April 5, 2016 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

We need to re-establish Nigeria’s integrity –Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

Buhari

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja stressed the need to en-

sure that the potentials of Nigeria are harnessed and used for the good of the country. Receiving President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation,

Why Amosun boycotted APC’s Lagos meeting

ICAO, Dr. Bernard Aliyu, at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari declared: “Nigeria needs to work on her potentials so that we don’t remain perCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Amosun

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Doctors to commence indefinite strike April 25

...issue 21-day ultimatum to Federal Government

Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

ational Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, yesterday issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or face indefinite strike. At a briefing in Abuja, NARD, through its President, Muhammad Askira, said the ultimatum took effect from yesterday. According to him, the resolution was reached by members of the associaCONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

Confusion as motorists struggle to buy fuel at a filling station in Agege, Lagos, as scarcity bites harder, yesterday.

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Fuel price hits N300 per litre as scarcity worsens in Lagos, Abuja

Troops kill 30 insurgents, capture 12, rescue 175 captives

P.4 P.12

Insecurity: Relocate P.42 to Kaduna, Arase directs AIG Zone 7

African Leadership Hall of Fame Award for Afe Babalola

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Doctors to commence indefinite strike April 25 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tion at the end of its extra ordinary executive council meeting. He listed some of their demands to include payment of members’ salaries to date and appropriate placement of members in both states and federal tertiary hospitals across the nation. Others were the reversal of sacked members in some hospitals as well as appropriate funding of residency training programme. Askira noted that some of their members in states tertiary hospitals in Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Abia and Kogi, among others, had not been paid salaries ranging from three to eight months, adding that labourers deserved their wages. He described that of Osun State government as worrisome, noting that it had remained at ease in spite of the total collapse of the healthcare delivery in the state and its attendant loss of lives. He said: “We note the undue sack of our members from some of the training institutions. Additionally, the delay in effecting the pension deductions of our members was regrettably noted. “Whereas a labour deserves his wages, we note that some of our members in some state owned tertiary hospitals have not been paid salaries ranging from three to eight months. “Most notable are LAUTECH, Ogbomoso in Osun State, IMSUTH, Orlu in Imo State, Kogi Specialist Hospital, ABSUT, Aba in Abia State and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. “Most worrisome is the government of Osun State that remains unperturbed despite the total collapse of health care delivery in the state and its attendant loss of lives. “We note with dismay the inappropriate placement and remuneration of our members in states and federal tertiary hospitals across the nation. As such, most hospitals are paying our members only fractions. “Most hospitals are paying our members only fractions of their salaries, notably FETHA Abakiliki, FMC Umuahia, ABUTH

Zaria, UNTH Enugu, among others, while in UCH Ibadan, UBTH Benin City, LUTH Idi-Araba, FMC Owerri, ISTH Irua, and NOH Dala November and December 2015 salaries are yet to be paid.” Askira, however, urged the government to adequately fund hospitals at all levels and upgrade existing facilities in public hospitals in line with international best practices. “We implore government to adequately fund hospitals at all levels and upgrade existing facilities in our hospitals in line with international best practices which will go a long way to curb the menace of foreign medical tourism. “We urge governments at all levels to release and implement residency training guidelines with appropriate budgetary backing. “Our association will no longer tolerate the undue sack of resident doctors and demands immediate reversal of such. We also urge government at all lev-

L-R: President, Council of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Olumuyiwa Aliu; Minister of State for Transport (Aviation), Senator Hadi Sirika; President Muhammadu Buhari and Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, after a meeting with the President and delegation of ICAO at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. els to strictly comply with pension deductions act as amended,” he said. Asked about the consequences of the association’s action following the “no work, no pay rule” by

the Federal Government, Askira said such a threat did not bother the association, and that government had no moral justification for it. He said: “The issue of

no work, no pay is a matter of law, and we are law abiding. But we are working for months without pay. We are ready for it. We are making demands that are primarily the re-

sponsibilities of government. Government can’t rule out strike when it fails to play its part. Doctors in some hospitals have not been paid since December.”

We need to re-establish Nigeria’s integrity –Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

manently at the level of potentials. “If Ethiopia is sustained largely by her airline industry, we have greater potentials here. But we must move out, engage with the rest of the world, as we need to re-establish the integrity of this country. We need to rebuild this country again.” The President recounted that for the greater part of the last 16 years, oil sold above $100 per barrel but expressed regret that the nation did not have much to show for it. “In the First Republic, more enduring infrastructure was built with meager resources. But in the past 16 years, we made a lot of money without planning for the rainy day. “We showed a lot of indiscipline in managing our economy, and that is why we are where we are today. But this time around, we’ll do our best,” he added. Dr. Aliyu, the Nigerian-born ICAO president, commended President

Buhari for his strides on anti-corruption, and urged Nigeria to pay more attention to development of civil aviation. “Civil aviation is a

catalyst for economic development. The level of aviation development in any country mirrors the economic development of that country,” Aliyu said.

The ICAO president pledged to support the development of the aviation industry in Nigeria, urging the country to improve on training and ca-

pacity development, aviation security, aerodromes and air navigation, runways, control towers, terminal buildings, among others.

Nigeria steps up preparations for ending AIDS by 2030

ational Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has stepped up efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, the UNAIDS, has said. This was contained in a statement issued by the UN National Information Officer, Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun, yesterday in Abuja. The statement said one of such efforts by Nigeria aimed at ending the scourge was to ensure its full participation at the upcoming UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on Ending AIDS. The UN official said the meeting would take place in New York from June 8 to 10. He said Nigeria’s preparedness was further enhanced by the official visit of the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary-General of the UN,

Michel Sidibé, to Nigeria recently. The statement quoted the Director-General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko, as saying that the agency is working hard to ensure that Nigeria recognised the importance of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. “NACA recognises the importance of the upcoming High Level Meeting to the global goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. “My team is working hard to ensure that Nigeria contributes to preparations for the meeting and that it is represented by the highest political leadership possible during the meeting. “The upcoming meeting offers a timely and critical opportunity for the political leadership in Nigeria to help nurture the global partnership and cooperation that shall guide

and monitor the AIDS response up to 2021 and beyond,” the statement read in part. It said Sidibé, during his visit to Nigeria, explained the importance of the meeting to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. It added that the UN official appealed to the Federal Government to play a leadership role in the forthcoming meeting. “He made similar appeals during meetings with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, and that of Budget and Planning, Udo Udoma. “He also appealed to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, members of the National Assembly, the Director-General of NACA, the donor commu-

nity, the private sector and the civil society,” it added. It also quoted UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria and Focal Point for ECOWAS, Dr Bilali Camara, as saying that the world could defeat AIDS by 2030. “It has become scientifically evident that the world can defeat AIDS by 2030 and that Nigeria can lead this global success,” Camara said. The High Level Meeting on Ending AIDS would review the progress achieved in realising the implementation of the Political Declarations of 2011. It would also review the successes, lessons learned, obstacles and gaps, as well as challenges and opportunities. The meeting would adopt a new Political Declaration to guide the AIDS response until 2021.

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Fuel price hits N300 per litre as scarcity worsens in Lagos, Abuja Udeme Akpan, Chidi Ugwu and Adeola Tukuru

uel price increased to N300 per litre yesterday as scarcity worsens in Lagos, Abuja and other cities across the country. Survey by our correspondents showed that many filling stations did not have stocks of the product. Consequently, only few stations were dispensing to motorists, with long queues, which also resulted in crushing traffic bottleneck, especially in Lagos. Most filling stations were selling at over N200 per litre. In Lagos and its environs, the situation was severe as a 10 litre jerry can was offered for N3000 by black market operators. Many motorists had no choice than to patronise the black market as the situation around the few filling stations dispensing was rowdy. The situation was the same in Abuja as investigations showed that motorists were subjected to harrowing experiences while trying to source for the scarce commodity. Queues extended for few kilometers in virtually all the filling stations visited in the metropolis, with drivers lamenting the hardship created by the scarcity. Also, black market thrives with 10 litres going for as much as N2,500, which is equivalent to N250 per litre. A motorist, Mr. Okey Amalu, told our reporter that he had parked his car for more than one week only to discover that going by taxi is not cheaper as the scarcity escalates. “By now we thought that government would have been able to bring this madness under control because the suffering is just too much. I had to park my car since last week waiting for it to abate but you discover that even moving with taxi is not any better as they charge exorbitant fares as a result of the scarcity,” he said. But illegal operators sold it in excess of N350 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and other states in the South

South. There were no indications that the situation would improve in the coming days, especially as adequate logistics have not been put in place to accomplish steady distribution. Group Chief Executive Officer of Forte Oil Plc., who doubles as the Chairman of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, disclosed that the Federal Government had provided sufficient Q2 allocations for the importation of petroleum products. Akinfemiwa said the allocations had been evenly divided between NNPC and the petroleum marketers. Meanwhile, Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, said the corps had commenced the deployment of personnel from all state commands nationwide for proper surveillance of fuel supply so as to stem diversion. Muhammadu, who disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, during an interactive session with newsmen, noted that the move was in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle the issue of fuel diversion which had caused monumental hardship to

Protest by applicants who were dropped after training by the Immigration in Abuja, yesterday. Nigerians. He said: “So far, we have deployed 280 personnel to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in Dikko, Niger State to flag off the activities.” The commandant general stated that the latest arrangement with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, was to ensure that NSCDC put men at

strategic locations across the country to ensure that every truck from depots get to their final destinations, while efforts are in place to provide adequate tracking system to monitor the movement of the trucks. He said: “Diversion of fuel remained a major challenge in the country and that is why the deployment of personnel in all state command across

the country becomes imperative to put an end to the lingering fuel scarcity. “The era of fuel diversion is over. This step will remain a continuous exercise until the situation is normalised across the country. “NSCDC is more determined to chase saboteurs out of business, including tanker drivers, independent and major oil marketers.”

PHOTO:ROTIMI OSASONA

He noted that the corps was also exploring new ways to monitor and protect pipelines, especially the use of technology and sophisticated gadgets to track down vandals. “I can assure you that we are already exploring new approaches which will include the massive deployment of technology as opposed to conventional approach,” he said.

Army solicits IPCR support on research development

igerian Army has solicited the support of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, IPCR, for the development of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, NARC. This was contained in a statement issued by Mr. Mike Abu, Media Assistant to the Director-General of IPCR, Prof. Oshita Oshita, in Abuja yesterday. The statement stated that the Director-General of NARC, Maj.-Gen. Jonny Hamakin, made the request when he visited the IPCR director-general in his office. Hamakin said decisionmaking based on assumptions had been counterproductive, pointing out that advanced countries succeeded because of the reliable actions taken based on researches. He explained that NARC was the newest establishment of the Nigerian Army. According to him, the

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Centre recognises the level of achievements so far recorded by IPCR and other related institutes that are research based. He said the Army needed the support and collaboration of IPCR to improve its resource centre, which would also serve as the think-tank for the Nigerian Army. Hamakin commended

IPCR for its creditable research works, saying the partnership of the Nigerian Army and IPCR would be in the interest of the country. In his remarks, Oshita commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army for establishing NARC. Oshita said no society would attain any meaningful development without

empirical researches, adding that the Army had taken the right step in the right direction. He pledged that IPCR would give all the necessary support to the Nigerian Army to ensure the full development of a very rich resource centre. He disclosed that IPCR had in 2003, produced a very important document

called the Strategic Conflict Assessment. It said the document mapped all the conflict and vulnerable areas of the country for effective security network and operations. Hamakim was accompanied on the visit by Brig.Gen. Joseph Chima, Col. Sadiq Ndalolo, and other members of the management staff of the centre.

USAID to strengthen partners’ capacity for civil society project

nited States Agency for International Development, USAID, has pledged to strengthen the capacity of project partners in 2016. In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, USAID said that the process would begin at a workshop billed to hold on Wednesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. The statement said that the workshop which had

“Effective Advocacy, Strategies and Tactics: What works?” as theme, was the 6th edition of the Innovative 2.0 Mindset Series. It said that the Speaker of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mr Luke Onofiok, would lead a team of “seasoned panelist” to the event. “The 2.0 Mindset Series, organised by USAID Civil Society Project Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement, is a sequence

of discourses to share the skills and experience of successful practitioners and change agents and supply side recipients of such. “It aims to strengthen the capacity of the project partners, their collaborators, and the wider public on `what works` in advocacy efforts. “We are delighted that we can host this series of dialogue forums that brings key governance stakeholders together to learn from

one another. “The project is sure that this innovative venture will prove to be an excellent endeavour, and extremely useful to all those who participate,`` the statement said. It said 2.0 Mindset series was a platform where experience from different governance experts could be shared and “identify and discuss challenges of advocates for policy reforms”, and proffer ways to address the challenges.

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We’ll release NASS 2016 budget breakdown with details –Senate

enate on Monday said it would give breakdown of its N115bn budget for 2016 along with details of the national budget. Senator Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Commit-

tee on Media and Public Affairs, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja. Abdullahi said the breakdown of both budgets would be made before the

Oil, gas cargoes controversy: Customs promises fairness

igeria Customs Service, NCS, is to look into laws concerning the discharge of oil and gas cargoes in some terminals in the country. Comptroller-General of NCS, Colonel Hammed Ali (rtd), stated this on Monday against the backdrop of controversies surrounding the discharge of oil and gas related-cargoes at designated terminals. Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, had last year issued a directive that all oil and gasrelated cargoes must be handled only at the designated terminals in Onne, Warri and Calabar ports. Ali, who went on a tour of facilities at the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, SIIFZ, and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base, LADOL, said the Customs management was now more knowledgeable about the zone’s activities. He said, “I have listened to your presentations. I would like to assure you that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is one of fairness, equity and transparency.” The customs chief said that in the past, certain things were done in accordance with the laws. He noted that the administration believed in doing business in accordance with the law. “We as Customs Service have no choice, but to toe that line. We have to walk the path of equity and justice. “We will look at the laws that exist. If we find anything contradictory to the laws, we will address it, but if it is in accordance with the law, we are also in a position to let you know,’’ Ali added. He said that the Customs Service would cooperate with oil and gas related companies to improve its operations. The Chairman of the SIIFZ, Mr Anwar Jarmakani, said that Nigeria was losing billions of naira due to a monopoly which allowed for the discharge of oil and gas relat-

ed cargoes only at designated terminals in the country. The SIIFZ is also the location of Nigerdock, a ship repair, fabrication, supply and logistics facility offering maritime, logistics and oil and gas services. According to him, regrettably, attempts have been made in times past to also use the Customs to maintain monopoly. “SIIFZ has created more than 6,000 direct jobs, supports over 100,000 families through indirect jobs and has delivered over 27,000 training programmes. “Free Zones increase and expand our industrial base and improve investments in the country. We are in need of positive change in line with the FG’s vision,’’ Jarmakani said. At the Tin-Can Island Customs Command, the Comptroller-General admonished officers in various customs commands in Lagos. Ali urged customs officers to be complaint, adding that customs website had been upgraded and accessible for everyone. He said the service platform was also professionalised to enlighten both officers and stakeholders on what they might have forgotten on customs operations. Alli, however, urged officers to collaborate with other sister agencies to enable them achieve the mandate of the service. The Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone “A”. Assistant Comptroller- General of Customs, Ekporwei Edike, said he had visited all the commands under the zone and ensured that officers were diligent and efficient in their duties. Edike, however, urged active officers to manage the inactive officers to enable them to be active. He said that officers should exploit all avenues to generate more revenue, adding that officers should be cognisance of the nation’s security.

middle of April, and restated that the 8th National Assembly was determined to carry Nigerians along in its activities. He said he was unaware of any promise made by President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on a specific date for publication of details of the 2016 National Assembly’s budget. “I am not aware of any promise made by President of the Senate. What I know is that the National Assembly budget breakdown will be contained in the details of the Federal Government’s budget when it is

released,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that the Senate had consistently promised to be transparent and that part of it is to always make public the details of its budget. During his inaugural speech, Saraki pledged transparency and openness of the 8th Senate and said he would make public the budget of the legislature. In November 2015, in a statement signed by Bamikole Omishore, Special Assistant to Saraki on Social Media, he pledged to publish the budget so that

Nigerians would not be misinformed. Saraki had said that, ``By the time we come into the 2016 budget at the end of the year, it will be even clearer because people will just see one item line. “But, that is not going to happen now; you will see what goes to the Senate and what goes to the House of Representatives. “You are going to see what goes to the management, what goes to Legislative Institute; we are going to make all these open and clear. “That is part of the

openness we promised’’. Saraki repeated the promise while inaugurating the refurbished Senate Press Centre on February 2, 2016. “I can assure you that we are going to move away from the time of one-itemline National Assembly to National Assembly where there will be breakdowns according to different sections. “I want to appeal to you, to all Nigerians that we should work together. We have all been here since 1999 when things were not done right,” he said.

L-R: Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, during an Agricultural Stakeholders’ Forum involving 28 agrarian local governments of the state, yesterday.

Alleged misconduct: AGF wants Justice Yunasa sanctioned Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

ffice of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN), has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, against a Federal High Court Judge, Justice Muhammed Nasir Yunasa. The petition seeks disciplinary action against the erring judge by the CJN, who is chairman of the National Judicial Council, NJC. A similar petition by Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, in the Office of the AGF was also sent to the Inspector General of Police to investigate the criminal aspect of the allegation.

In the petition, Justice Muhammed Nasir Yunasa was alleged to have issued two conflicting and contradictory orders on July 4, 2014, in a suit Nuumber FHC/L/CS/ 1042/2013. In a well-considered ruling, the embattled judge dismissed the notice of preliminary objection and held that the court has no jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit, but in a subsequent order made on the same day, the same judge gave a conflicting order. It was alleged that the erring judge breached Rule 1 paragraph of the Code of Conduct of Judicial Officers and also that his conduct has infringed Sections 464 and 465 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State. Apart from the petitions from the AGF, it was gath-

ered that there has been consistent telephone conversations between the embattled judge and a senior lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN). Tarfa was arrested recently by the EFCC for obstruction of justice when he allegedly shielded anti-corruption operatives from arresting his client, Granhoue Sourou Nazaire. Mr. Nazaire had been Mr. Tarfa’s client since around May 2015 when he instituted the legal suit against Mrs. Rachidatou Abdou over ownership and control of a company of which they were both the directors. Abdou on September 7th, 2015 petitioned the Commissioner of Police saying that she believed that Tarfa was colluding with the trial Judge-Justice Mohammed Yunusa.

Part of Mrs. Abdou’s petition reads; “before and after the filing of the suit the applicant’s lawyer, Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN), and the judge, the Hon Justice Yunasa were communicating with each other on the phone in order to pervert the course of justice.” In response to her complaint, the CJN sent a memo to Mr. Yunusa over his alleged misconduct. The memo was sent through the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, demanding an explanation to Mrs. Abdou’s allegations against him. Mr. Yunusa was given two weeks to respond to the allegations. As at the time of filing in this report, Tarfa has been slammed with two count criminal charge over alleged obstruction of justice by the EFCC at a Lagos High Court.

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Lagos State Deputy Governor Idiat Oluranti Adebule (left) being presented with an Award of recognition by Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, at a Dinner and Award Ceremony organised by the Lagos State University Alumni Association in Lagos, at the weekend.

Executive Secretary, Federal Government Staff Housing Loan Board, Dr Hannatu Adamu Fika (left) with Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Jones Afolabi, during a courtesy visit to the executive secretary in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

CP Police Cooperative, Mrs Dorothy Gimba; former PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Ibeshi and CID Boss, AIG James Coulcrick, at a capacity building seminar organised by the police for officers and men on pre-retirement in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Former Minister of Works, Chief Mike Onolememen (7th left) and others cutting a cake during the celebration of Saint Patrick Edo/Delta Day in Abuja Catholic Archidiocese at the Holy Rosary, Wuse, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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FG, UN, EU advance in plan to rebuild North East Rotimi Fadeyi Abuja

ope is rising for the return of millions of internally displaced Nigerians to their homes and communities as plan for rebuilding of the North-Eastern states affected by insurgency has advanced significantly. Last week the pre-financing assessment jointly carried out by the federal and state governments alongside the global partners - the United Nations, World Bank and the European Union - was completed at a workshop in Abuja. The global partners, who had signed a tripartite agreement to facilitate the assessment, are now expected to support the Federal Government in financing the North East reconstruction, including an offer by the World Bank to make available $800m towards the rebuilding. Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President,

Laolu Akande, in a statement yesterday said there are also clear indications from the global partners to do more in terms of putting in place an institutional framework to rebuild, arrange financing even from other development agencies and additional sources. He said, “The assessment and validation exercises completedinNigeria’sNorthEast region have revealed the

quantum of damage and requirements to address the post-conflict recovery. “For instance, while the extent of damage was put at about $9bn, the assessment revealed that over $6bn would be needed for immediate and near term stabilisation and recovery of the region. “During the final aspects of the assessment late last week in Abuja, international development partners and

Kaduna targets N4bn monthly IGR, says el-Rufai

overnor Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State said yesterday that the government’s budget for 2016 was based on projected internally generated revenue of between N3bn and N4bn monthly. The governor said this when he inaugurated the task force for Internally Generated Revenue in Kaduna. El-Rufai said there was

need to refocus on generation of internal revenue because the state had encountered some challenges in this respect. He disclosed that three local government chairmen were involved in the committee of assessment and collection of revenue at local levels. The governor tasked the members to strive hard to improve internal revenue generation to meet the target.

donors restated their commitments towards ensuring that key findings of the assessments are implemented. “This re-assurance was secured after the completion of the 2-day validation and consensus building workshop at

the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, convened by the Federal Government, World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations in conjunction with representatives of the six affected states to review findings and chart way forward.”

He noted that the joint efforts of the federal and state governments with the global partners would now be directed to prioritising the needed interventions and projects, arranging their sequence and coming up with an action plan.

Immigration tragedy: FG gives automatic employment to 105 candidates

ederal Government has given automatic employment to 105 candidates and relatives of the botched 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, recruitment as compensation for those that died and sustained injuries during the exercise. This was contained in a statement signed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr. Bassey Akpanyung, and made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday. The statement said after due verification, employment was given to three fam-

ily members of each deceased applicant from the aborted exercise, of which 15 families were identified, and a total of 45 family members selected. It said 60 others, who were injured in the exercise, were also given employment after verification by relevant government agencies. “After verification, 15 families were identified, and a total of 45 family members selected from the deceased families. “Similarly, approval was given for those who were injured in the same exercise to be employed. “After due verification by relevant agencies of govern-

ment, 60 of those affected were considered for appointment,” it said. The statement said the two categories of beneficiaries are now undergoing training at various camps of NIS in compliance with a presidential directive. It said the recruitment conducted by the Special Presidential Committee constituted in the wake of the aborted exercise of March 2014 was being looked into. The ministry advised all those affected in the exercise to remain calm and observe decorum while it resolves the matter.

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‘Nigerian-made vehicle possible in 5 years’ Regina Otokpa

nnoson Motors yesterday disclosed that producing a wholly madein-Nigeria car is possible within the next five years if

the challenges faced by the company are addressed by the Federal Government. Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, speaking during a meeting with the

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, in Abuja, said 60 per cent of materials currently used in Innoson vehicles were locally-sourced and produced by indigenous experts.

According to him, the company, which was commissioned in 2010 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, became the first indigenous vehicle manufacturing company producing several brands of ve-

L-R: Minister of State Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar; Press Secretary to Minister of State, Mr Patrick Iwhiwhu; Founder, Ruff ‘N’ Tumble, a Children’s Clothing Line in Nigeria, Adenike Ogunlesi and President, National Cotton Association of Nigeria, Mr Anibe Achimugu, during a visit by members of the National Committee for Implementation of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Policy to the Minister in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Police confirm youth leader’s killing in Benue

enue police command yesterday confirmed the assassination of All Progressives Congress, APC, youth leader in Tarka Local Government Area by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Police public relations officer, PPRO, DSP Moses Yamu, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Makurdi, that the herdsmen abducted the youth leader in his village at Tse-Tia in Tarka Local Government Area. Yamu explained that the youth leader was abducted in the early hours of Sunday and that his lifeless body was found by the roadside in the same village yesterday morning. NAN reports that youths of the area are protesting the killing of their leader and blocked the Makurdi-Gboko road for over four hours. Yamu, however, said the police have already brought the situation under control. He added that the youths should have used alternative ways to express their anger. He also confirmed the assassination of

one Msughter Tyayar and Bem Ikyomke along Gboko-Ihugh road by un-

known gunmen. NAN reports that the late Tyayar was among

the beneficiaries of the state’s amnesty programme.

HIV/AIDs: Contravention of Anti-Discrimination Act attracts N2m fine

summarised version of Nigeria’s HIV/ AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act 2014 states that an organisation that contravenes provisions of the law would be liable to a fine of N2 million. The version also added that individuals who violate any provision of the law would be liable to a N500,000 fine. This was contained in a publication made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja by Senior Manager, Communications, AIDS Health Care Foundation, Ms. Oluwakemi Gbadamosi. According to the publication, the law applies to all persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as well as other employees of labour in the private and public sectors. Gbadamosi said it comprises individual rights, responsibilities, institutional obligations, penalties as well as threats, intimidation and punishment for non-compliance. NAN reports that the Act is seeking to protect the rights of people living with and affected

by HIV/AIDS from discrimination on the basis of their status. Speaking on prevention from stigma and discrimination, it states that all Nigerians have a responsibility to prevent HIV discrimination in the society. “These include denying treatment to infected people, refusal to admit into school, denial of access to place of worship, denial of access to credit and loans or marriage. ``The right to compensation states that if one gets infected with HIV in the course of work, such an individual is entitled to compensation if the medical personnel were negligent on the patient. ``The right to appeal and recourse to court, states that any person whose rights are violated can appeal to Minister of Justice or courts of law for redress,’’ it said. On occupational safety, the publication states that employees living with HIV and AIDS have a right to safe work environment in which risk of HIV infection was mitigated. Speaking on the confiden-

tiality of information, it said: `Ìt is the obligation of institutions to respect and protect the confidentiality of infected people.’’ The publication further explains that unlawful disclosure of an individual’s status attracts a penalty of N500,000 for individuals and N1 million for institutions, or imprisonment for two years or both. On the right to employment, the publication stated that the right of persons living with HIV includes access to and retention of employment with decent working conditions. `Ìt is the right of persons living with HIV to access all benefits accruing to employees. `Ìt is also the right of infected persons to demand for their rights and ensure they are observed,’’ it said. On affirmative action, it states that employers and institutions should take measures to ensure that people living with HIV enjoy equal opportunity and eliminate barriers which adversely affect them.

hicles. He said, “Our mission, by the grace of God, is to drastically reduce prices of vehicles and cut down the country’s dependence on imported vehicles. We did it with motorcycles; we can do it again with motor vehicles.” Chairman of the Nnewi-based vehicle manufacturing company assured the minister that the vision of the company was in line with government’s dream “to make Nigeria one of the world’s 20 industrialised nations in 2020; and “be rest assured that we are already there,” he added. Chukwuma, however, urged government to tackle some of the challenges faced by the manufacturing sector in the country, including poor power supply and access to foreign exchange to import vital components like engines. “To make these challenges less difficult, we wish to humbly make the following requests: Our major request is for gov-

7 ernment to help us with access to foreign exchange to enable us source raw materials/components needed from overseas to enable us keep and maintain our over 7,200 employees. “Efficient power supply will power the over 100 industries that have made Nnewi the Taiwan of Africa; and we wish to also request for a government policy to ensure that homemade goods are protected and patronised by all levels of government and her agencies,” he added. Responding, Dr. Onu assured the Innoson group of government’s commitment to create a conducive business environment for the manufacturing sector in the country. The minister said once the 2016 budget is signed into law, government would procure only made-in-Nigeria vehicles for its official use. While commending the company for attaining 60 per cent local content in its vehicles, he assured Innoson that government would support the company to achieve 100 per cent local production.

Activist urges NASS to re-present Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill

xecutive Director, Women, Law and Development Centre Nigeria, WLDCN, Dr. Keziah Awosika, yesterday urged the Senate to re-present the ``Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill” for consideration. Awosika made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos. She said lawmakers could amend whatever conflicting provisions the bill might contain, rather than outright rejection. NAN reports that the Senate had on March 14 thrown out the bill that was sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti-South PDP) for lack of merit. “The Gender and Equality Opportunity Bill that was sent out of Senate is really unfortunate, because it shows that Nigeria of the 21st century is backward. “Other countries have gone miles ahead. “In fact, when we heard this, we as Nigerians, felt really ashamed. Later, when we sat down to look at it and see what we could do and all that, we realised that something was wrong with our constitution.

“And we, Gender and Constitutional Review Committee, have been mentioning this for years, but suddenly they brought in this Sharia thing. So, everything came into conflict. “But there is nothing in the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill that is really conflicting seriously that cannot be amended and this is why I am glad the Senate said we should bring it back, but they must not water it down to the level that it becomes useless.’’ Awosika stated that Nigeria must be actively engaged in opening doors of opportunities for the women folk to be able to advance as other countries. Her words: “The whole world is moving towards equality; we are moving backwards and I think we must do a lot to address this at every level, not only in terms of national appointments, (but also) in terms of elections. “The men are not encouraging us; if they do not encourage us, the nation will not be better off for it. “Most growth-oriented countries in the world are the places where women play a major role in governance.”

South West

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airports’ upgrade’ll create employment opportunities –FAAN

L-R: National President, Igbobi College Old Boy’s Association, Mr. Foluso Phillips; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Chairman, Board of Governors , Igbobi College, Yaba, Sir Kehinde Smith, during a reception in honour of their distinguished classmates of class 69/75 Igbobi College in Lagos on Sunday.

Economic meltdown: Oyo parleys with monarchs, council bosses Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

isturbed by the negative effects the economic crisis in the country is having on the people of Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday held a parley with traditional rulers on the need to support efforts of the state government in investing more in agriculture. The meeting held at the state secretariat, Ibadan, and attended by prominent traditional rulers in the state, also has in attendance caretaker committee chairmen of all the 33 local government areas of the state. Ajimobi, while speaking on the rationale behind the meeting decried the negative effects of the dwindling economy across the country where the state that receives five billion naira in the past now receives about two billion naira. He said with this kind of

agos State Scholarship Board has scheduled its 2016/2017 scholarship award examination for April 12 and 13. The board’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Adeyemi Adetoro, announced this in a statement on Monday, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. The statement said the scholarship was strictly for indigent students of state origin in tertiary

situation, the state does not have any other option than to go back to the root, which is agriculture. He maintained that the state, which has about 28,555 km square metres land, more than six times that of Lagos State, more than seven times of arable farmlands than Imo State and with the highest number of agricultural research institutes in the country such as IITA, CRIN, NIHORT and NISER, among others, should use the advantage to be the food basket of the South West sub-region of the country. He called on traditional rulers, civil servants, students, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to, as a matter of concern, support the move of the government in generating more money in this era of fall in oil price. The governor then declared that about 100 hectares of farmlands will be acquired in each of the 28 out of the 33 local govern-

ment areas of the state to ensure that the state is fully involved in agriculture. Speaking on the 7-day ultimatum issued to the state government by the leadership of the labour force in the state over unpaid salary arrears, he appealed to the workers in the state to exercise more patience with the government, imploring them to find ways of generating more money internally to execute ongoing and new projects in the state. He said the earlier agreement with the labour was to spend 90 percent of the federal allocation on payment of salary, but was surprised when the labour leaders demanded the addition of the internally generated revenue to pay them, saying this situation will halt the execution of projects in the state. Ajimobi further explained that even though the government has agreed to use 90 percent of federal allocation to pay the workers, workers should find other ways to generate more

money for the state because only about 62,000 workers are receiving money meant for about seven million people in the state. While speaking later with journalists, the governor warned workers in the state not to threaten the government with strike, noting that government will use the no work no pay for any striking worker. He insisted that the workers have no reason to embark on strike, but rather should obey their earlier agreement that 90 percent of the federal allocation would be used to service workers salary. In their separate remarks, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, urged the workers to sit tight and find ways of generating more money for the government while the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, urged the people of the state to return to payment of tenement rates and taxes in a bid to generate more money for the state.

ederal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, on Monday said upgrading of airport terminals in the country would create employment opportunities for Nigerians on completion. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Yakubu Datti, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that FAAN is currently embarking on various projects at the 22 Federal Government-owned airports toward upgrading them to international standards. The statement quoted Mr Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director of FAAN, as saying that the agency had put in place necessary commercial offerings, which had resulted in renewed interest of investors in the sector.

“The ongoing projects are aimed at making the airports more user-friendly and offer passengers a whole new travel experience,” Dunoma was quoted as saying at the Second Airport Business Summit in Abuja. It stated that the International Air Transport Association, IATA, 20year passenger growth forecast projects that passenger numbers are expected to reach 7.3 billion by 2034. “This would represent a 4.1 per cent average annual growth in demand for air connectivity. “African airports, rated among the fastest-growing markets, will benefit from this growth and thus, Nigerian airports are therefore expanding their user handling capacity both in aeronautics and non-aeronautics services,” it quoted Dunoma as saying.

35 ships with different cargoes to berth Lagos

hirty-five ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive at Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos from April 4 to 26. Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, stated this in its publication; ‘Shipping Position’, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Lagos. NPA explained that the expected ships contained bulk wheat,

empty containers, bulk salt, bulk sugar, frozen fish, general cargoes, ethanol, containers, crude palm olein, steel products, diesel and petrol. The document noted that four ships have arrived at the ports, waiting to berth with petrol and aviation fuel. About 15 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, wheat, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), containers, bulk coal and petrol.

Lagos Scholarship Board exam holds April 12, 13 institutions across the country. It said sale of form, which started on February 22, would close on April 8. It added that the examination would be in Paper Pencil Test, PPT, and Computer-Based Test, CBT. The board asked applicants interested in taking part in the screening test to pay N2,000 and obtain a receipt for the form.

It stated: “All payment should be made at the office of the Special Adviser on Education, Block 5, Room 314, Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. “Thereafter, voucher PIN will be obtained at Lagos State Scholarship Board, 254, Ipaja Road, besides NYSC Orientation Camp, Agege. “The PIN will be used by candidates to log on to www.scholastica.ng to

register. “Completed application forms must be submitted online along with scanned copies of Treasury receipt for the Local scholarship form and letter of admission/confirmation of studentship from school authority. “Progress reports duly stamped and signed with minimum required Cumulative Grade Point Aggregate, CGPA, schools

with CGPA of 7.0, a minimum point of 4.6/7.0 is eligible. “School with maximum CGPA of 5.0, a minimum point of 3.5/5.0 is eligible and schools with maximum CGPA of 4.0, a minimum point of 3.0/5.0 is eligible.’’ Other requirements are school identification card, library card or health identity card and Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, SSCE,

result. The statement also said that post-graduate applicants (Master’s level), in addition to the documents above, must possess a minimum of second class upper or its equivalent in their first degree with NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter which must be uploaded. “Applicants, will be invited for oral interview after the examination.’’

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Traditional worshippers reject plan to demolish shrine for mosque Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

Worshippers at Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere district, Choir Day 2016, at Sanya bus stop, Surulere, Lagos

Navy hands over snatched rifle to police Patience Ogbo

igerian naval personnel have recovered a service AK-47 rifle snatched from policemen by suspected hoodlums in Lagos. The rifle marked 22690 was snatched at about 4am on March 19, from four policemen who were on routine patrol at Ijora area of the state. In the course of pursuit, the hoodlums, numbering about four, were said to have thrown the rifle under an abandoned vehicle around Marine Beach.

A vulcaniser identified as Banjo Adeboye, it was gathered, found the rifle the following morning in his shop and immediately alerted the naval task force deployed in the area. The naval men were said to have retrieved the rifle and brought it to the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT’s base in Apapa. Handing over the rifle to policemen yesterday at the Ijora Division Armoury, Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji, said the rifle had 30 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. He stated that upon receipt, the Navy discovered

that it had police markings all over it and so, contacted the police. “In the course of investigation, we got information that some hoodlums attacked a police patrol vehicle on March 19 and attempted to snatch the rifle. The policemen pursued the hoodlums and in the process the hoodlums threw the rifle under one abandoned vehicle. “As I speak with you, the rifle has been recovered and some of the men involved in the incident have been arrested. What we have done is a formal handover of the rifle to its owners - the armoury of the Nigeria police - after

they had presented evidence that substantiated the navy’s investigation. “The rifle was found by a vulcaniser near his place of work. He just came across it and immediately alerted naval men that were on duty in the area. “We are delighted we have Nigerians that are not only patriotic but also security conscious. The havoc that rifle would have caused in wrong hands can best be imagined,” he said. Meanwhile it was gathered that two of the suspected hoodlums have been arrested by the police and efforts were on to nab the others.

showed that Mimiko would leave the state worse than he met it. Adesanya noted that the over seven years of the Mimiko administration were characterised by pains and anti-masses policies. He said: “It was seven years of unemployment, over-taxation, non-payment of workers’ salaries, total neglect of pensioners, retrenchment, infrastructural decay, economic depression and backwardness. “Where are the six-lane roads Governor Mimiko promised the Akure people? Where is the small Lon-

don he promised to turn the state capital into? Why did he abandon all projects Dr. Olusegun Agagu’s administration could not complete? “Why did Mimiko allow projects like the Owena Water Dam which the Agagu administration spent billions of naira on, the Olokola Free-Trade Zone; the OKLNG Plant, the new Akure Township Stadium to mention but a few to continue to rot away? “The seven years of Governor Mimiko has brought no tangible development to Ondo State. Almost all the roads in Akoko land are in a state of disrepair. Ondo

State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, put in place to carter for the needs of the Ilaje oil communities has nothing to show for the several billions of naira accruing to it in the last seven years under Mimiko’s watch. “Mimiko took over from Agagu in 2009 with viable assets and N44 billion cash. Today, it is sad to note that there are liabilities in all parastatals and ministries in the state. The debt profile has risen to over N100 billion, nothing to show for it and the over N1.2 trillion allocation that accrued to the state from the federation

nless checked, a major crisis may be in the offing in Osogbo, Osun State capital, following the rejection of plans to have a part of Orisa Oko shrine demolished for the ongoing extension work on Osogbo Central Mosque by its adherents. Osogbo Central Mosque, located at Ojo Oba area of the state capital, which is currently undergoing a major renovation and extension work, is located very close to the shrine. Members of Olorisa Oko family, while speaking to newsmen yesterday, said the family would resist pressure to take part of the shrine, because the family donated the land where the mosque was built for the community without collecting any compensation. Leader of Olorisa Oko compound, Pa Jimoh Opayemi, in his remark, said the family had at times in the past, allowed the Muslim community to extend beyond the initial

Two arrested for allegedly using sanitary pads for rituals Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

ndo State police command has arrested two staff of Federal Government Girls College, Akure, Ondo

APC carpets NLC boss over comment on Mimiko Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State yesterday flayed a comment credited to President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, that Olusegun Mimiko’s government has transformed the state. Wabba had reportedly said Mimiko has changed Ondo State into a modern and one of the leading states in the country. But APC, in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, said all indications

boundary without collecting compensation from it. He dismissed insinuations that some elders of the compound have been given money to allow the planned extension sail through, saying that for no amount would any member of the compound sell the land. He accused some prominent indigenes of the town of taking side with those that want to encroach on the Orisa Oko shrine and urged all to embrace peace in the interest of development. In separate reactions, two members of Orisa Oko compound, Engr. Azeez Bello and Hon. Sikiru Azeez, explained the significance of the shrine, stressing that adherents of Osun and Sango must pay homage at the shrine during their festivities. They added that giving up the land where the shrine is located may spell doom for all members of the compound, hence their resolve never to allow the extension work.

account for seven years. “The people don’t need the comments of Mr. Wabba to know if Ondo State has been transformed or not. We urge our people to disregard the praises showered on Governor Mimiko by the praise singer. “It is more worrisome that the uninformed comment of Comrade Wabba was made at a time workers and pensioners alike are being owed over four months’ salaries and allowances. There is no clearer way to show that the leadership of the NLC is insensitive to the plights and pains of workers in Ondo State.”

State, for allegedly using sanitary pads of students of the school for ritual purposes. The suspect, who are cooks in the school, were said to have been caught by some students while picking used pads. It was learnt that the school’s principal, Mrs. Florence Ejikeme, immediately suspended the suspects and commenced investigation into the matter. A source disclosed that the suspects confessed to the crime at the police station. Public relations officer of the state police command, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, saying only two of the women are in the police custody. Joseph who refused to mention the names of the suspects, said the command has not been able to establish whether or not the suspects used the sanitary pads for ritual purposes as alleged.

South East

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rector calls for review of Polytechnic Act

ector, Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Dr Ogbonnia Ibe-Enwo, has called on the Federal Government to review the Federal Polytechnic Act to improve technology in the country.

Ibe-Enwo made the call on Monday during the 35th matriculation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo. The rector said the review would revolutionalise polytechnic education in the country, adding that it would also ensure the production of manpower up to the highest level from bachelor of technology to doctorate degree in technology. “The review will also enable the polytechnics to be at par with universities, while allowing our core mandates to remain,” he said. Ibe-Enwo further urged the Federal Government to restructure tertiary education in the country for the benefit of both teachers and students. “This will enhance

productivity and ensure a level playing ground for all members of the sector such that they will attain the peak of their careers. “We should abrogate all dichotomies militating against productivity, as obtained in the career progression between the university and polytechnic graduates,” he said. He stated that the institution was matriculating 6,025 new students for the 2015/2016 academic session in 30 academic departments in six schools. The rector said that 3,911 students were granted provisional admission to pursue National Diploma, ND, programmes, while 2,114 students were offered admission into Higher National Diploma, HND, programmes. “This institution through its directorate for affiliation, collaboration and linkages has been holding discussions with two reputable technological institutions in the country for the award of degrees.

Okorocha probes council chairmen’s roles in 2015 poll

Chris Njoku Owerri

hree months after appointing Transition Committee Chairmen, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday directed Community Liaison Officers, CLOs in the Community Government Council, CGC, to give unbiased reports on activities of chairmen, particularly the roles they played during the last election in the state. The governor, who was addressing TC chairmen, CLOs and members of the Community Government Council of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Owerri, disclosed that the assessment would form basis for retaining the transition committee chairmen in office. He warned that any CLO who flouts the directive by not carrying out thorough assessment on

the chairmen would equally lose his appointment. “I want you to assess the performance of the chairmen whether they lost in the booths during the election and they are running the councils without bias,” he said. The governor, who disclosed also that he had earmarked more than N1 billion to empower the community government council, said that he would also begin the process of creating employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state. He therefore directed his Senior Adviser on Youth and former Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Kenneth Emelu, to begin compilation of unemployed youths in the state for onward engagement. Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief of Staff, Chief Uche Nwosu also attended the event.

“These institutions are the Federal University of Technology, FUTO, Owerri, and the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia. “The modalities are being worked out for us to award Bachelor

of Science Degrees,” he said. The rector congratulated the new students and urged them to face their studies with all seriousness. “This institution maintains a very high academic standard and

therefore, frowns at laziness and examination misconduct which negates the objectives of parents and guardians in sponsoring you,” he said. Ibe-Enwo advised the students to shun cultism and its related activities

and warned them that the institution would not tolerate such vices. One of the matriculating students, Miss Nkechi Okoro, promised to take her studies seriously and shun all forms of misconduct to achieve her academic objectives.

L-R: President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime; Zonal Controller, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Enugu Zone, Mr Ayuba Ibrahim and ECCIMA Council member, Mr. Ogbonna Onyeisi, during the closing ceremony of 27th Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ECCIMA lauds fair exhibitors, promises improved outing in 2017

nugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, has lauded the 67 exhibitors at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair for catalysing economic growth in the country. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the fair in Enugu on Monday, President of ECCIMA, Reverend Ugochukwu Chime, assured them that the 28th edition in 2017 would improve on the successes recorded this

year. “We thank God for a clement weather throughout the fair, while security was superb and tight. “I must thank international exhibitors and states from different geographical locations of the country that attended the fair as well as special and distinguished dignitaries that came to spend time with us. “By the 2017 fair, we will improve on all that were done well in this year’s fair,

while those still lacking will be fixed, especially international publicity on the fair,’’ he said. In his remarks, the Head of Service of Enugu State, Mr Chidi Ezema, who declared the fair closed, congratulated the chamber for its successful hosting. “ECCIMA must be commended for the security, logistics, transport and publicity arrangements that had made this fair flawless. “As a state, we will con-

work Together to Eliminate TB”, the health commissioner dispelled the belief that TB could be caused by voodoo. He said the disease is caused by a germ called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and that it is spread through the air when people who have active TB in their lungs sneeze, cough, spit, speak or sing. The commissioner said that people living with HIV were more vulnerable to TB infection, adding that the ailment could be cured when detected early.

``The untreated infected individuals can spread the disease to between 10 to 20 persons each year within the poor population, PLWHIV and other key affected populations,” he said. He lauded Governor Willie Obiano, for the prompt payment of salaries of health workers and provision of health facilities for the TB programme, as well as signing of MoU with the global funds to contribute 20 per cent of the funds by the donor to control TB in the state.

Anambra records 2,000 TB cases –Commissioner

nambra State government says no fewer than 2,000 tuberculosis patients are receiving treatment at various Directly Observed Therapy Centres in the state. Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Awka. He said Anambra and 13 other states, including FCT, contributed over 75 per cent of the total TB burden in Nigeria. Speaking on the theme: ``Find TB, Treat TB and

tinue to support the private sector and the chamber to build a vibrant organised private sector-driven economic growth. “We are calling on the investors that came to the fair to take advantage of the favourable business climate and government incentives to invest in the state,’’ Ezema added. The chamber gave awards of excellence to 24 corporate organisations for their roles in making the fair a success. Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has urged foreign and indigenous investors to take advantage of the enabling business environment in the state to expand their businesses. Ugwuanyi made the call yesterday in a message to the Enugu State Special Day at the just concluded International Trade Fair. The governor represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, said government had invested heavily on security and infrastructure to aid businesses.

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News

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Thugs attack NNPC official in Osun Femi Oyeweso and Boladale Bamigbola

n official of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, escaped death over the weekend as some people believed to be hoodlums attacked him in the premises of a mega station located within Osogbo metropolis. According to eye-witnesses, the NNPC official identified as Wale Olayinka was at his duty post in the evening when some men, numbering about 10, led by one ‘De-Law’ stormed the station and demanded that fuel be sold to them. Olayinka, who is the state’s sales representative for NNPC, it was learnt, told them that the station had already closed for the day. “This did not go down

•Ogun govt appeals for calm over fuel scarcity well with ‘De Law’ and his men. They descended on the man and beat him blue black. He was thoroughly molested and nearly killed. “He was eventually let off when he appeared to be losing consciousness. All of us around could not help as we watched in disbelief,” an eye-witness, who does not want him mentioned, said. Meanwhile, Ogun State government has reassured residents that the hardship occasioned by the current fuel scarcity in the country would soon be over. It also advised them to remain calm, go about their activities peacefully and not engage in any act that could be injurious to the well-being of the state and the country as a whole. Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barris-

ter Taiwo Adeoluwa, who stated this in Abeokuta while addressing some stakeholders in his office, said government was deeply concerned about the development, assuring that the Federal Government was doing all within its power to ensure that all issues precipitating the

scarcity were resolved. “Let me assure you that as a government we are not happy about the situation. We also feel the pains because we are in this together. We have been liaising with concerned authorities and I can assure you that the Federal Government is working day and night

to end the scarcity,” Adeoluwa said. In the meantime, he disclosed government is holding talks with the managers of premium motor spirit, PMS, depots in the state with a view to increasing daily supplies of the commodity to the state. The state’s scribe de-

cried the “unwholesome” practice of some shylock petroleum dealers who are taking advantage of the scarcity to exploit residents by selling above the official pump price, warning that a task force set up by government to ensure traffic orderliness and compliance with the official pump price regime has begun a state-wide clampdown on defaulting filling stations.

ICPC, Peace Institute to form coalition against corruption, violence

ndependent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission, ICPC, and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, IPCR, are to sign a memorandum of understanding, MoU, in a coalition against corruption and violent conflicts in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, signed by Mr. Mike Abu, media assistant to director-general of IPCR, Prof. Oshita Oshita. The statement said ICPC chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, emphasised the need for a coalition between the two agencies when Oshita paid a courtesy visit on Nta. It quoted Nta as saying that the collaboration was needed to reduce corruption and violent conflicts in the country. Nta explained that corruption and violent conflicts are interwoven and intertwined. The ICPC boss said a reduction of corruption in the polity would guarantee a relative peaceful atmosphere. Nta advocated the need for research to enhance effective decisions by government, and urged the Federal Government to give adequate attention to research institutes. He said government has all along being addressing the symptoms of the nation’s problems and appealed for a

more preventive approach rather than the reactionary method obtaining in the Nigerian system. The ICPC boss commended IPCR for developing Early Warning Centres across the country, saying centres would be beneficial to government and the public. According to him, ICPC would emulate IPCR and ensure the production of a journal on anti-corruption for the benefit of Nigerians. Earlier, Oshita had said the establishment of the IPCR is necessary because of the dysfunctional role of conflicts, adding that the nexus of corruption and conflict is obvious. He said a conflict is a normal phenomenon but that a violent conflict is a serious threat to lives while beneath the conflict is corruption. Oshita expressed confidence in the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the war against corruption and righting the wrongs in the country. The IPCR boss commended the system review of the ICPC, noting that IPCR and ICPC need strong partnership to enrich system programming to properly deal with corruption and violent conflicts. He appealed to the two agencies to explore ways of improving services and good relations so the country could be a better place

Hon (Dr) Michael Enyony in a warm handshake with a beneficiary of 18-seater Hiace bus, during the presentation of Poverty Alleviation and Skills Acquisition materials, at the weekend in Uyo Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State.

Court hears Saraki’s associate’s suit against EFCC May 4 Wale Igbintade

federal high court in Lagos has adjourned till May 4, 2016, to hear a fundamental human rights suit filed by a former director of the defunct Societe Generale Bank Nigeria Plc, Kennedy Izuagbe, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Izuagbe is also managing director of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited that is also involved in the alleged discrepancies in the Asset Declaration Forms of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. When the matter was mentioned, the two parties were not in court, neither were they represented by any legal practitioner. Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Saidu Saliu, adjourned the matter for hearing. Izuagbe, alongside two other applicants, Carlisle & Investment Limited, and the director/shareholders of Carlisle Property Investment Limited had urged the court to stop the

EFCC from arresting him. Joined as co-defendants in the ensuing legal hostility are director of operations of the EFCC, Olaolu Adegbite, and Attorney General of the Federation. The applicants had through their lawyer, Mahmud Magaji, SAN, stated that he was first invited by EFCC on November 13, 2014 and that after series of interrogations he did not hear from the EFCC again until April 29, 2015 when he was invited by the EFCC which requested for some documents, including the one relating to how Dr. Saraki purchased his landed properties that Carlisle Property & Investment Limited manages, but he had told them that the landed properties’ documents of Dr. Saraki and information relating thereto could only be properly addressed by Dr. Saraki himself. He further stated that on August 26, 2015, while he was in the United State on holiday, he was informed that the EFCC came to the headquarters of his company with

a lorry load of policemen and ransacked offices and carted away several documents. Consequently, he prayed the court for an order directing the EFCC from further intimidating and harassing him and his law abiding staff. But in a counter-affidavit sworn to by EFCC’s legal officer, Israel Akande, the commission, through its lawyer, Mutairu Olusesi, stated that it is investigating a case of money laundering involving Dr. Saraki in several lodgements of cash and monetary instruments by companies linked to Dr. Saraki and regular cash inflows into his personal account by his aides and other yet to be identified persons, totalling N15 billion and another United State $13 million. Mr. Akande averred further that on October 26, 2009, about 88 different persons paid sums into Dr. Saraki’s account on the same day, totalling N80 million and that the investigation is to unravel the sources of the funds. Base on the investigation being conducted and

considering the weighty allegations levelled against. Izuagbe, he was invited by the anti-graft agency with a view to obtaining his reaction to the allegations. He made voluntary statement and was asked to report back. However during the course of investigation he broke the news of his mother’s death and was allowed to go on compassionate grounds; thereafter he went incommunicado and all efforts to get him proved abortive as his phone was no longer through hence hampering the course of investigation. When all effort to reach him proved abortive, a warrant of arrest was secured for his arrest, Consequently, Mr. Akande averred that the EFCC is statutorily empowered to cause investigation to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organisation has committed any economic or financial crimes. The commission urged the court to refuse to accede to the request of the applicants.

North

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We’ve presidential directive to revive textile sector —Minister

Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, accompanied by senior government officials while inspecting construction work at the proposed site of the State's University in Jumtilo near Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Troops kill 30, capture 12 insurgents, rescue 175 captives Ubong Ukpong Abuja

igerian Army yesterday confirmed the killing of 30 and capture of additional 12 Boko Haram insurgents by its troops on operations in the North East. An operational update by Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, disclosed that 175 persons held captive by the insurgents were freed. In the statement, Usman said troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with troops of Sector 1 of Multinational Joint Task Force on Sunday, carried out the clearance operation in suspected hideouts of Boko Haram terrorists around Madawaya general area and cleared an Improvised Explosive Device, IED-making factory. Usman said the troops killed 15 terrorists and capCHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as christian NWOBA FRIDAY now wish to be known and addressed as NWOBA FRIDAY ADAGBA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

IGHO: Formerly known and addressed as IGHO OTEGA now wish to be known and addressed as LOVETH ODIANOSEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EGWUEZE: Formerly known and addressed as Egwueze King now wish to be known and addressed as EGWUEZE THOMPSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

tured some weapons. The troops cleared terrorists in Madawaya, Jere, Kardile, Koujili, Ngenere and Maksamari as well as Douse, Bembem, Zombulum and Taraji villages, according to the statement. In addition, said the statement, they recovered several vehicles and motorcycles. They also discovered and destroyed Boko Haram terrorists’ IED-making factory in Bula Umara and killed 15 terrorists in the same area. Usman said the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, four fully loaded magazines with 7.62mm ammunition, two power generating sets, welding machines, assorted batteries and solar panels. Other items recovered, he said, include drums of beans and other grains as well as Bandolier. The DAPR added that "the gallant soldiers also rescued 275 persons held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Gbolahan Folarinwa Ezekiel, Now wish to be known and addressed as Fasesin Gbolahan Folarinwa. All former documents remain valid. GTB and the General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

UKOHA: Formerly known and addressed as Ukoha Chukwuebuka Silver now wish to be known and addressed as Uduma Emmanuel Ukoha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADDITION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OYINLOLA ADELAJA, But now wish to be known and address as ADELAJA OYINLOLA ADEDEYI. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

One interesting thing is that, one of the rescued persons gave birth to a baby boy shortly after their liberation. Both mother and the child are doing fine." He said the troops have continued with their clearance operations into other suspected hideouts of Boko Haram terrorists in their areas of operations. In another development, he said troops of 22 Brigade Garrison, Army Headquarters Strike Group, AHQ SG, accompanied by some Civilian JTF on fighting patrol to Boboshe, Garna, Kyare, Kadawu, Gineba and Ajiri arrested six Boko Haram terrorists and recovered IED-making devices on the same Sunday. Although the fighting patrol team, he said, found Boboshe village virtually empty, it however recovered eight industrial gas cylinders and five regular gas cylinders at a primary school being used CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as GBADAMOSI MUDASHIR OWOLABI now wish to be known, called and addressed as BADMUS MUDASIRU OWOLABI. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AYO BENJAMIN is one and same person known and addressed as LUNCINE HOMAKON BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS AKANNI OLATUNJI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS ISREAL AKANNI BELLO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

for IED and also recovered a pickup van. Usman added that the patrol team captured three Boko Haram terrorists at Kadawu and recovered four motorcycles, three bicycles

Aza Msue Kaduna

aduna State police command has arrested 15 suspected kidnappers, including those terrorising Kaduna-Abuja expressway where three pastors were recently kidnapped and an Army colonel killed. The police said it has rescued two kidnapped victims, one Engr. Mansur Musa and Elijah Afolabi from the kidnappers. Addressing journalists in Kaduna, Police Commissioner, Umar Shehu, said the gang include those who kidnapped Engr. Ahmed at the Abuja-Kaduna expressway. According to the commisCHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MR. EZEIKE ANTHONY CHUKWUEBERE now wish to be known and addressed as MR. EZEIKE ANTHONY CHIDIEBERE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

inister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, said yesterday that her ministry has received a presidential directive to revive the cotton, textile and garment, CTG, sector. Abubakar disclosed this at a meeting with members of the National Committee for the Implementation of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Policy in her office in Abuja. She stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was passionate about revival of the cotton, textile and garment sector in view of its huge potential for job creation across its value chain. “Our president is very passionate about this particular sector and we have been mandated to identify challenges that keep occurring in this particular sector and chart the way forward. “The CTG sector, which used to be highest employer of labour, next to government, with over 175 mills at its peak in the 1980s is now a

shadow with barely 30 companies operating presently. “This meeting is called to review the activities far and chart the way forward. In this regard, we should identify the short, medium and long term programmes. “As we deliberate, I urge you all to put the interest of Nigeria uppermost in our discussion as government is determined to do everything to revive this all important sector. “The country is looking forward to the revival of this sector and I believe we are going to be on the right path at the end of this meeting.” News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that the committee was inaugurated on January 20, 2015 following the launch of the policy, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in December, 2014. Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Omotanwa Awobokun, said the meeting was convened to brief the minister on the work plan and strategy for implementation of the policy.

Police arrest 15 suspected kidnappers, rescue two victims sioner, some of the suspects were in possession of foreign currencies and valuables suspected to have been snatched from their victims. Some of the suspects paraded confessed to be members of kidnap gangs operating at the Kaduna-Abuja expressway. One of them said he was among members of the gang that kidnapped a pastor in Jere, Kaduna State. The commissioner said the police are still investigating the involvement of the suspects in the alleged kidnap of the late Army Colonel

Ismail Inusa, who was killed last week near the same road. According to him, "in two to three days, all necessary information as regards the suspects will be revealed, as investigation is ongoing." Shehu said other suspects were arrested by an AntiCrime Patrol team in Kabala West, who had threatened some prominent personalities from their village, demanding for ransom. The commissioner reassured members of the public of police readiness to make Kaduna safe and habitable.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME PETER: I, formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL PETER as it was written on my BVN but now wish to be known, called and addressed as EMMANUEL STANLEY PETER. That my date of birth was wrongly written on my driver’s licence as 2nd of October, 1991 instead of 10th of February, 1991 which is my real date of birth. General public take note.

FASEYIKU: I, formerly known and addressed as FASEYIKU TOMILOLA EUNICE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. IBUOWO TOMILOLA E. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bertha Ngozi Oregbu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bertha Ngozi Ekezie. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Enweremonyeji Anthony, now wish to be known and addressed as Enwerem Anthony Onyeji. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and the general public please take note.

LAWAL: I, formerly known and addressed as ISIAKA OLUWATOYIN LAWAL, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ISHAQ OLUWATOYIN ISHOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME EHIZELE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EHIZELE MARGARET ISIMENME, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. EGBE MARGARET ISIMENME. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OSHEIDU: I, formerly known and addressed as OSHEIDU JULIANA CHINAZA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABRAHAM JULIANA KING. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ONONIWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. JOY CHINEDU ONONIWU now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS JOY CHINEDU NDUBISI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

SUPER TUESDAY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

I set up Political Academy to prepare youths for governance —Daniel 14

Osoba’s return: Why Amosun boycotted APC’s Lagos meeting Femi Oyeweso Abeokuta

resh fact emerged yesterday as to why the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his deputy, Chief Yetunde Onanuga did not attend the South West reconciliation meeting of the All Progressive Congress, APC where the former governor of the state, Chief Segun Osoba who abandoned the party in the build up to the 2015 general election returned back.. The meeting which was held at the Bourdilon Ikoyi – Lagos home of Osoba had leaders of the party in the region such as the former acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as well as governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi among others in attendance but Ogun State Governor, Amosun with whom Osoba had disagreement that made him to leave for Social Democratic Party, SDP was absent. His absence was noted by newsmen but Tinubu debunked insinuation that the reconciliation did not have the blessing of Amosun as he said:” I can assure you that nobody is left out . All the South West governors are well represented here”. However National Mirror gathered that not only was Amosun not in attendance at the meeting but also no single member of the APC from Ogun state attended the reconciliatory meeting, thus raising concerns in some quarters that Amosun and his supporters might have deliberately shunned the meeting. Amosun’s absence at the reconciliatory meeting however gave credence to insinuations in the state about the cold war going on between

him and the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Tinubu. Source who prefers anonymity told National Mirror that Amosun and Tinubu had since parted ways due to the governors’ refusal to respect Tinubu’s choice over the list of ministerial nominees when APC was forming the national government. It was gathered that Amosun believed that he doesn’t need to carry the burden of regarding Osoba as his leader after he had singlehandedly defeated him and others that went to the SDP during the 2015 governorship election. It was also gathered that Amosun may not wish to bow to Osoba and Tinubu in choosing his successor come 2019 and so tactically avoided a meeting where the party leadership might appeal to him to regard Osoba as his leader.. Unconfirmed source also told National Mirror that Tinubu and other south West governors have always expressed their dissatisfaction about Amosun’s closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari, a development which has always made them see Amosun as “ungrateful” to the South West leadership of the party. Sources close to the governor’s camp however confided in National Mirror that Amosun declined to reconcile with Osoba now because previous efforts by

him to reconcile with him before the 2015 election were rebuffed. It was equally gathered that Amosun was unlikely to have attended the meeting because terms of the reconciliatory meeting might not have favoured him. All efforts to get the me-

dia aide of the governor, Olajunwon Soyinka to comment were not successful as he would neither answer all calls put through to his telephone lines nor respond to the SMS sent to him. However, the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Sola Lawal said there was no sentiment attached to

Amosun’s absence or that of any of the party leaders in the state at the meeting. Lawal, who spoke with journalists on telephone further stated that Asiwaju Tinubu himself has said that Amosun’s absence has nothing to do with the rift within the party. “There is nothing extra-

ordinary about Governor Amosun’s absence at the meeting. But I have to tell you that neither Amosun nor his deputy were in town to have attended the meeting. No sentiment about Chief Osoba’s return to the party since entry into or exit from a party is always guided by personal will”, Lawal said.

Representative of Member Representing Malumfashi/Kafur Federal Constituency in Katsina State, Alhaji Mustapha Ma’azu presenting a Tricycle to beneficiaries of Constituency Empowerment Support Programme in Katsina, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ekiti PDP, Gov’s aide reject Aluko’s return Abiodun Nejo Ado Ekiti

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ekiti State has described the reconciliation yesterday of the State Governor and former Secretary of the party, Dr Tope Aluko, as unac-

ceptable. The PDP said that whatever happened between the governor and Aluko was personal and as such would not affect the former scribe’s expulsion from the party. This was as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications,

Lere Olayinka, said Aluko’s return was a vindication of his earlier position that the embattled former PDP scribe allegedly lacked integrity and could return any time to the same governor that he claimed rigged election. Aluko, who had recently

on television, given graphic details of how $37 million was released to the governor, then as PDP governorship candidate to prosecute and rig the governorship election which returned him elected, yesterday reconciled with the governor with a promise to forge ahead together.

I’ve fully complied with law on asset declaration —Saraki

enate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday said he has fully complied with the provisions of the law on declaration of assets by public officers. In a reaction to the claim contained in the Panamabased offshore provider, Mossack Fonseca and

shared by the International Consortium of Investigation Journalists (ICIJ) that he failed to declare assets belonging to his wife, Mrs Toyin Saraki, in secret offshore territories, Saraki said he has in his different asset declarations included properties owned individually by himself and his

wife. Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu said the property in question forms part of Dr Saraki’s wife’s family asset. “ It is public knowledge that Mrs. Saraki comes from a family of independent means and wealth

with numerous and varied assets acquired over decades in family estates and investments. “Furthermore, the law only requires a public officer to declare both his own assets and those held by his spouse and his children under 18 years of age. The law does not require a public of-

ficer to declare assets held by the spouse’s family. “It is not expected by the law that a public officer should declare such assets held in the spouse’s family estate. Indeed, the Code of Conduct form does not make provision for declaration of spouse’s family assets”, he stated.

Politics

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I set up Political Academy to prepare Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) was the governor of Ogun State for eight years between 2003 and 2011. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Daniel will be 60 years tomorrow and recently he hosted journalists at his country home, Shagamu where he talked about politics and his life. AYO ESAN brings excerpts from the media chat. At 60, I believe there are so many efforts that you have put into youth empowerment and youth development. What plans do you have for the youths, now that you are in the elders club? I am happy about this question on youths development because without any doubt, there is no future without the youths. And what people who have become elders must be wary about are the people you can describe as the successor generation. What do they want to do with legacies and things like that . I think that in the course of the opportunity that we had to serve Ogun State, youth empowerment was quite key in everything that we did . And in everything that we also did, we were looking for ways and means of giving the younger ones some kind of advantage . The reason is not far- fetched . Many years ago , let say before independence , the few people who got educated, who became lawyers , I don’t know anyone of them that is poor . And in those days it is rarely difficult not to find in any village a person that is a lawyer and you know that at least there is one person that is educated. But with advent of education which of course, Chief Obafemi Awolowo opened up, everybody became educated in relative terms in the South West. So you now have lawyers that are poor, engineers that have no jobs and so on and so forth . So there has been some kind of explosion . So 15 years ago, when we started this process we were sure that we needed to worry more about the youths than the older people and that is really if you have a recall of the activities, the kind of government we ran and all of that. It was about providing opportunity for the youths to develop themselves in all ramifications- in education, sports development, employment creation , anything you touch in Ogun State during our tenure, you would see that there was a conscious effort to put the youths at the forefront. And I think to some extent, we had largely become successful. But the latter day challenges that I saw was the fact that it is not too easy for our people to be shocked into misinformation and this in which people takes position not based on empirical evidence but largely because I heard or somebody has told lies or posted some stuff . And we have ran a culture of believing anything and everything before we think. And regrettably the youths who are supposed to be highly educated are also victims if not worst victims . So it does appear now that you and I keep wondering it happens all the time . Most times when we heard things , we don’t sit back to say does this makes any sense at all . The first thing is that we believe and we believe, we condemned, we takes position and later on when facts begin to emerge , then you start wondering what has happened. But rather than having a sense of remorse, we feel justified with what we have done . I then thought that the next thing I could do is to set up a kind of academy basically to enlighten and re-enlighten the youths. That really is the reason why we have a political academy . Because you find out that a lot of our younger people requires knowledge, information and education aside what we were thought in the universities. In the University I studied Engineering. Why do I understand Nigeria to some extent was because during our time it was usually Almighty June , June is when you have the end of the year examination. So between June and September that the school will résumé you have a long vacation. So if you have an opportunity you can work. And if you don’t work, what some of us did was to go to the Library . At the University of Lagos, there are several level for different faculties . Engineering is at high level but Social Sciences, Philosophy , Sociology are at another level . So having cram the formulas of engineering from September to June, during the holiday, I now go and begin to read about things that are not related to engineering . So I met all the great Nigerians , great World leaders in the Library , reading several biographies , who is Awo? Who is Balewa?, Who is ZIK. I therefore developed all these knowledge. That was a major background for me when I got to public office and I found out that a number of young people don’t have that opportunity and they don’t have anybody to tell them anything. I developed in Ibadan, further

Daniel

I developed in Ibadan, further down my road was where Chief Bola Ige was living, down the road was where Chief Onabanjo was living, on the other side in Oke- Bola was where Chief Awolowo was living . Opposite Awo house was the Western House of Assembly . So operation wetie, we saw it . So as a young seven, eight years old person, I have seen Nigeria from a different perspective. down my road was where Chief Bola Ige was living, down the road was where Chief Onabanjo was living, on the other side in Oke- Bola was where Chief Awolowo was living . Opposite Awo house was the Western House of Assembly . So operation wetie, we saw it . So as a young seven, eight years old person, I have seen Nigeria from a different perspective. We heard stories, we saw people, we saw poverty , we saw wealth, we saw everything. So we had a round view of what this country is, which I am afraid, a number of you people don’t know. Those are the thing you don’t find in text books but when we have opportunity for interaction, you heard these things and you have a better perspective of even what you are writing about . If somebody is telling you something, you know where he is coming from and you know that if somebody is coming

from this angle now, you appreciate why he is saying what he is saying . It is very easy for you as writers to filter and to know what is sensation. What I have for the youths, answering your question directly therefore is that we need to go from material acquisition which is necessary anyway to knowledge and information acquisition and that is what I have been trying to do, mentoring people, talking to people and so on and so forth. And that really is the answer to your question. What do you think you should have done when in government that you didn’t do? If there is anything that I should have done that I didn’t do when I was in the service, it is to pay more attention to the youths. We did education under our tenure, don’t get me CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

Fuel scarcity: A’Ibom set to establish refineries Julius Onwuma UYO

etermined to put an end to the perennial fuel scarcity in the state, the Akwa Ibom State government has concluded plans to establish private modular refineries. Governor Udom Emmanuel made the disclosure during an interview session with journalists. He said, “We have since commenced documentation with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

(NNPC) for the take-off of a refinery on Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement. “The construction of the refineries had become imperative considering the strategic location of the state and its emerging economy”. Governor Udom commended the Ministry of Petroleum for the steps so far taken in resolving the crisis

in the oil sector, stressing that the measures were best for Nigerians. He pointed out that his administration was focusing on the commitment to explore the three pillars of economic development, comprising land, water and air to fast track the growth of the state. He also stressed that a proper skills development centre was in the offing to

complement his administration’s industrialisation policy. The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration towards actualising its election promises. Emphasizing on the deplorable condition of Calabar-Itu Road, Udom explained that succour was on the way as his administration had applied to the Feder-

al Government for approval to partner with investors in the construction and subsequent collection. Speaking about strategies to reduce poverty in the state, the governor explained that it was a collective responsibility as he urged the people to rise up and take advantages of the opportunities that were available in the agricultural sector.

Cross River NUJ elects executives Richard Ndoma CALABAR

he Cross River State chapter of the Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar, elected its officers. They will manage the affairs of the union for the next three years. According to the NUJ Assistant National Secretary, who also acted as the returning officer for the just concluded polls, Mr. James Uwem, Mr Victor Udu a member of staff of the Cross River State Ministry of Information and Orientation was declared the winner of the chairmanship position. Odu scored 86 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mrs. Florence Oluohu who scored four votes. Mr. Lawrence Mpama scored no vote. Other officers elected include Mr. Oqua Etim (vice chairman); Mr. Oka Ibor (Secretary); Mr. Benson Ezugwu (Assistant Secretary); Mrs. Archibong Bassey (Treasurer); Mr. Edem Edem (Financial Secretary) and Mrs Itam Offor (Internal Auditor). Uwem, who represented the National Secretary, commended the members of NUJ in the state for their peaceful conduct during the election. Speaking after his inauguration, Udo promised to work with all members of the union to move the state NUJ forward. Uwem charged members to close ranks and work together for the interest of NUJ in Cross River State.

Flood on Ikwerre Road after a downpour in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

NACA extends HIV PREP study to Cross River Richard Ndoma CALABAR

he National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) at the weekend extended its Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP) demonstration study to Cross River State to intensify its campaign against the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to uninfected persons. Speaking shortly after the one day sensitisation workshop to train media men on how to do reportage of PrEP held at the University of Calabar Teaching hospi-

tal UCTH, resource person and consultant to the programme, Dr. Promise Adat Adat, said the benefits of PREP to Nigerian couples could not be overemphasized, adding that Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, PREP, was a deliberate effort to prevent an uninfected person or partner who is at risk of getting HIV from getting infected. “This particular study is for couples in sexual relationship, where one partner is infected with HIV and the other is not. “It is to determine the best way to include PREP in

the nation’s HIV prevention programming. “To prevent an uninfected person from getting infected, free sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, free family planning of choice for couples, as well as free HIV education,” he explained. The medical consultant charged those concerned not to relent from taking their drugs as prescribed by the medical experts as at when due in order to ensure its effectiveness, stressing that global access to treatment for people living with HIV infection had improved.

She stated that about 61 couples had so far been screened with about 11 enrolled for the study, while 9 are currently being placed on drugs. Adat averred that about 600 couples would be attended to at the end of the study; even as she stated that another drug TRUVADA had been set aside for those already infected with AIDS, adding that so long as people take TRUVADA as prescribed by the medical expert those who hitherto had lost hope could now have their hope rekindled.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Delta enforces okada, keke restriction on expressway Nosa Akenzua ASABA

he Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vincent Uduaghan, has inaugurated a special task force to enforce the rules guiding motorcycle and tricycle riders in the state with a charge on the members of the task force to avoid sharp practices and be committed to their assignment. Represented by the Direc-

tor of Land Transport, Mr. Victor Omoniyi, the commissioner explained that members of the task force were to enforce a total ban on tricycles plying the Benin-Onitsha Expressway, Effurun Roundabout, DSC Roundabout and the NPA Expressway in Warri. He pointed out that the task force would also ensure the total restriction of motorcycles in Asaba, Uvwie, Warri South, Sapele and the entire Ethiope East

Local Government Area as well as ensure that all tricycles in the state were registered with the Directorate of Transport and have their codes visibly displayed. Uduaghan urged members of the task force to ensure that all tricycles carried two numbers plates as against a single one that is currently in vogue in the state. In his remarks, the Delta State President of Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles Union of Nigeria, Obi

Nzete, enjoined members of the task force to always put on their apron before embarking on their assignment as anyone found without the apron would be treated as a criminal. He also charged them to avoid sharp practices such as taking of bribe, taking the laws into their hands, harassment of motorcycle and tricycle (keke) riders, among others as the major aim of their job was to sanitise the system.

Members of a dance troupe from Agbor-Obi performing during Anioma Cultural Festival in Delta State

Community seeks end to crisis between Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja Nosa Akenzua ASABA

he people of oil-rich Diebiri Batan community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to the federal and state governments to urgently take drastic steps to put an end to the communal crisis between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja in the interest of all. The people who spoke through the chairman of the community, Mr. Don Dickson and the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Diebiri kingdom, Deacon Wel lington Igete, disclosed that the communal crisis had led to an alleged invasion of their community by some persons from Aladja since 1995. They noted that the alleged invasion by some persons from the Aladja community since 1995 had made most indigenes of Diebiri community to flee their home land to other areas for fear of being attacked. They therefore called on governments to act fast as they never had any dispute with Aladja community. Mr. Dickson and Deacon Igete stated that Diebiri was an oil rich community insisting that some persons had started encroaching and excavating sand, building on their land without permission. They called on relevant authorities to join in the peace efforts to put an end to the alleged invasion of their community to enable them return to their land in the interest of peace.

Lawyer sues judge over alleged breach of right Oarhe Dickson BENIN

Benin-based lawyer, Chris Ilen-Otuma, has sued a court judge, Justice J.U Oyomire of the High Court II Criminal Judicial Division, Edo State judiciary, over alleged breach of his fundamental human right. National Mirror gathered that the matter which was before a judge of the Federal High Court II is slated for

adoption of written address coming up on May 2nd, 2016. Ilen-Otuma, an applicant in a motion of notice brought before the Federal High Court, in the Benin judicial division holden at Benin city with suit no: FHC/B/CS/35/2014 has justice J.U Oyomire and two others, Commissioner of Police, Edo state and Barr. K. J. Dika as respondents. Barr. Ilen-Otuma who has demanded N10 million being damage/resultant effect for

an alleged illegal and unconstitutional violation of his right as guaranteed by the constitution of Nigeria, is asking an order of the court for the enforcement of his fundamental human right. “An order declaring the arrest by the 2nd respondent and subsequent detention on the 27th day of January, 2014 to 28th day of January, 2014 without first verifying if the proper order was made by the first respondent is illegal and a gross violation of the

applicant. “An order of the honourable court declaring the illegal remanding of the applicant on the 28th day of January, 2014 to on the 5th day of February, 2014, in prison custody by the 1st respondent without a charge proffer against him nor satisfy the procedure of service of court processes on the applicant amount to abuse of judicial powers and gross violation of applicant’s right,” he applied.

Ilen-Otuma further pleaded the court for an order restraining the respondents either by themselves, agents, servants or privies from re-arresting, harassing, remanding the applicants over a matter the 1st respondent cannot try and haven reported same to the Nigeria Bar Association. The matter is slated to come up on May 2nd, 2016 for the adoption of address.

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Caring for Down syndrome victims Bilkis Bakare

cientifically, Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21, referred to as Trisomy 21. Therefore, individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. This is caused by an error in cell division called non-disjunction, which leaves a sperm or egg cell with an extra copy of chromosome 21 before or at conception. Trisomy 21 accounts for 95 percent of Down syndrome cases, with 88 percent originating from non-disjunction of the mother’s egg cell. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with the disorder. Usually, it is always difficult to differentiate people with Down syndrome if a large number of them converge in the same venue due to the physical characteristics they share. The origin of Down syndrome can be traced to John Langdon Down, an English physician that first described the external appearance of the genetic condition, which he classified in 1862. It was later to bear his name, ”Down”. He also referred to it as Mongolism and the people with the disease are known as Mongoloids. The remaining five percent of Down syndrome cases are due to conditions called mosaicism and translocation. Mosaic Down syndrome results when some cells in the body are normal, while others have Trisomy 21. Robertsonian transloca-

tion occurs when part of chromosome 21 breaks off during cell division and attaches to another chromosome (usually chromosome 14). The presence of this extra part of chromosome 21 causes some Down syndrome characteristics. Although a person with a translocation may appear physically normal, he or she has a greater risk of producing a child with an extra 21st chromosome. Down syndrome is not linked to race, nationality, religion and social or economic status. In addition to other traits unique to individuals with this disorder, a few of the common traits are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the centre of the palm. In essence, it causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It is important to note that people with Down syndrome may possess these characteristics to different degrees according to the form as mentioned above. In Nigeria, it has been discovered that the disease is prevalent because of the increasing maternal age at which more women in Nigeria now conceive. This follows the increasing strong desire to complete formal education before conception and the rising incidence of infertility. But this claim has been faulted by recent revelation that 80 percent of children with Down syndrome are born to mothers under the age of 35. In order to ascertain the possibility of giving birth to babies with Down syndrome, during the pre-natal period, two types of procedures are available to pregnant women: screening tests and diagnos-

Children with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of

infection, respiratory, vision and hearing problems…

tic tests. The screening tests estimate the risk of the baby having Down syndrome, while the diagnostic tests tell whether or not the baby actually has Down syndrome. The most commonly used screening test is “the Triple Screen “, a combination of three tests that measure quantities of various substances in the blood. These tests are carried out between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. In conjunction with other screenings, sonogram, a form of ultrasound is performed to show some physical traits that are helpful in calculating the risk of Down syndrome. However, it is usually identified at birth or shortly thereafter by conducting a Karyotype test, a chromosome study which provides a visual display of the chromosomes groups by their size, number and shape is used to determine if a child has the disorder or otherwise. This is carried out through the examination of blood or tissue cells of the baby. The aforementioned physical characteristics commonly seen in babies with this disorder are also used in the diagno-

sis after the birth of the baby. Aside from both children and adults with Down syndrome experiencing developmental delays and mild to moderate impairments, many children with Down syndrome have health complications beyond the usual childhood illnesses. Approximately 40 percent of the children have congenital heart defects; therefore, it is very important that an echocardiogram be performed on all newborns with Down syndrome in order to identify any serious cardiac problems that might be present. While some of the heart conditions require surgery, others only require careful monitoring. Children with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of infection, respiratory, vision and hearing problems as well as thyroid and other medical conditions. Although caring for people with Down syndrome can be frustrating as most of them permanently depend on others to lead their lives. And it is not uncommon for people in their immediate environment to exhibit negative attitudes in form of discrimination and exclusion towards them. Consequently, children and adults with Down syndrome cannot integrate successfully with their peers. But it should be noted that they also have many talents and gifts and should be given the opportunity and encouragement to develop them. Bakare is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

APC and its ill conceived vaunting on 2019 Destiny Isiguzo

he APC and PDP are two sides of the same coin; the only difference between them is President Buhari’s zero-tolerance to corruption and his well known resume that is high on integrity and credibility. However, his well known high decibel of ethno-religious sentimentalism and low tolerance for the rule of law detract from what could have been an impeccable persona. APC recently declared “no vacancy in Aso-Rock come 2019”. This is not only too early and ill-conceived because of the economic and socio-political situation of Nigeria which APC has failed to salvage, but also due to the fact it manifests lack of internal democracy in the ways it conducts its affairs. APC is presently a house of commotion. So, it is imperative the party hierarchs repositions the party and also go ahead to find a more creative way of fulfilling their campaign promises and proving to Nigerians that things have changed. The ruling party has not justified the electoral victory that got it to Aso Rock, yet it is projecting for 2019. This shows they’re not even bothered that Nigerians are groaning under serious hardships. It shocked me that APC’s most important agenda now is politicking and 2019 at a time Nigerians are reeling form serious economic crunch. The naira is experiencing a free fall and many Nigerians being laid off from their jobs, and with high un-

This declaration is an orchestration of catastrophic waves of rebellion and mutiny in the party employment ticking like a bomb waiting to explode. It is even worst with the shutting down of industries and small/medium scale enterprises. Have they forgotten that queues have returned to petrol stations? The Minister of State for Petroleum is busy telling Nigerians to be grateful for the petrol he has brought into the country and flippantly added that the queues this administration brought back into the economy will last two months longer. One industrial strike after the other is what we hear every day in the news and nothing is being done to prevent this. Let me remind them that the abducted Chibok girls is an unresolved issue; more disconcerting is the news that some of them are being used as suicide bombers. The situation is made worse with the incessant suicide bombing and under reported Boko Haram activities in North-East. Niger Delta is becoming dangerously volatile; robbery and kidnapping have become the order of the day and violence has marred all elections conducted under the current Buhari administration. Yes, this Federal Government together with INEC has not been able to conduct any credible election since its inception.

From Kogi to Bayelsa and Rivers abysmal irregularities in all the elections conducted were the order of the day. The Professor Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC slogan is “Election is inclusive” and they are even boastful about it. With all the security apparatus in Nigeria, the recent rerun elections in Rivers State overwhelmed both INEC and the security agents. INEC appears too scared to conclude a credible election thereby denying Rivers people representation at the both the federal and state legislatures. If INEC could not conduct election in just one state, we should be worried of more challenging general elections. There are pockets of human rights abuses, disobedience of court orders and maligning of the judiciary under the Buhari’s administration. The Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agents are now playing the roles of the dogs in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. They recently invaded Ekiti State House of Assembly in a commando style to abduct to law makers thereby desecrating the sanctity of the House is worrisome. Worst still, SSS paraded one of the abducted law makers before journalists in a humiliating manner instead of arraigning him before a court of competent jurisdiction if they were certain he has broken the law. This law maker was arrested without a warrant and was discharged without

a charge. Political opposition has become a crime and freedom of speech is no longer guaranteed. It reminds me of a line in Christopher Okigbo’s poem where he lamented the repercussion of not keeping quiet in the face of impunity: “If I don’t learn to shut my mouth, I’ll soon go to hell/ I, Okigbo, Town crier, together with my iron bell”. Buhari’s perceived political enemies and the opposition are under the threat of annihilation. These issues are the things APC should be talking about and looking for ways of addressing them not 2019. Declaring underperforming Buhari the sole candidate of an election that will hold in three years’ time is utter ignorance. According to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Nothing is more terrible than to see ignorance in action”. Talking of 2019 now is illconceived; it would only be a distraction to an already fragile and overwhelmed government. What this shows is that the APC has not learnt any lesson from the downfall of PDP. Mark my words, this declaration is an orchestration of catastrophic waves of rebellion and mutiny in the party. Isiguzo is of the Art Desk of this newspaper. 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

Tuesday April 5, 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

FG’s re-visitation of Oronsaye panel’s report

hat the Federal Government has approved the reconstitution of an implementation committee on Steve Oronsaye panel’s report and the government White Paper on same, as was reported less than a fortnight ago, may pose no surprise to Nigerians tracking former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government’s half-hearted bid to restructure and rationalize the public sector. Oronsaye, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was in August 2011, drafted by Jonathan to head the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalization of Federal Government Parastatals and Agencies at a time when there were strident calls for a drastic cut in the cost of governance. In its report presented to Jonathan in Abuja on Monday, April 16, 2012, the panel exposed the rot long condoned by the FG; which contributed in no small measure to FG’s very high recurrent expenditure profile of over 75 percent year-inyear-out, which led to the shortage of capital funds for socioeconomic infrastructure, job creation projects and all needed to improve living conditions. The panel recommended, among others, the pruning of 263 statutory federal institutions to 161. Total federal institutions in existence at the time were put at 541, meaning that the non-statutory ones (those not established by law) accounted for 278. They were all

drawing and are still drawing funds from the Federation Account every year, one of the key reasons the cost of governance has remained bloated. Some blame previous military regimes for the multiplicity of government parastatals and agencies, as they created and used many of them as short cut to overcome the deficiencies and ineptitude of existing corrupt institutions. But the way the Jonathan government handled the sensitive report the Oronsaye panel submitted to it was pathetic. Recall again that the panel presented its report to Jonathan in Abuja on Monday, April 16, 2012. Roughly a year after (in 2013) came indications that the government might scrap 220 federal establishments following the commencement of deliberations on the recommendations of the White Paper Committee that reviewed the report. Special Adviser to Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, with three ministers, raised hopes to high heavens about the pruning, bragging before the media after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that the restructuring was to make for better level of public sector efficiency. But the socalled restructuring turned out to be ‘April Fool’. It never came to pass because of Jonathan government’s scant political will to match words with action. But when Oransaye presented his panel’s report to Jonathan, he

The Ahmed Joda Panel Report; Allison Ayida Committee Report; and now the Steve Oronsaye Committee Report; … are all

the parastatals, have created a ‘single story’ of inefficiency, corruption, poor work environment, low morale, ineffectiveness, deceit and low productivity, thereby establishing a perception of a dysfunctional and unproductive public sector. The weaknesses in the ‘single story’ have sometimes placed the sector in a situation where it is unable to perform its gathering dust on legitimate functions creditably… the shelves Today’s submission presents the nation with another opportunity drew attention to the facts that 12 to do what is right in an era where years after the White Paper on the other governments around the Ahmed Joda Panel Report on the world are moving towards cutting Review, Harmonization and Ratiowaste, entrenching transparency, nalization of Federal Government ensuring more prudent spending Parastatals, Institutions and Agenand better service delivery, all with cies, which listed some parastatals a view to recording meaningful and agencies the FG should either gains for both institutions and the scrap or commercialise, etc., was citizenry”, Oronsaye stated. made available to the FG, the outfits If the FG has truly approved the were still receiving full government reconstitution of an implementation funding running into billions of committee on the Oronsaye panel naira. The report of the Allison report and the White Paper, it is good, Ayida Committee on the same mat- provided its outcome promises a ter in 1995 on how best to restore radical departure from the era of effectiveness and efficiency to the indecision on such a crucial area as system yielded nothing positive, the restructuring and rationalisation too. Reference was also made to of public sector outfits, which the reports of past committees before Jonathan government epitomised. It Oronsaye’s, which complained is no credit to the FG that the cost of about the large sizes of the boards governance is still as bloated as ever, of parastatals, most of which when the Ahmed Joda Panel Report; had over 10 members. “Today, the Allison Ayida Committee Report; story remains the same. The longand now the Steve Oronsaye Comstanding challenges that beset the mittee Report; among sundry others; Nigerian public sector, including are all gathering dust on the shelves.

ON THIS DAY April 5, 1988

April 5, 1999

In Japan, the largest suspension bridge in the world, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge linking Awaji Island with Honshu and costing about $3.8 billion, was opened to traffic. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, links the city of Kobe on the mainland of Honshu to Iwaya on Awaji Island, in Japan. It crosses the busy Akashi Strait. It carries part of the HonshuShikoku Highway.

Two Libyans suspected of bringing down Pan Am flight 103 in 1988 were handed over for eventual trial in the Netherlands. The incident involved the bombing of a Pan Am transatlantic flight from London Heathrow Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday, December 21, 1988. The Boeing 747–121 was destroyed by an explosive device, leading to the deaths of all 243 passengers and 16 crew members.

April 5, 2010 Twenty-nine coal miners were killed in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia, United States. The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster occurred on April 5, 2010 roughly 1,000 feet (300 m) underground in Raleigh County, West Virginia at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch coal mine located in Montcoal. Twenty-nine out of the thirty-one miners at the site were killed.

Business

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Global insured losses hit $37bn in 2015 21

Analysing implications of 2016 NiMet’s SRP for nation’s sustainable development 24

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Power crisis takes toll on data centres’ operations 22

TSA Policy: Taking sail off banks’ robust profitability targets

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline

The Federal Government had last August 9 announced the Treasury Single Account, TSA, policy’s implementation as part of its fiscal strategies of ensuring that available resources at its disposal are efficiently managed in the face of dwindling revenue accruals. Six months after the directive, many banks’ balance sheets and other performance indices indicate that the policy is taking huge tolls on their operations. TOLA AKINMUTIMI reports on the implications of the policy for the banking industry.

he Treasury Singly Account, TSA, policy, which is not totally new in Nigeria’s fiscal system, is specifically targeted at promoting transparency and accountability in public sector finance and facilitate compliance with sections 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution. In a letter by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, indicating the commencement of the policy last August, the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, were directed that hence-

forth, all receipts due to the Federal Government or any of its agencies must be paid into TSA or designated accounts maintained and operated in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), except otherwise expressly approved. Barely six months into the policy’s implementation, the nation’s financial system appeared no longer to be at ease as most of the Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, are already lamenting its negative effects on their 2015 performances even as prospects of its more devastating implications for their operations in the current finan-

Beyond transparency and accountability, the TSA will introduce economy and efficiency into overall management of public finances and this will in the long run lead to effectiveness of government spending since it places government in a better position to realise overall policy goals

cial year very remain high. This is, however, disturbing especially when available statistics showed that public sector deposits in banks remain very small when compared with the private sector’s deposits. For instance, statistical data sourced from the CBN as at June 2015, indicated that total deposits (demand, time and savings) at N13.5 trillion, with the private sector accounting for 90.7 per cent (N12.2 trillion), while public sector funds make up the balance of 9.3 per cent (N1.3 trillion). A further analysis of the total deposits showed that Federal Government deposits accounted for 5.3 per cent (N712.6 billion), while state and local governments made up for the balance of 3.1 per cent (N424.3 billion) and 0.9 per cent (N121.0 billion) respectively. This implies that when taken together with other regulatory guidelines such as the Liquidity Ratio, full implementation of the

TSA will isolate approximate- l y 5.3 per cent of the available liquidity in the banking system. But then industry experts have hinged the strategic importance of public sector deposits to banks’ liquidity and operational capabilities on the fact that while the private sector deposits may not be used by banks for long term lending because of the frequency of cash utilization by private depositors, the public sector funds offer banks better lending leverage as the deposits are not frequently demanded by governments. An economic expert, Mr. Marcus Garba, was quoted as saying shortly after government decided to implement the policy that the new initiative would avert the situation where “government, being unaware of these cash balances, incurs unnecessary borrowing costs on raising funds to cover perceived shortage and should help to reverse the situation where idle cash balances in bank accounts of MDAs, often fail to earn market related remuneration”. Also, the Lead Director of Centre for Social Justice, Eze Onyekpere, noted that the move by government would promote better cash management practices since the Treasury can at all times have an overall view of government’s cash position, as against the past CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TSA Policy: Taking sail off banks’ robust profitability targets CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 regime when the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) only have fragmented positions of their payments to government’s accounts. He said: “The practice before the TSA, where MDA “A”, based on budgetary releases could have surplus cash (meaning cash that is not immediately required) in its bank accounts, while MDA “B”, which needs immediate cash for urgent transactions is cash starved and has little or nothing in its account would no longer happen. “The discretionary aspect of accounting officers and politicians collaborating to do all manner of business with government finances before executing projects, thereby causing delays or negotiating interest rates with banks for private gain will be over. “Beyond transparency and accountability, the TSA will introduce economy and efficiency into overall management of public finances and this will in the long run lead to effectiveness of government spending since it places government in a better position to realise overall policy goals,” Onyekpere said. In his remarks, the Head of Research at Afrinvest Securities Limited, Ayodeji Eboh, said that the implementation of the TSA was a major fiscal policy management reform milestone with several benefits, including bringing about a consolidated view of government accounts and aiding efficient management of government cash flow — receipts and payments. While noting that the policy will enable increased transparency of government finances as relevant fiscal and monetary agencies will have more oversight of MDAs’ accounts and cash positions, the investment expert said that the implementation will also save the CBN the burden of mopping excessive liquidity (at expensive rate) caused by government revenue allocation and distribution to her MDAs. “More importantly, the TSA will check round tripping of government deposits by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) due to the arbitrage between government deposits (bearing close to zero per cent interest rate) and government borrowing (at over 13 per cent interest rate cost to the government),” Eboh projected. In what appears a sound justification of the policy measure, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, aligned her views with those of the experts when she confirmed that TSA had eliminated opportunities for brokerage and other corrupt practices that previously encouraged agencies to accumulate funds with commercial banks rather than apply them to their intended uses. She expressed the hope that with the continued implementation of the policy, it will reduce payment delays to contractors, minimise late payment penalties and will consequently improve project completion times and service delivery. The Minister said: “TSA has corrected the practice of government borrowing

short term funds at high rates of interest, whilst simultaneously having idle funds in various bank accounts. By reducing the number of accounts in operation, monitoring and control has significantly improved” In factual terms, the minister while fielding questions from National Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriations together with her Budget and Planning Ministry counterpart, Udo Udoma, last March 2, disclosed that the account had accumulated up to N2.9 trillion, from its initial N2.2trillion in February. But then, while the implementation of the policy, as expected, has continued to position the federal and state governments on stronger financial position, the rippling effects on banks’ balance sheets and other financial indices have remained rather worrisome, leaving the managements of the various DMBs uncomfortable and compelling many to begin to adopt new strategies to cope, One of the immediate fallouts of the policy implementation was the gale of disengagement of staff by most banks in the fourth quarter of last year and the beginning of this year as a cost-cutting measure during which over 10,000 workers were reported to have lost their jobs. Similarly, banks are also re-aligning their operational facilities and human resources to ensure leaner operational costs in the current year as threats of diminishing returns on shareholders’ investments appear more real to the top managements than earlier anticipated by them. With the published reports of Accounts and Financial Statements of major DMBs for the 2015 financial year in the past few weeks, it is certainly clear that the road to bumper profits for them in the current year may be bumpy and laden with operational hiccups that only the proactive among them can retain smiles on the face of their shareholders. Even before going public, the banks had been sending profit warnings to their shareholders through reports submitted to the NSE which suggested that the implementation of the TSA as well as challenging macro-economic environment, coupled with fiscal and monetary headwinds would bear negatively on their financial scorecards in 2015. According to the Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, “the profit warnings given to inves-

Adeosun

Emefiele

tors by some banks are expected given the current economic realities. He explained that the most common reasons adduced to the poor or decline in performance were the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the complete phasing out of the COT, and the oil price decline. Industry analysts have projected that apart from the unifying of the public sector accounts and time set for the banks for remittance of revenue as well as the monetary policy regime would not only exacerbate the liquidity squeeze for banks but also radically impact negatively on the broad spectrum of their operations this year. According to Eboh, the implementation of the TSA policy has continued to impact on the liquidity level in the banking system, resulting in a surge in money market rates during the period mooted plans, as banks scrambled for funds to cover positions. To lend credence to this well-informed opinions and as had been witnessed in the last few weeks, the banks’ financial statements and annual reports are already causing serious concern to the managements and shareholders of the banks as their profits have dropped lower than the 2014 figures while all other assessment performance indices also indicated that the banks may be heading for harder days are ahead. Speaking with journalists during an interactive session last week, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc,

GTBank, Mr Segun Agbaje, whose bank’s report for the 2015 financial year remained amongst the most robust, explained that the TSA policy implementation had continued to push the financial system in operational straits such that only the proactive managers will be able to navigate the turbulence and sustain their banks on the path of sustainable profitability. Agbaje noted that over the past months, the increasingly challenging macro-economic environment, coupled with fiscal and monetary headwinds including those directly related to the implementation of the TSA policy, have proved that the 2016 financial year would be more tasking for banks’ managements to sustain profitability. Reflecting on his bank’s balance sheet position, the GTBank boss explained that despite the challenges in the last financial year, the bank’s loan to customers grew by 7.5 per cent to N1.372 trillion from N1.276 trillion in the previous financial year. He explained that “inspite of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) implementation in q3 2015, Customers deposits remain stable at N1.610 trillion as at December 2015 from N1.618 trillion in December 2014, a slight decline of 0.5 per cent. Excluding the TSA implementation, total deposits would have increased by 5.3 per cent in December 2015.” A top official of Sterling Bank Plc, who pleaded that his identity should not be published, told National Mirror during a chat a few days ago that “it will be foolhardy for anybody to pretend that the implementation of the TSA is not without costs to the banks and this has been proved in so many ways in the past few months. “But what is certain is that 2016 will be much more challenging for the banks in terms of profit sustainability. Yes, we may not witness systemic failure as was the case in the past but I can tell you that managements of the various banks are already going back to the drawing boards to re-strategize on how to weather the turbulence in the months ahead”, he added.

But what is certain is that 2016 will be much more challenging for the banks in terms of profit sustainability.

Yes, we may not witness systemic failure as was the case in the past but I can tell you that managements of the various banks are

already going back to the drawing boards to restrategize on how to weather the turbulence in the months ahead

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Global insured losses hit $37bn in 2015 Tola Akinmutimi

lobal insured losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters totalled USD 37 billion in 2015, below the USD 62 billion yearly average of the last 10 years The amount only covered about 40 per cent of total global economic losses which were well below the previous 10-year annual average of USD 192 billion According to the latest Sigma study sourced by National Mirror at the weekend, there were 353 major disaster events last year. Of these, 198 were natural catastrophes. The study indicated that total economic losses from all disasters, including both natural and man-made events amounted to $92 billion last year as against the $113 billion in the preceding year.

A further analysis of the losses showed that about $80 billion were due to natural catastrophes, with the earthquake in Nepal causing the most damage. Of the $37 billion global insured losses, $28 billion were attributed to natural catastrophes, about the same as in 2014. The biggest insured loss of the year – an estimated property loss of between USD 2.5 billion and USD 3.5 billion – was caused by two large explosions at the Port of Tianjin in China in August. According to the Study, Asia suffers most losses during the year under review with economic losses from all events in Asia close to USD 38 billion. The earthquake in Nepal was the biggest disaster of the year globally, killing close to 9000 people, the largest loss of life in a single event. The total losses from the Ne-

pal quake were estimated at USD 6 billion, which include, damage reported in India, China and Bangladesh, Typhoon Goni in Japan, flooding in Southern India and the explosions in Tianjin. Swiss Re’s Chief Economist Kurt Karl says: “The earthquake in Nepal struck close to the capital Kathmandu, causing widespread devastation and losses, which were mostly uninsured. Yet again, tragedy has hit areas where people are least able to protect themselves.” The Study showed further that globally the level of losses was low compared with the previous 10-year annual average largely due to another benign hurricane season in the

US. “Last year was the 10th year in succession that no major hurricane made US landfall. In North America, the biggest loss came from a mid-February winter storm that caused damage in 17 states, with Massachusetts hit hardest. The combined insured losses were USD 2 billion, mainly from burst frozen water pipes and ice weight or water damage to property. “Despite the harsh winter in the US, 2015 overall was the hottest year on record. Heatwaves claimed a number of lives all over the world, while long stretches of high temperatures

and lack of rainfall caused drought and wildfires in many regions. The US had its worst year for wildfires since 1960 because of the hot, dry conditions. “Other countries impacted by wildfires include Indonesia and Australia. In contrast, regions such as India and the UK experienced extreme precipitation events. In India, the city of Chennai was paralysed by flooding after accumulated rainfall of more than 500 mm in November alone. This was followed by large swathes of the central and northern UK being under water in December due to multiple rainstorms” the report added.

Ex-Lagos Finance Commissioner tasks Buhari on economy Kemi Olaitan, Ibadan

ith the nation grappling with dwindling oil revenue, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, Dr. Adebayo Adewusi, has identified the diversification of the economy to agriculture as crucial to the country’s sustainable economic growth. The economic expert, who gave the advice while interacting with with journalists in Ibadan at the weekend, noted that the mentality of exporting crude oil at the detriment of other economic ventures which had reduced the nation to a monolithic economy, was debilitating and needed immediate arrest. He therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to discontinue the dependence policy of the past administrations in order to fix the wobbling economy once and for all. He said: “The only way we can improve this economy is to quickly do what I call the diversification thing. Let us quickly address the issue of diversifying our economy away from where we are. “We have consistently canvassed for a diversification of the economy away from oil, because as long as this external shock from the global oil price continues, we will be having crisis managing our economy, especially in fulfilling government obligations. It is about time that we tackled this issue of diversification of the economy in a very serious manner.” Adewusi, who is the immediate former Chairman of Wemabod Estates Plc, a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company, also noted that commodity prices were declining internationally and oil, being the driver of the revenue of the Nigerian government had suffered very serious decline with the attendant impact on the capacity of government to provide resources to turn the economy around. He explained: You would see that even in the 2016 budget, which is a budget of about N6trillion, it has a deficit component of about N2trillion, which is very substantial. But the main issue facing Nigeria today is the problem of over reliance on this mono-cultural, mono-product economy, which requires that we diversify to agriculture. “Agriculture requires single digit financing. In terms of interest rates, agriculture with subsidy on inputs, fertilizers, seedlings, will go a long way. Even financing in terms of real channeling of financing intervention funds in agriculture will boost production, while providing opportunities for our youths to start something, rather than looking for jobs that are not there. These are the things we need to immediately embark on. “And the good thing about agriculture is that it does not take so long a time. If you plant maize today, in 90 days time, you begin to harvest. The rainy/planting season is here already, so, we need to immediately drive this process. It is not about mouthing it”, Adewusi added.

L-R: Omolara Akinfolarin, Head, MSME Banking, Proposition & Products; Abubakar Suleiman, Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, both of Sterling Bank Plc and Ndifreke Okwuegbunam , Programme Manager, LEAP Africa at the press briefing launching the 2016 edition of the nationwide MSME Academy organized by the Bank.

FG to collaborate with states on food security agenda Abolaji Adebayo

he Federal Government has restated its readiness to collaborate with state governments in the current efforts targeted at achieving food sufficiency within the next three years in the country. A statement by the Director, Information, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tony Ohaeri, quoted the Minister of State, , Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, as disclosing this when he received in audience the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Mamir Yakubu, on Wednesday in Abuja. Lokpobiri said that ministry was willing to partner with state governments to enable the country attain self sufficiency in food production within the next two to three years and that since the Federal Government does not have farms, it will do more of interventions with a view to fostering a stronger relation with the states. Senator Lokpobiri noted that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and

other development partners have mapped out a lot of agricultural programmes across all states of the Federation to upscale the growth and development of the nation’s agricultural sector. He therefore assured the Katsina government of the ministry’s supports and interventions in its bid to develop the agricultural sec-

tor nationwide Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Katsina state, Alhaji Mamir Yakubu, commended the development partners, particularly the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in the development of agriculture in the state and solicited more interventions from the Federal Government.

SkyTeam emerges ‘Airline Alliance of the Year’ 2016 Olusegun Koiki

kyTeam has won the ‘Airline Alliance of the Year’ award in the latest Air Transport News Awards event held in Salzburg, Austria at the weekend. “Winning this award for a second consecutive year is a great honour and clearly demonstrates that SkyTeam’s customer-focused approach is being recognised by the industry and valued by our customers,” said SkyTeam’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Mr. Perry Cantarutti,. “We are focused on delivering value to our 20 member airlines and their 665 million customers by creating a seamless travel experience across our network of 1,057

destinations and will continue to implement more industry-leading services and benefits to enhance the travel experience throughout the SkyTeam network.” The Air Transport Awards are held annually to recognise achievement across a broad cross section of the aviation industry. Finalists are voted for by readers of Air Transport News with winners decided by a jury of industry experts. Highlights of SkyTeam’s recent accomplishments included priority benefits, more SkyTeam lounges, investment in technology and Greater China synergies, which it built on its position as the leading airline alliance in the region.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Global insured losses hit $37bn in 2015 Tola Akinmutimi

Ex-Lagos Finance Commissioner tasks Buhari on economy Kemi Olaitan, Ibadan

FG to collaborate with states on food security agenda Abolaji Adebayo

SkyTeam emerges ‘Airline Alliance of the Year’ 2016 Olusegun Koiki

Business News

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Power crisis takes toll on data centres’ operations Isaiah Erhiawarien

he epileptic electricity power supply couple with the hard trick of getting fuel to run alternative power source for data centres in the country, most which are located in Lagos, is creating panic in the ICT industry.

Also telecoms operators are currently facing serious challenges getting diesel to power their numerous power generating base stations spread across the country. Investigation revealed that during the week most GSM operators suffered some challenges as services were down for a relatively long time during the long holiday. National Mirror investigations indicated that the telecoms industry was often worst hit whenever there are power crisis in the nation as services which are supposed

to be 24/7 are always critically affected, a development which the President of the National Association Telecommunications Subscribers, NATCOMS, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, said puts the consumer on the worse end. He said that reports reaching him indicated that subscribers in some parts of the country had issues with telecoms services saying that mobile operators are also suffering the impact of the poor fuel supply, which has been persistent since the beginning of the year. While lamenting the present power crisis in the nation, MainOne, the submarine cable company in the country with one of the biggest data centre in Lagos said that it incurred the expenses to build a dedicated power transmission line and private feeder connection to the National

Grid. According to a statement from the company, this investment has increased the power availability at its MDX-I data centre which was opened in January 2015 from the national grid to the data centre from the 20 per cent commercial

power availability generally available in parts of Lagos to circa 80 per cent. The company said it has made additional investment in 1,250 KVA Backup Generators in N+N Configuration, and 105,000 litres of diesel capacity, the Data Centre offers

power resiliency that is tough to find within in-house data centres in the region. The company noted that in the past month, as the fuel crisis hit hardest, Nigerian businesses have had to shut down operations to conserve fuel for power supply over a longer period.

Farmers’ union decries planned eviction by Edo govt Oarhe Dickson,

Benin

armers in Edo State under the aegis of Oko FADAMA Community Association Cooperative Union has cried out over what they claimed plans by the state government to evict them from their land. Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, chairman of Oko FCACU yesterday in a press statement pleaded Gov. Adams Oshiomhole to intervene in a cold war between the commissioner of agricultural and the Edo ADP farmers since the commissioner is hell bent to forcefully sack the farmers and rip them off their

source of livelihood. From the records, the Edo ADP was created by the then Bendel government primarily to aide the farmers who are into livestock and ultimately served as a research centre where farmers can acquire training. Iyamu faulted this action as been wicked stressing that while modern government and the federal government is looking towards revolutionalizing Nigeria through agriculture decried the present situation where the commissioner as a state agent be fighting farmers. Accordingly, he noted that the Edo ADP farmers are largely contributors to the state revenue based and condemn any attempt to discourage them will jeopardized the effort of government towards agriculture investment. “Hence we humbly wish to call on the comrade governor to come to the aid of Edo ADP farmers, since it is expected that the ministry of agriculture should be seen to be encouraging Edo state farmers to enable them double their production in the state instead of fighting them,” they appealed.

Eni to see `Negligible’ impact from halt of Italian oil field

T L-R: Chief Compliance Officer, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Opeyemi Adojutelegan; Chief Compliance Officer, Access Bank Plc/ Chairman, Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria, Mr. Pattison Boleigha; Managing Director/ CEO, Keystone Bank Limited Mr. Philip Ikeazor and Chief Compliance Officer, Keystone Bank Limited, Mrs. Joyce Obi, during the monthly meeting of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria held in Lagos last Friday.

Nigeria to contribute 4.8 % yearly to Africa’s GDP –ICAEW Isaiah Erhiawarien

igeria, the largest economy on the continent of Africa, is expected to contribute to Africa’s economic expansion at an average real rate of 4.8 per cent yearly between 2015 and 2020. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, ICAEW, in ‘Economic Insight: Africa First Quarter Report for 2016 reported that Nigeria will be contributing over 25 per cent to the continent’s forecast growth in this time-frame. Describing it as good news for Africa, the professional body however warned that manufacturing still accounts for a small share of output and saying that the old model of exporting raw materials is becoming unsustainable. The report indicated that GDP growth in Africa was projected to av-

erage 4.3 per cent between 2015 and 2020 adding that in the East Africa region, Kenya’s economy should to expand by around 6 per cent during the 2017 to 2020 period. The report allured the growth to its relatively diversified economy and comparatively low commodity dependence, bonding well with the country’s economic growth outlook. Commenting on the report, Regional director, ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia Michael Armstrong, pointed out that Africa as the most commodity-dependent continent on earth needed to create a hospitable environment for companies in the manufacturing and services sectors to drive growth. He explained further that the East African region was embracing the use of renewable energy to leapfrog older power generation technologies, while also reducing the need to extend the national energy grid to

remote villages. The report showed that Kenya was now ranked the seventh highest producer of geothermal power globally after it recently unveiled the second phase of the Olkaria geothermal plant, adding that Olkaria is now the biggest single- turbine geothermal plant in the world. According to the report, innovation in financial services technology (fintech) has erupted, as a primary global investment opportunity and has recorded rapid growth over the past five years as technological innovation allowed digitally active consumers to streamline and improve on traditional banking services. Fintech significantly contributed to the ease of transferring money and remitting earnings, acquiring insurance and attaining credit. Mobile banking has enabled peerto-peer lending on a larger scale.

he shutdown of Europe’s largest onshore oil field over alleged illicit waste disposal at a nearby treatment plant will probably only have a “negligible” effect on Eni SpA’s earnings because Italy often allows operations to resume during probes, said Giuseppe Rebuzzini, an analyst at Fidentiis Equities SV SA. “I would assume in a matter of days or a few weeks, Eni might restart using the oil treatment plant and consequently might restart production in the Val d’Agri field,” said Rebuzzini, highlighting the economic importance of the operation in Italy’s southern region of Basilicata. Production at Val d’Agri was halted on March 31 after Italian authorities seized part of a nearby oil-treatment facility amid a waste-disposal investigation. Eni, which has said it’s cooperating with the authorities, has asked prosecutors to restart production after suspending staff as part of the probe. The company declined to comment on the impact of the halt at the field in which Royal Dutch Shell Plc also holds a stake. Last year, a shipyard owned by Fincantieri SpA at Monfalcone near Trieste was allowed to resume production within a week after authorities started an investigation into waste disposal. That pattern was also repeated at a plant owned by steelmaker Ilva SpA in Taranto. “My take is this is probably going to happen” at Val d’Agri, Rebuzzini said. The Val d’Agri field produces about 75,000 barrels of oil a day and accounted for about 40 percent of Eni’s total Italian oil and gas production in 2014, according to the latest public data released by the company. Eni, operator of the Val d’Agri field, had a daily global output of 1.6 million barrels in 2014. Investors are currently more focused on Eni’s strategy in relation to gas discoveries in Egypt and Mozambique, according to Natixis SA. “In terms of news flow, it would be certainly more meaningful compared to Val d’Agri oil production,” Baptiste Lebacq, analyst at Natixis, said by phone.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos tops online job applicants in 2015 – NBS Sylva Emeka-Okereke

agos state topped the list of online applicants for job vacancies in 2015 in the country, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS. Out of the 150,599 active applicants, representing a major increase of applicants when compared with the previous online job registration of 79,399, about 52.72 per cent were based in Lagos. Of the active applicants, Abuja accounted for the second largest share with the location of 14,648 applicants, or 9.73 per cent. A notable proportion of 4.96 per cent applicants were based outside the country. Yobe and Jigawa states accounted for the smallest number of applicants with 82 from Yobe and 87 from Jigawa, accounting for 0.05 per cent and 0.06 per cent respectively. NBS said, the number of applications fell sharply over the period from 318,233 in October to 170,453 in December, representing a decline of 46.44 per cent. Although, the number of vacancies rose slightly between October and November from 4,620 to 4,696, the number also fell sharply in December to 2,563, a decline of 44.52 per cent relative to October. Of all the sectors, Trade/Services remained the industry to which largest numbers of applications were made,

posting the largest number of vacancies. This was followed by Power/Energy as well as Travel/Tourism were the industries received the most applications per each vacancy, receiving 461 and 366 respectively, thus making them the most competitive industries to apply for on the Jobberman website. Active applicants were predominantly male, about 67.77 per cent and well educated with 77.61 per cent being educated to degree or higher level. However, this figure was only 22.34 per cent for those under the age of 20. However, in the last three months of 2015, there was a notable decline in the number of applications received on the Jobberman website. From a peak of 318,233 in October, which was slightly higher than the 313,694 received in September, it fell by 69,886 in November, and then by a further 77,894 in December, when the number of applications was 170,453. This decline in the number of applications, according to the NBS, represents a 46.44 percent drop relative to the peak number of applications in October. The fall in the number of applications was broad based. Out of the 27 different industries, 23 received fewer applications during the review period. Four industries did not experience any decline in the number of applications and they include Construction,

CISLAC staff appointed CSOs’ rep in NEITI Board

resident Muhammed Buhari, has appointed Mr. Kolawole Banwo as civil society representative on the National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). The appointment of Banwo, who is a Senior Programme Officer (Extractives) with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC), was made in line with provisions of the NEITI Act 2007. According to a statement issued by CISLAC’s by Adeshina Oke, Legal Director on behalf of the organisation’s Board of Trustees, the appointment took effect from 19th February 2016 and will run for four years. It would be recalled that CISLAC has been and remains in the vanguard of civil society engagement with extractive sector work in Nigeria, including having to serve on the very first Steering Committee of Publish What You Pay (PWYPNigeria) constituted in 2004. As the officer in charge of CISLAC’s extractive work, Banwo, who has led the organization’s campaign and advocacy for strengthening the implementation of the EITI process at sub-national and national levels in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region, has the requi-

site knowledge and network of support and collaboration with civil society to deliver on his assignment. The CISLAC Board of Trustees expressed its appreciation to the President for finding one of its officers worthy of this appointment and assured him that the appointee would give his very best in representing civil society on the NSWG of NEITI. The Board further promises to provide him with all the support that he will require to deliver on this very important national assignment.

Banwo

NBS DG, Yemi Kale

Power/Energy, Food services as well as others, cumulatively accounted for only 4.66 percent of applications over the period as a whole. The industry, which received the most applications in each month, was Trade/ Services, accounting for 36.02 per cent of applications over the three month period. In October, the industry received 119,900, or 37.68 per cent of applications, more than three times as many as Consulting, which received the second largest share. However by December this figure had fallen to 33.08 per cent, due to a fall of 63,513 in the number of applications. This represents a fall of 52.97 per cent, and accounts for 42.98 per cent of the total fall. The Consulting industry saw a comparatively modest drop of 37.11 per cent, however, given that this industry accounted for 12.13 per cent of the total. The Consulting industry saw a comparatively modest drop of 37.11 per cent, however, given that this industry accounted for 12.13 per cent of the total number of applications over the period, this still accounted for 8.50 per cent of

the total decline in applications. The third largest industry over the period was ICT/Telecommunications, which received 5.91 per cent of applications over the period. Applications to this industry fell by 51.13 per cent between October and November, slightly more than average. On the academic qualification of applicants, the NBS said of the 150,498 active applicants for which education information was available, the majority, 65.07 percent had a degree and a further 11.52 per cent had higher degrees, MBBS, MBA/MSc or MPHIL/PhD). In addition, a further 15.34 per cent have Higher National Diplomas, HNDs, which, means that over 90 per cent of applicants were educated above secondary school levels. Only 1.17 per cent listed S.S.C.E as their highest educational achievement. Examining the level of education within each age group reveals that older applicants are more likely to be educated to degree level or higher. Only 2.4 per cent of applicants fewer than 20 years of age were educated to above degree level, perhaps unsurprising given the length of time it takes to obtain this level of education. For applicants above 50 years old this figure rises to 45.2 per cent; nearly half of applicants within this age bracket have a higher qualification than a degree. In contrast with the period considered in the previous Online Recruitment report (active applicants as of October 15th 2015) there is a clear divide between those aged above and below 20 years old. Within the latter group, only 22.34 per cent of applicants were educated to degree level or higher. For those above 20 years of age, 76.69 per cent were educated to degree level or higher.

Workers urge Amosun to remove certificate verification fees …govt to pay salaries with workers’ BVN details

he organised labour in Ogun State has advised the Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to remove various charges on certificate verification, submission of additional qualifications and inter-cadre transfer by workers in the state. The workers’ groups pointed out that the charges from N7,500 and above could encourage officers involved in the exercise to engage in corrupt practices. In a letter dated March 31 and addressed to the

governor, which was signed by the Chairman of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), Abiodun Olakanmi; Secretary of JNC, Olusegun Adebiyi; and State Chairmen of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Ambali, and Olubunmi Fajobi, urged the governor to immediately suspend the collection of such charges. The workers said inasmuch as it was not opposed to certificate verification, the charges for the

exercise were “too high.” Meanwhile, in a related development, the state government had indicated that effective from this month, salaries of public and civil servants in the state would be paid based on the Bank Verification Number (BVN) system. The payment plan is expected to help the state government to have accurate number of workers in its payroll and by implication, tackle the ghost workers syndrome in the public service.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Real Estate & Environment

Analysing implications of 2016 NiMet’s SRP for nation’s sustainable development

Environment experts have noted that recent report by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, detailing rainfall and temperature outlook for the 2016, should serve as an impetus for the Federal Government to step up action to combat climate change and its impact on all facets of Nigeria’s national life, Olufemi Adeosun, writes.

he recently released rainfall and temperature outlook for the year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has again reinforced the nexus between climate change and national development. While the issue of climate change is a global phenomenon with a destructive effect on national economies, Nigeria is particularly rated among the most vulnerable countries. Apart from the colossal human and material losses that attained the 2012 flooding incidence, the is currently experiencing issues such as desertification in the North, sea level rise in the coastal areas, gully erosion in the South East, as well as loss of biodiversity and intense heat. NiMet, in its SRP unveiled in Abuja, had at one stretch, announced that most parts of country would experience delayed, early cessation and lessthan-normal amount of rainfall, while on the other, predicted the possibility of isolated flash floods resulting from high intensity rainfall during the peak

20 insurance firms risk regulatory sanctions

of the season, especially in naturally floods phones areas of the South-West. NiMet Seasonal Prediction is part of the agency, meter ecological Early Warning System, containing rainfall and temperature outlook for the year, as well as the possible Socio-economic implications on the projected weather patterns. It is designed to provide relevant information for planning and execution of projects and programmes in various sectors of the economy, especially those that are sensitive to weather.

Apart from its effects on the socioeconomic lives of the people, environment experts have however, said that the projected weather patterns are capable of truncating the nation’s sustainable development goals, especially goal 13 which seeks urgent action against climate change and its impacts. Speaking during the unveiling of the SRP in Abuja, NiMet Director General, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, warned on the consequences of the abnormal weather condition posed a great danger to the realization of the nation’s sustainable development. He said, “Global Warning and Climate Change are real, Nigeria manifestations in form of unusual, violent weather phenomena are evident and constitute threats to sustainable development. I believe that it is in recognition of this fact that President Muhammadu Buhari, in his inauguration speech and also at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New

Beyond transparency and accountability, the TSA will introduce economy and efficiency into overall management of public finances and this will in the long run lead to effectiveness of government

spending since it places government in a better position to realise overall policy goals

York, as well as the UNFCCC conference of Parties (COP-21), stated that Nigeria will join hands with other nations to take actions to combat climate change and its impact on Nigerian citizen.” While calling for sectoral collaboration to steer the tide, Anuforom explained that the weather and climate data product by NiMet are critical for combating climate change through adaptation and mitigation strategies. In particular, he noted that NiMet was poised to work with the Ministry of Environment in the area of provision of climate services. He stated that the production and presentation of the SRP was an annual activity undertaken by the agency in providing weather and climate services for activities in all sectors of the economy and advising government on all aspects of meteorology. On the significance of the SRP, he said, “It is designed to provide relevant information for planning and execution of projects and programmes in various sectors of the economy, especially those that are sensitive to weather, agriculture, air transportation, infrastructure construction, telecommunication, water resources are particularly sensitive to weather variability. The SRP is therefore potent decision-support tool for stakeholders in these sectors.” Anuforom, however, maintained that the provision and dissemination of full CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Lagos tops online job applicants in 2015 23

Stakeholders seek banks, telecoms operators’ synergy to deepen financial inclusion 31

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Analysing implications of 2016 NiMet’s SRP for nation’s sustainable development CONTINUED FROM 25

climate services was not an exclusive preserve of any single organisation, calling for collaborations among MDAs and across disciplinary boundaries. He noted, “In this regard, I suggest that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should work closely with NiMet to include relevant agro-meteorological information as part of its agric extension package. NiMet would like to work with the Ministry of Environment to complete the development of a National Framework for Climate Services (NFACS). We are also ready to partner with any state government or organised groups to downscale the SRP to their zone, translate the SRP to languages and provide training on the interpretation and application, “he averred. While admitting that the weather forecast presents a huge challenge to policy makers, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe insisted that it would not affect food production, adding that the present administration had begun initiatives to diversify the nation’s agricultural base from rainfall reliance to irrigation farming. Ogbe, who chaired one of the technical sessions during the event, spoke on some of the strategies being put in place by his ministry to cushion the effects of rainfall prediction on food production. According to him, the outlook is useful in that it would help to galvanize efforts towards the revival and put to use of some of the nation’s moribund dams. Apart from reviving the River Basin, the minister promised canalization of the nation’s dams with a view to providing irrigation services to boost crop production across the country. He said, “We will not allow the prediction to affect our agricultural programmes. In fact, if we had our way, most of our agriculture will be irrigation controlled. While you have no control on the volume of rain and the lack of it, you can control that of irrigation and it allows agricultural practices all-year round.” In his speech, Acting Director/Head Environment Biotechnology & Bioconservation Department, Mrs. Gloria Obioh, highlighted some of the strategies being put in place by the agency to assist the country in mitigating the negative effects of climate change. Apart from the agency’s strive towards enhancing climate resilient agriculture, she disclosed that NABDA had also been involved in the development and promotion of drought, food, salt, herbicide-tolerant, nitrogen-use efficient and water efficient local crop varieties, artificial insemination. According to her, the initiatives are expected to contribute to food security, health and sanitation, climate change adaptation and mitigation as well curbing biodiversity loss, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s migration towards car-

Mohammed

Thiaw

bon-neutral economy. He added that, “the lessons learnt from weak investment and capacity building in fossil technology domestication must be brought to bear on the development of climate smart agriculture, vaccines and bio-energy. Institutions must be strengthened and the right incentives put in place to guarantee indigenous capacity to produce smart and efficient systems for the practice of safe biotechnology and climate forecasts to enable the sectors contribute adequately to meeting the post 2015 Sustainable Development Goal targets.” Also speaking, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadiza Siriki restated the commitment of the present administration to combating climate change and reducing its impacts on Nigerians. He also noted that the federal government was committed to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as Paris agreement on climate change. On the significance of the SRP, Siri-

Launching of an

ki said, “Availability of accurate and timely meter ecological data is critical for combating climate change as well as achieving the SDG in Nigeria. The role of NiMet in these regards is therefore unequivocal and I assure Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Transportation will continue will continue to support NiMet to discharge this responsibility.” He said Nigeria had suffered enough from the negative effects of climate change for it to be handled with levity. Citing an instance, the minister said that the country was yet to get over the human and material losses the nation suffered as a result of the 2012 flood disaster. According to him, the flooding directly affected 30 states in Nigeria, killed 364, injured 5,852 and displaced 3,872,053 persons due to the resulting floods. Sariki put the total value of physical and durable assets destroyed to the flooding incidence to N2.48 trillion. But an Abuja based environmentalist, Mr. Nuru Ibrahim, warned Nigerians on the consequences of the weather prediction, stressing that failure to evolve virile mitigating strategies against the

aggressive tree

planting initiative and preservation of existing forest reserves remains the most sustainable ways of controlling extreme weather conditions, including the hot

weather that was predicted by

NIMET, as

the trees absorb the excess carbon that constitute high percent of greenhouse gasses that cause warming

impacts of climate change may derail developmental agenda of the current administration. In particular, Ibrahim called on government at all levels to begin active awareness campaigns to sensitize the people on the activities contributing to climate change. For instance, he noted that the indiscriminate felling of trees across villages in the countries, if not check through the provision of alternatives, would wreck untold havoc on the environment. He maintained that launching of an aggressive tree planting initiative and preservation of existing forest reserves remains the most sustainable ways of controlling extreme weather conditions, including the hot weather that was predicted by NIMET, as the trees absorb the excess carbon that constitute high percent of greenhouse gasses that cause warming. Ibrahim said, “I do not see anything special in the year’s SRP released by the NiMet. Neither do we need a scientist, or scientific prove the world, and particularly Nigeria is experiencing a very unstable weather. The manifestations of this global phenomenon are already palpable across the country, but we need not belaboured that. “What we should be doing as a country is to map out strategies that will help us ameliorate the negative effects of climate change on our people and on our national economies. I therefore urged governments at all levels to launch an aggressive tree planting campaign to shun up our forest reserve, which at present, is below the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) benchmark of 26 per cent, “he noted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Nigeria’s rent control law favours landlords –Findings

MORTGAGE NOTES

SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

Upholding Women in Nigerian Real Estate

irst let me apologize for being MIA last column period while I was in Nigeria. It was -15 degrees when I left Chicago and 95 degrees when I landed in Lagos, a difference of 110 degrees! I promptly fell ill in Lagos, and fell ill again upon my return home to Chicago. I was pleasantly surprised by the readers who actually emailed me to find out why my column was missing…at least now I know I have real live followers. Thank you very much. Let me also share the amazing news that our Realty Company, Marvel Ventures Realty Inc., has been appointed a Diaspora real estate sales agent for both MIXTA (Formerly ARM), and Kayode Obembe & Co. We are identifying companies with integrity and a proven track record, and starting to enlighten our Diaspora market about them, with the assurance that they can now purchase property in Africa without fear of being scammed or otherwise losing their funds. As we continue to add more companies to our roster, we will update this list. One of the dearest goals I have is to use every skill and every opportunity I have to foster the growth and inclusion of women in the real estate field. I am a true believer in the wealth creation opportunities available through real estate. I love this field so much because real estate can create true generational wealth. Most families that we know as mega wealthy anywhere in the world will probably testify that their wealth creation vehicles have a substantial portion in real estate. This is why I am especially saddened that in 2016, women are still a very small minority in the area of property ownership and investment. It is true that women actually outnumber men in the area of real estate sales, but they are often selling other peoples’ property. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, please understand, but I am looking beyond that, to the area of women actually becoming real estate developers and investors. For some reason which I still have to understand, there is this terrible misconception that women cannot handle the technical areas of real estate. Every field from architecture to quantity surveying to costing to development, is completely dominated by men. No one is saying men should cede their roles to women, we are just asking that you allow us to share… It is because of this that I have a policy of not refusing any invitations from women, to assist or support them in any real estate projects

or events they may have. I am so blown away by the women in the real estate field in Nigeria! What a wonderful community of strong yet graceful, brilliant yet humble, multi-disciplinary yet unified ladies I have come to know and admire in Nigeria. My first large scale training session in Nigeria was for a mortgage company owned by a woman. To my delight, I found out that she had eighteen branches and over two hundred and fifty staff! We trained in Port Harcourt with our flagship Pyramid Plus program, and it was truly an unforgettable experience for my team and I. Last year I had the pleasure of presenting at the Real Estate Unite 2015, organized by 3invest, a vibrant and visionary real estate company owned by Ruth Obih, a bona fide star in the African real estate industry. This was a real eye opened event for me because I saw how sophisticated the real estate development industry in Nigeria is. It was particularly emotional to present to the African Women in Real Estate (A.W.I.R.E) group, which is her platform for bringing together seasoned women players in the industry as mentors to new and recent entrants. We had a great time sharing, and in fact, I met some of my favourite women in the industry at that event. It was made even more interesting by the attendance of several men, including one to whom I immediately fell in love with, an elder in the industry, with FIVE daughters, all of whom are in real estate! How amazing is that?? Real Estate Unite 2016 is coming up onOctober 6th and 7th, 2016. If you are a woman (or man) looking for guidance on how to enter into the industry, you should absolutely reach out to them (try Google), and register for the A.W.I.R.E. session. You might even meet me there… Hopefully this group will develop a platform of training and mentoring women all across Africa, as it certainly as the capacity to be a game changer in the industry. While I was in Lagos last month, I had the pleasure of presenting at yet another lady realtor event,

Real Estate & Environment

this time at the invitation of an admired friend, learned colleague and sister in the trade, Nonso Ume-Ezeoke of Assist2Sell. She reached out and explained to me that she holds a monthly seminar for new and recent lady entrants into the industry, and she wanted me to come and share with them. What I was most impressed with, is that she personally bears all the costs and expenses for this program. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea! It was a total no-brainer for me to accept her invitation, and what a blessing it turned out to be. There is nothing like the feeling of self-validation and worth one gets, when you know that you are changing the trajectory of another’s life for a good outcome. Every second of the time I spent with them was just magical. The questions were never ending, the passion for learning was palpable, and the vastness of possibilities for each attendee’s future was dazzling. I had the pleasure of meeting a previous attendee at another of my presentations, who told me she had actually found out about the event from a posting I put up on my LinkedIn page about it, and had immediately registered to attend. I also had the pleasure of meeting a brother and sister in the industry, who gave of their time too, to come and share their expertise. If you are interested in these sessions, please reach out to Assist2Sell (try Google) and register. I believe there is one held every month. As an invited guest at most of these events coming from an international location, I come with an un-jaundiced view of the entire proceedings. I always leave with a sense of admiration for the organizers, as well as a prayer that the attendees appreciate what they are getting in these amazing women. As always, please connect with me on LinkedIn (Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja), or follow me on Twitter (@NikeFinancePro.). WATCH THIS SPACE because we have some REALLY big projects in the pipeline…and make it an amazing week.

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

nvestigations have shown that the Rent Control of Residential Premises Law favours landlords more than tenants. Investigations by National Mirror showed that this was made possible due to government’s ineffective rent control. For instance, Lagos state has a “Rent Control of Residential Premises Law”, but fails to implement the law. On the rights of landlords and tenants, especially on the duration of contract and eviction, it was discovered that landlord has more edge than the tenant, who is at his beck and call. According to the investigation, rents are paid in advance for two to three years while some landlords accept advance payments for only one to one and half years and in that case, rents are significantly higher. This contract last for the duration of the advance payment, ba-

sically, one to three years. Consequently, an option to renew rent adjustment can be included in the contract, thus if the tenant pre-terminates a contract, no refunds are made, just as subleasing is also included in the contract. It was also discovered that under the 1997 Recovery of Possession Law of Lagos State and the 1991 Recovery of Possession Edict 1991 of Rivers State, only the court can order the eviction of tenants. Landlords can evict tenants using an assortment of tricks, phony legal cases, intimidation, locking out tenants, and physically throwing them out of their property. Lagos state offers a Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC, for resolving landlord and tenant issues, but if the mediation fails, the parties involved can seek redress in court, which is slow and cumbersome, thus giving the landlord an edge far over tenant.

FG unveils skill acquisition programmes in GGW states Femi Adeosun, Abuja

he National Agency for the Great Green Wall, (NAGGW) has begun skill acquisition programmes in the eleven frontline states where the afforestation project is being implemented. The skill acquisition programme, according to the agency, is part of the total package aimed at supporting and promoting alternative livelihood activities in the participating 11 frontline states. Some of the benefiting states are: Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kano, and Bauchi. The programme, which has the implementation lifespan of three years, also involves the establishment of a greenbelt covering 1,500km from Dandi Arewa Local

Government Area of Kebbi State to Marte of Borno State. As a way of empowering the people in the affected states, the NAGGW has embarked on construction of skills acquisition centres for training of unemployed youths and women in various trades to reduce poverty. According g to a statement from the agency, Recently, in Ilella town of Sokoto State, one out of the constructed and completed skill acquisition centres was officially handed over by the contractor to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall. “Success of this livelihood is dependable on capacity building of the communities involved; ensure support from Government through enabling policies, and providing solutions that fit the social and cultural constraints of the people,” the agency said.

China’s property market overheated

fficials at a housing registration office in suburban Shanghai were so preoccupied that they didn’t bait an eyelid when we walked around with a small camera to film the queues. In communist China, where the state has a deep-seated suspicion of the foreign media, that’s very unusual. That’s how busy they are. The announcement of new measures - meant to cool the housing market in China’s mega-cities - caused a surge in sales. People wanted to move in before the minimum deposit rose. The police were on hand to keep order at Baoshan property trading centre when we visited. There

were crowd barriers outside. Shanghai is home to 25 million people. The development in the city has been vast and it’s been quick. The apartment I am sitting in as I write this was a field 20 years ago. Shanghai is still building - where it can find the space. Howard Huo is one of the many trying to find a house amidst that space, and he’s in a hurry. In the six months he’s been waiting for the right paperwork to come through his friend has seen the value of his apartment go up, by 60%. He told me he’s “very sad” about that. His mate said he was “proud of it”.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Expert urges FG on home registration costs SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

mortgage expert, Moses Iwuji, has advised the Federal Government to reduce home registration costs from 16 to 3 percent to ensure housing affordability in the country. Iwuji said that the high cost discouraged people from buying residential properties and that in order to mitigate the burden on the citizens, government should slash the costs for land titling; governor’s consent as well as property registration processes. The expert however urged the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, NMRC, to create an enabling environment for mortgage market growths while increasing home owner-

ship through partnership with state governments. According to him, the processes resulting to 16 percent of the value of the accessed property is not affordable for people, saying if the situation is not properly addressed, the country might have all the mortgage finances without having the demands. “I advise government to scale it down from 16 percent to about 3 percent”, he said. Last year, over 18 states signed-off and accepted to review extant land titling, governor’s consent and property registration processes to make home ownership possible stated. It would be recalled that the scrabble for home ownership came when the then government launched an Affordable

Home Ownership Scheme. The first phase of the scheme was to generate 10,000 housing units. Though people showed interest, but the take-

off was weak due to high costs associated with home ownership. While arguing that it would be difficult to proceed in the provision of affordable houses

for Nigerians, if the registration costs are not reviewed, he also urged states and the National Assembly to fast-track the necessary steps.

Plastic bags, threat to environment –EPA AfDB to triple climate financing by 2020 Housing units

esearch has shown that disposable bags may seem convenient, but it has proven to be a huge source of environmental pollution. According to a research conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, about one trillion disposable bags are used each year across the globe. While used for an average of about twelve minutes, plastic bags remain in landfills, oceans and other places for several years. They are created using fossil fuels and vast amounts of water and energy in order to manufacture and shipped them. The production of such bags requires the use of billions of fossil fuels as well as gallons of fresh water, as manufacturing process results in billions of pounds of solid waste and millions of tons of CO2 every year. ‘’Plastic bags can have various negative impacts on the environment. In addition to the use of natural resources and waste from plastic bag production, plastic bags can increase the risk of flooding because they never break down completely. They bags can clog storm drains and other areas, which can eventually cause severe flooding. This is in addition to causing serious issues in the world’s oceans, where pieces of plastic actually outnumber the amount of plankton in the water, the research revealed. While plastic pollution continues to be a huge problem globally, there are some steps being taken to reduce the use of disposable bags. Many individuals and busi-

nesses have begun switching to reusable bags in an effort to save money and protect the environment. Some businesses even offer a small discount for utilizing reusable bags instead of plastic while places are also beginning to create laws that either ban plastic bags entirely or place a fee on them, and these laws have proven to be effective in reducing plastic bag pollution.

SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

frican Development Bank, AfDB, has said it would fulfil its ambitious goal of tripling climate financing in Africa by the year 2020. Disclosing this while releasing its 2015 annual report for its climate investment funds portfolio this fiscal year, said

half of Africa have engaged in various aspects of climate solutions. It said 39 pilot programmes have been embedded in their national development economic and social goals. Head of AfDB’s Climate Change and Environment Division and Climate Investment Funds, CIF, Coordinator, Kurt Lonsway said “since the Decem-

Hybrid system could cut coal-plant emissions in half

ost of the world’s nations have agreed to make substantial reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions, but achieving these goals is still a considerable technological, economic, and political challenge. The International Energy Agency has projected that, even with the new agreements in place, global coal-fired power generation will increase over the next few decades. Finding a cleaner way of using that coal could be a significant step toward achieving carbon-emissions reductions while meeting the needs of a growing and increasingly industrialized world population. Now, researchers at MIT have come up with a plan that could contribute to that effort by making it possible to generate electricity from coal with much greater efficiency -- possibly reaching as much as twice the fuel-to-electricity efficiency of today’s conventional coal plants. This would mean, all things being equal, a 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions for a given amount of power produced. The concept, proposed by MIT doctoral student Katherine Ong

and Ronald C. Crane (1972) Professor Ahmed Ghoniem, is described in their paper in the Journal of Power Sources. The key is combining into a single system two wellknown technologies: coal gasification and fuel cells. Coal gasification is a way of extracting burnable gaseous fuel from pulverized coal, rather than burning the coal itself. The technique is widely used in chemical processing plants as a way of producing hydrogen gas. Fuel cells produce electricity from a gaseous fuel by passing it through a batterylike system where the fuel reacts electrochemically with oxygen from the air. The attraction of combining these two systems, Ong explains, is that both processes operate at similarly high temperatures of 800 degrees Celsius or more. Combining them in a single plant would thus allow the two components to exchange heat with minimal energy losses. In fact, the fuel cell would generate enough heat to sustain the gasification part of the process, she says, eliminating the need for a separate heating system, which is usually provided by burning a por-

tion of the coal. Coal gasification, by itself, works at a lower temperature than combustion and “is more efficient than burning,” Ong says. First, the coal is pulverized to a powder, which is then heated in a flow of hot steam, somewhat like popcorn kernels heated in an air-popper. The heat leads to chemical reactions that release gases from the coal particles -- mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen, both of which can produce electricity in a solid oxide fuel cell. In the combined system, these gases would then be piped from the gasifier to a separate fuel cell stack, or ultimately, the fuel cell system could be installed in the same chamber as the gasifier so that the hot gas flows straight into the cell. Conventional coal-burning power plants typically have very low efficiency; only 30 percent of the energy contained in the fuel is actually converted to electricity. In comparison, the proposed combined gasification and fuel cell system could achieve efficiencies as high as 55 to 60 percent, Ong says, according to the simulations. (Source – sciencedaily.com)

ber climate summit in Paris, the global climate finance architecture has entered a new era’’. He stated: “In line with those global commitments, the Bank itself is going through a transformation under the new leadership of Akinwumi Adesina, who became our President in September 2015 and our evolving work with countries through the CIF has been essential to carving our path toward effective support for climatesmart development’’. Lonsway pointed out that the process had helped Africa’s middle-income and poor countries to redefine their approach to economic and social development through programmes and projects, which are not only based on climate solutions, but are also bankable. The process, he said has also helped to change the markets, engage a wide swath of stakeholders, and also have a core of long-term sustainability. “We see this as a crucial change for the future, not only for the continent, but for our planet.”, he added. He said that as at December last year, half of the 54 African countries had signed-up to run 39 CIF pilots, some with pilots in multiple programmes. In addition, some countries are also looking to work with development partners and other funds such as the Green Climate Fund, GCF, and Global Environment Facility, GEF, to ensure that investment pipelines included programmes that can be funded from different sources.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Aviation

Accident, incident investigations depend on other industry variables – BAGAIA Commissioner The Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency, BAGAIA, is a major player in the implementation of a treaty that derives from an agreement between seven countries in Africa, including Nigeria. Recently, the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, organised a four-week training for some select technical personnel of all agencies and operators in the nation’s aviation industry. In this interview with OLUSEGUN KOIKI, one of the trainers and Commissioner of BAGAIA, Mr. Caj Frostell, speaks on various issues in the sector, including accident investigation in the sub-region. Excerpts: oversight audit activities and then again, you will find hazards and shortcomings you either eliminate or control to improve safety in the system.

What is the idea behind the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency, BAGAIA, and its functions so far? BAGAIA was established in 2009 with the signing of the agreement by Ministers Transport by the seven Banjul Accord countries. It’s a long process to establish the activities in each country. Nigeria of course veered off in that you have an independent accident investigation agency, but in the six other countries, you don’t have an accident investigation agency in the same way and that’s where BAGAIA is more of assistance to other countries. We are probably going to need Nigeria in supporting BAGAIA in other countries. Could you say the organisation has achieved its objectives since it was set up in 2009? There is a clear purpose of setting up the accord by the ministers of transport in 2009. Much of what we have done so far is the training of personnel for two weeks in accident investigation and prevention in Cape Verde, Accra in Ghana and this is the third course we are having in Lagos, which is for two weeks and after this place, we are going to organise the fourth one in Abuja for another two weeks. We have about 40-50 people per course from the seven countries that we train. Part of the BAGAIA agreement is for each country to nominate BAGAIA Commissioner Members who will meet twice a year to further the objectives of BAGAIA. The problem we have had is that only two countries so far have nominated their members while other five countries are yet to do so as there are concerns over the qualities and qualifications of those to be nominated. So, we are still working very much with other countries to get them nominate their members for the full implementation of the agreement so that we can move forward. What is the benefit of this two weeks training for aviation personnel in Nigeria? The workshop is to train participants in accident investigation techniques, procedures and it is designed to streamline the processes in the seven Banjul Accord Group. Also, the mission of BAGAIA is to facilitate, exchange ideas and offer assistance to one and other especially less developed aviation countries in the group. As an expert in accident investigation, what will you say is the current state of accident investigation in the sub-region? My mandate here is to speak for BAGAIA, the Banjul Accord Group and not for the entire West African States. I don’t necessarily have the expertise beyond those seven countries. In those seven countries, you have Nigeria, which is bigger than the six others and already has an independent agency in Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, and you have other countries with very little aviation activities with very few aircraft and air operator’s certificates. So, you have disparity with the countries and one

How soon do you think the West African Sub-region can have a single accident investigation body? BAGAIA was designed and set up with the objective of achieving that purpose, but it has not materialised at this stage. I would say that it is a decision for the aviation policy at the ministerial level to decide if they are going to go that full route, but at the moment, we are looking at BAGAIA providing assistance to its members. In the seven states, we have always had the option of delegating accident investigators to BAGAIA either in full or in part. The states have a choice at the moment. That decision to have a single accident investigation body would have to be determined by the policy and political will of member states.

Frostell

Accident investigation activities should not be looked at in vacuum or

isolation. It will require full cooperation with the civil aviation authorities, airline operators, other

stakeholders and expertise in the sector of the objectives of BAGAIA is to assist those countries that require more assistances than the others. So, you are always going to have more countries that are more developed in accident investigation and others not so developed going to need more assistance. The form and the size of the assistance would depend on how much of assistance you need in the country. What is the contribution of accident investigation to improving safety in air transportation? To improve safety, there is the unfortunate part of accident investigation to determine what went wrong and the factors that led to an accident without which the accident would not have taken place. Of course, through investigation, we improve safety by eliminating or controlling those factors. We investigate incidents the same way we investigate accident and ensure that such does not lead to major accident. So, that helps in stopping other similar accidents from that particular accident. And there are of course other activities that are more in the civil aviation authorities, which is safety

How can global air safety be improved upon? Safety in the sector can be improved basically through safety predictive, oversight, prevention and by investigating serious incidents and accidents. In many parts of the world, investigation of serious incidents and accidents need to be improved in order to improve safety. What are the benefits of other stakeholders, especially airline operators from this training? Accident investigation activities should not be looked at in vacuum or isolation. It will require full cooperation with the civil aviation authorities, airline operators, other stakeholders and expertise in the sector. That is the aim of having a joint training session where everybody learns and hears about how we are going to do it because, otherwise, the airlines would come to accident situation where they have no idea how it is going to work, but through this workshop, we would have given everybody the same information on accident or incident investigation and prevention.. What is your relationship with AIB, the organiser of this training for aviation personnel in Nigeria? We have always got very well on with the management of AIB at least in the past five years. The immediate past Commissioner of AIB, Capt. Muhtar Usman, we have met on several occasions, have operated to move the sector forward and the current helmsman in the agency too has been professional in his activities. As investigators, we do the same thing; we tend to be friends even though in some accident investigations, we might be on different sides. AIB in Nigeria is a major player in the sub-region as you do have experienced investigators. The International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, requirement is that you cannot be a civil aviation authority without accident investigation agency, which Nigeria has. I am certainly looking forward to working closer with AIB in Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

SAHCOL lauds Med-View Airline on route expansion Stories: Olusegun Koiki

he Ag. Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, SAHCOL, Rizwan Kadri has commended the management of Med- View Airline for its recent route expansions. Kadri noted that Med-View and SAHCOL had over the years built a symbiotic relationship, which had further helped to grow the system in Nigeria. A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, SAHCOL, Mr. Basil Agboarumi said that the Managing Director made these statements at the airline’s headquarters in Lagos when the SAHCOL’s team paid the airline a courtesy visit. The statement assured that the ground handling company would continue to offer the airline quality services at all times, stressing that it would continually support the airline’s Unique Selling Point, USP, of on-time departures through its handling. In his response, the Managing Director of Med-View Air-

Inside the Business Class Cabin of KLM Royal Dutch, Boeing 777-200 deployed to the Lagos route from Amsterdam by the airline recently.

line, Alhaji Muneer Bankole while welcoming the SAHCOL management team, emphasized that the airline’s USP of ‘on-time departures’ was key to the development of the company. He said SAHCOL through its qualitative services had made the USP possible. Bankole recalled that the relationship between SAHCOL and Med-View dated back to November, 2012, maintaining

that SAHCOL had come a long way in the making of the success story of Med-View, such that they no longer see SAHCOL as part of its service providers but as partners. SAHCOL is a leading provider of aviation ground handling services in Nigeria. The company offers services in Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew Bus, Executive Lounge, and other related Ground Handling services.

Lufthansa offers new travel experience in Airbus 350-900

ne of the major airlines flying to Nigeria, Lufthansa has said that its new Airbus A350-900 provides Lufthansa passengers with a comfortable traveling experience in all cabins. The airline in a statement by its media consultant in Nigeria hinted that with its wider cabin, passengers have more room and a generous sense of space. The statement added that a self-service section in Business Class provides more passenger comfort, plus new seats in economy and larger monitors. Thanks to a special lighting concept, passengers arrive at their destination feeling more rested. Commenting on the aircraft

model, the Chief Executive, Lufthansa Hub Munich, Mr. Thomas Winkelmann stated that the airline wanted its customers on board to feel comfortable and to arrive relaxed even after long flights. He insisted that was why the company had improved passenger comfort even more in the A350-900. For the first time, Lufthansa will offer its customers a new service on the A350-900. Passengers in Business Class would be able to serve themselves refreshments between meals. In a specially designed selfservice area passengers can enjoy a variety of snacks. A refrigerator is also provided with cold drinks. Passengers in Economy cab-

Representative of Royal Caribbean, South Africa, Mr. George Arygyropoulos; Managing Director, Tour Brokers International, TBI, Mrs. Uloma Egbuna and Manager, TBI Cruises, Mrs. Funmi Olusola-Sanni during the unveiling of partnership with the former in Lagos, recently.

in according to the statement would in future be seated in ergonomically designed seats, which also appear in a new colour scheme. In future there would also be more room to stow personal items. In all classes, passengers would benefit from the latest FlyNet technology and improved web surfing above the clouds. The larger screens provide the most advanced user interface. Thanks to the special design of the A350-900, the cabin pressure during flight is pleasant, so passengers arrived more rested. This is comparable with an altitude of 1,800 meters, versus 2,400 meters of altitude with comparable aircraft. The effect is also enhanced by an innovative lighting concept with a total of 12 light scenarios. These can be deployed in such a way that passengers can adapt their biorhythm better to local time at their destination. Lufthansa is stationing the first 10 Airbus A350-900 aircraft at Munich starting January 2017. Initial destinations are likely to be Delhi and Boston. The aircraft would provide seating for 293 passengers; 48 in Business, 21 in Premium Economy and 224 in Economy.

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Where is Sen. Hadi Sirika?

takeholders and players in the country’s aviation industry have over the years craved for the appointment of aviation technocrat as the minister in the sector, but their lobbying and agitations did not receive approval from the previous governments. Due to their consistent agitation, President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2015 appointed Sen. Hadi Sirika who before venturing into politics according to his Curriculum Vitae was an aircraft pilot and grew to become a Captain in the course of the job. However, five months after his appointment as a Minister of State for Aviation, players in the sector including the Airside is yet to attribute any developmental project to Sirika. In fact, some claimed he’s not in charge in the industry. What can Sirika say he has done in the industry in the past five months? Some ministers who were not

even technocrats in their ministries have commenced work and players in that sectors are physically feeling their impacts, but the reverse is the situation in aviation where we have an aviation expert in charge. Some major players in the sector even lamented that Sirika is inaccessible; calls are not answered while letters and other mails are not responded to by his office. Airside says with the non-performance of Sirika so far, is it justifiable to lobby for an aviation technocrat as a minister in the future? Rather than lobby for an aviation technocrat to be at the helms of affairs in the sector, is it not better to have someone with business sense who will now surround himself/herself with experienced personnel in the industry? When will our Captain commence work? As it is, aviation industry in Nigeria has no policy direction and it’s in the doldrums. Time for Sirika to tighten his seatbelt is, but now to prevent ridicule tomorrow.

Hak Air and commencement of flight operations

ak Air was one of the three airlines issued Air Operator’s Certificates, AOC, in 2013 by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, but since the issuance of the AOC, the airline is yet to commence flight operations 36 months later. Before the airline was issued the AOC, it had five aircraft parked at the apron side of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos. The aircraft are still parked at the same spot and one of them even involved in wing brushing with Emirates Airlines in 2015, causing colossal damage to both airplanes. Just recently, the promoter of the airline accused the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, of not providing it with a space at the Abuja Airport, a situation he said led to its inability to commence operations as scheduled while NCAA over a year ago insisted that its AOC has expired

and for the airline to commence operations, it would have to go through the same process of acquiring AOC again. Airside still wonders why Hak Air is yet to commence flight operations three years after despite having equipment on ground. Even if the airline decides to begin flight operations tomorrow, will the aircraft still be airworthy as some components in the aircraft would need replacement even without use? Several millions of naira is rotting away with the non-operational of the aircraft while technical professionals are idle. Airside thinks that rather than accuse FAAN and engage in ‘wrestling’ with NCAA, the promoter of Hak Air should come out and tell the public the challenge it is facing so that such can be looked into and if possible resolved by concerned aviation stakeholders.

FAAN ready to partner private investors – Dunoma

he Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma has reiterated the readiness of the management to partner with genuine private investors towards a mutually beneficial relationship. Dunoma made the disclosure at the Airport Business Summit in Abuja, where he made a presentation on the topic, ‘Terminal Expansion: key to maintaining high standards of operational efficiency and improved airport users experience.’ A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati

stated that Dunoma, was represented at the occasion by FAAN’s Ag. Director of Commercial and Business Development, Mr. Toyin Okpaise. Dunoma said that the sector was strategic in the Federal Government’s quest to diversify the economy and create wealth and prosperity for the teeming populace. Speaking earlier, the organiser of the summit, Mr. Fortune Idu commended FAAN for expanding the business horizon and called on participants to take advantage of the summit to network and share ideas. The Summit attracted key stakeholders from aviation sector and the business community.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Insurance

20 insurance firms risk regulatory sanctions A bout 20 insurance companies of the 26 listed insurers on the floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) are risking regulatory hammer from the NSE for floating result submission requirements, National Mirror learnt over the weekend. It was reliably gathered that the erring companies could be fined several millions of Naira that will naturally impede their profit margin. NSE had set 31st of March as the deadline date for listed entities to submit their financial statements of the previous year, while failure to comply attracts monetary fines until the affected firm is able to submit the account. In the same vein, insurance companies are given till 30th of June by NAICOM to submit their accounts, failure to which attracts N5,000 each day after the deadline until the

concerned firm submit the financial report to it for approval. As at the expiration of the NSE submission deadline on last Thursday, investigation showed that 20 listed underwriting firms were yet to submit their 2015 results to the exchange. This implies that starting from Friday, which is the start of April, the exchange has started calculating their fines, until they are able to submit. Although, we could not confirm the names of the companies involved, but it was gathered that most of the leading insurers in the country are affected by this development, as they are yet to submit their 2015 results to NAICOM, while the few of those that had submitted have not gotten their results approved by the commission. Until NAICOM approves any account, no

listed insurer can submit its account to NSE. In 2014, 21 underwriting companies paid N60 million fines to NSE for failure to submit their 2013 financial accounts to the regulatory body on or before 31st March. This doesn’t include the fines, running into several millions of Naira, paid to NAICOM as well. Last year (2015) as well, about 21 insurance firms paid N39.9 million fines to NSE for late submission of their 2013 and 2014 accounts, which rose as high as N200million, when the fines being paid by erring underwriting firms to NAICOM and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria(FRC) for the same or similar offenses, are added. While three of the companies defaulted in submission of their 2012 accounts, 16 firms were penalized for late submission of their 2013 accounts, while eight insurers, of which some of them also defaulted in submission of their 2013 accounts, committed the same offense in their 2014 financial year. Insurance industry, over the years, is consistently witnessing late submission of ac-

counts to the regulatory authorities by insurance firms in the country, especially, after the industry transited to International Financial Reporting Standard(IFRS) in 2012. The underwriting firms were made to cough out millions of Naira as monetary sanction to the regulatory bodies such as; NAICOM, Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria(FRC), and so on. This act, negatively affected the books of accounts of the concerned firms, such that they are financially incapacitated to declare meaningful dividend or bonus to their teeming shareholders, a development that has rubbed off the credibility of the public in insurance services. The President, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, had said, insurance companies’ shareholders are unhappy that underwriting firms pay huge monetary fines, on a yearly basis, to regulatory authorities on offenses that could be avoided.

Industry’s Code of corporate governance enforcement kicks off

T L-R:Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Ugochi Odemelam; MD/CEO, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Olaotan Soyinka; President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Lady Isioma Chukwuma; outgoing Director General, CIIN, Mr. Kola Ahmed and incoming DG, CIIN, Mr. Tayo Borokini, during the courtesy visit of the Institute to STI Plc in Lagos recently.

he enforcement of the insurance industry’s 2009 Code of Corporate Governance, to reposition insurance industry for better, has commenced, The Insurers Committee, at its last meeting in Lagos, disclosed that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) had mandated insurance operators to start the implementation of the code of corporate governance, starting from 1st of April, 2016. Speaking on this development, the Chairman, Sub-Committee on Publicity and Communication, Oye Hassan-Odukale, who is also the Managing Director of Leadway Assurance

More firms in Singapore to seek cyber insurance – AIG

ingapore’s cyber insurance industry is expected to expand by 50 percent this year, with healthcare and finance among the top growing sectors. Demand would be fuelled by businesses looking to mitigate potential damage from cybersecurity breaches on reputation and finances, said AIG Asia-Pacific Insurance, which based its findings on research conducted at the company’s corporate governance events in late-2014. Respondents included CFOs, risk managers, and general counsel from public-listed companies, said the financial services provider. It added that Singapore’s goal to become a smart nation would further increase intercon-

nectivity and automation across the nation, hence, drive threats of cyberattacks and corporate sabotage. AIG Singapore’s head of financial lines, Lai Yen Yen, said: “While cyber attacks grow in size, volume, and sophistication, defensive methods and technologies have not seen a corresponding evolution, potentially costing businesses millions in the event of a cyber breach.” She noted a seven-old increase in inquiries from companies in the country about cyber insurance policies, but gave no specific details on the number of companies or how much revenue would be generated as a result of the market demand.

Lai said less than an estimated 10 percent of businesses in Singapore currently were covered by cyber insurance. By 2020, this figure could climb to 40 percent, she said. Market demand was forecast to come from the finance and technology sectors as well as healthcare, with security risks coming from the lack of data encryption, increased malware, and outsourcing to third-party vendors. “Not only do data leaks result in financial losses including compensation payouts and regulatory investigation, but damage to reputation and loss of consumer confidence also can have a long-term impact on a company’s bottom line,” said Lai. (Source: zdnet.com)

Plc, said apart from the start of the corporate governance code in the industry, the market will equally kickstart the Risk-Based Supervision in insurance market. He stressed that insurance companies’ capital base will now be dependent on the value or specific area of risks they carry as a business, different from what obtains currently were all the companies have the same statutory level of capital either as general or life business. Hassan-Odukale explained that the riskbased supervision roadmap would provide details on implementation plan, education and awareness, development, impact assessment, impact testing among other stages. He clarified: “There will no longer be a common capital for insurance companies again. You will now determine your capital based on the kind of business you are doing. It will now be from the board level, as the board do some analysis and take decision on the risk appetite for their company, which will be appropriate for the kind of risk they carry.” While stating that the Insurers Committee would ensure that the challenges facing the industry are addressed in the interest of all stakeholders, he added that industry players have the opportunity to listen to a presentation from a consumer perspective during the meeting today and what that has done for them is to see how they can improve on services and relationship with the consumers.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Money

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders seek banks, telecoms operators’ synergy to deepen financial inclusion As the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, continues to harp on the importance of the cashless project and financial inclusion for the economy, the journey to efficient banking services to customers in the face of in adequate infrastructure appears to remain long still. But then, experts believe that deliberate efforts by banks and telecoms operators to synergise their capabilities could a long way in fast-tracking the financial inclusion drive. UDO ONYEKA reports.

t is a fact that Banks have increased their awareness campaign on use of electronic banking channels, Automated Teller Machines, ATM and Point of Sales, PoS, to make banking easy and less stressful. The banks have gone a step further to encourage their customers through various incentives. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on its part has raised its awareness campaign in support of the e-channels being churned out by financial institutions, in order to encourage cashless project and financial inclusion. However amid the soaring awareness there are also challenges facing it. The growing awareness and the response of customers to the e- channels and financial services has resulted in the increase of online and other non cash transactions in the country’s payment system. According to Nigerian Inter Bank Settlement System ,NIBSS, transactions under its NIBSS Instant Payment ,NIP and Nigerian Electronic Fund Transfer, NEFT, have increased significantly to about N40 billion daily as at last year and may have continued to increase. NIP and NEFT are products used by corporate organisations to make payment for huge transactions electronically, in line with the cashless policy. Data gathered from NIBSS also shows that as a result of the cashless policy, Point of Sale, PoS and Automated Teller Machines, ATM, usage have continued to record huge volume and value. Analysts believe that if not the challenges facing the policy it would have made much more progress than it has recorded. Experts have pointed out infrastructural deficit as major obstacle to this project. They have said there is the need to put in place infrastructure in the form of magnetic card readers and the technology that makes them work. It was in order to tackle lack of adequate infrastructure and the cost of providing it the Group Managing Director, Computer Warehouse Group, CWG, Dr. Austin Okere; had in an interview advised financial institutions to go into what he called ‘shared resource’. He said that with financial institutions pulling their resources together it would be cost effective to provide certain services. The cash-less policy, as explained by the CBN is aimed at empowering the previously unbanked populace to open accounts and perform e-transactions across the nation without having to visit their bank branches But a Director in Lagos state Ministry of Education, Mrs Grace Oladimeji, at a forum in Ikeja, Lagos noted that Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, are not been taken into consideration in the cashless project. For instance she said most of the Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, are not positioned in a way a person on a wheelchair could go on his or her own withdraw money.

Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu

CBN’s director of Banking and Payment System Department, Dipo Fatokun

The increasing figures associated with different payment channels are indications that more

Nigerians are

embracing the card culture in line with the

CBN’s cashless policy aimed at

reducing the quantity of physical cash in circulation Also she said there was nothing wrong incorporating braille facility in ATMs so that the blind or visually impaired could make use of the ATMs. According to Mr Jude Ezenwa, a member of the civil society organisation “the cashless and financial inclusion policy of the CBN would achieve much more if persons with disabilities are catered for in the project. “In Lagos it is estimated that PWDs are about 10 per cent of the population of the state. So imagine throughout all the 36 states of the federation”, he said. In order to improve the quality of services of financial institutions in delivering electronic products to customers, it was gathered the Bankers’ Committee last year planned working with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC and other service providers to ensure that some of the challenges are addressed. According to the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, the Federal Government has always encouraged the telecoms on the need to provide the necessary network that would drive cashless the project Johnson said an important area where government aimed to drive financial inclusion is through mobile money initiative, whose transactions has been recording steady growth since the issuance of operating licences to companies willing to play in the mobile money space in the country.

Even though many have said that Mobile Money is not making much impact and has not been patronised by many because a lot of people do not understand how it works due to lack of enlightenment, Mrs Johnson early in 2014 said it was not doing badly and backing her claim with figures. According to her “Total value of Mobile Money transactions currently stands at N228m and is expected to increase to N151bn by 2015, while total volume of non-store shopping increased from N62bn in 2011 to N77.5bn in 2012. This figure will increase to N658bn by 2015,” she said. She explained that mobile money, which is being supported by telecommunications infrastructures would play significant role in driving financial service inclusion in Nigeria. Many analysts agreed with the minister that the growth in the telecoms sector is capable of driving the cashless policy. It was also gathered that the Federal Government has begun reforming the NIPOST to ensure it complements the target of the government to ensure that about 80 per cent of adult Nigerians have access to financial services by 2020 Mrs. Johnson had said that one of the measures being taken by the Federal Government through the ministry was an ongoing effort to reform NIPOST to spearhead financial inclusion in the country. “We are reforming the NIPOST to transform it into a financial and digital inclusion tool that will reduce the proportion of adult Nigerians

excluded from financial services from 46.3 per cent as at 2010 to 20 per cent by 2020,” she said. She said as part of measure to achieve the target, the ministry was working to develop about 3,000 postal outlets of NIPOST located across the country to transform the outlets into becoming venues for financial and economic inclusion. Notwithstanding network failure at ATMs many times stakeholders say number of transactions carried out by the banking public on the over 80,000 Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, being used by banks in Nigeria has been on the increase. Chief Executive Officer of InterSwitch, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, says that the increasing figures associated with different payment channels are indications that more Nigerians are embracing the card culture in line with the CBN’s cashless policy aimed at reducing the quantity of physical cash in circulation. However, analysts have said that much is still needed to be done as the country was witnessing adoption of the cashless economy. According them to boost e-payment transaction volumes, there is the need to address the challenge of poor awareness on the part of the operators, especially in the informal sector, adding that there were also challenges with interoperability of networks from the telecommunications operators. According to industry analysts, the increase in the volume of ATM transactions over OTC transactions was an indication that the economy is recording faster adoption of electronic channels of financial transaction in recent yea rs. In 2013 the CBN, in pursuit of its cashless policy initiative, had charged commercial banks to deploy additional 75,000 ATMs across the country to their existing ATM points over the next three years For instance as at December 2015, about 275,000 bill payments were made through the bank’s ATMs while the value of airtime purchase on all its ATMs was about N3bn. The bills payment option is one of the features of FirstBank’s ATMs, which also have other unique functional features which include cash transfer, air-time 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 option for customers’ money transfer needs.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Capital Market

Weekly Report: Bank stocks drag market index down …. as Total, Julius Berger, Vitafoam, other stocks gain Tola Akinmutimi

espite closing the last two days of last week on a positive note, the Nigerian equities market’s overall performance showed a slight decline when compared with the preceding week’s on poor performance by banking stocks. During the review period, banking Index dropped by 7.9 per cent as investors sold bank stocks in most daily trading in the bourse even as potential and old investors maintained cautious disposition to stocks buying in the face of profit warnings by some banks in a manner that suggested that future capacity of the banks to post impressive returns on investments in the face of regulatory headwinds and high loan impairments appear uncertain. Another factor market analysts linked to the downward slide in the market was the prices adjustments for dividends. A cursory appraisal of the market indices showed that at the close of trades during the week in review, the bourse’s All-Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation depreciated by 1.52 per cent to close at 25,507.09 and N8.774 trillion respectively. Relatedly, other indices showed slump during the week but for the the NSE Premium Index, NSE Oil/Gas Index, NSE Lotus II and the NSE Indus-

trial Goods Index which recorded 3.16 per cent, 2.06 per cent, 0.76 per cent, and 0.25 per cent respectively, while the NSE ASeM closed flat. In the previous week during which the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) met to adjust monetary policy rates, the market was able to hold its trend albeit on a shaky note. The MPC had raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 12 per cent from 11 per cent even as it also raised banks’ Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 22.5 per cent from 20 per cent. An analysis of the daily performance of the stocks showed a sluggish trend on Tuesday, the opening day of the week after the Easter Monday holiday, a development that derived from negative performance banking stocks (0.8 per cent) and industrial stocks (2.54 per cent), amongst other causative factors. On Wednesday, recorded losses in major banking and consumer goods stocks pulled the NSE-ASI index down the alley of slide, thus shedding 0.52 per cent to end the session at 25,411.69 points. During the day, market capitalisation dipped by N45 billion to close at N8.65 trillion. The decline was occasioned by unimpressive performances of major stocks, including Nigerian Breweries Plc, UBA Plc and Zenith Bank Plc. This is despite gains in Dan-

gote Cement Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc and Seplat Plc’s stocks. On Thursday, the equities market capitalisation and NSE-ASI index rose by 0.64 per cent as key sub-sector indices closed positively as both NSE-ASI and market capitalisation ended trading at 25,306.22 points and N8.71trillion respectively. Gainers that stimulated the day’s growth were Dangote Cement Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and International Breweries Plc, netting off losses recorded by Lafarge Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc stocks, amongst others. The market ended the week green last Friday as the NSE ASI increased further by 0.79 per cent to close at 25,507.09 points, compared with the gain of 0.64 per cent recorded the preceding day with share prices appreciation recorded by Access Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Oando Plc. As expected, the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.79 per cent to close at N8.77 trillion, compared with the depreciation of 0.64 per cent recorded the previous day to close at N8.70 trillion. Overall during the week, the market recorded a turnover of 1.262 billion shares worth N6.427 billion in 12,274 deals were traded by investors as compared to a total of 1.552 billion shares valued at N10.453 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 14,994 deals. A reflection on the gainers and losers’ chart in the market showed that during the week under review indicated that a total of 24 equities appreciated in price compared to 22 equities of the previous week. However, 37 equities depreciated in

SEC DG, Gwarzo

value as against the 38 equities that recorded price losses during the previous week while 128 equities’ prices remained unchanged. In the previous week, 129 equities maintained stable prices. A further analysis of the chart indicated that top 10 gainers were, Total Nigeria Plc (N13.81), Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (N3.30), International Breweries Plc (N1.69), Vitafoam Plc (70 kobo), Oando Plc (58 kobo) FCMB Group Plc (9 kobo), NASCON Allied Plc (39 kobo), Dangote Sugar Plc (30 kobo), AIICO Insurance (4 kobo) and Champion Breweries Plc (14 kobo). On the flip side of the prices trend, the top 10 losers of the week include, Nigerian Breweries Plc (N11.31), Guinness Nigeria Plc (N8.93), Zenith Bank Plc (N2.02), Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (N1.71), United Capital Plc (70 kobo), Tiger Branded Consumer Plc (34 kobo), Transcorp Plc (19 kobo), UBA Plc (60 kobo), Trans Nationwide Express (12 kobo), and Nigerian-German Chemicals Plc (45 kobo).

…..as European shares dip one-month low

Nigeria Stock Exchange building

uropean equities hit a onemonth low on the first day of the quarter on Friday as Zurich Insurance fell sharply after its shares traded without the attraction of its latest dividend payout, and energy stocks tracked weaker oil prices. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 1.5 per cent, its lowest level in a month, extending the previous session’s losses of one per cent. The benchmark index fell 7.7 percent in the first quarter. The European Insurance sector fell two per cent, the top sectoral decliner, after shares in Zurich Insurance fell nearly nine per cent as its stocks

traded ex-dividend. Energy stocks dropped 1.7 per cent as a decline in crude oil prices put pressure on companies such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell, down 2.1 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively. On the positive side, shares in Thyssenkrupp rose 5.4 per cent after German business paper Rheinische Post reported that India’s Tata Steel was planning to take a stake in Thyssenkrupp’s European steel unit. Investors’ focus will also be on U.S. payrolls jobs data later in the day as any sign of strength in wages might revive the risk of higher U.S. interest rates. (Source - Reuters.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Benin to host competition for Federation Cup champions in S’South

enin City will host champions of this year’s Federation Cup winners in the six states of the South-South geo-political zone, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The Vice-President of the Frot Group, Regina Momoh, said the competition which was christened ``Champion of Champions” would be sponsored by the Frot Group. ``The essence of the competition is to encourage the game’s development in the region and country in general,’’ the sponsor of the 2016 edition of the Edo Federation Cup said. Momoh who disclosed that no date had been fixed yet for the tournament said the Frot Group was ready to contribute its quota to sports development in the country. It would be recalled that Frot Group’s partnership with Edo Football Association led to the increment of prize money for the 2016 Edo Federation Cup competition winners to N500,000. This is in contrast to N50,000 which last year’s winners got. NAN reports that the first runners-up and second runners-up in the competition got N300,000 and N200,000 respectively, from N30,000 and N20,000 of 2015. The Frot partnership also saw all the 24 clubs which participated in the 2016 edition going home with at least a prize. The 2016 edition of the Edo FA Cup was won by Inneh Stars FC who defeated two-times winners of the competition, Dynamite FC, 3-0.

L-R: Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Ndowa Lale; MD/CEO, Nigeria LNG (NLNG), Babs Omotowa; Deputy Governor, Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo and Deputy MD, NLNG, Isa Inuwa, at the commissioning of $2 million NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt… recently.

Enerhen protests alleged military invasion

Nosa Akenzua ASABA

nerhen Community in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, on Monday, staged a protest against alleged invasion of the community by the military, calling on the Delta State Government to intervene before they make their community inhabitable. This is coming barely two weeks after men of the Nigerian Navy allegedly killed a kinsman of former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, (a.k.a. Tompolo) in Gbaramatu, Warri South-West Local Government Area. Executive members,

youths and women of Enerhen community who staged a peaceful protest at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents’ Chapel’s Press Centre, said their community chairman escaped the bullet of a Naval Officer and four soldiers from 3 Battalion Effurun who were on guard duty in two companies in their community. An elderly woman, Mrs. Mary Owolo, who spoke on behalf of Enerhen community claimed that naval and army personnel on guard duty at Arco-Marine Limited and Python Engineering and Construction Company allegedly shot the chairman of the community, Mr. Lucky Emuakpor Izeku, for

daring to challenge ArcoMarine said to be relocating from Warri to Port-Harcourt. The incident which took place on a Thursday afternoon, according to Mrs. Owolo, was set off by the shattering of the windscreen of a Kia Rio car with registration number TDU 117 EV by military personnel. The incident caused tension within the area as the car in question belongs to the community chairman. She called on the Delta State Government to intervene in the matter, stressing that the community was a peaceful and law abiding one. The chairman of Ener-

hen community, Comrade Lucky Emuakpor Izeku, threatened legal action against the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army, the managements of ArcoMarine and that of Python Engineering & Construction Company if they failed to replace his damaged car with a new one before today. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the Navy and Army officer, Lucky Emuakpor Izeku accused them of allegedly harassing, intimidating and attacking him when he approached the management of Arco-Marine Limited for the benefit of its indigenes in its employment as they were relocating to Port Harcourt.

ty Advisory Commission, IPAC, stated that Ebri and Ndoma Egba had enough capacity to change the fortunes of the APC in the state given the fact that the duo had very large political followership. “These two sons of the state have made great impact in the political life of the state and people believe in their purposeful leadership and with their appointment into the APC Board of Trustees the stage is set

for a change in the political atmosphere in Cross River State.” Akapama who was the Progressives People’s Alliance, PPA, governorship candidate in the state during the 2015 elections before joining the APC averred that President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC had given due recognition to the state given the numerous appointment given to indigenes of the state.

He urged all to put their weight behind the president. “The Head of Service of the Federation, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Minister for Niger Delta are all from Cross River State and with the appointment of Ndoma Egba and Ebri into the BoT of APC, the state has been given due recognition by President Buhari and APC and therefore deserves the support of the people of the state,” he said.

APC chieftain commends appointment of Ndoma Egba, Ebri into board of trustees Richard Ndoma, CALABAR

n APC chieftain in Cross River State, Mr. Godie Akpama, has lauded the leadership of the All Progressive Congress for appointing former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba, and a onetime governor of Cross River State, Dr. Clement Ebri, into the Board of Trustees of the ruling party. Akpama stated that with

the appointments, the APC had significantly strengthened itself to rightfully take its pride of place in the polity of Cross River State. Akapama made the commendation while speaking to journalists in Calabar over the weekend in Calabar adding that the two political big wigs were relevant as far as Cross River politics is concerned. The former Cross River State chairman of Inter-Par-

Capital Market

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at April 4, 2016 Printed 04/04/2016 14:32:28.028

1st Tier Securities Sector

PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES

Company name

FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N

BANKING

1st Tier Securities

Price List (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

341,593.85

10.88

-0.91

174

5,765,879

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

122,402.95

3.41

3.33

320

15,635,827

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

320

15,635,827

FINANCIAL SERVICES

494

21,401,706

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

BANKING S/N

174

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

FBN HOLDINGS PLC

131

5,765,879

BUILDING MATERIALS

DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,930,967.27

172.00

0.58

682,277

BUILDING MATERIALS

INDUSTRIAL GOODS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES

682,277 22,083,983

CROP PRODUCTION

OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES

LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

27,052.89

28.36

-4.99

151,478

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

2,100.00

1.05

4.76

AGRICULTURE

CUTIX PLC.

S/N

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS TOOLS AND MACHINERY

383,499

534,977

S/N S/N

CHEMICALS METALS

S/N

MINING SERVICES PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS

S/N

ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

147

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC

S/N

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES

148

OANDO PLC

230,000

342.45

0.88

129

150

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS CONOIL PLC

39,495.42

1.02

2.00

130

23,085,825

151

ETERNA PLC.

20.45

-0.15

68,988

152

FORTE OIL PLC.

39,281.68

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

525,010

TRADES

VOLUME

TRADES

VOLUME

119

1,706,934 VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

VOLUME

TRADES

VOLUME

3,131.35

0.50

2 2

7,100

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

54,155.79

4.50

-1.75

154

7,036,089

154

7,036,089

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

13,948.44

20.10

16,164

2,177.92

1.67

-4.57

805,900

381,926.53

293.23

815

INTEGRATED OIL AND GAS SERVICES

VOLUME

U A C N PLC.

PRICE

ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

TRADES

NATURAL RESOURCES

4.05

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC

TRADES

-4.83

OIL AND GAS

%CHANGE

JOHN HOLT PLC.

VOLUME

%CHANGE

1.38

PAPER/FOREST PRODUCTS

0.77

844,782

1,181,924

PRICE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

Value

115 1,215.31

MINING SERVICES

PRICE

Quantity Traded

MARKET CAP(Nm)

CHEMICALS

2,038.41

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC.

-1.97

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

Quotation(N)

NATURAL RESOURCES

CONGLOMERATES DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

S/N MARKET CAP(Nm)

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES

S/N

75.00

METALS

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N

No Of Deals

TOOLS AND MACHINERY

Price List (Equities)

CROP PRODUCTION S/N

341,617.64

PACKAGING/CONTAINERS

AGRICULTURE S/N

S/N 136 S/N

682,277

57 551

Company name

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N

LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.

BUILDING MATERIALS

S/N

7,100

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES

145

23,384,942

153

MOBIL OIL NIG PLC.

58,412.83

161.99

2,922

CONGLOMERATES

145

23,384,942

154

MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC.

11,983.19

47.18

2,644

155

TOTAL NIGERIA PLC.

TRADES

VOLUME

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER

COSTAIN (W A) PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

542.19

0.50

2,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER S/N

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION

JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC.

59,136.00

44.80

1 1

11,800

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

7,167.19

4.17

-4.79

162,987

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

176,787 VOLUME

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS

S/N

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS

CHAMPION BREW. PLC.

GUINNESS NIG PLC

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC.

NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

22,940.42

2.93

-4.87

192,250

150,588.82

100.00

20.49

27,250

102.61

-3.55

2,703,243

2,962,025

TRADES

VOLUME

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC

7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

98,650.92

154.00

4 4

585

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

%CHANGE

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC FOOD PRODUCTS

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC

63,000.00

5.25

-4.55

399,942

FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC.

51,303.84

19.55

242,942

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC

11,419.48

1.44

198,003

NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC

18,307.62

6.91

62,433

TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC

11,050.00

2.21

1,814,332

U T C NIG. PLC.

616.69

0.50

135

2,717,726

TRADES

VOLUME

FOOD PRODUCTS S/N

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC.

NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

27,741.04

14.77

41,783

546,932.81

690.00

-1.43

197,099

238,882

TRADES

VOLUME

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

2.46

54 92

952,778

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

156

SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

172,442.21

306.05

2.02

S/N

ADVERTISING

S/N

APPAREL RETAILERS

VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

5,326.78

5.42

S/N

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC.

UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

55,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

93,306.21

23.50

987,794

109,715.59

29.00

-1.69

1,467,403

2,455,197

322

8,429,415

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.75

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS BANKING

ACCESS BANK PLC.

DIAMOND BANK PLC

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED

FIDELITY BANK PLC

GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC.

SKYE BANK PLC

STERLING BANK PLC.

UNION BANK NIG.PLC.

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

59 60

MARKET CAP(Nm) 116,001.17

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

AUTOMOBILE/AUTO PART RETAILERS S/N

COURIER/FREIGHT/DELIVERY

160

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

161

TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC.

S/N

HOSPITALITY

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,240.09

3.80

196.83

0.99

-4.81

3 4

70,428

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

HOSPITALITY S/N

HOTELS/LODGING

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

HOTELS/LODGING S/N

MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT

167

DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC

119

8,544,696

27,792.47

1.20

-4.17

11,443,875

15.02

4.01

-1.18

607,133

38,826.23

1.34

1.52

125

28,288,280

412,330.82

14.01

-1.96

208

24,973,947

12,631.07

0.91

-1.10

101

11,603,153

3.14

47,216.29

1.64

94,840.52

5.60

515,599

117,908.46

3.25

2.20

109

585

15,328,297

UNITY BANK PLC

8,416.32

0.72

-4.17

873,134

WEMA BANK PLC.

28,545.10

0.74

-3.90

241,001

1,403

109,337,626

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10,292.50

0.50

210

5,821.37

0.84

49,815

BANKING

%CHANGE

TRADES

0.50

1 TRADES

VOLUME

168

ACADEMY PRESS PLC.

356.83

0.59

50,903

169

LEARN AFRICA PLC

S/N

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

586.30

0.76

-5.00

4 6

130,477

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0 VOLUME

ROAD TRANSPORTATION S/N

SPECIALTY

SPECIALTY S/N

TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

175

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC

1,331.40

2.10

NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC

6,042.09

3.72

122,571

132,228

TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES S/N

SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS

177

C & I LEASING PLC.

178

CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

941.41

0.50

160,500

4,456.18

1.33

20,030

180,530

513,863

2,661

220,570,718

TRADES

VOLUME

SERVICES

PRICES FOR ASEM SECURITIES S/N

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

S/N

FOOD PRODUCTS

180

MCNICHOLS PLC

S/N

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

S/N

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

VOLUME

TRADES

VOLUME

PHARMACEUTICALS

HEALTHCARE

TRADES

VOLUME

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

TRADES

VOLUME

S/N

PHARMACEUTICALS

GUINEA INSURANCE PLC.

3,070.00

0.50

200

LASACO ASSURANCE PLC.

3,661.72

0.50

500,000

N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC.

4,013.18

0.76

112,000

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS

SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC

4,170.41

0.50

724,500

OIL AND GAS

STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC.

5,996.59

0.50

200,000

2,029,723

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,606.77

1.14

-5.00

82,100

82,100 VOLUME 3,325

S/N

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

TRADES

VOLUME

AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC

CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC

FCMB GROUP PLC.

102

STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC

103

UNITED CAPITAL PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

S/N

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MEDICAL SUPPLIES

S/N

PHARMACEUTICALS

108

FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

109

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC.

110

MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC.

111

NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

1,698,381

171,002

18,614.55

0.94

5.62

160

48,362,510

137,400.00

13.74

-3.58

12,327,203

8,400.00

1.40

7.69

3,326,024

301

65,885,120

1,734

177,337,894

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

3,705.00

2.47

23,191

29,861.04

24.97

-0.04

200,492

970.20

0.99

4.21

128,850

1,082.99

0.69

VOLUME

60,446

412,979

HEALTHCARE

412,979

ICT

S/N

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS S/N

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES S/N

IT SERVICES

S/N

PROCESSING SYSTEMS

121

E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

TRADES

VOLUME

0 VOLUME

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

11,760.00

2.80

4.87

50,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

PROCESSING SYSTEMS S/N

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

IT SERVICES

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

ICT

50,000

TRADES

VOLUME

INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N

BUILDING MATERIALS

124

ASHAKA CEM PLC

125

BERGER PAINTS PLC

126

CAP PLC

127

CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC

PRICE

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

0 MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

FOOD/DRUG RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS

SERVICES

ASEM TOTALS

32,993

3,213

242,687,694

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

46,087.95

20.58

-9.74

2,605.51

8.99

46,500

26,950.00

38.50

14,779

9,286.85

7.39

-9.55

207,863

68,000

TRADES

VOLUME

Price List (ETP) PRICE

%CHANGE

LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF

517.08

8.34

-0.95

NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF)

349.35

2,329.00

-1.85

STANBIC IBTC ETF 30

824.18

72.00

VETIVA BANKING ETF

79.71

2.18

VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF

71.44

6.15

VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF

1,720.58

11.44

-0.78

VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF

86.53

19.75

S/N

4.84

PHARMACEUTICALS

S/N

FOOD/DRUG RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS

PRICES FOR ETP SECURITIES

0.78

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

EQUITIES TOTALS

3.90

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

%CHANGE

SERVICES

HEALTHCARE S/N

ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

S/N

2.57

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

PRICE

OIL AND GAS

5,140.00

FINANCIAL SERVICES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

22,939.27

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

32,993

TRADES

3,325

32,993 VOLUME

HEALTHCARE

20,890

FINANCIAL SERVICES

137,108

1 TRADES

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

285,000

TRADES

%CHANGE

1.17 PRICE

32,993

%CHANGE

347.49 MARKET CAP(Nm)

4.50

0 VOLUME

FINANCIAL SERVICES

-1.10

PRICE

0 TRADES

CONSUMER GOODS

0.50

4,394.53

%CHANGE

0.90

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

3,000.00

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

FOOD PRODUCTS

9,335.47

UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC.

%CHANGE

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC

PRICE

CONSUMER GOODS

CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC

S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC

MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

Price List (Equities)

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS

9,657

MARKET CAP(Nm)

SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

79,574

176

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS

200

%CHANGE

AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

200

1 PRICE

S/N

VOLUME

PRICE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

6,000.00

PRINTING/PUBLISHING

6,918,511

VOLUME

PRINTING/PUBLISHING

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

TRADES

S/N

1.87

70,329

MARKET CAP(Nm)

MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT

S/N

19,635.00

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

COURIER/FREIGHT/DELIVERY

VOLUME

275,610.26

26,960 8,022,927

PRICE

APPAREL RETAILERS

FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N

26,960

6 254 MARKET CAP(Nm)

MAIN BOARD TOTALS 46

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

124,333

MARKET CAP(Nm)

ADVERTISING

585

S/N

157.60

SERVICES

39,282

67,499.17 813,605.04

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

11,800

TRADES

S/N

OIL AND GAS

CONSUMER GOODS S/N

53,508.64 MARKET CAP(Nm)

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTORS

COMPANY

MARKET CAP(Nm)

ETP TOTALS

PRICES FOR DEBT SECURITIES S/N

COMPANY

12.1493% FGN JUL 2034

16.00% FGN JUN 2019

BONDS TOTALS

TRADES

VOLUME

Price List (BONDS) MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

1,059,781.31

98.50

-1.00

414,537.51

118.00

100

1,500

1,400

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

youths for governance —Daniel

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

wrong . We established tertiary institutions, so many . Everything that needs to be done we had more or less done them. I laid the foundation, it is just left for other people to develop it . But beyond those formal education which has to do with acquiring meal ticket, there is something that is missing, the people who say they want to play politics where are they coming from? . Because they have become jobless or there is no other thing they can do with their lives , they are now in politics . They found their ways into the House of Assembly and you want them to make any laws that can be useful to you , it is a joke. So If we can’t stop that, the only thing we can do is to say okay, you are there now but why don’t you go and spend a month in that academy . And if we can support it without charging fees to a large extent let’s take that back to the community and impact knowledge. Like I said to somebody, I have seen that quite a few of the people that have passed through the academy have a different kind of thinking. They had become let me say better citizens and when they are doing things for themselves they also appreciate the whole essence of service . It is not about self , it is called service, service to others and service to humanity . So even if you want to service yourself , serve yourself five to ten per cent, serve the community ninety per cent , there will be no crisis. What we are having today is that people are just going there and they say having got in there what and what can I do to help myself and that is why we are not getting it right . At 60, if God asks you what do you want, how will you answer him? At 60 what would I ask God ? I would just ask God to open our people’s eyes to wisdom because you are the bridge between the government and the people and when you are not bridging well, that is too bad . But you have also become victims and you must live your life, so because of that you have not been able to say what you should say when you should say it . And as long as you are like this, I am afraid, we wouldn’t get anything right . So God help us . At 60 you said if you can get 30 years more, you would thank God . Are you not asking for more than 90 years from God? No, because that is not what I said. You wouldn’t have said anything wrong but that is just part of the problem because for anything that somebody have said, what you are just looking for is your headline. And most of the time in the course of looking for headline, the import of what you said is loss . The context within which I have spoke is, Oh God thank you I am 60, some people says 40 , 45 is life expectancy so if somebody is 60 he should be happy . I said that it is like 15 years extra. I said if God can give me 30 years more, I will also be grateful. I didn’t say if God gives me 40 years I will not accept. So I think your headline should be ‘OGD thanks God for His Grace’ and prays for long life . How healthy are you at 60? I am healthy. I have no ailment. I am quite strong and I have a lot of stamina. I have played table-tennis this morning. We actually have a table –tennis tournament and I played with my driver and my security people. So I have played this morning and I thank God. How have you been able to manage your health? Well, I don’t know because health issue is a question of Grace of God. Why do I say this, if it is what people warn about health, I think I have tried in my life time, I have not smoke . I don’t drink and I have been managed to be 60 without any ailments. But that is not to say that the people that smoke and drink have ailments because I have seen people who smoke and drink and they live up to 100 years. This person who just died recently is an example, this musician, Fatai Rolling Dollars. He was drinking and smoking and I think he died at close to 90. So I think it is just the Grace of God. There is longevity in my family , there is good health in my family. And I just happen to thank God that I tried to look after myself . But in spite of that, if God say you will not be healthy, something will still come. But I thank God that at general time

Daniel

Well, I agree that I trust people too much but I have no regret trusting people. It has to do with my upbringing and not necessarily that

I am

correct but it is difficult now to change. I can describe myself as healthy. I asked people what is that thing that is bad about OGD and they said it is that you trust people too much. Do you agree and if that is true, why do you trust people so much? Well, I agree that I trust people too much but I have no regret trusting people. It has to do with my upbringing and not necessarily that I am correct but it is difficult now to change. The reason why I can trust people is that if my intention is noble and I go out of my way to support and to help and to assist and I cannot trust, then there is a problem. If I trust you and you betray that trust by misbehaving as it has happened on a good number of occasions, then good luck to you. I am at peace , I have done what God had asked me to do. I think if you do not give people certain level of trust, you wouldn’t be able to get the best out of them. You were governor for eight years in Ogun state, in what capacity would you like to serve your people again? In contemporary Nigerian history, the maximum position people campaign for in Nigeria is governorship . Any other position beyond governor is not through campaign , it is just consensual arrangement somewhere . All those campaign that you do is not the election . So from my own experience, talking of fighting , campaign for election it terminates in Nigeria at the level of governorship. Let us quickly rewind that. The first person who ruled us was Tafawa Balewa , he didn’t want to be Prime Minister . They offered Sardauna of Sokoto and Sardauna said I will

rather stay in Kaduna you can go to Lagos, that was how he became the Prime Minister . That village teacher from nowhere became Prime Minister . In the case of Alhaji Sheu Shagari have you forgotten, he said he wanted to go to the senate. All the big names that were fighting for presidential slot were Maitama Sule and others but they did not get it. You come to Baba Iyabo ( Obasanjo) from prison they just more or less say okay you have to be president. And don’t forget that for Baba Iyabo those who wanted to be the vice president were just fighting, late Abubakar Rimi, Baba Gana Kingibe, all of them, but Atiku Abubakar who had just won the governorship of Adamawa , they just went and picked him and said come and be the VP. If you remember that of Shagari, all people who were angling to be VP , they didn’t get the job, they just went for one architect, called Alex Ekwueme, he wasn’t a politician. And then late Yar’Adua, he didn’t want to be president, but when Baba came one day and said Gomina Yar’Adua laosise fun ( Governor we are going to work for Yar’Adua), I said as your Excellency pleases . That was it . Yar’Adua did not come to campaign in Ogun State . The day he was to campaign he was sick Now Jonathan was not part of it , I was there, Yar’Adua speech was ready, the last paragraph was to announce Peter Odili as the Vice President . I had the speech and it was about 3.00am I left Ogun Pavillion, Oyinlola left Osun Pavilion and we went to Rivers Pavillion, we sat with Odili, we were congratulating him ahead because we have seen the speech. At about 3.15am, I was sleepy and I said we will see tomorrow . I woke up at 7.00am and they told me, have you heard what happened? I said what happened, that they didn’t announce anybody at all . I said what is happening? Later in the afternoon, they said it was Jonathan and I said what !. So that is how Goodluck Jonathan became vice president . All the people who fight for presidency , vice presidency , they never got it . It is not going to be different. So if anybody is saying he wants to be this or that he is just wasting time . OGD at 60 looking backward and looking forward, share with us a day you will not forget in life Good or bad? Both The day I will never forget was when I was in Class 3 at Baptist Boys High School, BBHS and that was the prize Giving Day . I will never forget that forever because you know in Class 3, you have so many subjects . In fact I had 13 subjects including Phonetics at that time . When you get to Class 4 you now pick like eight subjects. And I remembered that on that Prize Giving Day , all our parents were seated . And I think out of 13 prizes, I won first prizes in 11, and the parents were usually at the front and students will be at the back . So if they called me for one prize before I go back, they would have called me for another one . So at a stage, they told me to even sit down in the front so that I would not need to be going and come back for the prizes . So they gave me a chair and I sat down in the front and they gave me 11 first prizes out of 13. And it was in the presence of my father. I think that day was a day I will never, never forget in life. I think the worst day in my life that I will never forget was the day I was arraigned at the court in Abeokuta , the first day of arraignment . When they brought me out of the vehicle and then they were no w counting charges of things that I did not do . And while that was going on,some sponsored students by the government that be were singing outside . Let me remember their song , something ole ( thief). It was a popular song and they were reeling out those charges .. you took three million dollars of state funds and I was saying where, when and how? You took this and you took that , and it was all fictions. And the state that I sweated for, for eight years . And I saw those students, they were Tai Solarin University of Education , TASUED students , the school that I established . A school that I met in tatters and I built to a high standard University that has become rated all over the World . The first University of Education in Nigeria , the second in Africa, the 15th in the World and its students were out there, singing against me . Ah, it was a very, very bad day. For offences not committed , it is a very bad day . It was a watershed. However, I have recovered, but it was not a very good day at all . So I will never forget that day as well . Thanks.

Mail Mirror

Politics

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

THE HOUSE OF REPS with

Ubong UKPONG

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reps’ new dimension to MTN’s N1.04trn fine probe

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he probe of the multinational telecommunication company, MTN Nigeria, in the House of Representatives over the N1.04trn fine slammed on it by Nigerian Telecommunication Commission, NCC, has assumed a new twist, with the jacking up of the fine to N3. 120trillion and decision to have an ad-hoc committee take over the matter. This development came shortly before the House adjourned for the two weeks Easter recess. The NCC had issued a landmark fine of N1.04 trillion ($5.2bn) against MTN Nigeria, the largest mobile network operator in the country for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered and incomplete subscriber identification modules,SIM cards within the stipulated time. Albeit, the new twist one would comfortably say, is aimed at strike MTN hard and bring it on its knees for rebelling against the Nigerian parliament. If you say it is malicious, I’ll say no, it is the needful, because of the arrogance, insubordinate and contemptuous manner with which the South African company behaved to Nigerian parliament at the investigative hearings. It is rather unfortunate and disgusting that the MTN allowed the lawmakers to go the extent of exploring avenues to get even with it over a matter that is glaringly constitutional role. The constitution of Nigeria places the legislature in a position to carry out such oversight functions and investigation, and the MTN is absolutely subject to this process, hence it was aware that it would carry out its business in Nigeria in line with all Nigerian laws and the constitution. Following the fine and the attendant controversies, the Reps had invited the MTN for an investigative hearing but it looked for a way of escape by telling the Committee on Telecommunication that they were in court over the matter and thus could not participate. The committee excused the MTN but had to invite it again in view of the necessity of its side in the entire issue. However, on Tuesday March 15, when the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the MTN, Ferdinand Moolman, was invited, he failed to show up but merely sent someone to bring a letter to the committee. The problem however is not just about his refusal to appear, or the letter he sent, but the content, which everyone take exception to. The Committee was very furious at the contemptuous manner with which Moolman treated his invitation to the investigative hearing, leading to the walking out of his representative and Manager, Government Affairs, Austine Iyasere from the hearing room. Troubles started when the committee noticed that the key people it invited had refused to appear in person but sent their subordinates, which the Reps considered very inconsequential to the process. After the Committee Chairman, Hon. Saheed Akinade Fijabi, asked all participants to introduce themselves, which they did, he was informed that he had a letter from MTN, which he read to the hearing of all. Immediately this was done, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, observed that the committee was enjoying constitutional provisions of Section 88 and

89, empowering the parliament to invite and investigate anybody. He pointed out that it was embarrassing and that it was an insult on the parliament, that Moolman and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor,Godwin Emefiele treated the invitation to the hearing with flagrant disrespect. The members were even more infuriated by the letter sent to the committee by Moolman, ordering it to liaise with some government agencies over the matter, claiming that MTN was seeking amicable settlement and that it could not afford to toy with the sensitive and confidential nature of the case at this time. The letter tendered by Chairman of the Committee, Fijabi was co-signed by Moolman and Human Resources/Corporate Services Executive, Amina Oyagbola, on March 11, 2016, to the committee, with title, “Re: Amicable settlement negotiations with the federal government.” The lawmakers were angry that Moolman in the letter exhibited recklessness by writing that, “We wish to refer you to the appropriate government agencies, specifically the Nigerian Communications Commission, Offices of the Honourable Ministers of Communication and Justice, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria which agencies are in a position to furnish your committee with relevant information on this issue. “As you know, MTN is pursuing amicable settlement, negotiation with the federal government. We believe you will understand that the process of this kind, require sensitive and confidentiality on all sides. Accordingly, we are unable to make any further comments about the process at this stage. “We trust that we can call upon your solid judgement at all times and that this process be allowed to continue in order for the parties to be given the opportunity to reach a settlement as envisaged by the court when it adjourned the matter for that purpose on 22nd January, 2016.” Irked by these comments, members took turn to tongue-lash Moolman and MTN as biting more than they could chew by practically insulting Nigeria, its people, parliament and government. A member physically becoming very angry, said, “If a limited liability company is writing to the parliament in this manner, requiring us to go and talk to the agencies, it is an insult. This is madness. Who does he think he is?” Hon. E J Agbonayinma, who was also very angry, shouted, “This is an insult and mockery to Nigeria. Can they do this in their own country? MTN is threading on the tiger’s back.” The committee however adjourned hearing on the matter till further notice, to enable it serve Moolman and Emefiele a summon, with a threat to arrest Moolman if he fail to obey the summon. This action has not seen the light of the day as the committee has not reconvened. I must tell you that the committee members were not comfortable with that setting where the drama took place in public glare. They must have looked at the ability of the Chairman to handle MTN and resolved

Dogara amongst themselves to come up with more issues and take away that probe to an ad-hoc committee where Moolman would have to face a more powerful and tactical legislators. The fine, which was already the largest in the history of telecom infringements was further jacked up by the lawmakers, who returned to the House with claims that MTN was under-fined. On Wednesday, March 23, the House resolved that MTN Nigeria was under-fined by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, disclosing that the actual fine stood at N3, 120, 000, 200, 000.00trillion and not N1, 040, 000, 000. 00 as it was made to believe all along. The House also tackled the NCC and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, telling them to desist from the said negotiation with MTN over the fine, saying that they had no such powers. The motion was brought by Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma on the need to investigate the payment made by MTN on the fine levied by the NCC. The lawmaker noted that the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazzette No 101 government notice No 229- Nigerian Communications Commission (Registration of Telephone Subscribers) Registration, 2011 B1125- 1134 He further noted that the NCC in October 2015, fined the MTN for violation of Section 19 and 20 of the regulation. He said that Section 19- (1) prescribed that any licensee who failed to capture, register, deregister or transmit the details of any individual or corporate subscribers to the Central Database as specified in the Regulations or as may be stipulated from time to time by the Commission is liable to a penalty of N200, 000. 00 for each subscriber medium. Also, a licensee who activates any subscrip-

tion medium without capturing, registering and transmitting the personal information to the central database commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine of N200, 000. 00 for each unregistered activated subscription medium. Agbonayinma told the House that, “ Section 20- (1) stipulated that any licensee who activates or fails to deactivate a subscription medium in violation of any provision of these Regulation is liable to a penalty of N200, 000. 00 for each unregistered but activated subscription medium. “(2) Where the Commission is satisfied that a body corporate is culpable, the Director, Chief Executive Officer, Manager or Secretary shall also be liable to pay a fine of N200, 000. 00 unless, having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all the surrounding circumstances, he proves that- (I) the offence was committed without his knowledge, consent or connivance, and, (ii), he took all reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of the breach.” The legislator said that he was aware that MTN specifically violated Sections 19 (1) and (2) and 20 (1) and (2) of the NCC Act cited above. H said that he was aware that, “MTN ought to have been fined under both Section 19 and Section 20 respectively with cumulative penalty of N3, 120, 000, 200, 000. 00trillion and not the N1, 040, 000, 000. 00 which is a gross violation of the combined reading of both Section 19 and Section 20 of the NCC Act.” He observed that MTN paid N50billion into the recovery account in violation of extant laws, and was dismayed that the NCC was not part of the negotiation process with the MTN, an action which is not in best interest of the nation.

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FADEYI

Osinbajo’s clarion call to make Nigeria great

ince Professor Yemi Osinbajo became Vice President on May 29 last year, he has put all his expertise and experience as a seasoned legal practitioner to use in finding solutions to the problems confronting the nation. Though he has a very tight schedule considering the demands of his office, Osinbajo still finds time to ensure that he does not lose the relationships he had established over the years. He also makes use of every opportunity he has to inform Nigerians about the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to make Nigeria great Such opportunity came last week when he received a delegation of his Law Faculty class mates with whom he attended the University of Lagos between 1975-1978 at the Presidential Villa. While describing Buhari as an honest man, he urged all Nigerians to support him to realize his vision for a great country. “He is a man who is hon-

est and whose only desire is to make Nigeria go forward and become a great nation. We should support such a leader”, Osinbajo said. Osinbajo added that despite the present economic challenges Nigeria, the country still had a unique opportunity to make good progress now, saying that both of them were determined to pursue the course. “The president and I are determined to give a good account of ourselves and more importantly ensure that the country makes a good progress”, he said Expressing a deep-felt appreciation for the visit by his class mates, Osinbajo told them “it is very rare that after so many years, we can still reunite. I am really honored and humbled.” His elated classmates, which included serving and retired members of the bench and bar like Justice Chinyelu Anigbodu and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, congratulated Osinbajo on his election as Vice President

In US, Buhari supports fight against threat of nuclear terrorism

bout 50 World leaders gathered in Washington DC last week to take a firm decision to fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism and other forms of terrorism. President Muhammadu Buhari, who was among the world leaders that attended the 4th Nuclear Security Summit hosted by United States President, Barack Obama, reinstated Nigeria’s commitment to the global fight. In Nigeria’s country statement to the summit, Buhari also pledged Nigeria’s continued support for all multilateral efforts aimed at promoting a common approach and commitment to nuclear security at the highest levels. “Nigeria accords high priority to all global efforts towards ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including nuclear

weapons. “Nuclear terrorism is one of the greatest threats to international security and preventing nuclear terrorism and all forms of terrorism around the globe is of concern to all of us. “To this end, Nigeria has strengthened the legal framework for fighting terrorism through the adoption in 2013 of an amendment to its Terrorism (Prevention) Act, ensuring the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures in the country,” the President said. Buhari told the gathering that to enhance Nuclear Security, Nigeria has reinforced its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, the United States Department of State’s Partnership for Nuclear Security and the World Institute for Nuclear Security.

Buhari and desire to achieve food security

ASO ROCK FILE Rotimi

Politics

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

or many nations in the World, the provision of adequate food supply for its citizens is always a priority as the citizens need food to stay alive and contribute meaningfully to development. In Nigeria, the issue of self - sufficiency in food production has not been fully realized over the years and this has been the challenge of successive governments. Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari said that his administration was trying to achieve food security

following the fall in oil price. According to him, investing in sustainable agriculture was one of the best ways to provide jobs for the people and keep the nation productive. Buhari spoke while receiving the outgoing South Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Makuet Riak at the Presidential Villa. The President told the outgoing envoy that Nigeria’s economy, which has been heavily dependent on oil over the years, has been adversely affected by the drop in global oil prices.

“Investing in sustainable agriculture is one of the best ways to provide jobs for the people and keep the nation productive. “Food security is important to any country and that is what we are trying to achieve here, years after we `threw away’ agriculture for oil,’’ the President said. Buhari urged the South Sudanese government to invest more in agriculture and not to be solely dependent on oil revenues to grow the nation’s economy. The President said South Sudan can avoid the mis-

take made by Nigeria in her over-reliance on oil revenue. Buhari also praised the excellent relationship between Nigeria and South Sudan and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening existing bilateral ties. In his remarks, Riak described his four-year duty tour as his country’s first ambassador to Nigeria as very fruitful. He said South Sudan was blessed with fertile land and would welcome more investments from Nigerian companies.

President Muhammadu Buhari with United States President, Barack Obama at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC

Still waiting for 2016 budget

hen the 2016 budget was finally approved by the National Assembly about two weeks ago, many Nigerians thought that President Muhammadu Buhari would quickly sign the document into law. Even with the year already in its second quarter, Nigerians would still have to wait for the executive and the legislature to come to an agreement on the content of the budget before it would be ready for implementation. Before the budget was passed by the National Assembly, it had generated some issues including the revelation that it was padded by some government officials. Although President Muhammadu Buhari has received the 2016 budget passed by the legislature, he has disclosed that he would not sign

it until there is a critical review of the document. Buhari who spoke in Washington DC when he met with the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, said that in view of the controversial alteration and padding of the budget proposals, he needed to review the appropriation bill to be certain that its contents tallied with the authentic budget proposal presented to the National Assembly. “Some bureaucrats removed what we put in the proposal and replaced it with what they wanted. I have to look at the bill that has been passed by the National Assembly, ministry by ministry, to be sure that what has been brought back for me to sign is in line with our original submission,” Buhari said. The position of the President on the budget passed by

the National Assembly was further reinforced by the fact that it was made available to him without details of where the lawmakers made adjustments to the budget proposal. Though Buhari is anxious to sign the document so that implementation of the provisions could start immediately and ease the tension in the economy and polity, the President wanted to be sure that the budget would be implementable when the details are sent by the National Assembly.

The cabinet ministers who are also eager that the budget be signed so they could start implementing their programmes are unable to push the President to sign what has been transmitted because they also do not know what was contained in the details. They are concerned about the issue because the provision of the law in respect of spending the previous year’s budget has not been helpful because of the low Capital provision for 2015.

Last week’s Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Makuet Riak Justice Chinyelu Anigbodu Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie- Oyegun

President South-East ,South-South Professionals, Emeka Ugwu-Oju Managing Director, Future Oilfield Services, Tony Oguike Ex-Officio Officer, South East, South - South Professionals, Denzil Kentebe 8. Deputy President, South East, South- South Professionals, Chike Okoroafor

Features

Tunde Olofintila

he world stood still for the frontline legal icon and proponent of quality education, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN and his University, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), when the duo were celebrated in faraway Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 25, 2015 for their significant contributions to education in Africa. Whereas Babalola was inducted into the African Leadership Hall of Fame for pioneering academic excellence and innovation in Africa’s tertiary education system, his six-year old University was celebrated and given an Award for its exceptional standard of quality education in Africa at an impressive ceremony presided over by the Hon. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, the Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc. Some past notable Honourees before Babalola are Hifikepunye Pohamba, former President of Namibia, JakayaKiwete, former President of Tanzania, Ernest BaiKoroma, President of Sierra Leone and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Federal Republic of Liberia as well as John Kufor, former President of Ghana. Babalola and ABUAD’s nomination for these double international honours is predicated on his successful practice as a legal practitioner in the last 53 years on the one hand and the unprecedented educational landmarks achieved by his University, ABUAD, which former Presidents, NUC and other stakeholders have publicly acknowledged and which UNESCO described as “a world class institution of Higher Education” on the other. In a January 25, 2016 letter announcing the honours, Dr. Ken Giami, the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of the African Leadership Magazine, said: “the Board in its approval noted that as a frontline Educationist, Mentor and Leader, you (Babalola) have pioneered a legendary precedence in Africa’s formal education and academic landscape for which you should be commended”. Speaking at the Award ceremony, Giami described the assemblage as the “celebration of leadership and achievement, the celebration of the communal hospitality, the celebration of friendship and the cultural exchanges that can only be described as African as well as a celebration of the progress being made in the education sector on

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

African Leadership Hall of Fame Award for Afe Babalola

Babalola

Africa - the cradle of civilization and learning”. He recalled with pride how humanity took its first faltering steps towards organized learning, reading and writing in Africa with the establishment of Al Karaouine, the first University in the world in Fez, Morocco, in 859 AD, adding that it took Europe 229 years later before it established its first University in Bologna in 1088 AD. He however lamented that this initial upward educational steps

notwithstanding, the education sector in Africa, like most other sectors, soon began to take a nosedive characterized by rot, ignorance and decay. Regretfully, thiscaustic narrative still continues today in most African societies. Giami was to later brighten up the night when he signaled that despite this disconsolate picture, there are men like Babalola, individuals who have invested heavily in developing qualitative higher learning on the continent, and in-

We want to particularly recognize the contributions of one man who continues to pioneer and inspire innovation in the education sector, Aare Afe Babalola, Founder of the Afe Babalola University, Nigeria, as he steps in to the African Leadership Magazine’s Hall of Fame by his investiture today.

stitutions like ABUAD that have pioneered and led the way for innovation and excellence in education on the continent. Said he: “The importance of high quality leadership in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overstated, therefore the efforts of those leaders who rise above constraints to develop their communities, lift people out of poverty, and pave the way for future prosperity and success should be recognized and celebrated”. He added: “We want to particularly recognize the contributions of one man who continues to pioneer and inspire innovation in the education sector, Aare Afe Babalola, Founder of the Afe Babalola University, Nigeria, as he steps in to the African Leadership Magazine’s Hall of Fame by his investiture today”. By this honour, Giami said Babalola has become a member of the African Education Dream Team, the continent’s best hope for the future and urged him to continue to break boundaries in the quest for better knowledge and in the service of our people. In his acceptance speech, Babalola described his investiture into the African Leadership Hall of Fame as another memorable achievement in his eventful journey through life, bearing in mind his humble beginnings as a Farm boy whose only ambition was to inherit and work on his parents’ farm at Alayegbe. He thanked his parents for sending him to school, very much unlike the practice in those days, a decision that has turned out to be one of many ‘unlikely’ events that had significantly changed the course of his life in a positive way to the extent that he founded ABUAD, a non-profit university purposely designed to provide quality education for those who cannot afford the high cost of university education overseas. He thanked the US Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and leadership of African Leadership Magazine for acknowledging what he and his University have been doing to entrench quality and functional education with the utmost aim of ensuring that Nigeria regains its lost glory in Education.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wale Folarin

o community in Nigeria today can be said to have all the basic features and characteristics of a model community. What we refer to as development is a far cry from the much needed sustainable human development, which in itself is the ultimate objective of development. Governments in the past have been paying lip service to this all-important need. None has been able to take concrete step, towards putting up a meaningful action plan that will ensure real and sustainable community development. Attempts at rural development in the past have been “top-bottom”, with no consideration for the active participation of the beneficiaries of such interventions in the development process. The end result of which is the abandonment of such development projects and colossal waste of public funds. A fresh global awareness on the importance of the “bottom-up” approach to development is buttressed by the fact that man, who is the direct beneficiary of every development intervention, should be recognized as an indispensable agent of sustainable development if all efforts injected into the development process will not end up in futility. This claim is also supported by the fact that the real wealth of a nation is its people and that it is imperative to ensure their participation in the development process to ensure sense of ownership, sense of belonging and sustainability. Today, the State of Osun, under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has become the leading light in the “bottom-up” approach to development. The governor is indubitably passionately committed to ensuring the development of all communities in the state. He is showing good example in how to turn around communities in the country with active participation of the people and fast-track sustainable development, improved standard of living and halt ruralurban drift. Buoyed by his desire to improve the lots of the people and in spite of the precarious financial situation of the state, the governor has deemed it fit to come up with a master plan of action for the development of all communities in the 30 local governments and the area office in the state. He not only committed funds to this exercise, but also directed the Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs not to leave out

Aregbesola

Features

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Osun: Exploring new frontiers for sustainable development

Participants at the workshop on Master Plan of Action for Development in Osun State with the desk officer in charge of the programme, Mr. Bunmi Ibiloye during a presentation. any community in the development gale blowing through the state. Consequently, the ministry commenced a workshop on Packaging of Master Plan of Action (MPA) for the 30 local governments and the area office last December. The goal of the workshop is to come out with a community-driven document that will fast-track holistic development of the state, while the objectives are to improve the understanding of the participants on the concept of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Community Plan of Action (CPA), to equip participants with the skills to conduct PRA and

munities in the state to interact with the people and learn with them what their challenges and potentials are particularly their felt needs in order of importance. The information gathered will form the nucleus of the MPA which will in turn make government interventions in such communities easier and better appreciated. With the MPA, any local government chairman who comes into office will already have a working document which contains the felt needs of all communities in his council as agreed by thepeople of the communities. All the council boss need to do is to pick

With this development, the State of Osun will be the only state in Nigeria and perhaps in Africa that will have a master plan of action driven by the “bottom-up” approach for the development of the state. CPA and to enable them appreciate the needfor the MPA as development strategy for the State of Osun. At the end of the workshop which would be brought to a close on the 10th of this month, not less than 2,288 participants made up of officials from the line ministries, local governments and OYES Cadets drawn from the three senatorial districts in the state, would have been trained in the conduct of PRA and CPA: the two major processes that will birth the Master Plan of Action for development in the state. Participants from Osun East, Osun West and Osun Central Senatorial districts have been trained and are already in their assigned communities for the conduct of the PRA and CPA. The trained participants have been sent out to all com-

the felt needs one by one and provide them for the communities as demanded. Another beauty of the MPA is that it would form the basis for assessing the performance of the council chairmen during their tenure, while it will also make budget preparation easier for the councils. Apart from these, the document will also provide opportunity for communities to access development partners’ assistance both nationally and internationally. With this development, the State of Osun will be the only state in Nigeria and perhaps in Africa that will have a master plan of action driven by the “bottom-up” approach for the development of the state. It would be recalled that UNICEF introduced the good practice to the state in 2002 with its interventions in Eripa and Oke-Irun in Boluwaduro Local Gov-

ernment, Ife-Odan and Ola in Ejigbo local government, as well as in Aasa and Kajola-Alago in Atakumosa East Local Government. The state government later bought into the idea with the replication of the good practice in 61 other communities at two communities per local government and the area office, while it was also extended to 122 communities. With this good practice, the state government has been able to construct 122 capital projects, with 93 already commissioned in the 122 communities. Also through the programme, the state government has provided 266 hand pump boreholes, trained 3,050 women in skill acquisition with interest-free loans given to them, gave farm inputs to 5,000 farmers, while it has also provided medical consumables in the 122 communities. Furthermore, under the programme the state government has trained 307 Village Level Operation Maintenance technicians, while it also provided free tool kits for them. The state government has also facilitated loan facility to 18, 000 women in the state at 600 women per local government through the Osun-Grooming Women Empowerment programme with total amount in circulation being N600 million, while it has also carried out capacity building programmes on farming, project ownership and sustainability etc. No doubt, if the Master Plan of Action document for the development of all communities in the state of Osun which is expected to be launched soon finally comes to reality, Osun will become a good reference point for sustainable development in Africa. With the execution of this all-important document, the State of Osun, in the next 15 years, will emerge a reference point in sustainable development. •Folarin is a freelance journalist based in Osun State.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Equities shed 0.6% on profit taking …NSE/LSE hold conference Stories: Johnson Okanlawon

he upside reversal on equities saw on Friday failed to stimulate much new buying on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as the equity market opened the week on a negative note. The All Share Index depreciated 0.62 per cent to close at 25,349.07 points, as against the gain of 0.79 per cent recorded on Friday. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigerian Breweries, Lafarge, Unilever and Nestle were mainly responsible for the loss recorded in the Index. Research analysts at DLM Securities noted that while riskaverse disposition remain the dominant sentiment, the current price action reflects a market that is capitulating. “This in our view suggests that the market may be on the

cliff of an historic sell-off. The day’s performance was particularly driven by Nigerian Breweries,” the firm said. Market activity as implied by the total value and volume traded however increased by 63.2 per cent and 14.8 per cent to N1.64billion and 242.7million units respectively. Another analyst at United Bank Capital noted that profit taking on previous gains is expected to continue this week, as the 2015 earnings season draws to a close. “Though we may see moderate bargain hunting as speculators exit positions post closure of registers, this should leave the market in search of new triggers, which will likely shift attention to the strength of domestic macro fundamentals,” it added. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Stock Exchange in partnership with the London Stock

Exchange Group, LSEG, will host its 2nd NSE/LSEG Dual Listings Conference in Lagos next week. The conference themed ‘Leveraging Cross-Border Capital Markets for Sustainable Growth’ is primarily targeted at companies keen to explore a London/Lagos dual listing. Other attendees will include corporate finance experts, lawyers, capital market operators, and regulators who are key stakeholders in the capital market. The Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, said the Exchange was committed to growing the capital market since its development is fundamental to the sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy. According to him, financial markets today have to be global in nature, as the demand for- and supply of- capital has no boundaries.

“The plans to get local and international companies to list both on the NSE and LSEG is part of our strategy for providing companies financing options that enables them to achieve an optimal capital structure that suits their strategic and organizational needs, while also enabling investors to access deep pools of liquidity to Gainers and Losers satisfy their corporate stratStart Date 03/04/2016 through End Date 04/04/2016 egies,” he said. Gainers Losers Print Date and 04/04/2016 Market indicators Start Date 03/04/2016 through End Date 04/04/2016 The Chief Executive Print Date 04/04/2016 All-Share Index 25,736.92 points Officer, London Stock ExMarket capitalisation 8.85trn change, Xavier Rolet, said, “This event is a reflection of the global investment community’s strong desire to be a part of the Nigeria story. As the world’s most international exchange, LSEG looks forward to working with the NSE to showcase the rapid developments taking place in Nigeria’s capital markets and the Nigerian economy as a whole.”

Access Bank seeks approval for $500m debt sale …appoints Habib non-Executive Director

ccess Bank yesterday said it plans to seek shareholder approval this month to raise up to N100bn ($505 million) in debt capital via a public offering or a private placement. The shareholder meeting on the proposed debt sale has been fixed for April 27. The bank raised N41.7billion last year through a rights issue to fund expansion of its branch network and lending. The amount raised was less than the N52.6 billion targeted, with analysts citing difficult market conditions. Meanwhile, the bank has

appointed Mr. Abba Mamman Tor Habib as Non-Executive Director. The bank stated that the new Director remained a thorough bred banking professional with 20 years banking experience 15 of which were spent with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc where he voluntarily retired in 2008 as an Executive Director. It explained that his experience in Guaranty Trust Bank spanned Corporate Banking and Risk Management and he has since 2008 been the Managing Director of Gremcoh Services Limited his family owned agriculture and real estate enterprise.

He holds a First Class Bachelor of Science degree in Agric Economics from University of Maiduguri (1986) and Master of Science in Banking and Finance from Bayero University Kano (1997). He has attended several Executive Development programmes in leading institutions including African Development Bank, Harvard, IMD, D.C Gardner London and Insead. His appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank’s shareholders. Commenting on the appointment, Mrs. Mosun Belo-

Source: NSE

Gainers for Equities

S/N 1 S/N2

Symbol UCAP Symbol FCMB

13 24

UCAP ETRANZACT FCMB CUSTODYINS

35 46

ETRANZACT MAYBAKER CUSTODYINS AGLEVENT

57 68

MAYBAKER FBNH AGLEVENT STERLNBANK

2016-04-01 2016-04-04 Gainers forClosing Equities Closing Price(N) Price(N)

2016-04-011.30 2016-04-041.40 Closing Price(N) 0.89 Closing Price(N) 0.94 1.30 1.40 2.67 2.80

7 9 FBNH TOTAL 8 10 STERLNBANK UBA 9 11 TOTAL SEPLAT TRANSCORP 1012 UBA FIDELITYBK 1113 SEPLAT AFRIPRUD 1214 TRANSCORP ACCESS 1315 FIDELITYBK DANGCEM 1416 AFRIPRUD

ACCESS

DANGCEM

Gain(N)

% Change

0.10 Gain(N)0.05

7.69 % Change 5.62

0.13 0.04 0.18 0.03

4.87 4.21 4.84 4.05

0.04 0.11 0.03 0.05

4.21 3.33 4.05 3.14

0.11 3.78 0.05 0.07

3.33 2.46 3.14 2.20

0.10 0.13 0.05 0.18

7.69 4.87 5.62 4.84

0.89 3.72 2.67 0.95

0.94 3.90 2.80 0.99

3.72 0.74 0.95 3.30

3.90 0.77 0.99 3.41

0.74 1.68 3.30 153.82

0.77 1.64 3.41 157.60

1.68 3.18 153.82 300.00

1.64 3.25 157.60 306.05

3.78 6.05

2.46 2.02

1.00 3.18 1.32 300.00

1.02 3.25 1.34 306.05

0.02 0.07 0.02 6.05

2.00 2.20 1.52 2.02

2.55 1.00 3.98 1.32

2.57 1.02 4.01 1.34

0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

0.78 2.00 0.75 1.52

171.00 2.55

172.00 2.57

1.00 0.02

0.58 0.78

3.98

4.01

0.03

0.75

171.00

172.00

1.00

0.58

Losers for Equities

2016-04-01 2016-04-04 Olusoga the Chairman of S/N Symbol Loss(N) % Change Closing Price(N) Price(N) Losers forClosing Equities Access Bank said,”We are 1 ASHAKACEM 22.80 20.58 -2.22 -9.74 2016-04-01 2016-04-04 8.17 Closing Price(N) 7.39 -0.78 % Change -9.55 Symbol Closing Price(N) Loss(N) very delighted to welcome S/N2 CCNN LEARNAFRCA 0.80 0.76 -0.04 -5.00 1 3 ASHAKACEM 22.80 20.58 -2.22 -9.74 Abba on the Board of AcNPFMCRFBK 1.20 1.14 -0.06 -5.00 2 4 CCNN 8.17 7.39 -0.78 -9.55 OKOMUOIL 29.85 28.36 -1.49 -4.99 cess Bank. 3 5 LEARNAFRCA 0.80 0.76 -0.04 -5.00 CHAMPION 3.08 2.93 -0.15 -4.87 4 6 NPFMCRFBK 1.20 1.14 -0.06 -5.00 According to her, he CUTIX 1.45 1.38 -0.07 -4.83 5 7 OKOMUOIL 29.85 28.36 -1.49 -4.99 TRANSEXPR 1.04 0.99 -0.05 -4.81 brings on board a very rich 6 8 CHAMPION 3.08 2.93 -0.15 -4.87 UAC-PROP 4.38 4.17 -0.21 -4.79 7 9 CUTIX 1.45 1.38 -0.07 -4.83 professional and board level ETERNA 1.75 1.67 -0.08 -4.57 8 10 TRANSEXPR 1.04 0.99 -0.05 -4.81 experience relevant to the 11 DANGSUGAR 6.00 5.25 -0.25 -4.55 9 UAC-PROP 4.38 4.17 -0.21 -4.79 12 WEMABANK 0.77 0.74 -0.03 -3.90 10 ETERNA 1.75 1.67 -0.08 -4.57 bank and the industry. 13 STANBIC 14.25 13.74 -0.51 -3.58 11 DANGSUGAR 6.00 5.25 -0.25 -4.55 “These skills will no 14 NB 106.39 102.61 -3.78 -3.55 12 WEMABANK 0.77 0.74 -0.03 -3.90 15 WAPCO 76.51 75.00 -1.51 -1.97 doubt support our Bank’s 13 STANBIC 14.25 13.74 -0.51 -3.58 16 GUARANTY 14.29 14.01 -0.28 -1.96 14 NB 106.39 102.61 -3.78 -3.55 quest to become the World’s 17 OANDO 4.58 4.50 -0.08 -1.75 15 WAPCO 76.51 75.00 -1.51 -1.97 18 UNILEVER 29.50 29.00 -0.50 -1.69 Most Respected African 16 GUARANTY 14.29 14.01 -0.28 -1.96 FGN Bonds 17 OANDO 4.58 4.50 -0.08 -1.75 Bank,” he said. 18 UNILEVER 29.50 29.00 -0.50 -1.69 With this appointment, Page 1 of Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Offer Bid the bank’s board is made Page Published Stock Exchange © up of 15 Directors, seven ofby The Nigerian Description Price Yield Price Yield1 of which are Executive while 15.10 27-APR-2017 1.06 104.54 10.45 104.69 10.30 eight are Non-Executive, 16.00 29-JUN-2019 3.23 114.58 10.54 114.88 10.44 two of whom are Indepen15.54 13-FEB-2020 3.86 111.91 11.61 112.21 11.52 dents.

Fidelity Bank earnings hit N146.9bn, proposes N4.6bn dividend

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.81

120.62

11.43

120.92

11.36

14.20 14-MAR-2024

7.94

109.79

12.23

110.09

12.18

idelity Bank has announced a gross earnings of N146.9 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 7.9 per cent from N136.1 billion recorded in the same period of 2014. The bank has also declared N4.6 billion as dividend payout to shareholders. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, profit after tax rose marginally to N13.9 billion, from N13.8 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014. The bank’s total equity increased by 6.0 per cent to N183.5 billion, from N173.1

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.80

100.32

12.43

100.62

12.38

billion in 2014, while net operating income stood at N83.9 billion, a moderate 12.5 per cent rise from N74.6 billion in 2014. Commenting on the result, Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo said that the bank’s performance reflected the disciplined execution of the management’s medium term strategy and the resilience of evolving business models despite the extremely challenging business environment in 2015. He explained that the bank improved the earning capacity of its balance sheet even in the face of decline

in fee income precipitated deposit base. by a N10.0 billion reduction Rate (%) in its foreign exchange inInflation 8.2 come. 13 He said: “We continued MPR to increase yields on earn- Crude oil price $58.96 ing assets faster than the growth in funding costs Exchange Rates (N) which improved our net inWAUA 270 terest margin to 6.9 per cent USD 196.95 in 2015.” EURO 214 Okonkwo explained that the development,was CFA 0.32 indicative of the bank’s YEN 1.64 continual focus on balance SWISS 202 sheet optimisation, rebalFRANC ancing of its loan portfoPOUNDS 293 lio in consonance with its STERLING medium term strategy and SDR 273 increased growth in retail

Closing Market Prices of April 4, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

30-Jun-16

7.59

7.73

6-Oct-16

8.37

8.74

16-Mar-17

9.40

10.32

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

4.2500

8.2420

10.1127

11.7162 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

World News apan is better if it protects itself against this maniac of North Korea. I think it’s the same with South Korea. –US REPUBLICAN PARTY’S PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL, DONALD TRUMP

South Korea has no nuclear programme –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 in this concluding part of the interview that started on Monday What is the current status of inter-Korean Relations? he ROK government has been consistently pursuing the TrustBuilding Process on the Korean Peninsula as a means of bringing DPRK to the negotiating table. The South Korean gover nment, however, took a hard stance against North Korea’s provocations, especially its nuclear test and long-rang rockets launches in early 2016, by shutting down the Kaesong Industrial Complex. As the UNSC strengthened the sanctions regime against North Korea through adoption of resolution 2270, the Park GH government is reorganizing inter-Korean relations based on strong security and a principled stance. Could you tell us what a UN Security Council Resolution 2270 (2016) on North Korea adopted recently was about? North Korea’s fourth nuclear test on January 4 and the long-range missile launch on February seven were flagrant violations of the relevant UNSC resolutions. The unanimous adoption of UNSCR 2279 is a manifestation of the international community’s firm resolve that North Korea repeated nuclear tests and long-range missile launches will no longer be tolerated, and North Korea should be made to completely rethink and change its flawed calculus by paying a high price for its provocations. UNSCR 2270 has introduced the strongest and most

efficient non-military sanctions in the seventy-year history of the UN in diverse areas. UNSC resolution 2270 (2016) recommended total prohibition of arms trade with North Korea, responsibility to expel North Korea diplomat and others involved in evasion or violation of sanctions, inspection of all cargo to and from North Korea, prohibition of providing maritime and air travel services to North Korea, prevention of sale or supply of aviation fuel to North Korea, as well as strong restrictions with regard to financial transactions and luxury goods. Nigeria, through its strong statement on February 10, has warned North Korea to abide by the UNSC resolutions and to desist from any act jeopardizing world peace. I believe Nigeria will faithfully implement the UNSC resolutions and submit an implementation report to the UNSC within 90 days of the adoption of 2270. What kind of bilateral sanctions did South Korean government take against North Korea? With an aim to create an environment where North Korea has no choice but to abandon its WMD programs, ROKG have independently introduced a series of bilateral sanction on March 8; expansion of financial sanctions, maritime restrictions including prohibition of any foreign vessel from calling at a South Korean port if the vessel had called at a port of North Korea within the previous 180 days, strengthening export and import con-

WORLD BULLETIN

Greece starts Turkey deportations The first boats carrying migrants being deported from Greece arrived in Turkey mid-yesterday as part of an EU plan aimed at easing mass migration to Europe. Reports said most of the 202 people who left Lesbos and Chios, and arrived at Dikili in western Turkey, are Pakistanis. Under the deal, for each Syrian migrant returned to Turkey, the EU is due to take in another Syrian who has made a legitimate request. Thirty-two Syrian migrants were the first to arrive in Germany from Turkey and were flown to Hanover in Lower Saxony, according to officials. The Greek authorities say 130 of those returned to Turkey yesterday were from Pakistan. There were 42 migrants from Afghanistan and others from Iran, Sri Lanka and Morocco, as well as several other countries.

Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Noh Kyu-duk trol. On February 10, ROKG shut down the KIC which was maintained for 10 years as part of our efforts to assist the lives of the North Korean people. However, it had become evident that the cash that flowed into North Korea through the KIC, which amounts $560 million, and $120 million last year alone, had been wrongly harnessed in the service of upgrading North Korea’s WMD programs. South Korea is not alone in introducing bilateral sanctions on North Korea. The US, EU, Japan and others have put in place new sanctions. For example, the US Congress passed the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act on February 10, and President Barack Obama issued a new Executive Order on Sanctions on North Korea. They include a wide range of measures; those who engage in exportation of workers from North Korea may have their assets frozen and be blocked from the US. These measures clearly show the strong and united will of the international community to make the North Korea abandon its WMD programmes.

Why has the enmity between your country and North Korea raged this far? You know, even though South Korea is a very strong economy, in the field of military, as I mentioned to you, North Korea is nuclear weapon programmes. We do not have, since it is against the international norms and rules. We do not engage in nuclear weapon programme. We do not have any form of nuclear weapon programme. But, North Koreans are doing that thing. It is a very dangerous thing. Weapon of mass destruction is a very serious and dangerous weapon. We are thinking this nuclear issue is a very serious issue for the security of my country. Even though we have a strong economy, we do have much bigger economy than North Korea. In terms of nuclear weapon, don’t have any, we don’t do it. They are developing those things. I don’t know whether they have accomplished the militarization of the nuclear warhead or anything. But, they are trying to develop these nuclear weapons. That is why the international community is trying very hard to stop them through this kind of UN Security Council Resolution 2270.

Gun fire rocks Brazzaville

Heavy gunfire was heard early yesterday in the streets of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, as reports said security forces were deployed. At least one police station and a government building were attacked in the Makelekele district. The government has blamed the notorious Ninja militia group for the attacks as young opposition supporters were chanting “Sassou, leave!” in the southern area of the capital city. It comes weeks after President Denis Sassou Nguesso won a third term as president in a disputed poll. The Ninjas were a major anti-government force in the 1997-99 civil war and were loyal to former prime minister Bernard Kolelas, the father of Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, who stood in the presidential election in March and got 15 per cent of the vote while Nguesso, in power for more than 30 years, won the election with 60 per cent of the vote.

Ebola survivors protest Survivors of Ebola yesterday held protests across Sierra Leone over what they believed is a lack of government care. According to the protesters, some people have died because they have not received proper medical treatment. Some women whose husbands died from Ebola also said the government had not provided them with the support it promised as their children cannot go to school. Reports said there has been no response so far from the authorities. Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors Coordinator, Yusuf Kabbah, contended that Ebola survivors had been abandoned with no clear recovery plan for them. Nearly 4, 000 people died from Ebola in the recent outbreak in Sierra Leone and more than 10, 000 people are believed to have survived, according to a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

North

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insecurity: Relocate to Kaduna, Arase directs AIG Zone 7

Cross section of Graduating students of Advanced Detective Course-63 at the graduation ceremony in Jos, at the weekend.

UNILORIN to increase admission quota

Wole Adedeji ILORIN

niversity of Ilorin, UNILORIN, is pushing to admit more students next academic session, provided the National Universities Commission, NUC, approves its request for increase in its admission quota. Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, dropped this hint while featuring on a Radio Nigeria, Harmony FM current affairs programme, “Our Guest” in Idofian, Kwara State. The institution had for over a decade been over-

subscribed by student applicants, who for some time now, made the admission ratio of admitted students to the number of applicants very low. The development, which is also applicable in other universities, according to Ambali, has been “a serious concern to universities in the country, admission seekers and their parents”. The vice chancellor added that “for instance, out of more than 103,000 candidates that applied to study in the University of Ilorin in the 2015/2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, UTME, only 11, 057 could be admit-

ted due to low admission quota granted the most subscribed university by the regulatory bodies.” Fielding questions on the live radio programme during a phonein section, Ambali noted that the management of the university was seriously worried that most Nigerian youths could not gain admission into their choice institutions due to the low carrying capacity of Nigerian universities. While commenting on the rumour that the University of Ilorin had released its cut-off marks for the 2016/2017 admission exercise, the ViceChancellor disclosed that

no institution in Nigeria will announce its cut-off mark until, JAMB and NUC determine the national cut-off marks. Ambali said the University of Ilorin would only announce its cut-off marks after the meeting of all tertiary education institutions in the country with the NUC and JAMB. He, however, warned desperate admission seekers to be wary of scammers, saying the university’s admission was not for sale pointing out that the university management had put in place, a very stiff punishment for any of its staff caught engaging in dirty deals.

Assembly in free-for-all over appointment of LG bosses Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

Lawmakers of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, yesterday, engaged in fisticuffs over appointment of local government areas sole administrators by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. The fisticuffs came barely an hour after the governor swore in 11 sole administrators to take charge of the 11 local government areas of the state following the sack of erstwhile elected council chairmen by a state high court. The scuffle resulted in

the smashing of fragile items like sitting tables, even as many of the lawmakers had some injuries as their clothes were torn. The fighting was strictly among members of the ruling APC in the state assembly, while the opposition PDP members worked tirelessly and succeeded in restoring normalcy. Briefing journalists immediately after the fisticuffs at the assembly complex in Lafia, the state capital, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Makpa Malla, said the physical combat among the lawmakers was due to division among the

lawmakers on appointment of sole administrators by the governor. The committee chairman described the appointment of the sole administrators by Al-Makura as illegal and said that the house cannot continue to sit down to watch illegality continue to operate in the state. “Categorically, I want to state here that the division which caused this chaos was as result of the appointment of the sole administrators by the governor and as a responsible house in which some of us are lawyers, we insisted that the right thing must be done.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 section 7, sub-section1, as amended required a democratically elected system of local government and the constitution defined how the local government system, structure should be run.” He stated that it was against this backdrop, that some members they are kicking against the appointment of sole administrators which only exist in military era, and as respecters of the rule of law, he added that they must ensure that the executive must also respect the rule of law.

nspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has directed Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Mr Ballah Nasarawa, to relocate to Kaduna State for effective supervision of security situation in the state. Arase gave the directive in a statement issued by Acting Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, Police Public Relations Officer, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday. He directed Nasarawa to evolve new intelligence gathering and crimefighting techniques and methodologies to suit local challenges. According to the statement, Arase also directed police officers, who have served in Kaduna State Command for a period of six years and above to be transferred with corresponding replacement.

He also charged the AIG to devise means of halting the incessant kidnapping as well as other forms of crimes and criminality, especially in Jere, Kagarko Local Government Area of the state. In a related development, Arase has directed the Commissioners of Police in Kogi and FCT commands to improve on the surveillance network along Abuja-LokojaOkene, Kabba-Owo axis, to check incessant criminal activities in the areas. The statement assured the citizenry of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to their safety. It assured that the police in cooperation with other security agencies would continue to ensure strategic responses towards eliminating threat to internal security of the nation.

FCT poll: Collect your PVCs, INEC advises voters

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has advised registered voters in the Federal Capital Territory yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to do so before Saturday’s council elections in the territory. Administrative Secretary of the commission in the territory, Mr Abdulrahman Adamu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Abuja. Adamu said the advice was necessary, because no voter would be allowed to vote in the elections without the card, adding that the voters had up to Thursday to collect the cards. He said the Card Reader would be used in the polls, which would hold simultaneously in six Area Councils of the territory. “Registered voters in the FCT who are yet to collect their PVCs can go to our area councils’ offices to collect them,’’ he said. Adamu said the commission was ready for the election, adding that non-sensitive election materials had already been distributed to all the area councils. “The non-sensitive materials are already at the area councils and we are

done with the allocation to the unit levels, while the distribution of the sensitive materials will commence on March 6.’’ He added that the commission had also concluded the distribution of the Card Readers to the councils, except the ones used for special training of some electoral officers. He said the special training reader machines were currently being reconfigured for distribution. “Apart from the number of card readers distributed to the polling units, we have also made provisions for extra numbers as backup in case of any failure on the elections day. “We also have technical team to be deployed to address challenges regarding card reader on the day,’’ Adamu said. He assured FCT residents of security during the elections, adding that the commission was working with security agencies to ensure security of lives and properties. He also said that the commission was doing everything possible to ensure a credible election and urged residents to collaborate with it in that regard.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Chelsea name Conte new coach

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Soccer is a simple-minded game for simple people; golf is merely an expensive way of leaving home – Michael Parkinson Bats in the Pavilion (1977)

AFCON 2017 ouster:

Pinnick faces Minister’s wrath today EVEREST ONYEWUCHI AND JOEL AJAYI

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pininck, and members of his Executive Committee will attend today’s meet-

ing with the Youth and Sports Minister, Mr. Solomon Dalung, with apprehension. The minister called the meeting last week following the Super Eagles loss to the Pharaohs of Egypt in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, which effectively ended Nigeria’s ambition to participate in the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon. Although Dalung told re-

porters in Abuja last weekend that the meeting essentially would be to receive the technical report of Nigeria’s failure from the embattled Pinnick led NFF board and review the report, it was learnt yesterday that restructuring of the NFF administration is also on the agenda. Most stakeholders are pushing for the resignation of the leadership of the NFF for Nige-

ria’s inability to attend the AFCON finals back-to-back under its watch, but the minister said that due process must be followed, adding that nobody can recruit him as a machinery to destabilise a constituted body. “I implement laws based on facts on ground; I cannot use social media gossips as a basis. “We are meeting with the leadership of the NFF on Tuesday (today), to receive a compre-

Iwobi has ‘something special’ –Wenger

A Iwobi

rsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has continued to shower praise, on Alex Iwobi, but at the same time he admitted he has been surprised by the immediate impact of the Nigeria youngster. Iwobi has scored twice in his first two Premier League starts after coming through the Arsenal ranks right from when he was seven.

“He’s worked with us since the start of the season and he has grown, gained confidence and when he came in he had an impact straight away. I didn’t expect that level of efficiency or impact on the scoresheet,” Wenger told the Arsenal website. “It’s surprising how quickly he’s integrated into our game.”

The Arsenal fans have warmed up to the young Nigeria forward and Wenger said it is because they have seen “something special”. “These people have seen many good players over the years and they know straight away when a player has something special, so they acknowledge that,” he said,

hensive report and review the authentic technical reports they would present. “It is true that we need to review some of the country`s football structure. We have to measure up to expectations,” the minister said. The minister, however, insisted that leadership squabbling among the NFF board members was one of the major reasons for Nigeria’s dashed hope to be in Gabon next year. He also assured that it is after today’s meeting that he would make a categorical statement on the state of affairs at the federation. National Mirror learnt yesterday that Pinnick and his Executive Committee Members had been reaching out to some top politicians close to Dalung to weigh-in on the Plateau-born lawyer to give a listening ear to the report and proposals the NFF will submit to him at today’s meeting in Abuja.

National Mirror National Mirror Thursday, 2016 47 Tuesday, February 4, 2014April 5,www.nationalmirroronline.net www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror I want to appeal to all and sundry to be our brother’s keeper. We must all work together as a team to move Isoko Youths and Isoko nation forward.

– COMRADE EMMANUEL OMOKERO, PRESIDENT, INYA

VIS poised to restore sanity on roads –Director Dare Akogun

agos State Director of Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Engr Abdulhafis Toriola, has assured motorists as well as commuters of his organisation’s readiness to restore sanity on roads within the Lagos metropolis. Toriola made the remark in an exclusive interview with our correspondent at his office over the weekend. While giving reasons for the new additional 30 licensing offices located in the state and weekend services now rendered by the organisation, Toriola revealed that the Lagos State government’s utmost wish to have an effective traffic monitoring system in place that will ensure that excuses given by most stakeholders on their inability to access the central licence office for licenses, and restoration of decorum on the hitherto unruly behaviour of most motorists, will be consigned to the dust bin of history. He noted that with the functioning of these licence offices in areas like Agege,Oko-oba,OkeOdo, Abule-Odo, Ojokoro, Shogunle, Anthony, Isheri-Ojodu, Lagos Island, Adekunle in EbutteMetta area, Coker in Aguda, Surelere, Iponri, Cele-Oshodi, Apapa Expressway, Mushin, Bariga, Gbagada, Epe, Ikorodu, Ibeji, Eti-Osa, Apapa, FESTAC, Badagry, Ikotun, Iba, Akowonjo, etc., motorists should feel quite relieved of the stress of travelling long distances from their abode to the few offices that existed before now. He gave kudos to the state government, who have not only approved employment of an additional 500 men to complement the men and officers on ground, but have also provided equipment and vehicles to ensure smooth and effective operation of services rendered by the organisation. He disclosed that his organisation was currently in working relations with the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) where any applicant for a driver’s licence would be made to go through a minimum of 21 days aptitude test, which could be extended depending on the performance of such applicant.

Isoko youth president warns against crisis Amour Udemude, ASABA

Welcome to Lagos...New arrival in to Lagos, yesterday. As part of informing the general public most of whom he said are not adequately briefed about activities of his organisation, it has decided to organise seminars and workshops for market men and women, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), opinion

moulders, schools, churches and mosques alike, where it is hoped that information that would obliterate erroneous impressions would be disseminated. With the rainy season fast approaching, Toriola has cautioned that motorists should be extra careful of the adverse conditions

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

usually experienced during this period with low visibility in most instance, and so it was paramount they obey all traffic rules, making sure their vehicles are road-worthy with the wipers and lighting systems in perfect conditions, tyres not worn out and brakes ensured to be working perfectly.

Invasion: Monarch appeals for FG’s intervention Dare Akogun

n appeal has been made to Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, to as a matter of urgency wade into the criminal invasion of some parcels of land in Ibeju-Lekki axis by some unscrupulous persons. Oniwerekun of Iwerekun land, Oba Tajudeen Afolabi Elemoro, who made the appeal while interacting with journalists in his palace yesterday, said the invasion amounted to contempt of court, as the matter was under litigation. He urged Governor Ambode and the Commissioner of Police to urgently step into the matter and arrest the breakdown of law and order that might follow criminal invasion of the land, by calling the party to order. The traditional ruler claimed that the parcels of land situated at Oke-Odo Elemoro village (Parcel B), Ibeju Lekki, measuring approximately 33.228 hectares, has been a subject of litigation between himself and one Toyin Eleku and oth-

ers, pending before Hon Justice K.O. Alogba of the High Court of Lagos State. “It is of great importance for the governor of the state and the commissioner of police to urgently do something about this matter because this is a violation of the law. I can’t imagine a reasonable and law-abiding person to unlawfully invade a land under litigation without respect for the law of the land. This act should stop and I know the governor is an action person, who would not condone indiscipline and lawlessness from any person irrespective of his or her position in the society.” He said the parcel of land has by virtue of Notice of Excision issued by the Governor of Lagos State on the 16th of May, 2005, and contained on page 132 of Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 19 Volume 40, was excised in favour of Oke-Odo Elemoro village. In spite of the litigation, the monarch alleged that the other party has gone ahead to sell some parts of the land to unsuspecting members of the public, while also erecting structures on some plots. The traditional ruler main-

tained that the Elemoro family has a pending application for interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants, their agents and privies from further selling or trespassing on the said parcels of land pending the determination of the substantive suit. “It is also noteworthy that an order of maintenance of status quo was granted by Hon Justice K.O. Alogba of the High Court of Lagos on the 13th of January, 2015,” the monarch noted. He therefore, advised members of the public to avoid any dealings with the aforesaid parcels of land or any part thereof whether by means of purchase, assignment, lease or carrying out construction works on same, pending the hearing and determination of the claimants interlocutory injunction. “Please, note that any such dealings in the dispute during the pendency of the aforesaid suit would render same null and void by virtue of the doctrine. Please, direct all enquiries to the solicitors to His Highness Oba Tajudeen Afolabi Elemoro,” the traditional ruler warned.

ew president of Isoko National Youths Assembly (INYA), Comrade Emmanuel Omokero, has warned youths in the land against any act inimical to the growth and peaceful co-existence of the Isoko nation. Addressing over 5,000 youths at the weekend in an enlarged maiden meeting of the new executive of Isoko National Youths Assembly from the 19 clans in Isoko land at Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, the youth president appealed to the youths to close ranks and work for the unity, growth, progress and development of the land. While warning all multinational oil companies, organisations, NGOs and governments at all levels not to hand over whatever was due to Isoko youths or deal with any one or group of persons posing as leaders of the youths other than his executive, the youth president stated that anyone, who does that would be doing so at his or her own risk. The Isoko Youth National Assembly, however, has thrown its weight behind all moves by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and High Chief Iduh Amadhe leadership of Isoko Development Union (IDU) concerning full accreditation of the faculties of law and engineering of the Delta State University, Oleh Campus, and enjoined Isoko people to support all good intentions of the governor for the land. “I want to appeal to all and sundry to be our brother’s keeper. We must all work together as a team to move Isoko Youths and Isoko nation forward. We must at all times give way to anything that could cause any breach of peace in the land. I promise to carry everybody along in the scheme of things.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Former known and addressed as TEIKO KAYIN AYO now wish to be known and address as FRANCIS AYOMIDE TEIKO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to confirm that NWAKUWA IWEBUNOR is one and same person as NWAKUWA MAUREEN IFELUATO. All documents bearing the two names are mine and remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME ALONGE: This is to confirm that ALONGE TITILAYO ELIZABETH and ALONGE TITILAYO OREMEJI ELIZABETH refer to one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as ALONGE TITILAYO OREMEJI ELIZABETH. All documents reflecting any of the Stated names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Heritage Bank and the general public take note.

I, formerly known as MR OWOLABI OJO OLUROPO now wish to be addressed as MR. ASEGBELOYIN OLUROPO OJO. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AZUMADUIRI LINDA CHIAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EGWUONWU LINDA CHIAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that I was formerly known as NWUDOH WARICK and I wish to add CHUKWUNONSO to my nane that henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as NWUDOH WARICK CHUKWUNONSO. all former document remain valid.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as UMARU YAHAYA AWWALU instead of YAHAYA AUWALU UMAR. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as YAHAYA AUWALU UMAR. All former documents remain valid. Banks, (FCMB) authority concern, and the general public take note.

OLUSEGUN: Formerly known and addressed as OLUSEGUN ADEKOYA now wish to be known and addressed as SALEM AHAM SALEMFLY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JOSEPH: Formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH BAKARE TAIWO now wish to be known and addressed as BAKARE SAHEED OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUCHE VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as Dennis Victoria Ele, all former documents remain valid, general public to take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME My name is OLANIYAN IBRAHIM OMOLE, my name was wrongly written on one of the ATM card issued to me by the First Bank plc as OLANIYAN BRIMO AMOLE instead of OLANIYAN IBRAHIM AMOLE. Henceforth, my correct name is OLANIYAN IBRAHIM AMOLE. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that OLOWO OLUREMI and OLOWO FOLAYEMI HANNAH is the same and one person bearing the two names. Henceforth the two names should be recongnised. All documents bearing the names remain valid. SKYE BANK PLC, GTB PLC and general public take note.

This is to confirm that AVLAGBO KODJO SAMSON and AVLAGBO KODJO is the same person bearing the two names. All documents bearing either of the names remain valid. U.B.A Plc and general public take note.

Former known and addressed as EJEM IROABUCHI MONDAY UDEAGHA, now wish to be known and address as EJEM FRANK UDEAGHA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AUGUSTINE EDU, now wish to be known and addressed as OCHIGBO JOHN ODEH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formally AGBOJULE SUCCESS now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGBEDE SUCCESS. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A PLC, FIRST BANK PLC and general public take note.

TAWAKALITU: I, formerly known and addressed as TAWAKALITU OLUWATOYIN SABA now wish to be known and addressed as TAWAKALITU OLORUNTOYIN SIKIRU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Former known and addressed as ADEMOYE ABAYOMI ADEWALE, now wish to be known and address as ADEMOYE SABIU ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

AWOYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as AWOYEMI OLAJUMOKE MODUPEOLUWA now wish to be known and addressed as AWOYEMI OLAJUMOKE MODUPEOLAOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IFEOMA CYNTHIA OGWUAKU now wish to be known and addressed as IFEOMA CYNTHIA ALIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AWOYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as AWOYEMI OLUWATOYOSI TOLULOPE now wish to be known and addressed as AYANSIJI OLUWATOYOSI TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Former known, called and addressed as NWANKOR BENSON CHIBUEZE now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWANKWO BENSON CHIBUEZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ODEDINA BUKOLA OLADIPUPO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLADIPUPO BUKOLA ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty trust Bank plc, First bank Plc and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I, formerly OJOGO IWABO EMMANUEL, while my name was wrongly written as IWABOR EMMANUEL instead of IWABO EMMANUEL on my National Voter’s card now want to be known, called and addressed as IWABO EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. First Bank plc, Union Bank Plc and general public take note.

Formerly MISS OGUNMORIYELE BUNMI ESTHER now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. BALOGUN BUNMI ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, AKINNIYI FEMISAYO AKINYELE am the same person as Akinniyi Oluwafemi, henceforth i wish to be known and addressed as AKINNIYI FEMISAYO AKINYELE OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OYANIRAN TITILAYO ADUKE, now wish to be Known and addressed as MRS. IBIJOJU TITILAYO ADUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NYINGIFA EBINIMI EVELYN, now wish to be known and addressed as EPENEKE TUBOKIYE EVELYN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Former known and addressed as BABAJIDE OREOLUWA AYOKA, now wish to be known and address as MUSTAPHA OREOLUWA AYOKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Former known and addressed as HENRIETTA ADEJUMOKE THOMAS, now wish to be known and address as HENRIETTA ADEJUMOKE GRILLO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KENNEDY: I, formerly known and addressed as GINI IFEANYI KENNEDY, now wish to be known and addressed as GINI IFEANYI SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ONYECHERE: I, formerly known and addressed as ONYECHERE EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as NINIWUIHE PETER CHEKWUBE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EDE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EDE EUCHARIA NONYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IGWESI EUCHARIA NONYE. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Education Enugu, UBA and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ALOZIE: I, formerly known and addressed as ALOZIE OLUCHUKWU CHIAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as IHESIULO OLUCHUKWU CHIAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGBU: I, formerly known and addressed as BENEDICT OGBU OFFIAH, now wish to be known and addressed as BENEDICT NNANNA OFFIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME EBUNOHA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EBUNOHA NNEKA EUGENIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NZEKWE NNEKA EUGENIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ANENE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANENE EBELE SARAH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANI EBELE SARAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as STEPHEN OBIAKONWA OKEKE now wish to be known and addressed as STEPHEN OBIAKONWA AMAKU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as OKECHUKWU CHRISTIANA FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as OKECHUKWU CHRISTIANA OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME UZOIGWE: I, formerly known and addressed as UZOIGWE JESSICA IFESINACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as UZOIGWE IFESINACHI LOVETH. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public should please take note.

CHIDOZIE: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIDOZIE TOBENNA CHUKWUMA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONWUALU TOBENNA CHUKWUMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

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

That I was formerly known and addressed as VINCENT UTEP that I now wish to add OLEM to my former name that I now wish to be known and as VINCENT UTEP OLEM. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME EGUNJOBI: Formerly known and addressed as EGUNJOBI PETER, now wish to be called and addressed as OLADIPUPO PETER. Every other documents bearing Egunjobi Peter remain valid. Local Government Service Commission, Oye-Ekiti and General public take note.

AKEREYENI: Formerly known and addressed as AYENI ADEGBORO OLUWASEUN, now wish to be called and addressed as AKEREYENI ADEGBORO OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS IBRAHIM OMOWUMI ADEBUNBI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADDEY CHRISTIANAH OMOWUMI ADEBUNBI. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

OBAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBAJI IFEYINWA DORIS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGBO IFEYINWA DORIS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

We, formerly known and addressed as OKONKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as OKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. l formerly known as 0hanazoeze DANIEL 0ZOEMENA now wish to be known and addressed as 0HASON DANIEL 0ZOEMENA. All documents bearing these names to remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

EBENEZAR GRACE QUTREACH MINISTRY 4. 5.

NNAJI AMOGE JUSTINA ORJI EUCHARIA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel to all nations of the world, healing, delivering setting the captives free

and

2. To carry out evangelistic missionary work in any part of Nigeria or overseas 3. To enter into any contract, own and operate any form of media in other to propagate the gospel. 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:

NWEKOYE JAMES NNADOZIE NTE ESQ

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS BUNMI FUNMILAYO BANKOLE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BUNMI FUNMILAYO ADEROUNMU. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue Ibadan and general Public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

The general public is hereby notified that the above Ministry 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. UDE JOY NNEKA — Secretary 2. NWENWU UCHENNA CHIJIOKE 3. IKE REX ANAYO —Chairman

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly MISS OLAJIDE BOLANLE OLUWABANKE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OGUNROUNBI BOLANLE OLUWABANKE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as PROPHET AJIKE EMMANUEL now wish to be known, called and addressed as EMMANUEL ALABA AJIKE. All former documents remain valid. ECO Bank Plc, ACCESS Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGUNLUSI OLUWABUNMI TITILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as OWOJUYIGBE OLUWABUNMI TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ODUKOYA BAMIDELE TOKUNBO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODOH BAMIDELE TOKUNBO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY OKOYE, now wish to be known and addressed as NNECHI ANTHONY NKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General Public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EZEOKE TIMOTHY, now wish to be known and addressed as EZE TIM CHIMEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

This is to confirm that OGAR DONATUS and OGAR SUNDAY is the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as OGAR DONATUS SUNDAY. All former documents remained valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known as OKUNEYE ADEBOLA ABOSEDE now wish to be known and addressed as AMUDA ADEBOLA. All former documents remains valid. General public, take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OSCAR NCHEDO ONWUJEKWU, now wish to be known and address as AUGUSTINE NCHEDO CHUKWUJEKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that ALABI RASHIDAT ABIODUN and ALABI RASHIDATH ABIODUN is one and same person as AKANNI RASHIDAT ABIODUN. All documents bearing the three names are mine and remain valid. The general public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UZOR: I, formerly known and addressed as UZOR MAUREEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. NNAJI MAUREEN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as JOHN ABUCHI EZE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABUCHI OROGWU MADU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as HAMADU MORU, now wish to be known as HAMADU UMARU. My correct date of birth is 10/10/1982 instead of 03/01/1971. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ABIOMON EDOSA, now wish to be known and addressed as EBILI NELSON UGO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

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

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANGENE: I, formerly known and addressed as NWANGENE FELICIA NWAKAEGO, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBODO FELICIA NWAKAEGBO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

BANKOLE: Formerly known and addressed as BANKOLE OMOLARA, now wish to be called and addressed as ISMAILA OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank, Access Bank and general public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OMBU AYEBAWAKOKOYUN, now wish to be known and addressed as OMBU KOKO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known as LEBILE BOSE and now wish to be known and addressed as HUNWI BOSE. All former former documents remains valid. General public take noté. CHANGE OF NAME DIM: I, formerly known and addressed as DIM JULIET IFEATU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as DIMSON JULIET IFEATU due to the change in the family name. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME/ CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, ADEDEJI OLUWATOSIN OLUBUKANLA is one and same person as ADEDEJI OLUWATOSIN AMINAT. That I now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDEJI OLUWATOSIN AMINAT. That my correct date of birth is 8th day of September, 1984. All former documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned take note.

Sports

Thursday, March Tuesday, April 5, 5, 2015 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Today’s Fixtures Barcelona Bayern Munich

Chelsea name Conte new coach I

talian Antonio Conte was handed the responsibility of reviving Chelsea’s fortunes and bringing the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge when he was named as their new head coach yesterday. Conte, 46, the head coach of Italy, will move to London on a three-year contract after the June 10 - July 10 European Championship in France. Conte will be the fifth Italian to manage Chelsea, following previous incumbents, Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Di Matteo. He played more than 400

games for Juventus and went on to manage the club to three successive Serie A titles from 2012 to 2014. Conte has long been touted as Chelsea’s first choice to succeed Jose Mourinho as their next permanent manager following the departure of the Portuguese last December after Chelsea made their worst start to a top flight campaign for more than 30 years. Dutchman Guus Hiddink has been in charge since December 19 but his second stint as interim coach was never going to last longer than the end of this

season. “I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club. I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that,” Conte said in a statement on Chelsea’s website (www.chelseafc.com). “I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros.”

Champions League: Atletico are dangerous –Pique

Pique

arcelona defender, Gerard Pique, believes Atletico Madrid pose an even greater threat to his side than Real Madrid, who ended

Barca’s 39-game unbeaten run in El Clasico last Saturday. Atletico travel to the Camp Nou today for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. They knocked Barca out at this stage of the competition two years ago on their way to the final. They are also Barca’s closest challengers in La Liga as they sit six points behind the European champions with seven games to go in La Liga. “They don’t scare us, but they are having an spectacular season. At the moment they are the second best team in Spain, as the league shows,” Pique said yesterday. “It will be more difficult than Saturday because they are a team that sits deep and breaks well on the counter-attack. “In the end it depends on us.

If from the first minute we want the ball, move it quickly, the fans are with us like they were on Saturday, and it all comes together, I think we are almost unstoppable.” Also speaking on today’s match, Barca boss, Luis Enrique, insisted he has “blind faith” in his players and his side’s style of play. Enrique added, “Atletico Madrid are a top team with a clear style of play. That is why they are where they are, competing with Barca and Madrid despite not having the same financial conditions.” However, Enrique has won all six of his meetings as coach against Diego Simeone’s men since taking charge at the start of last season.

vs vs

Atl. Madrid Benfica

Bayern wary of Benfica

ayern Munich are eager to avoid suffering another Champions League slip-up to Portuguese opposition in the Champions League quarterfinals when they host Benfica tonight in the first-leg. Pep Guardiola’s Bavarians were humbled 3-1 away to Porto at the same stage of the competition last season in the first leg before roaring back with a 6-1 victory in Munich to reach the semi-finals with a 9-2 aggregate win. After Bayern beat last season’s finalists Juventus 6-4 on aggregate in the last 16, the German media seem to think their passage into the semifinals is a foregone conclusion before they even face Portuguese league leaders Benfica over two legs. But the Bavarians insist on taking nothing for granted. “The game is dangerous. We have to remind ourselves about what we experienced in Porto last year,” said Bayern’s forward, Mario Goezte. Germany’s World Cup winner hopes to face Benfica after his powerful run led to Franck Ribery’s spectacular winning goal in last Saturday’s 1-0 league win over Eintracht Frankfurt in a lacklustre performance from the Bavar-

Guardiola

ians, who remain top of the Bundesliga. Striker Robert Lewandowski admitted they were already thinking of the Benfica game while playing Frankfurt. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has warned Bayern need to produce more than Ribery’s stunning bicycle kick against Benfica: “That won’t be enough on Tuesday”. The Bavarians know they can ill afford a repeat off-key display as they hunt a fifth straight appearance in the Champions League semifinals.

Draxler happy to face Ronaldo

olfsburg’s Germany midfielder Julian Draxler says facing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is any footballer’s dream ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League home quarterfinal, first-leg, clash against Real Madrid. “You can only be impressed with Cristiano Ronaldo,” Draxler told SID, an AFP subsidiary.

“I feel a tremendous anticipation. I think there is nothing better than playing in the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid.” When he was younger, the 22-year-old Draxler used to watch videos of Ronaldo to improve his game. Now the Germany star will once again face the threetimes world player of the year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

, April 5, 2016 ThursdayTuesday September 4, 2014

Rio Games: Nigerian Paralympians aim to surpass London 2012 medals T

he Nigeria Paralympics Committee (NPC) said yesterday that the body was working earnestly to ensure that athletes performed well at the forthcoming 2016 Paralympics in Brazil. President of the NPC, Monday Emoghavwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the committee’s target was to ensure that the country surpassed its 2012 Paralympics performance record. The Paralympics Games will hold from September 7 to September 18 after the Games of the 31st Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro.

Nigeria won six gold, five silver and one bronze medals at the 2012 Games held in London. Emoghavwe said that paraathletes that had qualified for the Rio Games would be invited to camp to further hone their skills as soon as funds were made available. “Since we departed from that one in London (Olympics), we started preparations since and my athletes have been going out for competitions, for qualification championship, and now we (are) able to qualify a lot of them. “So competition wise, we’ve

been attending championships and trainings at home too. “Right now, we are just waiting for the budget to be passed, so that we will go for a close camping for further preparation for the games proper. “We have set out a target that we are preparing toward to achieve, so for this year 2016, we hope to compete and surpass the record of 2012,” he said. The NPC president appealed to corporate bodies to complement the efforts of the government in ensuring that athletes performed creditably through their support.

Eguma congratulates Go Round

Eguma

ivers United coach, Stanley Eguma, has congratulated Nigeria National League (NNL) club, Go Round FC, following their victory over his charges in the final of the Rivers State Federation Cup last Sunday. United seemed poised to claim the spoils after Daniel Israel impressively put the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club in front in the 89th minute of the contest decided at the Sharks FC Stadium, Port Harcourt. Thomson Stowe equalised for the lower-division side, a minute later before United won a penalty in the final minute of additional time to set the nerves of many jangling. Up stepped former Go-Round left back, Chiwendu Ali but his effort from 12 yards was stopped by goalkeeper, Iboro Akpakpan. Go Round FC capitalised on the huge shift in momentum to win

the ensuing penalty shoot-out 4-2. Eguma has now taken the time to praise the victors while ‘wishing them all the best’ in the Federation Cup. “I want to congratulate Go Round FC for winning this year’s Rivers State Federation Cup. “We would have won the match (in regulation time) but when we missed that last minute penalty, the chance was gone. “They were better in the shootout. They did well and I congratulate them for that.

“This win will motivate them to do well in the national competition and hopefully, the chances of the (Rivers) State winning the Federation Cup title will increase now. “I am wishing them all the best and hopefully, the trophy will come to Rivers State this year,” Eguma told Rivers United Media. United will now turn their attentions to the NPFL where they meet El Kanemi Warriors on match day 10 in Port Harcourt.

Folashade Oluwafemiayo

NPFL: Ubah, others apologise, accept sanctions

hairman of IfeanyiUbah FC, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, has apologised for his conduct that earned him a 10-match ban from match venues and also a fine of N2.5million. Ubah was sanctioned by the League Management Company (LMC) last week for encroaching on the field of play during his team’s home match with Heartland and further “assaulting” Heartland goalkeeper, Ebele Obi. The LMC said yesterday that Ubah, other individuals and four clubs who were punished had accepted their sanctions, pledged not to appeal the decisions and apologised for their misconducts. Dr. Ubah in a letter accepting to submit to the summary jurisdiction of the LMC pledged not to appeal the decision and offering an unconditional apology to the LMC, FC IfeanyiUbah fans and the football community while explaining that his actions were due to his overriding passion for the NPFL and its development. He explained in the letter that he was moved to intervene by the actions of Heartland play-

NSA kickstarts 2016 Award

AFOLABI GAMBARI

rganiser of the Nigerian Sports Award (NSA), Unmissable Incentives Limited, is set to commence activities for the 5th edition of the most prestigious sports award in the country. According to the Executive Director of the company, Mr. Kayode Idowu, the latest edition of the annual award has series of activities lined up as highlight. “The NSA has built for itself

a reputation of a credible and respectable award that aims to recognize and reward outstanding performances by Nigerian athletes,” Idowu said yesterday. ‘’We are ensuring that the 5th anniversary edition is better than the past four editions in all aspects of the awards from nominations to participation and attendance by the nominees,’’ he added, stressing that the organisers would bank on the usual support from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as National Sports Commission,

the Nigerian Olympic Committee, all sports federations and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria. Idowu, who commended Nigeria’s leading sports betting company, Bet9ja, Mudi International and other sponsors as well as partners that include Mastersports International for their loyalty, also urged for more corporate support in the years ahead. The 2016 Nigerian Sports Award will hold at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel, Lagos on November 18.

Chief Ubah

ers towards the referee after the match with FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi, an action which led to some over reaction that he regrets. Heartland FC, Owerri, FC IfeanyiUbah, Plateau United and Sunshine Stars of Akure were the clubs sanctioned by the LMC for various infractions of the NPFL rulebook ranging from failure to control players and allowing access to unauthorised areas and security breaches at match venue leading to acts capable of bringing the league to disrepute. Other individuals included Heartland’s goalkeeper, Ebele Obi and the Media Officer of Rangers International, Mr. Forster Chime, who was fined for comments disparaging a Referee. Announcing the receipt of the acceptance notices and apologies from all concerned parties, Chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko, remarked that the sanctions were not meant to be punitive but correctional and “to uphold the sanctity of the rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and to assure all stakeholders of fairness in the application of all laid down regulations”

WORLD RECORD

Fastest time to burst three balloons with the back The fastest time to burst three balloons with the back is 12 seconds, set by Julia Gunthel, aka ‘Zlata’ (Germany), on 23 November 2007.

N150

Vol. 06 No. 1341 Tuesday, April 5, 2016

On Buhari’s blinkered understanding of self determination

espite the perceived viciousness of the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha and the condemnation which trailed it, that government did the unthinkable when it rather absurdly sent troops to restore a democratically elected government of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone, which was toppled by the military. It was a case of one having a big plank in one’s eyes but was concerned more about the little speck in the eyes of another. The action of that military junta then was aptly captured by the Economist of London, which described Nigeria as a nation which imported what she had and exported what she did not have. Nigerian leaders clean their noses in the public with white handkerchiefs only to use their index fingers to clean the same noses in private. The hollowness in that military diplo-

C Barcelona striker, Neymar, would discuss a move to Paris St-Germain if the French champions showed an interest, according to the player’s agent. Brazil inter national N e y m a r, 2 4 , h a s s c o r e d 5 2 goals in 86 La Liga games

Guest Columnist

Sunday O.

Eze

macy like the unprofitable age long futile diplomatic policy and leadership grandstanding as the “big brother” of Africa has taken a toll on government and its policies even after the death of Abacha. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has once again sipped from the hypocritical cup of Nigerian leaders, who see the tiny speck in other peoples’ eyes but fail to note the big planks in theirs. At the UN General Assembly on September 28, 2015, the president vigorously championed for the independence of the Palestinian state. In fact in his address to the Assembly, he frankly made a good case for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. “The international community has come to pin its hopes on resolving the Palestinian issue through the two-state solution which recognises the legitimate right of each state to exist in peace and security. The world has no more excuse or reason to delay the implementation of the long list of Security Council resolutions. Neither do we have the moral right to deny any people their freedom or condemn them indefinitely to occupation and blockade”, were his words. Buhari further echoed his support for the freedom of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic lately. He made this known while receiving Mohammed Salem Ould Salek, Minister of Foreign Affairs, SADR in the State House, Abuja. Buhari had said: “The issue came up first when I was in office as military head of state. As I left government, Nigeria remained steadfast

What breeds discontent in every society is the deliberate effort to cover up falsehood,

circumvent justice… on it. In my maiden outing at the UN General Assembly last September, the issue of Sahrawi was in my speech. You have no cause to doubt our commitment. We stand with our African Union colleagues on the issue. Nigeria will maintain focus till everything is finally resolved positively” Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a partially recognised independent state that controls a thin strip of area in the Western Sahara region of Morocco, has an estimated population of 500, 000 in 1976. The president assured the SADR delegation that Nigeria would stand with them in their agitation for their rights to self-determination and independence. On the same day, over the same issue of selfdetermination, the aides of the president were in court to ensure the conviction of Nnamdi Kalu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, whose only crime was peaceful protests to press home their demand for self-actualisation. Buhari firmly believes in the cause and promotion of the Palestinian and Sahrawi struggles, but will not tolerate the agitation

for self-determination of Biafrans, whose crime was the same cause the Palestinian and the Sahrawi’s are pursuing. This is an obvious case of same agitation; but different is perception. An idle Nigerian Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari with the membership of NLC and ASUU ably represented by Ayuba Wabba, Dr. Dipo Shina and Dr. Nasir Sagir, former and current ASUU President respectively, has found a common ground to drum support for the independence of aliens, who they know little or nothing about, while they kept mute in the face of provocation, injustice and wanton killing going on in the South East. Many Biafran demonstrators were slaughtered like those President Buhari rallies international support for their freedom from those he thought are their traducers and elements of oppression. What makes Biafra’s case different from these? What breeds discontent in every society is the deliberate effort to cover up falsehood, circumvent justice and the frantic attempt to bury the truth or turn it upside down. Truth is truth no matter who, where, when and how it is told. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Nigerian leaders are not good students of history. In a paper presented by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the “National Conference on the 1999 Constitution” jointly organised by the Network For Justice And The Vision Trust Foundation at the Arewa House, Kaduna from 11th –12th September, 1999, the former Central Bank Governor and incumbent Emir of Kano, bluntly prophesied thus: “the Northern bourgeoisie and the Yoruba bourgeoisie have conspired to keep the Igbo out of the scheme of things…The Igbos have taken all these quietly because, they reason, they brought it upon themselves. But the nation is sitting on a time-bomb”. Eze, a media and communications specialist, wrote via sunnyeze02@yahoo. com and can be reached on 08060901201

Sport Extra

Neymar would discuss move to PSG –Agent since joining Barca from Santos for £48.6m in June 2013. BBC Sport re por ts that Agent Wagner Ribeiro said Neymar has a £154m release clause in his contract, which expires in 2018

“If PSG show an interest in Neymar, we can discuss it,” he told L’Equipe. Ribeiro added: “He feels good in Barcelona. He’s loved over there and he’s playing for the best team in the world.

“It’s no small feat to impose yourself at such an enor mous club. “But the prospect of living in a city like Paris and to play for a club like PSG – that’s also a dream for every player.”

Neymar

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