present Oshimili, Aniocha and Ika Local Government Areas of the old Mid-Western State He was also the first lawyer known then in Benin province from Ovia to Oredo and Etsako areas. The fortunes of the law firm have however changed over the years. After Idigbe was appointed to the Bench, the chambers did not fold up and was managed by Mr. Omo Bare (now retired high

‘’TOWIKA Chambers.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

some knowledge of English law to be appointed to practice as attorneys until 1913. However, the first indigenous law partnership came into being in the country in 1948 when three friends and leading lawyers of the period, Chiefs Bode Thomas, Rotimi Williams and Remi Fani-Kayode jointly formed the law firm known as ‘’Thomas, Williams and Kayode & Co’’ otherwise called ‘’TOWIKA

‘Chambers. The law firm groomed many distinguished legal practitioners of that era including the late Chief Sobo Sowemimo. Sowemimo, who later became the Jaguna of Egbaland, however subsequently established a partnership with Fani-Kayode, when TOWIKA partnership broke. According to historical accounts, the unfortunate and untimely demise of Bode Thomas at the age of 33 and the subsequent appointment of Williams as the Attorney-General of the Western Region by Chief Obafemi Awolowo regional administration led to the eventual collapse of the firm. Another bold attempt to set up a partnership firm was evident in 1950 when the trio of Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, Michael Odesanya (later Justice Odesanya) and the former Premier of Western Nigeria, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola formed a

The first indigenous law partnership came into being in the country in 1948 when three friends and leading lawyers of the period,

Chiefs Bode Thomas, Rotimi Williams and Remi Fani-Kayode

Law & Justice

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Let state govts create their

Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, (SAN) is a consummate lawyer and prolific legal analyst with post-call experience spanning about three decades. He was admitted into the inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1997. In this interview with WALE IGBINTADE, he speaks on the need to reduce the work load of the Supreme Court and on the Federal Government’s war against corruption and among others. Excerpts:

How would you assess the judiciary most especially under this new administration? Well, at the risk of being accused of bias, I think the judiciary more than ever had acquitted itself very well. If you see the share number of election petitions, election petition appeals, some election petition interlocutory appeals to the Supreme Court you will marvel. As we are talking now most of the governorship judgments have also gone to the Supreme Court and that of the election petition tribunals. The Court of Appeal has been able to cope and ensure that all the cases were disposed off within the time-frame as prescribed by the constitution; it is a lot of sacrifice. As a player in this matter, I am aware that there were occasions when we had a matter in Ibadan and a Justice who will take part in Ibadan matter was still sitting in Abuja. He had to find his way to Ibadan. The same thing happened at Makurdi, where Justices were far away in Enugu and Owerri, but they had to find their way to Makurdi to attend to the matter. I am aware of the situation where some of these tribunals and the Court of Appeal when they were hearing the cases from the National Assembly sat as late as 10:30p.m in Abuja. The judiciary has done very well. Also, the Supreme Court now sits in two panels to be able to dispose election based matters and normal cases. I mean cases that have to do with contracts, chieftaincy, land matters; they still sit to handle those ones. Do you think the Supreme Court is being congested? I pity the Supreme Court, sometimes ago when I was there, they listed almost 19 preelection matters for just one day and that happened throughout the week. The Supreme Court normally sits in chambers on Wednesday; they don’t sit in open court. In order to clear the backlog of election matters they started sitting on Wednesday. We have to appreciate the fact that they are humans after all and they sit every week even before now. The Supreme Court will sit on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in open court. On Monday they would take civil mat-

Ali

You must never do anything consciously in the name of fight either against corruption or insurgency to deliberately trample upon the rights of citizens because what goes round turns round. ters, on Tuesday they take civil matters, on Thursday they take criminal matters, on Wednesday they sit in chambers to consider non-contentious applications and on Friday they deliver judgments and there is no average week that they won’t reserve minimum of five or six judgments that will be delivered in three months. Can’t you see the Supreme Court in the United States? Except on serious constitutional matters none gets to the Supreme Court and is there any injustice in that? And all the nine Justices of the Supreme Court in the United States sit as one panel so all these arguments that the Supreme Court should be sitting in different panels are not acceptable. Are they not the same set of people who will be sitting in panels even if they come to the states; are you following me? People say it as if when they start sitting in panels they will be able

to do all the cases that is not true. Are you suggesting that Supreme Court should handle only constitutional matters? No, if you want to have the Supreme Court in the states, they have it in the United States but there is one apex court in the United States. The states have their own Supreme Courts in the United States but matters don’t end there if they are constitutional matters. It is not a bad idea to have states Court of Appeal for example, apart from the Court of Appeal that is at the federal; if the constitution is amended, that was the scheme in the 1963 Constitution. That was why the Western Region had its own Court of Appeal up to 1976 when the Federal Court of Appeal was established. No, it is not a bad idea. For example, we can now create Court of Appeal

of the states and have Supreme Court for the states. Chieftaincy matters and land matters should end at the Supreme Court of the states. What is so special about chieftaincy matters that when they are fighting about a chieftaincy matter in Oyo or any other states you take it to the Supreme Court? I believe quite honestly that we should find a middle level; I think it is high- time we have Court of Appeal for the states, Supreme Court for the states and then we ensure that some of these cases end in those places. Let very serious or constitutional issues go to the Supreme Court, not the type of cases we now have that gets to the Supreme Court, divorce matter and a customer who owes bank money, we fight it up to the Supreme Court. How would you react to the conflicting judgments emanating from the various Courts of Appeals? The judiciary is organised in a way that if there is conflict in the decision of the same court, there is always an appellate resolution to streamline them. So, it doesn’t give me any worries. If there is any apparent or orchestrated conflict, the judiciary has its own internal mechanism to sort it out. We are likely to face these challenges going by the nature of our judicial system. But, some of these matters will get to the Supreme Court where they will be streamlined. The only thing that can give us worries is if there

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, April 4, 2016

Appellate courts –Yusuf Ali

are conflicting judgements of the Supreme Court on the case in point, because that is the last court. Some panels of the Court of Appeal have more than 20 election petition cases to attend to and the time constraint is quite tremendous.’’ Some of your colleagues have advocated that research assistants should be attached to Judges. Do you agree with this? That is the standard practice all over the world. But like I raised it with one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, his own fear is that we may start to have incidences of leakages of judgments. But, I think the solution to that is that anybody who is so appointed would be subscribed to an oath of secrecy. What are your expectations from the judiciary in 2016? My expectation is that the judiciary will improve upon what it’s doing now and serve the Nigerian people as it’s always being doing. Besides, more guidelines should be put in place to fast track commercial -based disputes. I expect that the judiciary will not relent. Supreme Court will have to grapple with the appeals from all the governorship appeals and as I am talking to you now I am aware that not less than 10 have been filed. So, it is a lot of work for the judiciary.

With on-going fight against corruption, how will you assess this administration’s obedience to the rule of law? As far as I know, so far so good but, there is always room for improvement. You cannot have a perfect system anywhere. We must make conscious efforts to improve on the way we are now. For me, there is room for improvement but, it is not hopeless. So, how do we ensure that fundamental rights of people are not infringed upon? Even in a war, there are rules of engagement and Chapter four of our constitution is very clear and explicit. You must never do anything consciously in the name of fight either against corruption or insurgency to deliberately trample upon the rights of citizens because what goes round turns round. Those who wield powers today must remember that yesterday they were out of power and tomorrow, talking euphorically,

they will also be out of power either because they finished their tenure or they are voted out of power. We should all know that when we set bad standard, others may come to exploit it against our own interest. In spite of the challenges we have, we should not compromise on the observers of the rule of law and observers of fundamental rights of the citizens. It is very important otherwise there will be no society.

Security agencies have often used holding charge to detain suspects. Is holding charge known to our laws? It is unknown to us and it is unconstitutional as you have rightly said. For me, I believe that our laws, the way I understand it, is that you cannot arrest or detain somebody except you have virtually concluded investigation and you are ready to take him to court and that is why the constitution prescribes 24 hours. It is assumed that you would have concluded every other thing. It is just to secure him or her to appear in court. I will never support a situation where people are held and start to scavenge for evidence with which to take them to court. I don’t think it is right because liberty is the greatest freedom you could ever have and it should not be taken away and like I always tell people, whatever position you are today is temporary, you may be at the receiving end tomorrow. We all witnessed what happened to a former Inspector-General of Police in the hands of his subordinates. So, when you set a negative standard, you may become a victim tomorrow. As one of the counsel in the election petition in Rivers State. How do you see the judgment of the Court of Appeal? Incidentally, I am a counsel in the matter so, I defended the three appeals, Chief Olujimi defended for Peterside who was the governorship candidate of APC. Of course, we are happy that we won and we know that they are likely to go to Supreme Court, we are waiting. I was very active in the matter. What is your view on contradictory decisions in the appeals emanating from election tribunals in Lagos, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers States? There are no contradictions in those judgments. You see, people tend to take judg-

Ali

The increase in criminality of underaged people is an indictment on our family values ments out of context. You want to ask, what were the grounds for challenging elections in Rivers? It was simple, unlike other cases. In Rivers, what we said is that, the card readers accreditation data showed that both the failed and successful accreditation were only 295,000 plus whereas about 1.4 million votes were declared. How do you account for the balance? In other cases, people raised the issue of card readers but it is not the same way we raised it in Rivers and it was not the same way we went about it in Rivers in proving that it was done in other places. Without mentioning names, I was even involved in another one in which card reader was raised as part of the issue at the trial but by the time we got to the Court of Appeal they dropped it, they did not pursue it. In the Lagos case what the court said essentially was that look, the card reader cannot be used without the consideration of voters’ register. That is the law which was also said in Rivers so, there are no contradictions, there are no conflicts as far as I know. When a judgment is given, you have to look at the facts and marry it to the law and then look at what was proved. It is a different thing to make allegation, it is another thing to be able to prove it. So far, the courts have said we are able to prove that there was serious incongruous between the card reader and the card reader accreditation result and the declared result. I don’t see any conflict in the judgment of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Lagos States. How do you see rampant cases of crime committed by youths? Do we have sufficient institutions to reform and rehabilitate juvenile offenders? Unfortunately for us, just the way our prisons have not been effective, it is the same

with reform homes for under-aged offenders. The increase in criminality of underaged people is an indictment on our family values and system and this is due to a lot of reasons, economic and social. Many parents don’t have time to look after their children anymore and many are not setting good examples at home for their children. The rat race and the quest for material acquisition have made parents to abandon their children in the care of people who do not have any stake in the case of these children. The father will go out in the morning and will not come back until evening and the mother will also do the same and the children are left at the mercy of neighbours. Also, there is too much exposure to internet and crime -induced films as well as occultism in the television. When you expose these children to all these minds that are still tender, they may want to experiment. Poverty and social dislocation are part of the reason; it’s a whole lot of problems just like our various institutions. Are you in support of the call for the abrogation of the Land Use Act? I do not believe in the whole rejection of things. If you don’t want us to use Land Use Act then what do we use thereafter and then how do you save everything that has happened because the issue of Land tenure is very fundamental. We should know that before the promulgation of Land Use Act in 1978, land tenure system in the South is different from the land tenure system in the North. How do we make progress when we have that kind of something in place? I think what we should do is to reform the Land Use Act to bring it in conformity with modern days happenings.

Law & Justice

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Teamwork, commitment can develop partnership’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 court Judge). Despite Justice Idigbe’s demise in 1988, Punuka has undergone transformation and the firm’s named has changed and is today known as Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors under the management of Anthony Idigbe, SAN. By the early 1950s, the late Ikenne- born luminary, Kehinde Sofola established his firm, Kehinde Sofola & co. His younger brother, Idowu and much later, his children joined him in the firm. Following his death on March 25, 2007, the firm had transformed to Kayode Sofola & co owed by his eldest son. Sometimes in the mid-50s, the first Senior Advocate in the whole of the Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Folorunso Abdulrazaq established the law firm of A.G.F Abdulrazaq & co in Ilorin, Kwara State. Today, Abdulrazaq’s son, Alimi is currently the managing partner of the firm renamed House of Laws (Solicitors). Mention could also be made of the law firm of Ayoola Brothers. The law firm was established in the early 60s’ by an exceedingly brilliant lawyer, Olu Ayoola, who was later appointed a High Court Judge of Western Region. The law firm at the time also engaged in law report publishing under the name Ayoola Brothers. Olu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola later Justice of the Supreme Court, was in private practice as a partner in the firm for several years before he too was appointed to the Bench. Notable among the products of firm was Chief Afe Babalola. Babalola started his legal practice in the firm of Olu Ayoola and remained there till 1965 when he established the firm of Afe Babalola & co (Emmanuel Chambers) in Ibadan. As one of the leading law firms, the chambers’ has produced many judges and Senior Advo-

Babalola

Abdulrazaq

Adekoya

In contemporary times, the legal profession is globalizing to the extent

Nigerian lawyers are now engaged in multi-jurisdictional partnership firms. that some notable

cates of Nigeria. In 1974, a partnership of two cousins, Messrs. Patrick Mbanefo and Louis Mbanefo, was established under the name Mbanefo & Mbanefo in Lagos. When the partnership was dissolved, Louis Mbanefo, son of a former Justice of Eastern Nigeria and Justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court, set up his sole firm in Ikoyi, Lagos. Investigation further showed that some partnerships collapsed due to mistrust and loss of confidence among the partners. It must however be pointed out that some partnership firms have survived over the years and many others have been designed to outlive their partners. In contemporary times, the legal profes-

sion is globalizing to the extent that some notable Nigerian lawyers are now engaged in multi-jurisdictional partnership firms. Examples of such firms abound in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt amongst other parts of the country. For instance, ǼLEX, a commercial and litigation law firm is one of the largest law firms in West Africa with offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja in Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. The law firm, Aelex was named Nigeria’s ‘Law firm of the Year’ 2015 and its Partners recognised as “leading individuals” in the Nigerian Legal Market, by two of the world’s largest independent legal referral guides, Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa and Who’s Who Legal. Prominent among other partners of the

his client. The lawyer immediately sent a telegram to his client, reading, “Justice has triumphed!” The client wired back, “Appeal at once!”

Bar

Jokes

Chasing a lawyer

A man walks into a friend and sees that his friend’s car is total loss and covered with leaves, grass, branches, dirt and blood. He asks his friend, “What’s happened to your car?” “Well,” the friend responded, “I ran into a lawyer”. “OK,” says the man, “that explains the blood... But what about the leaves, the grass, the branches and the dirt?” “Well, I had to chase him all through the park.”

Stupid attorneys

A lawyer was on his cell phone, calling a locksmith. “I locked my keys in my sports car!” said the nervous lawyer. “No problem, I should be there in about an hour,” replied the locksmith. “Do you think you can make it a little sooner?” pleaded the lawyer. “My top is down and it’s starting to rain.”

Justice Triumphs

A lawyer had a jury trial in a very difficult business case. The client, who had attended the trial, was out of town when the jury came back with its decision, which was for the lawyer and

Honest opinion

Lawyer: “Let me give you my honest opinion.” Client: “No, no. I’m paying for professional advice.”

him

Jesus died with thief next to

A person is in the hospital and asked his doctor how much time does he have left to live. The doctor did not want to lie so he told him that he wouldn’t make it through the night. So the person calls for his lawyer and asks him to come and sit by his bed. Right before the person dies, the lawyer asks him why did he want him next to him. The dying person replied, “When Jesus died, he had a thief next to him and I want to go the same way.”

One less lawyer

An old man was critically ill. Feeling that death was near, he called his lawyer. “I want to become a lawyer. How much is it or the express degree you told me about?” “It’s $50, 000,” the lawyer said. “But why? You’ll be dead soon, why do you want to become a lawyer?” “That’s my business! Get me the course!” Four days later, the old man got his law degree. His lawyer was at his bedside, making sure his bill would be paid. Suddenly the old man was racked with fits of coughing and it was clear that this would be the end. Still curious, the lawyer leaned over and said, “Please, before it’s too late, tell me why you wanted to get a law degree so badly before you died?” In a faint whisper, as he breathed his last, the old man said, “One less lawyer . . .” Culled from Best funny Jokes.com

firm is Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN. In another vein, National Mirror who spoke to some lawyers in a partnership on the issue learnt that partnership law firm could change the face of legal practice in the country. The partners of Consolex law firm said teamwork and commitment to professional ethos in a partnership law firm have helped their firm to remain afloat. Mr. Ayodeji Omotoso, a partner and an acknowledged litigator, said that the firm had realised that ‘teamwork is the best option to enable the firm grow as a business to outlive its partners.’’ According to him, ‘’ the outlook of legal practice is changing and in the last few years the atmosphere is also changing. Take for instance, the due diligence work being required by banks; we have done a lot of this job and we have handled them as a firm professionally. ‘’Our coming together was borne out of necessity. We have realized that teamwork is the best and that is what we do here.’’ ‘’In teamwork we put the overall interest of the firm first’’ he added.

legal tips Service of Court Process under Nigerian law

he service of writ of summons or originating summons is very fundamental to the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the claim. *Where a party is not served he will have no knowledge of the claim against him. He can therefore bring an application to strike out the action for improper service. The essence of the service is to enable the defendant become aware of the suit against him in court and be able to put up a defence if he intends to do so. *Service is usually done by the Bailiffs or Sheriffs or other officers of the court. *There are two types of service (a ) Personal Service and (b ) Substituted Service. *Personal service is one that is served personally

Bar

on the defendant whereas Substituted service is one that is effected by other means other than personal service. *For instance, by advert in newspapers or in a gazette or by pasting in the last known address of the defendant. Time of Service *Service can be done on any day except Sunday and public holidays between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm. *Note that service outside jurisdiction connotes two things(a) Service outside the state of issue and (b) Service outside Nigeria. Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our email: nationamirrorlaw@ yahoo.com

Jokes

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, April 4, 2016

How Njemanze, highlife musician was killed FAMOUS CASES

srael Njemanze .a.k.a Nwoba was a soldier and highlife musician who made waves between 1949 and 1955 before his gruesome murder. He was reputed for being the leader of the band known as ‘Three Night Wizards’. He was a crowd-puller at every performance. However, he nursed the ambition of building a hotel in Port Harcourt, where he would settle down to play music after his retirement from the armed forces. This plan was not to be as Njemanze was murdered on Friday, April 7, 1955 in Mushin, Lagos by unknown assailants. As a soldier, he lived with his family at the Command workshop, Yaba, Lagos. He later formed a band with two guitarist friends hence the name ‘’Three Night Wizards’. Njemanze was said to have sang a song philosophically that because he had a short height like his parents, he might have a short life. On April 7, 1955 at about 6 p.m, Njemanze left his wife and six month-old daughter at home for an appointment with some friends in Surulere. After his friends saw him off at Ojuelegba road junction around 9 pm, the musician further decided to also see the treasurer of the band, Mr. Samuel Jegede. It did not occur to him that he was bidding his family eternal farewell. Njemanze headed towards a lonely path in Mushin to see Jegede. His mission to Jegede’s house was to discuss and resolve the dispute between members of the band. Also present at the meeting was Jerome Agumadu, alias Seven Seven known as Njemanze’s bosom friend. At the meeting, the musician was said to have apologised to the group for an alleged assault on a member of the band during a performance at a function. Njemanze and Agamadu were said to have bought drinks for everyone to placate the aggrieved minds. Jegede, remained unappeased. He was said to have threatened Njemanze that ‘’I will kill you if this group breaks up’’. Members of the group later reached a compromise to reassemble the next day, April 7, 1955 to draw up a code of conduct for members. It was agreed that it would amount to an offence punishable by fine for any member to be rude to another. The code of conduct was never drawn because Njemanze never returned home from the meeting. He was killed and his body was found butchered on the rail tracks of Railway Line, Mushin in early hours of April 8, 1955. When detectives swung into action, their findings was revealing and shocking. A taxi driver who was hired by one of the murderers to convey Njemanze’s body to an unknown destination later gave a clue to the police on the matter. It was learnt that when news filtered that a man had been killed the taxi driver informed the police that while he was having a nap inside his cab in front of Lido Bar in Mosalashi

Israel Njemanze was a notable highlife musician who sang to the delight of Nigerians in 1950s. Unfortunately, his life was cut short by some assailants who killed him, and dismembered his body on the Railway Line in Mushin, Lagos about 61 years ago. His killers were later tried, convicted and hanged at the old Broad Street prisons, Lagos, FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.

zzzzz Former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Adetokunbo Ademola

The prosecution witnesses included Njemanze’s wife, Juliana who recounted how her husband bade her and their sixmonth old daughter goodbye on April 7, 1955 and never returned home. area of Idi-Oro, Lagos on the immediate preceding day, a man tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if he could take his sick friend to the hospital. The driver agreed to the offer and both the hirer and himself drove off towards a street close to Railway Line, Mushin. The driver waited while the man left to consult with a group of men who stood some distance away. He said they came towards him and carried something that appeared to him like a human body. The driver became apprehensive as he sought to catch a glimpse of the ‘’sick friend ‘because it was dark. He eventually switched on his headlights and what he saw frightened him. The driver could not stand the sight of a man in sleeveless singlet and trousers whose body was soaked in blood. He quickly told the men that the blood would stain his car and drove off before they could give him any reply.

The driver later reported the findings to the owner of the cab and then to the police. The following morning, two railway porters on duty at the Surulere level crossing were on a routine operation of the rail track. One of the porters walked faster towards the Mushin post to collect a signal lamp. As he moved along, he whistled on the lonely rugged path. A few metres into his movement, he stepped on strange objects that littered the tracks. He ran back to his colleague. He took a torchlight and moved closer to examine the strange objects, which turned out to be pieces of human body scattered on the rail tracks. The rail iron linings and the ground were splattered with human blood. The men believed that a train had crushed somebody to death in the early hours of the day. The railway men returned to their post and phoned the railway police, Ebute-Metta. When the police visited the scene, detectives found a piece of paper soaked with blood.

During their preliminary Investigation, it was later gathered that the dismembered body parts were those of Njemanze. Extensive investigations began and the trails discovered by the police led them to Ayetoro Street, Jacob Street near Mushin Railway Station and Adegbite Street, Idi- Oro, Mushin. It was a period when the detectives were at best with their work with the aid of police dogs. The police condoned off these areas and blood spots were traced to the entrance of a house on Adegbite Street. About 16 men including the man who initially hired the taxi cab were arrested within three days. On April 25, 1955, the 16 suspects were brought before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court for preliminary inquiry into Njemanze’s murder. The lower court’s inquiry was concluded on May 23 while eight of the men were sent for trial at the Lagos High Court. At the high court, the trial of the eight suspects commenced before Justice John Benneth in September 1955. The prosecution witnesses included Njemanze’s wife, Juliana who recounted how her husband bade her and their six-month old daughter goodbye on April 7 and never returned home. She also testified that she saw the dismembered body of her husband at the Surulere level crossing on Good Friday. The pathologist who performed the autopsy said mutilation and dismemberment of Njemanze’s body was carried out after his death. He told the court that Njemanze was not killed by a moving train but by wounds sustained on the back of his left ear and on the front aside of his chest. During the trial, the court visited the railway spot where the body was found, Adegbite Street, Mushin and the places Njemanze visited on the night he was murdered. The prosecuting senior crown counsel, Charles Madarikan called 35 witnesses who testified against the accused persons and closed the prosecution’s case on September 26, while the defence closed its case on October 5, 1955. Most of the accused persons pleaded alibi. The prosecutor and the eight defence lawyers addressed the court on October 7. The prosecution maintained that Njemanze was killed at Adegbite Street, Mushin and his body was carried on a bicycle to the rail line where it was found as cover up. He therefore prayed the court that the evidence had shown that the accused men should be sentenced to death by hanging. The defence lawyers contended that the offence of murder had not been established against the accused men.

Law & Justice

Monday, April 4, 2016

Family loses European court fight

he family of Jean Charles de Menezes has lost a human rights challenge over the decision not to charge any UK police officer for his fatal shooting. According to the BBC News, the Brazilian was killed at London’s Stockwell Tube in 2005 by police who mistook him for a terror suspect. The decision that there was not enough evidence to prosecute anyone did not breach human rights laws, judges said. His family, who had argued that the bar for prosecution should be lower, said they were “deeply disappointed”. Mr. de Menezes, an electrician who was 27, was followed and shot in the head by police marksmen who mistook him for a suicide bomber. The incident came amid heightened tensions two weeks after the 7 July London bombings which four suicide bombers killed 52 people and one day after attempted bombings on the London public transport network. BBC legal correspondent

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the ruling was “the last opportunity for the family to hold the state accountable”. “The government and the Met were both very quick to acknowledge that what happened was a catastrophic mistake, but this ruling means the end of the road for the family in terms of changing the law,” he said. Mr. de Menezes’ family had challenged the test used by British prosecutors to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to charge someone with a crime. Known as the 51% test, it says that authorities should only prosecute if a conviction is more likely than not.

Spanish court to try alleged Islamists

pain’s High Court has said it would try six alleged members of an Islamist cell and would also renew its request for help from the United States to retrieve emails and social media posts belonging to the men. According to Reuters, investigating magistrate Jose de la Mata wrote in a ruling that the court was ready to try the men, arrested in January last year in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in Morocco, on charges of belonging to a terrorist organization. However, De la Mata said that after several meetings and discussions with U.S. authorities, a request for them to ask Microsoft and Facebook to release profiles and emails related to the case had not been met. “Despite all of this, it has not been possible to get the required international cooperation from the United States,” the magistrate said in the ruling. The court has given U.S. judicial authorities extensive information

SPAIN

about the High Court’s investigation upon request, he added. The Spanish request comes after a major controversy in the United States over a legal battle waged by the U.S. Justice Department to get Apple to unlock an iPhone used by one of the shooters who killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California, at the end of last year. The Justice Department eventually succeeded in unlocking the phone without Apple, which had argued that the case set a dangerous precedent. De la Mata said the Spanish court would lodge a fresh request for help with the U.S. authorities while pressing ahead with the trial. U.S. officials were not immediately available for comment on the case. In Spain investigating magistrates can take on a case and pursue claims against suspects to back them up before the case is formally ready for trial.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Corruption: Chinese court sentences vicegovernor to 12 years jail term

50-year-old former vicegovernor of south China’s Hainan Province was sentenced to 12 years in prison for massive corruption charges. The Tianjin No 1 Intermediate People’s Court handed down the first trial sentence to Ji Wenlin and ordered him to pay 1 million yuan (USD 154,000) in fines. According to BBC News, during the trial, the court heard that Ji took advantage of his posts in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, the Ministry of Public Security and Hainan, to seek ben-

22-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to four charges of cruelty and negligence in the Brisbane’s District Court in Australia . She broke down in tears as she was sentenced to 12 months’ jail. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will spend at least four months behind bars. The court heard that neighbours called police in May 2014 after the woman’s two-year-old child was seen standing naked on a window sill one morning. He was screaming as he banged against the glass. According to BBC News, the court was told the then20-year-old single mother arrived home in a taxi before police could arrive, wearing a black dress and high heels, with her hair and make-up done.

CHINA

Chinese President Xi Jinping

efits for others. He also demanded and received a huge amount of bribes and assets, which investigators suggest could be worth around 20 million yuan, state-run Xinhua. The court said a lenient sentence was given as Ji confessed to his wrongdoings and exposed other criminal evidence during the investigation. Ji was elected vice governor of Hainan Province in January 2013. He was removed from office and put under investigation by discipline authorities in February 2014.

This is the latest in a series of trials of former high-ranking officials netted in China’s anti-corruption campaign started by Chinese Primier Xi Jinping after assuming office in November 2012. Li Dongsheng, former vice minister of Public Security, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for accepting bribes in January. Jiang Jiemin, former head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, was also sentenced to 16 years in prison in October last year.

Mother jailed for child cruelty AUSTRALIA

Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott She lied to police, saying the children had been supervised by family. Prosecutor Caroline Marco said neighbours called police the next day again after the dirty and naked toddler was screaming at the window for hours. Ms Marco said when police arrived, the four-year-old

answered the door covered in faeces and wearing only a soiled nappy. Officers forced their way inside when the child was unable to open the security screen. The court heard the mother was asleep in the bedroom when officers arrived. The house was filled with bags of rotting garbage, with food and faeces on the ground in the kitchen and the children’s urine-soaked mattresses had no bedding. Ms Marco said the mother was hostile towards the officers but complied with their order to bath the children. She dressed them in dirty clothes because there were no clean ones available. The court heard medical examinations revealed both

children were suffering from chronic diarrhoea. They had disturbed eating behaviours, including eating off the floor and were experiencing delays in their development. Defence lawyer Catherine Cuthbert said the mother did not have a mental illness at the time of the offending but remained psychologically vulnerable. She was now being treated for anxiety and depression. Justice Tony Moynihan said leaving the children in unhygienic conditions when the mother had capacity to care for them was “cruel”. Both children are in the care of their maternal grandmother and the Department of Child Protection is working towards reunification with the mother.

Desist from unethical conducts, Kolade charges Judges Matthew Irinoye

udiciary officers in the country have been urged to desist from unethical conducts in order to move the nation forward. The former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr. Christopher Kolade, made the call in Lagos at the book presentation of “Oral and Written Advocacy: Traditional and Modern Trends in Advocacy” written by Chief Folake Solanke, SAN and Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN. Dr. Kolade who chaired the occasion said that the book contained answers to new change Nigerians are seeking for, adding that legal practitioners should be professionals in their respective offices. While addressing the judges and justices during the occasion, . Kolade said that there was need for

them to be responsible so as to perform creditably well in their duty posts. He described the book as a wake-up call to the entire members of the learned profession to re-dedicate themselves to the noble profession. In her remark, the co-author, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, lamented that some members of the legal profession have polluted the stream of justice in gross violation. She however charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the national body and at the branches level to tackle the professional lapses by organising continuing legal and professional education for lawyers to enable them to be current in their legal knowledge in order to perform admirably in any situation. “This academic addition to legal literature is a wake-up call to the entire members of the learned profession

to re-dedicate ourselves to what veritable and superior advocacy is all about, for the restoration of the golden age of the profession, when it was corruption free” she said. “The production of this book is testament to the dividend that can be derived from an individual’s passion for a profession through studious, selfdiscipline, commitment and determination.” She added. Among notable lawyers, who attended the occasion include the NBA President Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN, Mr. Femi Falana SAN, Mr. Ayorinde Bolaji, SAN, Mr, Supo Sasore SAN, Chief F.O. Fagboungbe ,SAN, Other included, a representative of the Chief judge of Lagos State, Justice Obadina, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, wife of Ogun State Governor, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, , Justice Amina Augie, Court of Appeal Lagos division among others.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, April 4, 2016 2016

NBA-SBL conference set to produce law reform for economic growth ... As business law confab holds in Abuja

Francis FamorotI

ndications have emerged that this year’s annual Business Law Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) is set to produce a blueprint report that will assist the Federal Government formulate policies aimed at addressing the current economic problems besetting the country. This was disclosed at a press briefing held by the NBA-SBL Conference Planning Committee in Lagos to outline the details of the 2016 NBA-SBL Conference billed to hold between June 22 and 24 in Abuja. According to Mr. A sue Ighodalo, chairman, NBA Section on Business Law, the conference tagged with the theme ‘Law Reform and Economic Development’, was carefully chosen to explore and highlight the role law reform can play in facilitating economic development, especially as Nigeria faces challenging times. He said ‘’We are looking at the state of the nation and we are looking at those things that we need to drive the nation forward. We think we need to pay attention to a lot of our laws; many of them have been in our statute

book for 50 years or over without any tinkering or touching. And we need to start thinking about different ways of approaching the reform of our economy and the best place to start is the foundation and base which is the law. That is why we have chosen this theme, and I think it is very important and apt for this time,” . Besides, the NBA-SBL boss stated that the body expected that the report of the conference would be presented to the government as part of the body’s contributions to assist in shaping the country’s economic fortunes. His words ‘’We presented our last two reports to government. And we are hoping it will help both the legislature and the executive as they look at ways of diversifying the economy and setting a base for the diversification of the economy,” he added. The Chairman, NBA-SBL Conference Planning Committee, Babatunde Ajibade, (SAN) said the SBL conference has become a very important milestone in the legal calendar in the country. He added that the organisers of the conference were working assiduously to ensure the conference is hitch-free. Ajibade said “This being the 10th of our annual conferences, we are particularly proud to be hosting it and we are leaving no

stone unturned to make sure that it will be a spectacular conference.’’ Shedding light on why the 2016 conference is being planned to hold in Abuja, he said being the 10th edition, the organisers agreed the seat of power would be the ideal location to drive home the theme of the conference for the year. According to him, “We think that if we are going to be dealing with law reform, we really need to be hosting the conference where the law is being reformed, and Abuja is the place,” . Ajibade also said that Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo has been confirmed to speak at the conference opening dinner scheduled for June 22, pointing out that the VP would speak on the topic ‘Africa Rising: Managing Africa’s Economies for the Benefit of Its Peoples’. Some others expected at the conference include, Minister of solid minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; a former minister of power, Mr. Lanre Babalola, among others. Ajibade further outlined the key sessions at the conference to include ‘Law Reform and Economic Development’, ‘Managing Nigeria’s Economy – Law or Institutional

Reforms?’, ‘Vehicle for Doing Business: Is CAMA Fit for a Modern Growing Economy?’, ‘Power Sector Reform and Economic Development’, ‘Future Prospects for the Oil Industry’, ‘Reforming the Law to Promote Commercial Agriculture’, among others. Responding to a question, Ighodalo said this year’s conference would build on the success of last year’s, which had the theme ‘Regulators as Catalysts for Economic Growth’. On the specific impact of the 2015 conference, he said as a follow-through from the conference, the SBL has formed a joint committee with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and that the committee’s constant interaction has led to improvement in the operations of the CAC and, ultimately, in the business environment. Ighodalo also pointed to the ongoing engagement with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) as well as frequent consultation of the SBL by some agencies of government, such as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), among others. He said that there are a lot more awareness of the work of SBL, adding,’’there is a lot more awareness of interfacing with practitioners, and there is a lot more awareness of the need for collaboration,”.

EVENTS

L-R Partner, Olisa Agbakoba legal (OAL), Mrs. Priscilla Ogwemoh, Chaiman, NBASection on Business Law, Mr. Asue Ighodalo and the chairman, NBA -SBL 2016 conference Planning Committee, Babatunde Ajibade at a press breifying in Lagos recently

L-R Chairman, NBA-SBL, Mr. Ighadalo. Chair, Conference Planning Committee, Ajibade and member of the committee, Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara.

First female Senior Advocate, Chief Mrs. Folake Solanke(SAN) and former Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, during the presentation of a book jointly authored by Solanke and Dr. Fabian Ajogwu(SAN) in Lagos recently. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Authors, Chief Mrs. Folake Solanke(SAN) and Dr. Ajogwu(SAN) at the book presentation.

North

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari, govs agree on ranches to end herdsmen/farmers clashes –Lalong

resident Muhammadu Buhari and state governors have agreed that ranches be established to address the incessant farmers/ herdsmen clashes instead of grazing reserves, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, has disclosed. Lalong, who made the disclosure yesterday in Jos at the dedication of the new headquarters of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, said grazing reserves would not address the clashes and the killings.

“The President and governors agreed that there would be no grazing areas; ranches would be established by government where the cattle would be kept in one place and fed. “Government will provide facilities like medical, schools and other needs in the ranches,” he said. Lalong said the ranches would not be for Fulani herdsmen alone but for whoever rears cattle. He said the Buhari administration inherited myriads of problems,

saying that herdsmen/ farmers clashes was just one of such problems and urged the people to be patient. He urged Plateau citizens to pray for the state and the Federal Government as all the problems could not be solved in one year. Also speaking, the

Senator representing Plateau South, Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd), said that delegates at the 2014 National Conference agreed that grazing reserves should be a state affair, not federal. He said it would be difficult for farmers to support the establishment of grazing areas as they

would not donate their farms for grazing purposes. In his sermon, Rev. Anthony Farinto, former ECWA President, called on leaders at all levels to urgently address the difficulties Nigerians were going through. The cleric, who con-

demned the recent killing of a military official, urged the Federal Government to do all within its power to address the security challenges facing the country. “If a serving Colonel could be kidnapped and killed, it portends serious danger for the country,” he said.

Katsina poly gets 10-year devt plan James Danjuma KATSINA

ten-year development plan is to be rolled out for the academic and structural transformation of Katsina State polytechnic. Management of the institution, also known as Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, has to this end, inaugurated a committee to ensure the success of the development plan. Rector of the school, Prof Haruna Yusuf, who stated this to newsmen yesterday, said the development plan was initiated in 2015, but was renewed for another 10 years to address challenges facing the school. Yusuf said management of the polytechnic had introduced four new courses and was awaiting accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.

He identified the four courses to include HND in Computer Science, Hospitality Management, Science Laboratory and Food Technology. The Rector said the new courses were in addition to 19 others, introduced in 2012 and the five in 2015, which have all been accredited by NBTE. He said the institution also plans to invest in staff development to ensure all-round impact of the development plan. He said already, N25.9m has been set aside for academic staff training and conference. He said the amount is a balance of monies not used in 2014 and 2015, and that additional N25m has been given by the state government for the same purpose. Prof. Yusuf, however, called on staff to re-dedicate themselves to duty to ensure the set objectives were achieved.

We’ll use every means to fight corruption, diversify economy –FG Priscilla Dennis MINNA

ederal Government has reiterated its commitment to completely stamp out corruption and diversify the economy. Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu stated this through the Executive Secretary/CEO of National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Dr Mashud Adamu Kazaure at the 14th combined convocation ceremony of Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State. According to him, the na-

tion has to move away from total dependence on oil to agriculture and mining, stressing that embarking on such course of action would give the teaming youth better opportunities to be gainfully employed. “Polytechnic institutions in the nation have surpassed the 70:30 carrying capacity to the present 75:25 in favour of technical programmes and we have to stick to the policy of 70:30 in favor of technology courses. That is the one sure way we can move from consumer nation to productive country,” the minister said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (right) and Adamawa State Governor Jibirilla Bindow at the Commissioning of Atiku Abubakar Mall, in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State, at the weekend.

Arewa Lawyers Forum drums support for Gadzama as NBA President James Abraham JOS.

rewa Lawyers Forum of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, North East has adopted Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, as their candidate for the presidency of the association. This was made known

in a statement signed by Haruna Saleh and Sunday Stephen Jalingo and made available to journalists in Jos at the weekend. According to the statement, the forthcoming NBA election was deliberated upon at a meeting of the chairmen and secretaries of the branches of Arewa Lawyers Forum in Bauchi State.

“Having consider the candidates from Arewa Lawyers Forum vying for the position of the presidency of the NBA and appraised the candidates based on seniority at the inner Bar and contribution towards the progress of the Bar, the profession, and the interest of lawyers of Arewa extraction, we the undersigned

hereby unanimously adopt Chief J.K. Gadzama as the candidate for the presidency of the NBA in the forthcoming election,” the statement said. The statement further urged the entire lawyers from the North East to support the candidature of Chief Gadzama.

Union wants FG to settle legal issues to revive Ajaokuta Steel Plant

ron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ISSSAN, yesterday advised the Federal Gover nment to ensure that all legal issues that would affect the proposed revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant were settled amicably. ISSAN President, Mr Otori Maliki, said in Lagos that the Federal Government should ensure that it settled any court case involving the company before restructuring it. Maliki said the steel plant stopped functioning since 2005 when it was sold to Global Steel,

an Indian Company, during former President Olusegun Obasanjo- led administration. He said there were transnational irregularities at the rolling mill when it was privatised and those issues needed to be rectified before rebuilding it. The union leader said that later, the international court of arbitration asked the Federal Government to take charge of the steel plant and work out an amicable settlement with Global Steel. He said this was after Global Steel had agreed to withdraw its claim of

$1bn it initially demanded as damages from the Federal Government. Maliki said the issue had not been completely resolved by both parties because there were still irregularities regarding the process of its privatisation. The union leader urged the Federal Government to look into the grey areas before it commenced the restructuring of the plant. Maliki said that if revamped, the plant could employ no fewer than 10,000 people and boost the economy. He said it was regrettable that Nigeria

had continued to suffer unquantifiable losses from the depreciation of the multi-billion dollar investment due to its abandonment. The ISSAN president said that Ajaokuta could produce over 110mw of electricity to meet its local consumption needs, while the remaining would be transferred to the national grid. He said that if the company was revived soon, it would help to revive other dead manufacturing companies as well as train youths in technical craftsmanship.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 4, 2016

World News I know there are tensions and difficulties with receiving great numbers of refugees. But I strongly believe they need our help. –UN SECRETARY GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON

There’s potential in Korea-Nigeria relationship –Ambassador Noh South Korea was a foreign aid recipient after Korean War in the 1950s. With virtually no natural resources, it has emerged from an underdeveloped country to becoming a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations just in half a century. Ambassador Noh Kyu-duk, spoke with NATIONAL MIRROR’s MARCUS FATUNMOLE and JOEL AJAYI on his country’s past and present economic policies, challenges and successes, in addition to threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear programme What do you think about Nigeria in your second coming? hey say that Nigeria is the future of Africa. I believe that Nigeria will successfully achieve massive economic growth in the near future on the basis of its unlimited growth potential. In recent years, Nigeria’s non-oil sectors including telecommunications, trade and services have enjoyed outstanding growth, leading the country’s GDP growth and finally making the Africa’s largest economy. This is a significant indication that Nigeria can overcome the so-called “oil curse” and emerge as one of the top global economies. What are the prospects for Korea-Nigeria economic cooperation? As Korean Ambassador, I am doing my best to foster the economic relations between our two countries. Thanks to the complimentary characteristics of our two economies, our annual trade volume exceeded the $4.4 billion in 2014, making Nigeria Korea’s 52nd largest export market and the 26th biggest import market. Korean companies’ presence in Nigeria has also increased, and about 8, 000 Nigerians are being employed by more than 10 major Korean companies in the key business sectors such as oil and gas, electricity, trade, electronics and automobiles. The Buhari government has launched various reform policies such as industrial diversification, job creation and expansion of infrastructure, among others. The Korean government is interested in partnering with the Nigerian government in the areas of President Buhari’s reform policies. I am also certain that Korean companies will make contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth by increasing trade volume and their investment in this country. When do you think the

Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement pending between Korea and Nigeria will take effect? One of the pending issues between our two countries is the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement. The agreement will motivate Korean companies to increase their investment and boost their business activities in Nigeria by reducing their tax burdens. The executive bill for the domestication of the agreement has recently arrived at the National Assembly. My embassy is working very closely with the National Assembly, and I must thank the leadership of the National Assembly for paying a great attention to this agreement. It is my sincere hope that the bill will pass through the National Assembly within a few weeks. Is there any development yet on the lingering issues related to off-shore oil block between the two countries? Yes, another outstanding issue is the one related to two off-shore oil blocks. In 2006, Korean National Oil Corporation was awarded with the right to explore two offshore oil blocks by the Obasanjo’s government. Unfortunately, however, in 2009, with the change of the Nigerian governments, KNOC’s right was arbitrarily revoked by the Yar’Adua’s government. Currently, KNOC and NNPC are joining forces to resolve this issue in an amicable way. I strongly believe that the resolution of this issue will open a new chapter in the economic cooperation between our two countries. What kind of development aid does Korea offer Nigeria? To support the Nigeria’s socioeconomic development, ROKG has provided Nigeria with development aid since 1991, mostly in the form of project aid in the areas of education, vocational

Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Noh Kyu-duk training and e-Government. To name a few on-going projects, KOICA is building junior and senior secondary model schools in Abuja ($150 million), building capacity of e-government($8.56 million), establishing vocational training center in Lokoja and rice processing center in Bida. In addition, more than 1, 500 Nigerians have been invited to Korea to attend various kinds of training programs for human resources development. As you know, Korea was a foreign aid recipient after Korean War in the 1950s. It has virtually no natural resources. Nevertheless, it has emerged from an underdeveloped country to an OECD member state just in half a century. Korea is equipped with a unique experience rising as a major economic player from the ashes of war through its compressed economic growth and development. Korea wants to share these experiences with Nigeria. What forms of achievements has your President, Park Geun-hye has attained since he assumed office in 2013? In her inauguration speech in February 2013, President Park Geun-hye declared that her government would open a “new era of hope.” At the time, following the global financial crisis, the world economy was in a deep recession and the Korean economy has lost its vitality. For three years since then, the Park govern-

ment has worked hard to keep its promise of opening a “new era of hope” for the Korean people. The past three years were full of challenges and crises to overcome. What specific areas is he working on to revitalize the Korean economy? Park Geun-hye government faithfully implemented its Threeyear Plan for Economic Innovation, which was the most highly evaluated growth strategy among the G20 economies, according to the IMF and OECD. As a result, the Korea’s sovereign credit rating was upgraded to the highest level in its history, surpassing even that of Japan. With the expansion of the FTA network, including Korea-China FTA, Korea’s export volume, which had been ranked at 7th largest in the world, increased to become the 6th largest, while Korea’s economy also moved up in the ranks, from 13th to 11th place. Park Geun-hye government has established a foothold for the revitalization of the Korean economy through four major reforms. First, public sector reforms were launched through Public Employee Pension System Reform. This reform has reduced the financial burden on Korean people by a total of $452 billion, or $17.6 million daily, for the next 70 years. In addition, through public institutions’ reform, Korea’s national debt was reduced by $455 million. A total of 313 public institutions implemented the Wage

Peak system, which will create 4, 441 jobs for the young people this year. Second are the Labour Reforms. In September 2014, Park GH government organized the Economic and Social Development Commission, in which the labour, corporate management and government representatives participated, to discuss labour reforms. On September 15 2015, they reached the Tripartite Agreement which will result in creating 370, 000 jobs over the next five years and strengthening the protection of non-regular workers. Park GH government will continue to pursue labour reforms to strengthen the social safety net and to support prompt reemployment of the unemployed. Third are the Financial Reforms. Full-fledged financial reforms triggered rapid growth of a new financial industry, leading the number of Fintech startups to increase eight-fold (from 44 to 360) from early 2015 and giving rise to the birth of Internet-primary banks. To foster Fintech, the IT and Finance Convergence Support Plan was announced in January 2015, in which policy directions, such as the reduction of preliminary regulations and creation of a Fintech ecosystem, were introduced. The Fintech support center was launched to establish channels of communication and cooperation between Fintech business and financial companies. In Internet-primary banks, launched in 2016, all banking transactions can be performed on mobile phones or on the Internet 24 hours a day. The fourth are Education Reforms. Through structural reforms of universities, in line with the changing needs of Korean society, the number of new admissions at universities was reduced by 47, 000. In addition, the government is developing solutions for the youth employment problem and striving to resolve the manpower shortage at SMEs through the implementation of integrated industry-academic apprenticeship programs at 60 high schools and 5, 764 companies. This aims to transform educational paradigm for high school graduates pursuing technical professions through the participation of both schools and business.

North

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PDP accuses Masari of frivolous spending James Danjuma KATSINA

GOC, 7Div. of the Nigerian Army Maiduguri, Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu (r) presenting cash to a beneficiary of soft loans to unemployed youths and women groups under the Chief of Army Staff Empowerment Initiatives to Barracks Community in Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Firm plans $150 million power project in Plateau

James Abraham JOS

T Cosmos Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Communication Towers Limited, has disclosed plans to establish a Solar plant power project in Panyam community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State which will cost over $150 million . Chief Operating Officer of the firm, Mr Henry Opara, who led a delegation of the company to meet with the community members at the weekend, said the project when completed will generate over 70 megawatts which he noted would be sufficient to sustain Plateau and neighbouring states. Opara said; “Presently, We have gotten the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, licence, and we’ve been shortlisted for Power

Purchase Agreement, PPA, with Bulk Energy Purchase Company of Nigeria; the working tools we’ve been awaiting for final take-off to the site. Once the PPA gets to our hands we would then put a timeline on how to progress with the work, stage by stage. “Because of the high cost of the project, foreign investors are involved; and what they are just waiting for is just the paper from government, and thereafter, I believe before the end of this year, the project should have taken off. Total period for the completion and kick should not be longer than 18 months. He noted that though the Federal Government is involved in the project, it is not funding it; it is a private company initiative. At the end of the day, the power will be directed to the National Grid and

will be sold to the Federal Government. Opara said CT Cosmos has chosen a technical partner in Siemens, a leading supplier of system for power generation and transmission, and global giant in electrification, automation and digitalisation for the execution of the solar photovoltaic (PV) project due to the company’s proven expertise in delivering high quality solutions, technical support and services. He said the Solar Farm, which is expected to be completed in about 18 months, will cover a land space of about 103 hectares, where the solar radiation is excellent, and will add-up to Nigeria’s efforts to generate needed power to its citizenry. Enumerating its many benefits to the Panyam community, Opara said the over $150 million project will bring the com-

munity to the world map, provide employment opportunities to the youths that have the capacity, and will take off hazardous CO2 from the air in the community, providing healthy air for the people. The traditional ruler of the community, Mishkaham Panyam, Engineer Aminu Derwam, who was obviously delighted over the intention of the investor, took time to enlighten his subjects of the many benefits accrued to them as host community for the multi-billion naira project. Flanked by his chiefs, including a former member of House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Jonathan, the monarch said he facilitated the meeting of the company with the original land owners in the spirit of transparency so that the company could confirm to the land owners what they are paying as compensation.

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari-led administration of frivolous spending. The party said from June last year to date, the Masari-led government had received more than N100 billion in federation account, but there was nothing on ground to show for it. Speaking at a press briefing over the weekend, the PDP chairman, Salisu Majigiri, said that rather than manage resources, the current government had borrowed N26 billion in its first six months in office. Majigiri said of the amount borrowed, 11.8 billion was meant for pension and gratuities, but from PDP’s record, only N800 million had so far been disbursed. He said the PDP since 1999 to 2015, had never borrowed money for projects, and wondered how much the Masari-led government would borrow before its tenure expired. “We heard that a contract worth N10 billion was awarded, but the budget was not signed at the time, neither did the

Sokoto, Niger Republic to establish joint schools

okoto State, in collaboration with the government of Niger Republic, will establish a cluster of new schools that will be run on dual curriculum of English and French, Governor Aminu Waziri Tam-

FCT polls: Al-Makura rallies support for APC candidates Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

asarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has rallied support for candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, contesting in the forth coming area councils elections of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The governor therefore cautioned electorates that they cannot af-

ford to be left behind in the change mantra when the six states that made up the North Central geopolitical zone of the country are being controlled by the APC. He stated this at Mararaban Gurku, a satellite town of the FCT, when inaugurating a multi-million naira Taal community orange market, adding that his call on the electorates, who are residents of Nasarawa State, to vote

for APC is imperative as majority of them work in the FCT. He however, craved for the indulgence Nigerians over the present economic hardship being experienced across the country hence appealing to them to give the APC controlled Federal Government more time in order to effect the desired change which it was voted for as according to him; “the decay in the country’s eco-

nomic system has gone beyond imagination.” He continued that due to the total decay in the country’s socio-economic system for the past 16 years, it would not be fair for Nigerians to expect an automatic change from the APC government. He said that President Muhammadu Buhari is dogged in repositioning the country back on track which would soon put smiles on the faces of Ni-

Tenders Board meet on the matter.” He said civil servants were lamenting under the current administration due to late salary payments, an issue he said, was never present under PDP. Majigiri said due to the present state government’s “forward and backward” policies, the PDP had set up a committee to ensure the rights of the people were protected. He said the committee which is a seven-man and is referred to as Special Committee on Verification and Protection of Peoples’ Rights in the state. He said the committee would verify the genuineness or other wise of complaints against the current All Progressive Congress, APC-led government in the state. He assured that the PDP was intact with a strong support base, even as he called on PDP members to come out and participate during upcoming party activities. When contacted, senior special adviser to the Governor Masari on Media, Abdu Labaran, dismissed the allegation, saying they would respond in due course on the issues raised by the PDP.

gerians. On the challenges being faced by President Buhari in the governance of the country at the moment, The governor likened the president’s experience to that of his during his early days in office when elites attacked him from all directions because he couldn’t share money to them as was the case in the preceding administrations in the state.

buwal, has announced. Speaking after he attended the inauguration of President Mahamadou Issouffou in Niamey, the Niger capital, Tambuwal said the schools will be established in border towns with the first, to be sited in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State, coming on stream before the end of 2016. “The schools will promote cultural ties between the two governments and will train new set of students that will be proficient in both English and French,” the governor said. Tambuwal said the people of Sokoto State have long cultural and historical ties with its neighbours across the border, and government will introduce wide ranging policies that will enhance the ties.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, April 4, 2016

Sport We keep pushing on. Wherever this takes us, we will know that we have achieved our aims and objectives.

El Clasico win can be turning point, says Zidane

–Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger

Super Falcons

Enyeama nominated for Foe award

Women Cup of Nations

Super Falcons set for Senegal

…as Omagbemi assures on title defence

he Senior Women national team, Super Falcons, will fly out of the country tomorrow for the first leg of their 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against their Senegalese counterparts. The Senegalese Football Federation has confirmed to the NFF that the first leg match will take place in Dakar on Friday, 8th April, while the NFF has also confirmed Tuesday, 12th April for the return leg in Abuja. Senegal ousted Guinea in the earlier round and their reward is a two leg confrontation with the African champions, with the winner earning a slot at the 10th Africa Women Cup of Nations to

be staged by Cameroon later this year. Meanwhile, Head Coach Florence Omagbemi has expressed confidence that the seven- time African champions will not only scale the Senegalese hurdle but go ahead to successfully defend their African crown in Cameroon later in the year. Omagbemi said the Super Falcons will not only qualify for the biennial football showpiece at the expense of Senegal but go ahead to defend the title they won in Namibia in 2014 against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon. “Like I said before, we are the defending champions, and we just have to be really prepared so

that we can remain on top. Most teams in Africa want to beat Nigeria, and we will not let that happen.” Speaking shortly after a warm up match against FC Eaglenet of Lugbe, Abuja which the Falcons won 1-0, Omagbemi expressed happiness over the quality of players in the team noting that they are capable of defeating their Senegalese counterparts. “The way we are now, we are ready for Senegal. We are ready to go in there and do our best. The pool of players we have in camp now, if any of them is called upon to play, I am very sure that player will deliver”, said the former Nigeria strong woman to thenff.com.

ormer Nigeria’s first choice keeper, Vincent Enyeama, has once again emerged as one of the eleven shortlisted players for the MarcVivien Foe prize for Africans in the French Ligue 1. The 33-year-old Nigerian shot-stopper is the only goalkeeper nominated alongside two defenders, five midfielders and three strikers. The Lille OSC custodian will have to contend with the likes of Ivorian Serge Aurier, Abdul Majeed Waris, Moustapha Bayal Sall, Floyd Ayite, Ryad Boudebouz and Sofiane Boufal. Other nominees are Rachid Ghezzal, Cheikh Noye, Cheick Diabate and Cameroon striker Benjamin Moukandjo. This season, Enyeama has impressed between the sticks for Lille and has made 28 appearances for his team.

He has kept 12 clean sheets including shipping in 0.76 goal per match and has a save ratio of 2.6 per French Ligue 1 game. The former Nigerian international has made 72 saves including 45 of them being shots from inside the box. In 2014, Enyeama was voted the best African in the French top-flight after he put up an incredible streak of 14 clean sheets for Lille, amounting to 1,061 minutes without conceding, falling short by 115 minutes to the all-time clean sheet record in France held by former Bordeaux goalkeeper Gaeten Huard in 1993. Last year, Andre Ayew, now with Swansea City, beat Enyeama and a host of other African players to the award. The winner of the award for 2016 will be named in May.

Enyeama

Monday, April 4, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BENJAMIN PETER OGHAYAN, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL EHIOMEN. All former document remain valid, General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that AGIM EMMANUEL VICENT is the same person as AGIM EMMANUEL BUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That I JOLAYEMI ABDULAHI YEKINI OPEYEMI is the same and one person as JOLAYEMI ABDULAHI YEKINI, JOLAYEMI ABDULAHI OPEYEMI now wish to be known and addressed as JOLAYEMI ABDULAHI YEKINI OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc, law enforcement agency and general public take note.

FG to launch N59.7bn Youth-in-Agriculture Scheme

I formerly known and addressed as JONATHAN IHUOMA O. now wish to be known and addressed as IHUOMA JONATHAN GIFT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OKONKWO IRUOMA CHARITY now wish to be known and addressed as ECHEM-CHIMEZIE IRUOMA CHARITY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IBRAHIM BUKOLA AJOKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SULAIMAN KADIRI ABADAT BUKOLA AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

he Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, yesterday said the Federal Government would launch N59.7 billion YouthIn-Agriculture Scheme in September. Sanginga, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ibadan, said the scheme would be sponsored by the Federal Government and African Development Bank, AFDB. The director-general

CHANGE OF NAME EROMOKHODION: I, formerly known and addressed as EROMOKHODION EVELYN HENRY ADESUWA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. YUSUF SULAIMON OLADIMEJI EVELYN ADESUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEYEYE: I, formerly known and addressed as ADEDOLA BOLUWATIFE ADEYEYE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEDOLA BOLUWATIFE ADEKOLU-JOHN. All former documents remain valid.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME OKOYE : This is to confirm that OKOYE NONYE PERPETUA and OKOYE NONYE ROSELINE is one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and address as OKOYE NONYE PERPETUA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME MONEKE: This is to confirm that MONEKE OBIANUJU ONYEKACHUKWU, MONEKE OBIANUJU FAITH and MONEKE OBIANUJU FAVOUR is one and same person. Henceforth wish to known and address as MONEKE OBIANUJU FAITH. All former documents remain valid. Generaal public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS FOLORUNSO BOLUWAJI AJOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBERU AJOKE BOLUWAJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as PRISCILIA ENOBONG EFFIOM, now wish to be known and addressed as PRISCILIA CHUKWUNENYE LINUS. Former documents remain valid. National Teachers, Institute and the General Public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MR AKINYELE MUKADAM SUCCESS, now wish to be known and addressed as MR AKINYELE SUCESS ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly AKINWUMIJU OLAKUNLE MARGARET, now MRS OLADOYINBO MARGARET OLAKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concern and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MATTEW SMITH now wish to be known and addressed as DESMOND SHUN. All Former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. NWOKOLO GOZIEM BLESSING now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NKWOR GOZIEM BLESSING. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNYE OLANIKE NIMOTALAH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AINA - AIKHIGBE OLANIKE NIMOTALAH, All former documents remain valid. OGUN STATE HEALTH MANAGEMENT BOARD, OGUN STATE PENSIONS BOARD, WEMA BANK and General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MR DIKE ALEX, now wish to be known and addressed as MR DURU CHINEDU ALEX. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADELANKE: Formerly known and addressed as ADELANKE APEKEOLA BUSOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABIODUN MARY SALAMATU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ALOKAN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ALOKAN ADEKEMI JULIANAH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAYI ADEKEMI JULIANAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as DELE OSUKEYE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWATOSIN OLUBUMI. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank and general public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that my names was wrongly written as BASORUN ASOGBON OMOWUMI during BVN registration with UBA and ASOGBON OMOWUMI in my savings account with First Bank instead of BASORUN OMOWUMI. Henceforth my correct name is BASORUN OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, UBA Plc and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALFRED: Formerly known and addressed as ALFRED EKANEM AKPAN now wish to be known and addressed as MICHEAL EKANEM MENDIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

OBI: Formerly known and addressed as OBI CHIDINMA LORITA now wish to be known and addressed as EDAFE CHIDINMA LORITA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNSANYA: Formerly known and addressed as OGUNSANYA ADEKUNLE BAMIDELE now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNSANYA SHAKIRU ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME FADOJU: Formerly known and addressed as MISS FADOJU VERONICA OLAWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKINSOLA VERONICA OLAWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AJAYI OLUWASEUN MAYOWA, NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AJAYI SEUN OLA, ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that AKINTAYO OMOLARA, the owner of an account with Eco Bank, who opened the account with the date of birth, April 15, 1969, is also the owner of a UBA account bearing Akintayo Bosede with the date of birth, April 5, 1974. Henceforth, I want to be known as AKINTAYO OMOLARA ABOSEDE with the date of birth, April 5, 1974. Eco and UBA banks, and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PETER: FORMERLY known and addressed as PETER ADAKOLE EGAJI, NOW wish to be known and addressed as PETER ADAKOLE OCHAGUBA. All former documents remain valid. FUPA, ABU ZARIA and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS ODUWAYE ALIMOT MORENIKE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ADELEKE ALIMOT MORENIKE.ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as AJETUNMOBI ASISAT ENITAN AJOKE, But now wish to be known and address as OREDOLA ASISAT ENITAN AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note. CHANGE OF NAME

GRACE: FORMERLY known and addressed as GRACE NWANKWO, NOW wish to be known and addressed as GRACE OGUERI NEE NWANKWO. All former documents remain valid. IBTC and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AUDU JULIET ABIBAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. TAIWO JULIET ABIBAT. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NWANGWU NKEM NWANDU, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANGWU NKEMAKONAM NWANDO and my date of birth is 14th of February, 1966. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as EMEKA AKAOLISA now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEMEKA CHINONSO EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

Formerly known as AYODELE MICHAEL OJO now wish to be addressed as AYODELE MICHAEL AJIBOLA. All other documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME BELLO: Formerly known and addressed as BELLO AISHA BASHIRU now wish to be known and addressed as BELLO FLORENCE BASHIRU. All former documents remain valid. Gen public pls take note. . All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

BUSARI: Formerly known and addressed as BUSARI OMOBOLANLE AISHAT now wish to be known and addressed as OROKUNLE OMOBOLANLE ALABA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

EJELOYE: Formerly known and addressed as JEJELOYE IBUKUN OLABODE now wish to be known and addressed as JEJELOYE BODE AFOLAYAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take noteCONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINSETE OMOBOLAWA GLORY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FOLARIN OMOBOLAWA GLORY. All former documents remain valid. Genral public to please note.

This is to certified/confirm that MRS STELLA ABOSEDE ADETUNJI and MRS BEATRICE YETUNDE OLUSOGA is the same one person as MRS BEATRICE YETUNDE ADETUNJI, that henceforth wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Beatrice Yetunde Adetunji. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY MISS KANISURU FUNKE BUNMI NAOMI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ANAKASO FUNKE BUNMI NAOMI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY,FEDERAL MINISTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AWOBAJO AYODELE ABIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OGUNSANYA AYODELE ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formally know and addressed as OYINLOLA SHERIFAT ADELAJA, now wish to be know and addressed as OYINLOLA SHERIFAT ADEDEYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

RAHANA: FORMERLY known and addressed as ABDULSALAM RAHANA, now wish to be known and addressed as FATIMA MURTALA LOLO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

said IITA would train those enrolled in the scheme, adding that beneficiaries would be trained on how to make agriculture a business with good networking. “The programme tagged ``Enable Youth Empowerment Agribusiness programme, will engage youths in agribusiness for 18 months to enable them learn how to make agric business plan. “Each will be given between 25,000 US Dollars and 300,000 US Dollars as loan to start a business. This is to certify that my correct name is AKINFOLARIN MAYOWA not ATOLAGBE MOYINOLUWA. Henceforth my name will be spelt, called and addressed as AKINFOLARIN MAYOWA. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A PLC and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

“The programme started by IITA in 2012, was taken over by the Federal Government and AFDB to create employment in agric sector. “To support this objective, the programme will be extended to 36 states and Abuja in September. “After the programme, we expect the youths to become Chief Executive Officers of factories, companies and creators of jobs rather than job seekers,” he said. Sanginga urged the youths to develop positive mindset in agriculture and take good advantage of the programme. “They should be serious with the training because at the end of it only those who did well will be rewarded,” he said. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AUGUSTINA NNEKA HASSAN AKUBOR, now wish to be known and addressed as TINA NNEKA AKUBOR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MAHMUD SHARIYU OMOWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as MEMUDU SARIYU OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

We are formerly known and addressed as AJUBE BIBOPIRI Now There Children name are JOSEPH..AJUBE EREBOR DANJUAMA JOSEPH.. AJUBE PRINCE TONBRAPA JOSEPH..AJUBE PROMISE TARERE JOSEPH..AJUBE GIFT JOSEPH..AJUBE EMMANUEL J JOSEPH.. AJUBE KESTINE JOSEPH..AJUBE CLINTON JOSEPH..AJUBE EBITIMI MELULN JOSEPH..AJUBE DIAMOND EBIMORBOWI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as OLANIKE OYEYEMI OJO, now wish to be addressed as OLANIKE OYEYEMI AJIBOLA. All other documents remain valid. General public take note. ADEYANJU: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEYANJU AYODEJI, TUNDE-ARIYO. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEYANJU AYODEJI, AYOGEORGE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public that I, BELLO BOLANLE UTHMAN residing at No. 15, Echendu Eke Close, Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria lost B.Sc Original certificate (2012) issued to me by AL-Hikmah University Ilorin and Nov/Dec. 2003 WAEC Certificate (2003) with candidate number 5250506238 on the 27TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2015.All efforts to trace it proved abortive.The general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ELEGUSHI: Formerly known and addressed as ELEGUSHI MORIAMO YETUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as ELEGUSHI MARIAM YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

LAWAL: Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL TOLULOPE KUBURAT now wish to be known and addressed as ADELOWO TOLULOPE KUBURAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified/confirm that OGUNSAKIN OLAWUMI ALICE is the same one person as OGUNSAKIN JANET OMOTAYO, that henceforth wish to be known, addressed and called as Ogunsakin Janet Omotayo. All former documents remain valid, Hospital Management Board and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNEME WISDOM OZIOMA now wish to be known and addressed as SYLVESTER WILLIAMS WISDOM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CECILIA: FORMERLY known and addressed as CECILIA ALABA, NOW wish to be known and addressed as CECILIA ALABI. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK PLC and General public should please take note.

NASIRU: FORMERLY known and addressed as JIMOH NASIRU OZOVEHE, NOW wish to be known and addressed as ISMAIL OZOVEHE NASIRU All former documents remain valid. GTBANK PLC and General public should please take note.

LERAMA: FORMERLY known and addressed as LERAMA OMOKUGO NOW wish to be known and addressed as LERAMA RICHARD. All former documents remain valid. UBA PLC and General public should please take note.

NUHU: FORMERLY known and addressed as SAEED NUHU NOW wish to be known and addressed as SHEIDU NUHU. All former documents remain valid. LGEA OKENE and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ABIOLA: Formerly known and addressed as ABIOLA BILIKIS TANKO now wish to be known and addressed as ABIOLA BILIKIS ADENAIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AMEDU: Formerly known and addressed as AMEDU PATIENCE now wish to be known and addressed as OGENE PATIENCE EGBEMUMHE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AMUSA LUKMAN SUNDAY NOW WHICH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS HAMZAH LUQMAN ABIODUN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I MR. AGBONLUAI OHIOCHIOYA SCOTTIE is also known to be MR AGBONLUAI OHIOCHIOYA, that all documents bearing MR. AGBONLUAI OHIOCHIOYA or MR. AGBONLUAI OHIOCHIOYA SCOTTIE are one and same person and that all documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OLOYEDE: FORMERLY known and addressed as OLOYEDE MUTOLIB SULEMAN, NOW wish to be known and addressed as MUTAWAKILU SULEMAN OLOYEDE. All former documents remain valid. GTBANK PLC, ZENITH BANK PLC and General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

RUTH: FORMERLY known and addressed as RUTH EGUNURE NOW wish to be known and addressed as EZE JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUDI PETER, now wish to be known and addressed as OKAFOR MICHAEL AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that MISS OGINNI BOSEDE CLARA is the same person as MRS ADELEKE BOSEDE CLARA, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olofindare Bosede Clara,all former document remain valid,Hospital Management Board(HMB)Ado Ekiti and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ABIODUN: Formerly known and addressed as MR ADEYEMI ABIODUN DAVID, now wish to be known and addressed as MR DAVID ADEYEMI MOSHOOD. All former documents remain valid.General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NSIKAK UDO OTU, now wish to be known and addressed as USEN UDO OTU. born on 7th day January 1985. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as DESMOND LAWRENCE, now wish to be known and addressed as IGBE LAWRENCE CHINEDU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Adebisi: I formerly MISS ADEBISI VICTORIA OLUWAKEMI now wished to be known and addressed as MRS OLAWUNI VICTORIA OLUWAKEMI, all former document remain valid,NPF and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OGWUCHE: Formerly known and addressed as MR CLEMENT SUNDAY OGWUCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR CLEMENT ISAAC OCHOLOFU.born on 10 of march 1991.All former documents remain valid.General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADAMU DANASABE, now wish to be known and addressed as ALPHONSUS ANTHONY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS REMI ARIYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OSENI REMI BEATRICE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Monday, April 4, 2016

This is to confirm that I, ADENIRAN OLUWASEUN AYO and ADENIRAN AGBOOLA SEUN are one and same, now to be known as Adeniran Oluwaseun Ayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OKPALAEZE NNEOMA AGATHA, now wish to be known and addressed as OKPALAEZE CHIKA RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Julius: I formerly MISS JULIUS BOSEDE RUTH now wished to be known and addressed as MRS ADENIYI BOSEDE RUTH, all former document remain valid. the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ALI SHETTIMA, now wish to be known and addressed as JOEL SHETTIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS BISI AJOKE MAJEKODUNMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS BISI AJOKE OMONIYI. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as SIMIAT ROMOKE ADEKEYE, Now SIMIAT ROMOKE IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General Public TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ANAMENE ONYEBUCHI CHARITY, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEMMADU ONYEBUCHI CHARITY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as REBECCA ALIMOT ALI HARUNA, now wish to be known and addressed as ALLI REBECCA ALIMOT. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NWAGWU MARTINS IFEANYI, now wish to be known and addressed as OKPARA MARTINS IFEANYI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKINMADE JOHN OLUGBOYEGA, now wish to be known and addressed as AYENURO JOHN OLUMIDE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public please take note.

I was formerly known and addressed as ADEKANBI AKEEM MOJIMI, now wish to be known and addressed as WASIU HAKEEM ABAYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to notify the public that I OLUFEMI ABIODUN is one and the same person as AWOLU JEREMIAH, that I have an account with both UBA and Wema Bank PLC but the two account bears the same BVN no, since it have the same bvn, also want the two account to bear the same name which is Awolu Abiodun Olufemi. All former documents remain valid, UBA and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME OLASUNKANMI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLASUNKANMI AJIBOLA DORCAS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKINWALE DORCAS AJIBOLA. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as INALEGWU BLESSING AGIPU, now wish to be known and addressed as DANIEL BLESSING AGIPU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AZEEZ: Formerly known and addressed as MISS AZEEZ ADAMS TALLATU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MOMOH ADAMS TALLATU. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

I, MRS. OLUSHOLA OLUFEMI, wish to be Known and called OLUSHOLA FATOKI, All Former documents Remains Valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss OKEYODE ADEDOLAPO AMINAT , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKINTAYO ADEDOLAPO FAITH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS EKUSUNMI SILIFAT, now wish to be known and addressed as SILIFAT ABIMBOLA ADARANIJO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as TERNA UGYE, now wish to be known and address as TANA EMMANUEL UGWE ORIOHA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Former known and addressed as MISS ADEBUNMI OLAJUMOKE ADEOGUN, now wish to be known and address as MRS ADEBUNMI OLAJUMOKE ADEPOJU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Former known and addressed as SHOMORIN ELIZABETH OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and address as BAKARE OLUWASEUN SHOMORIN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Former known and addressed as KAFILA EJIDE YUSUF, now wish to be known and address as KAFILA EJIDE GANZALLO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Former known and addressed as MISS DEBORAH OIZA LAWAL, now wish to be known and address as MRS DEBORAH OIZA OLASUNBOIMAM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ONDAKI ISA ABUBAKAR now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED SANI IYIMOGA. All former documents remain valid. DIAMOND BANK PLC and general public take note.

AJUGWO: I, formerly known and addressed as LINDA NNEKA AJUGWO, now wish to be known and addressed as NELLY NNEKA AJUGWO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME NWANKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as NWANKWO CHUKWUEMEKA EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MR EMMANUEL CHUKWUEMEKA IZEGBU . All former documents remain valid. Independence national electoral commission (INEC) and general public should please take note.

NWALI: I, formerly known and addressed as NWALI ANN CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWALI NWONYE ANN NWALI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ORJI, EMMANUEL CHUKWULADI GIDEON and ORJI CHUKWULADI G.E, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL, GIDEON CHUKWULADI. All documents remain valid.ECO BANK, NYSC & General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

NWEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as NWEKE CHIZOBA VERA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWEKE CHIZOBA VERA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that NASIDI MOHAMMED is the same one person as NASIDI AUWAL MUHAMMAD, that henceforth wish to be known, called and addressed as NASIDI MUHAMMAD AUWAL. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

DORIS: Formerly known and addressed as DORIS PETER BAMIDELE now wish to be known and addressed as MARIA EBHODAGHE All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONWUKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CALLISTA UZOAMAKA ONWUKWE., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CALLISTA UZOAMAKA OBI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as ANGELA OFU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EYETEMI CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. FCMB, Africa church secondary commercial school, Akwa-Ibom and General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

RACHEAL: Formerly known and addressed as RACHEAL ODEE now wish to be known and addressed as ABENY RACHEAL OGOGO. And my correct date of birth is FEBUARY -15 -1984. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

FRIENDS OF RANGERS INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL CLUB ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. IKEM ODENIGBO 2. CHINEDU ANI 3. LEO EZEUGWU

Chairman

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: For the support and overall welfare of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama , Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed Ikem Odenigbo Chairman

CHANGE OF NAME

NNAMANI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNAMANI AMUCHE FLORENCE., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWEKE AMUCHE FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. FACT OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that NNAMCHI ONAH GEORGE and NNAMCHI VICTOR GEORGE refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMCHI CHIBUZO VICTOR. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

This is the fact that my name was formerly known as ADAMU UMARU OCHE PRINCE, but now renounced and now wish to be known, called and addressed as ISREAL AKOH. All former documents remain valid. Intimate friends, Acquaintances and General public please take note.

IDOWU: Formerly known and addressed as IDOWU THOMPSON OLUWAFUNMILAYO now wish to be known and addressed as ADEYINKA OLUWAFUNMILAYO THOMPSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME That my name was wrongly written on my National Identity Card as ASYUWO ALICE EDET, while on my Permanent Voter’s Card, it was wrongly written as EDITH ALICE. That my correct name is ASUQUO ALICE EDET. Authorities Concerned and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLADAPO TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLADAPO TEMITOPE ANIBABA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as NAPOLEON SHADRACH EMBA, now wish to be known and addressed as ISHAYA SHADRACH NAPOLEON. My Correct date of birth is 4th of SEPTEMBER 1995. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that CHIBUZO MIKE EMEH and CHIBUZO AMANDI EMEH refer to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

SODE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS SODE GBADEBO ADENIKE YETUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as OLANIYANGBADEBO ADENIKE YETUNDE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ODO HYGINUS CHINEDU FRANKLIN now wish to be known and addressed as NWODO FRANKLIN CHINEDU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as MRS. ADELEYE FUNKE YINKA , now wish to be known and addressed as MISS AKINMODIRO FUNKE FUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as ADEGBOYEGBA IDOWU DAVID, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEGBOYEGA IDOWU DAVID. GTBank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS AJIBOSE KUDIRAT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS YEKINI KUDIRAT BOSE, former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ONWUMERE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONWUMERE URSULA OGECHI., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ECHEBIRI ELEWEONYE URSULA OGECHIKWERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, AMADI AUSTIN IKECHUKWU is one and the same person bearing AMADI AUSTIN SOLOMON. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

SUNDAY: Formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY EZEWULU IKWUKA now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY JUSTINE IKWUKE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as NWAOKO UGOCHI CELINE now wish to be known and addressed as NWOKO UGOCHI NELLY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NANKA PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY

FLAMING CHARIOTS BIBLE CHURCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above Assembly has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990

This is to inform the public that the above-named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OFOJEBE CHUKWUEBUKA 2. MOSES OKAFOR 3. ENGE.TOCHUKWU ATUILI 4. ENGR. UZOCHUKWU ANIMALU

CHAIRMAN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote socio- cultural awareness among Nanka youths. 2. To provide a regular forum for Nanka to associate freely with one another. 3. To pursue development ventures and social welfare programmes for the benefit and welfare of all Nanka Youths and Nanka people in general. 4. To encourage political participation and socio- economic involvement among Nanka Youths. 5. To provide adequate security to the inhabitant of Nanka by ridding the community of hood lums and other undesirable elements. 6. To protect, preserve and where necessary improve on the cultural values and heritage of the people pf Nanka. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama , Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Uchechukwu Onyekachi Esq

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 1. Apostle Joshbriliem Immanuel (Lead Pastor) 2. Barrister Ndubisi Chuks Nwasike 3. Engineer Oluwaleke Oluwamayowa Oso AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in all parts of the country and in all nations of the earth holding strictly to the Bible as her unerring guide with a view to gathering on board victorious people of all languages and civilizations unto the heaven bound chariot heading for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot No. 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Sports

Monday, April 4, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Zinedine Zidane

El Clasico win can be turning point, says Zidane XXXXX

eal Madrid’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona could be a “turning point” for their poor La Liga season, boss Zinedine Zidane says. Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal secured a 2-1 win at Barcelona, ending the league leaders’ 39-match unbeaten run. Zidane’s side remains third, seven points adrift of Barcelona and one behind second-placed Atletico Madrid. “We must go step by step,” he said. “First we must pass Atletico. Then we’ll see what happens. There are still games to play.”

He added: “This can be a turning point. It is very important, for the rest of season, for our spirit.” Real, who last won La Liga in 2012, have endured a turbulent season, with Zidane taking charge in January following the dismissal of Rafa Benitez after just seven months in charge. They have, though, now won six matches in a row in all competitions as they prepare for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg trip to Germany to face Wolfsburg. “When I see a team that’s united and

all together, with everyone fighting for their team-mates and for their coach, there’s nothing better,” Zidane said. “Coming into the game, we knew that we would have to work hard and be well prepared for it. “We put in a good performance, we’ve got the three points and we now need to rest and start thinking about the Wolfsburg game because it’s very important for us as we look to continue what we’ve started.” Cristiano Ronaldo is La Liga’s leading scorer with 29 goals, three clear of Barce-

former club on Thursday night for the first time since he ended his successful seven-year spell last May. But Gabon international Aubameyang is ready to show his former boss how far he has come since his big move to Dort-

mund from St-Etienne three years ago. Aubameyang scored in both legs against Tottenham in the previous round of the competition The reigning African Footballer of the Year recently impressed in Dortmund’s 5-1 aggregate win against Tottenham scoring three goals over twolegs in the last 16 Europa League tie. He is currently going through a hot streak and scored his 23rd goal of the season with a superb chip in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Werder Bremen. And Aubameyang now wants to prove to Klopp how far he and his team-mates have improved since he left for Anfield. “It is very great for us to have this game,” said Aubameyang. “We can show him that we have worked hard to get back to where we were and that we have progression. It will be a very difficult game, for sure, but we want to show Klopp that we are working very hard.

Aubameyang relishes Klopp reunion

ierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he is looking forward to a reunion with Jurgen Klopp when Borussia Dortmund takes on Liverpool in the Europa League quarter-finals. Klopp will take the Reds back to his

Aubameyang

Premiership clubs deny doping allegation

hree Premier League clubs have denied “false” doping allegations made by the Sunday Times. The paper claims London-based private doctor Mark Bonar prescribed banned performance-enhancing drugs to over 150 British athletes including footballers. Arsenal said they were “extremely disappointed” by the publication of the claims, “which are without foundation”. Chelsea said the claims are “false and entirely without foundation” while leaders Leicester also denied them. Chelsea added they have “never used the services of Dr Bonar and have no knowledge or record of any of our players having been treated by him or using his services”. Leicester denied the allegations and added: “We are extremely disappointed that The Sunday Times has published unsubstantiated allegations referring to players from clubs including Leicester City when, on its own admission, it has insufficient evidence to support the claims.” Championship side Birmingham City said: “The club has not used the services of Mark Bonar and has no knowledge or record of any of our players, past or present, doing so.” The Sunday Times says it has secretly filmed Bonar claiming he has prescribed drugs such as EPO, steroids and human growth hormone to elite sports professionals from the United Kingdom and abroad over the past six years, including but the paper said it has no independent evidence Bonar treated the footballers or the other sportspeople. Bonar told the Sunday Times he treated the athletes for medical reasons and not to enhance their performance. There is no suggestion the substances were illegal, but they are banned by sporting bodies.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ovak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori in straight sets to win the Miami Open for a record-equaling sixth time. The world number one matched Andre Agassi’s Miami tally with a 6-3 6-3 triumph in one hour and 26 minutes. The 28-year-old Serb becomes the first man to win the Indian Wells-Miami double three years in a row. Japan’s Nishikori, 26, was contesting his first Miami final and second at the Masters 1000 level, but never looked like posing a threat to his opponent. Djokovic did drop his serve in the first game but never looked troubled after that as he swept Nishikori aside en route to a 63rd career title. The victory was also his 28th at Masters 1000 level, moving him one ahead of the record mark he had shared with Rafael Nadal. Djokovic has now won four titles in 2016, following victories at the Australian Open, Qatar and Indian Wells. His only loss in 29 matches this year came in Dubai in February when he retired from his quarter-final against Feliciano Lopez because of an eye infection. In the women finals decided Saturday, Victoria Azarenka secured back-to-back WTA titles with a straight-set victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova. The Belarusian won 6-3 6-2 in 77 minutes to add a third Miami title to her victories in 2009 and 2011. The 26-year-old, who won in Indian Wells two week ago, will return to the world’s top five next week.

Golf: Kadinvest tourney ends in Kaduna A za Msue KADUNA

Sports

Monday, April 4, 2016

s preparations for the Kaduna State Economic and Invest Summit (KadInvest) continued over the weekend, golfers from across the country on Saturday participated in the Kadinvest 2016 Golf tournament held at the Kaduna Golf Club. Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Hadiza El-Rufai, performed the teeoff which attracted golfers from the host club, Abuja, Kano, Minna, Jaji and Port Harcourt Golf Clubs. Hajiya El-Rufai was supported at the opening of the tournament by senior government officials, including Dr. Manzo Maigari, commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Hadiza Bala-Usman, chief of staff to the Governor and Chris Umar, deputy chief of staff in the office of the Deputy Governor. Welcoming the golfers, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency, Gambo Hamza, described KadInvest as a platform to stimulate private sector investments in the many opportunities that Kaduna State offers. According to him, Securing and fasttracking investments are the best way to create sustainable jobs, grow the economy and improve livelihoods of the people. Golfers like Senator Ben Birabi, His Royal Highness Alfred Diete-Spiff and General Zamani Lekwot participated in the tournament which was sponsored by Pinnacle Investments. Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai while presenting trophies to the winners, commended the sponsors and participants for providing such a platform for unveiling KadInvest 2016.

Djokovic wins sixth Miami Open title

Djokovic

State FA Cup Finals: Papilo FC shock Heartland

…as MFM, Kwara Utd emerge winners Ifeanyi Eduzor

WITH AGENCY REPORT

apilo FC, the pet club of Nigeria ex-international, Nwankwo Kanu yesterday upset Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Heartland to emerge winners of the Imo State Federation Cup 2016. Papilo FC won 1-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. However, another Nigeria premier league club MFM FC won their first-ever Lagos State Federation Cup when they

thrashed NNL side Bridge FC 3-0 at the Agege Stadium. The club sealed victory within 10 minutes as Sikiru Olatunbosun opened scoring in the 41st minute, completing a brace in the 48th minute, before mercurial midfielder Emmanuel Onuwa scored the third goal in the 50th minute. In Kwara State, Kwara United beat ABS FC 5-2 via penalty after the game ended 1-1 at regulation time while in Osun State, NNL side Prime FC beat non-league side Fehinty FC 2-1 to emerge winners of the state’s FA cup.

Sunshine Stars retained the Ondo State Federation Cup in Akure with a 2-1 win over Akure City FC while Crown of Oshogbo was crowned Oyo State FA champion after recording a 2-1 victory over Premiership side, Shooting Stars of Ibadan. State Federation Cup finalists will represent their states in the national Federation Cup. Akwa United won last year’s cup competition to qualify for the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.

Kogi Utd emerges FA Cup champion

ogi United FC has been crowned champions of 2016 Kogi State FA Cup after defeated their city rivals FC Lokoja by a lone goal in the final. The final match which took place at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium on yesterday saw the Confluence Boys winning the nerve wrecking game courtesy of John Jerome’s 27th minutes penalty after Destiny Ashadi was fouled in the box. The FC boys almost leveled up following a counter attack but goalkeeper Detan Ogundare salvaged the game for the Coach Ishaya Jatau team. Witnessed by an impressive crowd including the Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Student Affairs, Youth Empowerment and Sports, Comrade Arome Adoji. FC Lokoja got a trophy and a set of jersey as runner-up while Champions Kogi United were presented with a trophy and two set of jerseys. Chairman of Kogi United, Mallam Abdul Sule expressed delight with his side’s victory adding that the club would represent the state creditably at the Federation Cup. Head Coach of the club, Ishaya Jatau who admitted that FC Lokoja gave his side a tough challenge noted that it was a real test for Kogi United to get prepared for the league.

Kogi United Chairman, Abdul Sule and players celebrating after their FA Cup victory yesterday

Emordi ready to resume after surgery

ormer Kano Pillars coach Felix Okey Emordi has exclusively told AfricanFootball.com his job hunting may soon be over as he looks forward to landing a lucrative appointment. This followed his recent bereavement, and appendicitis surgery, which left him incapacitated, albeit temporarily. The seasoned coach, who has won laurels at both local and continental levels, has been out of work since he was sacked by Kano Pillars last July. He was later courted by a few interested teams, but according to him, he decided to

lie low and survey the terrain before taking a plunge. “In other words, I had to just take it easy with myself and rest for a while before taking a decision,” he said. “But again, I was compelled to apply the brakes after losing my elder brother, and then I had to go under the knife for appendicitis.” Rated amongst the top five coaches in Nigeria, Emordi was voted Africa’s Coach of the Year in 2004 after leading Enyimba to a successful defence of their CAF Champions League title.

WORLD RECORD

Tallest toilet paper

N150

Vol. 06 No. 1340 Monday, April 4, 2016

The tallest toilet paper tower in 30 seconds is 28 rolls, achieved by Silvio Sabba (Italy), in Pioltello, Milan, Italy on October 1 2013.

Tunji Braithwaite: Gone with his romanticist politics

n the Nigerian legal profession, he was an icon. This is not a surprise as trail blazing runs in the family to which he was born. However, he had a romantic perception about politics, a calling he had little to show for by way of accomplishments. Yet, he still wanted the world to believe he was a serious politician and well prepared for the challenges of leadership. Sorry for the circumlocution in introducing my discourse, an obituary of a man that etched his name in the consciousness of Nigerians for the best of his 82 years plus sojourn on earth. Dr. Olatunji Akintunde Braithwaite, lawyer, human rights activist and politician, is what all this is about. The nation’s media ran with the news of his demise last Monday; and they got it from the decease’s second son, Olumide, who said his father had suffered

HeartBeat Callistus Oke

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (sms only) anthonykila@mail.com a stroke and heart failure, but died at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, where he was rushed to. Few things needed to be settled about death. First, death is inevitable as it ends all mortals’ life struggles, which is why one of the world’s 20th century most influential musical artists, Frank Sinatra, eulogized it thus: I’m gonna live till I die. And second is that many of the world’s deaths go unsung; only remarkable people, remarkable for good or evil, have their deaths followed by a blaze of glory or opprobrium. Dr. Braithwaite is lucky that the works of his hands were sufficient to force Nigerians to celebrate his passage. For Nigerians born after 1980, the name Dr. Tunji Braithwaite might not ring a bell. So I have the professional responsibility to introduce him so as to solve the puzzle of his worth. Born Olatunji Akintunde to Rev. and Mrs. Isaac Adesoye Braithwaite on September 13, 1933, the deceased was educated at the CMS Grammar School, Lagos, entering in 1946 and finishing in 1953. He sat for his A Levels at Kennington College at the London University in 1955 and enrolled two years later at the Council of Legal Education, London. He was admitted into Lincoln’s Inn in 1958 and graduated as a barrister in 1960. He came back to Nigeria in 1961 and enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Braithwaite had a distinguished legal career. However, before completing his law education, he

Law, however, made Braithwaite; and he profoundly used law to fight the ruling bourgeois class had married his childhood sweetheart, Grace Similola Falade, a medical student, in 1956. The marriage is blessed with five children. In 1985 at the age of 51, he earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree from Columbia Pacific University, a nontraditional distance learning institution in California, United States of America, crowning it shortly after with a PhD from the same institution. His family has a pedigree of trail blazers. His father was an Anglican missionary clergy, who worked very hard to convert the heathens of old Ijebu Province of Western Nigeria to Christianity, building St. Michael’s Anglican Church, the first church in Epe in 1894, in the process. His elder brother, Talabi, was Africa’s first chartered insurer, becoming an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London in 1951. Both his paternal and maternal families are deeply rooted in the Olowogbowo, William Street, Broad Street, Campos area and Lafiaji/Okesuna area of Lagos Island, where between them they hold vast estates.

Braithwaite laid claims to two callings, legal practice and politics. There is no doubt he was a professional lawyer, and exceedingly excelled in it. But for politics, there are nothing concrete order than being the founder of the highly intellectualized Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), the vehicle he had expected to take him to the presidency of the country in 1983. He came last in that year’s presidential election. Many had dismissed the registration of NAP by the Justice Victor Ovie-Whisky-led Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) in 1983 ahead of the presidential election of that year as a desperate act by the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) to undermine the success of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in that year’s presidential election. It is instructive, however, that Braithwaite’s brand of politics, especially his ideological positioning was refreshingly different from those of the older generation politicians like Awo, Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe et al. A committed Marxist-Leninist, Braithwaite was like a magnet that attracted the crop of Nigerian left to him, all excited about the deployment of socialism for the reordering of the Nigerian socio-political and economic architectures. The objective: creating a humane, egalitarian and equitable society. In both the Second Republic and Fourth Republic, such idealism never resonated with the electorate. That NAP was deregistered in 2012 having failed to make electoral impression says much about the relevance of Braithwaite’s politics. Law, however, made Braithwaite; and he profoundly used law to fight the ruling bourgeois class, military and civilian alike. On this he got the support of the nation’s lumpenproletariat class. His involvement in the struggles of the oppressed, despite his privileged upbringing, underscores the large heartedness of the man. The irony, however, is that those who are celebrating him now are those he fought while he was alive.

Sport Extra

Former Italy Coach, Maldini dies at 84

ormer AC Milan defender and Italy Coach, Cesare Maldini has died aged 84. In a statement yesterday, the Serie A club remembered Maldini as “a man who

was destined for immense achievements at Milan”. Maldini made his Milan debut as a player in 1954, going on to make 412 appearances that included four Italian league titles and one

European Cup before retiring in 1966. He was skipper of the side in 1963, when the Rossoneri became the first Italian team to win the European Cup. He returned to the club six years

later as a coach until a defeat to Verona in 1974 cost him his job. As a player, Maldini won four Serie A titles with Milan, as well as their first European Cup in 1963. He then

managed the club between 1972-1974. In 1996, he became the coach of Italy with son Paolo captaining the team before going on to lead Paraguay in the 2002 World Cup.

Maldini Emenike

Printed and published by Global Media Mirror Limited: Head Office, Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street Lagos; Abuja Office: NICON House, Central Business District Area, Abuja. Email:mail@ nationalmirroronline.net. MD/CEO: Sunday Olajide: 08060852080; Acting Editor Daily: Ben Memuletiwon 08050498541; Adverts Hotline: 07066178740. ISSN 0794-232X.