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FG, states owe Discos N31bn electricity bill since 2013

Abike Dabiri denies owing Diamond Bank N100m P.10

NERC to sanction distribution companies CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

ebts owed six electricity Distribution Companies,

Igali

Vol. 5 N0. 1171

Discos, in unpaid electricity bills by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government and some state governments since

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

November 2013 may have hit N31bn, investigation has revealed. It was gathered that the Discos have been under CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

National Mirror Online

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Boko Haram seeks T dialogue with FG –CCC

N150

UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

...says military option has failed

Hundreds of insurgents ready to renounce membership

he Boko Haram terrorist group is seeking dialogue with the Federal Government, it was disclosed yesterday. Elements within the sect were alleged to have approached some non-governmental organisations, NGOs, to facilitate the talks. Executive Secretary, ES, of the Centre for Crisis Communication, CCC, and immediate past Air Force CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Buhari sacks NNPC, NCC heads, appoints Kachikwu, Danbatta as replacements

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NUT rejects JAMB’s cut-off marks

...says it is discriminatory to teaching profession P.6 ADVERT HOTLINES

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President Muhammadu Buhari (middle); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, Alhaji Baba Farouk (seventh left) and other officials of the Ministry after their meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Alleged forgery: Court can’t stop probe of Saraki, Ekweremadu –IGP

…says duo have no immunity against investigation

P.5

PenCom approves N4.44bn death benefits to next-of-kins

P.4

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Boko Haram seeks dialogue with FG –CCC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Director of Information, DOPRI, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, rtd, told journalists at a press briefing in Abuja that his Centre had been approached by the insurgents. Anas also addressed the press on sundry national issues, including terrorism, cattle rustling, National Assembly crisis, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, armed robbery, Radio Biafra, among others. He said he and his team were already in the process of facilitating a meeting with relevant government agencies. While expressing sup-

port for the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari that the Federal Government was willing to dialogue with genuine leaders of the terrorist group, Anas said the new position has become imperative in view of the fact that military option alone has failed to resolve the issue. “The Centre however suggests that such dialogue should be done with every sense of caution and responsibility bearing in mind the previous disappointments that attended attempts at negotiations. “Considering the unspeakable atrocities which the group has visited on Ni-

geria and Nigerians, this option is no doubt a hard sell. “However, the recent statement by President Buhari on government’s readiness to negotiate with credible members of the sect has rekindled the hope for dialogue. “The Centre views this gesture as good. It has opened a window of opportunity for dialogue for those insurgents that are willing and ready to lay down their arms. “This position is predicated on calls made to this Centre by some members of the Boko Haram requesting for genuine and comprehensive dialogue that could lead to hundreds of them com-

ing out to renounce their membership. “Nevertheless, the Centre will continue to support and encourage all efforts towards bringing insurgency to an end in our country,” he stated. On the lingering National Assembly crisis, CCC appealed to all the contending individuals, groups or parties to ‘sheath their swords’ in the interests of the nation, “knowing how far-reaching and negative effect political crisis of this dimension could continue to be in inflaming passions, creating divisive tendencies, and ultimately translating in crisis.”

He also challenged lawmakers to take a cue from President Buhari and slash their remunerations to demonstrate to Nigerians that they are also sympathetic to the current financial challenges of the nation and ready to make sacrifices to make Nigeria better. On non-payment of salaries by some state governments, the Centre declared “nothing breeds crisis more than the injustice of workers being denied wages and entitlements. “Public servants who toil for governments and the nation deserve salaries at the end of the month. Failure to guarantee this basic ob-

New Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (right), and Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha (left), during a brief hand-over ceremony at the NNPC Towers, yesterday.

FG, states owe Discos N31bn electricity bill since 2013 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

intense pressure following the crippling debt owed by consumers, especially government agencies, since the core investors took charge of the assets in November 2013. Some of the Discos decried the rising debt, lamenting that their resolve to inject funds into and improve the network was being threatened by the debts. Checks on the debt profiles of electricity customers in six Discos, however, revealed that the Ministry of Defence, military formations and the paramili-

tary alone owe N15.5bn. The six Discos include Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, Kaduna Electric, KE, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDC, and Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC. Others are Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC. An advocacy and Research expert, Sunday Oduntan, who decried the huge debt profile of growing firms said: “What President Muhammadu Buhari promised voters is

that there will be a change. He needs to talk to his people from the State House to the state governments to pay their bills. There are provisions for utilities in the budget of agencies, since they are not paying the bills, what then happens to the money?” According to the breakdown, Abuja Disco is owed N7.1bn with the Ministry of Defence owing a larger chunk of N3.6bn. The military again is the highest debtor as shown in Kaduna Electric’s debt books with over N5.7bn, while the Police, other paramilitary outfits

and state MDAs owe over N980m. Its entire debt from public institutions stands at N6.7bn. Ibadan Disco is owed N5.2bn by the federal and state MDAs. While the military owes N3.9bn, others owe the balance of N1.2bn. Meanwhile, Kano Disco is owed over N860m with the state and other MDAs owing N560m and military formations N260m. Eko Disco is owed N2.3bn with the Police, federal and the state government owing over N400m, while military formations

owe N1.9bn. Details of debts being owed the other five Discos comprising Port Harcourt, Ikeja, Enugu, Yola and Jos are yet to be accessed. However, it could see the debt toll rise significantly. The Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trading Company, NBET, had given the 11 Discos deadline to pay their balance for power supply by the generation and transmission companies in the last three months. But the Discos had said they are also owed huge CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

ligation on the part of any state government is a sure recipe for crisis, i.e. crisis at home, schools, at the workplace and generally in the society.” Anas implored affected states and other states to be more ingenious and judicious in handling their finances to avoid potential source of crisis in the future. Speaking on the issue of cattle rearers and farmers bloody clashes across the country, the CCC boss said it has reached an alarming proportion as scores of people have been killed in Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Niger and other states over grazing rights. “This recurring but often violent crisis perpetrated by unknown hoodlums has continued to traumatise innocent and enterprising Nigerians engaged in cattle rearing and farming. “The crisis is perhaps accentuated by the economic hardship and joblessness. The Centre has received hundreds of calls from several parts of the north over this issue. “Instances abound where hoodlums send letters to cattle breeders, especially Fulani and farmers to pay hundreds of thousands of naira or even millions as ransom to avert attacks,” he said. CCC said it was agitated by recent attempts to resurrect the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, with the arrow head being Mr. Government Tompolo along with some Ijaw youth. “Since the inception of the Amnesty Programme, billions of Naira has been and is still being spent to address the youth challenges of the region. “If there are genuine grievances with the Amnesty programme, legitimate avenues and appropriate channels should be exploited. “However, the full wrath of the law should be brought to bear on any individual or group that wants to engineer crisis aimed at militating against the socioeconomic development of our dear nation,” Anas said. He said the appointment of Brig. Gen. Peter Boroh (rtd) as the new coordinator would energise the amnesty programme.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Photo News

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

L-R: SSA on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Shehu Garba; State House Permanent Secretary, Engr Nebolisa Emodi and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, after a meeting with President Buhari and officials of the Ministy of Mines and Environment at the Presidential Villa Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Head, Department of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu; Team Leader, Cardiovascular Education Foundation, Dr Obi Emerole; Vice President, Cardiovascular Education Foundation, Dr Felix Sogade and Consultant, Orange Country Cardiology, USA, Dr Jacqueline Eubany, at a briefing by the Foundation on Nigeria Cardiovascular Symposium in Lagos, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Representative of Chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Ibrahim Ismail; President, Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), Mr Sunny Ododo and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, at the 28th Annual International Conference of the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Dirctor-General, National Emmergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sidi; Director, Centre for Risk Management and Development Studies, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Umar Maryah and Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Forestry Commission, Dr Perpetua Aji, at a National Sensitisation Workshop on SENDAI Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

National News

PenCom approves N4.44bn death benefits to next-of-kins â&#x20AC;˘Says 8 more states begin remittance of pension contribution

ational Pension Commission, PenCom, said it has approved N4.44bn as death benefits to the Next-ofkins, NOK, of deceased employees nation-wide in the first quarter of 2015. This is contained in a report from the commission released in Abuja yesterday. It would be recalled that some NOKs of deceased employees, who served in various government establishments, were yet to receive the death benefits due to them. Many of the concerned NOKs, who had repeatedly approached the Pension Fund Administrators, PFA, of their deceased relatives to access their benefits had complained of delay in payment. According to the report, the approved fund is to be paid to the NOKs of 1,450 deceased employees. The report stated that

the fund would also be utilised in payment of Group Life Insurance claims of the deceased employees. It also stated that N77.18bn had been paid to the NOKs of 27,321 deceased employees from inception to the end of first quarter of 2015, adding that the number of retirees on Programmed Withdrawal, PW, increased by 3,340 from103,081 at the end of fourth quarter of 2014 to 106,421 at the end of the first quarter of the year. According to the report, 1,322 retired from the public sector, representing 38.43 per cent, while the private sector accounted for 2,118 retirees, representing 61.57 per cent during the period. The monthly lumpsum withdrawals on Programmed Withdrawal in the first quarter of 2015 was N2.55bn, which cumulatively amounted to N257.43bn from inception

to the end of the period under review. PenCom said it received and approved 1,914 applications for retirement under the Life Annuity Plan, LA, in the quarter. It added that the approval brought the total number of retirees on LA to 15,976. The release stated that a comparative analysis of retirees on LA and PW indicated that 13.05 per cent of the retirees were under annuity while 86.95 per cent were under PW. It added that the retirees under the LA accounted for 9.20 per cent of cumulative lump sum withdrawal, while PW accounted for the remaining balance of 91.80 per cent. The report further stated that the total value of pension assets increased from N4, 611.29bn at the end of fourth quarter of 2014 to N4, 746.00bn at the end of first quarter of 2015. According to the report,

the increase amounted to N134.71bn, representing 2.92 per cent Meanwhile, the Commission said eight more state governments have commenced the remittance of pension contributions into the Retirement Saving Accounts, RSA, of their employees. This is contained in the quarterly review of the commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities made available to the newsmen in Abuja yesterday. It would be recalled that since the scheme was introduced in 2004, PenCom had made frantic efforts to involve more state governments in it. With the addition of eight states, the total number of states in the scheme has risen to 22. Fourteen states had enlisted since October 2013. In a bid to ensure all states enlisted, the 2014 Pension Reform Act (PRA 2014) made it compulsory

for states to implement the scheme. According to the report, 26 states had so far enacted the laws on CPS, while others have initiated a bill but yet to be enacted. The report stated that six out of the states had also commenced the funding of their Retirement Benefit Bond Redemption Fund Accounts. The commission reiterated that it had distributed the framework for the informal sector participation in the CPS to all stakeholders for comments. It stated that the inputs from various stakeholders had been collated and would be incorporated into the framework. On the update on the refund of pension contributions to the military and security agencies, PenCom said it had undertaken the refund of batch 1 to the retirees.

It stated that the reports from PFAs indicated that N9.07bn was refunded to 71,784 serving and retired personnel. Also, N1.05bn and N42.43bn, representing unutilised accrued rights and employer portion of contributions were returned. It stated that the returns were made to the Retirement Benefit and Bond Redemption Fund, RBBRF, account and the Contributory Pension Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, respectively. On the recovery of outstanding pension contributions and interest penalty from defaulting employers, it added that N540.94m, representing principal contributions of N145.85m and penalty of N395.09m was recovered during the period. It stated that the total recoveries made to date amounted N6.73bn.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Court can’t stop probe of Saraki, Ekweremadu –IGP ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

nspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase, yesterday dismissed as ridiculous, laughable and mere waste of time of the court, a suit filed by Senator Gilbert Nnaji, seeking to stop the police from probing the purported forgery of the 2015 Senate Standing Order which produced Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as leaders of the Senate in the 8th National Assembly. Arase, while responding to the suit, yesterday, through a counter-affidavit, said no court of law in Nigeria has powers to stop the police from performing its statutory functions of investigating crimes, including the instant purported forgery of the Senate Standing Rules. The IGP had wondered whether anybody in the country, including the 74 political office holders covered by provision of section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is immune from investigation. He specifically argued that the principal officers of the Senate, including Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu, among others, which the suit sought to protect have no constitutional or statutory immunity from investigation. He consequently urged an Abuja Federal High Court to throw out the suit for want of jurisdiction, adding that investigating the allegation of forgery in the Senate could only strengthen the integrity of the upper legislative house and its leadership. Confirming that the Senate Standing Order 2015 (as amended) was forged, the police stated in its counter affidavit thus: “The present Senate has not enacted any standing orders yet. “As at the time of inauguration of this present Senate, no standing orders had been made. “Till date, no such standing orders have so far been made. “The practice is that at inauguration, the incoming Senate uses the standing orders of the preceding Senate. The immediate past Senate did not amend the 2011 standing orders and the 2011 standing orders

have not yet been amended.” The document, which was deposed to by Joshua Yohanna, of the Legal/ Prosecution department, Force CIID, further averred as follows: “I know that the plaintiff cannot prove that the so called 2015 standing orders were passed by the preceding Senate. “That the so called 2015 standing orders were never made nor passed by the immediate past Senate. The plaintiff knows that the present Senate President was not in a position to have passed the 2015 Senate Standing orders before its inauguration. “The plaintiff knows that it is only after inauguration that the current Senate could pass the Senate standing orders. “That what he is bandying about is not an authorised Senate standing order.” Accordingly, the police urged the court presided by Justice Gabriel Kolawole to throw out the suit as it simply constituted a nuisance. The IGP, in his memorandum of conditional appearance filed by Elder David Abuo attacked the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit as well as the locus standi of the plaintiff to file the action. Relying on the case of Hassan V EFCC (2014) 1 NWLR (pt. 1389), the lawyer submitted “no court has the power to stop the investigation powers of the Police or EFCC or any agency established, under our laws to investigate crimes whether there is reasonable suspicion of commission of crime or ample evidence of commission of an offence by a suspect.” Besides, the police argued that the matter at hand raise issues of criminality and the police owe Nigerians the duty to unearth the truth behind the allegations of forgery In addition, Abuo contended that the plaintiff had not shown what he had suffered or lost in this action as he is neither the Senate President nor Deputy Senate President. He said apart from that, he is not an officer of the Senate. It further argued that every Nigerian citizen could be investigated for crime

as there is no immunity against investigation in all civilized countries, Nigeria inclusive. Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Peter Nwakolo, told the court that he needed time to respond to the notice of preliminary objections filed by the Arase as well as the application for joinder. Secretary of the “Unity Forum” who signed the petition to the police, Sena-

tor Suleiman Hunkuyi had earlier applied to be joined in the suit as an interested party. His motion dated August 3, 2015 was filed by his counsel, Mamman Osuman, SAN, pursuant to orders 9 rule 15 (1); order 26 rule 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Federal High Court, Civil Procedure, Rules 2009. In the application, Hunkuyi submitted that as a member of the current

8th Senate and the initiator of the petition, he has sufficient interest in the suit to entitle him to be joined as a defendant. Osuman submitted: “Where an applicant seeking to be joined as a party in a proceedings establishes that he/it has an interest in the subject matter of an action and/or in the eventual result or outcome of such an action, the application for joinder ought to be

granted as per the Supreme Court decision in Ige vs Farinde (1994) 7 1NWLR (pt. 354) 42 at page 65.” In his ruling, Justice Kolawole who said he could not make an order for status quo to be maintained, because it could be misinterpreted adjourned proceedings to September 8, 2015 when it would be heard by another judge of the court, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

L-R: His Excellency, President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu; His Excellency, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the unveiling of Dangote Cement Plant in Zambia,yesterday.

FG, states owe Discos N31bn electricity bill since 2013 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

sums by customers. Efforts to get the Defence Ministry’s response on the debt by our reporter were not successful as at press time. Meanwhile, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has issued an order imposing financial penalties on any electricity distribution company that rejects electricity allotted it by the System Operators, SO. Head, Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi, in a statement noted that the sanctions would be meted especially when there is no notification ahead of such rejection. According to Abba-Arabi, Order number NERC 139 entitled “Order on the Imbalance Application Mechanism during the Transitional Electricity Market” was issued on ac-

count of high incidence of indiscipline by electricity distribution companies who reject load allocations by the SO. Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI, operates on the basis of a sharing formula approved by NERC, which the SO uses to allocate generated electricity to the distribution companies, many of which are lately rejecting allocation. NERC maintained that rejection of load allocation, besides causing imbalance in the system is preventing electricity consumers from realising the maximum benefit of the recent increase in generation. Electricity generation in the country about two weeks ago notched 4,600 megawatts threshold. To curb such act of indiscipline, NERC in the

Order said: “Where a distribution company has a constraint on its network that will make it unable to receive load, the DISCO shall declare such constraint to the SO a day ahead. Where a DISCO fails to give the required notice, it will be penalised. “Besides, every DISCO is obligated to receive load as directed by the SO, even beyond its statutorily allocated load at any time. This additional load will not attract penalty. “In allocating additional load to distribution companies, the SO shall take cognisance of historical data on Distribution Company’s ability to take power beyond their location. “However, the Transmission Company of Nigeria will be sanctioned if rejection of load allocation is caused by constraint

in the transmission network,” he said. Giving an insight into the background of the Order which became effective over the weekend, the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said it was aimed at eliminating imbalance and make Nigerians have maximum impact of the improvement in the generating capacity and to also sensitise operators to invest in their network to take more power. Amadi said most of the distribution and the transition companies had been using inadequacy of electricity supply as an excuse not to strengthen their networks and “the new threshold of power generation has exposed this weakness in their networks and we (NERC) have that responsibility to force them to invest in their networks.”

News

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Buhari sacks NNPC, NCC heads, appoints Kachikwu, Danbatta as replacements

NUT rejects JAMB’s cut off marks

...says it is derogatory to teaching profession Marcus Fatunmole, ABUJA

igeria Union of Teachers, NUT, yesterday rejected the cut off marks approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, for admission into tertiary institutions in the country. The union said the decision was derogatory, highly discriminatory and calculated at demeaning and lowering the professional status of teachers with its concomitant negative effect on the attainment of quality education in the country. In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Obong Obong, and made available to National Mirror, NUT said JAMB’s aim was to ensure that the best brains and students of distinction were placed in other courses, while those with lower grades were pushed into teaching. The union said it was strongly opposed to the current admission policy, which places JAMB admis-

sion cut off marks for students seeking admission into universities at 180 and above, while those for polytechnics and colleges of education were placed at 150 and above. The marks were approved by JAMB after heads of tertiary institutions in the country voted in favour of the scores at the 6th Combined Policy Meeting on Admissions to Degree, Nigeria Certificate in Education, National Diploma and Innovation Diploma-awarding institutions in Abuja on July 14 this year. The same scores were used for admission into the schools last year. Speaking at the event, JAMB Registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, said 1,475,600 sat for the examination, which took place between 10th and 24th March this year. “Applicants, who scored above 180 in the examination, represent 63.13 per cent of total candidates who participated in the exercise.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, Dr Joseph Thlama Dawha. Equally booted out is Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah. In their stead, the president appointed Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu as Group Managing Director

of NNPC, and Professor Umar Garba Danbatta as Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of NCC. This was disclosed in a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, which was made available to National Mirror yesterday. Before his appointment, Dr. Kachikwu was Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of ExxonMobil (Africa), he hails from Onicha-Ugbo in Delta State. A First Class graduate of Law from the Univer-

sity of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Nigerian Law School, the new NNPC Chief Executive also has Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Law from Harvard Law School. “He started his working career with the Nigerian/American Merchant Bank before joining Texaco Nigeria Limited where he worked for about eight years before joining ExxonMobil,” Adesina said. Danbatta, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Electronic Engineering, takes over from Dr. Eugene Juwah, whose tenure expired on July 29, 2015.

The new NCC Chief Executive’s other academic qualifications include a Bachelors Degree in Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications as well as a Masters Degree in the same field. “He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and had a meritorious career in which he rose to become professor of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at Bayero University,

Kano,

We won’t tolerate attacks on police stations –IGP Omeiza Ajayi

rked by the spate of attacks and foiled arson attempts at some police stations and formations, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has warned members of the public of the

unsavoury implications of such inappropriate behaviour. While he noted that an attack on a police station is a criminal offence, Arase said any person or group involved in such act would be made to face

the law. A police statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the IGP has directed all field commanders to secure their stations and for mations. They are “to use ev-

ery reasonable force per mitted by law to protect our common heritage.” The police boss advised members of the public to explore available and appropriate channels to ventilate their grievances.

NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE (GPN) FOR 2015 CAPITAL AND RECURRENT PROJECTS

22. Rehabilitation of Water Weed/Hyacinth Floating Boom Barrier; 1. INTRODUCTION

23. Floating Mobile Workshop (1);

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) a Parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Transport

24. Purchase and Installation of Generating Sets and Power inverter and solar power;

(FMOT) with its Headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State intends to undertake the procurement of Goods, Works

25. Mapping of Navigational Routes;

and Services of various projects for the 2015 Capital and Recurrent Budget.

26. Construction of Jetties/Ramps;

Thus, in compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Authority hereby puts on alert all interested and reputable Contractors/Suppliers/Consultants with relevant experience for consideration for the execution of the following projects:

27. Library Professional Books, Periodicals and Equipment; 28. Environmental, Assessment Mitigation, Etc; 29. Sports and Medical Services ; 30. Charting and Buoying of Waterways;

Channelization of Oguta Lake and Excravos Channel;

31. Health, Safety and Environment projects

Establishment of River Level Guage Station on River Niger/Benue and Their Tributaries;

32. Building/Procurement of Barges and Boats

Dredging of Choba River through rumuolemeni/Eagle Cement;

Provision of Dockyards and Vessels;

Clearing of Water Hyacinth (Nation Wide);

open to all eligible bidders hence subsequently and within the year, Specific Procurement Notices

Bank Protection on Waterways;

(SPN) for the above listed projects are to be placed on National Dailies, Federal Tenders Journal

Maintenance Dredging of Waterways;

(FTJ) and the Notice Boards of the Authority (Headquarters and Area Offices) accordingly,

Survey and Removal of Wrecks and Derelicts from Waterways;

depending on the threshold of each project as soon as the relevant solicitation/bidding

Construction of Jetty and Terminal Building at Eket;

10. Construction of Alape Port, Ipare Ondo State; 11. Insurance of Properties (Ship, Vessels, Facilities, Vehicles etc); 12. *construction/Rehabilitation of Building (Headquarters and Area Offices);

33. Procurement of Stationaries/Computer consumables. 2.

documents are finalized. Interested eligible bidders who wish to participate in the bidding process of these projects are

Please note that the entire documents on Responsive Criteria such as registration with Corporate

advised to be on the lookout for further subsequent Notice/Advertisement (Local and National).

Affairs Commission (CAC), Value Added Tax (VAT), Pension Commission (PENCON), Financial Regulatory Council, Tax Certificate etc may be referred to Security Agencies, Corporate Affairs

14. Fencing and Securing of NIWA property;

Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Pension Commission (NPC)

15. Purchase/Repairs of Furniture and Equipment; 16. Repair of NIWA Vessels; 17. Acquisition of ICT Equipment and Installation;

and other relevant bodies for verification.

18. Computerization of Account System; 19. Community Awareness/Publicity for Dredging and Port Projects; 20. Reactivation of Fire Fighting Equipment including Procurement of Water Tanker and Safety 21. Community Based Projects in Area Offices;

The Procurement process of these projects would be subjected to Due Process mechanism and

13. Purchase of Survey/Cartographic/River Gauging Equipment;

Equipment;

spe-

cialising in Telecommunications Engineering, Information and Communications Technology.

The Authority also reserves the right to invoke the provisions of section 28 of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007 on matters regarding to these procurements without incurring any Liability to the bidder.

Signed S.D LAWAL General Manager, (Procurement).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National News

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ife residents demand truth about Ooni’s whereabouts Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

esidents of Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday expressed concern over the possible

demise of the Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. According to some residents of the ancient town, who spoke with newsmen, Oba Sijuwade had permanently etched his presence

Police nab 595, convict 332 persons for cultism Francis Suberu

agos State police command yesterday said it arrested about 595 cult members, prosecuted 400 and convicted 332 others in a bid to rid the state of the nefarious activity. Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, who disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the state’s Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said activities of cultists and land grabbers would no longer be tolerated in the state. He said jointly the security agencies within the past one month raided some black spots, leading to the arrest of the suspects. The commissioner said, “We will not relent; we will continue the raiding of black spots to rid Lagos of street hawking and crime. We will enforce those laws to get them off our roads, where they are not supposed to be. “We are not just doing that, we are also inviting

the various Okada rider associations to let them know that everybody needs to obey the law and that when laws are made, they are not made for the fun of it, but to be enforced, and jointly with their cooperation to senstise them on the need for them not to break the law.” According to the CP, the meeting looked at the menace of street trading, land grabbers and other security issues in the state within the last one month. Owoseni added that the security council also looked at areas where the state’s police command has upper hand and areas that needed improvements, like traffic gridlock and highway robbery. “We have taken a decision to step up activities. First is to decongest the traffic gridlock. Once traffic moves, we are going to take the street traders and hawkers off the road. “Once we decongest, we would also reduce the incidence of motorists being robbed on our roads. Also, the response time to distress calls would be improved upon,” he said.

Customs generate N5.89bn in four months in Oyo Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ustoms Area Controller for Oyo/ Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Mohammed Bawa, yesterday said the Command generated a whopping N5,898,773,058.56 in the last four months. The customs boss, while addressing journalists in Ibadan shortly before carrying out destruction of 120 cartons of imported frozen products it seized, said a total of 92 seizures with eight suspects were taken into custody in the period under review, while Duty Paid Value of the sei-

zures amounted to N218.5 million. He said: “Operatives of the command will continue to intensify efforts at keeping the recalcitrant smugglers, especially of imported poultry products out of business, while those caught will be made to face the law.” Bawa, who took over command on March 25 this year, charged members of the public to support government’s ongoing war against importation of imported frozen poultry products, which he said, apart from being injurious to health, would also cripple the economy.

in the hearts of many of his subjects in Ile-Ife, saying he remained a loving and caring monarch. They also declared readiness for any eventuality regarding the monarch’s whereabouts and urged the town’s traditional chiefs to provide concrete proof to support their insistence that the monarch was alive. An indigene of the town, who does not want

to be named, told National Mirror that the absence of the traditional ruler at the wedding ceremony of his son, Adegbite, earlier in the week in Lagos was a pointer to their worst fears. He said: “Maybe the traditional chiefs are just trying to respect tradition concerning the whereabouts of Oba Sijuwade. “Obviously, this is in

line with customs and tradition. What they seem not to understand is that the denial about the status of Oba Sijuwade by the respected chiefs has raised more questions than answer they provided.” Another resident who identified herself as Rabiat Onifade said, “If truly anything has happened to Oba Sijuwade, the chiefs owe residents

in town and the world at large an explanation to end our curiosity.” She, however, said the people’s minds appeared to have been made up regarding the monarch, adding, “It can’t be worse than if he truly died.” Security presence yesterday within the palace and across Ile-Ife was relatively minimal while the palace gate remained open.

Scene of accident where a Tanker carrying 33,000 litres of diesel crashed at Anthony, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Reps to probe Benin Electricity Company Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

ouse of Representatives has asked its committee on power (when constituted), to interface with both the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, over failure to supply electricity to Ilaje/Eseodo, Okitipupa/ Irele and Odigbo/Ileoluji -

Okeibo federal constituencies of Ondo State, as well as the continued demand for payment of bills in the face of no supply. This was the outcome of a motion brought by Hon. Kolade Akinjo titled, “Urgent Need For Intervention in the Disconnection of Electric Power Supply to Ilaje/ Eseodo, Okitipupa/Irele and Odigbo/Ileoluji Okeibo Federal constituencies of Ondo State by BEDC.”

He complained that his constituency had been grappling with blackout for the past 15 months. The lawmaker expressed worry that the continued power outage in these areas for such a long period had brought untold hardships on the inhabitants and paralysed business activities, leaving them with no other choice than to resort to buying fuel at exorbitant prices to power their generating sets.

“The prevailing situation has adversely affected the social wellbeing of the people, created serious security challenge, which has led to increased crime rate. But despite the blackout, the people are still being pressured to pay electricity bills,” the lawmaker lamented. The motion was unanimously adopted by the House, which was presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

…Commence screening of Service Chiefs Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

hief of Defence Staff, CDS-designate, Maj-Gen Gabriel Olonishakin and his service chiefs yesterday appeared before the ad-hoc committee of House of Representatives scheduled to screen them.

Alongside the CDS were Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Maj-Gen Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, and Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar. The House had at its resumed plenary on July 28, constituted the adhoc committee to screen the new service chiefs

following a request by President Muhammadu Buhari. The committee was asked to conclude its assignment within seven days and report back to the House. At the commenced screening, chairman of the committee, Garba Datti, said his committee resolved to conduct the screening as a matter of

urgency in view of the security situation in the country. He said the committee would verify whether the service chiefs deserved the appointments. Datti said they would have to provide the needed legislative impetus for the committee to recommend them to the House for confirmation.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

I won’t relent in transforming Osun –Aregbesola BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

Officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), bidding farewell to former Commandant-General, Dr Ade Abolurin, during his home-coming in Lagos, yesterday.

120 lives lost to trailer accidents –FRSC …launches ‘Operation Scorpion’

ederal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, yesterday said no fewer than 120 lives were lost to tanker and trailer-related accidents this year between March and July on the nation’s roads. Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi disclosed this at the opening of the Annual Certification Programme for drivers of tankers and trailers in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the nation-wide fourday programme tagged: `Drivers’ Certification for Safety on Wheels’ is scheduled for August 4 8. Oyeyemi said: “The activities of tanker/trailer drivers across the country have increasingly attained an inevitable and unenviable status and have also become a source of concern to all road safety stakeholders in the country. “Available statistics indicate that between March and July this year alone, over 120 lives were lost to accidents involving tankers and articulated vehicles with more people sustaining various degrees of injuries. “Valuable properties were also lost to inferno following the spate of road crashes involving tankers and trailers.” According to him, since 2012, tankers and trailers have accounted for over 22 per cent of total crashes involving ve-

hicles across the country. Oyeyemi, who said the situation was frightening, noted that a good percentage of the victims fell within the productive age bracket of the national population. He said the sensitisation was one of the corps’ practical steps toward road safety management and administration, stressing that it would bring the menace under control. He said the training would ensure that drivers observed best practices from the point of loading to the point of delivery to guarantee safety of lives and property. The Corps Marshal urged the drivers to always take care of their health. He reminded them that the enforcement of Speed Limit Device in commercial vehicles would commence on September 1, stressing that speed-related crashes account for 50 per cent of crashes. Oyeyemi said the corps was committed to attaining 50 per cent reduction in traffic crashes and fatality on the nation’s roads. According to him, no fewer than 500 tanker and trailer drivers were arrested between July 27 and July 28 during the corps “Operation Scorpion” patrol. National President of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Igwe Achese, urged all tanker

drivers to heed the warnings of FRSC to enhance their safety. Achese said the training would change the attitude of drivers and enhance safety on the roads. Also, National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, Salmo Oladiti, commended the corps for the training targeted at minimising accidents on our roads. Oladiti, who noted that the training was unique in terms of skills, health and ethics, urged members to shun reckless driving. President, Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Kassim Bataiya, said the training would reduce the rate of accident on the roads. Bataiya urged all drivers to obey traffic rules and regulations and promised to sponsor the programme whenever it holds in Kano State. Meanwhile, FRSC, Kaduna Sector Command, yesterday began a special patrol tagged “Operation Scorpion” to reduce accidents on Kaduna - Abuja highway. The Sector Commander, Mr Francis Udoma, told newsmen in Kaduna that the operation will particularly check the excesses of trailer drivers plying the road. “The main focus of the operation is to address the unacceptable number of accidents recorded on weekly basis on Kaduna Abuja highway. “People’s lives are be-

ing lost as a result of these accidents and it needs to be addressed. “Therefore, we are going all-out to remove all rickety vehicles from our roads and arrest trailers that carry containers particularly trailers with containers that are not well fastened. “Our main goal is to reduce unexpected death of road users due to drivers’ carelessness or road obstructions,” he said. He therefore advised road users to put their vehicles in good shape to avoid arrest, stressing that all rickety vehicles will be seized, until such vehicles are repaired before releasing them to their owners. Udoma said similar operation was also taking place along Benin-Asaba, Onitsha-Owerri, IlorinJebba, Mokwa-Makere and Lagos-Ibadan highways.

sun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said his administration will not relent in its efforts to change the face of Osun through urbanisation. He also said urbanisation was very germane to his government’s economic rediscovery of the state. A statement by Director Bureau of Communication & Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Aregbesola as saying these while receiving an award of excellence at the 45th conference of the Nigerian Institute of Building at the University of Ibadan International Conference in Ibadan. The institute said Aregbesola was deemed fit for the award because of his several landmark achievements, which included massive construction of roads, mega schools, hospitals, new markets, security, school feeding programme, among others Aregbesola commended the institute for identifying with the successes of his administration in Osun despite what he called targeted and sustained attacks and criticisms from opposition of his government over inability to pay salaries promptly. Those who witnessed the event include the President, Nigerian Institute of Building, Tunde Lasabi, Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo

Afolabi and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Isaac Adewole. The governor also lauded the institute for its efforts at improving the environment and for imposing standard on building construction. He stressed that his administration has returned sanity to the building environment with the need to make structures in Osun safe and create a beautiful environment at the same time. The governor, while describing the building environment in Osun as challenging, stressed that most of the cities in the state that qualify as urban centres are historical places existing for over 500 years. He noted that nine cities of Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ikire, Ejigbo, Ede, Iwo, Ikirun and Ila-Orangun were under the renewal exercise covering a kilometre radius from the Oba’s palace, regarded as the centre of town in each city. Aregbesola pointed out that his administration has renewed negotiation with the UN-Habitat by paying counterpart fund of N100 million. Other cities, besides the initial nine, will receive similar attention in due course. He emphasised that plans for the towns and cities were long-range and would cover a radius of 25 kilometres. Aregbesola said such plans were meant to lay solid foundation for the development of the towns and cities for the next 20 years, and reduce the problems of urbanisation in the state.

Yabatech: CLO storms EFCC’s office over N4bn scam QUADRI BABATUNDE

ivil Liberties Organisation, CLO, yesterday staged a protest at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos office over alleged N4 billion scam by Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Kudirat Ladipo. According to CLO president, Igho Akeregha, the protest is to entrench the recent mismanagement of fund by rector of the institution, which was exposed by

sacked bursar, Olu Ibirogba, along with seven other members of the bursary department. He told journalists during the protest that the rector with the governing council of the institution took the law into their hands by victimising and dismissing some workers of the institution for blowing the whistle on corruption. Members of the group carried placards with different inscriptions like, “Buhari save YABATECH now.” He therefore, called on

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, to make public to President Muhammadu Buhari and all Nigerians the outcome of its investigation on the matter. He also urged the President to direct the rector and management of the institution to step down during investigation. However, during the protest, EFCC officials did not allow journalists to gain entrance into its office, and permitted only two members of CLO in to meet with them.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

30 petrol stations shut in Ekiti ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

Members of Civil Liberties Organization protesting alleged N4bn scam in Yabatech at the Lagos office of EFCC, yesterday.

PHOTO: Quadri Babatunde

Fashion designer arrested with cocaine at Lagos Airport OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, attached to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, said it arrested a 29-year-old fashion designer over unlawful importation and possession of 44 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine, weighing 850 grammes. The arrest and seizure the agency stated, took place at MMIA during the inward screening of pas-

sengers on a Qatar Airline flight. Media statement by the spokesman of the agency, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, gave the name of the suspect as Ajaero Okechukwu Kingsley. He said the suspect arrived in the country from Sao Paulo with the illicit substance, adding that the suspect who hailed from Abia State had already excreted 44 wraps of substances that tested positive for the drug. According to Ofoyeju, the suspect attributed his arrest on operational mistake on the part of his busi-

ness partner. He confessed, “I am a fashion designer by profession. I went to Brazil two years ago in search of better working conditions. This is my first time of trafficking in drugs and I got involved through friends. In line with my plan, I was expecting 30,000 euros as my profit. “My business partner was to collect the drug from me while on transit in Qatar, but he failed to show-up. I was compelled to come to Nigeria with the drugs, but I excreted 30 on board the aircraft.” Commenting on the ar-

rest, Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the agency would continue to pay priority attention to passengers coming from Brazil. He said Brazil was a source country for cocaine and the agency would continue to beam its searchlight on the route. “Those who seek to enrich themselves through drug trafficking shall be arrested and prosecuted.” Giade called on members of the public to assist the anti-drug agency in reporting suspected cases of drug trafficking, production and abuse for necessary action.

Dabiri-Erewa denies indebtedness to any bank TOLA AKINMUTIMI

arely 24 hours after some banks made public names of their delinquent debtors, indications emerged that the lists may not be errorfree, after all. For instance, a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has denied owing anybody or bank, describing the publication of her picture and name as a Director of one of the debtor companies - Thriller Endeavor Company - to Diamond Bank Plc, as outright falsehood. The former lawmaker, in a protest letter titled ‘Re: Emeka Offor, Abike Dabiri’s Firms, Others

Owe Banks N143.81bn’ sent to the Editor of The Punch over its publication on Diamond Bank debtors, stated that it was an embarrassment to see her picture and name among those allegedly owing the bank. She maintained that she had neither any relationship with the company nor knowledge about the debt. According to her, if the company claimed she is a Director, then the owners did so without her knowledge or permission. Hon. Dabiri-Erewa stated that if that was the case, then naming her in a company she knew nothing about was fraudulent and an act that calls for thorough investigation by security agencies.

She said: “I was thoroughly embarrassed to see my picture on the front page of Punch Newspaper that Thriller Endeavor Company, claiming me as a director, owes about N100m to Diamond Bank. “I know nothing about the said company, Thriller Endeavor, or its activities, as mentioned in the publication. “If the company claims I am a director in the said bank, then it has definitely done so without my knowledge and without my permission. “If this is the case, it’s a case of fraud and will have to be brought to the attention of relevant security agencies, the bank in question, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“I once again state categorically that the company (Thriller Endeavour) is not known to me. “As a very contented person, I owe nobody any money, not even myself.” Some analysts had raised concerns about the banks’ capacity to produce authentic lists of debtors in view of the enormity of the processes involved, particularly as some of them might have fully verified and reconciled the affected accounts’ loan portfolios. It would be recalled that CBN had on April 22 directed financial institutions to commence the publication of names of their delinquent debtors in at least three national newspapers effective from August 1, this year.

kiti State Petroleum Products Consumer Protection Agency has sanctioned 30 filling stations in the state for engaging in sharp practices. Chairman of the agency, Elder Adeyemi Adebayo, said in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the erring filling stations were in the last six months, sanctioned for various offences. Adebayo said the offences included hoarding of petroleum products, under-dispensing of products to unsuspecting customers, unauthorised adjustment of tramline pumps and outright diversion of petroleum products allocated to them. He said apart from sealing the affected fillings stations for a period of time, the agency also slammed fines ranging from N200,000 to N250,000 each on the indicted marketers. He urged vehicle owners and other consumers of petroleum product in

the state not to engage in panic buying, as there were enough petroleum products in circulation in the state. Meanwhile, the state government has donated N200,000 to the state’s chapter of the federal civil service pensioners to enable the senior citizens secure a befitting office accommodation for their association in the state capital. Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade, said the present administration in the state was committed to the welfare of the senior citizens. Alade said the state government would continue to show its gratitude to the retirees for their immense contributions to the development of the nation during their prime and for their unequivocal support for the present administration in the state. She said the state government would continue to fashion out ways of assisting the people of the state to pursue and realise their aspirations without prejudice to class, colour, party, tribe and religion.

OPU chairman suspended, accused of disrespecting Ataoja BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

risis rocking Osogbo Progressive Union, OPU, flagship body for Osogbo indigenes, has taken a new turn with the suspension of the home branch chairman of the organisation, Mr. Woleola Akeem. National leadership of the body, while announcing his suspension, listed, among others, alleged acceptance of money on behalf of the union from a politician and failing to disclose such to other members of the executive. Addressing a press conference in Osogbo yesterday, National Public Relations Officer of OPU, Alhaji Oyesiku Adelu, who spoke on behalf of the national president, Ambassador Rasaq Siyanbola, said the decision to suspend Akeem was arrived at by a 9-member committee that looked into various allegations levelled against him. According to the letter suspending Akeem signed

by Osogbo branch, Vice Chairman and Assistant Secretary of OPU, Alhaji Sikiru Iyanda, copies of which were made available to newsmen, the executive committee of the body, said its chairman was suspended based on his recalcitrant posture and for disrespecting the Ataoja. Adelu further explained: “He (Akeem) has a penchant for disregarding and disrespecting the revered traditional stool of Ataoja and other leaders of our town. This can no longer be tolerated. “He has also arrogated to himself unbridled and unwarranted authority. As the umbrella of Osogbo people home and Diaspora, we cannot fold our arms when an army of power mongers and attention seekers desecrate the respectable stool of the Ataoja and denigrate the image of our leaders. But reacting, the suspended chairman, said the allegations against him were baseless and untrue, adding that it was an attempt to smear his personality.

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Imo pensioners reject new verification exercise Chris Njoku OWERRI

igeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Imo State chapter, yesterday explained reasons why it stopped its members from participating in the scheduled verification of pensioners in the state, saying previous exercise did not solve the problems of unpaid pension arrears. Speaking with our correspondent yesterday in Owerri, the state’s chairman of NUP, Chief Gideon Ezeji, maintained that the union was not against the verification, but was against the monotonous exercise, which never solved the problems of unpaid pension. He said the position of the council was that before any form of verification would be conducted, government must pay at least three months arrears to pensioners, adding that the government’s action was a ploy to delay payment of the pension arrears. “Pensioners, who retired as primary school teachers, are owed 19 months, local government pensioners owed six months, civil service pensioners owed five months, among others. “Government should pay three months arrears of pen-

sion to retired civil servants and five months to retired primary school teachers owed up to 19 months for the starving and sick pensioners to receive something to enable them gain the strength to come for the verification exercise,” he said. He expressed surprise that government decided to embark on verification exercise by cajoling some of the pensioners to participate in the exercise against their wishes. The NUP chairman condemned in strong terms the so-called agreement between the state government and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, wherein both parties decided that payment of pension arrears be spread for 36 months. “Why we are not happy with that decision is that there are pensioners, who receive about N3,000 monthly and their lives depend on that because they have no other means of livelihood. If you spread such amount for 36 months, how much will such person collect at the end of every month?” he queried. Ezeji further expressed sadness over the indifference of Governor Rochas Okorocha on correspondences by the union to meet with him over the plight of pensioners.

Reps task FG on EnuguOnitsha Expressway Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday, in its plenary mandated the House Committee on Works (when constituted) to liaise with the Ministry of Works to ensure the EnuguOnitsha Expressway is adequately rehabilitated and completed. A motion titled “Deplorable Condition of EnuguOnitsha Expressway and the Need to Complete its Rehabilitation” brought by Eucharia Azodo, noted that the expressway, which connects Enugu to Anambra State, was a vital trunk ‘A’ road of economic importance to the two states in particular and the generality of Nigerian people. “The expressway, which was constructed over 20 years ago, has been in a deplorable state for quite some time now and ongoing ef-

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

forts at rehabilitating the road have produced poor quality work,” she said. The lawmaker also observed that the deplorable state of the road led to traffic gridlock, which had brought untold hardship on motorists who ply the road on daily basis, adding that it had also become a den of armed robbers who attack motorists at night.

Power outage paralyses economic activities in Nsukka

ower outage has paralysed economic activities in Nsukka, Enugu State, following a five-day non-supply of electricity to the area. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the university town, which relied on public power supply for businesses have now resorted to generator sets. Mr Victory Uchendu, who runs a laundry business in the town, told NAN on Tuesday that for the past four days he had been buying petrol to power his generating set because of the situation.

“I gave date to my customers when to collect their clothes. Non-supply of power will not be an excuse, which is why I buy petrol to ensure I delivered on the agreed dates. “I am spending this money on petrol to ensure I satisfy my customers. “I went to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, office to know what the problem was, but I was told it was transmission problem,” Uchendu said. A frozen meat and fish dealer, Mrs Ngozi Obodo, said the power outage had

seriously affected her business. “This business requires 24-hour electricity supply to prevent the goods from spoiling; no customer will buy meat or fish that has got rotten. “Somebody, who works in EEDC, said the problem is transmission and the engineers were working hard to rectify it. “The development has affected prices of other goods such as sachet water,, which now sells for N10 per sachet as against the normal price of five naira,” Obodo said. A manager in one of the

filling stations in Nsukka, Mr Anthony Ukah, said the station had experienced increased patronage in the past four days. “I notice many people coming to buy petrol, especially in the evenings to power their generating sets,” Ukah said. An engineer in the faults unit of EEDC Nsukka District office, who pleaded anonymity, said the outage was caused by a fault at EEDC power house in Nsukka. “I am hopeful the fault would be rectified soonest,” the engineer said.

The 1st Deputy President of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Mr Donatus Ebubeogu (standing) reading Communiqué of the 8th Annual Lecture Series of “The Perspective’’ of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

bonyi State House of Assembly on Tuesday compelled the China Civil Construction and Engineering Company, CCECC, to refund over six hundred million naira on a failed road project awarded to it by former Governor, Chief Martin Elechi.

Failed contract: Ebonyi Assembly directs CCECC to refund N600m The House mandated the CCECC to refund the money to the coffers of the state government with immediate effect as the company has failed to keep to the terms of the contract. It would be recalled that

Anambra records 76 fire incidents in 6 months nambra Fire Service on Tuesday said it recorded no fewer than 76 fire incidents in the state between January and June, this year. Acting Deputy Director of the service, Mr Innocent Mbonu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Awka. Mbonu said the incidents

included the petroleum tanker fire at Asaba Park in Upper Iweka area of Onitsha, in which many lives were lost. He said 39 fire cases were reported across the state in January, nine each in February and March, eight in April and 10 each in May and June. He said the agency responded to most of the incidents except in cases where

it was called in late. Mbonu, however, said the agency was still faced with some challenges, which had continued to account for delays in its response to emergencies. He said some of the challenges were inadequate manpower, fire trucks and other consumables for firefighting, stressing that if resolved, the service would serve the public better.

the CCECC contractor handled a section of the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway, which, according to investigation, was awarded at the sum of over N4.2bn by former Governor Martin Elechi when it was four months to the end of his tenure. The order to refund the money followed a resolution reached by the House during its plenary. Presenting the report at the floor of the House, the ad hoc committee headed by Humphery Nwurukwu representing Ikwo North state constituency, which investigated the state of the road, noted that the level of work done by the company was not commensurate with the amount of money collected

by the company. The road, which extends from the permanent site of Ebonyi State University, EBSU, to the Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, spans about 5.7 kilometres as it was meant to be dualised. Recall that the road was formerly awarded to SETRACO by the Federal Government before Elechi took it away from them and re-awarded a section of it to CCECC for dualisation. The House through a voice vote unanimously accepted and adopted the report of the adhoc committee with a charge on the management of CCECC to refund the sum of over N660m to the state government without further delay.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

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Buhari seeks approval for Edo’s $75m loan George Oji ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has sent a letter to the National Assembly requesting approval for a $75 million World Bank credit facility for Edo State. The sum is part of the $225 million development policy programme facility earlier approved by the World Bank for Edo State

government in 2012. The facility is to be implemented in three tranches of $75m each. The first $75m tranche was approved by the National Assembly in the 2012/2014 Federal Government external borrowing plan. Following successful implementation of the first tranche of the facility by Edo State government in 2014, the World Bank’s board of executive

directors approved the second tranche. However, as required by the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Government needs the approval of the National Assembly before the state can draw from the fund. In the letter by Buhari to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, which was read on the floor of the Senate yesterday, the President wrote, “I am writing to seek consider-

ation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Nigeria, for approval of the request from Edo State government to obtain a $75m credit facility from the World Bank. “You may wish to know that the World Bank had approved a development policy programme for the total sum of $225 million to Edo government in 2012 to be implemented in three tranches of $75 million per annum.

“The first tranche was approved by the National Assembly in the 2012/2014 Federal Government external borrowing plan. “The DPO has since been successfully implemented by the state in 2014. “Following this success, the bank’s board of executive directors approved the second tranche. “On April 29, 2015, the DPO too was captured in the Federal Government’s external borrowing plan of 2014/2017, which is pending at the National Assembly. “It is for the above reason that I seek your favour to facilitate the consideration and approval of the development policy operation to loan $75 million to enable the state consolidate on the first tranche of

the operation, DPO 1. “Your Excellency, it’s instructive to mention that Edo has informed me that the key programme objectives of the DPO are already beginning to show in terms of increased influence of private investment to the state. “In closed private sector employment opportunities and increased internally generated revenues, an accelerated approval of this request will help to sustain the project. “I look forward, distinguished Senate president, to the usual and kind expeditious consideration of the above request by the senate. “This letter supersedes HCF/3143/t/137 of July 28, 2015. Please accept as usual your assurances of my highest regards.”

Rivers: IGP reads riot act to kidnappers, criminals Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

L- R: A student of the University of Benin, Eloghosa Iyamu; former Adviser to the President on Petroleum, Dr Emmanuel Egbogah inspecting a car built by students of the institution for the Shell Eco-marathon competition at the 2015 conference and exhibition of the Society of Engineers in Lagos, yesterday.

No 2nd term for Dickson, ex-commissioners warn Osahon Julius YENAGOA

or mer Commissioners for Transport and Sports Bayelsa State under Gover nor Seriake Dickson, Mrs. Marie Ebikake and Ebikitin Diongoli, have vowed to make sure their former boss and incumbent gover nor does not retur n for second ter m. While saying they would do anything to stop him, they added that Dickson’s candidature will spell doom for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stressing that the party will lose woefully if the governor is allowed to recontest the December 5 election. Ebikake and Diongoli spoke on Tuesday under the auspices of PDP Unity Forum. Ebikake, coordinator, PDP Unity Forum,

said the indignation of Bayelsans had grown under Dickson as he had failed the people and lacked foresight to gover n the state again. Ebikake, who was removed from office for alleged closeness to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, also gave insight into what transpired during their meeting with PDP’s Board of Trustees in for mer President Goodluck Jonathan’s residence in Otuoke. She said during the meeting, Dickson and for mer gover nor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha were barred from participating because it was not meant for reconciliation. She also corrected the insinuation in some quarters that she and other members of the forum were either expelled or suspended, saying there was no time they were sanc-

tioned by the party. Ebikake, who commended the Board of Trustees, BOT members for intervening in the crisis in Bayelsa PDP, admitted that prior to their intervention PDP was divided because of Dickson’s alleged highhandedness and manipulation. She said it was such division and crises that led to the for mation of Unity Forum within PDP with a view to uniting members. On his part, Diongolo said members of the forum were bent on preventing Dickson from flying PDP’s flag in the state and restated that if by any chance the party gave him its ticket, PDP stood to lose the gover norship poll. He dismissed insinuation that BoT meeting with members of Unity Forum was called by Dickson to

reconcile members. Concer ning the PDP Acting chair man, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spif f, the for mer sports commissioner said members of the party had never recognised him. Describing DokuboSpif f as an impostor, Diongoli said Col. Sam Inokoba (retd.) remained the authentic and substantive Bayelsa PDP chair man. But a source from Gover nment House, who did not want his name mentioned, said it was sad that Ebikake who allegedly ran down her ministry could crititicise Dickson for non-perfor mance. The source said Ebikake would soon be facing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged mismanagement of the state’s Restoration cabs project running into millions of naira.

nspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, yesterday said the police will not allow kidnappers and criminal gangs, including cult members, to take over Rivers State. Also, he said the police will find a way to ensure that those in possession of illegal firearms in the state surrendered them. Arase said these yesterday in an address to officers and men of Rivers State police at the command’s headquarters at Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, as well as during a courtesy call on Governor Nyesom Wike at Government House. The IGP, who described the upsurge in criminal activities in the state as worrisome, urged his men to brace up to the challenge to ensure that armed gangs do not have the better of trained policemen, pointing out that the post-election violence nearly plunged Rivers into chaos. He said such criminal activities would have adverse effect on the socioeconomic development of the state, pointing out that a state of anarchy

could not be allowed in Rivers or any other part of the country, even as he commended his men’s efforts in combating crime there. He warned policemen not to go into land matters, saying the police was not competent in determining land ownership, except the criminal aspect of such matters. On illegal proliferation of firearms in the system, Arase said, “You people must get information and get those things out of the place. Nobody is above the law and in your policing, I will stand by you once you are straight, once you are firm, once you are bold.” He thanked Wike for his support to police in the state and assured that “we will do everything to ensure you have a peaceful state.” Responding, the governor said kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery was the order of the day before a new police commissioner was posted to the state. He said the new Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike, came up with ideas and partnered other security agencies, including the Army and Navy to fight crime in the state.

Wednesday August 5, 2015

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Politics

Nigerian Army and the punishment of troops

efore the Boko Haram war assumed a deadly dimension in 2011, the Nigerian military had pride itself as one of the best in the world, as a superior fighting force in Africa, having superior fire powers. Yes, it was, because of its involvement in peace keeping operations world over, where it met conventional issues that tallied with their strengths. However, its emptiness soon became very pronounced when the Boko Haram insurgency was biting harder, as troops deserted war fronts, fled and abandoned territories for enemies and refused to fight, alleging inferior fire powers. Consequently, several territories in the North-East were captured and occupied by Boko Haram terrorists, who killed, maimed and committed other atrocities with impunity, as they declared phantom “Islamic Caliphate” with its demolished headquarters at Gwoza, Borno State. This was the highpoint of the war. The Nigerian military was embarrassed and disgraced both by Boko Haram and citizens, who called them all sorts of unpleasant names. The Army was angered and the only way to redeem its image was to punish troops who contravened army rules which clearly indicates that the soldier must stand and fight, including paying the supreme price for fatherland. Courts-martial were set up, commanders were under pressure to submit erring soldiers for trial over mutiny to serve as a deterrent to others and restore discipline, which was being fast eroded in the Army. Thus, any slight disobedience and actions depicting insubordination in form of questioning a commander’s order to fight, was sent straight to the court martial. The courts-martial sat, tried and meted out sanctions including death sentences and life imprisonment on soldiers prosecuting the Boko Haram war, while others were summarily dismissed by their commanders, without even attending a court martial. Since 2012, over 65 soldiers have been convicted and sentenced to death by firing squad, some to serve life jail terms side by side their death sentence and they had since been in incarceration The action which caused serious fears in the military actually achieved its aim of restoring discipline, this was not without paying attention to the issues raised by troops, which made the military to begin winning the war and recovering territories leading to its “Never Again” slogan. Although indiscipline is not encouraged, Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and counsel to the accused soldiers have shouted to the high heavens that there is a miscarriage of justice in the trials of his clients, but the military turned a deaf ear. He argued at the courts-martial that the remote complaints should have been looked into with a view to correcting them than insist on killing young men who put their lives on the line to save others, even as they watched many of their colleagues killed helplessly when such deaths should have been avoided if there were proper planning for the war, proper directives and proper equipment, yet this argument was seen as nonsense. Borno State governor, Kashim Shetima, raised the alarm that Boko Haram insurgents wielded superior fire powers than the soldiers, a reason he said was behind the inability to have won the war, the military under the watch of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, rtd, and immediate past Chief of Army Staff, CoAS, Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah, rtd, in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said it was not true, painting a picture of sabotage by soldiers, that the military had what it took in terms of arms and personnel strengths to

Over the past few years, the Nigerian Army has set up courts-martial which tried and meted sanctions, including death sentence and life imprisonment on soldiers prosecuting the Boko Haram war, while others were summarily dismissed by their commanders, without even attending a court martial. UBONG UKPONG takes a critical look at the issues surrounding soldiers’ actions and unjustifiable punishments of troops by the Nigerian Army.

Buratai

BADEH KNEW, AND SAID THAT IT WOULD BE VERY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE COUNTRY TO WIN THE WAR WITH ALL THESE

PROBLEMS AROUND, YET... INNOCENT SOLDIERS WERE PUSHED INTO BATTLE FRONTS UNDER THESE CONDITIONS conquer Boko Haram. There were calls for the Army to reconsider scores of soldiers that were dismissed from service and review the actions of the courts-martial, but rather than gave it a thought since the right equipment were now supplied and the war beginning to be won, Minimah vowed that he was going to set up more courts-martial. His exit from service appeared to bring joy to troops as he would not be able to set up more courts-martial and would not prevent a review of the disciplinary measures. Already, his successor, Maj-Gen Tukur Buratai, has ordered an administrative review of all the disciplinary issues with a view to bringing respite to the affected soldiers. The Nigerian Army had already disclosed its plans to forgive and recall the soldiers, which is a good step in the right direction. In a terse statement through the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col Sani Usman, the Nigerian Army Headquarters, AHQ, said that the exercise became inevitable following the high wave of litigation and petition on the matter. It said that the exercise was “an administrative procedure

to review some recent disciplinary cases in the Nigerian Army. “For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that the Nigerian Army is reviewing all recent disciplinary cases due to the wave of litigations and petitions by some aggrieved personnel.” Also, that the Federal Government has gone ahead to dissolve the courts- martial, is a welcome development, as it would clear all distractions to the war. Badeh and Minimah, as CDS and CoAS, watched soldiers went to war front ill-equipped and killed like fowls by insurgents, only for them to punish those who retreated for refusing to die. Badeh, during his pull out ceremony, in Abuja, said he lead an ill-equipped military since his appointment, as the military was crippled by past military Heads of State in an unholy alliance with foreign countries for the survival of their regimes. He revealed that these unholy acts were responsible for the present inability of the armed forces to win the ongoing war against Boko Haram. Hear how the General said past Heads of state crippled Nigerian military, as they sold the country’s dignity and military negotiation power, turning the country into a beggar before foreign nations: “There is no gain saying the fact that no nation can exercise freedom of action in meeting its security aspirations while totally dependent on foreign sources of supply for its arms and equipment. “Permit me to also add here, that nation’s militaries are equipped and trained in peace time, for the conflicts they expect to confront in the future. Unfortunately, that has not been our experience as a nation. “Over the years, the military was neglected and underequipped to ensure the survival of certain regimes, while other regimes, based on advice from some foreign nations, deliberately reduced the size of the military and underfunded it. “Unfortunately, our past leaders accepted such recommendations without appreciating our peculiarities as a third world military, which does not have the technological advantage that could serve as force multipliers and compensate for reduced strength. “Accordingly, when faced with the crises in the North-East and other parts of the country, the military was overstretched and had to embark on emergency recruitments and trainings, which were not adequate to prepare troops for the kind of situation we found ourselves in. “It is important therefore for the government to decide on the kind of military force it needs, by carrying out a comprehensive review of the nation’s military force structure to determine the size, capability and equipment holding required to effectively defend the nation and provide needed security.” Badeh knew, and said that it would be very impossible for the country to win the war with all these problems around, yet rather than address them, innocent soldiers were pushed into battle fronts under these conditions. Thus, it would not be out of place to canvass total forgiveness and recall to all the affected soldiers considering the revelations of the former CDS.

Politics

Wednesday August 5, 2015

PDP’s long walk to ignominy FELIX OFOU

here is something wrong with the average Nigerian politician. He never learns from his mistakes. Every contest is treated as a game of chance, try your luck, and he expects to be declared winner at the end. It does not matter if there are more than a dozen political parties or if the contestants are more than half a dozen. Each party would boast of winning and expects to win, despite the odds. That is the lot of most politicians. Often living a lie or living in self denial. For Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the walk towards ignominy began from its first national convention in Jos, where former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, clearly the favourites of the delegates, was mysteriously “manipulated” to pave way for General Olusegun Obasanjo, who was drafted by the military oligarchy to emerge as the presidential candidate of the party. Even though Obasanjo was drafted to atone for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election considered a robbery of the South-West, the resolve by the cabal to shove Ekwueme aside dealt a terrible blow on the bludgeoning democratic process that was unfolding at the advent of the civilian rule in 1999. With the compromise of the internal democracy in the PDP came other challenges which helped to weaken the party. Money politics or the inducement of delegates, godfatherism, thuggery and threat or persecution of perceived political opponents were introduced in quick succession. And slowly, but surely, the death knell of the PDP became an unavoidable reality. It is also important to recall that President Obasanjo after taking over from General Abdulsalami Abubakar on May 29, 1999, soon arm-twisted PDP National Executive Committee, NEC, to become the leader of the party, a position which gave him powers to play God, literally. So powerful was the then Nigerian President that he determined who became a counsellor, local government chairman and in some ridiculous instances, the ward chairman. Sadly, successive rulers, who took over from Obasanjo, including late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan, did not see anything wrong in what Obasanjo did, nor the potential threat to the survival and existence of the party that singular decision portends. Instead, they exploited whatever perceived advantages to ensure that their cronies occupied key positions in the party as well as other top government positions in the country. But it is a negative commentary on leaders of the party who failed to stand up to the evident forceful take over initiated by Obasanjo, and copied by Yar’Adua and Jonathan. The only exceptions were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Chief Audu Ogbeh, one time PDP National Chairman. However, their opposition was not effective, leading to their ouster from the party. Today, the duo is among the leading lights in the rival All Progressives Congress, APC, on which platform President Muhammadu Buhari won election on March 28. Yet PDP leaders had the first, second and aborted third republics to learn how party politics is played and nurtured, even if they did not want to bother with what is obtainable in neighbouring Ghana, or in the United Kingdom, the United States of America or South Africa, where the leader of the party can ask the President to quit as was the case, when Thabo Mbeki was forced to step down. Take the first republic for instance, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, opted to stay behind in the North as Premier and leader of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Congress, NPC, when the opportunity presented itself for him to go to the centre. Instead, he put forward Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who later became Nigeria’s Prime Minister at Independence in 1960. The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was leader of the defunct Action Group as Premier of the Western Re-

Jonathan

PRESIDENT BUHARI’S VICTORY AT THE POLLS

PDP LIKE A TSUNAMI. NOBODY

SHOOK THE

ANTICIPATED THE PARTY’S LOSS, MORE SO WHEN IT WAS SPENDING MONEY, INCLUDING

AMERICAN

DOLLARS TO BUY SUPPORT FOR ITS CANDIDATE,

PRESIDENT JONATHAN gion and he had no qualms putting forward the late Chief Ladoke Akintola, although the latter somewhat betrayed Awolowo in the end. Being leader of the party was definitely more important and no shrewd politician was willing to trade it for another position, except in addition to what he already had. Nigerians, of course, would recall the glamour and opulence associated with the late Chief Adisa Akinloye, National Chairman of defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, whose home in Ibadan became a Mecca for power mongers and others seeking to peddle influence. So powerful was Akinloye that a champagne party was going on in his house when the military struck in 1983. And it was no surprise that he was targeted more than President Shehu Shagari who was in power at that time. Unfortunately none of the PDP leaders, including Jonathan and his kitchen cabinet anticipated the imminent downfall of the party. Neither did they expect that from a projected 60 years, the party would rule Nigeria for only 16. Not to talk of the fact that it would be downgraded from being the largest in Africa to an opposition party. President Buhari’s victory at the polls shook the PDP like a tsunami. Nobody anticipated the party’s loss, more so when it was spending money, including American dollars to buy support for its candidate, President Jonathan. The APC easily crushed the PDP to become the ruling party and confined the latter to the opposition.

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Was PDP’s loss a surprise to any discerning student of politics and contemporary history? I don’t think so. The signs were clearly visible and only a blind man could have attempted to take a walk into an alley that leads to a burning furnace as Jonathan and his co-travelers in the PDP did. With the 2015 elections approaching, President Jonathan, against his wish was forced to jettison Alhaji Bamanga Tukur in favour of former Governor Adamu Mua’zu as PDP National Chairman. Then came a string of victories in Ekiti and Ondo gubernatorial elections and the party was fooled into believing that as had been the case in the past 16 years, it would cruise to an easy over over the APC. Little did it realise that nemesis was lurking around the corner. Analysts believe that the greatest mistake by President Jonathan and the PDP was allowing five governors to walk out of the Eagle Square in Abuja. They are wrong. The very first misstep took place when the No 1 citizen picked a quarrel with former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi. For that action stoked the fire that eventually consumed the PDP, Jonathan and the blithering hope of the South-South to have a President who served for two terms. Whether Jonathan picked a proxy fight with Amaechi because of his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, or as a result of famed obstinacy on the part of the former governor, the resulting clash saw PDP kissing the dust in the 2015 polls. Until the former Rivers State helmsman joined forces with then General Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other gladiators in the budding APC, the party was regarded more as a Northern arrangement with a few sympathisers in the South-West. But it was Amaechi’s arrival that gave the party a national outlook. Of course, it was the bid to stop Amaechi’s rising profile that caused the Presidency under Jonathan to polarise the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, another grave mistake which led to the birth of a rival faction led by former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang. The walk out by the five governors therefore became the icing on a cake fresh from oven of crisis, but fuelled by distrust, conspiracy and bigoted pride. First, they announced the formation of PDP and following the courts invalidation of the process, berthed finally in the APC. Even though two of the initial seven, Governors Babangida Aliyu and Sule Lamido of Niger and Jigawa states respectively later retraced their steps and remained in the PDP, it was a huge surprise that they almost fooled everyone about being “born again”. If the self-styled former Servant-Leader, Aliyu and his Jigawa State ally were not Janus faced, how come they eventually “crumbled” under the rampaging menace of the APC in their states? Is it a coincidence that PDP lost in Niger and Jigawa? Apparently the rain started long before those who should now found out too late. Signs that all was not well with the PDP became apparent when the National Working Committee, NWC, and the Presidential Campaign Council adopted separate modus operandi on how best to prosecute the 2015 polls. Failure to observe internal democracy in choosing the party’s candidates, imposition and outright substitution of candidates without due process, and collection of money from unpopular candidates, combined to see the downfall of the so called largest party in Africa. But the resolve by Jonathan and his kitchen cabinet to side-step Mua’zu during the campaigns heralded the descent to ignominy. Notwithstanding his overriding powers, Mua’zu became a distant face as the campaign progressed as a result of the plot. In his place, Chief Uche Secondus was propped up and backed with money and presidential powers. Mua’zu’s exit from the leadership of the party was therefore an anti-climax, as his departure had been foretold much earlier; likewise the exit of Chief Tony Anenih, as chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, BoT. Both men were expected to pilot the PDP to victory, but had been sidelined. They were however forced to swallow the bitter pill of defeat and bear the brunt of the attendant failure that came with it; a case of calling a dog a bad name. Ofou is Special Adviser, Media to former governor of Delta State.

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15 15

From The Civil Service Virology Institute strengthens 260 laboratories nationwide –Dakun

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Tourism can contribute 9.3% to Nigeria GDP if...- NTDC … Opens tourism information desk in Kano JOEL AJAYI, ABUJA

T L-R: Head Media Relation and Strategy, FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem; National Chairman NUPENG, Petrolium Tankers Drivers, Akanni Oladiti and Deputy Corps Marshal,Training;Ademola Lawal at the flag off of 20015 Annual Tankers Drivers Training in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED.

Mobile insurance: NHIS seeks access into 120m phone lines MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

ational Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, has requested for the data of about 120 million mobile lines in the country to enable it accelerate the effectiveness of mobile health insurance in the country. This is even as the scheme blamed huge administrative charges and bureaucracy against identity managers as some of the reasons the pace of mobile health insurance in the country has been slow. Acting Executive Secretary of the scheme, Femi Akingbade, said in Abuja recently while addressing journalists that mobile health insurance should have been more popular since it was launched in 2014, but for some logistic challenges arising from need for inter-agency collaboration and excessive administrative charges on

mobile network operators. Akingbade informed that should the NHIS get the data of registered phone users in the country, it would both promote the universal health coverage drive of the Federal Government and data capturing of everyone in the country. It would be recalled that the scheme had introduced some new programmes in the last two years to ensure all citizens enrol in the scheme. NHIS believes two of the new programmes, mobile health and community health insurance, would have wider acceptability among the population, with the former expected to attract larger enrollees. Addressing journalists, Akingbade said of the new push for the mobile health insurance: “One of the things that is happening is that we are having delivery failure because the stakeholders seem not to totally agree with the payments

Doctors plan better services for patients P.41

and fees that are coming to them based on the agreed distribution of the funds that are being contributed. “This can be attributed to a lot of things because we found out that because of the MNOs, mobile network operators, that are involved, there are lots of government charges that they need to pay and a lot of the fees are going into administrative charges which we are trying to reduce.” The mobile health insurance would require NHIS to tap into teledensity of nearly 120 million Nigerians registered on mobile networks as well link phone numbers to existing data already captured by operators during SIM card registration. But the data is warehoused by the Nigeria Communications Commission. “We need to collaborate with the Nigerian Communication Commission, National Identity Manage-

ment Corporation, Mobile Network Operators, and lots of other agencies that are into identity management and that actually slowed the process which we are actually working on,” said Akingbade. NHIS access to the database would preclude it capturing fresh biometrics for any new enrolee of the mobile health insurance. “One of the things that we are still trying to work on and implore NCC to do is to release that data base for us for access to those data as it saves us a lot in recreating the wheel. “They have already done a biometric registration and they have the details of the people that own these phones. What we are now saying is that if somebody that owns a phone wants to register for NMHIP, please give me the data so that I don’t need to go ahead to start capturing a new biometric data,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

‘Ministers, part of contract award process’

he Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo has revealed that tourism industry in Nigeria can contribute 9.3% of the Gross Domestic Product GDP if appropriate attention is given adding that tourism development remains relevant and important in the economy of any nation in the world. She stated this recently, when NTDC commissioned another tourism information desk in Kano as part of the corporation’s effort towards promoting domestic tourism in the country. However, the corporation that have promotion of domestic tourism as one of its mandate recently, in collaboration with Viko group of companies limited and had commissioned NTDC’s information desk at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, MM2 Terminal and the General Aviation Terminal of the Airport at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos and now Kano Airport. She noted that Kano State is one of the tourism friendly states and also a major tourism hub and gateway in Nigeria. According to her, this is why NTDC found it strategically important to establish the tourism information desk and travel portal at the Aminu Kano International airport. The centre would facilitate travel businesses and promote hospitality and tourism services in Kano and Nigeria at large” “This project will create employment for thousands

of our people and will also add to our effort to rapidly reduce joblessness through the SMEs project”. She further explained that Viko and NTDC are working on a new project that will create over 500,000 jobs for the youth in every state in the country. Mbanefo appealed to stakeholders, private sector operators and the general public to join forces with the corporation to develop the tourism for the benefit of all Nigerians. The DG in the company of the Commissioner for Commerce, Co-operative and Tourism, Alhaji Rabiu Ahmed including some top government dignitaries in the State embarked on tourism tour within Kano metropolis to visit and identify major tourist attractions. Places visited include the Emir of Kano’s Palace, Kofar Mata Dye Pits (established since 1498), Gidan Makama Museum, Kemata Game Reserve linked with Yankari and South Africa, Porto Golf Resort and ‘Kwakwasiya” overhead flyover. In another visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi II, he commended the laudable efforts of the NTDC boss in repositioning NTDC and the milestones achieved within a short time so far and for visiting and marketing Kano State as a major tourism hub. Earlier, the Managing Director of Viko Group of Companies Limited, Mr. Lucky Kanu said the company is only fulfilling the public private partnership for best practices to create jobs for the youth and ensure that the tourism information portal is established in major Airports located in the country.

FCTA debunks claim of subsidized vehicles scheme P.42

P.16

Senator Bala Mohammed, former FCT Minister

Civil Service

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

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CISLAC seeks refugee commission’s partnership on migration policy ADEOLA TUKURU

ABUJA

L-R: Director-General Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research Prof, Femi Taiwo; Acting Director-General Centre for Management Development Alhaji Abdulazeez Ogbole; Statistician- General of the Federation Dr Yemi Kale, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Planning Commission Mr. Bassry Akpanyung, during a meeting with the President in the Villa, Abuja.

FCTA debunks claim of subsidized vehicles scheme

ADEOLA TUKURU, ABUJA

buja Investment Company under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has debunked allegation that the subsidized vehicle scheme for taxi drivers introduced by the former Minister of FCT Senator Bala Mohammed, in 2014 were refurbished The Vice President of Abuja Investment Company and also the coordinator of the Abuja SureP taxi scheme, Ibrahim Aliyu, told newsmen in Abuja that over 350 vehicles were given out to drivers under the phase one scheme, while Abuja Painted Taxi Nigeria Limited were given 57. He added that other vehicles allocated to other operators are yet to lay any complaints. According to him, “We have not received any complaints, those vehicles were given brand new and we carried out our checks. No vehicles were given out beyond the millage of 1,500 km and that 1,500 km was given because of the

movement between Lagos to Abuja, the logistics in Abuja for taking them for paintings and then taking them to the commissioning ground. “That was the only time the vehicles were used, there were acquired from CFAO motors and they are reliable. None of those vehicles had any manufactured date beyond 2012, the phase one was launched in 2013 and the phase two was launched in 2014,” “A Vehicle is a functional utility but depending on how it is been maintained, we have always insisted on maintaining the vehicles and servicing it. The vehicles shouldn’t be used on the rough terrain and also meant for Abuja city , we send texts to the operators of the vehicles to ensure that they bring the vehicles for servicing because it is still our vehicles because they are still paying ,we have an interest in ensuring the vehicles is operated properly. He said the initiative was not an investment project but an initiative by the FCT Administration in 2014 managed by them on behalf of the Government.

Aliyu further clarified that the allegations made by the chairman that the operators were deceived and compelled to sign an agreement, “I wish to make it clear that it was not true because some of the stakeholders are here to attest to it, the agreement were given to them days before the signing and they all took it to their various offices to study it and to come back” “There were two agreements that should be signed, one for the beneficiaries and the other was the guarantee agreement signed by the license operators on behalf of their members, the reason for doing that is for security purpose. If you enter into an agreement and you have every right to pull out of the agreement, and once you enter the agreement and lives up to the obligations and the responsibilities, I don’t think you have any problem with that”. Also, the Secretary General of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Yusuf Ibrahim Adeniyi, also attested that the agreements given to them by the Abuja Investment Company for

the beneficiary and guarantors was given was submitted days after they went through it , adding that the vehicles given to them were brand new because they took inventory of it . It would be recalled that the Chairman, Abuja Painted Taxi Nigeria Limited, Mr. Shehu Yar’Adua, that the Sure-P taxi scheme was introduced by Senator Bala Mohammed, the former Minister of the FCT in 2014, as a subsidised vehicle scheme for taxi drivers were refurbished . He further alleged that the terms of agreement for the Sure-P contract were not favourable to his members and that there were seeking an urgent review of the agreement. According to him, the agreement was one sided because neither the drivers nor their representatives were given the privilege of studying the contents before signing it. He claimed that they were coerced to hurriedly sign the agreement because the minister wanted the taxis to start operating within that week, so there was no time to preview it.

Mobile insurance: NHIS seeks access into 120m phone lines CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

explained Akingbade. We are working with NIMC on the harmonisation of the two data bases and also use the opportunity to help NIMC to register people,” he added. He however noted that the scheme had not been

optimally providing the mobile health insurance payments and fees coming to them from agreed distribution of funds following heavy administrative charges on the mobile network operators. Meanwhile, the NHIS has pledged to reimburse

persons already registered for mobile health insurance when they visit hospitals. 20 hospitals in Lagos State were chosen for the pilot. But, Akingbade informed that people were complaining of the distance of the hospitals to

where they live, and that patronage had been low.” “But I’m sure that with time, we are going to do a national launch and all accredited facilities under the NHIS would be able to render service in the nearest future,” he assured.

ivil Society Organisation Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), an NGO, has pledged to partner with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) on migration policy in Nigeria. Mallam Auwal Musa, Executive Director of CISLAC, stated this in Abuja during a sensitization visit to the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Hajiya Hadiza Kangiwa, said the visit was to strengthen an already existing collaboration between the two organizations to enhance efficient migration management in the country. According to him, with over 170 million citizens, Nigeria is important in migration management as a country of origin, transit and destination for migrants. “Nigeria faces challenges such as diaspora engagement and remittances, inter-regional, rural-urban migration flows, migration of highly skilled and unskilled labour as well as trafficking in persons. “As a country, Nigeria has come to the realization of the enormous

benefits inherent in migration for developmental purposes. “The government has in the last decade activated mechanism towards mainstreaming migration into overall national objectives which culminated in the adoption of a national policy on migration in 2015,” he said. Musa said the adoption of migration policy would usher in the much needed platform for ensuring enhanced coordination of migration related issues in the country. “The policy provides direction for effectively harnessing cross cutting governance thematic areas for development,” he added. He therefore advocated for national campaign on the normative contents of the migration policy in Nigeria and its action plan. In her remark, Kangiwa commended the delegation for the visit and pledged to improve on the already existing collaboration with CISLAC to ensure effective migration management in Nigeria. She said that NCFRMI would continue to be grateful to CISLAC because of its role and contributions in the design of policy framework on migration in the country.

Town planners task FG to embrace physical planning ADEOLA TUKURU, ABUJA

own planners have called on the government to embrace physical planning in order to ensure rapid development of the country. President, Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), Prof. Layi Egunjobi, made the call at the weekend during the 28th Induction and Award of the council, adding that town planning was critical as it promoted sustainable urban environment and development. He said although the number of qualified planners was on the increase in Nigeria, physical planning had not been embraced by government over the

years. To his colleagues inducted, he urges them to exhibit the good ethics of the profession for nation building. “When planners indulge in corrupt practices, they close their eyes to the wrong things being done and thereby turn the environment to shambles. I want to call on planners to live according to the code of ethics of the profession,” he said. An inductee, Mr Aremu Sunday, said the induction had confirmed him as a qualified town planner to contribute his quota to nation building. “I can now practice my profession freely without fear. I assure Nigerians that I will do my best in this profession,” he said.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

GTB-Innoson tango: Imperative of CBN’s intervention CHINONSO J. ILOMUANYA

uarantee Trust Bank, otherwise known as GTBank, has been able to build a reputation of bringing into the Nigerian banking industry innovations that have made banking seamless in the country. For instance, GTB was one of the first banks that deployed internet banking to daily transactions. So, it is right to say here that GTB is a trendsetter in the Nigerian banking industry. However, it must be well stated that these achievements were recorded under the ingenious management of the late Tayo Aderinokun, the bank’s erstwhile Managing Director. In fact, Aderinokun brought stability to the bank and earned for it a huge wealth of goodwill. Since his exit from the bank and subsequent demise, these positive attributes and goodwill, appear to have departed GTBank. Very rampant is the claim these days that GTB ATMs hardly reverse the action of debiting an account when money was not dispensed. This includes those who withdrew money in foreign currencies. Worse still, in some instances, it took GTB three months to credit the account after a reversal formal has been duly filled and submitted. And when it comes to the curious charges the bank subjects the customers to, the experience is even more unpleasant. Very painful is that some of the charges are deducted for services not rendered as

has been proven in the suit instituted by the Innoson Group, which observers believe is not in the bank’s best interest. A little background of the case will suffice here. During the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Innoson imported some containers of motorcycle components and agricultural machines for assembly purposes at its plant in Nnewi, Anambra State, which were unlawfully seized by the Nigeria Customs Service despite the fulfillment of all necessary requirements by the importer. The Customs subsequently auctioned the goods worth billions of naira at ridiculously low prices. Innoson then sued the Customs. In a Garnishee Order Absolute, the court ordered GTBank to pay Innoson N2.048 billionfrom Customs account. Rather than comply, GTBank last February appealed the judgment, claiming that the Customs had no money with it, even though evidence showed that Customs had over N10 billion in its account with the bank. The Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s judgment, but GTB instead went to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Innoson had earlier borrowed some money from GTBank to finance an investment, and upon noticing that some sums were being questionably subtracted from its account, Innoson directed its auditors to audit the account, which led to the discovery that the bank had illegally deducted some curious charges totaling about 700 million. Innoson successfully sued GTBank, with the court ordering the

GTB ANK

SHOULD

BE MADE TO REALIZE THAT IT IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW bank to pay the company the sum of N560 million, plus some CBN-sanctioned interests, which made the penalty to continue to mount against GTB. Again, the bank appealed and the lower court’s judgment was upheld. Meanwhile last year, GTB got an ex parte order of Mareva Injunction to freeze Innoson’s accounts in all the banks in Nigeria. The accounts remained frozen for nine good months until Innoson got a ruling last month which quashed the order. And to get redress for damages it suffered while the action lasted, particularly the crippling effect on its many businesses, Innoson then slammed a N30 billion suit on GTBank. Currently, Innoson has a N10 billion judgment debts against GTBank. With the N30 billion pending suit at the Supreme Court, a potentially scary picture looms, if the Supreme Court rules against the bank. Having lost at the courts, the bank’s hatchet men have resorted to smear campaigns against Innoson and its Chairman/ Managing Director, Chief Innocent Chukwuma. One such hogwash is that the company took a loan and refused to pay. The facts pleaded in the courts show this is far from the truth.

Are our teeming youths, who prefer GTB going to fold their arms and watch some ‘cowboy bankers’ kill Innoson that has attracted so much business to Nigeria to keep thousands of our school leavers in employment? It was the success Innoson enjoyed in auto manufacturing that attracted other brands to Nigeria. Today, apart from the return of Peugeot, the nation can boast of assembly plants for the manufacturing of Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia and Renault motor vehicles. TATA, the owners of Jaguar and Range Rover brands, is also about to join the queue. The time has come for CBN beam its searchlight on GTBank to know why it has failed to observe strict corporate governance in its relationship with Innoson and other customers that are victims of its antics. It was for similar reasons that the apex bank, under the leadership of the former governor and now Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, retired six bank managing directors in 2009. GTBank should be made to realize that it is not above the law. The bank should obey court orders and prove to Nigerians that the claim of being one of the country’s biggest financial institutions is real. For a bank that declared a profit before tax of N116.385 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, payment of Innoson’s N10 billion award should not be a problem. Ilomuanya, a commentator on public affairs, wrote from Lagos.

After the failed civilian coup in Osun MIKE OGUNDELE

ith the May 26, 2015 judgement of the Supreme Court that affirmed Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the winner of the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State, the state’s PDP knew it had lost the battle to come to power in the state. It, therefore, had to devise some unconventional means to unseat the governor. Last June 14, one of the party leaders in the state called a meeting of stakeholders at the party’s secretariat, Osogbo for the purpose of repositioning the party for 2018 elections. But to their chagrin, they were told by the frustrated politician to brace up to his plan of action of making the state ungovernable, if they ever hope to win any election in the state. However, Osun State Security Council got wind of the plans and read the riot act to them last June 19 after its emergency meeting. The first stage of the plan was to import thugs and hoodlums into the state in the week starting from June 22. These thugs were to unleash mayhem in the name of protesting delay in payment of workers’ salaries and pensions. An NGO was formed a week before the rioting to be the arrowhead of the felony in order to give the thugs a façade of legitimacy. Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede’s petition asking for the impeachment of the governor was to be the second stage of this plot. Coming after the mayhem,

POLITICIANS MUST ACCEPT THAT A DEMOCRATICALLY

ELECTED GOVERNOR… CAN ONLY BE CHANGED THROUGH TENURE

EXPIRATION, LOSING ELECTION...

destruction and state of insecurity, the petition would have provided a comfortable ground for some of the legislators, who had been promised money and positions if they should carry the impeachment through. When the state security council aborted the subversive protest, we thought Oloyede’s petition would be shelved too. However, Oloyede went ahead with her petition. If stage two was to ride on the wave of stage one and stage one was aborted, why go ahead with stage two that landed on dry ground without the expected support? This is because there was stage three designed to give fillip to stage two. Stage three was eventually carried out on Tuesday July 7, but it was stillborn. The ‘protesters’ made up of known PDP members and local leaders, a very tiny section of the retirees on the payroll of an Ife politician and sundry thugs (local and imported) had

gathered around Ola-Iya Junction in Osogbo (the area is a hotbed of progressive activism). However, Aregbesola took the wind out of their sail. While going to his office that morning, he turned the trip into a carnival as he slowed his convoy to acknowledge cheers from the people on the route, who trouped out to greet him. Women, men, children, traders, artisans, commercial motorcyclists, just everybody within the vicinity came out to mob his convoy. Some were weeping. Others were praying loudly and openly for him while others were cursing his enemies. When the convoy reached Ola-Iya, which is a market place, the crowd surrounding him had become tumultuous, swallowing and overwhelming the miserable protesters who had earlier gathered in the place. Possibly out of fear and or shame, many of them took to their heels on being overwhelmed. And so, Aregbesola rode to the office triumphantly that day. Interestingly, while signing a memorandum of understanding with the state government before calling off its industrial action, the state’s NLC denied that its members participated in the farcical protest of July 7, claiming that the charade was politically motivated. The body of pensioners in the state also claimed that the union did not participate in any protest. Also, the chairman of the state’s vendors association also signed a statement, denying that his members were attacked by Aregbesola’s supporters.

Lastly, on July 28, Justice Oloyede refused to appear before the house committee set up to investigate her claim. Apparently, she has developed cold feet. There are unconfirmed reports that the state’s Judicial Commission is unhappy about her petition, which has put the judiciary into disrepute. They were shocked to find that a judge displayed open political partisanship. The first lesson we must learn from this is that if God is with someone, no matter how formidable his enemies are, he would overcome them and put them to shame. Secondly, politicians must accept that a democratically elected governor that has not committed an impeachable offence can only be changed through tenure expiration, losing election or by a competent court of law. Thirdly, a new dawn has come to Nigeria where only values like credibility, integrity and a track record of unblemished public service will commend a candidate to voters. It is my hope that the defeated candidates of PDP will accept their destiny and amend their ways, instead of working to destabilise Osun State. Ogundele wrote from Osogbo, Osun State. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be

Editorial

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Buhari as the West’s new bride

literally rousing applause it was with which the international community ushered President Muhammadu Buhari into their fold shortly after his inauguration as the nation’s leader last May 29. As if planned to coincide, Buhari was barely a few days in office early June when the Group of Seven (G7) met in Germany. The Nigerian President, among others, was generously invited by G7 to the meeting with a special request that he should come along with a wish list of areas he desired assistance for Nigeria by the group. Before he left the country for the G7 meeting, the Presidency had indicated that topmost on the wish list Buhari took to Germany were security, with special focus on Boko Haram insurgency; combating corruption, reviving the country’s comatose economy and infrastructure; increased foreign direct investment (FDI) drive; meeting power and energy needs, et cetera. The Nigerian leader was billed to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany; United States’ President Barack Obama; his French counterpart, President Francois Hollande; United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron; Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe; Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper; and the World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim at the G7 summit.

THE HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP BUHARI NOW ENJOYS FROM AMERICA AND EUROPE SHOULD HELP HIM BE ON HIS TOES The waltz sprung by Buhari’s G7 outing and questions on the bounties it promised were still trending when news of the President’s scheduled meeting with his US counterpart on the latter’s request was made public. It became obvious that Buhari and his government appeared more acceptable to the advanced world than his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan. Some commentators attributed the cold treatment America extended to Nigeria at the twilight of the Jonathan administration to the former President’s rejection (indeed, based on widespread request and support of Nigerians) of intense US pressure for the legalisation of gay marriage in Nigeria. Nigeria’s rejection of gay relationship may be one of the reasons America despised Jonathan’s government. It may be added, however, that before Buhari’s emergence as President, it was stark, the exasperation and increasing loss of hope and confidence in Jonathan’s government by America and Europe. They doubted the former

President’s capacity to tackle the outstanding problem of public sector corruption; general insecurity heightened by Boko Haram terrorism; mass unemployment and poverty; as well as human rights infractions, perhaps orchestrated by the jaundiced judgement of Amnesty International on happenings between Nigerian troops and the Boko Haram in the North East; among others. Some countries led by the US and the UK and some of their eminent persons were also outspoken in condemning Jonathan’s government’s kids glove handling of some of the critical challenges enumerated. But US especially went further to refuse the Jonathan administration arms support, both directly and indirectly, which it needed badly to pep up its military campaigns against Boko Haram insurgency. If the romance between leading world nations and Buhari can be sustained, and if the Nigerian leader remains resolute in his resolve to deliver quality governance, all that could be redressed. So far, some of the gains being attributed to the new friends Buhari is courting outside the nation’s shores would include the S21.1 billion World Bank liberal loan facility to assist Nigeria reconstruct insurgency-torn North East part of the country, as well as resettle inter-

ON THIS DAY

nally displaced persons (IDPs), victims of the terror regime. America has also promised to give a helping hand to Nigeria in her bid, under Buhari’s leadership, to retrieve oil money allegedly stolen to the tune of billions of dollars by officials of the government the incumbent leadership succeeded. There were other bilateral breakthroughs, too. In addition, reports also said some days ago that Nigeria was elected to head the Presidency of the UN Security Council; the first time an elected member of the Council would assume presidency for the fourth time in two separate tenures. Nonetheless, President Buhari must realise that in politics, locally and internationally, there are no permanent friends. Permanent enemies are also rare. What is acclaimed to be constant is permanent interest. While we encourage the President to seize all the opportunities his new bride status in international politics now offers to muster whatever assistance he can in the interest of the nation, he should not jettison Nigeria’s traditional, nonaligned predisposition to diplomatic relations. The hands of fellowship Buhari now enjoys from America and Europe should help him be on his toes; but Nigeria must not shut her door against such emerging markets as China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa, among others.

August 5, 1981

August 5, 2010

August 5, 2012

United States’ President, Ronald Reagan, sacked 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order that they should return to work. The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) was a US trade union that operated from 1968 until its decertification in 1981 following the strike broken by the Reagan. The incident was recorded as ‘one of the most important events in recent US labour history’.

In the Copiapo mining accident, 33 Chilean miners were trapped approximately 2,300 ft (700 m) below the ground. The accident, also known then as the “Chilean mining accident”, began in the afternoon of Thursday, August 5, 2010 as a significant cave-in at the troubled 121-year-old San Jose copper–gold mine. The buried men, known as ‘The 33’, were trapped about five kilometers underground from the mine’s entrance.

Wade Michael Page fatally shot six people and wounded four others in a shooting spree at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, United States. Page also committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after he was shot in the stomach by a police officer. The gunman was an American ‘white supremacist’ and US Army veteran from Cudahy, Wisconsin; and all the victims were members of the Sikh faith.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing ‘Breast milk has enough water for babies’ 22

Nutrition for people with cancer 20

Revealed: Why some women have male features! ... they have high levels of androgens and other health issues –Experts

FRANKA OSAKWE

omen who display more male features such as excessive facial hair, persistent acne, male patterned baldness and male voice, may be suffering from a medical condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal condition in which women produce more of male hormone (androgens) and experts say the condition is now affecting more women in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. Ordinarily, men have very high levels of androgens which are responsible for their body changes like hair growth and muscle mass. This is however not the case in women, except for those with PCOS whose increased androgen often result in masculine features, explains a fertility expert at Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi. “Unfortunately, this same excess androgen production also leads to irregular or absence of ovulation (anovulation), which often results in irregular or absence of menstrual periods. Because

of the problems with ovulation, women with PCOS may have difficulty becoming pregnant”, he said. According to him, this disorder has been identified as the main reason why some women suffer from infertility. “At least 20 per cent of women in the reproductive age range experience PCOS while it is estimated to affect about half as many or approximately 6-10 per cent of women generally. “Again, PCOS could present women with numerous health issues, ranging from excess hair growth and weight gain, acne, depression, fertility issues to an increased risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, endometrial cancer (the cancer of the lining of the womb) and high blood pressure. “Also, many women with PCOS are resistant to the action of the insulin hormone hence are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These increased health risks are due to the long-term insulin resistance and also being overweight which is common in women with PCOS. Those with PCOS have risk of developing diabetes

AT LEAST, 20 PER CENT OF WOMEN IN THE REPRODUCTIVE AGE RANGE EXPERIENCE

PCOS WHILE IT IS

ESTIMATED TO AFFECT ABOUT HALF AS MANY OR APPROXIMATELY

6-10 PER CENT OF

WOMEN GENERALLY in pregnancy. Other possible problems in pregnancy include more chance of having babies too early or having pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)”, he said. Speaking on the causes of polycystic ovaries syndrome? Dr. Ajayi, explains that the exact causes are generally unclear although some factors play a key role in PCOS. Some of these factors include; insulin resistance, excess weight

gain, and hereditary factors. Also, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Professor Godwin Ajayi, agrees that PCOS is now very common in women with about 40 per cent of women having the condition. However, he explains that cases of polycystic ovaries syndrome are treatable if diagnosed. “There are medical ways of solving polycystic ovaries syndrome, but this depends on how quickly the individual wants to have a baby. For example, the type of treatment to be given to a young single lady who is not looking for a baby, would be different from that of another lady that is having challenges of infertility. Professor Ajayi said because many women with polycystic ovaries syndrome have more male hormones than their counterparts, they are asked to take birth control pills as part of their treatment. These pills work on regulating the male hormones in circulation, thus ensuring that the menstrual cycle is back to normal. “It is after she has commenced treatment for polycystic ovaries syndrome that she will start to see a reversal of some of the symptoms of the disease such as excessive body hair, masculine voice and so on, that she has been experiencing”, he explained. Professor Ajayi, however, added that the diagnosis of polycystic ovaries syndrome could only be confirmed with an ultrasound scan or by a laparoscopic examination of the ovaries. A recent study by The Pittsburgh University found an increased association between PCOS and atherosclerosis, a situation which occurs when fatty deposits called plaque cling to the interior walls of the arteries, leading to blockages that can cause heart attacks or stroke. According to the study, not only do PCOS sufferers have higher rates of plaque build-up, those over 45, have even thicker deposits of plaque. In addition, it found that the imbalance of glucose and insulin levels caused in women with PCOS leads to a lowering of “good” HDL cholesterol and an increase in the level of triglycerides, which are fat-storing substances, carried through the blood stream to the tissues. These factors increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Measures to address insulin-resistance and PCOS, according to the research require lowering one’s insulin levels, improving hormone imbalances through weight loss, nutrient supplementation and exercise.

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

onsuming the right foods in their right proportion will give your body the nutrients needed before, during and after cancer treatments. Cancer therefore, refers to any abnormal cell growth that divides uncontrollably and has the ability to infiltrate and destroy other normal body tissues and spreading into distant organs through the blood vessels. Food is thought to have a risk of about one-third of cancers, but identifying components of diet which could increase or decrease the risk is remarkably difficult because diets are made up of different foods containing many nutrients that interact in different ways in an individual. Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer include: Fatigue, lump or thickening that can be felt under the skin, weight changes as a result of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nutrition for people with cancer

skin changes such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, in persistent cough, difficulty in swallowing, persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating, persistent unexplained muscle or joint pain and persistent fevers or night sweats. To prevent cancer risks therefore, one should try to stay in the healthy body mass index range of 18.5kg/m2 to 25kg/m2. Cutting calories by reducing dietary fat and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. Phytochemicals, from different-colored fruits and vegetables can be used as a surrogate marker for adequate variety in the diet. Try to eat five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables from each color group. Consume more fruits, vegetables and unrefined cereal foods and pulses, as they are mostly rich in fibre, low in calories and packed with the nutrients that lower the risk of cancer. Sugary drinks should be avoided and portion sizes must be checked. Excessive alcohol intake could be detrimen-

Chizoba Benson chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

tal to health. Research has shown that alcohol increases the risk of cancer, especially of the breast and colon cancers. Men should not exceed two drinks a day and women no more than one. Limit intake of red meat and avoiding processed meat. When consuming fats, make sure they are omega-3 fats. Protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids from fish against breast cancer are strongest for postmenopausal women. Limit Salt and salt-preserved foods because they are linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer; and use supplements wisely. Consumption of a wide variety of whole, plant-based foods is more important than reliance on supplements. Onions are high in a nutrient called quercetin. Studies have shown that onions could decrease estrogen receptor activity in breast tumors and help regulate apoptosis. Garlic, and other green vegetables such as spinach, and asparagus can be considered specific breast cancer prevention foods due to their high

concentrations of folate and antioxidant such as vitamins A, C, and E; selenium, and zinc. Tea has powerful medicinal properties, especially green tea, which is high in antioxidants and useful in protecting against the many potentially carcinogenic oxidative stress triggers found in modern day life. Two to three cups of tea can be refresh-

ing. It is vital to note that the body needs small amounts of vitamins and minerals to help it function properly. Some people with cancer take large amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements to try to boost their immune system or even destroy cancer cells. But some of these substances can be harmful, and may make chemotherapy and radiation therapy less effective. Water and liquids or fluids are also vital to the health. A person should drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of liquid each day to be sure that all the body cells get the fluid it requires. One should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity such as brisk walking, gardening and dancing everyday, then build up to either 60 minutes of moderate activity such as or 30 minutes of intense activity every day. Moderate activity should raise the heart rate. In all these, adequate preventive measures such as nutrition and healthy food choices, healthy weight maintenance, and adequate physical activity, are recommended.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults

ello sir. I bought Max Width penis enlarger from your site in February which I have been using since. It worked okay. The lady I spoke with had explained to me that it is an instant penis enlarger. I wish I had gone for something more permanent. I need major enlargement – Isa Isa you can grow your penis to significant lengths. It is never too late. You needed a quick result at the time and that is what enlargement creams like Max Width and Mr Thick give you. You can grow your penis from five inches to nine inches if you want. The key is to combine penis enlargement exercises with whatever cream or supplement that you are using. The whole of next week, we will be doing a special on penis enlargement and a lot more information will be revealed. For now, what I can tell you is to get a penis pump and use it with your Max Width enlargement cream. A penis pump has the same effect as working out in the gym. Skin tissue is capable of expansion. The penis enlargement exercises you do through the use of a penis pump is what gives significant and long lasting enlargement. Get the Potent Developer Pump or Machismo Pump for this – Uche I am in my first relationship with a girl. I am nervous because I keep hearing about how women love a man who can perform. I have also heard that you can have sex for thirty minutes and still not be able to perform. So how can one perform? Miles Performing in sexual terms simply refers to the ability to pleasure a woman for a significant period of time. Many men suffer from premature ejaculation which makes them ejaculate within two to three minutes of penetration. For a woman to enjoy inter-

course, sex has to last longer than that. Anything from fifteen to twenty minutes is preferable because it takes the average woman around twenty minutes to reach orgasm. To give a woman a pleasurable time in bed, you must first get her to look forward to it. This is called foreplay and it simply means preparing for what is to come. Anything from telling jokes to hugging, holding hands, kissing etc fall under foreplay. This is important. Unlike men, women find it harder to just jump into bed except they have already been sensitized and prepared for that final stage of coitus. So foreplay is important in addition to prolonged intercourse and female genital stimulation. Whatever you do in bed, don’t ignore the clitoris. If you are able to effectively stimulate the clitoris before and during penetrative intercourse, you would have passed your ‘performance’ exam with flying colours. If you are the type that ejaculates early, you can avoid this through the use of an ejaculation delay cream like Gladiator Gel or a desensitizing penis sleeve like the Stud Extension. If you struggle to get an erection or it takes you a long time to get a second erection after ejaculating the first time, then you will need the help of a performance supplement. Magic Mike, Sex Voltz and Max Stamina are all good performance supplements that will help you with that. Some men also run out of energy and find themselves too weak to go on after ejaculating the first time. The above supplements will also help you with performance stamina. And to ensure hands free clitoral stimulation during intercourse, get a Vibrating Cockring or Couple’s Vibrator – Uche I used to have what doctors describe as low genital arousal. Ever since it was discovered, I was directed to you for help. I

didn’t speak with you but your staff recommended the Encounter Orgasm Gel which I have been using with better results. Please does it have a dosage? Maureen Orgasm gels don’t have a dosage, you can apply them as often as is necessary – Uche I am writing you on behalf of my wife. There is a cream or gel she said she got from you many years ago that she prefers for oral sex and wouldn’t take anything else. I am not sure if I remember the name correctly but I think she said dikelikus – Francis You must be talking about the Dickalicious Penis Arousal Gel. Yes many women love it for giving their men oral sex. It is still available in three flavors of banana, Strawberry and pinacolada. Call the numbers below for it or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com – Uche The names of people mentioned here have been changed for

their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.comUche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Breastfeeding, beneficial to child’s survival –LSMOH FRANKA OSAKWE

s Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2015 World

Breastfeeding Week, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi has described breastfeeding as is the most ben-

eficial investment in child survival, saying the State Government has instituted the baby friendly policies for women which includes a six months Maternity Leave for

all nursing female workers for their first two births. Speaking at a press briefing to mark the Week in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary also disclosed that the

L-R: President, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and Chairman, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Comrade Bio Jossiah; Predent, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo and Chairman, Assembly of Healthcare Professional Association, Dr. Godswill Okara, during a press briefing by JOHESU in Lagos, recently.

JOHESU condemns Buhari’s health reform move FRANKA OSAKWE

he Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has strongly condemned the selection of the health reform committees set up under President Buhari’s Administration saying that members of the committees does not represent the large proportion of the health sectors. Speaking on behalf of the association, The President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm explained that the newly inaugurated 26-man Technical Review Committee (TRC) for the National Health Act and other related committees, has only members of one profession (medicine) dominating all.

“The government must face the reality that in the context of the National Health Act 2014, the professional associations and trade unions in the health sector constitute major stakeholders”, he said. The committee again questioned the healthcare agenda by the 6-man committee on the reform of the Federal Ministry of Health saying that their version of reforms in the healthcare is self-serving. According to Pharm. Akintayo, the 6-man committees are made up of group of entrepreneurs who are merely concerned about their interests. “The team has been canvassing the agenda of bringing foreign chain retail promoters in pharmacy practice

into Nigeria for instance. The foreign legion naturally will invade our shores with their own brands of essential medicines which will destroy the remains of the struggling local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry”, he said. The association particularly questioned the act of impunity and mismanagement by some Chief Executives of tertiary hospitals. “Many Chief Executives of hospitals have continued to run our hospitals as if they are private estates without government statutory rules and regulations. The gross mismanagement of our hospitals by some Chief Executives of tertiary hospitals has assumed an alarming proportion”, the association said.

While asking for an urgent redress of these issues, they called for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the welfare of health workers. “We appeal to President Buhari to call the Federal Ministry of Health to order to comply fully with the judgments of; The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in the JOHESU vs Federal Ministry of Health case of 2013; the NICN judgment in the case of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria vs Federal Ministry of Health case 2013; the Supreme Court of Nigeria judgment in the case of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives vs Federal Ministry of Health.

Gradian introduces universal anaesthetic machine for safe surgery FRANKA OSAKWE

bout 80 per cent of all problems causing death during surgery can be prevented with a good anaesthetic machine, a Consultant Anaesthetic at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Femi Oguyemi has said. Speaking during introduction of the Universal Anaesthetic Machine (UAM), which was recently donated to the military hospital, La-

gos, by Gradian health systems - an organisation that equips hospitals around the world to deliver safe anaesthesia, Dr. Oguyemi said the anaesthetic machine was the first of its kind to function even when electric power and compressed gas were unavailable. While declaring the UAM a life saver, he noted that the UAM’s ability to generate oxygen by itself is what makes it a perfect solution for the prevention of maternal deaths during surgery.

“Unlike the conventional anaesthetic machine that needs external oxygen and electrical power supply during surgery, the UAM can generate its own oxygen and independent power supply, thus making it the first of its kind with such feature”, he said. According to Dr. Oguyemi, the importance of anaesthetic machine is grossly underestimated in Nigeria. “In 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) came up with a safe surgery check list.

They found out that death during labour and surgery can be prevented with 10 solutions. Out of these, 6-8 are all linked to the use of anaesthetic”, he said. In her excitement, the head of anaesthetic department and consultant anaesthetic at the Military hospital, Dr. Ifeoma Egbunike, said the health system in Nigeria needs an anaesthetic machine like the UAM due to the high rate of surgery performed under irregular power supply.

State Government has since approved Paternity Leave of two weeks for all working fathers in its employ in realization of the need for psychological support for nursing mothers. She posited that the increase in civilization and women engagement for work outside their homes further contribute to the reduction in the length of breastfeeding of infants and young children, and opined that breastfeeding culture needs to be revived as a matter of urgency. Osunkiyesi noted the theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week: ‘Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make It Work’, calls for concerted global action to support women who combine breastfeeding and work as women empowerment should not interfere

with the baby’s right to breastfeed. “The objectives of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week include; to galvanize multi- dimensional support from all sectors to enable women everywhere to work and breastfeed; to Promote actions by employers to become Family, Parent, Baby and MotherFriendly and to actively facilitate and support employed women to continue breastfeeding. “Other objectives include; informing people about the latest trend in global Maternity Protection entitlements, raising awareness of the need to strengthen related national legislation and implementation of supportive practices that enable women working in the informal sector to breastfeed.”

Sensitisation, key to defeating hepatitis – AMLSN MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

he Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), has identified intense sensitization as a veritable way of winning the war against hepatitis in the country. The group said in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Adeyeye Adetunji, that since the disease is preventable by personal and community hygiene, everyone in the country should be sensitized on the disease. The message, made available to commemorate this year’s World Hepatitis Day, noted that Hepatitis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. “Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver cells which can be as a result of microbial infection, chemical toxicity or malignancies. Hepatitis caused by viral agents can be transmitted through contaminated water, food or fruits, faeces and blood or blood products. “Interestingly, hepatitis, whatever the cause, is preventable, treatable and manageable. The general public is hereby called upon to ensure proper personal and community hygiene. Hands should be properly washed and proper treatment of vegetables and fruits before consumption are strongly advocated. Sharp objects and other means of

contracting the disease should be properly handled and disposed of.” “Nigerians are urged to go for regular blood tests for viral hepatitis. Those found to be negative are encouraged to go for immediate vaccination while those found positive are also urged to seek medical intervention from adequately qualified health professionals. Lastly, the general public is advised to insist on the use of properly screened blood and blood products for transfusion. “We also appeal to governments at all levels to step up efforts on provision of clean and potable water to the populace. Governments must also ensure availability of free hepatitis testing and treatment in all health facilities in Nigeria. Health workers must also appropriately and regularly update their diagnostic and treatment skills so as to meet the comprehensive health needs of the citizenry,” AMLSN urged. It however lamented that worldwide, 400 million people live with hepatitis B or C. More worrisome, the association stressed, is that every year 1.4 million people die from viral hepatitis, adding that all the deaths are preventable. It emphasized that with better awareness and understanding of how to prevent hepatitis, the disease could be eliminated and 4,000 lives saved daily.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Breast milk has enough water for babies’ exclusive breastfeeding rate was 13 percent. In 2013, it was put at 17 percent. That is progress, but very slow progress. Our plan is to target exclusive breastfeeding rate of 50 percent in 2018. We believe we can achieve this. Like I said earlier, 47 percent of our babies are on water and breast milk. If the media can support us with aggressive campaign, enlightening people on the need not to give babies water within that six months and to give the baby exclusive breast milk, we believe that the behavioural change that can lead to the achievement of 50 percent of exclusive breastfeeding is very possible.

Exclusive breastfeeding reduces babies’ vulnerability to falling sick and dying, makes them top their classes in schools among others, says Head of Nutrition Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu. As the nation commemorates yet another World Breastfeeding Day this week, Dr. Isokpunwu in this interview with Health Reporter, MARCUS FATUNMOLE, restates the scientific view that breast milk contains all the nutrients, including adequate water and is all the food a baby needs in the first six months of life. Excerpts: Please tell us about the Nutrition Division of the Federal Ministry of Health. The Nutrition Division in the Federal Ministry of Health is responsible for coordination of nutrition and nutrition-related activities that bother on health, as well as relate across sector; because nutrition is cross-cutting subject that cuts across many sectors including education, agriculture, finance, women affairs, gender and national planning and development. Then, breastfeeding falls within your department, how do you promote exclusive breastfeeding in the country? Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding is about feeding of an infant in the first six months of life – that is, within 30 minutes of birth to when the child is six months – feeding the child with only breast milk without water or any other liquid except oral rehydration salt solution or syrup of mineral and vitamin and other medicines. Why are we promoting exclusive breastfeeding? First of all, breast milk is the optimal feed for a child in the first six months and it is all that the child requires for growth, development and good health. Secondly, exclusive breastfeeding provides the child with necessary immunity that he needs, as well as prevent those major diseases that are responsible for the death of children; especially under the age of one. Talking about two major diseases, diarrhoea and pneumonia, children who are exclusively breastfed are largely protected against such and also protected against other infections. And, it is known that exclusive breastfeeding can actually reduce the number of under-five mortality by 20 percent. In statistical terms, what is the level of compliance with exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the country today? First of all, about 98 percent of our mothers breastfeed their children in Nigeria, so Nigeria is

predominantly a breastfeeding society. However, only 17 percent of our children are exclusively breastfed. The issues are many, most of them are cultural, and, generally, the belief that a child cannot survive without water. The message we want to pass, and that we will always pass onto mothers is that the child has all the water that he needs in breast milk. So, there is no need to add water or any other liquid. The statistics shows that while exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria is 17 percent, about 46.6 (percent) is actually of the children who have water and breast milk. So, most of them within the six months are still on water and breast milk. At what point can a baby that has just been delivered be given breast milk? We encourage that mothers start their babies on breast within 30 minutes of delivery. We have found situations whereby mothers who have just put to bed find it difficult to get milk out of their breasts; how can the baby be fed in such a condition? We encourage early flow of the breast milk. If the baby is put to breast within 30 minutes, it will encourage the quick resolution for the breast to begin to flow early enough. My advice is that mothers should be patient and allow the baby to continue to suck it. And, the breast will eventually begin to flow. How do you think parents could handle pressure from relatives that the new born be given water, local herbs and the likes, especially when the babies are sick? That was exactly what I said earlier that the message should continue to go round that babies should not have any other liquid, any other food within that six months, except breast milk. Even if the child is sick, he should continue to take breast milk and should be taken to see a health worker to provide the necessary medicines.

A mother breastfeeding her baby

Babies are allowed to take medicines within the six months. But, apart from the medicines, minerals and vitamins, it should be nothing else. The baby should always be exclusively breastfed. Of course, we know that the parents always have influencers like the grandmother, the mother-in-law, even neighbors. But, it is also for us to educate those people that the baby has all the water he needs in the breast milk. And, beyond that, babies who are exclusively breastfed fall ill less often; and therefore won’t require the native medicines you are trying to give. It has often been argued that the IQ of children who are exclusively breastfed is always higher and better than those who are denied exclusive breast milk. How true is this? That is the fact. Evidences abound that children who had exclusive breast milk do better in school. Their intelligent quotient is higher than those who were fed with other milks. There is also the argument that most of the nasty behaviors we see in children such as excessive restlessness or stubbornness arise from food from animals such as cow milk. Is this true? I don’t have information regarding that. Can poverty be a barrier to exclusive breastfeeding? Exclusive breastfeeding should be practiced irrespective of the social status because it is good for the health of the baby. More so, the lower class should be encouraged to ex-

clusively breastfeed more. The reason is that breast milk is cheap. You don’t have to spend money buying the feed and, you spend less money on medical treatment because the baby falls sick less often. Is breast milk refrigeration ideal for babies? Yes, in order to protect the breast milk. But, the milk should not be boiled. The challenge is that you refrigerate it, when it is time to feed the baby, they do boil it again. The advice is that it should not be boiled. It should just be allowed to become warm enough (by itself) for the baby to take. It is advisable for working mothers; they could get breast milk and refrigerate to be made available for the baby on demand while the mother is away. How best could such breast milk be made safe for the baby? The caregivers should maintain basic hygiene, hand-washing, trying to ensure the breast milk is properly kept from contamination. Of course, we don’t advise bottle feeding in any form. The breast milk should be kept in a cup and the baby fed from the cup. Apart from refrigeration, is there any other way we can keep the breast milk safe for the baby? The breast milk can stay in room temperature within the eight to 12 hours that the mother is away. Would you say Nigeria is making progress in exclusive breastfeeding, given the 17 percent compliance you mentioned earlier? Yes, we are making progress, but it is very slow progress. In 2008,

What kind of food should mothers eat when breastfeeding? Mothers are supposed to have adequate nutrition or adequate diet. Adequate diet means that the mother should eat from that diet that is just from the food group. Her food should contain carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, as well as adequate water. She doesn’t have to spend so much on food to be getting all of this. It is for her to use the food around, making sure that the nutrients are in adequate proportion. It doesn’t matter that before she eats protein, she must go and buy the most expensive food in the market. She can have animal-based protein and plant-based protein. Carbohydrate is also available in a lot of the food around us. It is just knowing exactly what to eat. What roles do fathers have to play while their wives are breastfeeding? Men are supposed to provide support. Part of our strategy is men’s involvement. Men are the target of the campaign. Men are supposed to provide support for their wives to encourage the wives to breastfeed their children. And, we should recall, we are such a society that encourages paternity leave. Lagos state has just introduced that. They are all steps towards encouraging support for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. What are you doing differently this year as the nation commemorates another World Breastfeeding Day? This year, the theme is “Focusing on Breastfeeding in the Work Place.” We have “Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make it Work.” This year too, the Federal Ministry of Health will be launching “Nigerian Nutrition Green Ribbon Campaign.” The Green Ribbon Campaign is an awareness campaign to draw attention to the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, breast milk and four-star diet. Four-star diet means a diet that contains food from four major food groups.

Mirror Wednesday, August 5, 2015 National www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Africa Meets Reggae holds November

I am a great fan of Bollywood –Kelly Ede

Towards a befitting 2015 Osun-Osogbo Festival The Osun-Osogbo Festival is celebrated yearly in the month of August and attracts thousands of Osun worshippers and spectators from far and near. The stage is set for the 2015 edition of the cultural fiesta.

Olumoko, Mbanefo and Kabir Mallam

Isiguzo Destiny

he 2015 Osun Osogbo Festival will be celebrated amid fanfare when the grand finale holds Friday, August 21. This was disclosed by the Chief Festival Consultant, and the Managing Director of INFOGEM, Mr Ayo Olumoko at the Festival Programme Unveiling which held at the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) office situated at 53, Glover Road Ikoyi, Lagos. Osun Osogbo Festival is a period of stocktaking and assemblage of all sons and daughters of Osogbo land, and most especially, Yoruba speaking people, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. Olumoko, while briefing the media, expressed that various sponsors who have been co-opted in the celebration of the Festival are gearing up to make the occasion an eventful and memorable one. He said the cultural festival, which is 600 years old, has a two-week programme, which commences with the traditional cleansing of the town called ‘IWOPOPO’ which is followed by the lightening of the 642-year-old points lamp three days after called ‘OLOJUMERINDINLOGUN’. According to him, this will be followed by ‘IBORIADE’ four days after, which is the assemblage of all the crowns of the past rulers for the blessings, adding that the Festival’s grand finale will showcase the cultural procession of the people to the Osun Groove. Olumoko disclosed that the Osun Groove was enlisted officially as a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Durban, South Africa on July 15, 2005. He said to get the UNESCO attention, the National Museum, Federal Government and many others had to be drafted and co-opted into the Festival, as the endorsement of IoD has also been secured. He added that to gain the international prominence, the INFOGEM came in as the official consultant of the Festival in 2002, and since the recognition by the UNESCO, the Festival has gained international prominence the world over, as the Festival Programme Unveiling keeps being moved from one venue to the other. Olumoko said further that in a couple

Osun goddess

Offering the sacrifice to the river goddess

of months to come, OsunOsogbo Festival will be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). He explained that the reason the festival will be listing on the NSE is because it (the Festival) is consistent, a Nigerian product which generates revenue, and which other festivals look up to as a yardstick to develop. “If our cultures are well developed, our IGR will grow, tourists will be attracted and by this we will have more players,” says he. Present at the Festival Programme Unveiling are the representative of His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye 11, the Ataoja of Osogbo land, the Otun Eesa of Osogbo land, Chief MoshoodAdeyemiAremu, the Olori and Chairperson Women Development Ataoja Palace, Mrs Jelilat Oyetunji, the President/Chairman of Council Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD), Mr Yemi Akeju,Senior Brand Manager, Seaman, Mr Olayinka Amuwo and Marketing Manager, KASAPREKO, Mr Peter Adekho and the Corporate Communication Manager, Mr Patrick Olowokemi. Speaking on the sponsors, Olumoko said the Festival always associates with sponsors of proven record and brands that are consistent. The selected sponsors for this year are the Nigeria premiere brewery, Nigerian Brewery Plc (Golberg brand) for the third year running, Grand Oak Ltd (Seaman’s Schnapps, Royale), KASAPREKO (Alomo Bitters), IoD and UNESCO among others. Some of these sponsors while responding at the forum expressed that they will all be available to add glamour to the occasion with the presence of their brands. In the words of the Senior Brand Man-

Osun-Osogbo festival Osun Oshogbo

ager, Seaman, Amuwo, “Seaman will be at the groove to be part and parcel of the blessing that the people of Osun will partake of ”, while the Marketing Manager, KASAPREKO, Adekho, said his organization will bring “Alomo Bitters” to the event, as the Corporate Communication Manager, Nigerian Brewery Plc Olowokemi, expressed that his organization will do a lot to uplift the town of Osogbo with exiting communication materials. “We will create a beer village in Osogbo, involve in entertainment and increase trade transaction at the village to impact positively on the entire Osogbo people,” he said. The President of Council IoD, Mr Yemi Akeju expressed that IoD will always identify with the Festival. The origin of Osun Osogbo Festival can be traced to the legendary encounter between the early settlers/founders of Osogbo with OsunOsogbo deity. In about 1370 AD, the founder of Osogbo, Oba Gbadewolu Larooye and the great hunter Olutimehin settled in the sacred Osun forest to establish the kingdom and actualize a pact of association and togetherness with the River Osun deity. The festival is to retain the African and traditional heritage of the Osogbo

If our cultures are well developed, our IGR will grow, tourists will be attracted and by this we will have more players

people. Speaking on the event, Seun Akintola an indigene of Ososgbo lauded the organizers for their contribution to the festival. He said “the festival is one that brings to bear the cultural pride and traditional legacy of the Osogbo people. In the age of globalization, so many people have lost their communal identities due to lack of preservation of cultures and traditions that will always appeal to our uniqueness as Nigerians from different traditional societies. It has become essential to keep the momentum of this kind of traditional festival in order to preserve our unique identities and still maintain our affinity to the values and traditions of our ancestors”. Another person Mr Kenneth Ojoh a scholar in African Studies stressed on the importance of Osun Osogbo Festival stressing that the festival is a big legacy and inheritance to Africans in the face of what he termed as “the extinction of African Cultures”. He cited example Oriental countries that are great today because they refused to be westernized. He said “China today is great because they refused to dispose their cultural uniqueness. There are other issues that have made them great but the preservation of their culture is one of the outstanding reasons”. The festival is one of celebration, traditional cleansing of the city and cultural reunion of the people with their ancestors and founding fathers of the Osogbo Kingdom.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Performing arts in conflict environment Sunday Ododo

n Nigeria, the Nigerian Popular Theatre Alliance (NTPA) is the foremost outfit that has carried out good number of development-centred projects in many Nigerian poverty stricken and crises ridden communities. Across the globe today, arts-based projects are increasingly being accommodated to address conflicts and transform them from negative to positive contexts.

John Paul Lederach is the exponent of “conflict transformation” and allocates a role for the arts in his comprehensive framework for peacebuilding (Lederach 2005a; Lederach 2005b; Lederach/Appleby 2010). This potential is further recognised and given weight in the discussion of ritual and peacebuilding (Schirch 2005). Other scholars, such as Premaratna and Bleiker, have argued that theatre, as one specific art form, can help foster community dialogue and make an important contribution to peacebuilding by changing conflict attitudes at the personal, emotional and societal level (2010, 377; 384). Interactive theatre is used to foster social change and empowerment in many countries, including in conflict regions (Bteich/Reich 2009; Joffre-Eichhorn 2011; Premaratna/Bleiker 2010; Thompson et al. 2009). In the context of conflict it helps to distinguish the general use of interactive theatre for social change and development from its specific use in constructively addressing conflict. Jonathan Goodhand (2006) distinguishes between working in conflict and working on conflict, and this distinction can be applied to arts-based work in conflict regions. In 2012 for instance, as part of the Youth and Creative Conflict Transformation project, youth groups across Nepal wrote and performed street theatre productions which aimed to identify local conflict issues and to explore the role which youth can play in their non-violent transformation. The drama productions were delivered to over 3,500 local people, including stakeholders involved in local development who were invited to watch the plays and to participate in public dialogues to discuss the issues raised. Analysing local conflicts and working within groups to develop possible approaches for change strengthened the skills and confidence of the youth, enabling them to envision a future where youth play an important role in the peacebuilding process within their own communities. According to a Youth participant in this project: Conflict is present in every section of society.

xx There are many types of conflict such as social, political, domestic, etc. Conflict cannot be ended but could be transformed creatively from negative to positive. This will help in developing our nation. (Theatre in Conflict Zones, Street Theatre). An earlier model is “forum theatre”. It is a genre of workshop and performance practice developed by the Brazilian theatre practitioner and erstwhile Member of Parliament Augusto Boal (1931-2009), who founded the Center for the Theatre of the Oppressed in Rio de Janeiro (Boal 2000). Forum theatre is an elicitive method guided by the participants’ inputs which has gained considerable acceptance in many places in the world. Traditionally, forum theatre aimed at empowering marginalised groups, but forum theatre groups and trainers have advanced and adapted the method to different contexts. The force inherent in the embodied, sensual communication enabled through the “aesthetic space” (Boal 1992) in the participatory group work of interactive theatre has inspired practitioners and researchers to use this format for conflict transformation (Bteich/Reich 2009; Joffre-Eich-

horn 2011; Werner 2009). Its potential as a tool for building relationships after violent conflict, however, has yet to be fully explored (Hamelink, 1981). To accomplish this, the “classical” method of forum theatre, which itself is being constantly developed and adapted, has to be modified in certain ways to fulfill the state of-the-art criteria for post-war peace building: in other words, not merely working in the conflict, but specifically on it. In contrast, the intents of TfD and what I may call Performance for Conflict Transformation (PCT) are to incorporate democratic shared control, mutuality of participation, dialectic generation of knowledge, and egalitarian communication. (Habermas 1978; Amollo, 2002:4) In order to pursue and incorporate this alternate paradigm, TfD and PCT emphasize understanding through dialogue and the co-construction of new realities through creative co-learning. In essentially all cultures other than those at the top of today’s power ladder, knowledge and education have been traditionally developed and passed on via experience-respecting and community-based dialectic.

Conflict cannot be ended but could be transformed creatively from negative to positive

Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? There are many authors I like. I prefer those who draw me closer to my roots. I mean people like Chinua Achebe; he has a way of making you know someone who behaves like any of the characters he is creating. Growing up in a typical Igbo community, you will see Okonkwo of Things Fall Apart. But I also like some pioneer Igbo writers and scholars like F.C Ogbalu, Adiele Afigbo and Ibe Nwoga. What is unique about these writers? I am particularly pleased with their efforts at retaining the art of Igbo literature. They did a lot in this regard. It is a pity that people are not taking over from where they stopped, and this is already leaving a gap in the system. What book are you currently reading?

Chinwetalu Agu, Actor

To be honest, I am reading a movie script for the role I have in a new movie. How much do you spend on books annually? I do not keep records. But I know I spend money on newspapers and books that help me to improve on my character in films. Each time, I develop a new slang in a movie, it comes from studying characters. If you become a writer, what would be your theme? I would like to write about the culture of my people. I will like to rekindle certain aspects of our values that are fast being lost.

The evolution of drama for conflict transformation from its origins in TfD has involved the continuing development of dramatic dialectic and specific indigenous modes of communication, the linkage of social injustice with conflict, and the application of the creative potential of drama to the cultures of powerless victimization and impotent anger that characterize communities in conflict. The potency of these models of interactive theatre is even recognised by the international theatre Institute, so much so that the institute created the “Centre for Theatre in Conflict Zones”. It was first created as a cooperation project of ITI Germany and ITI Sudan (as decided and signed by Ali Mahdi and Thomas Engel in an agreement in Khartoum in December 2004). The project was founded by Sudanese and German public funds, plus support from the Anna-Lindh Foundation and Prins Claus Fund. The concept was developed from the methods of Ali Mahdi’s Al Bugaa Theatre “Theatre between frontiers” and SOS-Children Villages project in different areas of the Sudan and the international workshop series of the German ITI/CIDC “My unknown enemy” starting in 2002. Theatre in Conflict Zones has been designed by the German ITI and has been developed in different modules with the Sudanese ITI between 2005 and 2007. ITI Germany initiated and coordinated the partnership with international trainers and workshop leaders and provided necessary tools for documentation and technical theatre equipment. ITI Sudan organised several workshops in different areas of the Sudan, where the trainers used and improved the knowledge learnt in the international modules. (ITI, Theatre in Conflict Zone). Also in late 2004, a group of graduate students at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States, faced the difficult task of understandably presenting the complex history of the recent Sierra Leone civil war, during which a variety of important actors shifted roles, even to the point of changing sides. Rather than rely on a cascade of words and the polished technology of PowerPoint, the students surprised their colleagues and professor with a dramatized narrative of the war’s history, replete with costumes, characteridentifying hats, and toy weapons representing active violence. Their presentation mixed comic caricature with a didactic analysis of the grisly Sierra Leone conflict, and left an indelible mental picture in the minds of their audience. •Prof Sunday Enessi Ododo, Head, Department of Theatre Arts, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

I am a great fan of Bollywood –Kelly Ede People, who know Kelly Ede, call her a consummate film personality. Here is why: Ngozi Emedolibe

t will really be difficult boxing her within the confines of one occupation in Nollywood. As a writer, she also acts and when funds permit, she could be seen producing and casting. That is the story of Kelly Ede, an Enugu State born film practitioner, who has put in well over a decade in the Nigerian film industry. Kelly says recognised that she would only derive happiness from nothing but the entertainment industry as a youngster. “As a child, I knew the entertainment industry would be it for me. I used to enjoy a lot of television and reading; and each time I watched someone on TV, I would like to mimic her. That gave me joy, and it was natural that I gravitated towards the film industry at the end of the day.” Confronting the challenges of getting a role in Nollywood, she had to wade through a number of little roles, until she landed the big one in ‘The Orphan’, where she was paired alongside Nkiru Sylvanus and Jim Iyke. This was closely followed by another sub-lead role in ‘Lost Love’, where she acted with Bimbo Akintola and Emeka Ike. “I am one of those who believe that roles in Nollywood are often times not given according to merit. There are times the considerations are mundane and not in line with art. A producer will consider the chances of recouping his investment first of all not minding if the actress he is using is frit for the role or not. That is why there is so much recycling in the industry. They recycle faces and this makes a lot of Nollywood films to have similar themes and create the feeling that the plots are similar”. But determined to make an impression, Kelly one day decided that she has had enough of the ‘stereotyping’ from the producers. The result was her first fea-

ture film, as a producer. Titled ‘Between Two Walls’, it is a 2001 movie which featured not only Kelly but also Desmond Elliot and Mercy Johnson. She calls this effort one of her most astounding experiences in her film career. “‘Between Two Walls’, remains one of my best works. I did the casting, and on the set we had artistes like Desmond Elliot and Mercy Johnson. The script was done by me, so that gave me a fore knowledge of the kind of impact I wanted to create with the movie. Up till now, wherever I go, I get recognition and applause. People tell me how much they love the story which was written by me and how they love the character I played and how they can’t wait for my next work. As a producer, it made me realise my potentials as a good castdirector and my ability at putting together a good movie.” Incidentally, ‘Between Two Walls’, made negligible profit; a situation that made the budding actress cum producer to reconsider her chances as a producer. “It opened my eyes about the kind of frustration that could come with distributors. It is not about where your movie has been to but about the copies being accounted for”. That was essentially the challenge I had with the film. People were talking about it, yet it was not making money. The marketer made me to reconsider my chances in the industry.” Following this, Kelly decided to take a break from the industry until she would have enough resources to take a plunge into producing again. “Nollywood had then become a clique thing; there was politics, in being given roles as an actress. Producers will tell me how much of a fantastic actress I am but still go ahead

to give the

with a new soap opera, ‘In da Hood’. “It’s a contemporary family drama featuring David Mckenzie, Kate Effiong-Okunnu, Kelechi Udegbe , myself and a whole load of new talents. It is about different issues that af-

fect families and the positive ways of dealing with them, especially concerning the youths. It is not only educative and informative; it is also comi-

roles t o others

who are yet to grow their first tooth in acting. Funnily, most of those girls are nowhere in Nollywood today.” After some years off the scene, the pull has suddenly become overwhelming that Kelly Ede has reconsidered her stand. At the moment she is back in Nollywood

It opened my eyes about the kind of frustration that could come with

distributors. It is not about where your movie has been to but about the copies being accounted for.

cal. It makes you laugh, while educating you.” The new work written by Kelly Ede is being directed by Fuahd Bankole, and according to Kelly would change the perception of the Nigerian audience when it starts showing on television screens soon. She has a complacent attitude to the new order in Nollywood. “The challenges are not like it used to be before because Nollywood has evolved; but technically, I think we still need to brush up. I am a great fan of Bollywood and I am always amazed each time I watch Indie movies; we have raw talents; so I don’t understand why we keep recycling faces.”

MIDWEEK JUMP

Prudence Band for Bottle’s Night

ednesday August 5th is set aside for Bottle’s Night at the Bottle’s Bar and Grill as they entertain their visitors with good varieties of foods, good vibes, frozen margaritas and melodious songs from The Prudence band. Bottles Bar and Restaurant is located on Imam Agusto Close, Lagos, Nigeria! The bar opens by 6pm to 11pm.

Campus Torch tour berths at YabaTech

he Campus Torch magazine is bringing a campus entertainment tour to several tertiary institutions in the country. The tour which has commenced since February this year is set to hold its next event at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos popularly known as {YABATECH} on Thursday 6th August by 12pm. The tour is aimed at growing and developing students with the desire to learn and become productive in their educational career.

Yaba Tech

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

Africa Meets Reggae holds November Olawale Oluwadahunsi

nfazed by the irregularities that accompanied the maiden edition of the Africa Meets Reggae concert held last year at the National Stadium, Victor Essiet and the Mandators crew hope to showcase its second edition in a more classy way. The second annual Africa Meets Reggae and World International Festival is to be held on the 27th and 28th November, 2015 in Lagos, Nigeria and it will be showcasing the top names in Reggae and world music in Africa and around the globe. The festival will start with symposium on the 19th of November, 2015 themed “The role of music in Modern Contemporary Nigeria”. The main show tagged “The Executive Show” will take place at Ember Creek (the beautiful ocean venue) at 32, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. The second show is tagged “The People’s Show” and it will take place at the Hockey Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. Essiet also mentions that Africa Meets Reggae will launch her first quarterly music academy in August 2015. “It will interest you to know that Africa

Meets Reggae will launch her first quarterly music academy in August 2015. This academy is aimed at nurturing young and raw talents, helping groups, bands and upcoming artistes prepare, develop and enhance performing skills and general music business. This year’s festival line ups will be announced later.” Africa Meets Reggae has been an annual event in Los Angeles, USA, under Echodelic Music and Dub Club Production. The festival has always had in attendance world renowned reggae artistes yearly. But the African version (franchise) berth on the platform of Mystic Records USA/Nigeria, a recording and production company, being anchored by Victor Essiet of the Mandators. This year’s theme is “Voice to the Voiceless”, with world and internationally recognized and local artistes in attendance. The concert comes in two parts in 2015 with audience segregation in other to satisfy and cater for all lovers of Reggae and world music in Nigeria and neighboring West African states. There will be indoor event before the outdoor. He said that the outdoor will be without restriction to attendance while all minors must be accompanied by adults.

Enthusiasm heightens for NFFG

NFFG being promoted in Stuttgart

Ngozi Emedolibe

he forthcoming Nollywood Film Festival Germany has continued to elicit a lot of hopes and enthusiasm amongst Nigerian filmmakers both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. Aside naming Queen Itua, a Hollywood actress as the host, indications are clear that some top policy makers in Nigeria have indicated interest as regards participating fully in the festival. According to the curator of the festival, Isaac Izoya, “For the very first time, some political heavy weights have accepted to attend this year’s event in person. Some of the eminent personalities that are being expected are: His Excellency, ex-Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Gov Ibramin Dankwambo of Gombe State, Gov Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State, Gov Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, ex-Gov Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro, IGP rtd, and Mr. Steve Olu a top security expert. Her Excellency, Senator Donzella James, Democratic Senator representing Metropolitan Atlanta’s 35th District of Georgia, is also invited as Special Guest of Honour in recognition of what she does for the Africa people in the State that led to her being honored by the Nigerian Community in the USA.”

The Nollywood Europe Golden Awards NEGA 2015 is a platform designed to honour Nollywood stake-holders, Nollywood stars, comedians, musicians (both in Africa and in the Diaspora). The event is scheduled to hold at the prestigious Filmforum Höchst VHS Cinema, Emmerich-Joselstr, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from September 11 through September 14, 2015 starting from 17:00uhr on. Top three films ready for screening at this year NFFG are; “Stigma” by Dangogo, “The Last Slave” by Henry Ozuluonye and Igbo language film but subtitled in English “Chetanna” by Ikechukwu Onyeka. Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) is organised by a consortium of renowned Europe based African entertainment promotion outfit, Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V in alliance with Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Frankfurt Am Main, Germany, Africa community Germany, Ethiopian Airlines, AfricanTide Union e.V, RIA – money Transfer and change, Stadt Frankfurt Kulturamt (Ministry of Art/Culture - Frankfurt), Hessen State Filmforum Höchst VHS-Frankfurt Am Main, The Office for Multicultural Affairs (Amt für multikulturelle Angelegenheiten – AmkA), Millenium Hospitality International, Hotel Savigny and the Nigeria community e.V, Frankfurt, Germany.

“The Africa Meets Reggae is a platform that preaches peace, love and unity through music. The show is not exclusively for Reggae artistes only as artistes from other genre whose messages are in line with are theme are welcome. The event hosted by Russell Gerlach of Foundation Artistes, Tom Chasteen of Echodelic Music and Dub club in Los Angeles for the past years and now is here to stay in Nigeria through Mystic Records USA/Nigeria. “Reggae music is a powerful instrument of change and since Victor Essiet’s time in America over the last decade, the message and music had greatly faded. Victor Essiet’s mission is to re-establish reggae music and its message to prominence in Nigeria and the whole of Africa. “The festival will give Reggae and world music new exposure and awareness to music fans worldwide. I urge everyone to come celebrate Reggae and world music with the living legends and the present reggae artistes of today as Reggae returns to Motherland Africa”, he asserts.

Victor essiet of Mandators

Morocco strategises to host AFRIMA Damilola Imoleayo

ith the theme: Integration of Africa through Music and Culture, the Stakeholders’ Conference was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Morocco; 2014 AFRIMA winner for Best Male Artiste Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan and the Sofitel Hotel Casablanca aimed at communicating the objectives and ideals of AFRIMA to the stakeholders in Northern Africa. The Morocco Stakeholders Conference was attended by members of the Moroccan media, music industry practitioners, corporate sector executives and addressed by the representatives of the International Committee of AFRIMA namely: AFRIMA President/Executive Producer, Mr. Mike Dada; Head of Culture Department, African Union Commission (AUC), Ms. Angela Martins; Chairman, AFRIMA International Media Committee, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Member, AFRIMA Sponsorship & Brand Communications Committee, Mr. Jire Anifalaja and AFRIMA Project Director, Ms. Adenrele Niyi. Sharing with the conference participants, 2014 AFRIMA winner Ahmed Soultan said his artistic vision to cross regional borders with his music was further strengthened after winning the AFRIMA trophy at the awards ceremony in Lagos. “I always believe that as an African, my music must touch base with people who love music either in Africa or abroad. That is why I support what AFRIMA is doing for African

AFRIMA team in Morocco

music, they are recognising true authentic music and supporting the dreams of many artistes for recognition for their work”. Similar to the echo from the participants at the stakeholders’ conference, the Honourable Ministers of Culture and Foreign Affairs expressed the desire of the government of Kingdom of Morocco to support and host AFRIMA next editions after the expiration of hosting right of Nigeria in 2016 as AFRIMA objectives aligns with the cultural diplomacy policy of Morocco. While delivering her speech through Mr. Abdellatif Jouibli, the conference interpreter, Angela Martins, reiterated the African Union’s commitment to the integration of Africans through culture. “The African Union has been collaborating with AFRIMA for a long time because we see it as a platform for the integration of Africans. “The creative economy is one of the most rapidly growing sectors of the world economy and a powerful force for sustainable development in terms of income generation, job creation and export earnings”. There was enthusiastic response from the participants during the interactive session. The predominant question asked by the Moroccan artistes and journalists present bordered on the process by which Morocco could bid to host the awards ceremony after Nigeria. “The bidding process is open to all African countries. Three countries have shown interest already and if we get an official notification of interest from the government of Morocco, before the bidding deadline of January 26, 2016, it will be more competitive”.

Business

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Agencies should create competitive market niche for survival –McMedal 28

NERC, MAN plan framework for power supply to industries

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders proffer solutions to pipeline vandalism, oil theft

Central Bank’s autonomy crucial to naira exchange stability TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND UDO ONYEKA

for the national currency, the financial expert pointed out the decision of the last administration to suspend the former CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, now Emir of Kano, eroded financial investors’ confidence about Nigeria’s monetary policy direction, compelling many investors to move their investments out of the country. He said: “The problem of the foreign exchange we see now did not just start now. It can be linked to February 2014 when the Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was

suspended. The action eroded investors’ confidence in the financial system as it relates to the policy direction of the country’s monetary policy. “For instance, the effect of that action was seen in the poor attendance of the African Central Bank Governors’ Conference which the CBN hosted about that time. This problem was further worsened by the falling oil prices which started in July the same year. All these and some factors have continued to affect the foreign exchange market, especially

in ensuring the naira exchange rate. “So, the autonomy of the CBN has serious implications for the currency exchange rate as investors would only come in to invest if they are sure of the country’s monetary policy direction. When they invest, exports will be improved, foreign earnings will increase from export trade. The autonomy of the CBN should be cherished and sustained. Any CBN Governor worth his salt should defend the autonomy.’’

he independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has been identified as one of the imperatives the country could pursue in the current efforts to stabilise the naira exchange rate and by implication, attract foreign direct investment ,FDIs, inflows to the economy. Giving this hint at the Seminar for Financial Correspondents and Business Editors in Calabar, a seasoned financial expert, Mr. Charles Mordi, pointed out the more global investors see that apex financial regulatory institutions are free from political interference the more their confidence in monetary policy issues and conducive--of the economy for investment. Mordi, a former Director of Research at rhe CBN who cited how thw autonomy of central banks had helped to achieve efficient management of the foreign exchange market in other economies, pointed out that there was the increasing for government to subscribe to global best practices by ensuring the continued autonomy of the nation’s apex banking institution. Reflecting on the current chal- L-R: President, Polo Club of Port Harcourt, Mr. Anthony Isodje; Managing Director SPDC and Country Chair Shell lenges facing the country in en- Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; Trustee of the club, Senator Emmanuel Diffa; and a club member, Ms Alison suring real exchange rate value Allanso, during a visit of the club executive to the SPDC Head Office, Port Harcourt, recently.

NESREA set to launch vehicular emission testing

r Lawrence Anukam, the Director General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), said the agency would launch Vehicular Emission Testing (VET) programme for effective monitoring and compliance of vehicular emission. Anukam told the newsmen at a press conference on Monday in Abuja that the vehicular emission could cause air pollution. ``A lot of bad vehicles are on the road, we are making all these efforts for effective monitoring and compliance of our vehicular emission through ensuring vehicular

testing of vehicles. ``We are launching the programme in August. We have met with the officials of Federal Road Safety Commission and we are also going to meet with other relevant agencies,’’ he said. Anukam said that the programme would be starting from Abuja as a pilot scheme, adding that the purpose of the programme was to ensure that vehicles operating in the country must have the emission permit. ``With this programme, it will help to ensure that the engine of vehicles are operating fully, because the agency has noticed that

it has caused a lot of accident on the road. ``Through the support of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and Road Safety Corps the programme will be effective, they will stop any vehicle they notice brings out smoke and check the engine. ``When they discover that such vehicle is producing emission it will help us to identify that something is wrong in the manufacturing of such vehicles and we are also going to work with Nigeria Automatic Council and some private sector operators,’’ he said. He noted that the agency had developed 28 regulations on vari-

ous specific areas of environment. He said that the agency had collaborated with the Ministry of Justice to ensure good working relationship to enable it actualise the regulation. He said that the agency ensured that the implementation of the regulations would ensure effective compliance and monitoring both in the federal and state levels of government. The NESREA boss said that the agency was committed to assist various industries on the regulated community in ensuring that they adapt the spirit of voluntary compliance.

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Agencies should create competitive m As a result of the harsh economic environment and it crippling effects on businesses, especially in the marketing communications sector, Chief Executive Officer, Upticom Marketing, Mr. Segun McMedal, in this interview with DAVID AUDU advises agencies on the need to create niche for themselves to survive in the increasingly competitive integrated communications market in the country. What informed your decision to set up a public relations outfit? When I was in secondary school, though I didn’t know what PR was, I said I wanted to be a PRO. I didn’t even know what they were doing then. Coincidentally, I read Sociology as my first degree and after service year, I worked with a communication agency somewhere on Allen Avenue, Ikeja. So, that was where I met a fellow, a friend of mine, who is also a player in the industry now, Tola Bademosi. We were both in that agency. Tola went to Quadrant and I went to IGI to become a salesman. But after like five years, I said I didn’t want to be known as an insurance salesman because of the stigma attached to the business then. I happened to attend Daystar, and Sam Adeyemi was talking about how you had to read, how you had to equip yourself upstairs and the first serious motivational book that I read then was Think and Grow by Napoleon Hill, where he said, if you want to be rich, you have to be a professional. And he listed about five professions that could make you a millionaire, he mentioned the media. I said okay I can live with this, I went to journalism school, and I finished from there, before I started doing PR on my own. I was publishing; I was practising, having finished with NIPR. I happen to be a creative person too and I can put up a lot of strategies to achieve goals. You see, Nigeria is ripe for more practitioners. Unfortunately companies come and still patronize the big names, the smaller agencies that are more flexible, are not being given the chance. For instance, Brooks and Blakes is now managing the MTN account because they were given the opportunity to pitch. For me I decided to float Upticomm Marketing because I wanted to toe the path of Shobanjo, who bestrides the world of IMC in Nigeria like a colossus. That is why we have Upticomm Marketing, as against Upticomm PR, because the goal is to have a conglomerate-activation, advertising, PR etc, something like a onestop shop, a robust agency and you cannot do that under somebody. That is why we are trying to ensure that the mentality here is different. We

McMedal

see how our staff can own part of the business. Through this, they see that they are not working for Upticomm, but themselves. So we are partners in progress. The essence of floating Upticomm, therefore, is to actualize my dream, to empower people, to be able to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy, and be able to add values. Are you saying there is room for more

agencies in the advertising space, when some players argue that the space is crowded and are calling for mergers and acquisitions? Nigeria is the next big thing. The population is huge. If you are saying proliferation of agencies, maybe we have that in Lagos, because nearly all the agencies are in Lagos. But is Lagos the only place in Nigeria for agencies to do business? The number of agencies we presently have is

NIGERIA IS THE NEXT BIG THING. THE POPULATION IS HUGE. IF YOU ARE SAYING PROLIFERATION OF AGENCIES, MAYBE WE HAVE THAT IN LAGOS, BECAUSE NEARLY ALL THE AGENCIES ARE IN LAGOS. BUT IS LAGOS THE ONLY PLACE IN NIGERIA FOR AGENCIES TO DO BUSINESS

not enough to manage the different business opportunities here. For instance, how many banks have PR agencies managing their accounts? They do it in-house. These big agencies have their hands are full already; businesses are coming to Nigeria every day. The time has come now for agencies to develop a niche, you can’t know it all. Agencies should be known for a particular strength, and the moment you are able to position your agency on that niche, the more business will come to you directly. The challenge with agencies that are not getting business today is that they’ve not been able to identify their niche and leverage on it. The market is vast, all of us can play, and there is opportunity for everybody. All that is needed to be done is to have niches. What is your position on the clamour by some practitioners for a professional to be appointed as the nation’s information minister?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

market niche for survival –McMedal IT IS A VERY FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM. THE REGULATORS OF THE INDUSTRY NEED TO DO

MORE. IF NIPR CAN ACTUALLY ENSURE THAT THERE IS A COMPLIANCE, WHICH MAY NOT

HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE NO FOREIGN AGENCY SHOULD COME AND

OPERATE IN NIGERIA WITHOUT A LICENCE government, you stole N10 billion, and even though there is overwhelming evidence, you were talking of plea bargaining, whereas another person stole a fraction of that money and he is jailed. Are you not encouraging stealing in that society? That is where we are having these issues. You drive one way and get away with it. And unfortunately the government does not seem to know that the problem of reputation is reducing our investment and inflow of investments into the country. You send a mail from Nigeria and the person will have to double check. We have not been able to define who we are. We are without a dream and a vision. That is why we practitioners are clamouring for a round peg in a round hole in terms of political appointments.

It is key. Over the years, government has actually got it wrong. Why would they not just take anybody to be finance minister, or health minister? A doctor cannot do the job of a communicator and a communicator cannot do the job of a doctor. That is where the long-held adage of putting the round peg in the round hole comes in. It is in the country’s best interest. The advantage of putting a professional there is that you know your people and they also know you. As a PR practitioner, what do you think can be done to arrest Nigeria’s dwindling reputation? The issue of reputation starts with leadership. Are our leadership ready to live above board? If we are talking about reputation, you are talking of sterling values. Here you can not identify any sterling values and vision of the country. What can we say are Nigeria’s core values and mission? We don’t know. You are in

Your company is actively involved in managing the annual Wine and Spirits Exhibition in Nigeria. How do you react to agitations in some quarters that influx of foreign wines and spirits, may undermine the growth of the domestic industry? The good news is that while I will like local production of wine to continue, there is nothing stopping you, as a consumer, from taking foreign wine if you desire. I don’t know where the argument of the local industry being killed because you are bringing wines from abroad, is coming from. Let me give you an example, perfume. How much of perfumes do we produce in Nigeria? But our people wear perfume and nobody is talking about that. This is because it is not everybody that wears perfume; the same thing applies to wine. Foreign wines are heavily taxed; it’s a luxury brand, just like perfume. It is not for everybody. So if you prefer it and you can afford it, go for it. If you complain about the influx of foreign wines and spirits, where is the place of globalization? The world is now a global village, you’ve lived abroad for sometime and you have cultivated a certain habit, you should be able to maintain that habit wherever you are because the world has now become a global village. That is why it is a luxury. We have reached out to local producers of wines and spirits to come and exhibit at the wine and spirit exhibition, at least for them to interact with other producers from different parts of the globe, but they would not come. My position is that there is a market for everybody. But what we are doing now with the wine and spirit promotion is to build a culture where more people will come and write about wine and spirit, how it affects you, and I believe very soon

you are going to see an association of wine and spirit reporters. I believe the development is good for the economy, it is good for the people, and it’s just that the local producers need to be more creative to be able to play in that market. They need to be creative about the packaging and promotion of their products. There is this penchant for top political

McMedal

parties and some corporate firms to always look beyond the shores of the country for PR firms in managing their PR activities, is this due to lack of capable indigenous hands in that sector? It is a very fundamental problem. The regulators of the industry need to do more. If NIPR can actually ensure that there is a compliance, which may not have happened in the first place because no foreign agency should come and operate in Nigeria without a licence. But as it is now the bills are higher and they take the money back without recourse, without anything. You know our mentality here where we believe that the best is abroad. The truth is there is nothing any PR agency can do that Nigerian PR agency can not do. But if your focus is to talk to people in the West, that is abroad, it is best to work with somebody who understands that terrain. That is where the issue of foreign PR firms may not be out of place for such venture.

Business News

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NERC, MAN plan framework for power supply to industries UDEME AKPAN

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, have agreed to develop a reliable framework to enhance the construction of micro grid for industrial clusters in the nation. The two establishments which rose from a crucial engagement in Abuja indicated that they have set up a committee that would address the “challenges posed to industrial productivity and the country’s broader economic goals and how to dedicate small grids connected to large distribution grid to industrial clusters.” The Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo has already been informed about the concept. Options being considered entail an arrangement to upgrade

licences of captive electricity generators with excess capacities to supply firms within their vicinity through commercial arrangements that would be jointly beneficial to the electricity distribution companies and the industries. He explained further that the establishment of micro grid could be “beneficial as it will provide commercially viable electricity to industries and free grid electricity that goes to industries for residential and other consumers.” A technical committee with nominations from the Commission will be coordinated by MAN since its members will be the main beneficiary of a stable and adequate power supply. The committee is to develop the framework that would surmount associated financial and technical impediments to realising the objective. The framework on the micro grid is expected to adapt the

NERC’s regulations on Embedded Generation, which is applicable when electricity is generated and consumed within a distribution network and Independent Electricity Distribution Network, which permits development of electricity distribution to an area yet to be developed by a distribution company. A major approach being suggested would entail mobilising industrial clusters to establish a special purpose vehicle that will secure equity participation of members in a cluster and access project finance to sponsor modular power plants using networks

of electricity distribution at mutually beneficial financial terms. A few days ago, NERC had told 27 power generation companies to within the next 30 days provide justification why their licences should not be cancelled. The notice for cancellation of licensees posted on the Commission’s website on Tuesday July 28, 2015 was sequel to the discovery through an audit exercise that the affected firms could not meet the terms and conditions for their licences. Contained in the notice are 63 generation and distribution companies rated as category one.

They are in operations and have no issue with the Commission. Forty other firms in categories one to four will, however, have to justify their continued ownership of their licences or get it withdrawn within the next 30 days to 12 months. In category two are those licensees that have ceased operations. These are CET Power Projects been promoted by West African Portland Cement Company, Ewekoro, Ogun State and Contour Global Solutions of Nigeria Bottling Company of Apapa, Lagos State.

Access Bank announces Belo-Olusoga as new Board Chairman

ccess Bank Plc (the ‘Bank’) has announced the retirement of Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR as a director and Chairman of the Bank and the appointment of Mrs. Mosun BeloOlusoga as his successor with effect from July 30, 2015. The retirement of Mr Oyebode follows his successful completion of the maximum term limit as prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Discount Houses in Nigeria. The appointment of Mrs BeloOlusoga follows a thorough selection process by the Governance and Nomination Committee of the Board led by Mr. Emmanuel Chiejina, a Non-Executive Director. Mrs Belo-Olusoga joined the Board of the Bank in November 2007 as a Non-Executive Director. Until her recent appointment, she was the Chairperson of the Credit and Finance Committee and member of the Board Committees on Audit, Governance and Nomination, Risk Management

and Remuneration. She was formerly an Executive Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and was at various times responsible for Risk Management, Corporate and Commercial Banking and Transaction Services and Settlements. She is a graduate of Economics from University of Ibadan and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigerian and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Oyebode commented: ‘I am glad that Mrs Belo-Olusoga will be succeeding me as Chairperson. Her significant board experience; knowledge of our dynamic industry and personal qualities will be highly beneficial to Access Bank’. In her remarks, Mrs Belo-Olusoga said that she considered “it a great privilege to chair Access Bank, an outstanding financial institution at a time like this. I look forward to working with its great team in transforming it into the World’s Most Respected African Bank’’.

L-R: Head Legal, SMEDAN, Ms. Julcit Onigbogi; Director General, SMEDAN, Mr. Bature Masari; General Manager, Enterprise Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Ms. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka and Senior Manager, SME Segment MTN Nigeria, Mr. Alexander Ibehre, during the signing of MoU between MTN and SMEDAN on SMEs held in Abuja...at the weekend.

Med-View commences direct flight to Saudi Arabia OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he competition on the Lagos-London route would become more intense with the plans of one of the fastest growing carriers in Nigeria, Med-View Airline, to commence direct flight operations to the route soon. This is as the airline on Sunday night acquired another Boeing 767-300 ER for the annual hajj operations to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which will commence within the next two weeks. The aircraft is also being positioned for use on

the United Kingdom route. The airline’s Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, made these disclosures to aviation correspondents during the unveiling of the new B767-300ER with the registration number 5N-BQN at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. Bankole noted that Nigerians were regularly exploited on the Lagos-London route by the foreign carriers, assuring that with the coming of the airline on the route, such exploitation would reduce to the barest minimum as air travellers would now have better choic-

Worldwide tablet sales drop in Q2 ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

nternational Data Corporation (IDC) has reported a -7.0 percent dip in global tablet market in the second quarter of 2015 with shipments totaling 44.7 million units. The preliminary data sourced from the Corporation’s Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker

indicated that when assessed by little hardware innovation and limited vendor portfolio updates, the market also declined -3.9 percent compared to the first quarter of 2015. IDC Research Director for Tablets, Jean Philippe Bouchard said that beyond the decline, “we’re seeing a profound shift in the vendor landscape as the top two vendors, Apple and Samsung, lose

share in the overall market.” According to him, in the first quarter of the year, Apple and Samsung accounted for 45 percent of the market and this quarter, with the growth of vendors like LG and Huawei their combined share dropped to 41 percent. He added that each of the growing vendors managed to address available pockets of growth in the market saying that connected

tablets for LG and Huawei, larger tablets and 2-in-1s in the right price bands. The report showed this trend is also something on a wider scale with the top 5 vendors accounting for 54 percent of the market, down from 58 percent last quarter noting that Huawei enters the top 5 ranking for the first time indicating that the vendor landscape is indeed evolving.

es on carriers to fly to European countries and beyond. He lamented that the Nigerian government had opened the country’s gateways too wide for foreign carriers to exploit, saying that such opportunities were not given to Nigerian carriers operating into foreign cities. “I’ve always said it to everybody here, we have opened the door too wide and that’s why we are suffering in this country. We made them to feel that they have everything in our country and we can’t get such opportunities in their own country. “When I went to Saudi Arabia for the preparation of our direct flights to the country, we were made to pay bank guarantee, no any foreign airline is paying such here; we are even telling them that we should abolish commercial charges,” he said. He declared that both Nigerian and British Governments had given the airline the approval to commence the direct operations, stressing that the airline was also looking at the possibility of linking Nigerians to Portugal through United Kingdom with its operations.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gulf carriers redefining aviation market –Air France/KLM Director OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Commercial Director, Air France/KLM, Mr. Arthur Dieffenthaler, has said that the three Gulf carriers, which currently dominate the global airspace, are challenging the existing status quo through their operations in the airline sub-sector. Also, he said that for the airline to form a partnership with any Nigerian carrier for the distribution of passengers, some standards would have to be met by the country’s carriers. Dieffenthaler said that these in an interview with our correspondent at the airline’s office in Lagos. He emphasised that the arrival of the Gulf carriers in the last decade had changed tremendously the services being rendered to air travellers by airlines, but called for a level playing field for all operators. Dieffenthaler however said that the Middle East carriers; Emirates, Etihad and Qatar had a right to grow in phases just like any other global airlines, but noted that their existence had further brought competitiveness to the airline business. On the call for restriction on the expansion of the Middle East carrier into the United States of America, U.S.A, by leading American airlines, Dieffenthaler said there was a difference between the stance of European Union, EU, and the America on the issue, but said there was a careful look if there was a level playing field for all carriers. He said: “There is a difference between both government bodies, what European Union decides and I am not part of the Union as I work for an airline.’’

Business News

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Shippers Council forecloses extra levy on proposed CTN FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Shippers Council has said that the proposed re-introduction of Cargo Tracking Note, CTN, would not attract additional levy or any kind of payment on importers or other port services users, contrary to fears expressed in some quarters. Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, also dispelled rumours that the new system would cause delays in the delivery of cargo, insisting that it is an online real time issue and cannot in anyway delay the clearance of imported goods from the seaports. According to him, , the plat-

form is all about an advanced cargo information system, which will play a key role of fastening the process of clearance of imports at the seaports in the sense that it will advanced information of the cargo that is coming into the nation’s seaports. Other key benefits of the system is that it can be processed by the Nigeria Customs Service, terminal operators, shipping companies and government agencies such as NAFDAC and Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Plant Quarantine and NAFDAC, among others. In addition, the new system would facilitate online real time delivery of the electronic ship manifest in advance simultaneously to every other agency at the

port, which before now was sent when the ship is about to berth in Nigeria as well as checkmating pilferages and leakages in the harbourages, as the consignments are tracked from port of origin to port of destination. He said: “The CTN that was introduced about three years ago brought a lot of delay, and it was not accepted by the industry because it had cost attached. But this one is at no cost to the economy and directly, there is no cost at all to the shippers, this is very important”. “We cannot introduce the new system until we introduced it to the stakeholders; recently we held consultations with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi

Dikko where we introduced it. You know Customs is very critical to the success of the system and I am so happy we have introduced it to the Service and it has been very responsive”, he also said. It was however gathered that top officials of the Service also raised some issues that were not actually contemplated by the Council, which it had taken steps to address. Investigations also showed that the Council also met with the freight forwarders and importers with a view to introducing the operational modalities of the new system as well as allaying their fears that the CTN would in no way attract additional charges on or levy them.

CPC probes DSTV alleged subscribers’ rights abuse OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

he Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has begun sitting in its investigation into the operations of the Digital Satellite Television (DStv) based on complaints of alleged

consumer rights violations against the pay-television firm. A statement by the spokesman of the Agency, Mr. Abiodun Obimuyiwa, hinted that a fourmember team, led by the firm’s Regulatory Affairs Manager, responded to questions from the Council’s investigating Panel,

comprising of selected relevant staff of the agency and a team of consultants. CPC’s Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, who at the weekend flagged off the commencement of the investigation in Abuja, said the investigation was instituted on the strength of series of com-

L-R: Protocol and PRs Manager, Corporate Service MTN Nigeria, Funsho Aina; Marketing Communication Manager, Thermocool, Nsa Yellow-Duke and Principal Partner, Brooks and Blakes Nigeria Limited, Sola Fijabi, at the 5th anniversary of Brooks and Blake Nigeria Limited in Lagos...at the weekend.

plaints received by the Council on the services of the pay-television firm. According to her, the investigation would afford the Council the opportunity to know the challenges the firm may be facing in the discharge of its services with a view to proffering solutions for the enhanced welfare of its consumers. According to the statement, the Council had, in a notice of commencement of investigation recently served on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, a pay-media company which offers the DStv service, disclosed that it has been inundated with a barrage of consumer complaints, alleging wide-range abuse of subscribers’ rights. It asserted that despite its earlier interventions in form of meetings with the satellite company, telephone and written correspondences with a view to ensuring that the company addressed the issues and developed quality standards for the safeguard of the interest of consumers, complaints had been pouring in unabated against the company.

Oil prices drop below $50 as demand shrinks

il has fallen to a six-month low, and hopes of a quick rebound are fading as demand heads into an autumn swoon. Brent crude tumbled below $50 on Monday for the first time since January. Gasoline fell the most in almost three years. The slump may have further to go. U.S. refineries, which turned

a record amount of crude into gasoline during July, typically slow down from August through October for maintenance. “We still have a lot of global oversupply,” Michael Wittner, head of oil-market research at Société Générale in New York, said on Bloomberg TV Monday. “We’re getting close to the autumn, [when] demand for crude

and products hits a seasonal low point, so it’s hard to see where the uplift is going to come from.” Also, demand for gasoline typically eases after summer as the seasonal workforce shrinks and families stop vacationing. Hedge funds are growing more pessimistic. Money managers cut bets on rising Brent prices last week by the most in more

than a year and are the least bullish on U.S. crude since 2010. Wall Street’s complaints that new rules have hurt bond-market liquidity got a boost Monday when a Federal Reserve governor said forcing banks to hold more capital might be discouraging them from facilitating trades. Though financial regulations “had little to do” with Treasury

market volatility last October, they “may be one factor driving recent changes in market-making,” Fed Governor Jerome Powell said at a Brookings Institution conference in Washington. “Requiring that banks hold much higher capital and liquidity and rely less on wholesale short-term debt has raised funding costs,” he said.

Business News

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

World Bank approves $700m for Ghana’s energy transformation SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

orld Bank’s Board of Directors has approved an investment of $700 million for Ghana’s Sankofa Gas project; a transformational project aimed at addressing the country’s serious energy shortages through new clean natural gas for domestic power generation. The Board also approved a unique combination of two guarantees for the project–an IDA Payment guarantee of $500 million that supports timely payments for gas purchases by Ghana’s National Petroleum Corporation and an IBRD Enclave Loan guarantee of $200 million that enables the project to secure financing from its private sponsors. The guarantees are expected to mobilize $7.9 billion in new private investment for offshore natural gas, representing the big-

gest foreign direct investment in Ghana’s history. With a population of 25 million people, Ghana has suffered macroeconomic shocks in recent years, partly due to challenges being faced by the country’s power sector. A combination of water shortages for hydropower, erratic gas supplies from external sources and delays in the development of domestic gas resources as well as new power plants have led to frequent power outages that have affected the poor. Ghana’s government has spent more than $500 million on fuel subsidies to the power sector in recent years, significantly draining public resources. Developing Sankofa Gas Project, located 60km offshore is expected to bring significant benefits for Ghana by fuelling up to 1,000 megawatts of clean power generation, replacing pollution

and expensive oil-burning electricity. Once Sankofa field starts to produce gas in early 2018, Ghana would be able to reduce its oil imports by up to 12 million barrels a year and cut carbon emissions by 1.6 million metric tons of CO2 annually. Makhtar Diop, the Vice President for the World Bank’s Africa Region said: “Sankofa Gas Project is a good example of how Africa can address its infrastructure challenges and lays the foundation for sustained economic growth by providing affordable and reliable power to its population. “Innovative use of the Bank’s Guarantee Program that helps mitigate the perception of risk and mobilizes private investment can help unlock billions of muchneeded financing for large-scale infrastructure projects on the continent.”

Aero becomes IATA member, vows to maintain standards OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ero Contractor has announced its membership of the International Air Transport Association, IATA, assuring of its commitment to sustaining the high operational standards in the years ahead. With the IATA membership, the airline became the second carrier to be so recognized in the country and the third in the entire West and Central Africa. The airline became an IATA member following a successful IATA Operational Safety Audit, IOSA, which is the highest safety certification of the association, that it received in 2014. The audit entails a rigorous exercise in meeting safety standards,

Over 10% South Africans live below poverty line –Report SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

xfam’s latest report has indicated that more than 10 per cent of South Africans live under 1.25 US dollars per day, according to Oxfam’s recent report. The report titled ‘Is South Africa operating in a safe and just space’, claimed that over half of South Africans live below poverty line. A policy and research adviser at Oxfam, Katherine Trebeck said Africa’s second largest economy was not operating in a safe and just space, adding that the country’s social foundation is dire. The report also looks at 20 different dimensions of social justice attainment and environment stress that the South African

urged the airline not to relent in its efforts in keeping expected standards. Also commenting, the Managing Director of Aero, Capt. Leefon Russell, said it was not easy for the airline to achieve the new status, stressing that it added more opportunities to the airline operations. He said, “We are proud of this great achievement; it’s no easy feat. It’s a challenge for us to increase our standards another notch. This gives us more opportunities for growth to partner with bigger members of IATA. “We wish to appreciate our stakeholders - our customers, aviation authorities and our staff that this membership couldn’t have been achieved without them.’’

economy is putting on global and local environment. “At a headline level, South Africa is transgressing four domains that we look at when we describe a safe place and in several others, except the country is in a grave state of breaking the environmental ceiling,” Trebeck said. “Poverty is not just income; it includes housing, quality of water and access to energy,” she added. However, the report said this gloom picture could be addressed through the creation of a million jobs in green jobs space. “South Africa could create an estimated 816,000 ‘green’ jobs by 2025 across the areas of natural resource management, energy generation, energy efficiency and pollution management,” Oxfam report read in part.

Fed’s Powell says rules could be hampering bond liquidity

L-R: Group President, Everyday Group of Companies, Dr. Charles Dinwobi; Executive Director, South-South, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong; Regional Manager, South-South 1, Skye Bank Plc, Raphael Abiaziem; Rivers State Chapter Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Dr. E.D Oko-Jaja; and Head, Small Business Group, Skye Bank Plc, Ayo Olojede; during the Skye Business Seminar, which took place recently at The Atrium Events Centre, Port Harcourt, recently.

customer services and security by IATA over the last two years. With the IATA membership, the airline now has the opportunity to interline and code share with other top players in the airline sub-sector. The airline would also have access to training and information data base of IATA, among many other benefits. At a ceremony to mark the event, Area Manager, South West Africa of IATA, Mr. Samson Fatokun, described the airline as a new bride in IATA membership, stressing that the membership has several operational and safety advantages it would bring to the airline. Fatokun pointed out that the airline’s management worked had to receive the new status and

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

he Fed and other U.S. regulators said in a report last month that the Treasury market’s wild swings on Oct. 15, 2014, resulted from many factors, including banks pulling out of the market and high-frequency traders being on both sides of the same trade. Financial firms have complained that a series of rules implemented under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act have reduced liquidity in the bond market and exacerbated price swings. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon has said what happened in October should serve as a “warning shot” to investors, and Blackstone

Group LP CEO Stephen Schwarzman has said that new regulations may fuel the next financial crisis. Powell said banks should be prepared to accept some increase in the cost of market-making since regulations have lowered their likelihood of default and the chances of another financial crisis. Regulations have also raised the cost of funding inventories through repo markets, he said. “Although the Treasury market remains deep and resilient, there are nonetheless reasonable questions as to whether market functioning can be improved,” Powell said.

Odumodu inaugurates committee on standardisation of alternative medicines OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

irector General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu yesterday inaugurated the National Committee on Africa Traditional Medicine. Addressing the committee members headed by the erstwhile INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, in Abuja, Odumodu urged them to work towards the provision of standards in herbal medicine that will meet the World Health Organisation(WHO) stipulate on quality of pharmaceutical products. The DG, who was represented by the Director Legal, Barr. Imari Kawu, stated that the committee would help articulate Nigeria’s contributions to the harmonization process of African Regional

Organisation for Standadisation Technical Committee on Africa Traditional Medicine(ARSO THC 13. He regretted that the country had been unable to export its herbal medicines with high market potential because of lack of standadisation. According to him, some of the challenges being encountered by the traditional medicine practitioners can be addressed through diligent process and standadisation. “The need for standadisation,” he added, “entails the preparation of product under Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP), botanical verification, quality consideration, evaluation of safety and efficacy, labeling, as well as physical and chemical stability of the products in the containers in which they are marketed.”

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek DPR shuts 23 depots

ExxonMobil generates $4.2bn in Q2, 2015 36

NERC constitutes safety code panel for operators 37

Stakeholders proffer solutions to pipeline vandalism, oil theft

The intervention of the former administration was expected to reduce or completely bring the long era of pipeline vandalism and oil theft to an end. But UDEME AKPAN reports that the record of many cases in recent times have affected oil and gas production, fuel distribution as well quality of the environment.

here are strong indications that pipeline vandalism and oil theft which reached alarming proportions at the height of Niger Delta crises and reduced drastically after the granting of Amnesty to militants have started to rise again. Take the case of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC as an example. The company suffered several setbacks in June this year as a result of such developments. “There were shutdowns of the Trans Forcados export pipeline and the NAOC export pipeline during June 2015 due to operational interruptions for general pipeline maintenance and repairs due to vandalism, but ongoing production from the Umusadege field was managed by the ability of the field operator to alternate production between the Trans Forcados and NAOC export pipelines,” the company

xxxx

TOTAL NET CRUDE OIL DELIVERIES INTO THE NAOC EXPORT PIPELINE FROM THE UMUSADEGE FIELD FOR JUNE 2015 WERE APPROXIMATELY 108,200 BBLS BEFORE PIPELINE LOSSES maintained. “The average field production based on producing days was approximately 17,300 bopd in June 2015. The combined net delivery of oil from the Umusadege field through the Umugini pipeline and NAOC export pipeline totaled approximately 454,050 bbls in June 2015 before estimated pipeline and export facility losses, and approximately 400,570 bbls after deduction of combined pipeline and export facility

losses estimated for June 2015.” “Total net crude oil deliveries into the NAOC export pipeline from the Umusadege field for June 2015 were approximately 108,200 bbls before pipeline losses. Based upon the 12-month rolling average rate of pipeline and export facility losses from December 2013 to November 2014 of 17.46%, Mart estimates NAOC export pipeline and Brass River export facility losses for June 2015 will be approximately 18,890 bbls,’ it

added. The company indicated that Umusadege field production averaged approximately 15,750 barrels of oil per day in June this year. The company indicated that during June 2015 based on calendar days; average field production based on production days was approximately 17,300 bopd during June 2015. It maintained that total production from the Umusadege field in June 2015 was approximately 472,500 barrels of oil. “The combined net delivery of oil from the Umusadege field through the Umugini pipeline and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited export pipeline totaled approximately 454,050 bbls in June 2015 before estimated combined pipeline and export facility losses, and approximately 400,570 bbls after deduction of combined pipeline CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders proffer solutions to pipeline vandalism, oil theft CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 and export facility losses for June 2015 as estimated by Mart.” Agip is not the only victim. Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, the nation’s highest producer also suffered the same fate. The company maintained that crude oil theft, sabotage and illegal refining are the main sources of pollution in the Niger Delta today and were the cause of 75 per cent of spill incidents from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Joint Venture (SPDC JV) pipelines in 2014. It indicated that an average of 37,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day (boe/d) were stolen from the SPDC JV network in 2014, with an additional 110,000 boe/d of production deferred due to illegal interference with pipelines and other illegal activities such as theft of well head equipment. “A key priority for Shell globally is to achieve the goal of no spills. Regrettably, in addition to spills caused by criminal activity there were37 operational spills of more than 100kg in volume from the SPDC JV network during 2014, compared to 30 in 2013. However, the volume of oil spilled in operational incidents was reduced to 0.3 thousand tonnes in 2014, from 0.4 thousand tonnes in 2013.” “To reduce the number of operational spills, the SPDC JV is focused on implementing a work programme to appraise, maintain and replace key sections of pipeline. 132 km of new pipelines were installed during 2014, bringing the total for the last four years to more than 900km. The SPDC JV pipeline network is covered by surveillance contracts to ensure that spills are discovered and responded to as quickly as possible. There are also regular over-flights to detect new theft points. In 2014, the SPDC JV signed a series of agreements with communities in Ogoniland – which has seen some of the highest rates of theft in recent years – using the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model through which the majority of SPDC JV social investment projects have been delivered since 2006. Under these Ogoni GMoUs the JV provides funding to support unarmed community patrols which report pipeline

Buhari

Osagie

STAKEHOLDERS WHO ROSE FROM A CRUCIAL FORUM ON ‘OIL THEFT AND ILLEGAL OIL BUNKERING’ IN LAGOS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT LAYING THE FACILITIES MUCH DEEPER WOULD CULMINATE IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OR COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF PIPELINE VANDALISM AND OIL THEFT IN THE NATION incursions and suspicious activity directly to the security forces,” it indicated. A few days ago, vandals attacked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC pipeline dedicated to fuel distribution at Arepo, Lagos. The attack culminated in the destruction of the facility, lost of many lives as well as pollution of the environment. That was not all; photojournalists - Omoniyi Aiyedun and Solomon Adeola - who visited the area were arrested and taken to the creeks. It took the intervention of luck for them to return from the creeks where over two hundred vandals live. As Adeola recounted: ”On reaching Arepo bus stop, some commercial motorcyclists took me and my friend, Omoniyi, a photojournalist from The Sun, on separate bikes to the path leading to the scene of the fire. We disembarked and paid N200 each. The place is called ‘Beach land. A man ap-

proached us and asked what our mission was. Thinking he was a boat operator, I told him we were going to the scene of the fire. Then, all of a sudden, four men came out from nowhere and held me and my friend, collected our bags and whisked us away.” “There were many canoes with people in them. When they saw my identity card, they concluded we were government agents and started pouncing on us. We were taken in a boat to a forest covered with Bamboo and Ogoro trees. At this point, the handle of my bag was used to cover my face. When I refused to cooperate with them, they brought out their guns and told us to begin to say our last prayers, while they kept transferring us from one canoe to another, until we got to a point where their bosses were seen, clad in military fatigue carrying arms. At the sight of these men, I died several times. By the time we got to another destination,

Dawha

over 200 of the fierce looking men surrounded us and took turns to interrogate us. I kept saying we were journalists but they insisted we were lying.” “At this point, they took our cameras, saying they would use it to capture our execution. They covered our eyes and instructed us to kneel in the water. I was half naked because my shirt was used to cover my eyes. Just then, a slim tall man in white shorts came out and informed us that we would be spared. He ordered that the blindfolds be taken away from our faces. Thereafter, they showed us a place where they claimed they have killed many policemen and soldiers, “he added. Despite the difficult terrain, the NNPC succeeded in rehabilitating the damaged System 2B Pipeline, which was breached on July 21 at Arepo, in Ogun. The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division NNPC, Mr Ohi Alegbe who confirmed the development indicated that it was carried out by the NNPC engineers. “The vital System 2B Pipeline, which was breached at Arepo last week, has been fixed and brought back on stream. Pumping of products through the system began on Monday upon the successful completion of repair. Those engaged in vandalism should desist from the act in order to avoid the consequences. Those engaged in the criminal acts of pipeline sabotage and oil theft should stop, so as to save themselves from the resultant horrendous deaths”, said maintained. However, some stakeholders have expressed interest in assisting to tackle the issues. One of them is an India-based international company known as Nispana Innovative Platforms. The Managing Director, Mr. Narendra Kumar has indicated that his company would assist to tackle the issues. But investigations showed that some companies, including Shell Petroleum have stated to lay their pipelines much deeper to escape vandals attack. The NNPC and other multinational oil companies have been urged to take the same approach. Stakeholders who rose from a crucial forum on ‘Oil Theft and Illegal Oil Bunkering’ in Lagos have suggested that laying the facilities much deeper would culminate in a significant reduction or complete elimination of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the nation. Although, they indicated that it would take a lot of funds to implement the idea, it seems to be worth trying, especially as it stands to attract tremendous benefits to operators and the nation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

DPR shuts 23 depots

CHIDI UGWU

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has shut 23 Private Petroleum Products Depots nationwide for selling petroleum to marketers above exdepot price of N77.66 per a liter. The Director of Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Mr. Mordecai Ladan, indicated in a statement that the sealed depots were mainly in Lagos except two (2) in warri and three (3) in Calabar. The clampdown on the private depots followed the report of a special investigation team set up by DPR to uncover some unwholesome practices by the private petroleum products depots following a tip-off. DPR maintained that the depots shall remain sealed until some conditions are met before the sanctions are lifted. Some the conditions listed before the sanctions will be lifted include payment of a fine of Two Million (N2,000,000.00) Naira each, making an undertaking that PMS will not be sold to bulk buyers, and ensuring that all subsequent sales shall be at N77.66/ltr as approved by the Federal Government. DPR vowed to continue monitoring the sales of the remaining and subsequent products even as it directed all its offices to ensure that all filling stations must sale Petroleum Products (PMS) at Government approved price of N87.00/ltr across the country regardless of its source depot. DPR had accused oil marketers and depot owners of causing the country’s long running intermittent fuel scarcities saying some unscrupulous groups are hoarding the products to create artificial scarcity. According to the agency, the devious act is to allow them sell petrol at N95 per litre, instead of the approved ex-depot price of

Fuel depot

N77.66, despite getting supplies from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and also enjoying Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) subsidy, says DPR. The oil and gas regulatory agency says the marketers are making double gains as they are paid subsidy from the PSF and yet they still arbitrarily increase the ex-depot price of petrol. DPR warned that the licences of offenders would be withdrawn henceforth if they do not desist from such practices, saying the actions of the depot owners who charge a premium of over N17.34 on a litre of petrol, over the officially approved price amounts to defrauding government and the public, since they all get the subsidy for the products they bring into the country. Mordecai Laden, acting director, DPR, who was represented by O.O. Medei, head of downstream, at a recent meeting with the marketers, said “any operator who sells above the government approved prices would have his

licence revoked. “We want to have interaction with you, in view of the fact that letters have earlier been sent to individual associations in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, concerning this unwholesome attitude by the marketers and depot owners to desist from it, but they are not ready to listen. “In the last few months, this country has experienced epileptic supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and this has translated into shortages at the filling stations. We have evidence to buttress this and this is why in the first place, the letters were written to the marketers. “We find this trend unacceptable, given that marketers with whom the DPR has constantly interacted have benefited from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF), which allows them to carry out their business transactions in such a way that it should guarantee constant and uninterrupted supply of PMS at government approved price.”

El-Badri raises hope on oil market as OPEC, Russia parley, UDEME AKPAN

he Secretary General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Dr Abdalla Salem El-Badri has raised hope that the long era of low crude oil prices would soon come to an end. The Secretary General who spoke at the fourth High Level Meeting of the OPEC-Russia energy dialogue was held in Moscow said the market would witness stability. The Meeting was chaired by the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Alexander Novak, and the Secretary General of OPEC, Abdalla Salem El-Badri. The meeting was attended by senior executives of the national oil companies of Russia and representatives of the academic community of the Russian Federation and senior representatives of the OPEC Secretariat. It was underlined that such meetings now

have a regular character which contribute to this energy dialogue, and facilitate the exchange of views on pertinent issues with regard to the world oil market. The meeting focused on short-term oil market developments, as well as medium- to long-term prospects. The deliberations also included the outlook for petrochemicals and fiscal regime perspectives in the Russian oil sector. It was stressed during the meeting that price volatility and the general oversupply in the oil market observed in recent quarters have been less conducive for market stability. Despite current uncertainties, signs of a more balanced market in 2016 may provide much desired stability to the oil market in the longer-term, a prerequisite for the continuity of timely and adequate investments. The Parties reiterated the value of such

meetings and agreed to have their next highlevel meeting in Vienna during the second half of 2016. OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental Organization, created at the Baghdad Conference on September 10–14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The five Founding Members were later joined by nine other Members: Qatar (1961); Indonesia (1962) – suspended its membership from January 2009; Libya (1962); United Arab Emirates (1967); Algeria (1969); Nigeria (1971); Ecuador (1973) – suspended its membership from December 1992-October 2007; Angola (2007) and Gabon (1975–1994). OPEC had its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in the first five years of its existence. This was moved to Vienna, Austria, on September 1, 1965. OPEC’s objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

45.30

-1.82

-3.86%

13:15:08

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

49.79

-2.42

-4.64%

13:15:08

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

39,910.00

-1,520.00

-3.67%

13:14:54

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.72

+0.00

+0.04%

13:14:54

Source: Bloomberg as at August 3, 2015

Countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry. OPEC’s formation by five oil-producing developing countries in Baghdad in September 1960 occurred at a time of transition in the international economic and political landscape, with extensive decolonisation and the birth of many new independent states in the developing world. The international oil market was dominated by the “Seven Sisters” multinational companies and was largely separate from that of the former Soviet Union (FSU) and other centrally planned economies (CPEs). OPEC developed its collective vision, set up its objectives and established its Secretariat, first in Geneva and then, in 1965, in Vienna. It adopted a ‘Declaratory Statement of Petroleum Policy in Member Countries’ in 1968, which emphasised the inalienable right of all countries to exercise permanent sovereignty over their natural resources in the interest of their national development. Membership grew to ten by 1969.

Energy Week

Extractive sector requires timely reforms – NEITI

he management of Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has highlighted the need for urgent reforms of the nation’s extractive industry declaring that Nigeria is losing huge revenue from the sub sector. A statement made available by the NEITI at the weekend, indicated that Nigeria lost about 160 million barrels of crude oil valued at $13.7 billion to crude oil theft from 2009-2012. The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the records were sourced from three international oil companies, IOCs, namely, Shell Production and Development Company, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Chevron Nigeria Limited. She disclosed that over 4.8 trillion naira has been expended by Government on subsidy payments alone just as reiterated the organisation’s call for a gradual phasing out of the subsidy scheme. Ahmed lamented that the scheme which was designed to benefit the ordinary Nigerian has become a drain pipe of government revenue by a few privileged individuals through all forms of manipulation and corrupt practices She told the Governor that between 2009-2012, Nigeria lost about $1.1Billion to crude oil and product swap, while NLNG dividends to the tune of $11.6Billion is yet to be remitted to the Federation Account. In addition, the NEITI scribe disclosed that from the NEITI 2012 Report, Nigeria spent over $7Billion on Joint Venture Cash Calls with international oil companies. She conveyed NEITI’s position that the Federal Government should divest its shares in the Joint Ventures, incorporate the Joint Ventures and/or transit them to other types of operating arrangements like the Production Sharing Contracts. Ahmed joined the calls for the unbundling of the NNPC and commercialization of the new sub business units to free the Corporation from regulatory functions. On NEITI’s recent audit that examined how states disbursed and used revenues accruing to them from their share of the Federation Account, she told Governor El-Rufai that what NEITI found was that most states had over the years depended on oil revenues and do little or nothing to generate revenues internally. “The country and the states are over reliant on oil revenues. They have neglected the huge potentials abundant within. Some states have as little as three per cent internally generated revenue, carry a huge recurrent expenditure and deploy very little to capital and social services like education, health care and security. What we saw from the report of the nine of the states sampled are shocking”.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ExxonMobil generates $4.2bn in Q2, 2015 UDEME AKPAN

major oil producing company, Exxon Mobil Corporation has announced estimated second quarter 2015 earnings of $4.2 billion, or $1 per diluted share, compared with $8.8 billion a year earlier. The company maintained that higher downstream and chemical earnings were more than offset by the impact of weaker upstream realisations and lower asset management gains. “We are delivering on our investment and operating commitments across ExxonMobil’s integrated portfolio,” said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our quarterly results reflect the disparate impacts of the current commodity price environment, but also demonstrate the strength of our sound operations, superior project execution capabilities, as well as continued discipline in capital and expense management.” It indicated that downstream and chemical segment earnings increased significantly from the second quarter of 2014, driven by higher margins, continued strong demand, and the quality of the company’s product and asset mix. The company maintained that ExxonMobil produced four million oil-equivalent barrels per day, an increase of 139,000 barrels per day, or 3.6 percent. Liquids volumes of

2.3 million barrels per day increased 11.9 percent, benefiting from new developments in Angola, Canada, Indonesia and the United States. During the quarter, the corporation distributed $4.1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding. The company maintained that a significant oil discovery was made in Guyana on the 6.6-million acre Stabroek Block that is located 120 miles offshore. It indicated that the well was safely drilled to 17,825 feet in 5,719 feet of water and encountered 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The company stated that production at the company’s Kearl oil sands expansion project in Alberta, Canada, started ahead of schedule, doubling gross capacity to 220,000 barrels of bitumen per day. It maintained that Bitumen production began on schedule at the Cold Lake Nabiye project expansion in northeastern Alberta, Canada. The company disclosed that the expansion is producing about 20,000 barrels per day and volumes are expected to reach peak daily production of 40,000 barrels later this year. “Upstream earnings were $2 billion in the second quarter of 2015, down $5.9 billion from the second quarter of 2014. Lower liquids and gas realizations decreased earnings by $4.5 billion, while volume effects increased earnings by $330 million

Oil rig

driven by new developments. All other items decreased earnings by $1.7 billion, including the one-time $260 million deferred income tax impact related to the tax rate increase in Alberta, Canada, and the absence of prior year asset management gains.” “On an oil-equivalent basis, production increased 3.6 percent from the second quarter of 2014. Liquids production totaled 2.3 million barrels per day, up 243,000 barrels per day, with project ramp-up and entitlement effects partly offset by field decline. Natural gas production was 10.1 billion cubic feet per day, down 622 million cubic feet per day from 2014 due to regulatory restrictions in the Netherlands. Project volumes and entitlement effects offset field

decline.” “The U.S. Upstream operations recorded a loss of $47 million, down $1.2 billion from the second quarter of 2014. Non-U.S. Upstream earnings were $2.1 billion, down $4.6 billion from the prior year. Downstream earnings were $1.5 billion, up $795 million from the second quarter of 2014. Stronger margins increased earnings by $1.1 billion. Volume and mix effects decreased earnings by $80 million. All other items, including higher maintenance expenses, decreased earnings by $230 million. Petroleum product sales of 5.7 million barrels per day were 104,000 barrels per day lower than the prior year’s second quarter,” it added.

are short changing Nigerians.” The company stated that it is fully aware that the ban “will generate lots of threats, intimidation and blackmail from various quarters especially those involved in these activities. But we shall not be deterred.” It restated its determination to “Join hands with the relevant government agencies to ensure products loaded from our terminal are discharged at designated filling stations nationwide in line with directives given at various stakeholders’ meetings held with relevant government agencies.” The company restated its commitment “to making petroleum products available to Nigerians at the prices stipulated by the relevant government agencies and have indeed played a vital role in ensuring constant availability of petroleum products nationwide.” It noted that “in recent times, we have received hard knocks from some of our colleagues in the industry especially when we defied the last strike that almost crippled economic activities nationwide. An ugly situation that made banks announced early closures, shutdown of services rendered by telecommunication

companies, difficulty in road transportation and flight cancellations as well as inability of hospitals, hotels, government offices etc to function due to non-availability of petroleum products to power their generators and vehicles.” The statement reads in parts “It has come to our notice the unpatriotic activities of some petroleum marketers who load petroleum products at our terminal and resell the allocated product at exorbitant prices far above the stipulated prices set by government. These products are often times diverted to locations other than those approved by relevant authorities. In the past few days, some newspaper houses have recently investigated and published cases of alleged diversion by some marketers. “Unscrupulous practices such as these ultimately affect the citizens of our country as products are sold at some locations above the fixed price of N87/litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Since Capital Oil & Gas distributes a high percentage of petroleum products consumed daily nationwide, the general perception held by some filling station operators and end users may be that we are short changing Nigerians.

Capital oil intensifies moves to curb products’ diversion CHIDI UGWU

he management of Capital oil and Gas Limited raised the bar in the fight against this ugly trend by placing ban on some marketers for allegedly diverting products and also selling above government regulated prices. The Director of Media Services, Mr. Afam Ilounoh, indicated in a statement that the ban became necessary following discovery that some oil marketers collect petroleum products from its terminal at the designated prices only to resell the allocated

Fuel queue

products at prices far above the stipulated prices set by the federal government. “The ban is necessary to save Nigerians from such “unscrupulous practices which ultimately affects the citizens of our country. The products are sold at some locations above the fixed price of N87/ litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Since Capital Oil & Gas distributes a high percentage of petroleum products consumed daily nationwide, the general perception held by some filling station operators and end users may be that we

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Seven Energy to boost energy supply in Port Harcourt, Aba STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

even Energy International Limited, the indigenous Nigerian integrated gas Company has commenced measures targeted at boosting power supply in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Aba in Abia state. The Managing Director of Accugas, a subsidiary of Seven Energy, Mr. Steve Tierney Accugas indicated that it has become imperative to develop and drive support to SME businesses and help this important part of the Nigerian economy. He said that access to reliable, affordable energy is vital for SME’s to operate efficiently and profitably. Tierney maintained that energy costs can run from 40%-65% of the total cost of production for many SME’s. Better access to energy opens up opportunities for income producing activities. He said the forum will explain how switching to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a real alternative which will have a substantial impact

on their competitiveness. The Managing Director indicated that Seven Energy, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Accugas, has built up infrastructure and a reputation for the reliable supply of high quality gas to sustain business operations for many large industrial customers. We want to bring this value and reliability to the bedrock of the Nigerian economy, SME’s. He said Seven Energy has continued to champion an industrial gas revolution through the development and production of natural gas, and, critically, its commercialisation through investment in processing and distribution infrastructure, where the Company has invested over $1 billion in the south east region of the Niger Delta in the last 5 years. The Managing director noted that with significant capacity built into its distribution infrastructure, the Company is capable of providing a long-term supply of gas to additional off-takers for power generation and for local industry. He said the company has a grow-

Gas pipeline

ing list of gas off-takers such as Notore Chemical Industries Limited, Rivers State; Alaoji NIPP, Abia State; Ibom Power Station, Awka Ibom State; United Cement Company of Nigeria and Calabar NIPP both in Cross Rivers State. Seven Energy International Limited is an independent Nigerian integrated oil and gas exploration, development, production and gas distribution company founded in 2004. With the backing of strategic long-

term investors and main offices in Lagos and London, the Group has a unique focus on the emerging Nigerian domestic gas market. The Group’s upstream assets include licence interests in the Uquo Field and the Stubb Creek Field (south east Niger Delta), an indirect interest in OMLs 4, 38 and 41 with Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (north west Niger Delta) and licence interests in OPLs 905, 907 and 917 (Anambra Basin).

NERC constitutes safety code panel for operators

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has constituted a 12- member panel to improve the efficiency of the networks and safety of utility workers and the general public. The panel comprises two persons representing generation companies (Gencos), specifically hydro, two from Transmission Company of Nigeria, two from distribution companies (Discos). Also in the panel are two persons representing independent power producers, with three persons to cover consumers in the following category, domestic,

Transformer

commercial and industrial. An appointee of the Commission is also a member. The Commission’s Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, in his remarks described electricity consumption per capita, as one of the indices used to assess the development of any country, thus the importance of the safety code review panel. Amadi said: “The code has provided that a health and safety code review panel consisting of qualified industry health, safety and environment shall be constituted to take on the function of re-

viewing , monitoring and complementing the code as part of the reforms within the electricity industry in Nigeria.’’ The Commissioner, Engineering Standard and Safety, Dr Abba Ibrahim, said that the setting up of the panel is meant to ensure high standard in the industry that would produce best practice, which makes it very imperative for them to be focused. The panel shall be responsible for improving and developing the code through regular review, consultation, research and other methodologies found appropriate from time to time. Members shall be appointed for a term of two years, renewable for another term of two years only and no more. The panel shall keep the health and safety code and its implementation under review; among which is the review of all suggestions for amendment as well as publication of recommendations as to the amendment and the reasons for the recommendations, to the Commission. Similarly, health and safety officers shall consider what changes are necessary to the safety code arising out of any unforeseen circumstance referred to it by users of the generation, transmission, distribution networks or to NERC.

All proposed revisions from operating companies shall be sent to the Chairman of the panel, who will advise the panel with notice of no more than 20 business days. Meanwhile, the highlight of the meeting was the election of an eight-member Executive Committe, followed by the administration of oath of office on them by a legal practitioner, Barr. Emeka Ugwuowo. Mr. Chuka Amobi of Ughelli power emerged the Chairman, while the Secretary is Gilbert Nweke of Benin Distribution Company. Other members of the safety officers are Yernur Kulchikobo of Mainstream Energy Distribution and Marketing Company, Aminu Abubakar of Kano Utility, Garbriel Igede from Port Harcourt Distribution Company. There are also Cephas Kangeh and Mrs A.O. Fagbulu from Transmission Company of Nigeria, Iniobong Udofia and Ottih Lawrence from Ibom power and Shell respectively. Consumer Protection Council, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and NACCIMA have one representative each, while Mr Rasheed Busari of the Engineering Standard and Safety Division has been appointed to represent the Commission in the panel.

Akon to invest in Nigeria’s power sector

he United States - based singer and Entrepreneur Akon at the weekend said he was set to commence a pilot scheme of his energy project, ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ in Nigeria. The Senegal-born rap artist, whose real name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Thiam, said the project will address energy crisis in Africa by providing power to over 600 million Africans in the rural areas. Akon spoke separately during his visits to the former governor of Lagos state and All Progressive Congress APC, National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos. He said that the Akon Lighting Africa project was already operating in 14 African countries, stressing that it will fight unemployment in the continent. “The project is to make Africa a better place for our unborn children; we have more than 5000 Africans working on the project. “The young people of Africa will be empowered to install and maintain the infrastructure therefore creating jobs in the rural communities,” Akon said. Akon said he choose to help fight energy problem in Africa “because infrastructure is not possible without energy. “You need energy for every project or infrastructure you want to venture into,” Akon added. Also speaking during the visits, co-founder of the project and chief executive of Solektra Energy Solution for Africa, Samba Bathily said the project is to provide one billion USD credit line launch in links with local banks. According to Samba, the project will provides over 100,000 solar domestic kits, 1,200 solar mini grids and 100,000 solar street lamps. He said that his firm supports the electrification of Africa through a sustainable and environmental friendly development model using solar energy. The ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ project includes installation of solar equipment in households as well as the promotion of their energy sufficiency which will allow millions of Africans access to electricity. The project plans to start delivering village-level solar power to allow people to enjoy electricity and equally create massive employment.

Energy Week

NIPCO donates materials to displaced persons

ipco plc, a leading indigenous downstream operator in the nation’s Oil and Gas industry has donated relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs camping in the ancient city of Gashua, Yobe, State. Prior to the donation of food items, the Managing Director of Nipco, Mr Venkataraman Venkatapathy had empathised with the Executive Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam and the good people of the state on the spate of insurgent attacks in the state pledging the company’s support through donation of relief materials to ameliorate the sufferings of the IDPs. He said the succour being offered is to compliment the efforts of the state government in addressing the plight of the displaced persons who by providence had to be dislocated from their original settlements. Mr Venkatapathy equally informed the governor that the intervention is our own way of identifying with the people who have been traumatised adding that it also offers us a veritable avenue of giving back to the society by way of corporate social responsibility. According to him, similar assistance had been rendered through the Victims Support Fund [VSF] meant to address the problem of people and communities affected by insurgency in the northeast in July 2014. Making the physical presentation of the items at one of the IDPs distribution point at the Yadi Barkin Kasuwa in Gashua ,director of the company ,Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed said “ we have come to see the IDPs in their camps and feel their pains with the ultimate objective of rendering help to ease their sufferings “. He pointed out that Nipco is deeply concerned with the plight of the IDPs stressing that no responsible men and women want to be in this type of situation as it is now up those of us either as an individual or corporate entity to help them at least to feed among other things. While applauding the recent giant strides of President Muhammadu Buhari in tackling insurgency in the north eastern zone of the country, Alhaji Yakubu the company will continue to support government at all levels to reduce the discomfort and want of those affected having suffered alienation due to the rebellious of few people in the society . Receiving the relief items which included 200 bags of rice and 350 packs of Noodles the District Head of Lawan Musa ward, Alhaji Lawan Gana Gashua thanked the company and urged other corporate organizations to emulate the gesture.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UK, indigenous firms explore opportunities in oil, gas sector STORIES: UDEME AKPAn

total of 100 delegates representing 56 companies from Nigeria and the United Kingdom explored opportunities for collaboration at the annual Nigeria-UK Supplier Engagement programme organised by Shell Nigeria Exploration Company Ltd (SNEPCo) in conjunction with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI). The event which took place in Lagos brought together companies engaged in a wide variety of activities in the oil and gas industry including engineering, maintenance, fabrication and subsea support services. The UK delegation, which included Nigerian experts in the diaspora who SNEPCo had reached in previous business summits in Aberdeen and London, first met with Shell Companies in Nigeria companies on areas of need and technical gaps. Osagie Okunbor, Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC.) observed: “The striking feature of this year’s business summit is the presence of Nigerians in

the diaspora in the UK delegation. It shows that, our engagements with Nigerians to take up opportunities back home in the oil and gas industry, is being well received, and this is good news for everybody.” The UK delegates held networking meetings with their Nigerian counterparts which included several members of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). “Shell has a long-term and continuing commitment to Nigeria, its people and the economy,” said Chiedu Oba, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria in a welcome address. “One of the most significant ways we have delivered on that commitment is by increasing the participation of Nigerian companies and individuals in our supply chain and operations – to ensure that as many Nigerians as possible benefit from our activities and business.” The General Manager Production PSC in the National Petroleum Investment and Management Services (NAPIMS) urged the participating companies to work towards taking

Oil men at work

advantage of upcoming opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He reiterated the importance of local content in the growth of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. UKTI Director Chris Maskell thanked Shell for the continued support on the Nigeria-UK Supplier Engagement programme. Also speaking at a reception organised by UKTI for the suppliers, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Contend Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Denzil Kentebe lauded the Shell initiative to foster

partnerships that will help local vendors strengthen their technical capability. SNEPCo initiated the NigeriaUK Supplier Engagement programme in 2009, and has this led to some 27 partnerships between Nigerian and UK companies with another 43 partnership discussions progressing well. Shell Companies in Nigeria are major contributors to the national economy, not only through the energy they produce and the revenues generated, but also via achievements in supply chain, local content and social investment.

Fuel scarcity lingers in Lagos, environs

uel shortage has lingered in Lagos and its environs, thus causing much hardship to motorists and other users of the product. A survey over the weekend showed that only a few filling stations still have the product to sell to general public. It showed that some motorists have no options than to patronise illegal operators who were seen making brisk businesses along many locations, including Ikorodu road, Ojota and Surulere, Lagos. The situ-

Fuel tanker

ation, it was gathered remained the same in other cities, especially Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Kaduna. Unlike the filling stations where the product is supposed to be sold at N87 per liter, black market operators sell it at between N150 and N400 per liter, depending on location. The independent marketers sell it at over N100 per liter while the most major marketers known for sticking to government regulated price of N87 per liter did not have the product to sell. A visit to some jetties and depots in the South West showed that mar-

keters pay as much as N95 per liter to lift the product. Expectedly, oil marketers have indicated that it is not possible for them to sell petrol at the N87 Federal Government regulated price. The Vice Chairman of Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Mr. Kunle Bamgboye maintained that the operations of many depots, including Atlas Cove, Ibadan and Ore have been shut apparently because of lack of petrol. He said the Mosimi depot that currently opens to marketers only provide skeletal services because of limited stocks of the product. The Vice Chairman indicated that one oil marketer can only get one consignment in one month, meaning that tanker drivers perpetually queue for petrol at the depot. He indicated that the depot has not been able to meet the demand of 600 oil marketers who queue daily to lift product at the depot. The DPR which has the responsibility to monitor and sanction marketers that exploit the masses said it has not been officially informed about the problems they encounter.

The representative of the Director of the agency, Mr. Ahmed Mudei said disclosed that DPR was not aware of the situation. He charged the major and independent marketers to report in writing so that the agency can intervene accordingly. Mudei said it is wrong for marketers to use many excuses as the reasons for exploiting the poor masses, thus defeating government efforts to provide fuel at a regulated price to the general public. “Some marketers have consistently flouted Government’s directives by selling above ex-depot price which in turn translates to higher prices at the pump. The meeting is therefore convened to reiterate the resolve of the Department of Petroleum Resources to ensure that henceforth, the DPR would not allow a situation whereby supply of PMS is dictated by the private interests of marketers and dealers to the detriment of the Nigerian public, neither will the Department condone any act of selling PMS above official pump price in Government licensed facilities under any guise whatsoever.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Industry & SMEs

Counting gains, losses of AGOA’s implementation in Nigeria 14 years after Due to the widely held belief that Nigeria has not really benefited from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, the operation which will end this September there are mixed reactions from the economic experts on whether the agreement should be extended or not. ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.

lthough designed as a good concept and with good intention of the United States of America to uplift economies of Africa, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, may not be a proper programme for some economies of the continent, especially Nigeria due to its low export-oriented productive capacity The country is rich in natural resources as well as raw agricultural products though; it is incapacitated to add value to its products before exportation while its level of raw products exportation has also been rated below the bar. Based on its lack of capacity to meet up with the requirements of the AGOA, experts disclosed that there is need for reappraisal of Nigeria’s participation in the programme for a better economic growth of the country. While some claimed that the country has not benefited much from the programme since its establishment in 2000, hence there should be no need for the continuation of the programme, others believed that the country would still meet up if the programme is extended. AGOA is a U.S. preferential trade programme established in May 2000, which provided duty-free access to the $3 trillion U.S. market for thousands of products from eligible sub-Saharan African countries. As of August 2014, 41 sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria were eligible for AGOA benefits. The 2013 AGOA data published by US Trade and Commerce Department, showed that Nigeria exported products worth $5,403,000 compared to South Africa $3,667, 783,000; Lesotho $320,879,000 and Mauritius $199,268,000; Kenya $342,502,000; Angola $66,000,000; Cameroun $21,650,000 and Ghana $34,673,000. In a review of 14 years of AGOA and Nigeria’s performance, the former Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry,

Coco processed for export

Buhari

Obama

THE 2013 AGOA DATA PUBLISHED BY US TRADE AND COMMERCE DEPARTMENT, SHOWED THAT NIGERIA EXPORTED PRODUCTS WORTH $5,403,000 COMPARED TO SOUTH AFRICA $3,667, 783,000; LESOTHO $320,879,000 AND MAURITIUS $199,268,000; KENYA $342,502,000; ANGOLA $66,000,000; CAMEROUN $21,650,000 AND GHANA $34,673,000 Mine and Agriculture, NACCIMA, John Isemede, rhetorically asked that what has been the take home from AGOA for over 14 years Nigeria has been on the programme, while also noting that the programme has not contributed in any way to the development of the Nigeria’s economy, neither has it raised the business potential of any Nigerian entrepreneur. Isemede frowned at a situation whereby America would be dictating the price of what they buy from the exporting countries. He said: “I am not saying we should pull out, I am not condemning it howev-

er, for Nigeria to continue, we have to assess how we started; where we are today; are we to go ahead with the old system or there will be some adjustments? That is where experts from the private sector and universities have to come in.” “If you are taking produce from Nigeria and we can’t meet your standard, you had better come and investment in Nigeria or bring your own experts to come and teach us the standard. “You asked for ABCD products and you have every right to determine the quality and quantity but you don’t have every right to determine the price for what you don’t produce. What is the essence of determining quality when you have not even worked with our people?” The Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Muda Yusuf specifically said there was the need for extension of AGOA by the US for about five to ten years, which according to him allows exportation of Nigerian products to American market duty-free. Yusuf, who said Nigeria has not efficiently used the AGOA opportunity, believed that its extension would be an advantage for development of Nigerian SMEs if they can export their products to international market without any problem. During the recent economic visit of the Nigerian President Muhammadu

Buhari, to the US, Nigerian economic stakeholders have beckoned on the American President to create greater access to American markets for the products of the SMEs in Nigeria. This has prompted the Director, Membership Services and Public Relations, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Nerus Ekezie to appeal to the US President through the Nigerian President to give Nigerian products American market access, especially those goods in which Nigeria has comparative advantage, such as Agric and Agro-allied products. According to him, if the Nigerian products could be allowed to be exported into the American market, the SMEs in the production aspect would begin to grow to the desired standard, thereby creating the required employment for the teaming unemployed youths in the country. In 2013, U.S. goods imports from subSaharan African under AGOA and the related GSP programme totaled $26.8 billion, more than three times the amount in 2001, the first full-year of AGOA trade. While petroleum products accounted for the largest portion of AGOA imports, non-oil AGOA trade was $4.9 billion in 2013. Now, with the persistent drop in the price of oil at the international market, experts believed that Nigeria has to increase its exportation of non-oil products in order to benefit more from the AGOA, hence the call for extension of the programme beyond September 2015. It would be recalled that AGOA was signed into law by President Clinton in May 2000 with the objective of expanding U.S. trade and investment with subSaharan Africa, to stimulate economic growth, to encourage economic integration, and to facilitate sub-Saharan Africa’s integration into the global economy. One goal of AGOA was to support sub-Saharan African economic development through trade and investment. The programme offers tangible incentives to sub-Saharan African countries for undertaking difficult political and economic reforms that promote long-term growth and development. The Act established the annual U.S.sub-Saharan Africa Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum) to promote a high-level dialogue on trade and investment-related issues. At the center of AGOA are substantial trade preferences that, along with those under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), allow virtually all marketable goods produced in AGOA-eligible countries to enter the U.S. market duty-free.

Cocktail

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Distillers added Viagra to popular alcoholic beverage

fficials in southern China said they have seized thousands of bottles of alcohol that had Viagra added as an ingredient. The accused distillers were mixing the drug into a popular Chinese alcoholic beverage known as “baijiu,” or “shaojiu,” and promising the drinks would provide “health-preserving qualities,” the BBC quoted the Liuzhou Food and Drug Administration as saying.

Authorities in Liuzhou say they confiscated more than 5,300 bottles of the tampered beverages, as well as packets of a white powder called Sildenafil, a drug that combats erectile dysfunction and is sold as “Viagra” and other trade names. The seizure was valued at about $113,000. Police are investigating the two distillers, who ran the Guikun and Deshun Alcohol Plants in Liuzhou.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Fisherman on paddleboard catches 400-pound fish

Florida fisherman angling from his paddleboard reeled in a 400-pound goliath grouper that pulled him into the water during the struggle. Capt. Ben Chancey, host of the YouTube fishing show Chew on This, was filming his attempt to fish from a paddle board last week off Florida’s east coast when he hooked a 400-pound goliath

grouper. Chancey’s struggle with the 7-foot-long fish, which he shared on YouTube, resulted in the fisherman being pulled into the water at one point, but he was able

to climb back onto his board and use a rope to retrieve his rod and resume the struggle. The fisherman and his support team were able to pull the grouper onto his paddle board to pose for

pictures before the fish was released back into the water. “We like to have fun, challenge ourselves with giant fish,” Chancey told Fox News.

Winning lottery number shown on live TV before drawn

he head of Serbia’s state lottery resigned and several other employees are under investigation after a winning lottery number was shown on live television before it was drawn. Aleksandar Vulovic said he was stepping down out of “moral obligation” and denies any wrongdoing after a win-

ning ball, 21, was shown on screen before it was drawn from the machine. The incident sparked corruption allegations, but lottery officials said it was a “technical mistake.” No one won the $1.09 million ( 1m) jackpot. “The draw was completely in accordance with the rules and the

company abides by the law,” the state lottery said in a written statement. Police have seized the lottery machine, balls and computer software. Investigators said lottery employees who worked during the draw will undergo lie-detector tests. At least six people have been questioned in the scandal.

Capt. Ben Chancey posing with the 400-pound goliath grouper he reeled in from his paddleboard.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Virology Institute strengthens 260 laboratories nationwide –Dakun

he Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has said that it had strengthened the capacity of over 260 laboratories across the country since 2014 through the provision of apparatus and staff training. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the institute, Dr Patrick Dakum, who disclosed this in Abuja, said that the affected laboratories cut

across tertiary, secondary, and primary health facilities in Nigeria. Dakum told NAN that the institute was working closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control to ensure that the quality of the laboratories was improved in a way that would enable them to respond adequately to outbreak of diseases. He added that in 2004 when the institute was

incorporated as a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), it set out to be part and parcel of the Nigerian response to the HIV scourge. “I will say that between that time (2004) and now the Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) has been able to strengthen about 260 laboratories in the country. “And these laboratories span from tertiary health facilities, secondary health facilities and

even primary healthcare facilities. “And the support we have provided including the building itself, in some instances, then the equipment, reagents and the training associated with ensuring that appropriate services are ongoing. “We have collaborated with the World Health Organisation working along with the Centre for Disease Control to ensure that a process for quality improvement is instituted

is these laboratories. “And I must say that it is an exciting part of the support.” Dakum added that apart from its support to the fight against HIV infection, the institute was providing support to tackling tuberculosis as it was instrumental to developing the first functional TB culture laboratory in the country. According to him, the laboratory is located in Zaria, Kaduna State.

L-R: Assistant Editor in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Suleiman Tola; Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), Dr Patrick Dakum and Deputy Editor in- Chief, Mr Victor Idem, at the NAN forum in Abuja, yesterday.

Doctors plan better services for patients MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

igerian Medical Association, NMA, Abuja chapter, has pledged better services for patients seeking care in hospitals in the nation’s capital. President of the association in the city, Fatima Mairami, gave the assurance in Abuja on Monday at the Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference organized by the chapter. Mairami said the conference would help the doctors review their communication behaviours towards their patients, “salvage”

the group’s “dented image,” and improve teamwork and camaraderie among health workers in the territory. This is even as she restated the imperative of harmony among health professionals. Besides, the doctors, according to Mairami, would use the medium to showcase and enlighten one another on recent medical breakthroughs by doctors in the nation’s capital. She added that the National Health Act would also be studied by the association at the event. Mairami argued that if doctors’ mode of communication with patients is decent and warming, patients would be willing to

come for care and that such would reduce self-medication and medical tourism in the country. She noted that the association had looked inward, and had realized that most problems faced in the hospitals were not insurmountable. “That is why we said we are redesigning medicine in FCT. Henceforth, we are going to try to make things right. We are going to shorten the time that the patient arrive the hospital and is seen by the person that is supposed to be seen,” she said. The theme for this year’s Annual General Meeting/ Scientific Conference is “Re-designing Medicine.

“The choice of this theme became handy at these times when the field of medical practice the world over has become very dynamic and patterns of disease burden in developing countries are changing,” Mairami stated. She maintained that the NMA “strives to ensure the upholding of the Physicians’ Oath, promoting advancement of health and allied sciences. It also works to assist the governments and peoples of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the provision of smooth, efficient and effective health care delivery system in the country. Pivotal in NMA’s core mandate is the promo-

tion of the welfare and interaction of all medical and dental practitioners in the country. “We are always keen on utilizing every legitimate avenues towards engendering a co-operation with international organizations that have similar aims and objectives. Our deep-rooted concern in the general well being of the Nigerian people propels us to, in addition to medical and clinical duties, consider and express views on all proposed legislation, national and international issues, health care delivery system, medical and dental education in Nigeria. Thus, the occasion

He said that the institute was an off-shoot of the decision of the U.S. government in 2004 to provide an enhanced support through a programme tagged: ``President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief ”. Dakum said that the University of Maryland in Baltimore was a recipient of that relief and facilitated the establishment of an entity to manage the support. According to him, the institute is working principally in the public sector to address issues of laboratory infrastructure, among others. He said: `We look at the infrastructure and in some places we have to support the hospital; we renovate a part of the hospital that will be used for laboratory services and put it in a way that it will be acceptable standardwise. “Then the US Government also provided funds and we were able to get equipment for diagnostics and monitoring that were provided for these hospitals.” IHVN was established in 2004 as an NGO to address the HIV/AIDS crises in Nigeria through the development of infrastructure for treatment, care, prevention, and support. It also extends such support to people living with and those affected by HIV/ AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases.

of our Annual General Meeting affords us all the opportunity to take stock and chart a course for the tasks ahead of this noble profession.” Meanwhile, the group has informed that it was willing to work with government and nongovernmental organizations to help bring quality and reliable health care to people in the territory. While calling on the federal government to tackle insecurity in the country, the association reiterated the need for public-private-partnership in managing the nation’s public hospitals.

Civil Service

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Ministers, part of contract-award process’ OMEIZA AJAYI, ABUJA

n Abuja-based Civil Society Organization (CSO), Organising Greater Nigeria, has reminded President Muhammadu Buhari that he lacks the powers to exclude cabinet ministers from contract award processes. The group was responding to reports credited to the president in which he was alleged to have stated that as part of his anti-corruption drive, ministers would no longer be involved in the process of contract awards unlike what obtained in the past. In the report, the president was said to have stated that civil servants would henceforth handle the process.However, the group said by the provisions of the Procurement Act, the president does not possess such powers. While it conceded

that ministers were not the awarding entities, the group was however emphatic that the Act makes them an integral part of the process. Executive Director of the CSO, Mr. Nuhu Aliyu who spoke on behalf of the group, noted that doing so would be a violation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007, which vests the power of awarding contracts under ministers. ‘’The president should note that he cannot continue to make or take policy decision on behalf of the Nigerian people without a properly constituted Federal Executive Council, whose duty it is to subject all Federal Government Policies to rigorous debate and arrive at a decision before pronouncement and implementation. Anything short of this is dictatorship”, he said. According to him, unless the law is amended through the necessary

constitutional process, the president might run into troubled waters if he goes ahead to violate it. Aliyu added: “We note with concern, a recent statement by President Buhari to the effect that Ministers will no longer award contracts, without a comprehensive policy explanation on how he intends to award contract to conform with the tenets of the law. “We are worried that the president may be tak-

ing us back to pre-1984 where contracts were awarded at the discretion of the ‘Head of State’. “The president may note that under the democratic dispensation and since coming to effect of the Due Process Act of 2007, no minister awards any contract, and certainly not even under the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, but by due process of the law.

“The law stipulates that the process of contract award commences with the MDAs (otherwise known as procurement entities) which must advertise the contracts in at least two national dailies and carry out open, transparent and competitive bidding in the presence of the media and civil society organization. And the result announced openly. “Based on this, the

MDAs, throughout their respective ministers make recommendations to the BPP, which further assesses the request and recommend to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for award. “The process of award of contract cannot therefore, be changed by a singleman policy decision of President Buhari, without the amendment of the law by the National Assembly”.

FRSC to commence certification training for PTD-NUPENG workers CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to commence certification training exercise for the Petroleum Tanker Drivers in 12 locations across the country. A statement by the Head of Media Relations and Strategy unit, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, noted that the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC has directed that the training Programme of PTD workers becomes an annual exercise where intensive road use education will be taught, as well as registration of new and young Tanker Drivers’ personal details and biometrics. Kazeem further revealed that among other issues that were carefully considered for the planned programme of action are: registration of driver details and their tankers, medical tests of varying kinds, production of safety stickers (to be affixed to the tankers of the trained PTD workers), use of Driver’s Licence as a form of identification be-

fore training commences, and the Units and Zones where the tanker drivers operate will also help in the process of creating and maintaining a reliable database. The programme which is tagged Annual Tanker/ Trailer Drivers’ Certification is scheduled to Commence on the 5th of August 2015, at Orile Lagos State. According to the FRSC spokesman, the location of the training as Orile and Oghere both in Lagos State, Eiye-nkorin in Kwara State, Suleja and Taffa in Niger State and Mararaba-Jos, Others are Port Harcourt Refinery in River State, Lobanta and Calabar in Cross River State, Oghara and Warri in Delta State and Benin Edo State. In the light of the above, the Head of Media Relations and Strategy stated that a representative of PTD-NUPENG remarked that at least 75% of tanker drivers will be trained and captured during the training, not excluding the motor boys of such drivers. The certification programme which is aimed at orienting and reorienting

L-R: Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; Deputy Director Accounts, Mr. Jubril Salawu and the Co-ordinator, External Audit Firms, Mr. Innocent Osime signing the consolidated Reports at the presentation ceremony in Abuja recently.

NIHOTOUR seeks states government support on facilities JOEL AJAYI, ABUJA

n its desire to improve on huge challenges to training facilities encountered by the agency, NIHOTOUR has requested the assistance of state governments in providing befitting facilities for its eight study centers in Nigeria. This even, as institutes weekend conferred 500 hospitality students with Higher Diplomas, Diplomas and certificates in hospitality management, tourism management, IATA Certification amongst others. The centers include Oshogbo, Lagos, Benin, Enugu, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja.

…convokes 500 hospitality student in Abuja Speaking during the ceremony, in Abuja, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun noted foundation of any good hospitality is to provide and deliver good services. Balogun who identified inadequate infrastructural facilities across the study centers as one of the factors militating against the agency. According to her, today we have over 500 graduates here from 8 centers in the country Higher Diplomas, Diplomas and certificates in hospitality management, tourism management, IATA Certification amongst others. “We have a huge chal-

lenge of funding, we have a huge challenge to training materials but the biggest challenge is infrastructure proper’s building, proper class room for the institute to deliver the service, we will like to trains more people. “And I am using this opportunity to call on state governments that have already been kind enough to host us to take a step forward and get us appropriate infrastructure for our well training teacher to deliver their job.” In his good will message, the Director General of National Orientation Agency NOA Mr. Mike Omeri revealed

that Tourism by itself define the character and value of any nation, and this is closely embedded in the demonstration of the value within the peoples culture. “And what is happening here is good, institutes is fulfilling its mandate having training people along our culture of hospitality I think this we can boost the tourism industry it means national economy will be boost. “Tourism is a big industry bigger than oil and what NIHOTOUR has done today is to contribute human capital to be serving as critical engine to move sector forward,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday August 5, 2015

Kogi 2015: Abatemi-Usman obtains APC guber form OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming Kogi State gubernatorial poll, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has picked the party’s nomination form ahead of the primary election scheduled for August 29. Speaking through his media adviser, Michael Jegede, in a statement issued after obtaining his form on Monday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, Abatemi-Usman said he joined the gubernatorial race to salvage Kogi State from the utter state of backwardness it has been since its creation about 24 years ago. He said: “We have been so unfortunate in Kogi State since its creation on August 27, 1991. We have never been lucky to have good leaders

in the helms of affairs. And so, we have been in a complete state of backwardness and retardation in terms of infrastructural and economic development. Those who had been privileged to be at the corridors of power in the state lacked the vision and foresight of how to bring about the overall advancement of our dear Kogi State. “This is why I am coming out on the platform of our great party, APC to take over Kogi from the hands of this incompetent set of people who have left us in this sorry state of outright underdevelopment where Kogites cannot be proud of their own state. We cannot continue like this. The time for change in Kogi State has come.” The 44-year-old gubernatorial aspirant expressed confidence that he would win the primary poll and become the candidate of APC for the guber election holding on November 21.

Delta Assembly suspends council chair THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

alpable tension yesterday afternoon envelop Effurun and its environs as news filtered in that Uvwie Local Government chairman, Hon. Henry Baro, has been suspended indefinitely by the Delta State House of Assembly. National Mirror learnt that the House reached the decision following ongoing crisis rocking the leadership of Uvwie Central Motor Park of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, which has left several persons injured and two police officers sustained severe gunshots injuries. As at about 3pm when the news of Baro’s removal reached Effurun near Warri, traders and servicing companies had started closing businesses as fierce-looking irate youths besieged various areas of the city. Hon. Baro, an ally of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the last local government election in the state. He has been having running battle with Hon. Evelyn Oboro, candidate for

Uvwie/Okpe/Sapele federal constituency at the National Assembly over the outcome of the last election where he was accused of working against the PDP candidate who lost to Hon. Efe Ofobruku of the Social Democratic Party, SDP. There have been rumours that the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, is not happy with the council chairman. Sources closed to Baro confirmed the development to National Mirror, saying that the development could scuttle the relative peace in the city which also play host to highest numbers of industries in the state. A member of the Delta State House of Assembly who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the suspension to National Mirror via a telephone call. The lawmaker said Baro was suspended over alleged financial recklessness and breach of peace in the council. The motion for his suspension was moved by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Tim Owhefere, and was unanimously adopted by the House to allow investigation into the allegations against him.

L-R: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; President, Nigerian Institute of Building, Builder Tunde lasabi; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, during the 45th Builders’ Conference/Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building, at International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday.

He said his optimism was anchored on the decision of the leadership of the party to create a level playing field for all the contestants, without penciling down anybody as the anointed candidate. He said: “The decision

of the party to be neutral and dispassionate is highly commendable and an indication that APC is indeed a party built on change where transparency, fairness, equity and justice will be seen to have always prevailed in all its activi-

ties.” Abatemi-Usman, who has been meeting with different groups of APC members at the grassroots across the length and breadth of Kogi State, urged delegates for the primary election not to allow anybody to deceive

them with any form of inducement, noting that leadership qualities, past records, political experience and pedigree of aspirants should be put into consideration in deciding who they cast their votes for in the primary poll.

Metuh, others not on Ondo payroll –PDP OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

ndo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked All Progressives Congress, APC, to desist from telling lies since it has moved from an opposition to a ruling party. Ondo State APC had alleged that some PDP National Working Committee, NWC, members, especially its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, were on the payroll of the state government. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi

Adesanya, APC said the money, running into several millions of naira monthly, was part of the agreement reached with Governor Olusegun Mimiko before his emergence as chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum. But reacting yesterday at a press conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, PDP Publicity Secretary, Banji Okunomo, described the allegation as criminal and libelous, adding that it was intended to assail and assault the credibility of both the state government and personality of Metuh. He vowed that actions

would be taken by the personalities involved against the APC Publicity Secretary with a view to preserving their integrity. He said: “We also wonder at the quality and competence of a publicity manager who rather than being very industrious at getting information with which to promote the profile of his party will rather depend on the rumour mill, low level gossips and beer parlour gists as his veritable source of information. “We therefore need to let the people know that the character that runs the publicity of the APC in Ondo State is a barefaced

liar whose understanding of his role as Publicity Secretary of the party is absolutely suspect. “He needs further education to understand that his position does not confer on him an unfettered right to propagate lies, but to build its profile, promote and sustain same. “Rather than indulge in malfeasance, the APC should be absolutely worried about the fact that it led Nigerians to believe that it will bring a radical development to the nation and all it has done so far is to fail to take off, thereby putting the nation into a reverse gear.”

Majekodunmi lauds Buhari, others over resolution of Reps’ crisis KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, Chief (Dr.) Femi Majekodunmi, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the party, over the peaceful resolution of the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. He gave the commendation in a release issued yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, stating that the

amiable outcome of the tension showed the party as one that can handle its crisis no matter how big. He said kudos must be given to other national leaders of the party such as the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, other members of the Board of Trustees, BoT, National Working Committee, NWC, who played fatherly roles in resolving the crisis. He said with the leadership role of the President and other

leaders, they succeeded in making the warring camps demonstrated deep sense of patriotism, wisdom and maturity by finally arriving at a workable compromise. He maintained that what APC has been able to prove is that compromises are hallmark of any political issue, stating that the time has come for politicians to always take the country first in all they do as any office is nothing but an opportunity to serve the people. He said: “With the peaceful resolution of

the crisis in the House of Representatives, President Buhari, has once again proved that he has what it takes, with the other party leaders, to put the party on a sound footing, such that it will continue to be a shining example for other political parties to emulate. “While it is indisputable that crisis cannot be ruled out of any democratic process, the gladiators have been able to agree that they are elected to serve the people and thus must at all times engage in compromise to resolve any crisis.”

Politics

Wednesday August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Orkar’s brother charges security on post-election violence in Benue HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

eputy Chairman of Benue State All Progressives Congress, APC, and elder brother of late Major Gideon Orkar, Dr. Joseph Targema Orkar has cautioned that post election violence being witnessed in Benue North East senatorial district, especially at Sankera axis should be nipped in the bud by security agents and stakeholders to prevent it escala-

tion. Speaking with National Mirror yesterday in Makurdi, Orkar expressed anger at the recent human carnage, where seven persons at Zaki-Biam were killed by unidentified assailants, describing the incident as barbaric. He said before the election, the immediate past chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, personally came to Benue and sued

for peace when two INEC offices were burnt down. His words: “In view of the survey as at that time, Benue was tagged as one of most vulnerable states with cases of electoral

disturbances and if not curtailed, could erupt to uncontrollable violence and lawlessness.” He said it was disheartening that despite spirited efforts to curtail violence,

it is rearing its ugly head and spreading gradually, calling on stakeholders to do everything possible to avert the uprising. He said that no meaning development can take

place under an atmosphere of violence and chaos and enjoined aggrieved parties to evolve dialogue in resolving their differences rather than confrontation.

NASS crisis: Buhari’s intervention in order –Jimoh DEBORAH DIDI

member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Lagos Mainland federal constituency, Hon AbdulRaheem Olajide Jimoh, has said that the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari in the crisis rocking the National Assembly showed that he is a man of peace and a leader of high value. Jimoh said this in a statement made available to the press yesterday, in reaction to a statement credited to the House Minority Whip, Hon Yakubu Barde, who spoke on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, caucus that the President did not tell Nigerians the truth, when he said few weeks back that he was not interested in whoever emerged as principal officers in the legislature. Jimoh added that Barde’s statement was baseless, adding: “When the President said on his inauguration day that ‘I am for everybody, I belong to nobody,’ what it simply means is that ‘I am for all.’ And you cannot jettison the interest of your party as a party man. You have to ensure that there is peace in your party. What the President has simply done is to find a way out of the impasse and allow peace to reign in our party. “APC is very composed unlike the PDP, and we are a party of peace with

high level of belief in reconciliation. Without primary, there cannot be secondary, the President cannot just stand aloof and watch what is happening within our party without doing something about it because he’s the leader of the party. Jimoh reiterated the commitment of the APC to the development of Nigeria as the party clocked two, adding that it will ensure that all its electioneering campaign promises are fulfilled. He added: “We are very happy as the people stood behind APC in the last general elections to ensure that positive change happened in Nigeria and voted for our party under the sun and in the rain. “Nigerians gave us bold and sound support to ensure that the positive change that we desired was in place. We promise to discharge our responsibility with utmost sincerity and confidence to ensure that the needed change happens.”

L-R Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and AIG Zone 6 Tunde Ogunshakin druing the handover of 64 Utility vehicles donated to the Nigerian Police Force by the Rivers State governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Bishop urges Nigerians to give Buhari first 100 days THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

ational Vice President, South –South, of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Bishop Simeon Okah, has charged Nigerians to give President Muhammadu Buhari the first hundred days to enable his administration settle down for the business of governance. Bishop Okah also said it’s too early to start condemning or praise Buhari’s administration, saying that there was need for Nigerians to exercise patience. The PFN leader, who is also the founder and senior pastor of Flock of Christ Mission, made the appeal

when answering questions from newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting of top CAN and PFN leaders in Warri. The meeting, which was also attended by National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Rev. (Dr.) Felix Omobude, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, and a host of others discussed issues relating to the economy, Boko Haram insurgency, recent appointments by President Buhari amongst other important national issues. Okah said: “First, all we are looking for is peace in Nigeria. Secondly, we are aware of the economy.

We expected that after the elections Boko Haram issue would have subsided. “These are the key things why we have decided to meet. It is obvious we shall be meeting a little more often.” When asked what the impression of Christian leaders about the administration of President Buhari was, he said: “It may be too early to start approving or condemning. Let’s still give them time. We have a tradition in Nigeria; let’s give the President the first 100 days. After that, some of us will come out, we will talk. “We have heard interviews of those who voted for him 90 per cent and those who voted 5 per

Usman, Ali in trouble over Jonathan’s campaign funds

...As PDP denies knowledge of multi-billion naira transactions OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, has been called to arrest and investigate with immediate effect the Director General and Finance Director, Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDP-PCO, Dr. Ahmadu Ali and Sena-

tor Nenadi Usman respectively, over their roles in handling the campaign finances of former President Goodluck Jonathan. This was as the PDP has disowned the duo over their handling of financial inflow and outflow, running into billions of naira meant for the execution of Dr. Jonathan’s presidential bid. A human rights activist

and Managing Director of Panic Alert Security Systems, PASS, George Uboh, in a statement issued in Abuja, called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Senator Usman and some other top PDP leaders for their various roles in the financial scandal. Uboh particularly accused Senator Usman for accepting over N2.2

billion campaign fund in three installments from an Anambra State oil magnate and party funder as well as deploying over N1 billion for publicity during the presidential election campaign. The money, he said, was in excess of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, monetary support limit for candidates.

cent. We expect him as an old man; he will not do a thing that will create chaos.” “Particularly those of us in South-South, I believe he (Buhari) knows we are already wounded and he will not do anything that will further wound us. He’s a matured man, let’s give him time. I would want to say to both Muslims and Christians, Buhari is our president and we should all back him up, cooperate with him. Those who will give suggestions should be objective not the type they were doing to President Jonathan.” He said nothing concrete had been done about curtailing corruption, adding that it had been all talk and less action, positing that until people are charged to court and convicted for what they have stolen from the national treasury, he cannot score the fight against corruption as be taken seriously. He said: “We know most of the things said about Jonathan were out of hatred. I will like to add that if Buhari has forgotten, let him go back to the promises he made to this country when he was campaigning. Those things are good enough if he can do them.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Index rises 0.7% on banking stocks’ rebound Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities rose further on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as investors’ appetite on stocks with good earnings lifted the lead indicator, particularly the banking sector. The banking index gained 2.8 per cent to close at 325.54 points, followed by the Insurance Index with 1.9 per cent to close at 137.76 points. The Pension Index added 1.1 per cent to close at 941.78 points, while the NSE 30 Index, which contains the highly capitalized stocks

gained 0.9 per cent to close at 1,376.64 points. The Consumer Goods Index was up 0.6 per cent to close at 739.34 points, but the Oil and Gas Index and the Industrial Index fell one per cent to close at 335.96 and 2,211.85 points respectively. The Alternative Securities Market remained valid at 1,210.13 points. On the whole, the All Share Index appreciated 0.7 per cent to close at 30,458.86 points, compared to the increase of 0.2 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 30,247.83 points. Market capitalization increased to N10.44trillion, from

N10.37 trillion it closed the preceding day, showing a rise of N72 billion. Also, Transcorp Plc led the gainers’ table with 19 kobo or 8.80 per cent to close at N2.35 per share, followed by Guaranty Trust Bank with N1.39 or 6.03 per cent to close at N24.45 per share. PZ Cussons appreciated N1.45 or 5.26 per cent to close at N29.00 per share, while Unilever Plc added N1.80 or five per cent to close at N37.81 per share. NEM Insurance Plc was up three kobo or 4.92 per cent to close at 64 kobo per share. Conversely, Conoil Plc lost N3.98 or 9.74 per

cent to close at N36.87 per share, while Honeywell Flour Mills Plc declined 14 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N2.67 per share. UAC Properties Plc. decreased by 43 kobo or 4.98 per cent to close at N8.20 per share, while Paint Manufacturing Company Plc was down by five kobo or 4.55 per cent to close at N1.05 per share. Vono Products Plc also depreciated by five kobo or 4.42 per cent to close at N1.08 per share. A total of 668.3 million shares valued at N4.76 billion were traded in 4,415 deals.

Naira weakens on parallel market as dollar demand rises

he naira reversed its gains against the dollar on the parallel market yesterday over increased demand for the United States currency by some importers, traders said. The currency was trading at N224 to the dollar, weaker than N216 the previous day. It was traded at N240 a week ago.

On the official interbank market, the naira traded at N199 to the dollar, unchanged from the previous day and near the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s pegged rate of 197 to the dollar. The naira had firmed on the parallel market after commercial lenders stopped accepting cash deposits in dollars, a move to discourage spec-

ulation on the currency. “We have seen increased demand for dollars again by some end users taking advantage of the gains recorded in the past few days,” Harrison Owoh a bureau de change operator said. There was concern that the naira gain on the black market would be short-lived, triggering a a surge in dollar buying.

The naira had weakened on the parallel market to as much as N242 to the dollar last month, on persistent dollar demand after CBN last month limited importers’ access to dollars on the official interbank market to buy a wide range of goods, in order to save its reserves.

Oil crash dips 157 energy firms’ capitalisation by $1.3trn

t’s the oil crash few saw coming, and few have been spared as it erased $1.3 trillion, the equivalent of Mexico’s annual GDP, in little more than a year. Take billionaire Carl Icahn. When crude was at its peak in June 2014, the activist investor’s stake in Chesapeake Energy Corp. was worth almost $2 billion. Today, oil has lost more than half its value, Chesapeake is the worst performer in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Icahn has a paper loss of $1.3 billion. The S&P 500, by contrast, is up 6.9 percent in that time. State pension funds and insurance companies have also been hard hit. Investment advisers, who manage the mutual funds and exchange-

traded products that are staples of many retirement plans, had $1.8 trillion tied to energy stocks in June 2014, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “The hit has been huge,” said Chris Beck, chief investment officer for small- and mid-capitalization companies for Delaware Investments, an asset management firm in Philadelphia with $180 billion in assets under management. “Everybody was thinking that oil would stay in the $90 to $100 a barrel range.” The California Public Employees Retirement System, a $303 billion fund that provides benefits to 1.72 million people, owned a $91.8 million slice of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. in June 2014. At the time, Pioneer

was a $33 billion company and one of the biggest shale producers in Texas. Today, Pioneer is worth $19 billion and Calpers’ stake has lost about $40 million in market value. Since June 2014, the combined market capitalization of 157 energy companies listed in the MSCI World Energy Sector Index or the Bloomberg Intelligence North America Independent Explorers & Producers Index has lost about $1.3 trillion. If crude rebounds, investors may make some of their money back, though values may not recover as quickly as they fell. After the tech bubble burst in 2000, erasing $7 trillion from the Nasdaq Composite Index, it took almost 15 years for the market to return to its pre-crash level.

Oil, which lost more than half its value in the past year, will rise less than $20 through the first quarter of 2016, according to the median estimate compiled by Bloomberg. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N196.95 Market indicators All-Share Index 30,458.86points Market capitalisation 10.44trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TRANSCORP

2.16

2.35

0.19

8.80

GUARANTY

23.06

24.45

1.39

6.03

27.55

29.00

1.45

5.26

UNILEVER

36.01

37.81

1.80

5.00

NEM

0.61

0.64

0.03

4.92

SKYEBANK

2.04

2.14

0.10

4.90

TRANSEXPR

1.03

1.08

0.05

4.85

MANSARD

2.55

2.67

0.12

4.71

CONTINSURE

0.85

0.89

0.04

4.71

FIDELITYBK

1.50

1.57

0.07

4.67

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CONOIL

40.85

36.87

-3.98

-9.74

HONYFLOUR

2.81

2.67

-0.14

-4.98

UAC-PROP

8.63

8.20

-0.43

-4.98

PAINTCOM

1.10

1.05

-0.05

-4.55

VONO

1.13

1.08

-0.05

-4.42

COSTAIN

0.68

0.65

-0.03

-4.41

UBN

7.50

7.20

-0.30

-4.00

NAHCO

5.05

4.85

-0.20

-3.96

MOBIL

155.98

150.01

-5.97

-3.83

TOTAL

160.00

155.00

-5.00

-3.13

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.03

98.28

14.89

98.43

14.73

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.73

99.91

15.12

100.06

15.02

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.90

102.53

15.10

102.83

15.00

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.53

101.53

15.06

101.83

14.96

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.48

105.06

15.13

105.36

15.06

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.61

95.94

15.05

96.24

14.98

Closing Market Prices of August 4, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

29-Oct-15

13.67

14.12

WAUA

270

04-Feb-16

13.21

14.15

USD

196.96

EURO

214

02-Jun-16

12.94

14.50

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

9.0417

13.7813

POUNDS STERLING

293

15.5742

SDR

273

16.5445

NIBOR

The Fixings of August 4, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022

Equities as at August 4, 2015 Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 17 8 25

Current Price 26.00 31.19

Quantity Traded 62,552 17,299 79,851

Value Traded 1,568,424.05 514,102.90 2,082,526.95

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 1.84

Quantity Traded 293,587 293,587

Value Traded 540,010.34 540,010.34

373,438

2,622,537.29

Quantity Traded 27,270 4,730 21,076,188 2,128,815 23,237,003

Value Traded 102,535.20 19,960.60 48,893,909.30 77,643,980.76 126,660,385.86

252 No. of Deals Current Price 3 0.65 3

23,237,003 Quantity Traded 70,200 70,200 Page

126,660,385.86 Value Traded 45,630.00 12 1 45,630.00 of

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 CONGLOMERATES Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 Diversified Industries CHELLARAMS PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol CHELLARAM SCOA Daily Summary TRANSCORP UACN

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 5 6 (Equities) 201 40 252

Current Price 3.95 4.44 2.35 36.50

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 4 1 5

Current Price 45.58 6.29

Quantity Traded 2,120 6,009 8,129

Value Traded 91,817.20 39,659.40 131,476.60

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 8.20

Quantity Traded 541,540 541,540

Value Traded 4,537,106.20 4,537,106.20

619,869

4,714,212.80

Quantity Traded 41,070 41,070

Value Traded 20,535.00 20,535.00

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 Automobiles/Auto Parts Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 5 5

Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 7 5.09 72 131.00 13 18.24 104 121.00 196 No. of Deals Current Price 18 190.00 18

Quantity Traded 115,100 111,649 94,836 401,698 723,283 Quantity Traded 13,654 Page 13,654

Value Traded 596,259.00 14,536,488.46 1,694,246.80 48,580,817.61 65,407,811.87 Value Traded 2,557,563.76 12 2 of 2,557,563.76

No. of Deals 41 20 119 39 21 5 245

Current Price 3.04 6.01 29.48 2.67 6.22 0.50

Quantity Traded 173,242 121,835 1,552,640 1,366,220 140,121 7,990 3,362,048

Value Traded 522,928.95 744,458.25 46,373,534.30 3,650,387.40 887,865.91 3,995.00 52,183,169.81

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 5 24 29

Current Price 35.05 850.01

Quantity Traded 5,110 22,624 27,734

Value Traded 170,163.00 19,240,144.77 19,410,307.77

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 33 7 (Equities) 40

Current Price 5.68 1.08

Quantity Traded 1,959,273 220,000 2,179,273

Value Traded 10,758,857.20 237,600.00 10,996,457.20

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 27 39

Current Price 29.00 37.81

Quantity Traded 184,783 391,949

Value Traded 5,287,080.06 14,684,355.19

Symbol

No. of Deals 66

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 576,732

Value Traded 12 3 of 19,971,435.25

Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 Totals Food Products--Diversified Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products Activity Summary on Board EQTY P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Personal/Household Products

Daily Summary (Equities) CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB Symbol 7UP

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

Daily Summary

Personal/Household Published by The Nigerian Stock Products Exchange Totals © CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC BANKon NIG.PLC. ActivityUNION Summary Board EQTY UNITY BANK PLC FINANCIAL WEMASERVICES BANK PLC. Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC Published by MUTUAL The Nigerian Stock Exchange © BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIC INSURANCE PLC. Daily Summary as of INSURANCE 04/08/2015 PLC WAPIC Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Published Mortgage by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Carriers, Brokers and©Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

599

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 292 DIAMONDBNK 55 ETI 54 FIDELITYBK 75 GUARANTY 372 SKYEBANK 120 Daily Summary (Equities) STERLNBANK 33 UBA 172 UBN 31 UNITYBNK 17 WEMABANK 22 Symbol No. of Deals ZENITHBANK 518 1,761

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

6,923,794

Current Price 4.87 3.74 19.85 1.57 24.45 2.14 2.15 4.18 7.20 2.02 0.90 Current Price 16.49

Quantity Traded 27,468,175 15,053,515 6,152,575 7,992,639 62,648,737 5,793,225 4,627,795 22,309,511 150,059 427,186 686,550 Quantity Traded 61,936,211 215,246,178

170,547,280.66

Value Traded 134,106,377.08 57,153,069.81 120,326,306.48 12,448,277.50 1,445,068,635.77 11,923,359.52 9,939,112.52 93,203,870.76 1,079,797.52 846,934.04 597,567.53 Value Traded 991,683,986.71 2,878,377,295.24

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS STDINSURE UNIC WAPIC

No. of Deals 30 16 13 23 2 21 6 4 1 4 5 23 148

Current Price 0.83 0.89 0.50 2.67 0.50 0.64 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,660,554 47,681,250 9,098,612 189,883,634 Page 2,010 5,894,487 73,870 233,332 3,000 100,000 3,725 10,532,749 265,167,223

3,753,781.81 36,935.00 116,666.00 1,500.00 50,000.00 1,862.50 5,266,374.50 540,042,991.08

Symbol FORTISMFB

No. of Deals 1 11 12

Current Price 5.42 1.00

Quantity Traded 300 413,300 413,600

Value Traded 1,626.00 410,767.70 412,393.70

Symbol ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 68,500

Value Traded 34,250.00

Daily Summary (Equities) NPFMCRFBK

Value Traded 1,381,095.42 40,544,712.50 4,579,107.00 484,309,951.35 12 4 of 1,005.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Quantity Traded 68,500Page

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 73 15 463 64 5 42 57 719

Current Price 2.80 4.04 6.79 2.72 0.50 21.95 1.35

Quantity Traded 2,940,310 506,908 25,476,828 2,372,772 19,525 1,425,521 2,065,687 34,807,551

Value Traded 8,403,116.90 2,034,966.37 174,115,955.49 6,589,137.75 9,762.50 31,337,596.95 2,781,822.73 225,272,358.69

515,703,052

3,644,139,288.71

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

Current Price 0.50

2,641

Value Traded 12 5 34,250.00 of

Symbol MORISON

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 1.82

Quantity Traded 6,325 6,325

Value Traded 10,942.25 10,942.25

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 23 5 20 8 10

Current Price 0.58 3.14 40.00 1.37 1.49

Quantity Traded 2,060,903 19,800 191,533 203,680 210,000

Value Traded 1,195,323.74 62,802.00 7,649,845.15 279,626.60 313,106.86

Page

Sector

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Company name

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals Symbol NIG-GERMAN PHARMDEKO

Quotation(N) No. of Deals 5 1 72

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 4,190 718 2,690,824

Value Traded 25,181.90 1,464.72 9,527,350.97

2,697,149

9,538,293.22

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.51

Quantity Traded 915,430 915,430

Value Traded 465,856.00 465,856.00

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 5,200 5,200

Value Traded 19,500.00 19,500.00

920,630

485,356.00

ICT Totals Daily Summary as of GOODS 04/08/2015 INDUSTRIAL Printed 04/08/2015 Building14:32:22.022 Materials

Quantity Traded Current Price 6.32 2.14

No. of Deals 10 26 12 (Equities) 11 82 5 3

Current Price 22.00 9.99 37.95 9.50 172.00 0.50 1.05

Quantity Traded 92,795 973,797 31,033 27,741 2,604,353 1,890 1,300,000

Value Traded 1,959,668.89 9,329,327.41 1,151,012.14 250,549.49 449,704,686.25 945.00 1,365,000.00

Symbol PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 2 34 185

Current Price 3.77 101.24

Page Quantity Traded 17,000 922,321 5,970,930

7 of 12 Value Traded 66,300.00 92,689,242.79 556,516,731.97

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.50

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 14,380.00 14,380.00

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 3 5 8

Current Price 43.00 11.48

Quantity Traded 6,811 800 7,611

Value Traded 284,009.00 9,184.00 293,193.00

5,988,541

556,824,304.97

ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP Daily Summary CCNN DANGCEM IPWA PAINTCOM

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 B.O.C.14:32:22.022 GASES PLC. Printed 04/08/2015 Chemicals Totals Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. NATURAL RESOURCES Paper/Forest Published by The NigerianProducts Stock Exchange © Paper/Forest Products Totals

195

Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.86

Quantity Traded 2,500 2,500

Value Traded 11,550.00 11,550.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100,000,000 100,000,000

Value Traded 50,000,000.00 50,000,000.00

Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 5

Current Price 0.64

Quantity Traded 3,035

Value Traded 1,851.35

Symbol

No. of Deals 5

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 3,035

8Value Traded of 12 1,851.35

MULTIVERSE Daily Summary (Equities)

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Apparel Retailers Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. SERVICES

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 Apparel Retailers Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Apparel Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals SERVICES Employment Solutions Apparel Retailers C & I LEASING Apparel Retailers PLC. Totals Employment Solutions Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery Hotels/Lodging RED STAR EXPRESS PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery

Printing/Publishing Employment Solutions ACADEMY PRESS C & I LEASING PLC.PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC Totals Employment Solutions UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Hotels/Lodging Printing/Publishing Totals IKEJA HOTEL PLC Road Transportation Hotels/Lodging Totals Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Printed 04/08/2015 14:32:22.022 Printing/Publishing Road Transportation Totals ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printing/Publishing Totals RoadSummary Transportation Activity on Board EQTY

ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC SERVICES Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

100,005,535

50,013,401.35

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 304 304

Current Price 11.90

Quantity Traded 9,244,362 9,244,362

Value Traded 110,819,311.58 110,819,311.58

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

No. of Deals 19 2 65 25 21 132

Current Price 36.87 2.34 194.00 150.01 155.00

Quantity Traded 118,000 44,000 184,174 116,157 82,937 545,268

Value Traded 4,352,115.00 98,120.00 35,032,285.17 17,822,798.98 13,005,671.59 70,310,990.74

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 300.00

Quantity Traded 38,753 38,753

Value Traded 11,602,576.88 11,602,576.88

9,828,383

192,732,879.20

Daily Summary (Equities)

455

Symbol LENNARDS

No. of Deals 5

Current Price 3.15

Quantity Traded 285

Value Traded 855.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 5

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 285

Value Traded 12 9 of 855.00

Quantity Traded 567,636 253,405 821,041

Value Traded 2,797,769.77 267,023.38 3,064,793.15

Quantity Traded 151,400 285 151,400 Quantity Traded Quantity567,636 Traded 5,000 253,405 5,000 821,041

Value Traded 76,288.00 855.00 76,288.00 Value Traded Value Traded 2,797,769.77 17,700.00 267,023.38 17,700.00 3,064,793.15

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

23 10 33

4.95 1.08

No. of Deals 58 8 No. of Deals No. of Deals 23 101 331

Current Price 0.50

No. of Deals 81 81 1 No. of Deals3 1 No. of Deals 1 5 No. of Deals5 1 1 1 (Equities) 3

Current Price 0.76 0.50 1.14 6.03 Current Price 3.69 Current Price 0.53 Current Price 0.76 1.14 6.03

Quantity Traded 10,000 151,400 995 151,400 390 Quantity Traded 11,385 5,000 Quantity Traded 5,000 223,676 Quantity 223,676 Traded 10,000 995 390 Page 11,385

Value Traded 7,500.00 76,288.00 1,094.50 76,288.00 2,234.70 Value Traded 10,829.20 17,700.00 Value Traded 17,700.00 116,696.28 Value Traded 116,696.28 7,500.00 1,094.50 2,234.70 10 of 12 10,829.20

No. of Deals 5 5 No. of Deals 19 22 41

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 223,676 223,676 Quantity Traded 648,850 159,210 Page 808,060

Value Traded 116,696.28 116,696.28 Value Traded 1,229,878.15 774,605.00 12 10 of 2,004,483.15

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.03

Symbol CILEASING Symbol Symbol REDSTAREX IKEJAHOTEL TRANSEXPR

Symbol ACADEMY CILEASING LEARNAFRCA UPL Symbol IKEJAHOTEL Symbol ABCTRANS Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

Daily Summary Symbol ABCTRANS Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

Symbol CAVERTON

SERVICES Totals

Current Price Current Price 4.95 3.69 1.08

Current Price 1.89 4.85

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000

Value Traded 22,030.00 22,030.00

2,026,847

5,313,674.78

EQTY Board Totals

4,415

668,324,241

4,763,591,614.84

Equity Activity Totals

4,415

668,324,241

4,763,591,614.84

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name Daily Summary as of 04/08/2015 LOTUS14:32:22.022 HALAL EQUITY ETF Printed 04/08/2015 NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) STANBIC IBTC ETF 30 VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Daily Summary (ETP)

No. of Deals 1 1 1 1 4

Current Price 10.13 2,104.00 92.05 13.80

Quantity Traded 5 53 1,000 10 1,068

ETF Board Totals

1,068

ETP Activity Totals

1,068

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD STANBICETF30 VETGRIF30

Page

Value Traded 50.65 111,512.00 92,050.00 138.00 203,750.65

203,750.65

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror The current governor of Rivers State and PDP are afraid of me getting appointment at the national level, because that will determine the politics of Rivers State. Former Governor of Rivers State – Rotimi Amaechi

Commercial sex workers hold candlelight procession ...in honour of murdered colleague Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

ommercial sex workers numbering about 50 late Monday night staged a candle-light procession to honour one of their colleagues allegedly killed by suspected ritualists last Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

All clad in black attire, the sex workers, who consisted of those plying their trade in Abeokuta metropolis and environs, stormed the Oke - Ilewo headquarters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta around 10pm holding a lightedstick of candle each, wailing, chanting mourning. The aggrieved commercial sex

workers who had earlier converged at the fron of the residence of former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, also barricaded the main entrance of the Ogun NUJ in apparent desire for media attention. They also chanted

various solidarity slogans and rained curses on the killers of their colleague whom they identified with different names such as “Titi” and “Folake”. They momentarily barricaded the main road from the NUJ secretariat before they later departed for the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium at Kuto, Abeokuta where they continued their grieving. Community Mirror recalled that corpse of one of the commercial sex workers simply identified as Sitira was found at the Olomoore refuse dump site in Abeokuta on Sunday morning where suspected ritualists

had abandoned corpse of the 23 year-old prostitute after severing some flesh from her right arm. The late Sitira was said to have been thrown off from a moving Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) along the Abeokuta - Lagos expressway. But speaking with journalists on Monday night during their procession, some of the prostitutes claimed that another colleague was killed by suspected ritualists along with the late Sitira. They said the mutilated remains of the sex worker was discovered in a ditch at Olomoore, Abeokuta.

Taraba residents decry spate of armed robbery Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO.

President, Pentecost Prophetic Ministry, Dr. Biyi Adebamowo(4th left); Celestial Church of Christ Sisters Cordinator, Ms Yetunde Odeyemi (5th left); Lagos Sate Sisters President, Sister Modupe Adebajo and other executives, during the Sisters wing 17th Annual Singles and Married Seminar themed: ‘Sought Out’ in Lagos, on Saturday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Niger gov’s wife tasks parents onabandoned babies Priscillia Dennis

ife of Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, has decried the rising in level of abandoned babies across the country, saying it is among the worst crimes that can be committed against humanity by anyone. Warning those in the habit of abandoning innocent babies to desist from such act, shortly after inspecting orphanage facility in the state, Mrs. Bello not-

ed that the act has a way of coming back to haunt those who perpetrated it in one way or the other. Though, hinging the development on economic situation facing the nation, she said, “ nothing on earth justifies throwing away babies, and parents need to be patient, things will improve in the coming days and weeks.” Mrs. Bello adviced people who are not capable of taking care of the needs of the babies to avoid

having them, especially since, there are no laws that makes it compulsory for anyone to have children. According to her, “There are ways to avoid getting pregnant if people are not capable of taking care of the children.” The gover nors’ wife then urged sexually active Nigerians to live up to their responsibilities in order to reduce the number of abandoned babies in the nation

araba residents, mostly in Jalingo, the state capital, yesterday decried increasing spate of armed robbery attacks in the state. A resident of Mile six area of Jalingo, Mr. Joshua Ayagwa, told our correspondent yesterday that the increasing rate of armed robbery was worrisome and called on government to crack down on robbers operating in the state. He lamented that his house and two of his neighbours were attacked on Sunday and the robbers carted away some amount of money, electronics and other valuables. Another resident Mr. Joe Umar who spoke to Community Mirror, lamented that people are no longer safe, as men of the underworld now attack people in their homes almost on a daily basis. “Few days ago, at about 2: am, some armed robbers entered Magami, Road Block, ATC and Mayo-Gwoi area of Jalingo and robbed people. “Just last night there were reported cases of armed robbery at mile six, lasandi and Nyamusala closed to Jalingo NTA station,” he said. Daily Independent correspondent in Taraba Mrs. Jeneth Audu who nearly lost her live when a seven-man armed

robbery gang attacked her house on Wednesday around 2:30am called on the police to intensify patrol in the state. Residents said the increasing spate of robbery attacks in the state may not be unconnected with the recent demolishing of some people’s business premises in the name of restoring Jalingo master plan without alternative places for them to do business. “Most of the young people who used to sell along Road block, Donga road and University gates, whose shops were destroyed recently by the state government without providing a place for them, might be the ones terrorizing us now. Government should quickly provide a place for them,” one of the resident said. Following the attacks, resident of the state capital have now put in place vigilante groups to crackdown on the robbers, even as they appeal to the police to intensify patrol in the nooks and cronies of the state. When contacted, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Joseph Kwaji said the command has intensify patrol to crackdown on the robbers and called on the public to give police useful information that can lead to the arrest of the robbers.

Pakistan hangs man charged with murder as juvenile

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

World News

Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

uman Rights Watch called yesterday on Libyan authorities to immediately investigate the alleged ill-treatment of detainees including a son of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi at a prison in Tripoli. An undated video published by Arabic news website clearnews on August 2 appears to show officials and guards at al-Hadba prison ill-treating several detainees, including Gaddafi’s third-oldest son Saadi, the rights watchdog said. “The graphic video that seems to show prisoners being beaten raises serious concerns about the methods used to interrogate Saadi Gaddafi and other detainees at al-Hadba prison,” said Joe Stork, HRW’s deputy Middle East director. “The Tripoli authorities need to urgently establish exactly what did occur, put in place measures to protect all detainees from abuse, and hold

We should have a serious dialogue with our neighbour, the Iranians, and ... lay down our concerns from both sides, and solve them together. Iran is our neighbour in the region – Qatar’s Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah

HRW urges probe into alleged ill-treatment of Gaddafi son

Saadi Gaddafi

anyone responsible for that kind of treatment to account.” Libya has been rocked by conflict since Gaddafi’s overthrow, with rival governments and militias battling for control

of the oil-rich country’s main cities. Al-Hadba is controlled by the Libya Dawn militia coalition, which supports the selfdeclared authority in Tripoli

to the west, rival to the internationally recognised Libyan government in al-Bayda and Tobruk to the east. Saadi was extradited to Libya in March 2014 from Niger, where he had sought refuge after the 2011 uprising. In April 2014, Libya’s official television station aired videos showing Saadi in a blue prison uniform apparently confessing to having worked against the country’s political system, from what appeared to be his jail in Tripoli, HRW said. A court in al-Hadba on July 28 sentenced Seif al-Islam, Gaddafi’s second son and once heir apparent,and eight of his aides to death for crimes during the 2011 revolt, in a verdict condemned by rights campaigners.

South African court throws out Malema’s case

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

court in South Africa has thrown out fraud and corruption charges against left-wing opposition leader Julius Malema. The case should be “struck off ” because of lengthy delays in bringing him to trial, a judge ruled. Malema was charged in 2012 with money laundering, racketeering and corruption related to a government contract worth $4m (£2.5m). He denied the charges, and said they were politically motivated. Malema formed the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party in 2013 following his expulsion from the governing African National Congress (ANC). He is a fierce critic of President Jacob Zuma, and has campaigned against corruption. Correspondents say the ruling is a big boost for Mr Malema’s career, and will fuel perceptions that he is the victim of an abuse of power. Judge George Mothle said the case had dragged on for too long, and this was “prejudicial” to Mr Malema, South Africa’s News24 site reports. “For now, the case is over, you

are free to go,” the judge told Mr Malema. However, he added, the defendant not been formally acquitted, so prosecutors could still charge him again. They may now be arch rivals but it seems Mr Malema has learned survival skills from President Zuma, his former ally. Mr Malema has had a couple of brushes with the law, the first being a tax evasion case which was withdrawn, and now a corruption case which has been thrown out. Like Mr Malema, the president had his share of legal problems before he took office - he was acquitted of rape and had corruption charges dropped. He emerged from the cases stronger, using them to cast himself as the victim of a conspiracy aimed at destroying his political career. The controversial Mr Malema, who heads South Africa’s secondbiggest opposition party, will now look to strengthen his position in a similar way. There is real skill to his game - he is not just a boisterous populist. Malema portrays himself as a revolutionary who is fighting for the poor

Addressing his cheering supporters outside court, Mr Malema said the prosecution had “messed up” its case. “Let them manufacture any new charges against me. They will never win,” he said. “It is going to keep happening; there will be attempts on our lives,” Mr Malema added. The charges related to a gov-

ernment contract awarded to a company in which Malema held a stake through his family trust. The contract was for the construction of roads in Malema’s home region of Limpopo, when he was still the head of the governing party’s youth wing. He was accused of “improperly” receiving money for the contract.

Malema’s supporters carrying his portrait as they laud the court’s decision.

WORLD BULLETIN Spanish judge remands brother of Moroccan who died in suitcase A Spanish judge yesterday remanded in custody a French man of Moroccan origin whose brother died from suffocation while trying to enter Spain illegally hidden inside a suitcase in the trunk of his car. The 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter after his younger brother was found dead when the car arrived at the port of Almeria on Sunday on a ferry from Melilla, a Spanish territory in North Africa. He raised the alarm about the stowaway’s condition when the ferry docked in Almeria after a five hour trip but emergency services could do nothing to revive him.

Tutu discharged from hospital after recurring infection Desmond Tutu, retired South African Anglican archbishop, talks about his book ‘’Forlatelse’’, or ‘’The Book of Forgiving’’, written in collaboration with his daughter Mpho Tutu, at a book fair in Goteborg, September 26, 2014. Prominent anti-apartheid cleric and veteran South African leader, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was released from hospital on Tuesday after being re-admitted for a recurring infection related to treatment for his prostate cancer, his daughter said. Tutu, 83, who was hospitalized over the weekend at a Cape Town hospital, would continue his recovery at home, his daughter, the Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu said in a statement.

French police free Gabon official held in corruption probe French police have released the chief of staff to Gabon’s President Ali Bongo who was detained for questioning in a corruption probe after the foreign ministry said he had diplomatic immunity, a judicial source said yesterday. Monday’s arrest of one of Gabon’s most influential and controversial figures, Maixent Accrombessi, had been sharply condemned by Libreville, stoking tensions between the oil-rich Central African country and France, from which it won independence in 1960. France’s foreign ministry received a letter from Gabon’s presidency late on Monday saying that Accrombessi, who is one of Bongo’s closest advisors, was on a “special mission” in the country from July 19th to August 5th, the judicial source said.

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WORLD BULLETIN Greece expects bailout deal with lenders in two weeks Greece expects to conclude a multi-billion-euro deal with international lenders within two weeks, with the drafting of an accord set to start yesterday. A bailout worth up to 86 billion euros ($94.5 billion), needs to be settled by Aug. 20 if Greece is to pay off debt of 3.5 billion euros to the European Central Bank that matures on that day. It will be the indebted nation’s third bailout since 2010, designed to stave off bankruptcy and keep the country from toppling out of the euro zone. “The first phase of negotiations ends today and the second phase starts, which really contains the details of drafting (the deal),” Olga Gerovasili, the government spokeswoman, said on Tuesday, speaking of discussions launched with lenders in the last week of July. The drafting of the accord would start on Wednesday, Gerovasili told Skai TV station. European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has said that, while ambitious, a deal is possible in August. Past negotiations between Greece and its lenders have proved tortuous. “If the terms of the (EU) summit are met, I think that we will have a deal by the 18th of this month,” Gerovasili said. Greece and its EU partners clinched a last-minute deal in July on a reform program including privatizations and pension reform and scrapping tax breaks for groups such as farmers. Lenders want, for example, an increase in the retirement age to 67 from the nominal 62 that falls significantly depending on numbers of years worked and family status.

German treason probe row escalates Germany’s justice minister has demanded the sacking of the chief prosecutor in a deepening row over a treason investigation into a website. The prosecutor, Harald Range, had earlier accused the minister, Heiko Maas, of interfering in the inquiry. Prosecutors are investigating whether Netzpolitik.org revealed state secrets in articles about plans to step up state surveillance. The case sparked street protests over press freedom. The outcry put the government on the back foot, with senior officials stressing that Germany was committed to press freedom. Earlier on Tuesday, in a rare clash between the German judiciary and the state, Mr Range said the government had asked him to drop an independent investigator from the inquiry, who concluded that one of the articles published did amount to a disclosure of a state secret.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

akistan yesterday hanged a man whose case triggered an international outcry because his lawyers said he was arrested as a juvenile and tortured into confessing to murder. Pakistan has hanged nearly 200 people since December, when a massacre by militants at a school in the city of Peshawar prompted the government to lift a de facto ban on capital punishment. Only Iran and China have executed more people than Pakistan this year, says human rights group Amnesty International. “Shafqat Hussain was this morning executed in Pakistan, despite widespread calls, both within and outside the country, for a stay,” legal aid group Justice Project Pakistan, which was representing Hussain, said in a statement. Pakistani law does not allow the execution of someone arrested as a juvenile. State prosecutors said Hussain was an adult working as a watchman when he was arrested. Lawyers for Hussain said school records showed he was 17 in 2004 when he was burnt with cigarettes and had fingernails removed until he confessed to killing a child. His family have said he was 14; lawyers said the family did not keep records regarding Hussain’s birth. David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s South Asia research director, said the execution marked a “deeply sad day for Pakistan”. “A man whose age remains

Pakistan hangs man charged with murder as juvenile

Abdul Majeed, brother of Shafqat Hussain who was convicted of killing a child in 2004, sits in an ambulance beside the body of Safqat after his execution in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday.

disputed and whose conviction was built around torture has now paid with his life,” he said. Police denied that Hussain had been tortured. “A competent court has gone through Hussain’s case at length and torture allegations were nev-

er proved,” police spokesman Qamar Zaib Satti told Reuters. Human rights groups say many convictions in Pakistan are unreliable. Lawyers say the justice system is deeply flawed and few police are trained to conduct investiga-

tions. Defence lawyers, appointed by courts for those too poor to pay, often do not show up and accusations of confessions extracted through torture are common. Hussain’s family says that is what happened to him.

New Taliban leader facing tension as top official resigns

Mansour

top Taliban official announced his resignation on Tuesday amid a growing leadership struggle in the Afghan insurgent movement after the news of the death of leader Mullah Mohammad Omar last week. The swift announcement that Omar’s longtime deputy, Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansour would be the new leader has riled many senior figures angry about the implication that Mansour covered up Omar’s death

for more than two years. The infighting could split the Taliban and threatens tentative peace talks with the Kabul government to end 13 years of war that began with a U.S.-led campaign after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Since Mansour’s appointment was announced by the Taliban leadership council based in Quetta, Pakistan, it has been denounced by several top members of the group, including Omar’s brother, who has called

for an assembly to choose the leader. On Tuesday, Taliban official Syed Mohammad Tayab Agha announced he was stepping down as director of the Political Office in the Qatari capital Doha, originally set up to enable the Taliban to negotiate in any peace process. Agha said he considered the decision to conceal Omar’s death - generally attributed to Mansour - a “historic mistake by the individuals concerned”.

Syria FM in Tehran for talks with Iran, Russia

yrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem arrived in Tehran yesterday for talks with Iranian and Russian officials expected to focus on efforts to end the four-yearold war in his country. Moallem will meet Mikhail Bogdanov, President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to

the Middle East, on Tuesday evening before holding talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday, Iranian media reported. Iran and Russia have stood by Syrian President Bashar alAssad, providing military and financial support, during the

civil war, whereas the United States and some of its Gulf Arab allies have said Assad must leave office. Iran and world powers led by the United States reached a nuclear agreement on July 14 but both sides have made it clear that the deal will not change their policies in the region.

Moualem on July 24 reiterated his government’s view that Iran’s support for Damascus would continue after the deal. Speaking about Moualem’s visit, Iranian deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian suggested the chances of a diplomatic resolution of the war were growing.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

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FG ready for Ebola resurgence —CDC coordinator

L-R: Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Sadiq Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai and Chief of Defence, Major-General Abayomi Olonishakin, during the screening of Service Chiefs at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

43% Nigerians affected by desertification –Investigation • Buhari orders Environment Ministry to revisit 1920 report

Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

t least, 43 per cent of Nigeria’s 170 million population are now affected by desertification, National Mirror has learnt. Consequently, in order to halt the scourge in some parts of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Environment to revisit a 1920 report, which outlined ways of halting the trend. Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nana Fatima Mede, disclosed this yesterday in a chat with State House correspondents shortly after

briefing the president on activities of her ministry. This came even as contractor handling the clean cook stove project and wonder bags, Messrs Integra Renewable Energy Services Limited, awarded in the twilight of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration dragged the Federal Government to court. The contract worth about N9.2 billion has come under intense criticisms with many Nigerians querying its desirability. According to the permanent secretary, the contractor has approached the court to get the gov-

ernment to honour its contractual obligations rather than seeking to terminate the contract. The Federal Executive Council under the immediate past administration had on November 26, 2014, approved N9.2 billion inclusive of Value Added Tax, VAT, for the procurement of 750,000 units of clean cook stoves and 18,000 wonder bags. “The matter is in court right now so there is a limit to how I can talk about the issue of cooking stove. The contractor took government to court asking the court to grant an injunction for government not to terminate the contract.

“We will go there and argue our case, the government will go, we have briefed the Attorney General of the Federation office, we will present our case, the issue that led to the contractor taking us to court will be explained and the court will decide,” she said. Mede, who stated that the president was concerned about the environmental degradation in the country, said the president has directed that to arrest deforestation in the country, the ministry must look at a report submitted in 1920, detailing measures to prevent the Lake Chad from drying up.

FG won’t tolerate illegal mining —Buhari Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has said the Federal Government will not tolerate activities of illegal miners in the county. The president warned that the Federal Government will come down hard on illegal mining and other improper activities inhibiting the growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. Buhari issued the warning after receiving a brief-

ing from top officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development led by Permanent Secretary, Baba Umar Farouk. Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed the development. He said the president noted that the mines and steel sector was very important for diversification of the economy, and expressed displeasure at Farouk’s report that the sector had been overrun by illegal miners.

“This is one of the most demoralising briefs I have received. The biggest threat to this country besides the Boko Haram is unemployment and the mining sector is key to employment creation. “We cannot be held back on such strategic industry that can give us much needed jobs and promote economic growth. “There must be more seriousness in running this country and we are determined to instill that seriousness,” the president said.

The permanent secretary had told the President that Nigeria’s mining sector has been infiltrated by illegal aliens who carry out unlawful mining activities in the country.

Buhari

ational Coordinator, Centre for Disease Control, CDC, Professor Abdusalam Nasidi, yesterday said Nigeria had taken adequate measures to contain the resurgence of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in the country. Nasidi disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja. According to him, the measures are in response to the recent resurgence of the disease in neighbouring Liberia, which had earlier been certified Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation, WHO. He said that screening had been intensified at strategic entries in the country, with the establishment of a rapid respond team and an emergency response centre at the federal level. “There are automatic temperature scanning cameras mounted at strategic places, which take one’s temperature and other parameters. “If it indicates a high temperature, such an individual would be apprehended and taken into isolation immediately. “With this level of pre-

paredness, I don’t think the disease can take us by surprise anymore,” he said. Nasidi further said CDC had been working with various scientists from Germany, Guinea and other countries to discover other possible causes and prevention of Ebola. He said CDC had organised trainings for medical personnel and volunteers, adding that some of the programmes were still ongoing in various states in the country, adding that during the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia in 2014, 211 Nigerian experts were sent to the country and Sierra-Leone, as part of African support for Ebola in West Africa. “We were able to assist the countries to reactivate health care services which led to a drastic reduction of the epidemic before its resurgence,” he said. Nasidi said that in order to fully contain the disease, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, had been involved in educating people in various languages, mostly on the danger of consuming bush meat. He warned that the consumption of bat meat remained the main source of picking up the virus.

Nasarawa NLC, ALGON differ over salaries Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

abour unions and Nasarawa State chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON negotiating payment of local governments’ workers salaries, has ended in a deadlock. Speaking with journalists shortly after a meeting between the two bodies, chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the state, Abdullahi Adeka, said the union would not accept payment of salaries in percentage of what accrued monthly from the federation account. He added that the state government had one week to intervene by augmenting the shortfall in local government salaries or face industrial action. Also addressing the press shortly after the meeting, state ALGON

chairman, Suleiman Wambai, said local governments would go ahead with percentage payment of salaries until federal allocations improve. He said workers would be paid their outstanding 10 per cent of May and 80.3 per cent of June salaries, adding that council chairmen had resolved not to go for any bank facility to augment salaries as it was counterproductive. Wambai berated the NLC for giving Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura a 7-day ultimatum to settle the outstanding salaries of local government workers, saying the state government was under no obligation to do so. Commenting, Special Assistant on media and publicity to the governor, Ahmed Tukur, said the state government had respected the fiscal autonomy of local councils and would not be dragged into such imbroglio.

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I’m not demolishing, only recovering govt lands –El-Rufai A za Msue KADUNA

overnor Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State yesterday said his mission was to recover government lands from those who acquired them illegally in schools and hospitals, not to demolish structures as peddled. El-Rufai said his government was not about demolition, and as such Kaduna people should not entertain any fear that he would demolish their houses. The governor, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, told journalists at Government House that the exercise his government was kickstarting today is recovery of schools and hospital lands from illegal occupants. According to el-Rufai, “since the town hall meeting in Zaria on Sunday, some people have started campaign of calumny that el-Rufai has come to embark on demolition of houses in Kaduna. But, to set the records straight, we are only asking those who illegally occupied government-owned institu-

tions’ lands to vacate the land. “This government cannot allow the encroachment of schools and hospitals’ lands to continue. For instance, when we visited the state library in Zaria and Alhudahuda College, private buildings have almost taken over the institutions. This has serious effect on the learning atmosphere of such institutions. “Alhudahuda College, for instance, is over 100 years in existence, but if we allow the type of encroachment going on there to continue, the school might go into extinction in the next 30 years. We have given them notice, which will expire today (Wednesday 5). We will only recover the lands for the future of our children. The public lands belong to the good people of Kaduna State and we must recover it before it is too late.” The governor therefore enjoined the public to ignore those peddling rumour that the el-Rufai government was out to demolish their houses, adding that the land recovery exercise will commence today after the expiration of quit notice given to the occupants.

Medical director seeks support as doctors’ strike persists Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

edical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Dr. Inusa Wiza, has appealed to the Federal Government and members of the public to prevail on leadership of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, in the hospital to call off the over twomonth-old strike. Wiza, who made the appeal yesterday in Jalingo while briefing journalists on the efforts by the hospital’s management to persuade the striking doctors to return to work, urged the Federal Government and Nigerians to wade in. Resident doctors in FMC, Jalingo, joined colleagues in other centres to down tools on May 25, demanding implementation of ‘skipping’ in federal tertiary health institutions. The doctors in FMC, Jalingo, are demanding that the management implement

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

skipping as being observed in some federal tertiary institutions in the country, accusing the Medical Director of not honouring directive of the Federal Ministry of Health on the matter. The medical director appealed to ARD to consider the plight of members of the public, who are suffering because of the strike, and return to work. A document signed by Director, Compensation, Chike Ogbeche, of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and made available to journalists, explained that, “So far, the modalities have not been worked out, neither has the relevant scheme of service been amended accordingly.” The document further reads, “Any attempt to implement the grade skipping for medical officers without the modalities will therefore, create confusion and grading absurdities, which will likely result in unwarranted higher cost to the government.”

NAFDAC seals 6 shops over fake drugs Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

ational Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has shut six pharmaceutical shops in Taraba State for allegedly selling fake and expired drugs. State Director of the

agency, Joseph Asikpo, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists in Jalingo. Asikpo said the shops sealed were selling unregistered and expired drugs, adding that the agency sealed shops in Magami, Nukai, ATC and MayoGwai area of Jalingo. He disclosed that the

raid came as a result of complaints by some individuals that some pharmaceutical shops in the state were selling fake and unregistered drugs, which NAFDAC had not certified and approved for human consumption. He stressed that some of the shops sealed were selling gentamycin 80 in-

jection, which was banned after killing people three years ago. Asikpo called on members of the public to join hands in the fight against fake drugs and other unwholesome regulated products in Nigeria by volunteering information that would aid its operations.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Energy and Transport, Nasir Mohammed Askira; Zonal Business Manager, North East, Airtel Nigeria, Muhammed Bashir Ibrahim; Deputy Governor of Bornu State, Alhaji Mustapha Zanna; Area Business Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mamman Shehu, and Permanent Secretary, Teachers Service Board, Alhaji Ali Maikinta, during the donation of relief materials to IDP camps in Maiduguri, yesterday.

UNFPA votes $10m for IDPs

nited Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, says it has earmarked $10.46 million (about N2.20 billion) to support the rehabilitation of Northeast Nigeria devastated by insurgency. Country Representative of UNFPA in Nigeria, Ms Ratidzai Ndlovu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja. Ndlovu said no fewer than 4.5 million persons and households were targeted to benefit from the agency’s

rehabilitation effort in the region in 2015. She said UNFPA collaborated with the Japanese government to raise $3.31 million (N695.10 million) of the fund, while the U.S. pledged to provide $3.40 million (N714 million), and other donors made up the balance. She recalled that Boko Haram, an extremist group, started violence in the country six years ago and that the conflict had affected many states in the North-East. According to her, the insurgency has affected 24.5

million people in the affected states, and 4.6 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. “There are 1,150,000 women of reproductive age among the needy population with 184,000 pregnancies expected this year, and 60,000 IDPs living alone without their families,’’ she said. Ndhlovu said UNFPA responded to the physical needs of the people by providing dignity and reproductive health kits, adding

that the medical cost of the pregnant women, social, emotional and intellectual needs were also addressed. The UNFPA representative said the agency had trained 183 health workers in the Minimum Initial Service Package, MISP, for reproductive health in humanitarian settings. Ndlovu said as the military stepped up its offensive against the insurgents, UNFPA was strengthening its services in anticipation of additional hostages that would be freed.

Ortom to establish treatment centres for drug victims Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has pledged his administration’s determination to establish treatment and rehabilitation centres in three senatorial districts of the state. Ortom spoke yesterday while declaring open a stakeholders’ workshop on capacity building for personnel handling treatment

for drug abuse and related matters. The event was organised by the state government in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, anchored by office of wife of the governor. He further stated that the administration would partner civil society organisations to begin the process of helping to identify suitable facilities where such centres could be located with

a view to equipping them preparatory to commencing work. The governor said the state would also collaborate with the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime to source personnel to work at the centres. He listed the duties of such personnel to include provision of services such as sensitisation of members of the public and building of necessary linkages with other organisa-

tions in order to guarantee accessibility to treatment of drug-related cases. The governor also noted that the desire to offer support for drug patients motivated his wife to establish the Oracle Business Foundation Limited so as to raise the quality of their lives and other impoverished persons as well as seek partnership with the United Nations on assumption of duty as governor to enhance the work.

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We formerly known and addressed as Odusanya Omotayo Oluwadamilola and Mrs. Odusanya Victoria Mojisola, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Perez Omotayo Oluwadamilola Oluwadimimu and Mrs. Perez Victoria Mojisola Oritsesetemisanren respectively. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME This is to confirm that I, GBENLE SEYE is one and same person as GBENLE FUNSHO DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Afrobasket: NBBF targets Tunisia glory

I really didn’t know I would rise to the occasion from the start. But then, I have not stopped believing

–LA Galaxy midfielder, Steven Gerrard

Ahead Tanzania battle:

Oliseh back next week

Super Eagles players celebrating their second goal scored against Chad in Kaduna in June

…as Siasia sends Dream Team on break

uper Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, will return to the country next week, as preparations hit top gear for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said yesterday that the former Super Eagles’ captain is presently in the United Kingdom with his assistant, Jean Francois Loscuito, and having a number of meetings with senior Nigerian internationals in that country are on -going.

“The match in Dar es Salaam is very, very crucial, not only because it will be my first match as Head Coach, but also because we have no choice other than to win. The three points are important for us to keep up the tempo in our group,” NFF quoted Oliseh. He added, “We are on the same three points with Egypt, though they have scored a goal more. That is why we cannot afford any slip along the way. We will deal first with the match in Tanzania, and then we will start thinking about

the CHAN qualifiers with Burkina Faso in October, and then the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture in November. There is a lot of work. After these matches, we will now start working towards the two AFCON qualifying matches we have with the Pharaohs in March next year.” Oliseh, officially presented on July 15, has assured that he is already working assiduously towards raising a solid squad to pick up three vital points from the East African country on September 5. Meanwhile, Coach of the U-23 Na-

tional Team, Samson Siasia, has given his players a one-week break to go and unwind, rest with their families and get set for the task ahead, after they returned to the country yesterday. Addressing the players before departing Pointe Noire for Nigeria, Siasia warned the boys to remain focused and be good ambassadors of the team in their various clubs as any negative report from their clubs will be taken serious by the team’s management.

AAG: Ashiru targets 3 taekwondo gold medals

resident of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, on yesterday said he was optimistic his team would win three gold medals at the 11th All Africa Games (AAG) next month in Congo. Ashiru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the team would work hard to redeem its position at the AAG slated for September 4 to September 19. “At the first AAG we had taekwondo as a scoring event, and that was in 1987,

we picked three gold medals. “Subsequently we have picked two gold medals at every All Africa Games up until now,” Ashiru said. The NTF boss added, “So, we have always had the opportunity for medals. Now our target is to bounce back to the 1987 standard to pick a minimum of three gold medals so that the graph should go back up.” He said his expectation was based on sufficient preparations, adequate camping and proper international opportuni-

ties. “We are happy to get the right type of exposure. This is very important when we realise that the world is moving on.” The NTF president said the rivalry in African taekwondo began 10 years ago between the Northern part and the rest of Africa. “But now sub-Saharan Africa has picked up. We have produced two world champions in West Africa alone. So, we now have competition at home and in the north.”

George Ashiru

Sports

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Afrobasket:

D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji (15) and a mate during a recent game

Onigbinde

Olympics ouster: Onigbinde makes case for Falcons Mercy Jacob

ormer Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, says the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should consider urgent women football development in the country as direct reaction to the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics after falling to Equatorial Guinea last weekend Bata. It is the second consecutive time that the Nigerian women will be missing out of the Olympics after their absence at London 2012 Games. “We have to move beyond lamenting the Falcons’ ouster and get real by exacting concrete developmental programme for the women football in Nigeria,” Onigbinde told National Mirror yesterday. “Certainly there can be no excuse for the Falcons as reigning African champions not to be at the Olympics next year. “I think the fact that other African teams are fast catching up with us should make the NFF see this ugly development as wake up call.” Onigbinde had previously campaigned for the establishment of functional technical department at the NFF which would take adequate interest in the country’s football development across board. Interestingly, however, his various proposals on the subject had been discarded by successive NFF administrations.

NBBF targets Tunisia glory

arely two weeks to the Afrobasket tournament in Tunisia, D’Tigers’ stars have joined their teammates in camp after featuring for their respective NBA clubs over the weekend. Al Faruoq Aminu, his elder brother Alade Aminu and versatile Olaseni Lawal, are all at the camp, the only exception being Ikechukwu Ofoegbu who is expected to arrive today. President of Nigerian Basketball Fed-

eration (NBBF), Mallam Tijani Umar, said the team had intensified training despite dazzling in an invitational tournament in France last week. “We are not making any noise about D’Tigers because they are preparing naturally. This is probably one of the best coaching crews I have worked with,” Umar said yesterday. “We are aiming success at the Afrobasket and that is why we are spending

much,” he added. Players expected to make a return the D’Tigers are Oguchi and Derrick Obasohan who were part of the London 2012 Olympics and home based stars, Abubakar Usman and Yahaya Abdul, among others. “We also hope to do well under the new coach, William Voigt, and to possibly rule Africa for the first time,” the NBBF further said.

AAG: Wrestling trials spark surprises T he wrestling trials for the 11th All Africa Games scheduled for Congo in September Congo Brazzaville ended in Abuja with surprises that saw three champions dethroned. Greco-Roman, female wrestling and free style finals took place at the trials with each of the events hosting eight weight class categories and producing eight winners each from which

21 athletes will be picked for the games. President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Hon. Daniel Igali, said the team was prepared for the Games. “A good number of our athletes can do well at the games even if it holds tomorrow and that leaves me with a great feeling,” Igali said. “I feel the sole purpose of opening the trials has been

achieved because we now have new people who have proved that they ought to be in camp from the beginning,” the former wrestler added. “All the 16 athletes from the female and free style categories will be at the tournament while five will be travelling from the Greco-Roman categories of whom the technical team will have to decide,” he stressed.

from August 16 to 20 at the National Stadium, Lagos. Ahmedu thanked the energy drink for expanding its camp from Abuja to Lagos and subsequently Benue State in the near future. Meanwhile, Founder and

Coordinator of the camp and ex-basketball international, Samuel Oguche, says the youth camp would bring together top coaches from across the country to run sessions designed to help young players development

NWF boss, Igali

Ahmedu backs Oguche Camp P resident of FIBAAfrica Zone 3 Basketball Union, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd), has announced his support for the 2nd Samuel Oguche/Bullet Energy Basketball Youth Camp now scheduled to hold

athletically, achieve goals and become useful to the country. “We will also help to foster participants through life skills support and local community outreach initiative,” Oguche said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Ikhana dreams league shield

nyimba Coach, Kadiri Ikhana, believes his wards are capable of winning a record seventh title in the ongoing Glo Premier League. The six-time Nigerian champions will be guests of Akwa United today in Match Day 21 clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Ikhana says his side does not prepare for one match but all the matches on the season’s calendar. “We want to win the league title, not only

Akwa United, but all the matches on the calendar. “We are working very hard on a daily basis towards achieving the laudable goal. “Every game counts for us as any slip from now till the end of the season will land us where we least expect. “Our goal is to win the league title so we will stop at nothing to achieve the goal no matter how daunting the task may be.” Enyimba have 37 points one point above their challengers Sunshine Stars.

Kadiri Ikhana

iwa FC’s captain, Charles Henlong, has dismissed insinuations from some quarters that their armed robbery attack on their way to honour their Glo Premier League match against Abia Warriors in Umuahia could affect the players’ performance in their match today. “I don’t think it will affect us in any way. We have put it behind us and we are now focused and determined for today’s encounter. We are 4th on the log with 34 points and the three points against Abia Warriors means a lot to our league ambition,” Henlong said. “It was a terrible ex-

perience. We got close to Okigwe around 10pm. They opened the driver’s door but couldn’t open the door to the bus. Sensing trouble, we decided to throw money phones out of the window to them. “I was scared when they opened the driver’s door. But somehow they couldn’t get to the passengers’ side of the bus.” It was the second time this season that a Glo Premier League club has been robbed by bandits. In March, Kano Pillars were robbed along Abaji-Lokoja road leaving five of their players with injuries from gunshot wounds.

Why I joined Abia Warriors –Nwanna E meka Nwanna has joined the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Abia Warriors, on loan till the end of the season. The striker, who moved from Enugu Rangers to Enyimba in 2001, was until his loan move to Umuahia in midseason on his second missionary journey to Enyimba. Nicknamed Ayaya, Nwanna said he had pitched tent with the Umuahia-based outfit to contribute his quota towards the realisation of the club’s aspirations. The former Calabar Rovers, Heartland and Kwara United hitman says he loves Abia Warriors because of the professional way the club is run, adding that his ambition is to help the club pick a continental ticket at the end of the season. “I love Umuahia because I started my football career with defunct NEPA Football Club of Umuahia when I was still in the secondary school and I had hoped to return one day. So when the opportunity came I didn’t hesitate to seize it with both hands.” Nwanna made news as the first player to be bought at one million Naira in the Nigerian league.

Midweek League with PAUL EREWUBA 08032138738

Table

Giwa downplays robbery attack

Giwa players

Emeka Nwanna

Teams

Enyimba

Sunshine

Wikki

Giwa

Heartland

Wolves

Pillars

Abia

Ifeanyi Ubah

Rangers

El-Kanemi

3SC

Nasarawa

Akwa

Kwara

Sharks

Lobi

Dophins

Bayelsa

Taraba

Taraba gets deadline on salary

he League Management Company (LMC) has formally charged FC Taraba for failing to meet its financial obligations to its players and has in line with the provision of the relevant rules ordered the club to pay all amounts due within 60 days. FC Taraba players have been owed salaries for several months and the LMC in wielding the stick citing Article B9. 45 which made it mandatory for terms of contract between a club and a player to be strictly adhered to. It further stipulates that where a club fails to pay remuneration or entitlements due to players for a period of more than sixty days, such club shall be liable to deduction of six points and a further three points for every 30 days for which the amount due remains unpaid. LMC’s Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, said the club was notified that it must within 60 days from the date of the notice remedy the breach, failure which the LMC Board will exercise Summary Jurisdiction to commence the deduction of the initial six points.

WORLD RECORD

Largest collection of stickers Vol. 05 No. 1171

N150

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

The largest collection of stickers belongs to Nidhi Bansal (India) and consists of 102,317 stickers as of 16 Se ptember 2013, in Bassi Pathana, Punjab, India.

Early warnings, political risks and African democracy

n my recent article, ‘The needless crisis in Burundi’, I argued for the importance of effective early warnings in the management and prevention of avoidable conflicts in African countries. In the said article, I also argued that conflicts don’t just manifest in their elaborate forms, there were early warnings which were largely ignored by those who should know better. Little things we hitherto take for granted might often turn out to be the most decisive. This is why early warnings must always be taken seriously, if not for anything, to minimise the effects of needless conflicts. Permit me to quickly quote the great Prussian war strategist, Carl von Clausewitz, in his classic, ‘On War’, where he said, “Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult.” Invariably, the simplest

Guest Columnist

Olalekan Waheed Adigun

things or warnings unheeded to, more often than not turn out to be the fatal! Let me quickly bring in the pirate radio station, Radio Biafra, at this point. The station, I am told has been broadcasting for about three years now with few people taking it serious. Its sponsors must be aware that the project is a journey to nowhere in particular. Its financers might as well be those who are in need of political patronage, or attentionseekers. It was only recently that the radio station began to enjoy its “popularity boom”. Why? In its series of attacks against the “president of zoo” or “the Occupational Nigerian government”, the station in one of its programmes has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of making “anti-Igbo comments” on BBC Hausa Service. The statement from the radio’s patrons should have been treated as insignificant, but the Buhari government went ahead to publicly announce the “jamming” of radio’s signals. While I am for the liquidation of the notorious radio, I had expected that the government would have been more strategic in its systemic annihilation of the pirate radio station. The danger portends by this radio station can be likened to Radio Television Libre de Millie Collines (RTLM), formed by Hutu extremists in Rwanda mainly to broadcast messages of hate, racist propaganda, obscene jokes and music to “spur Hutus to action of flushing out the cockroaches (Tutsis)”. This notorious radio station was perhaps the most

EAST AFRICA IS A REGION KNOWN FOR ITS VOLATILITY influential in the systematic extermination of the Tutsis in that country. This, to me, is what Radio Biafra is trying to achieve given its main operator’s recent boast of training militias in fire arms “to counter the Occupational Government of Nigeria”. To be forewarned is to be fore harmed! Still staying in East Africa, two countries that share historical affinity are Burundi and Rwanda. Both countries have gone through needless bloody inter ethnic wars. Recently, violence erupted in Burundi due to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third term in violation of the Burundian constitution. The president made good his threat to run in a poll largely boycotted by the opposition. Analysts, including me, fear that the violence witnessed in recent times since the President’s declared third term bid may continue. Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s supporters have urged him to amend Article 101 of the Rwandan Constitution to seek a third term in office. It is yet to be seen what becomes of both post-conflict societies after these, but political risk analysts are unanimous in their views that both ambitions portend danger and possibilities of renewed conflicts in the East African countries.

East Africa is a region known for its volatility, considering the ease and speed at which conflicts spread. This is why the African Union in particular, and the United Nations must do just more than condemning the election in Burundi as “not credible”; they must decisively act now, as the signs are ominous. Innocent lives have been lost to the sheer ambitions of few individuals already; losing more will just be too much! I have cited these to show that despite the recent Nigerian presidential election, incumbency still plays a critical role in African democracy. The Laurent Gbagbo’s experience in Ivory Cost 2011/12, Robert Mugabe’s 2008, etc, remind us of the fact that incumbency is still a political risk factor in African democracy. Even in our much-celebrated 2015 presidential election, crisis was largely averted because former President Goodluck Jonathan quickly accepted defeat. There are strong indications of plans to foment trouble; in some parts of the country should the election go another way. The quick interventions from top western nations might have prevented bloodshed in the aftermath of that election. This makes it imperative for western nations to consider putting the same pressure mounted on Jonathan on Nkurunziza and Kagame to drop their personal ambitions and embrace peace in their respective countries. About 200,000 people have fled both countries to neighbouring Congo, Tanzania, and Kenya. The media remains under permanent ban with the African Public Radio shut down by the Nkurunziza government. All these have even made the opposition weaker. The 1993 Civil War in Burundi and 1994 Genocide in Rwanda and their horrendous aftermath made former President Bill Clinton of the US regard them as his administration’s worst failure – he did little to prevent the genocide. The world has a chance to correct that, especially now that the warnings are clear! Adigun, a Lagos-based political risk analyst and strategist, wrote via adgorwell@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @adgorwell

Sport Extra

Golf: Woods eyes resurgence at Bridgestone Invitational

ormer world number one, Tiger Woods, will head into the final major of the season in high spirits after he made what he terms big strides during an encouraging performance

at the Quicken Loans National last weekend. Woods was just three shots off the lead at the halfway stage after vastly-improved rounds of 68 and 66, but his hopes of a first victory in two years

were dashed by an erratic third-round 74 which left him nine strokes off the pace. He had plummeted to 266th in the world rankings and needed a win to qualify for the WGC-

Bridgestone Invitational at Whistling Straits on August 13, but he is confident of atoning for missing back-to-back cuts in the last two majors. “My short game is starting to come back to where

it used to be. Everything is kind of trending in the correct direction now,” he said yesterday. “I am feeling the kind of feeling I used to feel and can’t wait to fly,” he added.

Woods

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