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NNPC to review deep offshore production agreement with oil firms CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

N Kachikwu

Vol. 5 N0. 1201

igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is set to revisit the fiscal terms of existing Production Shar-

ing Contracts, PSC, entered into by the corporation with some international oil and gas companies. In a statement by the Corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe,

Wednesday, September 16 , 2015

Chibok girls

the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, gave the hint while speaking on Tuesday at the France-Nigeria Business Forum organised to mark the state visit of President CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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ICPC refunds diverted N925m to ministry

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We’ve started negotiation with Boko Haram –Buhari Epidemic threatens Nigerian refugees in Cameroon ...16 die, 172 infected as cholera ravages IDPs camps ROTIMI FADEYI AND INUSA NDAHI

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Paris, France, disclosed that the Federal Government has started negotiations with members of Boko Haram to secure the release of over 200 school girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, abducted since CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

B’Haram: Troops rescue more women, children P.4

Lagos directs schools to screen ...expresses desire to rebuild Nigeria visitors P.50 President, OBJ extol Tukur as he retires from active politics

L-R: President, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Abubakar Lolo; Chairman, Dansa Holdings Ltd, Alhaji Sani Dangote; President, French Business Confederation, MEDEF International, Mr. Pierre Gattaz; President Muhammadu Buhari and Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badru, during Nigeria-France Presidential Business Forum in Paris, France, yesterday.

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We’ve started negotiation with Boko Haram –Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

April 14 last year. Buhari spoke at a meeting with members of the Nigerian community in France under the auspices of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO. According to him, the unfortunate incident had attracted global attention and sympathy, stressing that government was concerned about the condition of the girls. The President explained that in order not to make the mistake of engaging in discussion with the wrong persons, the government needs to first establish genuine members of the sect “The issue of Chibok girls has occupied our

minds and because of the international attention it drew and the sympathy throughout the country and the world, the government is negotiating with some of the Boko Haram leadership. “It is a very sensitive development in the sense that we have to establish whether they are genuine leaders of the Boko Haram. That is number one. Number two, what are their terms? The first impression we had was not very encouraging,” he said. According to him, one of the conditions given by the group was to release one of its members who has been strategic in developing Improvised Explosives De-

vices, IEDs, a demand that government will not accept. “They wanted us to release one of their leaders who is a strategic person in developing and making Improvised IEDs that is causing a lot of havoc in the country by blowing people in churches, mosque, market places, motor parks and other places. But it is very important that if we are going to talk to anybody, we have to know how much he is worth. “Let them bring all the girls and then, we will be prepared to negotiate, I will allow them to come back to Nigeria or to be absolved in the community. We have to be very careful, the concern we have for the Chibok girls,

one only imagine if they got a daughter there between 14 and 18 and for more than one and a half years, a lot of the parents who have died would rather see the graves of their daughters rather than the condition they imagine they are in. “This has drawn a lot of sympathy throughout the world. That is why this government is getting very hard in negotiating and getting the balance of those who are alive,” the President added. He assured the Nigerian community that his administration was doing everything possible to improve on the state of the economy through provision of infrastructure in critical sectors.

In another development, the United Nations, UN, Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Africa’s Sahel region, Toby Lanzer, said Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, are now under threat for lack of food, water and possible outbreak of deadly epidemics. He disclosed this yesterday in New York, after a week-long visit to Yaounde, Cameroon, and the Far North region, to assess the mounting humanitarian impact of the crisis in neighbouring northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. Lanzer said many of the refugees fled overnight, leaving all they had behind, and now relied on humani-

L-R: Representative of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi; representative of President Buhari, Mrs. Oluseyi Abegunde; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba and representative of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Prof. Adebayo Williams, during the late Dimgba Igwe’s anniversary book launch in Lagos, yesterday.

NNPC to review deep offshore production agreement with oil firms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Muhammadu Buhari to Paris, France. Kachikwu stated that in the weeks and months ahead, the corporation would be re-negotiating the contracts to extract as much benefit as possible for Nigeria, adding that the move aimed at seeking favorable benefits to Nigeria based on prevailing realities in the industry. The NNPC boss noted that though the PSC agreements were firm contracts

which should be adhered to, the NNPC was allowed to make use of the window which created space for renegotiation. “We intend to begin the process of the re-negotiation of the PSCs to see what value chain and improvements we can have from these contracts. Some of the contracts were negotiated over 20 years ago and they have since been overtaken by new realities in the industry,’’ the GMD said. He, however, noted that in

carrying out a review of the existing PSCs, care must be taken not to create an antiinvestment atmosphere as that might be counter-productive to the industry. On the status of FranceNigeria relations in the oil and gas industry, Dr. Kachikwu noted that though the French had a firm presence in the Nigerian petroleum industry, there was still room for French companies to rev up their presence in the refining areas where Nigeria currently needed support.

“There is no country in Africa that has the kind of resource base Nigeria has; so, France really needs to get more bullish if they want to compete in Nigeria with the very aggressive India, China, Germany… It’s a huge competition and I am looking forward to better days ahead,’’ he said. On the ongoing reforms of the Nigeria oil and gas industry, the NNPC GMD stated that the global oil and gas community was showing unmatched excitement

about the re-invigoration of the industry. “There is a lot of interest in our quest to seek joint ventures across the value chain; there are huge potentials across board and all we need to do is to galvanise the efforts to get the best out of it,” he said. Kachikwu noted that President Buhari’s vision for the industry was absolutely on track. ``It is being honed every day: there is focus, transparency and diversified income streams’’.

tarian assistance and the scarce resources of host communities that were already on the brink before the crisis. He said a report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, indicated that grave concerns persisted for some 20 million people in the Sahel region. “The recurrent conflict, erratic weather patterns, epidemics and other shocks, continue to weaken the resilience of households across a region still suffering chronic levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. “Beyond the chronic threats of food insecurity, malnutrition and epidemics, violent conflicts in and around the Sahel region, has led to a surge in population displacement,” he said. The UN official noted that Cameroon’s Far North region hosted more than 200,000 forced migrants. He said this included 80,000 internally displaced persons and over 57,000 Nigerian refugees, who fled the violence and settled either in the Minawao refugee camp, or with local communities along border areas. “Families on the run often survive brutal attacks and face severe trauma. “As if this is not enough of a burden, we now worry that their lives are threatened by lack of food and water, malnutrition and deadly epidemics, such as cholera and measles. “In the Far North, food insecurity has dramatically spiked in recent months, affecting one in every three people,” he said. Lanzer noted that insecurity is undermining population movements, daily commercial and agricultural activities, adversely impacting the livelihoods of communities still recovering from a decade of droughts. “As farmers were forced to flee from their lands, many will miss the harvest next month. Without timely humanitarian assistance, communities may take years to recover,” he added. UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Cameroon, Ms. Najat Rochdi, stated that funding of Cameroon’s humanitarian appeal covers barely 40 per cent of the needs. She said this is threatening the viability of hu-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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L-R: Acting Dean, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Sunday Isehunwa; Head, Public Affairs & Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Uzo Odenigbo; Dean of Students Affairs, UI, Prof. Titilayo Ajuwape and Senior Human Resources Partner, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Services, NBC, Mrs. Yetunde Adesunloye, during NBC Campus Recruitment Drive at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday.

L-R: Chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adeluyi-Adelusi; Director, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Sanni Bello; Executive Director, British-American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Mrs. Seyi Ashade; Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Paschal Dozie and Head of Government Affairs, West Africa Area, British- American Tobacco Nigeria, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, during MTN Foundation 10th anniversary celebration in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Nollywood Actress, Bimbo Akintola; Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey; Head, Marketing/Corporate Communications, UBA Plc, Mr. Charles Aigbe; American actor, Tim Reid and legendary Hollywood actor, Danny Glover, during a world conference for unveiling of cast of 93 Days movie, yesterday.

L-R: Ex-Official, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Mr. Sam Yuwa; President, NSN, Mrs. Ngozi Nnam and Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, during a news conference on the 45th annual general meeting/scientific conference of NSN, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

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Troops rescue more women, children held by Boko Haram ...clear four more camps

Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

en of the Nigerian Army advancing to clear all known Boko Haram terrorists camps yesterday, rescued dozen of abducted women and children from terrorists in Borno State. A statement by the Nigerian Army through its Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, said troops who were advancing towards Banki, Kumshe axis and Bama axis, cleared four more terrorists’ camps. He said the advancing troops cleared four camps along the axis, while several others were cleared in Bolungu 1 and 2, Bula Doye and Cheehi Dare areas also in Borno. “Nigerian troops advancing to clear all known Boko Haram terrorists

camps towards Banki, Kumshe axis and Bama axis have cleared four more camps earlier on Tuesday. “They were able to clear the terrorists’ camps at Bolungu 1 and 2, Bula Doye and Cheehi Dare and secured a very important bridge linking the towns of Miyanti and Banki in Borno State. “The gallant troops also rescued dozen of kid-

napped women and children held captive by Boko Haram terrorists,’’ Usman said. It said more enclaves of the insurgents would be cleared as troops involved in the operations advanced towards more areas previously occupied by the insurgents. The statement said the offensive by ground troops and aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force

would continue in the region until the insurgency was ended. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that the military had intensified offensive against the insurgents with the aim of ending their reign of terror in the North East. Meanwhile, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Osuolale, has advised the military against announcing their operational achievements on the pages of newspaper.

Bello, who gave the advice in an interview yesterday in Osogbo, Osun State, said such publication was dangerous to intelligence gathering. He said any major success recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, should be restricted to the military. Bello also urged the Department of State Service, DSS, to redouble its effort in intelligence gathering. He said the measures put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari in

Ekiti Muslim alleges marginalisation

…faithful asked to shun gifts from gov Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

he League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti State have accused the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, of marginalising

Muslims in the state as far as political appointments are concerned. Consequently, the League has resolved that “no Muslim in the state should collect rams and other food items if presented to them in any form by the govern-

ment”. A statement in Ado Ekiti signed by Alhaji Quadri Oguntuase, Assistant Secretary, League of Imams and Alfas; Alfa Fatai Jim, representative of Ansar-u-deen Missioner; and Imam Abdul Rasak, Chief Imam, Ilogbo, yes-

terday said the League made the resolutions at its meeting in the state capital, yesterday. They stated that “any Muslim that collects such rams or food items under any guise has taken Haram (unlawful) and the punishment of the Almighty Allah

tackling insurgency in the North-East, was already yielding positive results. He said the appointment of new Service Chiefs and relocation of the Military High Command to Maiduguri had helped to minimise the operations of the Boko Haram. According to him, the visits of the president to the neighbouring countries, seeking their collaboration in fighting the insurgency, is also commendable.

awaits the person”. According to them, the order stands until the government accedes to the earlier demands of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affair, NSCIA, and National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation, NACOMYO, Ekiti State.

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Wednesday, September 16 , 2015

Buhari woos French investors ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Paris assured French investors of conducive environment for the growth of business and increased economic activities. Speaking while addressing a group of investors at the NigerianFrance presidential business forum held at the headquarters of the French Business Confederation, MEDEF, Buhari said his administration made the issue of security a priority to ensure the safety of all citizens and guarantee investment for both local and foreign investors. The president noted the long standing economic ties between Nigeria and France which dates back to 1902 when the CFO set up a training programme in Lagos State. He assured that his government would re-

build Nigeria into a competitive, virile, productive economy based on excellence, integrity, transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law. Buhari noted the positive development which makes Nigeria the largest trading partner with France in Africa, stressing that the current annual trade volume of $5million could be increased considering the opportunities that abound. The president stated that he fully agreed with President Fracois Hollande when he declared in February, 2014 in Abuja that trade volume between both countries should double in four years. According to him, the trade expansion is to cover critical areas such as agriculture, energy, automobile and skill development. “Today many French companies are happy to have flourishing businesses in Nigeria, opportunities abound to greatly

increase the $5billion annual trade volume between the two countries,” he said. Buhari assured the investors that his government would sustain Ni-

geria’s credentials as the preferred investment destination in Africa and the country with the fourth highest investment returns in the world. He expressed apprecia-

tion to MEDEF President, Mr Pierre Gattaz, and organisers of the FrenchNigeria Business Forum for mobilising the platform and looked forward to their business trip to

Nigeria in three weeks time. Earlier in his remarks, Gattaz said French businessmen were interested in the Nigerian economy as the biggest in Africa.

L-R: Chairman, National Population Commission, Eze Duruiheoma; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi; Chief Judge of FCT High Court, Ishaq Bello, and representative of Nigeria Children Parliament, Kogi Constituency, Aisha Ibrahim, during the launch of ‘Year of Action to End Violence Against Children,’ in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ICPC refunds diverted N925m to Ministry of Environment

ndependent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, yesterday refunded N925m fraudulently diverted from the account of Federal Ministry of Environment to the ministry.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, who handed over the recovered loot in Abuja, added that N56m diverted from the accounts of three Federal Government Colleges had also been refunded to the af-

fected schools. He said the refund was in line with the mandate of the commission in Section 6 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. Nta said the process of recovering the ministry’s

fund followed a petition in respect of a fraudulent electronic funds transfer from its account on December 1, 2014. “A forged payment mandate in the sum of N925m was presented to First City Monument

We’ve started negotiation with Boko Haram –Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

manitarian response to the Far North over the coming months. Rochdi said food distribution, access to health services and psycho-social care, were parts of the agency’s top priorities to save lives and restore the dignity of the displaced. “A renewed engagement by development actors is also essential if we are to address the causes of chronic vulnerability and ensure stability of the region in a durable manner,” she said. Meanwhile, 16 people have died, while about 172 are said to be in a critical condition as agencies, such as the World Health Organisation, WHO, and UNICEF battle to save lives following the outbreak of cholera in three Internally Displaced

Persons, IDPs, camps within Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. But National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Information Officer, Mallam Abdulkadir Ibrahim in a telephone interview insisted that it was not an outbreak of cholera, but reported cases of diarrhea and vomiting. NEMA is the sole agency that is now taking the responsibility of feeding the IDPs since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Our correspondent gathered that the most camp at Mafa along Dikwa/Ngala road. Health officials at the camp said so far 16 people have died as a result of the outbreak. The health workers are

working in collaboration with international organisation battling to bring the situation under control. “The situation at the camps is terrible, it was sudden and already a large number has been affected. At the last count we have 16 dead and about 172 affected. We are in an emergency health situation in those camps,” one of the health officials working with UNICEF told our correspondent. It was also gathered that many of the displaced persons in the affected camps were prevented from living by security agents in a move to curtail the outbreak and prevent it from spreading to the Maiduguri metropolis. Already those affected have been separated from others as all the IDPs were

being given preventive medicine to control the situation. “The camps were unkempt, unclean and with all sort of waste all over, which inform the outbreak and encourage its wild fire spread. “But we are doing everything possible to ensure that we control the spread. We encourage the IDPs to ensure cleanliness and safeguard themselves from being infected,” another medical official said. Efforts to get the state government’s response was not successful as the permanent secretary in the ministry of health could not be reached. Also, the Director, Disease Control in the ministry was said to be out of the office at the time of filing this report.

Bank, Plc, where the ministry’s account was domiciled and the funds were diverted to different accounts. “The funds were meant for the Great Green Wall Programme of the Federal Government meant to check desert encroachment through tree planting. “The funds being returned today pursuant to a court order represent actual recovered proceed by the ICPC and a retained default guaranteed sum all amounting to N925m,” he said. He said the commission was also investigating the movement of N469m in relation to the diverted funds of the ministry through some financial institutions. Nta said the recovered and refunded funds of the three Federal Government Colleges were meant for meal subsidy for students and capital projects. He identified the colleges as Federal Science Technical College, IjebuImushin, Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu and Federal Government College, Odog-

bolu. He said the alleged diversion was perpetrated by the Federal Pay Officer in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and was reported to ICPC by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. In her remark, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Fatima Nana, commended ICPC for its prompt response to the petition sent by the ministry. She pledged the commitment of the ministry to continue to support ICPC toward ensuring accountability and transparency in the conduct of government businesses. In a related development, Mrs. Agnes Owolabi, Principal, Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu, commended ICPC for its relentless efforts in the recovery of the diverted funds. Owolabi promised that the fund would be used to complete the on-going hostel project in the colleges to increase the number of students’ admission.

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S’West governors tasked on regional integration Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ormer military governor of old Western State, BrigGeneral Oluwole Rotimi, yesterday said the muchtouted regional integration among South-West states could only be realised if the governors in the region shun partisan politics. He spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, at the public unveiling of Western Post newspaper and discussion on the topic, “The dwindling oil revenue: A case for regional integration”. He said from his own observations, the body language of governors show they do not want to sit together, stating that the time has come for them to forgo their political differences and think more about development of a region that was once regarded as the pace setter in the country. While lamenting the various setbacks confronting the region, Rotimi, who was chairman on the occasion, berated parents who take delight in their children speaking foreign language at the expense of Yoruba language, which he warned might soon go into extinction. According to him, the younger generation of today finds it difficult to make a complete sentence in Yoruba, adding that the elders owe it a duty to let them know their culture and language. He said, “There is nothing wrong in talking of regional integration, but my concern is about putting this into reality. From my investigation, our governors do not want to sit down together, which to me will be a great disservice to people of the region. It is important for them to think less about politics and more about the development of the region. “It is also important that there be resuscitation of history in our schools so that the little ones would be able to learn about our past. A situation in which they cannot communicate in Yoruba language, could

only spell doom for the entire region.” Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State at the occasion renewed the call for regional integration which he described as one of the solutions to the present dwindling federal allocation to the states. Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, said the lack of good governance by the past administration in the country had hampered regional integration. He said, “The six South-West states of Nigeria, which comprise Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo have firmly expressed desire to work and act together under a common set of development strategies, leveraging common synergies and economies of scale whereby the region and its people will experience enhanced human and social development outcomes across the spheres of existence. “The economic dangers of extreme dependence on a single product are too obvious to need repetition. I usually emphasis on present concentration and dependence on oil is structural imbalance which need to be rectified in the interest of Nigeria’s future growth and prosperity. “It was the lack of good governance and transformational leadership at the centre that made people to start looking back into regional integration. Succinctly put, the depression of the last leadership at the centre led to agitation of what Bola Tinubu called common sense revolution. “This was a remarkable step taken by homogenous people of the southwest Nigeria whose focus, dream, common inheritance and development had been thwarted by the giant father, Nigeria. Thus, the pursuit of the state governments to formally establish the technical arm of the regional integration dream called DAWN Commission at No 10, Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan. It is what Chief Obafemi Awolowo, would called the blessing of courage.”

L-R: Leader of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) Country Director, Mr. Bilali Camara and a member of House of Representatives, Hon. Karimi Sunday, during a courtesy visit by UNAIDS delegation at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

Child abuse: U.S. pledges to support Nigeria

.S. yesterday pledged to continue working together with relevant authorities to end violence against children in Nigeria. U.S Chargé d’Affaires, Ms Maria Brewer, stated this in Abuja at the programme launch for the ‘Year of Action to End Violence against Children.’ Brewer said all children must be protected from abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect, adding that violence against children was unjustifiable. The envoy said violence was preventable and expressed concern that physical and psychological violence against children still occur in schools, homes and in the streets.

“The UN reports that every day and in every country, girls and boys suffer from, or witness violence. “This happens in all cultures and across all socio-economic classes. “Violence does not discriminate along ethnic or tribal lines. “Violence against children occurs in diverse settings for many reasons and is sometimes rooted in cultural and social practices. “Such violence has devastating consequences for children’s health; development, and well-being. Sadly, most violent acts against children are carried out by people they know. “As a society, we must strive to prevent and elim-

inate all forms of violence against children,” she stressed. Brewer said Nigeria conducted Violence against Children survey in 2014, which she said was the first of its kind in West Africa. According to her, the survey provided the data to form a clear depiction of the nature and extent of the problem. She said this bold first step was funded through PEPFAR in collaboration with the National Population Commission, NPC and the U.S. Center for Disease Control, CDC. She said the survey helped civil society and government leaders to formulate a plan of action to address this ongoing problem and suggest solutions.

Brewer said international cooperation also played a critical role in the success of the survey. She said the survey was funded by CDC which provided significant technical support through an agreement with UNICEF. “Building on the survey results, the Government of Nigeria convened a technical working group. “The group, led by Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development, developed the Nigeria Violence against Children Response Plan. “This plan, funded by USAID through a grant to UNICEF, includes representatives from relevant ministries and agencies, as well as external stakeholders,’’ Brewer said.

NBC’ll meet new digital switch-over deadline –DG

ational Broadcasting Commission (NBC) DirectorGeneral, Mr Emeka Mba, yesterday said the commission was working assiduously to meet the new Digital Switch Over, DSO, deadline. Mba disclosed this at the 6th edition of the Annual NigeriaCom, an Information and Communications Technology event organised by Informa Telecoms and Media in Lagos. He said Nigeria and most African countries failed to meet the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) DSO deadline of June 17, but the ECOW-

AS region had set a new date of June 20, 2017. According to him, the ITU deadline was not met due to lack of fund and myriads of challenges before the NBC. The challenges, according to him, are aggregate content development, distribution and production and availability of Set Top Boxes, STBs. He said the commission recently licenced MTN Nigeria to operate on spectrum frequency in the 700MHz bands, adding that it realised N34 billion from the sale. ‘’We are working hard to meet this deadline. The licensing will afford Nige-

rians the best option for the provision of high quality converged broadcasting and telecommunications services. ‘’It will also enable the funding of a successful Digital Switch Over, which would free up more spectrum for sale,’’ he said. He added that the commission had already licenced 13 companies that would manufacture the STBs locally. The NBC boss said switching over to digital was a win-win situation for the consumers, television industry and government. ‘’We are creating a value chain and fundamen-

tally, we believe that TV should be free even though Pay TV is important. We believe in Free-To-Air, so, we are trying to create an ecosystem that adds value to the consumer. ‘’We are creating a future that will bridge the digital divide especially in homes that see TV as a primary source of information,’’ he said. Mr Adam Thompson, Head of Content, Africa and Middle East, Com World Series, Informa Telecoms and Media, said the theme of the event centred on the next phase of connecting businesses and lifestyles across the digital economy.

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

South West

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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17 Giesi princes jostle for Ooni stool BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

eventeen princes from Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife have so far signified interest to contest the vacant stool of Ooni. The ruling house has subsequently set up a fresh screening committee to verify the candidates and ascertain their claims.

According to sources within the ruling house, the new screening committee superseded the one earlier put in place to collate and ascertain the intention from all candidates to the stool. Two local government areas in Ile-Ife metropolis, Ife Central and Ife-East, have been instructed by the state government, through a letter from the state’s Min-

istry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to invite the ruling house to present candidate(s) to begin process of appointing new monarch for the town. It was gathered that the two concerned local government areas have written to the ruling house intimating it of the decision of the state government and Ife kingmakers to restrict contest for the stool to only the

Giesi Ruling House relying on the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration. Meanwhile, one of the contestants to the stool of Ooni, Prince Sikiru Adetona Ayedun, yesterday commended the state government and Ife kingmakers for narrowing the search for new monarch for the town to the Giesi. Ayedun, who is the immediate past Commis-

Oyo CP canvasses community policing KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

yo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeleye Oyebade, yesterday in Ibadan, called for a robust public private

partnership in the implementation of community policing being adopted by the present administration. Oyebade, who made the call at an interactive session with representatives of civil society groups and se-

curity stakeholders across the state, held at the Eleiyele Police Command Headquarters, said the task of security should be seen by all as a joint effort, in order to achieve an enduring success.

He reassured of his determination not only to combat heinous crimes such as kidnapping and cultism, but also to prevent the issues of insurgency and terrorism acts in the whole of the state.

Court orders detention of seven journalists FEMI OYEWESO AND BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA

n Ogun State High Court I, sitting in Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Judicial division, yesterday ordered the arrest and detention of seven journalists for having the effrontery to enter the court premises to cover proceedings. The court, presided over by Justice N.I. Agbelu, accused the journalists of failing to enter the court premise without a written permission or letter of authority from the Chief Judge or a Senior judiciary officer in the state’s judiciary before carrying out their duties in the court’s premises. The journalists included Daud Olatunji (Vanguard), Samuel Awoyinfa (The Punch), Ernest Nwokolo (The Nation), Abiodun Taiwo (Daily Times), Sulaiman Fasasi (National Pilot), Wale Adelaja (TVC) and Johnson Akinpelu (Alaroye). The newsmen had arrived the court premises around 11:44am to make an inquiry in respect of two matters involving victims of the Pakoto/Ifo community demolition as well as the killing of an innocent boy by hoodlums suspected to be land-grabbers in OkeOre community, which were believed to have been listed for hearing yesterday, Tuesday, at Ota arm of the

state’s judiciary. National Mirror gathered that the seven journalists, who arrived the court premises in two vehicles, pulled up quietly and had hardly disembarked when a police orderly accosted them and demanded their identification. On being identified as newsmen, the policeman returned to his duty post only for the Assistant Court Registrar, ACR, a woman, emerging to also inquire about the reporters’ mission and demanded to know which authority allowed them to cover the court’s proceedings. Apparently not happy by their presence in the court, it was further gathered that the ACR dashed to the judge, returned about three minutes after and said that Justice Agbelu had ordered the arrest of the journalists for allegedly “filming the entire court premises.” The journalists were, however, detained inside the administrative wing of the court for about three hours from 11:45am to 2:44pm until one of the journalists developed a stomach upset and almost fainted following the psychological and humiliating experience they were subjected to. The story, however, changed when a poisonous snake emerged from the bushy court premises, bit a male judiciary staff and caused serious pandemonium, which forced the judge

to send the journalists away. The judge said following the prevailing emergency, the ACR had to see to the welfare of the suffering staff. While three of the staff rushed the victim to Ota state hospital for treatment, others stayed behind to hunt for the snake, which slipped into one of the crevices in the staircase leading to the entrance of ACR office. However, before the victim was rushed to the hospital, an improvised tourniquet was used on the affected leg after draining the venom of the poisonous snake. In a related development, two members of Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abass Okandeji, of Muri International Television, MiTV, and Adeniyi Folorunsho of ONTV were yesterday attacked by angry civil servants during a protest. The workers, who were on protest march, attacked the newsmen for attempting to cover their procession, beating them senseless. The newsmen were, however, rescued by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. Some workers later told National Mirror that the newsmen were mistaken for reporters of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC. A source said: “The workers believed OSBC had not been fair to them in

their reports. It is common knowledge that reportage of matters relating to the struggle to ensure the government pays workers are always coloured in such a way to be unfavourable to workers.”

sioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism in the state, stated that the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration is a reliable document on the Ooni stool.

He therefore expressed the hope that if considered as next Ooni, he would bring development and progress to the ancient city.

Botched impeachment: Court hears Oloyede’s applications Oct. 5 B OLADALE BAMIG BOLA OSOGBO

n Osun State High Court has fixed October 5, 2015, for reassignment or hearing of the petition filed by Justice Folahami Oloyede, against Speaker of the House of Assembly, Najeem Salam, and 10 others. Oloyede had approached the court seeking to quash recommendations of the House against her after a petition written against Governor Rauf Aregbesola was dismissed by the lawmakers. The vacation judge, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, while ad-

dressing the court, said the adjournment was to allow counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Kanmi Ajibola serve the third to ninth respondents duly. Ajibola had told the court that it had been difficult serving the third to ninth respondents, adding that an exparte application dated September 11th had been set in motion in order to allow thorough service of the respondents. Earlier, defence counsel, Mr. Lawal Ibraheem and Mr Idris Mikail had tendered two applications before the court. The applications contained a counter affidavits to the earlier ones filed by the applicant.

TENDER NOTICE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ON BEHALF OF DMO NIGERIAN TREASURY BILLS Notice is hereby given by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of DMO that the Federal Government of Nigeria Treasury Bills of 91, 182 and 364day tenors amounting to N31,190,876,000, N10,614,270,000 and N59,081,137,000, respectively would be issued by Dutch auction on Thursday, September 24, 2015. All Money Market Dealers should submit bids through the CBN S4 WEB INTERFACE between 9.00a.m and 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. Each bid must be in multiple of N1, 000 subject to a minimum of N10, 000. Authorized Money Market Dealers are allowed to submit multiple bids. A bid may be for authorized Money Market Dealers own account, Non – Money Market Dealers or interested members of the public. The result of the auction would be announced by 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. The Bank reserves the right to reject any bid. Allotment letters would be issued for successful bids on Thursday, September 24, 2015, while payment for the successful bids should be made to your account with Central Bank of Nigeria not later than 11.00am on Thursday, September 24, 2015. The Bank reserves the right to vary the amount on offer in line with market realities prevailing as at the period of auction of the Nigerian Treasury Bills.

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES OFFICE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ABUJA.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Ojuelegba tragedy: Court remands truck owner WALE IGBINTADE

50-year-old man, Mr. Kilani Ojo Adesanya, owner of the ill-fated truck that killed three people at Ojuelegba, Lagos, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Ebute-Metta, on twocount charge of giving the truck to a driver without driving documents. Adesanya was arraigned by men of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of Lagos State Police Command, Panti-Yaba, Lagos. The truck had been outward-bound from Funsho Williams Avenue when it fell off the Ojuelegba Bridge and landed on a

Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, crushing the occupants. The owner was alleged to have permitted Wasiu Adeleke to drive his truck marked EPE 46 XK, without a valid driver’s licence. He was also alleged to have allowed the truck to be driven on the highway without MOT test certificate, road worthiness certificate, and vehicle licence. The offences are, according to the prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Osuyi, contrary to and punishable under sections 36 (1 &2) of Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State, 2012. When the charge was read to him, the accused pleaded not guilty. Upon the plea of the accused, his lawyer, Mr.

W. O. Toriola, urged the court to admit him on bail on self-recognition. He hinged the bail application on the premise that the accused is a senior citizen of the country without any previous criminal record. The prosecutor did not oppose the accuser’s bail application. However, presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Folashade Botoku, queried the prosecutor for not informing the court of another case in which the driver of the truck was charged before a sister court so that the two cases could be consolidated. Consequently, the chief magistrate adjourned the matter till September 23 for ruling on the bail application.

Ekiti pupils to pay N1, 000, N500 levy A BIODUN N EJO AND B OLADALE BAMIG BOLA

upils of public secondary schools in Ekiti State will now pay N1,000 per term towards educational development in the state. This was part of decisions arrived at during the Education Summit recently held in the state. However, the N500 proposed for primary school pupils per term is yet to be approved by the governor. Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jide Egunjobi, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday that all stakeholders in the education sector, including parents and teachers consented to the introduction of Education Development Levy, EDL. Egunjobi said: “Before now, secondary school students were paying N100 as PTA levy, N300 for extra lesson and N600 as examination fee, while primary school students were paying N100 as PTA levy, N300 for extra lesson and N200 as exami-

nation fee, making N600 per term.” Apart from the levy of N1,000, secondary school students will pay N500 as PTA levy, N600 for examination, N300 for extra lesson, bringing total payment per term to N2, 400. It was also proposed that primary school pupils will pay N100 as PTA levy, N100 for extra lesson and N100 for examination, making a total of N800 per term. Egunjobi said the levies were not new in the state. “Students of public schools in Ekiti were paying PTA, examination and extra lesson levies before Governor Fayose assumed office,” he said. He restated government’s commitment to restoration of the state’s lost glory in the education sector. He said, “Ekiti State recorded 36.5 per cent performance in WAEC this year as against 25 per cent last year and that only happened because strict measures were introduced and teachers were greatly motivated and encouraged. “It would be recalled

that in 2003 when Governor Fayose assumed office, Ekiti State was number 35 in WAEC and by the time he left office in 2006, the state was number eight. That feat can still be recorded and we are working assiduously towards returning the state’s lost glory.” Meanwhile, Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination that took off in Osun State yesterday suffered hitches in Osogbo, the state capital, when public school students protested over demand for three years tax clearance certificate of their parents. Investigation by our correspondent revealed that students in Egbedore and Osogbo local government areas, who were to commence their JSSC exams, were told to bring three years evidence of tax payment starting from 2013 to 2015. An adult artisan is expected to pay N1,500 per year as tax, while arrears of three years is N4,500. Also, evidences of tax payment were demanded from students resuming in new schools in the state.

NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY WILBERFORCE ISLAND BAYELSA STATE ADMISSION INTO A ONE YEAR PRE-DEGREE PROGRAMME 2015/2016 ACADEMIC SESSION In collaboration with the JOINT UNIVERSITIES PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS BOARD (JUPEB), the Niger Delta University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the pre-degree programmes for the 2015/2016 session. The programme leads to the award of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) Certificates which enables candidates to gain Direct Entry Admissions into 200 level of the degrees offered by the Niger Delta University and other JUPEB affiliated Universities in Nigeria and Universities abroad. The JUPEB Certificate is equivalent to the Advance Level GCE or the Old Higher School Certificates (HSC) or IJMB. For admission into the Niger Delta University and other JUPEB affiliate institutions, each candidate, in addition to passing the prescribed JUPEB examination for issuing the Direct Entry Certificates, must satisfy all admission requirements prescribed by Departments and faculties of choice. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Candidates seeking admission into the JUPEB pre-degree programmes must possess a minimum of 5 credit passes in at least five (5) subjects at “o” Level, including English Language and Mathematics at not more than 2 sittings in the GCE, SSCE, (WAEC,NECO, NABTEB). The following faculties and departments are available: 1. FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE: i. Department of Economics, Extension and Rural Sociology ii. Department of crop and soil science iii. Department of fisheries and Aquatic studies iv. Department of Animals Science 2. FACULTY OF ARTS: i. Department of English and Literary Studies ii. Departments of History and Diplomacy iii. Department of Theatre Arts iv. Department of Philosophy v. Department of Religious Studies 3. FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES: i. Bio-Chemistry ii. Medicine iii. Medical Laboratory Science 4. FACULTY OF EDUCATION: i. Department of Curriculum and instruction ii. Department of Educational Foundations iii. Departments of Vocational/ Industrial Technology 5. FACULTY OF ENGINEERING: i. Department of Agricultural/ Environmental Engineering ii. Department of Chemical Engineering iii. Department of Civil Engineering/Hydrology iv. Department of Electrical/Electronic engineering v. Department of Mechanical/Marine Engineering vi. Department of petroleum Engineering 6. FACULTY OF LAW: i. Law 7. FACLTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES: i. Department of finance & Accountancy: Accountancy Banking & Finance Insurance ii. Department of Business Administration Management Marketing iii. Department of office information Management 8. FACULTY OF NURSING: i. Nursing 9. FACULTY OF PHARMACY: i. Pharmacy 10. FACULTY OFSCIENCE i. Department of Biological Science ii. Department of Computer Science iii. Department of Geology iv. Department of Mathematics Education v. Department of Physical Education Vi. Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry 11. FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES i. Department of Economics ii. Department of Geography/Environmental, Management iii. Department of Political Science iv. Department of Sociology All the combination above meets the entry requirement for direct admission into Degree Programmes in the Niger Delta University and other JUPEB affiliate Universities. DURATION OF PROGRAMME The duration of the study is a minimum of one Academic Session of two semesters. It is strictly a non-resident programme. METHODS OF APPLICATION Registration is online on our website at www.ndu.edu.ng or at www.ndu ac starting from Tuesday. September 15 Wednesday September 30, 2015. The Registration process is as follows: There are two options for payment: a. Go to any Diamond, sky or first bank Branch in Nigeria. Purchase an e-pin slip for Niger Delta University pre-degree programme for a fee of (N15,000.00) the university will not subsidize other charges such as bank charges. Go to the website https://webpay.opus.com.ng and pay for your pin online using your ATM or Credit card. Instructions written on the site. Please ensure you print your payment reference as the authorization e-pin is on it. Disclaimer: please protect your ATM and Credit card details. The Niger Delta University will not be held liable for any incidents. b. After payment Go online and log onto www.ndu.edu.ng and link the site www.ndu.ac or go directly to www.ndu.ac and click on Apply for pre-degree. Complete the online application for pre-degree. Candidates who are to purchase the application forms online should complete the following steps and pay accordingly Log on to our admissions website www.predegree.ndu.ac or www.ndu.edu.ng Closing date for the submission of forms is September 30, 2015.

Signed: Mr. Tonbra R. Morris Odubo Registrar

South East

Umahi urges centre coordinators to tackle kidnapping, corruption Aliuna Godwin Abakaliki

bonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, yesterday advised the new coordinators of 64 development centres in the state to fight kidnapping and corruption while in office. Umahi made this known during the swearing-in of development centre coordinators at the Akanu-Ibiam International Conference Centre in Abakaliki, and charged them to curb kidnapping and other crimes in their areas and avert any breakdown of law and order in the state. He advised the coordinators to ensure that all stolen funds and properties belonging to their various development centres by the immediate past political office holders, as well as civil servants were recovered and that failure to do so would amount to losing their jobs. Umahi urged them to work with everybody, including those in opposition parties, adding that his administration was poised to develop the state at all cost. The governor, who equally dispelled rumours making the rounds that he might lose in the ongoing election tribunal trial, urged people of the state to have confi-

dence in his administration, stressing that it is God that brought him to power and could never lose at the tribunal. He further charged them to embark on aggressive agricultural development in their areas by ensuring that they acquire lands to plant crops, cautioning them not to take people’s land by force, just as he told them to enter into joint projects with local government areas so as to ensure that people in rural areas benefit from the government. He noted that any of them that fails to work hard or improve on the welfare of the people in his or her area, stands the chance of losing her job. He urged them to fight corruption with all their powers, noting that his administration would not condone any act of indiscipline and insubordination, just as he stated that he was not prepared to sack any person. In a remark, Chief James Ejem, who spoke on behalf of other coordinators, said they would replicate the good gesture and development stride of the governor in the rural areas just as he pledged their commitment to ensure peace and order in their respective development centres.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kidnappers of UNN chief imam demand N20m ransom Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

idnappers of Deputy Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Sheik Adam Idoko, have demanded a N20 million ransom. Idoko, who is also chief imam of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, Central Mosque, was abducted five days ago in his village, Ogrute, EnuguEzike, in Igbo-Eze North Council Area of Enugu State, where he had gone for a meeting. The Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’at Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Murtada Gusau, had

earlier disclosed that the Muslim community reported the incident to the police shortly after it happened. Also, a reliable source from the central mosque, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent yesterday that the kidnappers called and demanded a ransom of N20m before they could free the imam. He, however, lamented that “we don’t have that kind of money; they should remember that Sheik Idoko is not a politician or a business tycoon; he is working for God. “Till now, I am still surprised why the Imam, who devoted himself to the work of God, should be a target for kidnappers.

“If the UNN Central Mosque has that kind of money, we would have finished the mosque we started building since the past four years.” He added that the little work going on in the building was through contributions by Muslim faithful, including NYSC members. “The additional blocks on the building is as result of those contributions; I suspect that those who kidnapped the Imam felt that money has come into the central mosque,” he further stated. Musa Mohammed, a Muslim faithful, described the N20m ransom demanded as unfortunate and outrageous. “I plead with the kid-

nappers to release him unconditionally because he is working for God,” he said. Usman Bello, another Muslim faithful urged the kidnappers to respect Allah and set the cleric free. He said: “It is a serious abomination to manhandle those who are doing the work of Allah. “We have been praying to Allah to touch their minds so that they will release him unconditionally. We do not know where to get N20m for ransom.” When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of Enugu Police Command, DSP Amaraizu Ebere, said the command was still on the trail of the kidnappers.

Doctors applaud Umahi over equipment donation Aliuna Godwin Abakaliki

octors in the Federal Teaching Hospital, FETH, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday applauded Governor Dave Umahi for donating over N10 million worth of equipment to facilitate blood donation, transfusion and treatment of diseases in the state. The doctors, who made the commendation shortly after handover of the equipment at the hospital, added that the facility would serve the state, neighbouring communities and beyond. Receiving the equipment, Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Emeka Ogah, said Umahi came to see his sick friend in the hospital and discovered the need to have the equipment in the hospital and asked the consultant managing the patient to come to him and arrange for procure-

ment of the equipment. He explained that the equipment known as selfharvester would give the actual component of blood needed by patients and reduce over-transfusion. He assured that the equipment would be judiciously used for the purpose it was procured and commended the governor for the gesture. Earlier, the governor, who donated the equipment through Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike, said he discovered the hospital was lacking the equipment, which he described as very vital and which made him to procure it for patients. Umahi expressed determination of his administration to tackle health challenges in the state, adding that the state’s Ministry of Health has controlled cholera outbreak that ravaged the state.

L-R: Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Samuel Dan; Commandant, Enugu Command, Mr. Stephen Lar and Mr. Alugdera Tsaro, addressing newsmen during the parade of suspected pipeline vandals in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Okorocha denies selling government agencies Chris Njoku Owerri

mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday denied selling or privatising any government property or government-owned parastatal since 2011when he assumed office. The governor’s denial followed allegations in some quarters that the Adapalm and Imo Transport Companies, ITC, which he concessioned in his first tenure, were no longer productive and the new owners had sacked close to 1,000 staff of

the companies. The governor was also accused of selling the Imo State Environmental Transformation Company, ENTRACO, to a member representing Ideato North State Constituency, Hon. Ikechukwu Amuka, to the tune of N50m. Already, a source close to Government House had told National Mirror that the new owners of ENTRACO had evacuated all the commission’s equipment to New Owerri, where they have their office, while the task force arm of ENTRACO had been changed with

a new set of personnel. But in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said he had never sold any of the government’s parastatals since assuming office. According to him, government’s property or parastatals could not be sold in the dark or without documents, and “we challenge those behind these false claims to publish or make their facts public.” The statement added that the government had instead, re-purchased

some government’s factories sold by previous administrations in the state from those who bought them, including the Resin Paint Industry at Mbaise, with the aim of making them productive. “In the case of Adapalm and Imo Transport Corporation (ITC), what government did was to grant some companies concessions to manage the two establishments and the action was taken in the best interest of the state and her people. Concession is neither privatisation nor outright sale.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South south

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Amnesty Fund probe: Don’t arrest Kuku, Court warns EFCC, ICPC, DSS, others Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

ustice Valentine Ashi of the FCT High Court, Abuja, yesterday barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices (and other related offences) Commission, ICPC, the Department of State Security, DSS, Immigration, Civil Defence and police from arresting or detaining Kingsley Kuku, who was former Director General of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty fund under former President Goodluck Jonathan. The court also stopped the probe of alleged diversion of Amnesty Fund, put in place by the Federal Government to rehabili-

tate militant youths in the South-South states of the federation. Kuku had approached the court with an ex-parte motion seeking to stop operatives of the anti-graft agencies from arresting and detaining him. When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, counsel to EFCC, Mr. Victor Ukagwu, prayed the court to refuse any order before it seeking to stop probe of any alleged improper financial transactions. He said the EFCC had received 14 different petitions bordering on malpractices in the disbursement of Amnesty Fund, a development that prompted it to send a letter to its chief executive to shed light on the allegations. According to him, the

EFCC as a law enforcement agency under sections 6 and 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004, has power to investigate financial crimes and allegations. On his part, counsel to DSS, Mr. Clifford Osagie, told the court that his client had never written or invited the applicant for any probe and wondered why he dragged them before the court. The counsel argued that the DSS had not received any petition against the applicant and that the applicant merely took them to court without cogent and verifiable reasons. He submitted that even if the applicant was invited by any anti-graft agency; that should not amount to infringement on his fundamental rights.

ICPC represented by Mosunmola Yetunde denied having anything against the applicant to warrant the court action against it and urged the court to strike out the motion. Justice Ashi in his ruling held that an infringement on the rights of any person ought not to be carried out before such a person can approach the court for remedy. The judge said where proceedings are pending in any court action, the parties against reliefs being sought must not do anything to prejudice or over-reach the court. He then barred the defendants from taking any action against the applicant pending determination of his substantive suit.

L-R: Director, Akwa Ibom Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Inyang Inyang-Udo; Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mrs. Dayo Keshi and representative of Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mr. George Ufot, during the closing of NCAC 40th celebration in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

UCTH to begin knee replacement surgery –CMD Richard Ndoma CALABAR

he University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, has introduced a new medical innovation whereby it would commence knee replacement surgery at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, ICU. Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the hospital, Dr. Thomas Agan, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists on his stewardship in in Calabar on Tuesday. The CMD also disclosed that the hospital has made another stride in the area of paste-making incision,

whereby those with heartrelated problems like very weak heart, who in the past used to go to India for medical attention, can now receive treatment at the hospital in Calabar. Agan maintained that the UCTH has also begun offering services in the area of sickle cell clinic.”We run sickle cell clinic here every Thursday. People can asses it here. We run a metabolic clinic or test which runs every Wednesday,” he said. “As you know, the teaching hospital has a three-pronged mandate of rendering clinical services, giving training to

all members of staff, and carrying out research. “In each of these areas, we have made significant progress since we came into office. “We have a state-of-theart Intensive Care Unit that has been rendering services from the low to the high. “As far as clinical services is concerned, it may interest you to know that we are doing knee replacement surgery in this hospital. “And this is a surgery that takes people abroad where they pay millions of dollars, but we are doing it here to both the young and old,” Agan said. Even as he speaks on

the recently called off strike action by resident doctors in the hospital, the CMD used the opportunity on behalf of the hospital’s management to apologise to Nigerians for the damages caused while the over two months industrial action lasted. “The strike took effect from 2nd of July and ended last week, approximately two months as a result of which so many people suffered. They couldn’t access health services that they should have accessed. “On behalf of the management, I must say that we are truly sorry for what happened.

Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

n octogenarian, Madam Titi Takerhi, has been reportedly killed in a kerosene explosion that occurred in Eyara community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on Tuesday. National Mirror learnt that the victim was pouring kerosene suspected to have been adulterated in a lantern when the incident happened. Efforts by medical officials to revive the woman

at a private health centre in Okwagbe community proved abortive. Eyara community leader, Chief Solomon Koyor, told newsmen that the explosion occurred due to suspected adulterated kerosene. According to him, “it was severe. She was sitting on a chair and the flames overwhelmed her so much that her clothes caught fire, damaging her skin terribly.” At the time of filing this report, it was not, however, clear where the late Madam Takerhi bought the killer kerosene.

AfDB launches $200m urban water project in Rivers

frican Development Bank, AfDB, is to launch a $200m urban water project in Rivers State, says it’s Country Director, Dr Ousmane Dore. Dore announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday in Abuja. He noted that the project, to be sited in Port Harcourt, was expected to improve the sanitation and living standard of the people. He explained that the bank had undertaken series of projects in the provision of infrastructure such as power, road, water and agriculture in the ru-

ral and urban areas of the country. “The water sector is a critical area of infrastructure and the bank is the major donor in Nigeria. “We (bank) have approved and almost about to launch in coming weeks or months the Port Harcourt Urban Water Supply and Sanitation project and the project is worth 200 million dollars. “We (bank) have many states today that have received the bank support from the urban water supply and sanitation programme such as Oyo and Taraba states project worth about $100m and are still ongoing.

ERA demands $28m for families of Azuzuama explosion Osahon Julius YENAGOA

uccor may come for victims of the July 2015 explosion, which claimed 14 lives in Azuzuama community, Bayelsa State, as Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria yesterday demanded for $28m from Nigerian Agip Oil Company for them. It would be recalled that in July 2015 a devastating fire exploded in an oil facility operated by a multinational oil company, Agip, in Azuzuama in which 14 persons died and many left with injuries. Briefing newsmen, Executive Director, ERA/

FoEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, at a news conference tagged, ‘Environment Parliament’, demanded $2m each for the families of the 14 victims that died in the explosion. Ojo, said beyond the need for investigation, Agip must provide public response to the frequent fire explosion incidents as well as conduct immediate clean up and environmental remediation. He also alleged that the impunity and flagrant disregard for environmental regulations by Agip had resulted in massive degradation and destruction of rural livelihoods over several decades of its operation in the Niger Delta.

North

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Flood submerges houses, farmlands in Taraba Justin Tyopuusu, Jalingo

ollowing the release of water from Lagdo dam in Cameroon, some houses and farmlands in Lau, Karim Lamido, Gassol and Ibi local government areas of Taraba State have been submerged by flood. National Mirror correspondent gathered that over 10,000 hectares of farmland have been devastated by flood in the affected local government areas. A farmer in Gassol Local Government Area, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, while speaking to National Mirror, lamented that he lost at least seven hectares of rice and maize farm to the flood as his farm was completely washed away. Though there are no casualties, residents of the

affected communities, including Maiganga, Karal and Kiyari, among others, totaling 13 villages, said the level of water was increasing by the hour and that if urgent steps were not taken, lives would be lost. They appealed to the state and federal government to come to their aid as they have lost their source of livelihood to the flood. When contacted, Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, through the permanent secretary, Nuvalga Dan Habu, advised the farmers to key into dry season farming to cover up what have been lost. It would be recalled that in 2012 flood killed dozens and destroyed farmlands and houses worth millions of naira.

10 killed, 3 missing in fresh Taraba attack Justin Tyopuusu, Jalingo

espite Governor Darius Ishaku’s efforts to ensure peace in Taraba State, no fewer than 10 people were feared killed, while three others were said to be missing when Fulani herdsmen attacked a Tiv village in Sarkin Kudu, Ibi Local Government Area of the state. The incident happened in the early hours of yesterday and tension is still brewing in the area following the attack. According to local residents, trouble started when the corpse of a Fulani man was found in the bush between Sarkin Kudu and Dooshima villages of the local government. Cause of the death could not be ascertained as at press time. The dead man had been declared missing by his relations within the village and the matter was reported to the Nigerian Army stationed in the area to control the long-standing communal crisis in the area. Chairman, Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Ibi Local Government chapter, Mr. Mkavga Orhembaga, told National Mirror that when the case of the missing Fulani man was reported to the army, all people in the area went out to search for him. He added that the body of the man was later found in the bush by the army in

company of some Fulani men. “When the body of the Fulani man was recovered, his kinsmen started attacking Tiv people in their farms, killing 10 persons while three others are still missing.” Police Public Relations Officer, Taraba State command, ASP Joseph Kwaji, could not pick calls or reply the message sent to his phone to confirm the development. At the time of filing this report, police from Wukari area command, in company of mobile policemen were said to be patrolling the area.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INEC drags 15 persons to court in Kano Abdulgafar Oladimeji Kano

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday docked 15 persons before a Kano magistrate’s court over alleged involvement in ballot box snatching

and multiple registrations during the 2015 general elections. Prosecution counsel, Naziru Salisu, told the court that the accused persons were apprehended in various parts of the state for engaging in acts he described as electoral

offences. According to him, the accused persons were arrested and arraigned for being in possession of multiple permanent voter cards, multiple registration, snatching and destruction of electoral materials during the elec-

L-R: (Front row): Yobe State Head of Service, Alhaji Dauda Yahaya; Engr. M. Mustapha; Deputy Governor, Abubakar Ali; Governor Ibrahim Gaidam; Chairman, State Task Force on Irrigation Agriculture, Alhaji Gambomi Goni; SSG, Alhaji Baba Mallum Wali and Yobe State APC Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Chilariye, after the inauguration of State Task Force on Irrigation Agriculture in Damaturu, yesterday.

Tribunal to rule on el-Rufai’s election

overnorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Kaduna, yesterday reserved judgment in a case challenging the election of Malam Nasiru el-Rufai as governor of Kaduna State. The case instituted by Mr. Polycarp Danladi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who came third in the April 11 election, asked the tribunal to nullify the election and order a fresh one. Danladi had argued that the election was characterised by over-voting and that

it did not comply substantially with the Electoral Act. Counsel to the petitioner, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olowokure, after adopting his final address, urged the court to grant the petitioner’s reliefs. On their part, counsel to the first, second and third respondents, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, Mustapha Abubakar and Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), respectively, urged the court to dismiss the petition for lack of merit. Chairman of the three-

man panel, Justice A. A. Adebara, after adopting the submissions of the counsels, reserved judgment sine die. He said the tribunal would communicate the date for the judgement through counsels to all the parties. Speaking to newsmen shortly after the hearing, Olowokure stressed that proper reflection of the result of the governorship election was not conveyed to the people of the state because of non-compliance with electoral guidelines.

Jang left with 15 vehicles, says Lalong’s committee James Abraham, Jos

he committee set up by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on recovery of government vehicles, yesterday submitted its report with a revelation that former Governor Jonah Jang and his wife, Talatu, disappeared with 15 vehicles belonging to the state government when he vacated office on May 29, 2015. Submitting report to the Secretary to State Government, Rufus Bature, chairman of the committee and former Secretary to the State Government, Ezekiel Gomos, urged the former Governor to return the cars

tions. The accused persons denied the allegation. Presiding judge, senior magistrate Hassan Ahmad Fagge, released the accused persons on bail. He adjourned the matter to November 18, 2015, for mention.

or face legal action. Gomos said though the former governor and his wife were entitled to nine vehicles as approved by the executive council, exco, Government House records showed that they had reclaimed 24 vehicles, adding that the 15 extra contravened a policy by the former governor and he refused to return them when requested to do so. The chairman said, “An atmosphere was created to give the impression that government vehicles were automatic part of entitlements of anyone working with the governor after vacating office. This encouraged all manner of persons, including personal aides

and domestic helps to go away with such vehicles. This was accentuated by the rash of approvals given by the former governor to such aides immediately it was clear that a new administration was coming into office.” Gomos further explained that the committee found that vehicles boarded based on state council approval were 191, while vehicles boarded based on the former governor’s executive fiat were 32 and vehicles taken away illegally without approval or exco cover were 24. Gomos, however, said the committee had recovered 30 vehicles, while 28 former officers had refused to return

their vehicles on grounds that they were approved by the former governor, a decision he said contravenes the state council decision. The committee recommended that appropriate court actions be taken by the state government to recover the vehicles. Bature thanked the committee and assured it that government would implement most, if not all the recommendations. All efforts to reach the legislative aide to Senator Jang, Barrister Olivia Dazyem, to get the former governor’s reaction before going to press proved abortive, as calls put through her phone number were not picked.

“We want the tribunal to look into that through the various evidences we have placed before it. “It is now left for the tribunal to decide whether we have established our case or not,” he said. Similarly, counsel to the first respondent, Mustapha, said: “To the best of our responsibility, we have been able to demonstrate to the court that the petition is lacking in material merit. “The petitioner and his counsel have not been able to prove their case that there is substantial nonconformity with the provisions of the Electoral Act. “So, we are very sure that the petition lacks merit and the tribunal will judge in our favour.” In the same vein, Oyeyipo said: “I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that we have placed sufficient facts before the tribunal to enable it arrive at a decision that we are hoping would be in our favour. “I am also convinced that the petitioner have not done enough to warrant the decision in their favour. “So, we are optimistic that we will all smile at the end of the day and the good people of Kaduna State will continue to enjoy the good governance of Governor El-Rufai.”

Wednesday September 16, 2015

I’m not ready to reduce my salary by 50 per cent –Rep

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

How would you describe the two year journey of the All Progressives Congress, APC, so far? To be honest, I think it has been an extraordinary journey and to understand that, you must know where this party was coming from. You would recall that prior to the success of the merger that birthed APC nobody really gave the party a chance. And you can’t blame the sceptics. The founders of the APC were coming together against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, behemoth a party that held the nation by the jugular and prided itself as the largest in Africa. Having ruled the nation for about two decades, the PDP had become a formidable opponent to surmount. It is thus a great tribute to the resilience, doggedness, selflessness and sacrifice of the founders of APC to have succeeded in crumbling the PDP mountain. The party not only survived the shenanigans of the then ruling party, it went ahead to unseat it from power. To me, that is an extraordinary feat and it is worth celebrating. How would you describe President Buhari’s first 100 days and what advice do you have for Nigerians regarding the new regime? I think Buhari has not done badly at all, given the state of the nation when he came in and given the immense challenges he has been grappling with since he came in. As somebody who has witnessed all governments in the country from Tafawa Balewa to Goodluck Jonathan, I must confess that Buhari’s 100 days is superb. I am impressed by his anti corruption stand. People in government circle appear to have woken up to their responsibility knowing that anything contrary would not be condoned by the man in charge. Buhari’s pedigree of integrity and forthrightness is putting everybody in line and his so called body language is working magic where complacency had in recent years been the order of the day. Buhari has shown in words and in action that he would live up to the reputation. With that kind of beginning, we should expect a brighter future ahead. My advice to Nigerians is premised on four fundamental precepts, prayer, patience, cooperation and sacrifice. On prayer, I believe that we need to pray for President Buhari to enable him succeed on his national purity and sanitation crusade. Another issue is patience. I urge Nigerians to be more patient with this President. The rots he is purging the nation of course did not start today. Indeed it had begun more than forty years ago. It cannot be treated and healed over night. It will take some time. It will be unfair to expect the President to restore sanity to Nigeria in just 100 days. Buhari needs time to truly transform the land that has taken decades to bastardise. Positive attitudinal change is also required of every Nigerian. In our attitude to our works and duties, we must cooperate with the President. We must contribute the best of our ability in fixing the nation back to an acceptable and desirable status worthy of the admiration of the entire world. I will also plead for sacrifice on our people’s part. Every segment of the nation must make sacrifice towards achieving the goals of ridding this country of socio-economic and political rots. All hands must be on deck and there should be no exception from the National Assembly down to the market folks and artisans on the roadside. I am sure that God loves Nigeria in bringing about this change and choosing Buhari to lead the crusade of sanitising this nation. Next year, your state, Ondo would be holding another governorship election. What are the chances of your party, the APC? The chances of the APC are very bright indeed. I am sure that our people have seen the light. For long, Ondo has suffered in the hands of reactionaries. I believe that by now, they have heard the clarion call of the people who truly love

Buhari has not done badly in 100 days –Omogbemi Apostle Claudius Omogbemi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC and community leader from Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, in this interview with EBERE NDUKWU commends President Muhammadu Buhari, calls on Ondo electorate to embrace APC in their coming governorship election next year, among other issues. Excerpts: and state want to belong to the winning party. So, Ondo is no exception. The people are yearning to join the bandwagon of change and 2016 is a golden opportunity for them. Secondly, people have known the truth. The party leadership credibility speaks volumes in winning the guber election. Above all, the Ondo State APC chairman, Chief Kekemeke is a lucky election winning chairman. The first major election, the 2015 presidential election at which he led the party in the Ondo State since his assumption of office two years ago was won hands down. Therefore, Chief Kekemeke leading the party as its chairman in the next year’s governorship election will be a walk-over victory for APC in Ondo State. I therefore enjoin the Ondo State APC exco and the entire leadership of the party to ensure that the vast majority of progressive minded people in the state join APC ahead of next year governorship election and vote for the party.

Omogbemi

For long, Ondo has suffered in the hands of reactionaries. I believe that by now, they have

heard the clarion call of the people who truly love them. Ondo State cannot afford to be left out in the commonwealth of progressives them. Ondo State cannot afford to be left out in the commonwealth of progressives. You must remember that the first major progressive party in the first republic, The Action Group was founded on April 28, 1951 at Owo in Ondo State. Therefore, you can see that the Ondo State people are lovers of progressive politics from the cradle. The tide of life might have driven them to other camps but now they have seen the difference and I am sure the story will be different in 2016. That is why I love the number of aspirants for the next year guber race, as the flag bearer will emerge through due transparent and democratic process. On the chances of winning the guber in 2016, I think many favourable factors are lying down there to work upon for winning the election. For one, APC is a party of integrity and transparency. We are in a situation where everybody

Looking at your resumé, you have remained a progressive, liberal politician throughout in a nation where politicians cross carpet easily and disturbingly, what is the secret of your staying power? My sticking to progressive politics for these thirty-six years has always been informed by my principle of party faithfulness and consistency as well as abhorrence of political party harlotry. I believe that a party evolves over time and I am convinced that the best ideology for the good of the people is the liberal progressive one. So, I’ve remained ideologically consistent. I am indeed happy that today, our party the APC, has become the largest progressive party in Africa and I am a diehard member. I thank God for that. How would you describe the current crop of APC leadership viz-a-viz what you know about past progressive leaders like Chief Awolowo, Ajasin, Alfred Rewane etc? I think at the second anniversary of the party, the memory of our past progressive heroes should be celebrated. The likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief Philip Umeadi, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alfred Rewane, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Earnest Ikoli and a host of other past progressive crusaders and founding fathers too numerous to mention across the nation should be honoured for setting the pace. They had synergised many decades back for the democratic enthronement of progressive government in this nation. Among the current leaders I will single out and award many kudos and gbosas to Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. He is a rare gem and an admirable ambassador of the founding fathers of progressive movement in Nigeria. He has doggedly and ruggedly stood up and still stands, to ensure that the cause of the progressives is sustained in the time of thick darkness, whirl-wind and fierce storms. He has had a tortuous journey since the time he was Lagos State governor, under Alliance for Democracy, the only progressive governor in the midst of other thirty-five state-governors between 2003 and 2007. Today, twenty-two state governors including Lagos State are making up APC, courtesy of the sterling roles played by Tinubu. What a wonderful journey.

Politics

Wednesday September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I’m not ready to reduce my sala Mix reactions have trailed President Buhari’s 100 days in office, people have been giving their assessments and criticisms coming from the leading opposition party. The party has complained that in the few months Buhari has been in government, insecurity has worsened and that Nigeria is becoming more disunited and also the appointments which seems to be favouring one side of the country, also the anti corruption law which is one sided, I would like to get your reaction to these? I really don’t believe in the 100 days. Why I say so is that this is a borrowed thing from the Americans. One of the principle of activistsm in a civil society organisation is the institutional strengthening. When you have an institution that is being strengthened and allowed to do their work that is when I will subscribe to this 100 days in office, because for instance the American institutions are working very well. Until Nigerian institutions are built to work, I don’t believe in 100 days. What I believe is in President who is not a weakling, a President that is not clueless, a President that has strong will and character and I think we have those virtues in President Buhari. As far as I am concerned both locally and internationally at least, we have a Nigerian generally accepted to be corrupt free, everywhere he goes we are proud that we have a leader who went on to be president and in planning to be president he was already aware of the issues and because he is aware of the issues he already has his plan but unfortunately what he thought Nigerian was an economy and in terms of the books was opposite to what he met. Only a mad man will want to compete in a 100 metres race on a muddy ground, you will definitely sink, you have to take steps one after the other to be able to get out of the muddy ground and I think that is what Mr. President is doing. The power sector, yes many people give credit to the previous administration, the conduit pipe for embezzlement has been the power sector and the NNPC, it is deliberate. The President was aware that all these acts to frustrate the power sector were there. For instance for seven months the dispute between the Attorney General and the oils sector has persisted until Buhari came on board to resolve it. Today, all of us are testifying that there is an improvement in the power sector that was the will that was lacking in the past. While NNPC was spending huge sum of money to maintain the refineries, today the maintenance of refineries has been dropped drastically and now that the cost of these refineries are dropped, Kaduna refinery is producing at 60 per cent capacity what has changed is the character of the President. The President we have today is not the President you can push around. He is a President that understands the issues. I think what we need to do today is to support Mr. President, pray for him and at the end of the day, all of us should put in our own best. The fear of Mr. President that we have now, Buhari, is the beginning of wisdom to those corrupt officers at all levels, everybody. We have never heard that the people are going to declare what they have stolen, this is the first time, how come everyone is jittery. I think what we owe Mr. President is support and on our own, do the right thing, because corruption alone has been taken to a level that it is now on top, the down part is not being looked into, because to fight corruption is not just the political office holders alone. Past administrations and leaders of this country have shown that corruption is the way out and it has degenerated to the level that a vulcaniser is corrupt. The President has a great task as far as corruption is concerned, the good thing is that we have a President that has the good will and moral stand to fight corruption. Even as Mr. President is yet to form his

Not many lawmakers are willing to allow their emolument to be tampered with according to H TORDUE SALEM also said that the fight against corruption must be holistic and not just the p cabinet, everyone is adjusting, I think that is what we need in this country and as far as I am concerned the 100 days of Mr. President has refocused everyone and has assisted greatly with international relations. In area of security, those countries that were not cooperating with our country are now assisting, the multinational agencies are now willing to be part of the fight against Boko Haram, the United States that had refused the immediate past president five times, over arms supplies but now it is more willing to do business. As regards the President assets declaration, beyond the commendations and criticisms that have been offered by people, there is also a brewing agitation from the public insisting that there should be a legislative framework that mandates every public office holder to declare his or her assets at the point of entry and exit, including law makers like yourself, what is you take on that? Officially, all of us have declared our asset, there is what is called beginning of tenure and end of tenure and without you declaring these assets you cannot be sworn in whether as President or as governor or as a legislator. The difference of what has been before and now is, we have everything declared officially and released to the public, which is just the difference. I can assure you that the APC government, we are determined to lead by example, we are not ready to be like the past government. 80 per cent of us have declared our assets, most of us will make it public and because the constitution does not specify that after declaring, you make it public, I think what the National Assembly needs to do is add that clause. With the freedom of information, these documents can be completely made official, it is important that the people know your worth and when you are leaving they also know your worth. I think when the people know your worth they will demand less from you and when they know you are rich they demand more from you. For me, it will assist politicians and also assist those that vote the people in so that at the end of the day, the over burden of demands will not get to a level where you look elsewhere to meet up those demands, I think it is important for all of us not to declare in

Until Nigerian institutions are built to work,

I don’t believe in 100 days. What I believe is in President who is not a weakling, a President that is not clueless, a President that has strong will and character and

I think we have those virtues in President Buhari

Shuaibu

line with the constitution but to make it public just like Mr. President has done. The only aspect I will not support Mr. President is that as an executive man he has reduced his salary by 50 per cent, that is for him, I’m not ready to reduce my salary by 50 per cent. I do not have other facilities I need to sustain my constituency, so if you are asking me as a law maker to reduce my salary to follow the line of Mr. President, I’m not ready to do that because even my salary and the level of demands with the way past administrations have impoverished my people, It cannot even sustain me, until the institutions get working, I don’t think the issue of salary and what the members earn should become an issue. The President is operating an austerity life style, not too many people will want to do the same. Recently the National Assembly approved a portion of a loan facility for Edo State, according to the Debt Management Office, DMO, Edo is one of the most indebted states, PDP and some stakeholders called the loan approval unnecessary, they said it will impoverish the state, as a law maker from the state what will you say? I want to say Edo State is not one of those indebted states in Nigeria. In the South South, Edo State is the least when talking about debts. Obviously Edo is not in the list of the most indebted states. On the issue of the $75 million, the $225 million which is a grant

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

From The Civil Service

Robbery allegation: No corps member will suffer unduly –NYSC P.16

Buhari capable of ending strikes in health sector – AMLSN Chidi Ugwu, Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari has the quality to end incessant strikes in the nation’s health sector, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN, has said. National President of the group, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, stated this in response to President Buhari’s directive to Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, including other stakeholders in the country, to ensure an end to strikes that had crippled many sectors of the nation’s economy. Until Buhari took over power, Nigerian health sector alone witnessed about 80 strikes in a year, as revealed by former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, over a year ago while reacting to prolonged strike by a certain health professional group in the country. To sustain the current relative peace in the sector, AMLSN highlighted causes of incessant strikes in the sector and urged President Buhari to address them. The problems, according to the group, are: impunity and recklessness in the management of human resources in the health sector by the past ministers and or com-

L-R: Secretary to the Managing Director, Mrs. Nnenna Odizia; Administrative Officer, Mrs. Sanusi Aishat; Ilorin Airport Manager, Alhaji Abubakar M. Bibi; Veteran Presenter/ Nollywood, Actor Mallam Sadiq Daba; Managing Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr Saleh Dunoma andPersonal Assistant to MD-FAAN, Mallam Dahir Maázu, during the Actors courtesy visit to the Management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.

missioners of health; resistance to statutory functions of health regulatory bodies; lack of standard in the payment of salaries and allowances to health professionals; and headship of health professional services in the hospitals or health facilities. Speaking on impunity and recklessness in the sector, the group noted: “It is worrisome that most of the causes of strikes are by those that are at the helm of affairs in the management of health sector. Most of the past ministers and commissioners of health are culprits in this respect. So also are

Poor funding affects teachers’ quality –NCCE scribe

P.16

the chief executives of the hospitals/health facilities who are medical doctors.” AMLSN accused medical practitioners of suppressing other professionals in the sector and undermining the constitutional roles of other health professionals in health facilities. “Most of the ministers, commissioners of health and chief executives of hospitals and health facilities in the country are usually medical doctors (physicians). They manage the health sector as personal business to the disadvantage of other health professionals in the sec-

tor. “Even when schemes of service, circulars, court judgement, policies of governments, laws etc. are clearly in favour of other professionals, leadership of the federal/state ministry of health and the CEOs of health facilities (medical doctors) usually disobey the implementation of such governments’ documents and directives with impunity,” the group said. AMLSN also accused doctors of promoting quackery in the country by employing half-baked and untrained workers to offer crucial services in their private hospi-

NDE trains 600 vulnerable women on skills acquisition in Borno

P.41

tals. It also blamed lack of standard in the payment of salaries and allowances to health professionals on discrimination by government. “This is one of the major causes of strikes and crisis in the health sector. Medical doctors have been unnecessarily pampered in terms of salaries and allowances in the health sector. They are placed at the executive cadre level of GL 12 as fresh graduates entering the civil service. Of all the graduates in Nigeria, it is only the medical and dental doctors that enter civil service at executive cadre levels

(GL 12). “They are also paid highly discriminatory professional allowances like call duty, hazards, teaching and other allowances which are far more than what other health professionals are paid. If they are trained for 8 years (including Houseman-ship and NYSC), Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Physiotherapists are also trained for 7-8 years (including internship and NYSC). Government needs to apply the standard of relativity in paying professionals in health sector and not merely creating separate salary scale for medical and dental doctors alone,” the body said. While appealing to the President to make members of individual profession in the sector to head their departments, AMLSN said when President Buhari was in power between 1984 and 1985, he set up Health Advisory Board consisting of major health professionals without any discrimination. “This solved the crisis in the health sector then. We are convinced that he has the capacity to curb crisis and strikes in health and the other sectors this time around too. President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) is a leader that is fair, just, disciplined, abhors impunity and disobedience to the rule of law. With him, we are convinced that he will find lasting implementable solutions to all the causes of crisis and strikes in health and the other sectors,” the association said.

NOA, PMAN want Danmaraya’s songs in National Archives

P.42

Civil Service

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Poor funding affects teachers’ quality –NCCE scribe Joel Ajayi, Abuja

he Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Monday Joshua, has described poor funding of teachers’ training institutions as a major impediment to ensuring quality teachers’ preparation. Prof. Joshua stated that the presence of unqualified teachers, in both primary and secondary schools, was responsible

for the poor performance of students. He disclosed this in Abuja when participants of Senior Executive Course (SEC) No. 37, 2015 of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, visited the commission. Joshua, whose paper was presented by Mr. Alex Maiyanga, the commission’s director of planning, research and statistics, said that the falling standards of education in Nigeria had necessitated

the need to improve the quality of teachers’ education. According to him, the need to reposition Nigeria’s educational system for global competitiveness should be the first priority of every Nigerian. “Insufficient funding of both the regulatory body and the training institutions has adversely affected the quality of teachers produced in colleges of education,” he said. The NCCE scribe also decried the low entry

qualifications into colleges of education, saying that often resulted in poor quality products. He lamented that only candidates rejected by universities and polytechnics hesitantly apply to teacher education institutions. “They go there grudgingly, study and graduate grudgingly, and work in public service grudgingly. So, what do you expect from a grudgingly-produced teacher, other than poor result,” he reasoned.

L-R: Chairperson, Planning Committee, NWC 2015, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinda; Publicity Secretary, National Women Conference (NWC), Mrs. Oladunni Ogunbamiro; wife of Lagos State Governor/Chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and wife of the State Chairman, APC, Mrs. Adetoun Ajomale, during a press briefing on the upcoming 2015 National Women Conference, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

Robbery allegation: No corps member will suffer unduly –NYSC Joel Ajayi, Abuja

ollowing the detention of three corps members over an allegation of armed robbery in Niger State, the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has reiterated adequate protection for all corps members against any form of harassment across the country. Last Week, reports were rife that three Corps members were arrested and detained by the Nigeria Police Force over allegation of robbing a shop owner in Suleja, Niger State. Based on this allegation, the scheme said it swung into action to ascertain the truth, but found out that the accu-

sation against the trio was based on circumstantial evidence. NYSC, in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relation, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, at the weekend in Abuja emphasised that it would not allow any corps member to suffer unduly. According to her, “We wish to inform the general public that immediately after the arrest of the trio, the National Youth Service Corps, acting in line with the position of the law that an accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, promptly reached out to key stakeholders including the State Police Command and the State Government in order to ensure

that the Corps members did not suffer unduly. “Without prejudice to the investigative duties of the appropriate law enforcement agency, we have it on good authority that preliminary findings had shown that the accusation against the trio was based only on circumstantial evidence. “Following the joint intervention of the NYSC Scheme and the State Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government and the Ministry of Youth Development, two of the accused Corps members have since been released while the process of securing the release of the third is on-going. “Management wishes to assure members of the public, particularly

parents and guardians of Corps members, that no single Corps member will be allowed to suffer unduly, especially over cases of mistaken identity during the service year. “We also wish to inform the public that the provisions of the NYSC Bye-Laws are very clear on the involvement of Corps members in criminal acts, though very unlikely, as their participation in the scheme does not confer immunity from prosecution. “We have, therefore, continued to sensitise members of the service corps on the need to be law-abiding and to shun acts capable of soiling the image of the scheme and their families.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

60% of children experience violence before age 18 –Perm Sec Adeola Tukuru, Abuja

ermanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, has said the prevalence of violence against children is high in Nigeria, declaring that “Over 60% of children will experience one form or more types of violence before the age of 18 years.” During the launch of VAC campaign in Abuja he said: “This means millions of our children are subjected to sexual, emotional, and physical violence every year.” Speaking on the campaign with the theme: “It’s Time to take Action; Together let’s End Violence Against Children”, Oyemomi said violence starts young, as 1 in 10 children’s first experience of physical violence is before the age of five years. According to him, the survey focused on kicking, whipping, drowning, chocking, smothering, intentional burning, being hit or threatened with a weapon which the children suffers from at a very young age. The Goodwill Ambassador on Violence against children, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, who is also the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, said 30% of cases they got dealt with the issue of Violence against Children and the cases were remarkable. He recalled a case they attended to of a 16 year old girl who had been molested sexually by her uncle for four years and the mother caught him in the act and reported to the police after which the husband drove both the mother and the girl out of their home. Prof. Odinkalu said according to the theme, “It’s Time to take Action; Together let’s End Violence Against Children”; everybody hands must be on deck, it’s a collective responsibility and that he would take the campaign to schools.

Similarly, UNICEF Representative Nigeria, Ms. Jean Gough said the survey revealed that approximately 6 out of every 10 Nigerian children under the age of 18 years experience some form of physical, emotional, and sexual violence before the age of 18. One in two children experience physical violence, one in four girls and one in ten boys experience sexual violence, and one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence. UNICEF Representative who was represented at the occasion by the Rachel Harvey, Chief, Child Protection, lamented that majority of children never told anyone about their experience and less than 5% of children who experienced violence ever received the support they needed to recover. According to her, the survey clearly showed that violence against children was not confined to marginalised groups. Violence against children, she said transcended social and economic status, as it impacted on rich and poor, urban and rural, educated and out of school children. In his welcome remarks, the Chairperson, National Population Commission (NPC), Eze Duruiheoma, said the issue of violence against children transcended the physical, emotional and sexual violence that children were subjected to. The NPC Chairperson who was represented by Dr. Tunde Lakande said the cultural violence against children was not added. According to him, because of this cultural violence, children grow without confidence because of the restriction placed on them. He further stated that there was also violence against children in then issue of diet, that in some places, children were not allowed to eat egg, because they believed if they did, such children would begin to steal.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Ambode’s steady strides in Lagos TAYO OGUNBIYI

ithin such a short time in office, Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State has touched nearly every critical sector in the state. The civil service, which oils the machinery of government, has been restructured for enhanced productivity. Some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have been re-aligned, while new ones have been created to align with the vision of the administration. Similarly, government agencies with rented office accommodation are back in the secretariat. The objective is to cut the cost of governance. The is appreciable progress in the health sector as the governor recently commissioned 20 Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances. The ambulances, which are to be deployed free of charge for Lagosians, are part of Ambode’s promise to run an all inclusive government. Similarly, more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators are to be employed to ensure a 24-hours service to the citizens. There are also plans to equip all general hospitals in the state with new mobile x-ray machines to reduce the cost of patients doing this outside the hospitals. In same vein, funds have been approved for homegrown cochlear implant surgery, a hearing device implanted into a deaf patient’s ear, under a special programme dedicated to restoring the hearing ability of those who are deaf or hard of hearing. A 64-

year old man has already successfully undergone the surgery. Part of the vision of the Ambode administration is to make Lagos State operate a 24-hour economy. This could only be properly realised in a secured and safer environment. Consequently, the governor is working with other key stakeholders to advance security cause in the state. Recently, Governor Ambode met with individuals and corporate organisations that made commitments in cash and kind towards advancing a safer Lagos. At the event, over one billion naira was realised as cash donations. Equally, 10 brand new Hilux vehicles and 15 motorbikes were recently handed over to the Lagos State Police Command by the governor as part of the state’s commitment to ensuring a secured and investors’ friendly state. Likewise, 100 new power bikes, 10 armoured tanks and a helicopter have been acquired to reinforce the security of the state. This is in addition to the purchase of 100 new squad cars for a new initiative tagged Special Operation Service (SOS), which will harmonize community policing in partnership with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Traffic situation in the state is likewise receiving vital attention. Ambode recently embarked on an on-the spot assessment of major traffic spots across the state. Indeed, during his visit to Berger Bus Stop, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, he reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing solutions to the traffic snarls in the state just as he approved the construction of a

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pedestrian bridge at Berger Bus Stop. He has equally set up a task force to ensure 24 hours surveillance of traffic flow in the state. In furtherance of efforts to ease traffic in the state, the Ambode administration has improved the condition of 128 roads across the state. These include Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Mongoro-Cement-Dopemu under bridge axis, Epe-Ijebu -Ode road, OdumolaPoka/College road junction axis, Ado road, Ajah, Obalende bridge descent inward NIPOST, Lekki-Epe expressway, ElemoroAbijo axis, Billings way, Oregun, Ashabi Cole street, Alausa, Abdul Ouadri Adebiyi street, Magodo Ph II among others. This is in addition to on-going efforts to restore the Ejigbo-Ikotun road as well as Brown road in Oshodi. The education sector is also receiving deserved attention from the state government. In a bid to improve primary education in the state, Governor Ambode has approved the recruitment of 1, 300 teachers into all public primary schools. The administration is poised to strengthening the quality of the Universal Basic Education Programme in Lagos State to give pupils a solid and

sound academic background. The exercise is equally expected to achieve a balanced workforce of teachers in public primary schools in the state. Retirees of the state government are not exempted from the Ambode’s touch. Recently, he ordered the sum of N11 billion released to pay off pension liabilities owed the mainstream retirees and the retirees in Local Government Areas since 2010. Additionally, plans have been developed to disburse pension funds to MDAs, including local government areas and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), on a monthly basis commencing from August, 2015. This intervention will go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of retirees in the state. Towards driving investment in the state, the Governor has met with several groups of local and foreign investors, including President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. During such meetings, Governor Ambode promised willing investors improved business climate in the state. He has Ambode has also ordered the operation of a single treasury account as part of the effort to ensure proper accountability and transparency in all government accrued revenues. He has tax payers to request for a single account before making their payments. Lagos is, indeed, set to soar to new heights. Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

How state agencies are gradually killing the economy SMART ADEKUNLE

he death knell has sounded for many businesses in Nigeria as a result of multiple taxation and the over-bearing attitude of many state and local government officials, who go about obstructing lawful business activities under the guise of revenue generation. Worse hit are the small scale enterprises that have no financial clout to muscle their way through these pernicious challenges. Local government areas are supposed to be the bedrock of governance and development because of their close proximity to the people at the grassroots, but a performance evaluation of how LGs have fared has posted disastrous performance owing to poor leadership, self-aggrandizing motives and a citizenry that are not given to interrogating government officials. This dysfunctionality is even more glaring in terms of revenue generation. A critical look at the revenue collection system in Nigeria reveals that indeed LGAs are empowered by law to impose and collect certain defined taxes and levies within their jurisdictions to fund the effective and smooth running of their affairs. However, in a bid to generate funds by all means, many of the local government councils resort to thuggery and violence, including mounting of barricades on roads that obstruct lawful commercial activities. How will commerce flourish in the states when there is this dangling scepter over the heads of corporate organizations?

HARMONIZATION OF COLLECTABLE TAXES BY THE THREE TIERS OF GOVERNMENT IN THE COUNTRY HAS BECOME IMPERATIVE I recall an event that took place last month in Edo State, which provides an apt illustration of this monstrousity at the local government level across the country. News reports monitored on July 23, 2015, claimed that operations at the Benin branch of Guinness Nigeria were disrupted by officials of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Council, who mounted blocked the entrance to the company. The council officials led by their chairman, Itohan Ogbeide, claimed that Guinness Nigeria had been obstructing the local government from collecting fees from third-party logistics companies engaged in the provision of haulage services. The action reportedly caused disruption to the legitimate business activities of the company for several hours. In their response, Guinness Nigeria, the largest employers of labour in Edo State after the state government, saw the action of the council’s officials as blackmail intended to force the company assume agency for revenue collection for the council from the logistics services providers. Laughable as it might sound, this shocking development raises some posers. One, a business concern can wake up

one morning and find that it has been shut out of their premises under the pretext of a very flimsy claim without prior notice. Secondly, how do we get LGAs to be more professional in their modus operandi? Alternative modes of dispute resolution could have been used in the scenario described above that provides all stakeholders a winwin outcome. Thirdly, why should a corporate organization that has paid its company’s income tax, education tax, capital gains tax, amongst others, be saddled by a LG with a third party cost or be expected to act as revenue collection agent for a it? Till date, many stakeholders still complain about the quality of services from many mobile telecoms operators, but how many people remember that these operators have suffered and are still being bludgeoned by the menace of multiple taxation and riotous activities of officials of local government and state agencies? Buoyed by what they assume are the jumbo profits of telecoms service providers, virtually every arm of government in the country has been up in arms against these operators, brandishing taxes and requests for payment in one form or the other. From local government to state government to airport authorities to the Consumer Protection Council and officials of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, there have been neverending demands for payments in one form or the other, even when the subsisting Telecommunications Act of 2003 is explicit on the organ of government with regulatory and tax oversight of the telecommunications industry.

A case in point is the issue of Planning/ Building Permit fee, which is under the purview of the state government. However, LGs also demand for erection permit, installation permit, telecom building permit, which are unknown to law. These extraneous taxes and levies have led to the closure of many Base Transceiver Stations across the country, thus resulting in poor network performance by the telecom providers. Clearly, there is an urgent need to tackle the problem of multiple taxation and the opprobrious methods used by state and local government officials to extort money in the name of taxation from business entities across the country. Acts of brigandage by council officials will only drive away potential investors with the attendant consequences. Harmonization of collectable taxes by the three tiers of government in the country has become imperative. After the harmonization, sensitization of tax officials, particularly at the council and states levels, is should be followed. Because they are the closest levels of government to people and businesses, the actions or inactions of local government and state officials will have immediate impact on business and economic activities. Adekunle, a policy analyst, wrote from Lagos. 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, September 16, 2015

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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 OBIORA IFOH ACTING ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

NAFDAC and drugs counterfeiting challenge

n June 8, every year, Nigeria joins the international community to mark the World Anti-Counterfeiting Day. The day provides all World Heath Organisation (WHO) member-countries the opportunity to reflect on the activities of drug counterfeiters and evaluate the efficacy of the measures put in place to combat the menace. There is a global consciousness that counterfeit drugs are mass killers. An estimated 700,000 or more people die annually from their consumption, according to experts. In Nigeria, the menace has been one of agonizing history of deaths, traumas and declining status of a nation that is clearly the hub of West Africa’s regional pharmaceutical distribution business. The menace has inflicted heavy social and psychological costs on the nation, its people and economy. We recall a 2003 traumatic experience, when the International Children’s Heart Foundation’s humanitarian gesture to operate on some sick children at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu ended in fiasco because the adrenalin given to them to restart their hearts turned out to be ordinary water. Four of the children died. The 2015 World Anti-Counterfeiting Day happened to be the 17th since it was inaugurated. It was marked with Global Anti-Counterfeiting Awards made, according to the

COUNTLESS STRATEGIES MAY BE WEIGHED. BUT ONE OF THE MOST URGENT WOULD INVOLVE MAKING DRUG COMPANIES DEPLOY FUNDS INTO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT organisers of the event in Paris, France, as a continuing recognition of special achievements by organisations, companies and individuals. The winners for this year’s awards, according to categories, were as follows: National Public Body Award - Public Order Department, Ministry of Public Security, People’s Republic of China; International Public Body Award - Intellectual Property Crime Unit, (Focal Point COPY), EUROPOL; Company Award - Global Brand Protection, NIKE Inc; Association Award - BASCAP, An initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce; Media Award - “Turn Back Crime”, Interpol; Authentication User Award - Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria, among others. In the words of Mr. John Anderson, Chairman of Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG) network, one of the organisers of the award: “The

awards this year again highlight the wide range of co-operation that is needed – and provided – by different organisations and individuals; and especially across the public/private sector divide, in the campaign against the international trade in fakes…”. The mere mention of NAFDAC, an organisation that appears to have lost its steam since the exit from the regulatory agency of its former head, the late Professor Dora Akunyili, is however, a cheering piece of news. Akunyili, respected as the most decorated Director-General of NAFDAC, once referred to drug counterfeiting as “the highest form of terrorism against public health”. Nigeria has been trying as a nation to combat the menace; and NAFDAC was set up 1992 strictly for this purpose. During the Olusegun Obasanjo civilian era, the agency’s combative efforts in raiding shops, closing open drug markets in Onitsha and Kano, etc.; and publicly burning confiscated fake and adulterated drugs, brought a lull in the business. Its deployment of technologies to come up with products like mPedigree; codification and serialization; Truscan, a hand-held device which can help in detecting counterfeit medicines on the spot; Mobile Authentication Service (MAS), which uses short message services for end-user regulated medication authentication; and the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which could verify regulated

ON THIS DAY

products; all proved very productive in the anti-fake drug manufacturing battle. Reports credited to NAFDAC’ Director of Special Duties, Abubakar Jimoh, said lately that the agency has reduced the incidence of fake drugs in the country from 64 percent in 2008 (based on World Health Organisation, WHO) study on Africa, to 6.4 percent in 2011). We do not believe that NAFDAC wishes a resurgence of unrestrained drug counterfeiting in the land. Therefore, the agency should strive to maintain its vibrancy in the anti-drug counterfeiting campaign. Countless strategies may be weighed. But one of the most urgent would involve making drug companies deploy funds into research and development of new tracking and anti-counterfeiting systems that would make faking difficult and unprofitable. But even such effort may not be gainful enough if Nigeria does not attain self sufficiency in drug production. The current level of over 75 percent dependence on imported drugs exposes the nation to the dangers of international counterfeiting. The N200bn Intervention Fund for pharmaceutical companies which the Federal Government doled out few years ago to partially address this problem is commendable. But was the fund well deployed to boost local production capacities? Charity, in this matter, should really begin at home.

September 16, 1992

September 16, 2013

September 16, 2014

The British Conservative government was forced to withdraw the pound sterling from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) for being unable to keep it above its agreed lower limit. The pound sterling was devalued against the German mark and George Soros (a high profile currency market investor) made over £1 billion profit by short selling the sterling. The incident was reported as the ‘Black Wednesday’.

A gunman killed twelve people at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., United States. The shooting occurred when lone gunman, Aaron Alexis, fatally shot twelve people and injured three others at the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) inside the Washington Navy Yard. The attack, began around 8:20 a.m. EDT and ended when Alexis was killed by the police around 9:20 a.m. EDT.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) also known as ISIS, launched its Kobane offensive against Syrian–Kurdish forces. By October 2, 2014, ISIL succeeded in capturing 350 Kurdish villages and towns within the vicinity of Kobani, generating a wave of some 300,000 displaced Kurds, who fled across the border into Turkey’s anlıurfa Province. By January 2015, this had risen to 400,000.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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Health & Wellbeing ‘In Nigeria, cancer causes more death than other NCDs’ 22

U-5 death rate drops by 53 % –WHO 21

FMOH begins plan to implement National Health Act ...inaugurates committee to produce guidelines

The elderly and pregnant women (below) receive free Health insurance coverage

FRANKA OSAKWE

n a move to commence full operation of the National Health Act, the Federal Ministry of Health has constituted a committee to produce a guideline for the implementation of the provisions of the Act. News of the inauguration of the committee was disclosed by the Director, Health Planning Committee, Research and Statistics of the ministry, Dr. Ngozi Azodo in a presentation to the newly established Health Journalist Academy in Lagos recently. Dr. Azodo who is the secretary of the committee told the journalist that the Act is expected to establish a framework for the regulation, development and management of a National Health System, to set standards for rendering health services in the country. The National Health Bill was signed into law by former president Good luck Jonathan on October 31, 2014 and hailed by major stakeholders in the health sector as the solution to the nation’s appalling health system. According to the analysts the Act is set to achieve the Universal Health Coverage and meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) target. The Act also provides for the elimination of quacks from professionalism and provides basic health funds needed by Nigerians. A major highlight of the provisions of the health law is the establishment of Basic Health Care Provision Fund to be financed

from Federal Government Annual Grant of not less than 1% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund and grants by international donor partners. The funds will be managed by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Federal Ministry of Health. According to the provisions of the Act, 45% of the fund will be disbursed through each state and the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board for the provision of essential drugs, vaccines and consummates; 50% will be managed by NHIS while the re-

maining 5% is managed by the health ministry for the provision of basic minimum package of health facilities. The Act also seeks to help reduce maternal and infant mortality rate as pregnant women will now have access to free delivery services while their children are assured of standard paediatric services in the nation’s health facilities as the Act mandates the NHIS to provide free coverage for pregnant women, children who are under five years, the elderly and the physically challenged persons. Similarly, health care services at the grass roots is being addressed by the Act to ensure

that people don’t have to travel far to access medical services. Indeed, states can also participate in improving health centres through a counterpart fund that would enable them benefit from the consolidated funds Commenting on the anticipated gains of the new Act, the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) , Dr, Kayode Obembe during a press conference, noted that the Act which seeks to “protect, promote and fulfil the rights of the people of Nigeria to have access to healthcare services Healthcare” has provided a proper template for the take off of Universal Health Coverage. “We are highly expectant therefore that the actual value of “not less than 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund” would soon be defined by the Budget Office of the Federation, disbursed according to the provisions of the Act and various governance frameworks set up for the actualisation of the spirit and letter of this law. “If 50% of this fund is judiciously expended for primary health care through the NHIS, the appalling health indices of Nigeria would seriously improve by leaps and bounds,” The NMA President declared. He however listed two main challenges which the Act is likely to face during implementation; this includes the counterpart funding of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund by the states and how the local governments will operate the previsions of the Act vested in them, given the current weak state of governance at that level. ”It is alright to say that 50% of the basic Health fund is committed through NHIS. But for the funds to get to rural areas, the community has to provide counterpart fund equivalent to 25% of the fund for disbursement. “How are they going to muster the 25% requested as counterpart funding? Would the states pay up regularly? Is there any force to compel them to pay up for better access and affordability of healthcare for their indigenes? Do the people know their rights as guaranteed by the several laws and statutes of Nigeria?” On the second challenge, Dr. Obembe submitted: “As long as the Local Government tier of administration remains under the State and they maintain a joint account operated under the phantom Ministries of Local Government Affairs, it will continue to be rendered comatose and dysfunctional. “To add to this eclipsing phenomenon, the National Policy on Health domiciled primary health care under the supervision of Local Government Administration. It is indeed very worrisome how the most important tier of healthcare delivery - the very foundation of it, would be domiciled under the weakest, worst funded, most neglected and in some situations, absent level of governance. This is indeed an absurdity,” he declared.

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)

heat is a popular, ancient grain that has been consumed as staple food for many all over the world. The genus name for wheat, from which all wheat species are derived, is Triticum. It originated in southwestern Asia, but today it is grown in many countries. Generally, wheat cultivation is done at higher latitudes. Wheat is primarily used for baking bread products such as bread, pasta, crackers, cakes, muffins, pie crusts, noodles, just to mention a few common examples of wheat sources. It is made up of a fibre-rich outer layer (vitamins and minerals contents that are useful for digestion and various body functions); the bran( an excellent source of fibre); the germ (a source of protein, vitamins and minerals) and the endosperm (which aids in the supply of carbohydrates, mainly in the form of starch). The health benefits of wheat depend on the way by which one consumes it. During the milling process, the bran and the germ

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Health benefits of wheat

are often removed to give a ‘whiter’ cereal. However, if you wish to get the maximum benefit out of wheat products, it is advisable to choose wheat products that are made from wholewheat grains rather than the refined varieties. “Whole” wheat grains are nutrient dense and pass on lots of vitamins and minerals into the body. It contains lots of dietary fibre, which is a toxin trapper. It provides essential fatty acids (omega 3); proteins ; vitamins like vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, folic acid; minerals like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, selenium; antioxidants and beneficial phytochemicals. Studies have shown that whole wheat grains are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which help to protect against coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Wheat often has a low glycaemic index (GI). This makes it possible to release carbohydrate into the blood which, combined with fibre, may help make one feel fuller for a long time - helping to control appetite. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in a research has shown that, consumption of whole wheat rather than refined

Chizoba Benson

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

wheat is a good choice for obese patients especially women. Studies have also shown that wheat, help balance cholesterol levels and protects the heart, prevents stroke and type 2 diabetes may be up to 30% as part of a low-fat diet and healthy lifestyle. Consequently, the risk of developing some forms of cancer of the digestive system like bowel cancer may be reduced with higher intake of these wholegrains. The insoluble fibre in wheat moves food along more quickly and easily, reducing the time that damaging substances are in contact with the gut wall. The soluble fibre however, provides a food source for ‘friendly’ gut bacteria, helping them to increase and produce substances which are thought to protect the gut wall, such as short-chain fatty acids. Wheat is rich in catalytic elements such as calcium, magnesium manganese, potassium, mineral salts, arsenic, silicon, zinc, vitamin B and vitamin E. This is why issues like sterility problems, anemia, mineral deficiencies, gallstones, breast cancer, chronic inflammation, tuberculosis, pregnancy problems and breast feeding problems are all tackled by simply consuming wheat. The seeds are

useful for treating gastrointestinal conditions, skin diseases and respiratory illnesses. It is vital to replace refined wheat products with wholegrain varieties such as whole¬meal bread and brown rice. To purchase wholegrain products however, look out for the word ‘whole’ before the name of the cereal e.g. wholewheat pasta, whole oats and make sure they are high up/first in the ingredients list. Multigrain is not the same as wholegrain, it means that the product contains more than one different type of grain. Most of us eat too few wholegrains to get the health benefits from the whole range of nutrients they contain as we tend to eat more refined cereals. There are some restrictions to wheat consumption especially to those who have allergies such as hives, itching, skin rash, etc and

intolerances (notably coeliac disease). Also, whole wheat contain oxalates and too much of it in our bodily fluids can cause health problems such as kidney stones, gall stones and gout. It is also, vital to minimize wheat consumption especially when it comes to consumption of baked snack foods containing wheat and sugar like cookies and crackers and processed foods such as toasted grains including toasted wheat cereals are considered among the highest risk of foods when it comes to acrylamide exposure. A toxic and potentially cancer-causing substance could be the resultant effect of these. Current and future concerns also include sustaining wheat production and quality with reduced inputs of agrochemicals and developing lines with enhanced quality for specific end-uses.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults Hello. My wife and I are having all sorts of problems and part of it is sexual. It all started after we lost our first son in an accident two years ago. His death affected everybody but it hit my wife really really hard. She quit her job and has been depressed ever since. We are seeing a family therapist but it is still early days so not much has changed. Her depression is even affecting me more. I have also been told you can help– David Dear David, I am very sorry for your loss. I cannot even imagine what you must all be going through. Nothing is worse than losing a child. I hope you find the strength to get through it. Seeing a therapist is the absolute best way to start healing each other because his death hurt both of you mentally and emotionally. Emotional wounds can be the most difficult to deal with because they cannot be seen by the naked eye so it is hard to treat and manage. Time is also a crucial factor in healing such emotional wounds. How much time does it take to get over a death? It varies from person to person and people deal with death in different ways. Some try to move on quickly by getting back to work and finding ways to occupy and distract their minds. Others feel guilty when they even try to move on at all, believing that the dead child’s life and memories deserve to be persevered, hence their protracted mourning. I suggest you continue with your therapy. Nothing else is appropriate right now. I could recommend aphrodisiacs and other stimulants like films and magazines but until your grieving wife gives herself the permission to live again, none of these items will even be used. So continue with your therapy and with time, I believe you

will get through this difficult period in your lives. And please be patient with your wife. I know it is hard not having a sex life but it is even harder for her. Carrying a child for nine months before birth creates a bond like no other. The death of a child is a lot more difficult for women to deal with – Uche I have a problem of quick ejaculation. I came across your products in the newspaper and I am so interested in them. How can I get them? I live in Jos – Nigeria – Samson Premature ejaculation can be handled with a desensitizing ointment, a penis sleeve or a supplement. The ointment is the cheapest and most direct option and brands like the LS Delay Spray and GladiatorPower Cream are very good for this. Should you choose to go for the sleeves, then I will recommend the Cock Extender Sleeve or the Stud Extension Sleeve. Both products are thick enough to minimize penile stimulation hence prolonging sexual activity before climax. The sleeves also make you look bigger when you are wearing them so that is an extra advantage. And yes we can deliver by courier to you in Jos or anywhere in Nigeria – Uche I will like to reorder Boss Rhino Gold and VigRx penis enlarger. They turned out better than I expected so I am happy to buy again - Nnamdi I bought Rhino 7 from you but I also bought Man Up Now just as back up. I wasn’t sure if Rhino 7 will be too strong for me but it was just perfect. No head aches and the erection was solid. Should I continue to take both or just one of them? Niyi Niyi you can use both of course but they

must be taken 48 hours apart. Many users have confirmed that their Rhino 7 was milder than expected and that’s good news because some of these supplements can be very strong sometimes. The fact that Rhino 7 also controls premature ejaculation and grows the penis is also an extra bonus feature – Uche I was one of the disappointed users of the Pink Elevate supplement for women. If not that you talked me into trying the G Female Oral tablets, I wouldn’t have taken any of these supplements again. I like the G Female drug. It did the job and had me wanting sex all day like a nymphomaniac – Uju That’s good news. These supplements have different strengths so the trick is to find out what works for you. Sometimes the only way of knowing that is through trial and error. G Female is

strong – Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515for 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, September 16, 2015

Under-5 death rate drops by 53 % –WHO … 16,000 still die daily STORIES BY FRANKA OSAKWE

lobally, under-5 death have dropped by 53 per cent, however, about 16,000 children still die every day before their fifth birthday, says a

new joint report from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the World Bank and the United Nations (UN). According to the report, about 50% of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan African countries such as Nigeria while 30% occur in Southern

Asia. It noted that a child’s risk of dying before his or her fifth birthday varies greatly around the globe, from 1 in 147 in high-income countries to 1 in 12 in sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest under-5 mortality rate in the world.

However, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director GeetaRao Gupta said many countries have tripled their rate of reduction of under-5 deaths and this must be acknowledged. “But far too large number of children are still dying from preventable causes

L-R: Deputy Registrar, Academics, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Dr. Salami Sule; Registrar, Prof. Oluwole Atoyebi; President, Prof. Rasheed Arogundade and Treasurer, Prof. Opubo da Lil-Tariah, during the annual pre-convocation conference at Ijanikin, Lagos, yesterday.

Health Ministry yet to get 2015 budgetary allocation

ess than four months before the end of 2015, the Federal Ministry of Health is yet to receive its budgetary allocation, Sources at the ministry confirmed to National Mirror that the ministry has not receive any amount from the N4.5 billion approved as health budget for the year. Although this is the first time the ministry would have its total budgetary allocation not released, it did not receive the allocations for the last 3-5 years in full either. For instance, only N5, 704, 152, 991 out of the total N9,131, 472, 026 was received in 2014 health budget while it got only N7, 992, 591, 884 out of the N17, 233 620, 000 allocated in the 2013, budgetary allocation.

Similarly, the ministry got only N14, 538, 771, 979 out of the total N17, 233, 620, 000 health budget for 2012. This makes Nigeria one of the countries with the lowest budgetary allocation for health. It will be recalled that heads of state of African Union countries met in Nigeria in April 2001, and pledged to set a target of allocating at least 15% of their annual budget to improve the health sector. The target is often referred to as Abuja Declaration”. Since then, 27 countries have increased the proportion of total government expenditures allocated to health. However, only Rwanda and South Africa have achieved the “Abuja Declara-

tion” target. In a sharp constrast, Nigeria and six other countries have reduced their relative contributions of government expenditures to health during the period. In 2013 for instance, only 5.6% of Nigeria’s budget was allocated to health and part of this was not released. In a presentation at the Health Journalist Academy training held at the School of Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, the director, Health Planning Committee, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo confirmed the non release of the 2015 budgetary allocation to the Ministry. She told the Academy, established by multinational pharmaceutical company, Roche, that

health has not been given due priority by the Ministry of Finance. Dr. Azodo who is also the secretary of the newly established committee on the operation of the National Health Act, however explained that the ministry was forging ahead even with inadequate government funding and non-release of funds in 2015. She disclosed that the committee would soon produce a working guideline on the operation of the National Health Act. “From the Act, one per cent of the consolidated trust fund would be devoted to health. 50 per cent would be for insurance, 45 per cent for primary health care and 5 per cent for emergency treatment”, she said.

... Partners local firm against hypertension

he Federal Ministry of Health says it is collaborating with Neimeth an indigenous manufacturing company producing antihypertensive drugs. In a presentation of the programme, in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Linus Awute, said that Health Ministry is poised to support the laudable initiative as championed by Neimeth to ensure good health care delivery to Nigerians. ‘The initiative is in line with the National Drug Policy (NDP) and Essential

Medicines list (EML) in making drugs available and affordable to Nigerians. This partnership is under an innovative programme called FITGAH (Fight the Good Fight against Hypertension). It is unique judging from its four-pronged strategy of: awareness creation, availability of anti-hypertensive drugs, affordability of antihypertensive medicines and action, which involves screening and administration of medicines’, he said. He further pledged to continue to partner with Nei-

meth because of the positive role played by the company during the Ebola scourge. Welcoming guest to the occasion, the Director, Department of Food and Drugs Services, Mrs. G. M. O. Chukumah, informed that about 4.5 million Nigerians over the age of 15 are hypertensive adding that its prevalence is much in urban than rural communities. She also reaffirmed that Neimeth’s intervention is to make drugs accessible, safe, qualitative and affordable to Nigerians. In his response, the MD/

CEO Neimeth international pharmaceuticals plc, Pharmacist Ekunno Emmanuel said that Neimeth has decided to cut down 50% on the price of its antihypertensive drugs so as to make them affordable to the good people of Abuja in particular and Nigerians in general. He also announced that to ensure availability of its anti-hypertensive drugs and other family medicines, Neimeth is engaging in the free screening for hypertension and giving medications free for 2 months usage.

before their fifth birthday and indeed within their first month of life and this should impel us to redouble our efforts to do what we know needs to be done,” she adds. The U-5 death rate can be further reduced if focus should be on regions with the highest levels - sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, she explained. “Approximately 45% of deaths among the under-5s occur in the first 28 days of life; 1 million infants die on the day they are born, and nearly 2 million during the first week following birth. Leading causes of death in this group include complications during labor, premature birth, pneumonia, sepsis, diarrhoea and malaria. Most of the remaining deaths among the under-5s are tied to under nutrition”, the WHO report said. It however showed that 62 countries - around a third of the world’s nations - have met the Millennium Development Goal for reducing child mortality by two thirds over 1990-2015, while another 74 have reduced it by at least half. “Of the 12 low-income countries that have met the

Millennium Development Goal, ten of them are in Africa. Overall, the worldwide rate of reduction in child mortality has been accelerating - from an annual rate of reduction of 1.8% during 1990-2000 to 3.9% in 2000-2015”, it noted. But the push needs to speed up more - especially in sub-Saharan Africa where child mortality is still high - in order to meet the child survival target of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The UN Under-SecretaryGeneral for Economic and Social Affairs Mr. Wu Hongbo said. Dr. Tim Evans, senior director of health, nutrition and population at the World Bank Group, agrees with this. “One area that has seen huge progress in reducing child mortality is the fight against malaria. For example, in Africa, malaria mortality among children has been reduced by 58% since 2000. However, every year, nearly half a million children under the age of 5 still die from malaria, most of them in Africa”, he added.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria calls for proper inspection of trucks

rieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Company, makers of Peak Milk, has advised the Lagos State government to ensure that trucks plying the roads are in good condition so as to curtail the rate of accidents occurring. Operations Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Doyin Ashiru, stated this during the company’s celebration of 1000 days without lost time accident, in Lagos. Mr. Ashiru who made this remark in reaction to the unfortunate truck accident that recently occurred at the Ojuelegba road, explained that proper inspection of trucks is one way of curtailing such accidents. It would be recalled that on September 2rd a container being conveyed by a truck fell off Ojuelegba Bridge in Lagos crushing at least 3 men to death. While commending the Lagos State government for measures such as dedicating some roads for trucks and restriction of trucks from moving at day time, he noted that these measures alone will

not prevent accidents if the trucks are not in good condition. “The truck that caused the accident was actually plying the right road and at the right time, but then, why would such defective truck be on the road?” he queried. Speaking on the achievement of the 1000 days without lost time accident, Ashiru said, “The idea was born after the July 2011 Lagos Flood incident that affected our company as well as other various incidents recorded in the company. We now thought we owe it to all our employees and their families to provide safe working environment. We then started with the dos and don’ts and gradually, we got everybody to imbibe learning to work in a safe way and then from there we got ourselves into seven rules of working safely, changing momentum and introducing new concepts to ensure there is not only leadership ownership but also, having everyone in the safety culture. And that is exactly what we have done to achieve the 000 lost time accident free-days.”

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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‘In Nigeria, cancer causes more death than other NCDs’ Recently, Roche Pharmaceutical, a leading global pharmaceutical company, achieved yet another feat by establishing Nigeria’s first Health Journalists Academy. The company’s Country Director, Mr. Herman Addae, in this interview with Franka Osakwe, explains the initiative. He also discussed the situation of healthcare in Nigeria and the challenges. Excerpt. What are the Challenges facing healthcare in Nigeria? Although government has continued to make good efforts at improving healthcare, there remain some significant challenges. We did some research last year and we have been able to summarize our key findings. One of them is that government has competing priorities and health is not number one. Secondly, although we have a huge disease burden, the number of skilled healthcare professionals that can handle them are very few. Third, we have challenges with the number of healthcare infrastructures such as number of hospitals, number of medical equipment and relevant diagnostics. We have the issue of late presentation of disease. Recent studies indicate that Nigerians view good health as the absence of medical symptoms instead of a holistic reflection of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, hence the reason why patients present late at hospitals. Again, there are little or no prevalence data, limited and poor quality of healthcare services and outof-pocket funding of healthcare. We also found out that the level of health and disease awareness is very low in the country. What is the rationale behind the Health Journalist Academy? As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria health sector is lack of awareness about health. To help overcome this challenge, we believe there is a need to engage journalists, who by virtue of their profession, can advance the cause of the nation’s health through their reportage and coverage of health sector. This is why we started the health journalist academy. The aim is to sharpen the skills of journalists to develop deeper insight on how to report disease issues. The Health Journalist Academy is in partnership with the School of Media and Communication (SMC) of the PanAtlantic University. Our desire is to expose the journalists to the

latest trends and techniques for specialized reporting as well as offer them deeper insight into health issues and diseases that are challenging the health of the nation. The first batch of this academy involves 15 Nigerian Health Journalists drawn from the print, broadcast and new media, whose works we believe will help heighten awareness of health-related issues and promote healthy living among Nigerians. They are expected to work with the faculty over the next 12 months, driving their learning and engagement through different media. How will you rate Nigeria in terms of disease burden? What we are doing now is that certain diseases are getting more attention but there are other diseases, such as cancer, that are wrecking havoc but they are not getting the right attention. Today, there is a high level of awareness on the need to do more in the eradication of non-communicable diseases. But when we talk about non-communicable diseases everybody’s mind quickly goes to hypertension and diabetes while in fact in Nigeria, cancer is the higher cause of death than hypertension and diabetes among noncommunicable diseases. This is something that is not well known and publicised as well. It is a high burden disease but unfortunately, the level of awareness is low. Hepatitis is another one, although it’s a preventable disease if not treated early, it is the leading cause of liver cancer today. So a lot can be done about it. Today, many Nigerians are still living with hepatitis without looking for a constructive way to solve the challenge. Malaria continues to be a challenge, with lots of people dying of malaria, it is a preventable and treatable disease yet many challenges such as counterfeit drug issue is still causing a lot of people to die from it. We cannot afford to neglect any of the diseases today.

What do you think are the issues militating against treatment of cancer in Niger? On the issue of cancer, the challenge is that we do not have enough facilities to deal with early detection so people get the disease yet they are not diagnosed early enough. The second challenge is that when diagnosed, we don’t have enough cancer specialist to give them the best possible treatment so the quality of care is also reduced. We have very few cancer specialists to take care of the huge disease burden. Lack of awareness is another factor because people do not present early, they have no idea about the disease until it is late. We also have the issue of huge funding so even if you are diagnosed early and you have a good doctor, the cost of treatment is still resting on the patient therefore we need to be thinking of alternative funding model that can help patients pay for treatment. I believe government is already engaged in tackling this issues but they need to look beyond ‘just government’ because the challenge is bigger than government alone. The challenge is for everyone and that is why we are collaborating with government in partnership to see how we can bring in more diagnostics, focus on setting up centers as well as other things. I believe the real solution is partnership among stakeholders with the singular focus of tackling the disease. Tell us more about Roche Pharmaceutical? Roche is a multinational pharmaceutical company and world’s number one pharmaceutical when it comes to biotech products. Biotech means using biological molecules or cells to develop medicine. It is more on the cutting edge of the pharmaceuticals today and is broadly applied on the cancer therapy today. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostic, and a front-runner in diabe-

Addae

tes management. We are involved in the research, manufacturing and commercialization of in vitro diagnostics. In Nigeria, we are still the number one company in cancer care and we have been operating here not only looking at the commercial part of our business but working closely with stakeholders to improve healthcare. Our vision is to be the number one preferred healthcare partner for all stakeholders. As an expert in research and diagnostic, will you say we are doing well in these areas? There are challenges in areas of research and laboratory but we believe it is improving. Today many tests that were done outside the country in the past are now being done in the country so there is improvement. But patients still travel outside the country because they do not have enough confidence in Nigerian doctors and in the facilities. However, I believe the situation is improving and the more medical facilities we have on ground, the more people’s confidence will rise. How will you access the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria? The pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria has a lot of potentials and challenges at the same time. When an investor takes a look at the industry, what they will see is the opportunity to help meet the people’s healthcare needs while also growing the business enti-

ties. Because the disease burden in Nigeria is generally high, there is a high demand for medicine. However, one of the constraints is the issue of counterfeit drugs, and parallel importation of brands but I believe we have the right structure to help mitigate this factures. Aside the Health Journalist Academy, what else is Roche doing to support the healthsector? Roche in Nigeria has been working closely with key stakeholders in healthcare strongly guided by our vision to be the most respected healthcare partner. We are involved in improving the skill and knowledge of healthcare practitioners through trainings and education. We are working closely with different organizations and health institutions such as the ministry of health, trying to tackle these challenges. We collaborate with institutions that are interested in various disease burdens by providing the diagnostics facilities and creating access to treatment. As you know, patients usually pay outof-pocket for medicines especially in the area of cancer and so we look at innovative ways in which we can support them to get treatment while we continue to explore other ways of improving funding. For instance, we are working closely with a consulting firm and some private insurance group to help them create funding models that can enable more people get insurance for their diseases.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge My life as a writer, producer –Daniel Kemka

GIAMA unveils 2015 nominations

Culture as agent of social reforms in Nigeria The place of culture in driving positive changes in the Nigerian society cannot be overemphasised. This came to the fore during the annual Ifa Festival hosted by the Olokun Festival Foundation in Lagos. Ayo Esan

non-governmental organisation, the Olokun Festival Foundation has celebrated this year’s edition of annual Ifa festival amidst pomp and pageantry. The festival which took place in Abule –Ado area of Lagos State was witnessed by many adherents of Ifa and other Yoruba leaders from Nigeria and Republic of Benin. Speaking at the event which featured music from the Oodua Band, the Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation who is also the National Coordinator of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams said Ifa provides way out of the impediments of corruption.. According to him, Ifa prominently offers way out of the endemic corruption by first cautioning everyone to be wary of behaviours that encourage corruption in Odu Obara Oworin Citing the verses of relevant Ifa Corpus, Adams said; “A person who loves money excessively, his character will be ruined. Good character is the finest beauty of a person. Even if you have money, it does not mean you will not become blind. It does not mean you will not go mad. It does not mean you will not become lame. It does not mean you will not become ill and the like. You can still become ill in any part of your body. Therefore you should go and get more wisdom son that you may think deep about things. You should cultivate good character, you should acquire wisdom and you should come and sacrifice so that you may be at ease inside and out”. He said as espoused by the Ifa in the corpus above, primitive acquisition of wealth as is widely discovered recently is futile and unprofitable. “We are encouraged by the corpus to shun these vices, imbibe good character and embrace acquisition of knowledge that can aid Nigeria’s developmental desires. The message we can further tease out through the adoption of Ifa is that we must give support to the government’s efforts at stamping out corruption from our national lives”, Adams said. He said given the potential of Ifa to rid our society off the malaise of corruption,” you would agree with me that Orunmila deserves to be given an opportunity in our national lives as we navigate the challenges

Ifa adherents at this year’s Ifa festival organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation

Ifa worhippers

of development”. “Ifa helps mankind to navigate the twists and turns of everyday existence. He provides solution to various problems associated with living and existence”, he said. Adams said one of the problems that continue to dog Nigeria’s quest for growth and development is the issue of corruption saying the trauma created by this problem has made it an issue that needed to be urgently tackled if the country’s quests for development are to be realized. “In our country today, Corruption manifests in different forms. This range from petty, administrative, or bureaucratic corruption that include transactions by individual public officials who abuse their office by demanding bribes and kickbacks, diverting public funds, or awarding favours in return for personal considerations to grand corruption which accommodates theft or misuse of vast amounts of public resources by state officials. “Corruption also manifest in form of patronage, paternalism and clientelism. This occurs when officials use their official

position to provide assistance to clients or colleagues within the same geographic, ethnic, or cultural origin so that they receive preferential treatment in their dealings with the public sector, including public sector employment. “Corruption undermines democracy and the rule of law. It leads to violations of human rights. It erodes public trust in government. “Corruption in judicial systems denies both victims and the accused the right to a fair trial. It stifles economic growth, stunts human development, divides communities, corrodes the protection of human rights, and undermines the ability of the international community to tackle transnational crime. “Corruption leads to mis-allocation of resources, fosters misguided and unresponsive policies and regulations, lowers investment levels, reduces competition and efficiency, lowers public revenue for essential goods and services, increases public spending, lowers productivity and discourages innovation, increases cost of doing business (serves as tax on business), lowers growth levels, lowers private sector employment levels, reduces the number of quality public sector jobs, exacerbates poverty and inequality ,and hinders market

As espoused by the Ifa in the corpus, primitive acquisition of wealth as is widely discovered recently is futile and unprofitable

oriented reforms. It constitutes a big drawback to even the achievement of Millennium Development Goal (MDG)”, he said. He explained that the crux of corruption and corrupt practices are monetary or financial benefits or gains. “Economic corruption is particularly endemic in most African countries. In Africa, Nigeria inclusive, the World Bank and the United Nations paint a picture of the gory situation”, he said. As to why the Foundation is celebrating Ifa festival annually, Adams said it is based on the importance the Yoruba people attached to the Orisha and the enormous benefits that are derivable from their veneration regularly. “Organising and celebrating festivals in honour of these deities is our modest way of perpetuating memories of our indigenous religion and culture. Importantly, we celebrate these festivals to showcase the sterling qualities that can be emulated from these deities”, he further said. Corroborating this view, Max Egenti, a culture advocate said the beauty of African culture is its position on positive values. “Yes, it is my opinion that our culture can play a very positive role in shaping the African society. I know that cultures all over the continent tend to celebrate good values and the implication of this is that strict adherence to this is an indirect way of promoting good values”. If this position is anything to go by, maybe there is urgent need to include this view in our educational curriculum as a way of influencing the youth.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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VOICES

Role of arts in conflict narratives

Sunday Ododo

he performing arts can also provide us unique opportunity to participate in conflict narratives outside the burdening constraints and risks of real-life. Players and spectators both are enabled to step outside themselves, outside of their personal angers and insecurities, outside of their concerns and entrenched positions – and into dramatic roles that may allow them to try different alternatives and even appreciate the point-of-view of “the enemy.” The safety of “make-believe,” the suspension of “reality,” together with the safety of the facilitated group environment, empowers creative understanding and problem-solving. Theatre also provides a group venue for the operation of collective thought, judgment, and application of cultural values. Through their participation in dramatic workshops and presentations, participants gain insight into their own feelings and perceptions and community structures that inhibit positive change (Amollo, 13-17). Amollo Amollo cites the power of a peoplecentered approach: “The more a community gets deeply involved in the creation and implementation of any form of development in their area of occupation, the more likely it is to receive the mandate of popular approval.” (19) By valuing and concentrating on the primacy of narrative, and by seeking to help people to realize their own strengths and to appreciate others’ points of view, PCT can combine powerful attributes of narrative and conflict transformative mediation. Nigeria has become a conflict zone, a theatre of crises and geography of fear. In 2002 the former Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, now a Senator, observed that: ‘No part of Nigeria can consider itself safe when other parts are burning. The threat of anarchy in any part of our country is the threat of anarchy in the entire nation. Our nation can develop meaningfully and nurture its democracy only in a peaceful atmosphere in which respect for human lives and property is a fundamental article of our national faith.’ The above assertion adequately captures the geography of fear that Nigeria has become and a pronounced conflict zone more than ever before. In actual fact, the country has experienced different internal conflicts since independence ranging from many

Professor Sunday Ododo

coups, general strikes and a civil war to religious crises, political disturbances, boundary disputes, communal clashes, herdsmen and farmers conflict, environmental conflict and the politics of oil in the Niger Delta, and more recently the brazen attacks of Boko Haram Islamic sect. Up to 4,000 Nigerians have died in Boko Haram attacks. Many have attributed the current spade of crises and conflicts in Nigeria not to religious but to political, ethnic or economic issues; while some others believe that our current crises, conflicts and violence are politically, ethnically and economically induced. It is inconceivable that often people are afraid to assess the place of religion in our current crises when in truth, religion dominates our life. Underlining all of these issues are the nagging questions of ethical decay, social injustice, inequality and false sense of nationalism. All these questions require urgent attention if contemporary

Nigeria is to be reoriented with fair sense of socio-political relationships, distribution of national resources and reward system by all levels of Government in Nigeria. Even though it is not within the purview of this presentation to elaborate on the character and causes of the Nigerian conflict environment, it is worth noting that the Nigerian conflict situation has not been properly diagnosed. To do this, we need to locate all the socio-historical factors and core values that have over the years contributed immensely towards the development of some of Nigeria’s negative heritage upon which our national conflicts, violence and insecurity are founded. The short but complex Nigerian conflict environment we narrated above is what the National Troupe of Nigeria must diagnose and interrogate before arriving at workable design on how to intervene with performative expressions on the Nigerian crises. According to the 1991 Act of 29th October,

Theatre also provides a group venue for the operation of collective thought, judgment, and application of cultural values

Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? I will give it to one man who is not even very educated, who has shown that once you have creativity, you can rule the world. He was the first Nigerian to be recognised all over the world. His name is Amos Tutuola. Before Achebe and Soyinka, there was Amos Tutuola. He wrote The Palm-wine Drinkard. He stopped at Primary Six, and succeeded in telling his stories with his kind of English. I call his stories magical realism. What is unique about his writing? His characters are full of fantasies. I was lucky to have met him in course of my job as a reporter, and I once did a

Mike Awoyinfa

Journalist/ Writer

magazine story on him. If he was still writing, he would have won a Nobel Prize because Literature is not about the ability to write ‘big English’. There is also one poet called Rabin Ranath Tagore, whose works inspire me a lot. What determines the books you buy? I buy what I find fascinating. Any time I travel out of the country, I find my way to London because of books. I remember an incident when we were travelling. My children gave me a long list of things they wanted, like play stations. When I arrived with three big boxes, they were jubilating until they discovered they were all books and no play stations.

that established the National Troup of Nigeria, her main objectives shall be to (a) encourage the discovery and development of talent in the performing arts; (b) achieve high artistic productions specifically designed for national and international tours; (c) ensure that productions of the Troupe are geared towards national aspirations; (d) encourage the development of children’s theatre; (e) ensure the preservation of the repertoire of the Troupe; and (f) ensure that the National Theatre is efficiently managed as a commercial concern. Going through the highlight of activities of your troupe between January 2013 and September 2014, it occurs to me that the troupe when not on international circuit is more in Lagos and Abuja, especially the Presidential Villa. This to me does not sufficiently represent national tours. Besides, these outings are also mainly dance performances to entertain some dignitaries and not the generality of Nigerian people. I doubt also if these dance performances are packaged to tell the occupiers of the presidential villa some home truth about the Nigerian reality of unemployment, lack of portable water, irregular electricity supply, hunger and poverty, high cost of living and the agony of frustrated living in country that is purportedly the largest economy in Africa and No 25th in the world. Until the NTN begins to package productions that genuinely interrogate our socio-political system, leadership and followership, national questions and integration, denied freedom and injustice in this country, and presented to the generality of Nigerians, NTN would be failing in her mandate to “ensure that productions of the Troupe are geared towards national aspirations”. It is only with good knowledge of our present reality that we can aspire to be something greater. The NTN most certainly has her challenges and constraints and has proven her mettle within them, but there is a lot of work to be done.

• Prof Sunday Enessi Ododo, is Head, Department of Theatre Arts, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri.

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ARTISTE UNCENSORED He is the kind you will call a rare artiste. Aside being a music producer and keyboardist, he takes time to discover the hidden traits that make certain individuals great. Ngozi Emedolibe

or Daniel Kemka, a new day, is an unpredictable row of events. He is not one who can rightly pinpoint when he would wake up, pray and head off to his office at Ago Palace area of Isolo in Lagos. His hands are in so many pies that he does not even know what he would be getting involved in next. But all these are administered through his company, which is called Platinum Seed. “Platinum Seed”, he says, “is a concern that is involved in so many artistic pursuits, depending on how one looks at it. It is a human development enterprise, a music production outfit, and a publishing venture all rolled into one.” In the past five years that the company was formally set up, it has produced artistes like Miriam and Tim Prisca with the assistance of an in-house sound engineer called Paul Runz. The story of Daniel’s journey is typical of most ventures, driven by passion and little capital. “The beginning was so tough, and at times I really felt like quitting, but I kept trudging on, because I really like what I am doing. I have always told people I mentor that in whatever they want to pursue as a career; one of the underling success tips is getting to love what they do more than anything else. That would help anyone through the rough edges of life, which is inevitable. For me, I had nothing but the talent, drive, and the passion for what I wanted to become.” According to him, his involvement in music, which started as a chorister in a church helped in shaping who he is today. “I first got involved in Trinity Choir, which is a large organisation that was formed in our church in those days, before breaking out for Magui, another group of choristers. It was there that I learnt to play keyboard and a little bit of the saxophone. After series of trainings, I got out to form Platinum Seed, which has been on for 5

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

My life as a writer, producer –Daniel Kemka years now. Platinum Seed Productions is into rap, gospel and dancehall.” Getting ready for this job, Daniel says, has not only depended on talent alone but education. “I have a degree in Business Management, which is also important to what I am doing. Everything is all about managing a business. Talent is business, and I always tell people that any talent that cannot yield money is useless. I say so because that is the primary reason God gives people talent. You must be able to use it to feed well; you must be able to use that talent to uplift humanity too. One thing people worry about when they encounter me is the ability to multitask myself and they usually ask me how I manage to do so. It is actually a part of the training I have received over the years.” How does he select potential talents he works with? “My job started in the church but it is expanding beyond the church.” he declares. “Most times, I get invited to the church to come and give talks and train the choir and all that. That forms a major platform for people that return to me for development in terms of their musical skills or in terms of human capital development. They usually meet me there and for the so many that have benefitted, it started from there”. Daniel Kemka does not have a ceiling on what to collect as fees. He says what he hopes to earn from any undertaking depends on certain factors. “Money is important. I have not ruled out that I must make money from this because that is what I do. But what I charge depends on some instances. I get as much as N500,000 to talk and train people. But I have also gotten N20,000 to do the same thing. It all depends on the circumstances. I have also done some free of charge, because in life you must draw lines to define such variables.” At the moment Daniel Kemka’s latest project is a book titled, ‘Decode Invisible Elements; Invent Visible Evidence’. “This book is a guide to success in creative ventures. It will help people unlock their greatest potentials. Sometimes, people do not even know their potentials, the book will help them discover and unlock them.”

MIDWEEK JUMP

What I charge depends on instances. I get as much as N500,000 to talk and train people. But I have also gotten N20,000 to do the

2016 Commonwealth Short Story Prize opens

he Commonwealth Short Story Prize brings stories from new and emerging voices, often from countries with little or no publishing infrastructure, to the attention of an international audience. The Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000 to 5,000 words) in English. Short stories translated into English are also eligible. Each year, they select five winning writers from five different Commonwealth regions, one of whom is chosen as the overall winner. The overall winner receives £5,000, one of the highest amounts for an international short story prize open to unpublished writers. Regional winners receive £2,500. The Prize is open to both published and unpublished writers. Entry is free. The closing date is 1 November 2015.

same thing

Yoruba Lakotun debuts

literary interactive audience participatory programme, Yoruba Lakotun anchored by the poet and literary enthusiast, Olutayo Irantiola, has berthed. A statement from the organiser said the programme is aimed at rejuvenating the laudable works done by the previous generations in areas of Yorùbá literacy and arts which include book reading, performance poetry and other elements of culture. “This programme is also a timely intervention in the area of reintroducing our cultural values at a time when every Yorùbá family now speaks English and assumes it is civilization. Reasons for coming up with this programme include the introduction of Agbádá is now in latest edition of Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary; employment of Yoruba langauge speakers and many other copious examples,” the statement said. It added that the programme is open to everyone who is interested in keeping preserving the language and also those who want to showcase their depth of understanding the language

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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FAR AND NEAR

GIAMA unveils 2015 nominations

he official nominations for the 4th Annual Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA) is finally out, and foreign international acts like Wyclef Jean, Akon, Dorien Wilson and Nollywood’s Ken Erics, NseIkpeEtim and UcheJombo were exclusively nominated. Presented by PEM Offshore, GIAMA celebrates the very best of African entertainment and rich culture through filmography. Most of the submissions this year came from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Canada, and the United States. On movies, some nominations are for Invasion, While You Slept, Black November, IyaAlalake, Ojuju, Verdict, Stigma, When Love Comes Around, Red Rose, Trials of Igho, Jafar, Oge’sSister, Affairs of the Heart. This year’s GIAMA ceremony will be hosted by comedian and actor AY Makun and is set to captivate a lively audience on October 17, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Here are some of the nominations: BEST MOTION PICTURE • LOVE REGARDLESS • STALKER • STIGMA • BLACK NOVEMBER • TRIALS OF IGHO • MATTERS ARISING BEST FILM (DRAMA) • STIGMA • THE CHANGER • INVASION 1897 • OJUJU • OGE’S SISTER • AFTER THE “I DOs” • STALKER BEST FILM (COMEDY) • JACK AND JILL • HEAD GONE • MY AMERICAN SON • BRONI WAWU • WHEN LOVE COMES AROUND • VERDICT • ONCE • THE THRONE • HORN – FREE DAY • HENNA BEST FILM (FOREIGN LANGUAGE) • MR.BF • TORERA • OJUJU • MADE IN AGEGE • IYA ALALAKE

BEST ACTOR • FREDERICK LEONARD – KEEPING SECRETS • HAKEEM KAE-KASIM – BLACK NOVEMBER • MAJID MICHEL – MATTERS ARISING • JIM IYKE – STALKER • MIKE OMOREGBEE – INVASION 1897 • KEN ERICS – TRIALS OF IGHO • CLEM OHAMEZE – MY AMERICAN SON BEST ACTRESS • ADESUA ETOMI – FALLING • UCHE JOMBO – OGE’S SISTER

Some of the artists nominated

• INI EDO – WHILE YOU SLEPT • MBONG AMATA – BLACK NOVEMBER • JACKIE APPIAH – STIGMA • NSE IKPE ETIM – STALKER • RUTH KADIRI – MATTERS ARISING BEST SUPPORTING MALE • ANTHONY MONJARO – STALKER • DESMOND FINNEY – REFLECTIONS • SEUN AKINDELE – THE CHANGER • CHIGOZIE ATUANYA – JAFAR • MELVIN ODUAH – TRIALS OF IGHO • OC UKEJE – BLACK NOVEMBER • JAMES GARDINER – HAPPY DEATHDAY BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE • KIKI OMELI – STING • YVONNE JEGEDE – OGE’S SISTER • CAROLINE DANJUMA – STALKER • AYO ADESANYA – THE GOOD WIFE • VENITA AKPOFURE – WHILE YOU SLEPT • TANA ADELANA – THE KINGDOM • EKU EDEWOR – WHEN LOVE COMES AROUND BEST NEW ACTOR • GBENGA TITILOYE – LOVE REGARDLESS • STONEBWOY – HAPPY DEATHDAY • JEFF KUMORDZI – LETTER FROM ADAM • AKPORORO – HEAD GONE • KUNLE OLUREMI – STING • ISO PAELEY – LOVE REGARDLESS BEST NEW ACTRESS • AISHA KAMARA – REFLECTIONS • PRINCESS OKAH – THE CHANGER • YVONNE OKYERE – LOVE REGARDLESS • ROSEMARY ZIMU – CHAMPAGNE • EMEM INWANG – STALKER • COMFORT IDONGESIT –TRIALS OF IGHO • NSIKAN ISAAC – THE BANKER BEST EDITING • STANLEE OHIKHUARE – KPIANS • WHEN LOVE COMES AROUND • NWAOGBURU NELSON – MATTERS ARISING

• STANLEE OHIKHUARE – VERDICT • C.J OBASI – OJUJU • MUYIWA ALUKO – LOVE REGARDLESS • BLACK NOVEMBER BEST SOUND • STANLEE OHIKHUARE – KPIANS • INVASION 1897 • ONONEZE KENETH – THE THRONE • BLACK NOVEMBER • COBHAM ASUQUO – DARASEN RICHARDS – THE ANTIQUE • DAYO THOMPSON – OJUJU • KENNETH YEBOAH – MADE IN AGEGE BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY • BLACK NOVEMBER • OJUJU • INVASION 1897 • VERDICT • HORN-FREE DAY • SHATTERED ROMANCE • KPIANS BEST PRODUCER • OGE OBASI – OJUJU • LANCELOT IMASUEN – INVASION 1897 • DARE FASISI / LANRE FASASI – HEAD GONE • MOSES INWANG / CAROLINE DANJUMA – STALKER • JETA AMATA – BLACK NOVEMBER • OKEY EZUGWU – JAFAR BEST DIRECTOR • CHRIS ENENG ENEAJI – TRIALS OF IGHO • LANCELOT IMASUEN – INVASION 1897 • MOSES INWANG – STALKER • MUYIWA ALUKO – LOVE REGARDLESS • JETA AMATA – BLACK NOVEMBER • EJIM FORTUNE KEZI – THE CHANGER • DARE FASISI – HEAD GONE BEST FILM DIASPORA • THE PORTRAIT • AFFAIRS OF THE HEART

• LAPD AFRICAN COPS BEST SCREENPLAY DIASPORA • RED ROSE • THE POTRAIT • RETALIATION • THE FLAWS • BLOODLINE BATTLE • AFFAIRS OF THE HEART • LAPD AFRICAN COPS BEST DIRECTOR – DIASPORA • ROBERT PETERS – AFFAIRS OF THE HEART • JOHN UCHE – THE POTRAIT • AB SALLU – BLOODLINE BATTLE • KINGSLEY PAUL UKAEGBU – RED ROSE • PASCAL ATUMAH – LAPD AFRICAN COPS BEST ACTOR – DIASPORA • MOSES EFRET – RED ROSE • CARL PAYNE – THE FLAWS • KYLE BURGESS – THE PORTRAIT • PASCAL ATUMAH – LAPD AFRICAN COPS • JOSEPH BENJAMIN – AFFAIRS OF THE HEART • BERLINDA NAHBILA – THE PORTRAIT • QUEEN ESTHER IMAR – BLOODLINE BATTLE • STELLA DAMASUS – AFFAIRS OF THE HEART • PRIDIN B. FRU – RETALIATION FOREIGN INTERNATIONAL ACT (MALE) • WYCLEF JEAN – BLACK NOVEMBER • DORIEN WILSON – LAPD AFRCAN COPS • AKON – BLACK NOVEMBER • MICKEY ROURKE – BLACK NOVEMBER FOREIGN INTERNATIONAL ACT (FEMALE) • SARAH WAYNE CALLIES – BLACK NOVEMBER • LUENELL – LAPD AFRICAN COPS • VANESSA BELL CALLOWAY – LAPD AFRICAN COPS • KIM BASSINGER – BLACK NOVEMBER

Business

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

NATCA backs NDLEA’s anti-drug war at airports 31

CSR is not about just giving, it’s about long term plans for communities –Transcorp Hilton boss 28

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Bayelsa, Yobe, Kogi top high fuel prices chart

Ogoniland clean up project faces infrastructure, funding constraints

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES

… SPDC yet to contribute $1bn UDEME AKPAN

espite the recent Federal Government establishment of Ogoni Restoration Fund, the proposed cleanup of Ogoniland may not commence as anticipated because of many challenges, especially lack of structures, appointments and inadequate funds.

Investigations over the weekend showed that the structures, personnel and adequate funds are imperative to effective cleanup of Ogoniland in line with the United Nations Environment Programme report and recommendations. This means that the environmental restoration of Ogoniland may not take place in a short or medium term despite the commitment of stakeholders to tackling issues in the area. The General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr. Igo Welie indicated while presenting the company report on the subject over the weekend that Shell has not yet made the $1 billion contribution to the fund. Welie who did not provide any reasons maintained that SPDC, operator of NNPC/Shell, Total/Agip joint Venture has already completed 16 out of 22 projects scheduled for execution in Ogoniland. The company indicated that work was ongoing in five projects targeted at addressing the situation in the area. On remediation, Welie said that 470 incidents documented along SPDC RoW in Ogoni while 368 have been remediated even as he maintained that 32 of them were at various stages of completion while 70 remained outstanding of which 40 are in Bodo. The general manager indicated that the company had completed the physical verification of assets in Ogoniland, covering delivery and flowlines, manifolds, flow stations, compressor stations, gas plants and burrow pits, disclosing further that the SPDC JV funded a regional water supply project at Eleme which provides access to potable water for about 30,000 indigenes across five

clans from 103 outlets. According to him, about 35,000 adults and 15,000 children were reached during the programme, including the implementation of alternative livelihood programme (LiveWIRE) for 105 Ogoni youths. He said the company provided start-up grants to the trainees most of whom have started their businesses. Welie maintained that other programmes such as grassroots awareness campaign, improve youth employment in legitimate enterprises, youth

agricultural entrepreneurial scheme and daily helicopter surveillance were carried out during the period. “UNEP report implementation is paramount to SPDC. Government is the leading body to orchestrate the clean up. Oil theft and artisanal refining are dangerous to our environment, people and for this restoration process.” “SPDC has initiated action to address all the recommendations directed to it in the UNEP report as operator of the SPDC Joint Venture.

For some activities further progress is dependent on outstanding actions to be taken by other stakeholders. This includes the establishment of satisfactory governance arrangements for the Environmental Restoration Fund,” he added. The UNEP report on Ogoniland released in August 2011 was commissioned by and delivered to the Federal Government to enable it have a deeper understanding of issues in Ogoniland as well as initiate appropriate actions toward addressing them.

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

L-R: Head, Continuous Improvement of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Kingsley Iyamu; Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; Executive Director, Institutional Banking, Mr. Femi Bakre; Executive Director, Business Development, Mr. Adam Nuru, and Group Head, Corporate Communications, Uchenna Mojekwu, during the BusinessDay Banking Awards ceremony where FCMB won the “Most Customer Friendly Bank Award” held in Lagos

FAAN to train 700 AVSEC, other personnel on security, emergency Olusegun Koiki

reparations are in top gears by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to train at least 700 of its Aviation Security, AVSEC, and Airport Rescue and Firefighting personnel security and any other emergency within the airport environment. The first batch of the 700 personnel comprising 100 would be sent on train-

ing soon while the other 600 would also embark on the same training in batches. The Managing Director, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma disclosed this through a statement sent by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati. According to him, the strategy of the intensive training was geared towards promoting safety, security and airport excellence based on International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Annex 14 Standards and Recom-

mended Practices, SARPS, and Airport Council International, ACI, best practices. “The first batch of 100 drawn from the AVSEC and Airport Rescue and Firefighting personnel are being shortlisted, after which the other 600 personnel will follow suit.”, he stated. He assured that the capacity building would strengthen FAAN’s capacity at mitigating safety vulnerabilities identified by the evaluation observed by the industry regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.

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, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CSR is not about just giving, it’s about long term Mr. Etienne Charles Gailliez is the General Manager of Trancorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja. In this interview with CHIDI UGWU and JOEL AJAYI, he speaks broadly on the Nigerian hospitality industry’s prospects and challenges, particularly on the core values that are responsible for his company’s remarkable achievements and recognitions in the global hospitality business.

saw what could best be described as a harvest of awards /trophies over there in the other office. How come about those awards?

Actually, every year there are set of opportunities for awards and the world travel awards which five of them we won this year, four of them were related to our excellence in Nigeria for being the best hotel in Nigeria. When we talk about best business hotel, best conventional and events hotel or what they call incentives, conferences and events, we also have best presidential suites it is very glorifying for us and we even won an international award which is Best African Business Hotel. They came at the time when Nigeria was declared the biggest economy of Africa that also we as a hotel win these awards. Our World Travel Awards are not something that we beat ourselves on the chests, it really is the choice of the customers, they go online, they vote. It really is a popularity contest where people can voice their true opinion of who is leading the market in terms of services, in terms of how we pamper our guests, train our team members and to give kudos to what we are doing. I have been twice in this hotel in 2003 I was Director Operations and I have the pleasure of coming back in 2012 as General Manager and it makes me happy to see that the hotel has come to a certain level of maturity. Going forward, we are going to develop a Master Plan for expansion. We need to expand to what we believe a contemporary hotel should offer services and also expand our conventional facilities so we have a large role to play on the regional market. It is very important that we have these awards, because these awards keep on telling us where we are doing well and obviously, where we can do better. Five awards in one year is quite an extraordinary achievement. I will smile because we see nowadays in trending cities a lot of new hotels are winning awards obviously

Gailliez because they have the latest trends, the latest designs but when we look at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, we actually recognize maturity of the hotel. Through the years, we are having 1014 team members, 670 rooms out of which we have 30 presidential suites and 20 ambassadors’ suites and they have been recognized as being the best in the country. It is actually quite rewarding for us that after 30 years, we are still leading the hospitality industry in Nigeria. At Transcorp Hilton we used to say ‘we are here to spread the light and warm the hospitality’. We pride ourselves with the 1014 team members we have serving our customers behind this, I see families, communities, suppliers. So, it is not only about the hotel and ourselves, it has also been a reward for all the people that are supporting us from our team members to our guests, from our guests to our suppliers or owners. And I think this is a nice achievement and now we are almost 30 years old, we are 27 years old

but I think it is a big achievement after 27 years old we bring home five awards and one of them is being Africa’s leading business hotel. You have been here twice which means you are more Nigerian than some Nigerians. What is your assessment of the Nigerian economy in relation to the tourism industry? You are still on an emerging curve. Obviously in the last year and all what we see within Nigeria which is actually global with the oil drop is an economy that was, I believe, over dependent on oil and that is now looking for other opportunities and diversification. I always like hospitality because we are a peoples industry, people providing services to other people and that makes employment, employment makes salaries, salaries makes spending power, spending power drives economy. I believe that we in hospitality could do more. Hilton together with Transcorp has plans to open properties in Lagos

Obviously in the last year and all what we see within Nigeria which is actually global with the oil drop is an economy that was,

I believe, over dependent on oil

and that is now looking for other opportunities and diversification

and in Port Harcourt and I believe it is an important development that we have more cities being accessible. One of the issues that I have discussed with travelers that have to, for example, go to the North or to serve in less accessible regions of Nigeria, one of the worries that they observe is where to stay. Where is the safe haven, where will we be comfortable, where will we find internet, where will we find good food and care and assistance? I believe that as a hospitality industry, we always look at the tourism side which is the more entertainment side. That is one important side as well to look at. One important development is accessibility that is of the investment of people to go throughout the whole nation. I am coming from Belgium where hardly 12 million are being employed in a country of 170 million citizens, you see the gap that there is a survival rule and I hope that government will not only sanction this with taxes and set up a push so that people can’t travel . Sixty per cent of our market here is domestic market, it is Nigerians traveling we are with such a big nation and such a variety of visits to do, it is important that we develop more the hospitality and I say we as the industry, as the government, as the authorities and as also the investors. There is always a bit of risk in everything you venture into and now is not the right time to say there are so much things happening in Nigeria why can’t we really push more. Let me take you back to your expansion plans because of the multiplier effects it would have on the

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

plans for communities –Transcorp Hilton boss larger society, how soon can Nigerians expect the take off of the project? The two hotels are being developed by our owners. My understanding is that they are going to do the ground breaking in Ikoyi, Lagos and it should be happening before the end of this month. They have started clearing the terrain. We are the operators. We operate on behalf of the owners. I know the owners have a strong commitment, the architectural drawings are done we know what it will look like there is still a bit of hampering on the standard of the parking requirements which we asked to have a sufficient parking so the guests would have a safe place to put their cars. But the project is really solid and for the moment it is my understanding that they will start digging before the tower raises, it is a twin bedroom hotel. That will start normally before the end of this month, they have cleared the land and they have all the authorities and permission. For the Port Harcourt project, the designs are undergoing review for the moment and it is being revised by Hilton because we want to be sure that all facilities provided will be world class and will correspond to the international benchmark that Hilton is putting. The Nigerian economy is experiencing serious fiscal challenges and we are talking about fighting corruption which is the mantra of this government. How does this impact on hospitality industry? At the Hilton, fighting corruption is not something of this year, every year actually all our managers have to go through a training session. So, we are trained on what we can do and to be honest, sometimes we say no and that is fortunate to have you know temptation is always there but it is about saying no and saying no that’s what we believe. Sometimes we lose a business over it, but that is what I believe makes us to be in a very strong position. Our accounting is sparkling clean and this is also how we want our guests. We do not want our guests to engage in doing any facilitation. If we are not interested, we are not interested and this has come to be over the years although you might occasionally miss an opportunity. I think through the years the integrity that Hilton is pushing unto the team members and the managers because nobody has a single hand here so nobody can single handedly sign. I cannot sign without having my controller’s approval, my controller cannot sign without having other’s approval. There is a segregation of power, a segregation of authority, a segregation when it comes to financial matters and that helps us and this is something that Hilton is applying globally. We are very sensitive to it because obviously we are operating in more than 180 countries and we have within Hilton a very strict code of conduct that we all have to abide to and I believe it helps in its

So, we are not only looking at our donations or taking care of people that are

less fortunate in life, we are also taking care of the people we have, we want to develop them vision to align us all on what is exactly right and it is about integrity. In today’s world temptation is everywhere, I give kudos to the new government that they want to fight corruption because I believe it doesn’t benefit the wider people and if you believe in humanity then somehow the better you serve the whole humanity not some happy few. But as for Hilton, we have done well. If you look at our financial results and how we are leading in terms of revenue per available room the integrity in the Nigerian market shows because integrity has to do with all that you do with suppliers, with our guests, with team members and allows us to run a healthy business. With this, for me, it is not that difficult to run an organization. What specific policy measures can be taken by government to attract more foreign direct investments into the tourism sector? I would rather that we call it the hospitality sector than the tourism sector which is more like to a local community in the first phase because from the local community it will become the international community that is how most of the countries have developed. When it comes to policies I don’t believe in a free lunch, in subsidies but you can do it in a different way. Attract the investments, give the people security on land ownership facilities, make yourself a strategic policy as to where in the country you want to have what? There has to be a policy that says we want to encourage development in rural areas where you have tourist attractions and if you build a hotel there, that is the benefits you get. These can be benefits that are not immediate subsidies from the government, it can be benefits on a longer term to make sure that you have longevity. You have to have rules and regulations so that all operators, all the people that are managing hotels are actually obeying the same rules, the same obligations in terms of hygiene, investment, security, fire prevention and so on. If you make some regulations there and you facilitate them I am sure it will follow but you cannot be expecting such a large country to have this done only by the private sector. There has to be an umbrella that will decide to have categorization of hotels with their obliga-

tions, we want to determine what are the key priorities of development, we want to make sure we have affordable hotels in this region and once you have put down that strategic plan, then you find the people that are willing to come and invest and you give them the assurance that their investments would be secured. Transcorp Hilton is the number one in hospitality and tourism in the country. In clear terms, what has your company contributed to Nigerian economy through its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, activities? We have some projects that have no direct link with the hotel. We’ve been taking care of an orphanage, recently we have been carrying out a project, the NaijaBricks, which I am passionate about. NaijaBricks is an organization that takes all the newspapers and they make little pellets that can be used on stoves instead of looking round the forest. They are actually creating a business model with this they get the business from us on delivery to them and they sell the pellets for very affordable rates cheaper than woods. So, we are saving the forests while it is still producing combustible, things that can help people cook. We do take care of some orphanages, we have several projects and that’s what I believe is helping us to be stronger in terms of

development. We have initiatives like careers at Hilton; we actually open up and do a little bit like a job fair. I am not going to hire more than I need but we are making people to come in to discover our world because in hospitality business we are not only talking about cooking, serving and cleaning rooms. We are looking at engineering people, at people on information technology, accountants, carpenters, gardeners, security officers and so on. All of them do receive world class trainings. Some of them stayed with us for 30 years and ended their career; some stayed with us for five years and then go beyond. All the trainings we do here we know that some of it trickles down to the various communities, some of our employees always come and see me. We pride ourselves because a lot of these people have their own little companies with our ethics, values and a little of our vision that they carried down to their areas and that is where Hilton is quite different. So, we are not only looking at our donations or taking care of people that are less fortunate in life, we are also taking care of the people we have, we want to develop them. We are now HACCP certified, which is the hygiene rule. It is stringent hygiene rules that we are using now was developed by the American Space Industry and we are applying the same rules here and we are asking our suppliers to apply it so that we know that they also have to move into a world class business and by moving into this ,we know that we will have sustainable employment, that they will grow together as we grow. We are now trying to have more projects, to have more sustainable vegetables to stop importing some certain types for salad. It is not always a success but at least we are trying and Hilton contributes like this in the CSR but we believe that CSR is not all about just giving something and then having a good conscience; it is about building a long term plan for communities.

Gailliez

Business News

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCC lists conditions for 70/80Ghz band licence issuance Isaiah Erhiawarien

he Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has released the draft licensing framework for the use 70/80Ghz band. The document, when finalized, is expected to tackle the challenges fast and reliable internet service faced in the country. The draft framework was the result of a consultative forum on the use of 70/80Ghz band that the Commission had with representatives telecoms companies and key stakeholders in the industry. The Commission is mak-

ing available 2.875GHz Bandwidth each in the Uplink and the Downlink directions of the 70/80GHz (71-74 and 81-84 GHz) Spectrum Band, for Point to Point Applications, using a Light Licensing Model. It stated: “The adoption of the Light Licensing Model will ensure that the Spectrum Licence issued for these bands are low cost and available on application to anyone meeting the eligibility criteria which is typically not stringent.” The regulator also explained that the highly directional pencil beam characteristics of the band will permit systems to be engineered in close proximity without causing interference,

stressing that the opening up of this Band will ease the pressure on the Microwave Bands and provide socio-economic benefits through the enhancement of more capacity for backhaul links to support 4G/LTE as high capacity layer on top of the existing 2G/3G network infrastructure.

The granting of the 70/80GHz Spectrum Licence is to ensure interference-free operation by all users of the Band and optimal utilisation of the band as well as to set out the usage rights of the Licensee. The draft framework licensing document indicated that the band can be used for Backhaul,

Last mile and Enterprise applications, subject to the conditions of the Communication/ Operational Licence of each user adding that a basic Channel Spacing of 250 MHz is specified allowing for aggregation of Channels up to 2.875GHz for those applications requiring high throughputs.

Dangote, Onyema, listed for African Business Award Isaiah Erhiawarien

frica’s richest man and founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and Director General of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr. Oscar Onyema, have been nominated for the African Business Award holding at sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York, United States Both were nominated for the Africa Business Leader for the year while the Dangote Group and Red Media, Nigeria were nominated for the African Business of the year and the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, YoungStars Foundation, Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria were for the Good Corporate Governance award. Listed in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility category are NSE and Red Media Limited, Nigeria while managing director, Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base,

Amy Jadesimi, was nominated for the Most Outstanding Woman The press statement from the organisers said that this year’s judges are Solomon Asamoah, Vice President: Infrastructure, L-R: Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; President Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Private Sector and Regional In- Ademola Olorunfemi; Past President, Engr Mustafa Shehu; and President Council for the Regulation of Engineering in tegration at the African Devel- Nigeria (COREN), Engr Kashim Ali, at a meeting between NSE and the Bank held in Abuja at weekend. opment Bank Group; Amadou Mahtar Ba, Chief Executive of the African Media Initiative (AMI) and co-founder and Chairman of AllAfrica Global Media; Jean-Louis EKRA, President and Chairman of the Board of the African ExportThe global ICT vendor disclosed and deep within buildings underImport Bank (Afreximbank); Isaiah Erhiawarien that the solution was a new device ground.” Barbara James, the founder power-saving capability that inBeyond all that, it also reduces and CEO of the first indepenricsson has introduced troduces a deep sleep state, while cost supports LTE Category 0 with dent pan-African private equity two new software up- Extended Discontinuous Reception half-duplex operation in FDD, Fund of Funds, Henshaw Capigrades for energy effi- (DRX) for GSM extends the sleep which effectively limits functionaltal Partners; Olajobi Makinwa, ciency for Internet of Things cycles in inactive mode. ity and capability to those specifiHead of Anti-Corruption and (IoT) devices users globally. It pointed out that the software cally required for IoT applications, Transparency at UN Global According to the company, the will improve indoor coverage and such as large-scale sensor and Compact; and Sebastian Spio software is designed to extended that it delivers a 20 dB improvement smart meter deployments. Garbrah Global Managing Dibattery life up to 10 years as its goal leading to a seven-fold extension in Ericsson revealed that a globerector and Chief Frontier Marfor fifth generation technology as the range of low-rate applications spanning network for the Internet kets Analyst at Damina Adviwell as provide power-saving Mode saying, “this enables the usage of of Things (IoT) has been built over sors.

Ericsson’s software to offer 10-year battery life span

for LTE and GSM devices.

IoT applications in remote locations

Braimoh, LASTMA boss resumes, tasks officials on discipline Adejuwon Osunnuyi

ollowing his recent appointment by the Lagos State government, the new General Manager for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bashir Braimoh has assumed duty. Braimoh, who replaces Engr. Babatunde Edu, was Director, Home affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture before his appointment. While addressing senior officials of the agency at the week-

end at the agency’s head office, he reaffirmed the commitment of the administration to professionalism through human capacity building as he noted that competency, commitment and concern should be their watchwords. He urged the officials to be focused and devise scientific methods of unlocking gridlocks associated with the state and do away with the old practice of chasing vehicles but should rather apply the use of electronic documentation to arrest defaulters. “Gone are the days of impu-

nity, indiscipline and extortion of money from motorists. All negative vices capable of damaging the image of the government should be done away it.” He warned. According to him, LASTMA as the engine room of Lagos state economic growth can only be achieved when traffic officers are dedicated to duty. Braimoh said henceforth, the focus of the Agency would be to facilitate seamless driving on Lagos roads where goods and services will be delivered within time frame.

The LASTMA boss explained that, when traffic flows seamlessly, motorists will burn less fuel, save energy and time, man hour loss and insecurity will be eliminated with the attendant multiplier effects on the state economy. He reminded the Agency staff of the Lagos role as a commercial and economic hub of Nigeria and the West African sub region, thereby making it imperative for traffic management approach to be in line with the best global practices.

the past 20 years that provides the coverage, security and reliability needed to connect people and bring intelligence to the things that surround us. Commenting on the development, Senior Vice President Orange Labs Networks, Orange Cellular networks, Alain Maloberti the Internet of Things has so much potential noting that “we are committed to working with key IoT companies to support innovations that enhance the day-to-day lives of our consumer and business customers.” He said that his company is really pleased to see Ericsson working with leading ecosystem players to address the cost, coverage and battery life issues that have hindered broader mass uptake of IoT applications.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Business News

NATCA backs NDLEA’s anti-drug war at airports Olusegun Koiki

he Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA, said that it was in support of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, fight against drug trafficking through the nation’s airports, especially the international gateways.

The association however warned against maltreatment of its members by the anti-narcotic agency in various airports across the country.

Erin Energy completes 3D Survey Offshore The Gambia

rin Energy Corporation has completed the acquisition of a new 3D seismic survey off the coast of The Gambia. Erin Energy contracted Polarcus Ltd. to carry out this survey using the Polarcus Alima, a 12 streamer 3D/4D seismic vessel. The survey covered approximately 1,613 square kilometres on Erin Energy’s A2 and A5 blocks. According to Erin Energy’s press release, the processing and interpretation of the data will start now, with results expected to be available during the second quarter of 2016. Segun Omidele, Chief Operating Officer of Erin Energy, said: “We are pleased to report that the acquisition has been completed on time and within budget. We look forward to receiving the processed seismic data, which will allow us to build upon our understanding of the prolific plays in this emerging basin, and will assist our team in determining exploration activities on the blocks.” Erin Energy is the operator of the A2 and A5 blocks with 100% interest. In May 2105, the company received approval to extend the initial exploration period for these two blocks by 24 months, to December 31, 2018.

A statement jointly signed by the President and General Secretary, NATCA, Mr. Victor Eyaru and Banji Olawode respectively indicated that the fight against drug peddling must be sustained by all relevant agencies. The group stated that its members, Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, had been grouped with aircraft marshallers that direct airplanes by NDLEA in its efforts to curb drug trafficking, stressing that their functions were never related in anyway. It clarified: “It is quite unfortunate that ATCs are largely being mistaken as marshallers whose main work is mainly to assist aircraft to park properly on the aprons. “As a very responsible set of aviation professionals, we are fully in support of the NDLEA to do all possible to curtail using our airports as drug trafficking channels, but they should be able to properly identify the functions of everyone at the airports”, NATCA added The association pointed out that since the Arik Air incident in which one of its cabin crewmembers was napped in Heathrow, London for drug trafficking, NDLEA had beamed its searchlight on air-

port workers, especially the ATCs who, he said, had nothing to do physically with the public, aircraft crew or physical contact with local or international flights. It explained that the sole duty of

ATC was to communicate visually on radar and radio communication to aircraft that are on ground, about to take-off, in the air and those preparing to land. The association insisted that as

a responsible professional body, none of its members had been linked with drug trafficking in the past and expressed its total support in the current battle against drug trafficking by NDLEA.

‘Lebanese, Indians control 95% of Nigeria’s shipping businesses’ FRANCIS EZEM

ore than 12 years after the enactment of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage Act 2003 designed to enhance indigenous participation in shipping activities, a major operator in the industry has said that Lebanese and Indians now control over 95 per cent of the coastal and inland shipping business in the country. The Cabotage Act, which promotes a protectionist policy, provides that the vessels to be deployed for coastal and inland shipping in the country must be build in Nigeria, owned by Nigerians, crewed by Nigerians and registered in Nigeria. The Act however provides for a waiver clause, which permits the

use of foreign vessels for the trade but ownership of such vessels must be in the form of a joint venture partnership with indigenous operators. Chairman, Genesis Worldwide Shipping Limited, one of the few surviving indigenous shipping companies, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, disclosed that the objectives of the Cabotage policy in the country was yet to be achieved, as foreigners still control coastal and inland shipping business in the country. According to him, due to the misapplication of the waiver clause, which has subjected it to flagrant abuse, Nigerian operators have been completely schemed out of the business, which has almost become an exclusive preserve for foreigners, especially Lebanese and Indians.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, discussing with the President, Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA), Dr. Mohammed Tumala during the Opening Ceremony of the Association’s 39th Annual Conference last Thursday in Osogbo, Osun State.

Ihenacho, who is a Master Mariner that played a major role during the formative period of the Cabotage policy, noted that there was to be a committee that was to work with the office of the Minister of Transport in the process of granting waivers, which has been sidelined. It was gathered that the committee would comprise representatives of indigenous shipping firms, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, the agency of Federal Government charged with the enforcement of the Act and representatives of the Minister of Transport, who is authorised by law to grant waivers on the recommendation of NIMASA. “In the last six months I spent over N1billion buying freight services outside the shores of th country. This money would have come to Nigeria if the Cabotage regime is being enforced”, Ihenacho, who is also chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, an independent petroleum product marketing company said. He noted that apart from poor implementation of the Cabotage policy in the country, he also said that the government over the years has failed to provide the needed support and assistance to the indigenous operators, which hampers their ability to compete with their foreign counterparts. “If government cannot give us money to acquire vessels through loans and related funding windows, the government can provide us guarantees either with the banks or foreign shipyards because we cannot secure loans with double digit interest rates and remain competitive with the foreign firms, which secure similar loans at less than three per cent interest rate.

Ministry commences review of NIMASA’s employments, postings FRANCIS EZEM

he Federal Ministry of Transport has commenced a review of employments, placements and promotions embarked upon by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA from 2010 to date. This is sequel to the setting up of a committee headed by the

Ministry’s Director in charge of Human Resources, Mr. Lawal Ibrahim. A statement by the Deputy Director in charge of Public Relations of the agency, Hajia Lami Tumka, said that the committee is expected to determine whether employments, placements and promotions carried out in the agency in the last five years covering 2010-2015 conform to the principles of the Federal Character the

Civil Service procedures. It was however gathered that the nine member committee which has already commenced sitting, has a two –week deadline to complete the exercise and submit its recommendations to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mallam Mohammed Bashar. Meanwhile, acting Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Haruna Jauro, who commented on the exercise, said the main objective was

to ensure proper staff placement in line with extant Federal Civil Service regulations. According to him, the exercise would enhance the process of motivating the staff of the agency and get the best out of them in the discharge of their onerous responsibilities. The acting DG said: “In the end, the interest of the staff will be protected in line with the Civil Service rules, which emphasise fair-

ness and equity, will be the guiding principle of the exercise. We are confident that staff morale will be boosted for enhanced productivity when the process is completed,” He however commended the Federal Ministry of Transport for its commitment to staff welfare and assured that NIMASA would continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities for the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

Business News

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

La Casera closes Mile 2 Lagos Seraphim Solar to open 300MW USA manplant, sacks workers ufacturing operation La Casera, one of the nation’s soft drink makers, on Monday shut down its Mile 2 Plant operations located along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos, following protests by disengaged workers. A statement by the company’s spokesman, Mr Tola Bademosi, indicated that over 200 demonstrators led by representatives of the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, NUFBTE, invaded the company’s premises on Saturday and Monday. According to him, the invasion led to disruption of production as workers were compelled by the unionists to stop work and sign a consent form. He stated: “Over 200 shouting

demonstrators of the NUFBTE broke into the factory which employs over 780 people at its site near Mile 2. Caught unawares with no prior notice, security guards were unable to hold back the unruly group who broke into the complex, entering offices and production areas. “Production line workers were compelled to stop work and assemble in the factory yard, where they were forced to sign membership consent forms to join the union on the spot. Employees who tried to film the disturbance on mobile phones were man-handled and had their phones taken away. “Others signed under duress before taking the opportunity caused by a heavy downpour to flee the scene. Unable to guarantee the

safety of its workers, the management was compelled to shut operations and send everyone home. The plant has remained closed over the weekend with its fate uncertain as leaders of the mob have threatened to return with an even larger force,’’ the statement added. Meanwhile investigations confirmed that the protest was instigated by the sack of scores of workers by the compnay’s management. The affected workers were reported to staged a protest after about 700 workers received their sack letters, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Crisis began after the workers arrived at the company premises and found the gate locked against them and a notice of disengagement pasted at the entrance.

L-R; Assistant Director, Domestic Tourism, Mrs. G. O. Ezeife; Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and Vice Chairman Afrifoods and Drinks, Sir Frederick James, during a visit to brief Awolowo on the forth coming ‘Afrifoods and drinks fest 2015’ in Abuja, recently.

NEITI supports FG’s oil sector reform

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI has pledged to support President Muhammadu Buhari in order to carry out reforms in the oil and gas industry.

The agency maintained that it was encouraged that the measures taken so far largely inspire hope and confidence as well as consistent with the findings and recommendations of NEITI in its various Independent Audit Reports. It stated: “As an agency set up by law to implement the global principles of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative which Nigeria is a signatory, NEITI has a legitimate interest in the on-going sweeping reforms. We are therefore delighted that the much needed political will required to boldly implement the NEITI recommended reforms is now provided, available and accessible under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. “In this direction, NEITI applauds the recent appointment of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, a renowned industry ex-

pert with the needed global exposure, competence and integrity as Group Managing Director of NNPC. The careful decision made to appoint Dr. Kachikwu is already evident in the on-going dismantling of the unwieldy structure of the NNPC that made it impossible in the past for the organization to respond to increasing public demands for reforms. “It is our considered hope that the new NNPC Group Managing Director and his new team will consider it a priority to carefully study the findings and recommendations outlined in NEITI independent Reports of the sector. This is with a view to implementing the pending remedial issues under a plan already developed by NEITI and the Inter Ministerial Task Team” NEITI added. The agency pointed out that among these recommendations were the issues of inadequate metering infrastructure for accurate measurement of crude, the onerous JV cash call regime, inefficient cost determination, urgent resolution and review

of pricing issues related to expired MoUs and legal agreements with oil companies that have huge revenue loss implications for the nation. Similarly, it listed others as huge costs of fuel subsidy, crude oil swap and products exchange agreements, repair of the refineries, oil theft, review of existing fiscal regime in the industry, automation of record keeping, and the politics of acquisition and assignments of oil blocks by discretion etc. NEITI is ready and willing to provide further details if required. “We are particularly encouraged by the recent pronouncement of Dr Ibe Kachikwu on remittances of all NLNG dividends directly to the Federation account as required by law and demanded by all NEITI Reports. By implementation of this remedial issue alone, a total of $11.6 billion dollars disclosed by NEITI as paid by NLNG to NNPC but not remitted by the NNPC to the Federation account could be recovered into government coffers.”

eraphim Solar Manufacturing USA, Inc., an extension of one of the industry’s highest-ranked global integrated providers of photovoltaic (PV) products; on Monday announced that its new solar factory in Jackson, Mississippi wa scheduled to commence trial operation. The plant, which will be completed in two phases; will produce a minimum of 300MW a year. The first phase will begin formal manufacturing and operation in November, with an anticipated expanded production capacity of 1GW within the next 3 years. Equipped with the most intelligent automated production line in the industry, the Seraphim USA manufacturing plant is able to produce the most efficient modules in the world. Modules developed by Seraphim can meet all of the diverse needs of North American customers: including DuraFlex modules able to bear up to 8000Pa mechanical load, intellectual modules with integrated “smart” technology, “EzBox” configured with three junction boxes, and Twin-Glass modules applicable to specialized roof projects. “Solar energy has become the leading source of renewable energy globally, creating a strong 20 year cycle of growth for our company,” explained Justin Xi, the Global Executive GM of Seraphim. “We are extremely excited that customers in the United States can now utilize

the most trusted products that other countries around the world have relied on: Seraphim products.” While the Seraphim USA plant is finalizing construction, the third plant of Seraphim Changzhou (China) will also commence operation of new increased capacity to 1.1GW totally in China. Consistent high-demand for its proprietary products has required Seraphim to rapidly upgrade its production capacity into most major countries. Justin Xi says, “Building this plant in the USA is one of many steps to Seraphim’s aggressive global strategy. We are continuing to expand in order to meet the increasing global demand for our products.” In just five years of development; Seraphim has aggressively expanded its distribution network into ten major countries, including the U.K., Germany, and Japan. Seraphim products have been widely applied and proven in 30 countries - in both the most demanding commercial and residential projects, within the most difficult conditions and environmental challenges. Seraphim is the first module manufacturer to pass the most stringent test in the industry to determine true long-term performance and safety: the TUV SUD ‘Thresher’ test. Also, the world’s 1st manufacturer to pass the TUV SUD on-site Power Measurement Validation program, to guarantee the modules true power output.

U. S. manufacturing technology orders down –ATM

uly U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $318.33 million according to AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was down 11.8% from June’s $361.03 million and down 11.1% when compared with the total of $358.11 million reported for July 2014. With a year-to-date total of $2,483.59 million, 2015 was down 8.7% when compared with 2014. These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program. “The mood among manufacturers right now is best described as ‘caution cubed’ – concerns around disruption in China, a drop in some key economic indicators like PMI and housing starts, and softening in large customer industries, including agriculture and energy,” said AMT President Doug-

las K. Woods. “Additionally, consumer confidence dropped in July, and the situation in Europe first with the Greek bailout and now the large influx of refugees is creating added uncertainty. Given all of that, it’s no surprise that manufacturers are wary about making large investments in capital equipment.” The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report, compiled by the trade association representing the production and distribution of manufacturing technology, provides regional and national U.S. orders data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. Analysis of manufacturing technology orders provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Electricity operators jittery over NERC’s enforcement drive

Oil exploration, production activities rebound, as rig counts hit 1,137

Professionals advocate disclosure, transparency culture 39 in business

DISCOs defy electricity meters’ importation directive, economy suffers

Power plant

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, the Bank of Industry, BOI and others have at various times urged Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs to patronise local manufacturers of meters. UDEME AKPAN reports that such instructions have fallen on deaf ears, thus denying the nation the positive multiplier effects on the economy

enneth Okafor, a trader lives with his family in Lawanson, Lagos. In early 2014, he paid for a prepaid electricity meter with the hope that it would be installed for him. But that was not to be. He did not get it throughout the year because authorities kept on harping that there were no meters for electricity consumers.

While waiting for the new meter, he was placed on estimation to determine his power consumption, which showed a tremendous rise from N3, 000 to N6, 000 without any improvement in supply. Okafor was highly disappointed because he thought the private investor that took over from the state-owned Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was going to provide improved services at reasonable cost. “I did not pay to settle it because I knew I did not (enjoy electricity supply to) warrant that kind of bill. A few days after, they came and effected the disconnection.” Okafor is not alone. Mr. Rotimi Salami

is another electricity consumer with another experience. Like Okafor he has been in search for electricity meters for the past one year without success. While waiting for the new meter, he has been placed on estimation. Salami whose bill raged from N4, 000 – N6, 000 per month maintained that he does not deserves to pay that amount. As he puts it, “This is just guess work. They officials cannot justify the bills because there is no scientific and accurate method of arriving at it,” he said. The cases of Okafor and Salami are not peculiar. They rather typify the experiences of many helpless users of electricity in different parts of the nation who experience undue exploitation and extortion because of lack of meters. It is not that the meters are not available in the nation. Investigations showed that commercial quantity of the meters abound locally. Some of the meters are produced in the nation while others are imported and marketed nationwide. But for inexplicable reasons, the DISCOs seem to prefer imported meters than those

produced in Nigeria. This, it was learnt has affected the nation in many ways. First, the development has culminated in unnecessary drain of scarce foreign exchange. Second, it has encouraged the development of manufacturing in other nations at the detriment of Nigeria. Third, the patronage of foreign meters has denied local producers the opportunity to expand the capacities of their companies as well as create many multiplier effects such as employment, capacity building and technological advancement. In other words, the DISCOs have denied the nation the opportunity to reap the benefits of privatisation in the power sector of the nation’s economy. Meanwhile, some stakeholders are worried. One of them is NERC. The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi maintained in a telephone interview that NERC is aware of the situation. He said the Commission was working to ensure it is properly addressed. As he puts it, “There are some issues. But we are working with other to ensure the situation is addressed. It is not right and we are

working to address the situation.” “Don’t forget that we actually licensed many investors to start the manufacturing of the meters in Nigeria. The next step is to work towards their participation because the nation’s economy stands to benefit from it,” he added. The situation has also attracted the comments of others. One of them is the Bank of Industry. Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa had remarked at the workshop for Business Editors and Industry Correspondents in Lagos the situation is worrisome. Olaoluwa had indicated that of the 11 disco companies in the country, only six of them patronise indigenous prepaid meters manufacturers. “Nigerian companies have invested heavily in the local production of prepaid meters and they produce very good quality meters. It is in our national interest that those companies are patronized by our disco companies so that they can also grow and add value

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DISCOs defy electricity meters’ importation directive, economy suffers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 Prepaid metre

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 to economic development of this country. Luckily, six discos are presently patronizing local manufacturers of prepaid meters but we need all of them to do so.” Though, the BoI boss said that he would not encourage or support the companies to patronise manufacturers that produce substandard products but for those companies which have maintained good quality that can stand the test of quality in the international market, deserved to be patronized. Olaoluwa maintained, “We are not advocating patronage of substandard meters, the locally manufactured prepaid meters have been certified as top quality and international standards and there is no reason why we should continue to import meters.” He emphasized, “I want to be very clear that am not saying Disco companies should patronise local manufacturers that produce trash but they should encourage those that produce good quality meters. We have local manufacturers that produce to international standard and they should be patronized.” “We supported the local manufacturers of prepaid meters with long term loans. If they do not get the required patronage how would they grow? They need to pay the loans and also create Jobs. If we do not patronise local manufacturers, we will not make progress. Those indigenous companies have invested to produce here in the country and if they are not encouraged, they cannot sell and they will be forced to lay off staff and go bankrupt,” he added. From all indications, NERC seemed to have good intentions when it granted licenses to enable the investors manufacture meters in the nation. Specifically, it granted licenses to 134 companies to enable them participate in the Credited Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI scheme. The scheme involves manufacturing, importation, distribution and installation of new prepaid electricity meters to various classes of consumers. Of the 134 firms, nine are involved in manufacturing of meters targeted at boosting local content as well as creation of mul-

The companies had applied following the Commission’s call for tender before they were selected for

involvement in the scheme, thus raising hope that the shortage of new meters would soon become a thing of the past

tiplier effects such as employment, training and capacity- building of stakeholders in the domestic economy. A breakdown showed that 15 firms are to carry out direct importation of electricity meters, especially now that the nation lacks the capacity to meet increasing demand for the product locally. While 38 of the firms are to be involved in distribution, 11 and another 61 firms are to be involved in installation of the new meters for all classes of electricity consumers. Specifically, the manufacturers include: Elsewedy Electric Nigeria Limited; FMX integrated Services Limited, Interkel power & Energy Limited, Memmcol, Modev Nigeria Limited, Mojec (Int) Limited, Techno Gas & Power Limited, Paktim Consulting Nigeria Limited and Petrolier Limited. The 15 importers as Armese Consulting Limited, Briepower Renewable Energies International, Carlin concept int. ltd, Cresthill Engineering Limited, Electricity Meter Company Nig. Limited, Fmx Integrated Service Limited, Integrated Resources Limited, Liliker Brothers Nig. Limited, Metercom Nigeria, Techno Gas & Power Limited, Paktim Consulting Nig. Limited, Petrolier Limited, Rhi projects Solutions Limited, Unistar Hitech Systems Limited and Zte Nigeria Limited. The 38 vendors licensed by the commission included Adroit Metering Services Ltd, Aircom Nig. Ltd, Allestree Ventures (Nig) Ltd, Alpha Consortium Ltd, Briepower Re-

newable Energies International, Carlin Concept Int. Ltd, Electricity Meter Company Nig. Ltd, Cakasa Nig. Company Ltd, 1st Global Xl Resources, Chemo Technics Ltd, Electric (Tel) Nig Ltd, Emtech Energy Services Ltd, Enl Consortium Ltd, Fmx Integrated Service Ltd, Ihsan Global Ltd, Global Utilities Mgt Company Ltd, Gma Global Resources Ltd, Himgrash Int. Nig Ltd, Integrated Resources Ltd, Interkel Power & Energy Ltd, Interstate Electrics Ltd, Klartek Nig. Ltd, Liliker Brothers Nig Ltd, Major Projects Ltd, Mbh Power Ltd, Metercom Nigeria, Memmcol, Mobile Spread Inc., Mojec (Int) Ltd, Molcolm MultiConcepts Ltd, Ortech Nig. Ltd, Paktim Consulting Nig. Ltd, Petrolier Ltd, Rhi Projects Solutions Ltd, Sabrud Consortium (Nig) Ltd, Tripplesea Ltd, Unistar Hi-Tech Systems Ltd and Zte Nig. Ltd. The Commission had identified the 11 individual installers as Bell of End Ventures Ltd, Chivian Nig. Ltd, Hidares Ventures, Michael N. Obi – Mobinson & Co, Perfect End Venture, Quadrant Multi-Investments Ltd, Rap Power Industries Ltd, Techno Gas & Power Ltd, Yusuf Olaitan Fatai, Helbon Associates Ltd and Gebroc Construction Ltd. It had also confirmed corporate installers as the 61 corporate installers as Adams Construction Company, Adroit Metering Services Ltd, Aircom Nigeria Ltd, Allenrose Venture & Co, Allestree Ventures (Nig) Ltd, Alpha Consortium Ltd, Armese Consulting Ltd, Briepower Re-

newable Energies International, Carlin Concept Int. Ltd, Electricity Meter Company Nig. Ltd, Cakasa (Nig) Company Ltd, 1st Global Xl Resources, Chemo Technics Ltd, City Tech Energy Ltd, Electric Tel (Nig) Ltd, Elmec Engineering Ltd, Empic Engineering Comapny Ltd, Emtech Energy Services Ltd, Enl Consortium Ltd, Global Utilities Mgt Comp. Ltd, Gma Global Resources Ltd, Gosslink Eng. Ltd, Himgrash Int. Nig. Ltd, Ideal Tech Eng. Services, Information Management Technologies Ltd, Integrated Resources Ltd and Interkel Power & Energy Ltd. Others included Interstate Electrics Ltd, Itexienergy Ltd, Jonero Techneques, Keljoy Eng. Ltd, Kevtrics Nig Ltd, Kilowatt Eng. Ltd, Kalrtek Nig Ltd, Lileker Brothers Ltd, Longman Consult Intl Ltd, Major Projects Ltd, Mbh Power Ltd, Lvsa Nig Ltd, Memmcol, Mobile Spread Inc., Mojec Int Ltd, Momas Systems Nig Ltd, Nextsol Nig Ltd, Olalekes Ltd, Ortech Nig Ltd, Petrolier Ltd, Rhi Projects Solutions Ltd, Royal Birth Nig Ltd, Sabrud Consortium Nig Ltd, Same Ventures, Skyview Power Technologies Ltd, Southglo Int Ltd, Tib Nig Ltd, Tradark Multi Ventures Ltd, Tripplesea Ltd, Unistar Hi-Tech Systems Ltd, Universal Utilities Company Ltd, Waklon Nig Ltd, Yhm Global Ltd and Zte Nig Ltd. The companies had applied following the Commission’s call for tender before they were selected for involvement in the scheme, thus raising hope that the shortage of new meters would soon become a thing of the past. Consequently, NERC mandated the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to start implementation of the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation – CAPMI. However, many observers, including the National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi maintained in an interview that the good intentions of the scheme should not be allowed to delude the nation. He noted that the patronage of indigenous meter producers would culminate in rapid expansion in their capacities, increased turnover, more employment, capacity building of Nigerians s well as increased delivery of power to consumers who currently need meters to effectively control their consumption.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Oil exploration, production activities rebound, as rig counts hit 1,137 UDEME AKPAN

il and gas exploration and production have increased globally as the August 2015 rig counts hit 1,137, up 19 from the 1,118 counted in July 2015, and down 202 from the 1,339 counted in August 2014. Baker Hughes Incorporated confirmed that the international rig count for August 2015 was 1,137, up 19 from the 1,118 counted in July 2015, and down 202 from the 1,339 counted in August 2014. The international offshore rig count for August 2015 was 270, up 6 from the 264 counted in July 2015, and down 45 from the 315 counted in August 2014. The average U.S. rig count for August 2015 was 883, up 17 from the 866 counted in July 2015, and down 1,021 from the 1,904 counted in August 2014. The average Canadian rig count for August 2015 was 206, up 23 from the 183 counted in July 2015, and down 193 from the 399 counted in August 2014. The worldwide rig count for August 2015 was 2,226, up 59 from the 2,167 counted in July 2015, and down 1,416 from the 3,642 counted in August 2014. The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the United States, Canada and international markets. Baker Hughes has issued the rotary rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of US and Canadian drilling activity. North American rig count data is scheduled to be released at noon central time on the last working day of each week. Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. The company’s 49,000 employees today

Oil vessel

work in more than 80 countries helping customers find, evaluate, drill, produce, transport and process hydrocarbon resources. Meanwhile, the price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes stood at $44.64 per barrel on Friday, compared with $44.83 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). The organisation noted that China’s forecast remains at 6.9% for this year and at 6.5% for 2016. India’s forecast is unchanged with growth at 7.5% this year and 7.7% in 2016. It had maintained that while Brazil and to some extent Russia have shown some weakness recently, they are still forecast to move out of recession in the coming year. Speech by OPEC Secretary General to the 6th OPEC International Seminar

The Secretary General of the organisation, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri had said at the last OPEC seminar that the world will need more energy in the decades ahead, as the global population expands and economies grow, and as countries seek to provide the energy poor with access to modern energy services, the global need for energy will grow. “In OPEC’s most recent World Oil Outlook, energy demand is set to increase by around 50% between 2015 and 2040. I think that most of us here today also understand that the world has enough energy resources to meet these expected future energy needs. The key questions about our energy future relate to deliverability and sustainability. In this regard, it is important to take on board all of the economic, social and environmental perspectives that feed into it.” “The basic challenge is twofold: Firstly, to supply enough energy to meet demand and help provide access to modern energy services for all. And secondly, this needs to be done in a sustainable way, balancing the needs of people in relation to their social welfare, the economy and the environment. It is clear that all forms of energy will be needed.

FG investigates Unilag electrocution incident CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

ollowing the report of untimely death of a young undergraduate at the University of Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali has commenced investigate the accident with a view to forestall such unfortunate mishaps in the sector in the future. Already, the ministry had dispatched a high-powered technical team to the university, where a 300 level Accounting student, Oluchi Anekwe was reportedly electrocuted to find the remote curse of the accident.

According to report, the unsuspecting student was returning to her room in Sodeinde New Hall, on the campus, when a high tension wire snapped and fell on her. It was also reported that the pole from which the wire fell, had been faulty for a while but unattended to, by the school management, despite the fact that Unilag has its own electricity distribution cable which it monitored, inspected and fixed in case of any problem. The technical team, led by Engr. Peter Ewesor of Nigeria Electricity Management Services Limited, (NEMSL) has been dispatched to Lagos and now on ground to commence its findings.

At the end of the exercise, the team is expected to find out what actually went wrong and which groups or individuals are culpable after which appropriate sanction will be forwarded to the regulator – Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Furthermore, the report will also contain future mitigating measures that would prevent future occurrence of this kind of fatalities. National Mirror the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said that the electricity industry witnessed about 161 deaths from electrocution between last year and July 2013.

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

43.89

-0.74

-1.66%

12:40:51

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

46.55

-1.59

-3.30%

12:40:15

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

36,690.00

-850.00

-2.26%

12:40:30

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.75

+0.05

+1.93%

12:40:46

Source: Bloomberg as at September 14, 2015

NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, disclosed this at the workshop on Health and Safety Code for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in Abuja, said that while 102 persons lost their lives last year, the country recorded 59 deaths between January and July 2013. Amadi, who described the situation as unacceptable, said about 72 injuries were witnessed last year, while 69 injuries had already been recorded this year. He said: “These figures are, to say the least, extremely high and unacceptable. As far as we are concerned, these figures are worrisome, hence the need to ensure the safety of workers and the public through the implementation of the health and safety code.” The Chairman stressed the need to ensure more accountability and safety of workers and the public with completion of the privatisation of the sector and the expansion of infrastructure. He said the manual and code were designed as reference documents that contain general and industry-specific examples and guidelines in line with Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) that address common safety issues specific to the NESI.

Energy Week

Group supports Kachikwu on industry reform

he Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, OGSPAN has endorsed the current efforts by Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu-led management on the reform being carried out in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. OGSPAN is among Non Government Organisations, NGO, at the vanguard of agitations for the removal of fuel subsidy. The Association has urged the newly appointed Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC to work on the production and refining of different petroleum products in order to boost and regenerate the Nigerian economy and industries. It maintained that there are hardly any industries that have no need for an Oil and Gas Industry products or by-products for their operations, adding that the oil and gas sector remains very central to the nation’s economy, thus justifying the transformation. According to the association’s National President, Mazi Colman Obasi, some of our refineries can refine as many as 32 different types of petroleum products. He said by so doing, these will assist to develop local technologies, create more job opportunities for our youths and young graduates as well as attract more investors to the nation. Obasi noted that the Niger Delta deserves to be given much attention, especially as it remains the home for upstream oil and gas operations in the nation. He said: “But what are critically lacking in Nigeria are the vast oil and gas manufacturing plants (downstream services) that would usually use the resources of the industry to locally produce oil and gas equipment and use theby-products of crude oil and gas to process them into industrial and domestic uses as done in other oil producing countries.” “The absence of these vast resources/services and the technology to achieve it is largely responsible for the underdevelopment of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and transformation of the Niger Delta and the rest of the Nigerian economy. If the new GMD and President Buhari administration can achieve these, they would have set Nigeria on the part of industrialization.” “On marketing and distribution of petroleum products, we urge the new GMD to be more proactive in ensuring regular availability of petroleum products throughout the country and that marketers do not make payment without availability of petroleum products. It affects the working capital of marketers/ investors and also deprives them of obtaining loan facilities from banks,” he added.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Electricity operators jittery over NERC’s enforcement drive CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

perators in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) may be in for difficult times as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission is re-focussing its attention on regulatory enforcements with the inauguration of enforcement task team. The Head, Public Affairs of NERC, Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi, who announced the plan in a statement, noted the move is coming on the heels of the recent improvement in available electricity to Nigerians, which he attributed to regulatory efforts of the Commission. The Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi while giving a charge at the inauguration of a 10-man task team on enforcement at the Commission’s headquarters at the weekend, said ‘It is time to improve on our enforcement activities’. He said, “It is time to improve on our enforcement activities. Enforcement should not be an event but a process, which could entail complaint, investigation and monitoring.” Meanwhile, some industry analysts say it may not be business as usual for the operators as sanctions would now be applied for any mistakes or acts of negligence in the course of their operations. “It is understandable when NERC said it is now ready to refocus on en-

forcement because if have be very observant you would discover that the operators have been having it so easy as a result of the Commission’s desire to grow the industry to maturity since the assets was transferred to private sector” said Barrister Chijioke James. According to James, having nurtured the sector to stage where significant improvement have been recorded it is time to ensure that operators do not take things for granted hence the need to shift attention on regulatory enforcements. The Chairman advised members of the task team to give the assignment their best in order for the Commission to achieve its mandate of ensuring that electricity is delivered in a safe, adequate, reliable and affordable manner, which will ultimately result in improved service delivery in the sector. He mandated the task team to list out specific issues to be investigated on their own at any point in time. This is in addition to issues that could be referred to them for investigation, compliance and monitoring. Speaking on behalf of the other members of the task team, the Head of Enforcement Unit and the team leader, Mr. Chijioke Obi, acknowledged that the assignment was coming at the right time and promised that members of his team will not fail the Commission in carrying out the assignment. Memberships of the team were drawn across the divisions and de-

partments of the Commission. National Mirror gathered that the privatised electricity generation (GENCOs) and distribution companies (DISCOs) are inundated with challenges from the Transitional Stage Electricity Market (TEM). The TEM, which started earlier this year, has put the power firms in financial difficulty as they struggle to meet their contractual obligations. A source told our correspondent that the DISCOs are the most affected in the electricity supply chain in terms of executing their responsibilities and meeting their contractual obligations. It said with the TEM, there is strict enforcement of obligation and the implication is that any DISCO that buys power, must make 100 per cent remittance, as failure to do so would attract sanction from the regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This also applies to the GENCOs, as they are compelled to meet their contractual obligation when buying gas, as failure to pay for the commodity would equally attract penalties. Gas suppliers are not left out of the new regulations, as failure to deliver without making an alternative provision, would provide a ground for punishment. The source however explained that the impact of TEM would be determined at the end of the month since the technical and commercial losses in existence are made worse by van-

pected to grow by 0.88 mb/d in 2015, following a downward revision of around 72 tb/d, due to lower-thanexpected output in the US. In 2016, non - OPEC oil supply is expected to increase slightly by 0.16 mb/d, a downward revision of 110 tb/d from the previous report.” “OPEC NGLs are expected to grow by 0.19 mb/d in 2015 and 0.17 mb/d in 2016. In August, OPEC crude production averaged 31.54 mb/d, according to secondary sources. Product markets in the Atlantic Basin showed a mixed performance. Bearish sentiment, fueled by the approaching end of the driving season, caused US refinery margins to drop, while in Europe, margins remained healthy on the back of some recovery in the middle of the barrel.” “Asian margins showed a slight recovery in middle distillates on strong regional demand amid some run cuts, partially easing concerns over product oversupply. Bearish sentiment dominated the dirty tanker market in August with freight rates for VLCCs, Suezmax and Aframax registering a drop from the pre-

vious month,” it added. The cartel maintained that at this level, they were 202 mb higher than the latest five-year average, with crude and products indicating a surplus of around 163 mb and 39 mb, respectively. It disclosed that in terms of days of forward cover, OECD commercial stocks stood at 63.3 days, 4.8 days above the latest five-year average. The organisation indicated that the demand for OPEC crude is estimated at 29.3 mb/d in 2015, 0.1 mb/d higher than the previous assessment and up by 0.4 mb/d from the previous year. It maintained that in 2016, required OPEC crude is projected at 30.3 mb/d, 0.2 mb/d higher than the previous month’s assessment, and around 1.0 mb/d above the estimated level of this year. The cartel disclosed that OPEC reference basket fell below $50/b in August to average $45.46/b, mostly attributed to sell-offs amid enduring oversupply and Chinese economic turbulence. It maintained that crude oil

Amadi

dalism in the sector. He noted that the GENCOs are the most affected because they depend on the DISCOs. The DISCOs interact with consumers and are the last in the chain; therefore, their remittances go down from transmission to generation and to the gas suppliers, he said. The TEM took off on February 1, this year to give teeth to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), making wholesale buying and selling of power to be based on contractual and regulatory rules with little or no government intervention. On the issue of TEM, Amadi said: “With this TEM, a greater degree of business and investment certainty has been introduced into the country’s electricity market, with the welcome result of setting an even firmer basis for increasing the amount of electricity available to Nigerians.

Non– OPEC oil supplies to rise by 0.88mbpd

UDEME AKPAN

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has indicated that nonOPEC oil supply will rise by 0.88 million barrels per day, bpd in the remaining part of this year. The cartel maintained in its latest report that this was based on a gross reduction in the United States output which previously constituted a major factor in non-OPEC oil supply. “Non-OPEC oil supply is ex-

OPEC Secretary-General El-Badri

futures plunged sharply again to multi-month lows, with ICE Brent ending at $48.21/b and Nymex WTI at $42.89/b. The cartel disclosed that speculators continued to be bearish in August with net-long positions in oil futures and options at record lows. “World economic growth has been revised down to 3.1% for 2015 and to 3.4% for 2016 while OECD growth remains unchanged at 2.0% for 2015 and 2.1% in 2016, major emerging economies are increasingly facing challenges. China’s and India’s growth forecasts have been revised down by 0.1 percentage points to now stand at 6.8% and 6.4% for China and at 7.4% and 7.6% for India in 2015 and 2016, respectively.” “In 2015, world oil demand growth is expected to be around 1.46 mb/d after an upward revision of around 84 tb/d, mainly to reflect better-than-expected data from OECD region. In 2016, world oil demand is anticipated to rise by 1.29 mb/d after a downward revision of around 50 tb/d,” it concluded.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September16, 2015

Energy Week

Bayelsa, Yobe, Kogi top high fuel prices chart STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

ayelsa, Yobe and Kogi – have emerged as the States with highest fuel prices in the nation. In Bayelsa, one of oil and gas bearing states, the average fuel price hovered at N132.43 per liter in August, this year. According to the latest data of the National Bureau of Statistics, the average price of fuel in Yobe and Kogi were N119.63 and N114.33 respectively. The NBS report showed that Sokoto and Niger States followed with N113.75 and N113.57 per liter respectively. The NBS indicated that Niger, Benue and Enugu States followed with N113.57, N113.0 and Enugu per liter respectively. It maintained that the average prices of petrol in Kano was N92.57 per liter which the least in the nation. In July, this year, the agency maintained that despite its being an oil producing state, residents in Bayelsa State pay as much as N153 per liter of petrol – the highest – in the nation. Residents in the State which

have been paying the highest fuel price in the past seven months paid N110, N103, N101, N109, N109, N155 and N153 per litre in January, February, March, April, May, June and July, 2015 respectively. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS which indicated in its July, 2015 report did not provide reasons for the high fuel price. But investigations showed that despite its oil bearing status and proximity to two refineries in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, most consumers have no access to filling stations because of the ‘riverine’ nature of the State. It was learnt that it is difficult for marketers and others to supply fuel to communities in coastal and swampy areas of the state. The Executive Secretary of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMA, Mr. Olufemi Adewole indicated that Bayelsa state does not have many filling stations like some other state capitals in the nation. The NBS maintained that

Oil rig

ity-generating assets across Cameroon, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya and South Africa, spanning gas, heavy fuel oil (HFO) wind and solar technologies. During the past seven years, through Globeleq, Actis has invested over $350m in Globeleq Africa. As a result, Globeleq Africa has more than doubled its installed capacity to 1,234MW and the business is now the leading power generation platform on the continent. Actis applies rigorous Environmental, Social and Governance standards across its portfolio companies and Globeleq Africa is no exception; the business operates with world-class ESG standards in every underlying asset. The strong commitment to maintaining these

PTDF refutes scholarship scheme cancellation rumour CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T Fuel tanker

Taraba is the second state with high fuel price, having sold N127, N114, N113, N133, N129, N118 and N130 per litre in January, February, March, April, May, June and July, 2015 respectively. The agency identified Yobe as the third state where fuel was sold at N122, N105, N123, N123, N133, N115 and N121 per litre respectively during the period. The NBS which ranked Kogi as the fourth state with high fuel price maintained that consumers paid N106, N92, N134, N114, N128 and N119 per litre in Janu-

ary, February, March, April, May, June and July respectively The agency also identified Cross River as the third state where fuel was sold at N114, N98, N118, N117, N124, N118 and N118 per litre between January and July, this year. The NBS indicated that in Enugu State fuel went for N106, N94, N103, N107, N120, N115 and N116 per litre between January and July, respectively It maintained that consumers paid N106, N89, N122, N125, N137, N116 and N115 per litre in Benue State during the period.

Actis transfers Globeleq Africa to CDC, Norfund consortium

lobeleq, a company owned by Actis, has completed the sale and transfer of Globeleq Africa, the leading power generation platform in Africa, to a company owned by Norfund, the Norwegian investment fund for developing countries and CDC Group, the UK government’s development finance institution. Norfund acquired a significant minority stake (30%) in Globeleq Africa for a final cash consideration of US$227 million. CDC, which already held a majority indirect investment in Globeleq Africa via the Actis Infrastructure 2 fund, transferred its interest into the new company owned jointly with Norfund. Globeleq Africa manages electric-

standards will continue under the ownership of CDC and Norfund. Key milestones during Actis’s investment in Globeleq Africa have included the completion, on time and below budget, of the Azito power plant conversion in Cote d’Ivoire from open to combined cycle technology. The conversion increased the plant’s installed capacity by almost 50% (to 432MW) eliminating the need for additional gas, this has significantly contributed to the stability of Côte d’Ivoire’s power sector. Globeleq Africa also successfully backed the construction of three renewable energy generation assets with a combined capacity of 238MW under the first round of the ambitious South African Renewable Energy Procurement Program. The next growth milestone will be the expansion of the Kribi generation plant in Cameroon, currently in advanced development and expected to reach financial close later in the year. Torbjorn Caesar, Actis Senior Partner said: “We are proud of what we have achieved over the past decade in terms of creating a much needed energy infrastructure in Africa. We are confident that CDC and Norfund, working as direct investors with Globeleq Africa’s management team, can successfully continue that work.” Actis invests exclusively in the emerging markets with a growing portfolio of investments in Asia, Africa and Latin America; it currently

has US$7.6 billion funds under management. Combining the expertise of c. 100 investment professionals on the ground in twelve countries, Actis identifies investment opportunities in three areas: private equity, energy and real estate. Since 2002 Actis has deployed in excess of US$1.6 billion in 28 energy transactions involving power generation and electricity distribution assets, providing 15 million people with access to electricity.Including this transaction,Actis has energy investments in six countries across Africa. Actis operates under the highest standards of environmental, social and governance standards within the industry and helped the UN define the code for responsible investing. Actis is proud to actively and positively grow the value of those companies in which it invests and in so doing, contribute to broader society. Globeleq is an experienced developer, owner and operator of independent power projects in the emerging markets, with a specific focus on Africa and the Americas. The Company develops economically sustainable businesses that support the continued development of the electric power sector in these regions. CDC is the UK government-owned development finance institution. CDC’s mission is to support the building of businesses throughout Africa and South Asia, to create jobs and making a lasting difference to people’s lives in some of the world’s poorest places.

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund has said that contrary to some media reports, the Fund has not cancelled or intends to stop its Overseas Scholarship Scheme in the immediate. According to the Fund, the clarification came on heels of the continued relevance of the scheme in building a crop of well-trained Nigerian professionals to effectively manage the critical sectors of the oil and gas industry as well as the academia. The Fund’s Head, Press and External Relations, Kalu Otisi, noted that the intention of PTDF in reviewing the operations of the scheme through its training domestication drive is to increase the involvement of local universities whose facilities and faculties have over the years been massively upgraded by the Fund. According to Otisi, the Federal Government has invested huge resources through the PTDF in upgrading 26 departments involved in teaching oil and gas related courses in 26 universities, with world class facilities that put them at par with their contemporaries abroad. These upgraded universities, some of which have become Centres of Excellence in the teaching and research of specific oil and gas disciplines, are already being used for the training of PTDF scholars at undergraduate and post-graduate levels under the Local Scholarship Scheme of the Fund. Part of the domestication policy in the management of PTDF scholarship scheme is to gradually reduce foreign training of our scholars and build up in-country training facilities towards self-sufficiency in oil and gas capacity-building. We must emphasize however that this new thinking and direction does not in any way translate to a cancellation, stoppage or withdrawal of the overseas segment of our scholarship programme. Qualified Nigerians will continue to be sponsored abroad for training especially in critical subject areas in the oil and gas industry that we currently lack enough capacity for in Nigeria. The other limb of the domestication approach is to encourage foreign universities where Nigerian scholars are regularly sent for their Masters and PhD studies to set up branches or campuses of their institutions in Nigeria or go into partnership with the upgraded Nigerian universities for split PhD programmes, whereby aspects of the training and research will be conducted both in Nigeria and abroad. It is recalled that PTDF, last week, announced new policy directions that will fundamentally affect the operation and funding of its overseas scholarship scheme and other training programmes under its management.

Energy Week

Oil supply, demand gap to narrow next year – Analysts

s the year approaches the fourth quarter, many industry observers are dusting off their forecasts for 2016 and re-thinking, Douglas-Westwood, an energy intelligence group, has said in its DW Monday report. Last week, HSBC lowered its oil price outlook to $60/bbl for 2016. The EIA, in its latest Short Term Energy Outlook also revised its 2016 projection downward by $8/bbl to $59/bbl. Douglas-Westwood notes that, as the oilfield community starts to reflect on 2015, the number one question will surely be: “where is the recovery?” The problem is that oil remains in plentiful supply, DW said. “Through the first half of 2015 we have seen a rapid increase in production globally, and particularly from the US and Saudi Arabia,” DW further added. “US production peaked in the summer and is now declining but overall we still expect global production in 2015 to have increased by 1.5mmbpd over 2014,” the energy intelligence group predicted. DW explained that the reasons it has such an overhang in supply are primarily twofold. “We have seen record levels of upstream investment between 2011 and 2014 and given the scale of many of these projects there is a lag between the final investment decision (FID) and first production. Offshore projects can easily take four years from FID to first production,” DW said. OPEC for the last 12 months has been engaged in a war of attrition with US shale producers, not only refusing to cut supply but pressing ahead with its upstream investments. On the face of it this is a war that it appears OPEC will win, with the hedging positions taken by US producers now expired and many of them facing dire financial circumstances. However, if they do win it will be at the cost of substantial national deficits, DW gathered. Furthermore, advances in downhole completions have significantly increased the initial flowrates achieved in shale plays in the USA, so whilst production is now declining, well productivity is increasing as the operators focus on the quality of plays. However, there are signs that the supply / demand gap may start to narrow next year. The latest IEA Oil Market Report projects that oil demand will increase by 1.4mbpd next year whilst Douglas-Westwood’s latest analysis, published last week in Q3 of our World Drilling and Production Market Forecast, highlights additions of only 368kbpd in 2016, followed by additions of nearly 1mbpd in both 2017 and 2018. DW concluded that this tightening of the supply/demand outlook could well be the catalyst for a recovery in both oil prices and in-turn the oilfield services sector as a whole. (Source – offshoreenergytoday.com)

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sahara group targets 10,000mw generation by 2025 UDEME AKPAN

ahara Group, owners of Egbin Power Station has concluded plans to increase its power generation from the present 1,000 megawatts, mw to 10,000 mw in the next 10 years. The Chairman of the group, Mr. Kola Adesina, explained that the planned expansion was targeted at assisting the nation to meet demand for electricity. Adeshina who disclosed this at the 4th graduation ceremony of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) graduate Skill Development Programme (NGSDP) in Lagos said that the company is currently working relentlessly to inject massive investment into transmission and gas supply. The chairman said that currently Egbin power station installed capacity stood at over 2,200 megawatts, while generation has moved from 220 megawatts met to over 1,300 megawatts. He advised the newly graduated engineers to be more focused and efficiency in all there dealing when their finally engaged into the system. “Egbin is working closely with KEPCO to embark on achieving its vision of attaining 2,670mw by 2017 and total capacity of over 10,000MW in the next decade, if demand permits. “To ensure that this is achieved, plans have been put in place for continuing capital

investments as well as robust human capital development initiatives that will involve exchange programmes and training courses for all cadres of staff in Egbin,’’ he said. The Director General of NAPTIN, Mr. Reuben Okeke said that about 156 engineers had been graduated from the institute, adding that they will be employed by various distribution companies to boost power supply in the country. According to him, “Today, we are witnessing the graduation of a total of 156 engineers comprising of 79 distributions engineers, 73 generation and 4 in the transmission cadre. Out of this number 100 have been sponsored by the Sahara Power Group, 45 by the Taraba State Government, three by the Yobe State Government while eight are self-sponsored.” “I am proud to announce that of this 156, 122 passed with merit while 33 are in the pass category with just one in the satisfactory completion category. l want to say that there are 15 female graduating engineers of which one will shortly be recognised for award of best graduating trainee in the selfsponsored category. I have no doubt in declaring unequivocally, that all 156 graduating today are fit tom work in Nigeria power sector,’’ he said. Okeke said that the institute is committed to the power sec-

Power plant

tor development initiative of the Federal government of Nigeria, which mission is to promote a centre of training that fully supports the rapid development of the power sector. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr. Godknows Igali, said that Nigeria has the potential to generate 5,000 mw but is currently generating between 4,600 to 4,700 mw which also depends on the distribution companies who has the capacity to wheel the energy. Igali said that the ongoing improvement been experiencing in the power sector was not burn out of heavy rain fall but it was boosted due to the improvement in power generation sup-

ply by the thermal stations. According to him, government target for this country is to see 24-hours power supply that is constant, because for over 15-years before privitisation of the power sector there are critical power gap in the sector. Igali however, advised the newly graduated engineers to be more focused and determine in moving the power sector, while urging distribution companies to employ the young engineers. Sahara Power Group sponsored 41 engineers on distribution, 59 on generation, while Taraba State Government sponsored 31 on distribution, 12 on generation and 2 on transmission.

20 oil cargoes for October await buyers in market UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he lull that has affected the oil market persist as 20 cargoes for October, 2015 deliveries await buyers. Reuters confirmed that, “still around 20 cargoes left for October loading while Qua Iboe was almost totally sold out.” “Two Exxon cargoes were left for end-month loading, but traders said they had offered

Oil pipeline

it for the IOC tender,” it maintained. The agency disclosed that Bonny Light sales were sluggish as mostly European buyers were concerned about the reliability of loading dates given the recent force majeure. It quoted an unnamed trader as maintaining that India’s IOC is set to award its latest tender for November-loading crude oil by mid week. The agency disclosed that West African crude trading

slowed on Monday following a mini buying spree from China at the close of the previous week that nearly cleared out Angola’s October programme. It maintained that traders awaited the results of a tender to buy oil from India’s IOC. Initial results are expected by Tuesday. While interest from China’s Unipec grabbed the recent headlines, traders said it was the slow but steady European buying that had absorbed the bulk of the October programme. “European refining margins have supported the West Africa market,” one trader said. Sellers also had to substantially cut differentials versus dated Brent in order to move the Angolan cargoes. Traders said Girassol, which struggled to find any buyers before Unipec returned last week, could have sold for a discount of $1 per barrel to dated Brent. Indian buyers also looked at West African grades; private

refiner Reliance provisionally booked at least two VLCCs, the BW Edelweiss and the DHT Chris, to load from West Africa. But many expect Nigeria’s remaining October cargoes to look north rather than east. All sellers continued to face stiff competition. Iraq is aiming to export a record volume of Basra crude from its southern terminals in October, while Kuwait and Iran have cut their crude oil prices to Asia to multi-year lows against top exporter Saudi Arabia. OPEC on Monday predicted higher demand for its crude oil next year, sticking to its view that a strategy of letting prices fall will tame the U.S. shale boom and cut a global surplus. Roughly three Angolan cargoes remain for October loading, including Girassol and possibly Dalia. China’s Unipec has taken spot cargoes of Girassol and Sangos and one cargo of Cameroon’s Kole crude oil, well below its usual lifting volumes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Industry & SMEs

Professionals, regulators advocate disclosure, transparency culture in business ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

here has been campaign for adoption of principle of disclosure and transparency in corporate governance for growth and sustainability of businesses and organisations. Stakeholders also believe that the components would serve as weapons to fight the war against corruption embarked upon by the present government For instance, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, ICSAN, has declared that disclosure and transparency are the most important tools needed for the growth and sustainability of all business as well as corporate entities. Speaking at the 39th Annual Conference/ Dinner of the Institute recently, its President, Dr. Nat Ofo, said that the theme of this year’s conference, which centered on disclosure and transparency, were two critical components of Corporate Governance. He said it was instructive to note that Chapter V of the recently released G20/ECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2015 dealt with disclosure and transparency and provided that “corporate governance framework should ensure that timely and accurate disclosure is made on all material matters regarding the corporation, including the financial situation, performance, ownership, and governance of the company.” He said the principle was apt being in line with the resolve of the Federal Government to fight corruption, which has bedeviled the nation for a long time, adding that it was a paradigm shift that required the support of all wellmeaning Nigerians for it to succeed. “The revelation from the ongoing clean-up of the Augean’s stable in Nigeria is mindboggling and depressing, to say the least. Poor disclosure and transparency in the Nigerian business environment has attracted negative commentary for the nation. Undoubtedly, lack of disclosure and transparency is a recipe for corporate failure. “Hence, concerted efforts must be made to ensure that companies are administered in accordance with good corporate governance practices. As the custodian of corporate governance, ICSAN has a duty to promote the ethos of good governance,” he added. Ofo lamented that despite the fact that the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap. C20,

Buness in Nigeria

Ofo

Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, provided for audit committees in public companies; some companies still had two audit committees - the Statutory Audit Committee and the Board Audit Committee, an arrangement which, he said, constituted major problems in corporate governance. The Corporate governance expert noted that Nigeria had had its fair share of corporate failures over the years in spite of annual accounting audits undertaken by external audit firms. While noting that the draft National Code of Corporate Governance has made provisions for Corporate Governance Audit of Companies against the background of inadequacy of financial audit, Ofo urged members of the Institute to take the lead in corporate governance audit in the country. Similarly, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Mallam Mounir Gwarzo, said that all stakeholders must not be deterred by the problems and challenges of promoting transparency and disclosure culture but constructively and objectively deal with them. Gwarzo declared that the efforts of the SEC to deepen the culture of disclosure and transparency in Nigeria were embedded in her dual functions of regulation and development of Nigerian capital Market, which underscored its critical concerns for transparency and protection of investors; which served as requirements for strong, healthy and robust capital market.

Gwarzo

He said: “Our commitments in these key areas are very clear, as we seek to inculcate more habit of openness, more inclusiveness, better transparency and availability of information in a timely, complete and undiluted fashion. At the SEC, we believe that one way of bolstering investors’ confidence is through full disclosure and compliance with good corporate governance. “The SEC Code of corporate Governance for Public companies 2011 prescribes certain disclosure requirements for companies in their annual reports. Companies are required to engage in increased disclosure beyond the statutory requirement of CAMA. “Good corporate governance is a mandatory requirement in today’s complex and dynamic business environment to ensure equity and transparency to every stakeholder and enhance the required value to different stake-

holder groups. Corporations that demonstrate a commitment to high standards of corporate governance will benefit from the availability and lower cost of capital; improved competiveness and financial performance; and truly sustainable long-term growth. “The proliferation of scandals and crises arising from poor corporate governance strengthen strong demands for Good Corporate Governance to ensure long-sustainability of corporations. So, good corporate governance should be cultivated and practiced regularly within the current structure of the business”, the SEC boss added. Gwarzo stressed that rules, regulations, laws, concepts, structures, processes, best practices, and the most progressive use of technology could not ensure transparency and disclosure. He said this could only come about when individuals of integrity were ready to ‘do the right thing’ not just what is expedient or even necessarily what is permissible; what matters in the end are the actions of people, not simply their words. He informed that the actions and choices made by stakeholders at ensuring good corporate governance in our respective capacities would collectively enhance national image, reputation and make it more attractive to investors. Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer, City Secretaries Limited, Miss Ronke Opajobi, said that Corporate Governance involved the process and structures by which businesses and affairs of an institution were directed and managed. She reiterated that there must be a structure in place and a process that operation must follow in order to run an entity or organisation successfully.

Entrepreneur tasks youths on creativity, hard work DAVID AUDU

he Creative Director of Affluent Royal Kraft Limited, Mrs. Titilayo Adua Yusuf, has urged young entrepreneurs to be creative and hardworking if they are to survive and excel in a challenging environment as Nigeria. She said with continued dwindling of the oil revenue and white collar jobs disappearing young graduates must look inward to develop their god given potentials and talent to create a better life for themselves and their families. Yusuf gave the advice in an exclusive interview with National Mirror recently, adding that young ones who have education should look beyond that qualification to try their talent elsewhere, especially if their dream job is not forthcoming. “I believe we all have potential, but for those who have

the vision, I will advise them to look at what they can do, and not look up to government alone. Instead of looking up to government they can start doing something on their own and become employers of labour. “I know it is good to have education, but I feel it is a necessary background to help you have a broader outlook of society. It is just a stepping stone to your glory. If we all look to the oil economy which will one day dry up, then we are doomed. We should start looking at other mean of generating wealth. The government should begin to encourage youths on entrepreneurship, to be self dependent. The catering specialist promised to encourage youths and every individual to develop their God given potentials. “By the time we all develop our potentials and harness

same for national development the country will be better for it. This will go a long way to eradicate poverty and some other family crises associated with it”. Sharing her experience as an entrepreneur in an economically challenging environment such as Nigeria, Yusuf hinted that she started beading and stringing as hobby and combined it with her background in fashion designing. On marketing and acceptability, she they are equally important. “You look at those things you are good in doing and you know people will admire you for. I normally do not go for foreign materials, I go local things and people admire it, buy them off my neck before I start marketing it to others. People stop to take the picture of dresses I make for myself to wear. They either ask me to do it for them or take the picture to their tailor..

Cocktail

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Goats offer dogs help

new dog park in Rhode Island got some help from a group of land-clearing specialists: goats. Organisers used a herd of the ravenous ruminants to clear brush from a plot of land in Portsmouth that will eventually be turned over to man’s best friend. Kim Cipolla told local reporters that the 17 goats ate around the clock over an area about the size of two

football fields. The goats ate everything from poison ivy to thick brush and thorns. They even dug up a buried fire hydrant, perfect for a dog park. “They are cheaper than a bulldozer and construction crew and environmentally friendly. It’s al about animals helping animal,” Cipolla said. Now that the goats have finished, committee members are working to complete the job.

Colonoscope helps police recover stolen diamond

he good news for the Chinese visitor to Bangkok was that a doctor had successfully removed a foreign object from her large intestine that could have damaged her digestive system. The bad news: It was a 10 million baht ($278,000) 6-carat diamond the woman was accused of stealing from a jewelry fair, adding a piece of rock-hard evidence to the case against her. Police Col., Mana Tienmaungpak, said yesterday that authorities got to the bottom of the theft when a doctor wielding a colonoscope and the medical equivalent of

pliers pulled the 6-carat gemstone from the large intestine of the woman alleged to have filched it, after nature and laxatives failed to get it out. The woman, identified as 39-year-old Jiang Xulian, and a Chinese man were arrested Thursday night at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on their way out of Thailand on the basis of surveillance video from the fair just outside Bangkok, where earlier that day the duo allegedly switched a fake stone for the real one after asking to inspect it. The dealer at the booth selling the diamond also identified the two.

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Oddities

Utah twins set to have new twins

erri Bunker and Kelli Wall know a thing or two about twins. The two women are identical twins who already each have one set of twins. Now, they are getting ready to each have a second set of twins next spring, according to reports. “To have twins twice is incredible,” Wall said. The Lindon women both had their first set of fraternal twins after using in vitro fertilization after they struggled to get pregnant. This summer, both found out they are having twins again. They are both due two weeks apart next spring. “It was like just one shock after another all summer long,” Bunker said. It marked the latest sign that the two women are destined to live similar lives. They are both teachers at the same school, and they married best friends. Their first sets of twins are similar in age, as well. Bunker’s twins, Kole and Hallie, are 3-years-old. Wall’s twins, Madison and McKell,

are 4-years-old. Bunker and Wall said they saw similarities in how their twins interacted and how they got along, including how they were protective of each other. One difference between Bunker and Wall and their own twins is that they probably won’t have to worry about people not being able

Utah twins pose for photograph

to distinguish between them. Since they are fraternal twins, they look more like siblings than identical twins. Bunker and Wall, on the other hand, still get people confused. They said the principal at Timpanogos Academy where they teach couldn’t tell them apart when they first started

working there. Bunker does know what it’s like to have a single baby: she has a 2-year-old girl, Sadie, who was not a twin. Wall considered it a blessing to be a twin. “Truthfully there’s nothing better than having a best friend with you all the time,” she said.

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Civil Service 41

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

NDE trains 600 vulnerable women on skills acquisition in Borno T N

ALGON expresses reservation over planned cash payment of workers’ salary

o fewer than 600 vulnerable women were trained under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) skills acquisition and vocational training programmes in 2015 in Borno. The NDE Coordinator in Borno, Alhaji Wakkil Kalanga, made this known when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Tuesday. Kalanga said the beneficiaries were drawn

from nine local government areas among the Internally Displaced Persons in Maiduguri. He said the beneficiaries were being trained under the Women Empowerment Branch (WEB) and Peoples with Special Needs (PWSN) programme of the agency.

The coordinator said the IDPs local government areas, include Bama, Jere, Konduga, Marte, Mobbar, Kukawa, Damboa and Chibok. He said that during

the five month training programme, 300 women would be exposed to different handcraft skills in the areas of tailoring, knitting, plumbing, carpentry, leather work, soap and beads making. Kalanga said another set of 300 would be exposed to various domestic trades like street light installation, GSM repairs, saloon and computer training. According to him, six million naira will be shared among them as resettlement allowances to enable them start their

own businesses. ``The gesture was to boost the entrepreneurship skills of the women and to generate income to carter for themselves and their children. ``The NDE has a great concern for the most vulnerable IDPs who are in great hardship. The NDE is determined to train them in order to alleviate their problems. ``We, therefore, advised the state government to also come in because NDE cannot be able to train all the IDPs,’’ Kalanga said.

he Nasarawa State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has expressed reservation over the state government’s planned cash payment of staff salaries. The state ALGON chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Wambai, expressed the reservation when he spoke with newsmen in Lafia on yesterday. Wambai, who is also the chairman of Lafia Local Government Area, said the move would help to fish out ghost workers in the system and block all leakages in the resources of the state. He, however, said that the charges payable to the banks to effect the cash payment was enormous considering the paucity of funds at the disposal of the local government areas. Wambai said that

the local government areas would be paying over N15 million banks charges for the cash salary payment to the 33,100 staff across the local government areas in the state. ``While we are trying to fish out ghost workers and block leakages in government resources, another avenue will be opened for the banks to make money,’’ Wambai said. He explained that as part of efforts to block leakages, the local government areas had been partnering with the Pension Board and other critical stakeholders to ensure that all records of dead pensioners were properly taken. According to him, the exercise is yielding positive results as some names have been blotted out and funds saved for the government.

INEC Kano drags 15 persons to court Abdulgafar Oladimeji

T Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam (right) congratulating Alhaji Baba Mallum Wali shortly after he took oath of office as new Secretary to the Yobe State Government (SSG) in Damturu.

ICPC saves FG N100bn in 2014

r. Ekpo Nta, the chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says the commission saved the federal government about N100 billion in 2014. Nta made the disclosure while presenting the commission’s 2014 scorecard to the staffers of the commission recently in Abuja. The report, contained in the commission’s recent in-house

bulletin said the money was saved from ghost workers in federal ministries and parastatal agencies. The bulletin said that Nta expressed the hope that ICPC’s collaboration with the Federal Internal Revenue Service would tackle tax evasion by some institutions to boost government revenue. It added that the commission secured more than 20 convictions for various cor-

rupt offences. It quoted Nta as saying that 62 landed properties were recovered from an indicted staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) under its assets forfeiture and seizure drive. The bulletin said that within the period, the commission beamed its searchlight on higher institutions in Nigeria where it initiated System Study and Review with the aim to prevent corrup-

tion. It said that the commission closed 26 illegal degree-awarding institutions and instituted legal action against their operators. ``Another positive outcome of the system study and review is that students who are sexually harassed by their lecturers can now contact ICPC directly through the commission’s toll-free lines and lodge such complaints. ``A lady at the Am-

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday docked 15 persons at a Kano magistrate court for their alleged in-

brose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo, could not graduate for 12 years on account of sexual harassment but was allowed to graduate when the commission intervened,’’ it said. The bulletin said the commission was also collaborating with other government bodies, including the Ministries of Finance and Aviation and the Nigerian Ports Authority to ensure they achieved their mandates.

volvement in ballot box snatching and multiple registration, during the 2015 general elections. The prosecution counsel, Barr. Naziru Salisu, told the court that the accused persons were apprehended from various parts of the state for engaging in acts, he described as electoral offences. According to him, the accused persons taken to the court were arrested and arraigned for being in possession of multiple permanent voters card, multiple registration, snatching and destroying electoral materials, during the 2015 general elections. The accused persons denied the allegations levied against them. The presiding judge, senior magistrate, Hassan Ahmad Fagge released the accused persons on bail. He adjourned the matter to 18 November,2015 for mention.

Civil Service

Joel Ajayi, Abuja

he Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, wants the National Archives to preserve the legacies of the late Danmaraya Jos as part of efforts to immortalise the music legend. Omeri made this known recently in Abuja, when the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), North Central Zone, paid him an advocacy visit on the need to immortalise the legend. According to Omeri, Danmaraya was an epitome of humility and simplicity who stood for the peace and unity of Nigeria, emphasising the virtues consistently in his music throughout his life. “The works of legendary icons like Danmaraya Jos will be sources of knowledge, inspiration and national identity for future generations and

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NOA, PMAN want Danmaraya’s songs in National Archives therefore must not be allowed to pass away with their performers,” he said. Omeri also charged PMAN to locate and unite all friends and fans of the late Danmaraya, all persons with links to the city of Jos, all organisations to which Danmaraya was an ambassador as well as all lovers of peace and unity as one big family to celebrate and uphold his worthy legacies. He recalled that the last public performance of Danmaraya Jos was at a concert organised by the NOA in partnership with IPMAN North Central in Jos, Plateau State, and pledged the support of the agency to all efforts aimed at immortalising the legend because of the patriotic message he preached through his music.

On her earlier remark, the president of PMAN, North Central Zone, Sakmichit Solomon, said the visit was to acquaint the NOA with ongoing efforts by the association to immortalise

the late Danmaraya. She described Danmaraya as an enigma who invented the Kutigi musical instrument which he played and one of the first musicians to export Nigerian music to the

world. Solomon said PMAN was planning a grand concert in honour of Danmaraya in Abuja by November to sustain his legacy of public orientation, adding that a Danma-

raya Foundation (DF) had been set up by his family and colleagues to cater for orphans which was one of the passions of the late icon and, in fact, the meaning of the name Danmaraya.

L-R: Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; President, National Youth Reform Group, Charles Olufemi Folayan; National Secretary, Abubakar Danladi Barde and Financial Secretary, Olusegun Moses Ibrahim, during an advocacy visit to NOA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

Oshiomhole warns workers against corruption, indolence Chidi Ugwu, Abuja

do state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has warned public servants in the country against corrupt practices, lateness to work and poor productivity. The governor said the time was gone when employees of government were lackadaisical to work, loot treasury and unproductive. Oshiomhole, who gave the warning recently in Abuja at the commissioning of Medical and Health Workers’ Union National Secretariat Complex, said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would not

condone any act that would undermine the “change” agenda of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. He emphasized on laziness to work among workers and said it would be shameful for any government employee to be disengaged over refusal to be punctual. The governor decried the habit and impunity of workers earning salaries without working, and urged Nigerian workers to always endeavour to work hard in whatever position they find themselves in. This he informed would enable leaders across tiers of government to fish out the

bad ones among them. While charging the workers, the governor said: “No worker should benefit from corrupt practices in the country as the present administration is making efforts to pull Nigeria out from the pit of corruption”, maintaining that “it was as a result of huge money stolen by politicians that many hospitals cannot work properly and many universities cannot until today produce first class graduates”. He also urged the leadership of the medical union not to allow any money realised from the multipurpose complex that includes spaces for

offices, shops and hotel to go into private pockets but be used for the benefits of the union. He commended the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, whose leadership initiated and completed the project named Ayuba Wabba House before leaving office as the president. He also encouraged him to do the same in his new office. Speaking earlier, the National President of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah, called on the present administration led by Muhammandu Bu-

hari to encourage the gesture of the medical union by assisting to tar the road leading to the edifice as he said the union had practicalised the “change” it is clamoring for in the country. Josiah who alleged that the ruling APC borrowed the slogan “change” from the medical union. “MHWUN as a flagship of change, we have a long history of heralding change in the trade union movement. And indeed, MHWUN can lay claim to a change patent, for which we would respectfully call on your Excellency, to pay us copy right charges,” he said. While commend-

ing the commitment of President Buhari to fighting corruption in the country, the medical union president said there was no doubt that corruption is a major cankerworm that has impeded the development of the country’s great potentials. The president of the union further urged President Buhari not to relent in his efforts to free the country from insurgents’ attacks that had led to the death of many workers and destruction of millions of properties in the country. He also prayed for the president to succeed in his task.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday September 16, 2015

ary by 50 per cent –Rep

Hon. Frank Shuaibu who in this interview with political office holders alone. Excerpts.

The only aspect I will not support Mr. President is that as an executive man he has

50 per cent, that is for him, I’m not ready to reduce my salary by 50 per cent reduced his salary by

from the World Bank, that loan is more like a grant and I am happy that on the day the issue was raised on the floor, some of my colleagues from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, approached me and said it was more like a giveaway. Why I am saying it is more like a giveaway, is because it is a loan that was approved by the Edo State House of Assembly in 2012, but it could not commence until 2013 and it is in three phases. The first tranche was already given, not much noise was made about it. One of the leading individuals in the House then was Hon. Itulah and he was of the PDP and I’m sure, the level of opposition rivalry in Edo State at that time was even fiercer than now and if it was something that was harmful, Hon. Itulah wouldn’t have supported it. Nevertheless, I want to let us know that as far as debt management is concerned, Edo State is the second in West Africa because it’s not for you to just take debt or go to World Bank for a grant or loan, the Debt Management Office, DMO, must be established in your state and that office enables you manage your debt, pay according to plan and have a system that will revolve beyond the incumbent and it helps control the economy. That sectors does not suffer as a result of indebtedness, this structure must be in place and when such structure is in place it is easier to know when to borrow or not and the benchmark. This very loan is just a supporting loan, that loan does not help you start a project neither does it help

you complete a project, it’s just to support the government and good governance. For instance, majority of the project that this money is used for are projects that have already started, physically on ground; Benin Water Scheme is one of them, Red Revolution that is now in Edo State, the modern hospital, modern university all these are projects already started by the tax payers money and the federation account that we get. This particular facility is just to support and make sure that those projects are not abandoned, at least you have a support base. Edo State wouldn’t have needed that money if previous administration had assisted. For instance Queen Idia was not supposed to be an Edo State project, Auchi erosion is not supposed to be an Edo State project, these are federal projects. But like the governor will say, it is the duty of a sitting government to provide solution but not to lament problems. He had to look for solution and the solution was to look for those that can assist the state and the World Bank coming to look at the facilities on ground beyond direct infrastructural development, looking at the institutions that were put in place they were impressed that Edo State was qualified to be supported with this grant. The loan was approved by the then National Assembly, the process is that every tranche must still pass through the National Assembly, the third which will be maturing in April would also pass through the National Assembly. I can assure that Edo State is not the most indebted and the 25 billion that was the first loan that the state took through the bond, as I speak to you is almost being paid off, the life-wire ends in 2015 and you will be shocked that while I was in Edo State House of Assembly even with all the financial crisis that this country has, Edo State was paying salary and about 500 million was being deducted to pay that money back, that is to tell you the importance of the debt management office. The repayment of that loan will start in five years time, 1.2 per cent is the interest rate of that loan and it will be paid for a period of 20 years so when you calculate everything that loan will be paid for a period of 25 years it doesn’t really affect much of your activity. I recall that when Osunbor, former governor was leaving office, he left a debt profile of about N9.9 billion, you would do us good if you tell us what the current debt profile is, Governor Oshiohmole said he wants to expend money in ongoing projects, there is this accusation that projects are not evenly distributed, saying because they didn’t vote APC, the gover-

Politics

nor is punishing them and also that appointments are billed to favour the Edo north, what do you have to say about that? As far as I’m concerned before I came to Abuja, projects in Edo State are evenly distributed and when I mean evenly distributed, the governor believes that Edo south is the sitting room of the state, so in Edo south, Benin is the mirror that Edo State uses to check themselves if they are beautiful or not. That is why when he started, he started with Edo south and I can tell you that as we speak, the 18 local governments are having projects in all of them, there is no local government that the governor hasn’t brought projects. When you take road for instance, Chief Anenih was minister of works in this country, he didn’t remember that the road to his house needed to be tarred but the comrade governor came and tarred it in his village. Johnbosco College in Ishan was totally rehabilitated, that was a school that children were sitting on the floor and when there is rain they don’t go to school before the administration of the comrade governor. The first water works project, experimentation and project that took place in Edo State, was in Ekpoma, there is problem between when a government failed and when the government is working, at a time traditional rulers will storm Edo State and storm government house for one thing saying “Oshiohmole we want red roof ”, The new schools Oshiohmole introduced, the primary and secondary schools should be finer than where they are coming from. In every community there is a red roof project and major roads in every local government were taken care of. When you talk about spread, Edo south has more if you want to use it in terms of population, I think the comrade governor was fair, and in the budget while I was in the House of Assembly, what was common is that in the budget everybody wanted to see red roof and water project in its constituency. The bore hole water project the governor introduced is an industrial borehole, those that benefited more are those living in the rural areas. When you talk about the distribution of infrastructure is it evenly distributed according to the size of the state? The issue of the debt was necessary because the government at the centre was not doing enough, if not for the revenue profile that improved in Edo State I can tell you that Edo State would have been one of those states expecting bail out from the presidency. If you check the list, Edo is not among the states expecting bail out, salaries are paid as at when due and projects were still ongoing courtesy of the revenue profile boosted by the state government and prudent in management of these resources. Edo State has gotten to a level that if any contractor is to be paid it is online, even from the House of Assembly, we can now see that the government is now paying contractors, they call it the oracle system. Only Lagos and Edo State presently have these profiles and that is why the comrade governor administration publicly said that he won’t be ashamed that he wants to go and learn how Lagos got to where they are and they went to Lagos State, spent some days and weeks and sent some commissioners to go and understudy Lagos and today Lagos and Edo State are the only qualified states that enjoy this loan that I call grants and it helps to give technical support. World Bank also helped to give technical support; they are also involved in the monitoring of these projects. You cannot cut corners as far as those projects are concerned. Edo State will not award any contract that does not have a payment backing, it is against the law. On the debt profile, as at the last time the commissioner was speaking to us, before this loan he gave a debt profile of about N12 billion.

Politics

Wednesday September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari, OBJ extol Tukur as he retires from active politics Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were among the leaders and dignitaries who extol the virtues of former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday as he announced his retirement from partisan politics. Tukur, who spoke at his 80th birthday lecture held in Abuja, noted that politicians are yet to internalise and apply the principle of internal party democracy because of the effect of military long reign in power. He said: “I deem it fit to use this opportunity of my 80th birthday celebration to announce my retirement from partisan politics. It is time to say goodbye to formal politics. I have used several political platforms to serve my country. It is time to rest. I leave parti-

... PDP leaders absent

san politics for the younger generation. I want to be a statesmen and an adviser. At the age of 80, I feel I can serve our dear nation more in the capacity of a statesman and father figure.” Tukur cautioned politicians to note that political parties are stronger when members submit themselves to the rules and regulations of the parties and subscribe faithfully to the ideologies of the parties, stressing that the need to checkmate frequency of defections is very important. Tukur said: “Politics should be seen as an avenue of rendition of service to the country. Politics should not be a bread and butter affair. All politicians should rededicate themselves to the service of the people. Elected officers and government officials should regard their positions as sacred trust and it must be used to serve the nation and no more.

Tribunal upholds Senator Goje’s election victory Williams Attah GOMBE

ational and state Houses of Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Gombe State yesterday threw aside petition filed by Usman Bello Kumo, challenging the election of Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for lack of strong evidence to back up his allegation. Ruling on the matter, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Roseline Audu, said the petition filed by Usman Bello Kumo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could not provide strong evidence to support his allegation. Justice Audu said after due consideration of witnesses and evidence presented by the petitioner, it was not only incompetent and lacking in weight, the allegations remained vague and totally nothing on the scale of justice, adding that the petition was filed out of the stipulated time of 21 days thus, lacking the legal competence. The petitioner, Kumo, the immediate past House

of Representatives member representing Akko Federal Constituency had sought the nullification of Senator Goje’s election citing violence, irregularities and electoral malpractices as reasons for calling for the cancellation of the results. According to the tribunal, Usman Bello Kumo filed the petition on April 20, 2015, 22 days after Senator Goje was declared winner on March 30, 2015. With this, it said the petition failed out of time, as such making the petition incompetent. The petitioner had also in his prayers asked the tribunal to cancel the election and conduct a fresh election, because the election was marred by violence, irregularities, intimidation of voters, over voting, doctoring of results as well as large scale electoral malpractices. The tribunal said the petitioner had earlier said it would present 16 witnesses but only presented four, including the petitioner, Kumo. The tribunal also added that the petitioner failed to present concrete evidence of witnesses who saw firsthand the atrocities committed by the APC members.

“Our political parties should strive to have concrete ideologies as this will certainly help to curtail unmitigated defections in the system for a strong party breeds a strong government. A strong government breeds a strong economy and a strong economy brings development, peace and security.” Noting that internal democracy, party discipline and party supremacy were the greatest ingredients of strong party systems, which ultimately drive the demo-

cratic process, he however said that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the dividends of democracy trickle down to the ordinary man on the street. President Buhari in his good will message said “Time flies. Even the energetic and timeless Bamanaga Tukur has to slow down.” Also, former President Obasanjo who said he could not attend the occasion due to a long standing medical check-up programmes in the United States of America, Clinton Global Initiatives as well

as United Nations General Assembly however said Tukur has “in the course of a lifetime of remarkable contributions to the political, business and administrative sectors of our nation, become a national icon and authentic role model; one of the outstanding leaders of our generation.” Meanwhile, members of PDP National Working Committee, NWC, were conspicuously missing at the event, even Adamu Mu’azu, who took over from Tukur as the PDP national chairman was also missing at the event.

While Adamawa State governor, Senator Bindo Jubrila was at the event, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa sent a representative, Senator Lee Maeba, but majority of the PDP governors were not at the event. PDP however, in a statement in respect for his 80th birthday, signed by its national publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, described him as a quintessential democrat and humble statesman, who has contributed immensely to the development and stability of the nation.

L-R: Independent Producer Publisher, Mrs. Adesuwu Onyenokwe; Executive Director, Forum for African Women Educationist, Prof. Virgy Onyere; Executive Director, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, Mrs. Anny Oyekunle and Head of Votes, INEC, Mrs. Ijeoma Igbokwe, during the International Day of Democracy, in Lagos, yesterday.

Stop bickering, Lagos APC tells PDP Ebere Ndukwu

agos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to stop its unending criticism of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s performance, saying the PDP has been making a mockery of itself by deriding the performance of a governor who dealt the opposition party a big blow at the April 14 state election. APC, which stated this in a statement by its spokesman Joe Igbokwe said, “The PDP is hurt badly by after-polls blues, after the grand failure of its extensive and expansive plot to steal Lagos in April 2015.” Saying that Lagos PDP

cannot see anything good in the APC-led government because of the unending frustration and pains of defeat that he has suffered in the state, APC wondered how a party that wrecked Nigeria in sixteen years of disastrous leadership can assess the performance of a party that has taken Lagos to new heights as one of the few mega cities of the world. Igbokwe said: “We see the laughable outings of Lagos PDP in the media after its last disastrous electoral woes as tortuous efforts to stave off its certain death. We see their laughable efforts to critique the government in Lagos as borne out of the near death struggle to survive its own huge liabilities as a failed party that ran

a failed government that prodded Nigeria to the precincts of a failed nation. “We wonder what else could make a party that failed woefully in sixteen years and which suffered a disastrous electoral defeat as a consequence, to be so obsessed with performance in the first 100 days than trying to stay afloat when it is being washed away by the tides of history. “However, we want to educate Lagos PDP on performance in office, should they continue to deliberately believe that Nigerians are fooled by their antics. First one 100 days are periods of planning and foundation-laying and not periods to build skyscrapers and bridges, as a party that left no achievement

with tremendous resources while in power for sixteen years is trying to make it. “We are not compelled to conduct local government elections in Lagos solely on PDP’s desperate hope to anchor its waning hope for survival on Lagos local councils. We have been conducting local council elections as and when due since we came to power in 1999 even as most PDP governments have not conducted local government elections for many years now. “We however want to let Lagos PDP know that it will never ever win a single local council in Lagos for Lagosians know very well the noxious nature of PDP, which is on the way to the graves due to its notorious misrule and corruption history.”

92-year-old Buhari supporter, not abandoned, says APC Michael Ogbonna

he All Progressives Congress, APC, has denied reports in a

section of the media that Haj Maitalle Tara Koko, the 92-year-old woman who is an ardent Muhammadu Buhari supporter, has been abandoned, say-

ing the woman is being well catered for. APC national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who stated this in statement in Lagos yes-

terday said the wife of the Kebbi state governor, Dr. Zainab S-Bagugu, a medical doctor, has personally been taken charge of Maitalle’s welfare.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Single Treasury Account: interbank market frozen Johnson Okanlawon

eposited money banks made no bids on the interbank money market yesterday, as they awaited instructions on how to comply with a directive to transfer government revenues into a single account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that all revenues be paid into the Treasury Single Account, TSA, yesterday as part of a drive to fight graft. “No trading is currently going on because no bank was willing to put out quotes until there is a clearer direction with

the implementation of the TSA,” one dealer said. “The market is right now frozen, as no trading going on,” another trader said. However, the interbank lending rates fell 75 basis points to an average of 6.50 per cent on Friday from 8.25 per cent the previous week, as cash built up in the banking system. Traders said that about N101billion in matured treasury bills had been repaid and N45billion in cash-reserve-requirement refunds also flowed into the banking system. The greater liquidity lowered the cost of borrowing among banks. Also, the CBN declined to sell short-dated Trea-

sury bills to banks in the last two weeks. That left more cash in the banking system. “The CBN has declined to sell open market operation treasury bills to commercial lenders in the past two weeks due to its unwillingness to raise yields in line with bids by investors,” a dealer said. The lenders’ balance with the CBN stood at about N300billion on Friday, higher than the N261billion in credit the previous week. The CBN usually sold treasury bills in the secondary market to mop up perceived excess liquidity from the banking system. Traders quoted the secured Open Buy Back at

Index sheds 0.19% on profit-taking Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, halting the two days consecutive positive trends. The All Share Index depreciated 0.19 per cent to close at N30.311 points, in contrast to the increase of 0.29 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 30,369.97 points.

Market capitalization lost N20 billion to close at N10.41 trillion, as against the appreciation of N234 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N10.43 trillion. Mansard Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with 23 kobo or 9.79 per cent to close at N2.58 per share, followed by Caverton Plc with 29 kobo or 9.42 per cent to close at N3.37 per share. Continental Insurance

Plc appreciated eight kobo or 9.30 per cent to close at 94 kobo per share, while NAHCO Plc gained 22 kobo or 4.87 per cent to close at N4.74 per share. Portland Paints Plc rose 18 kobo or 4.81 per cent to close at N3.92 per share. On the flip side, Vanleer Plc shed 49 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N9.37 per share, while Union Homes Plc depreciated 27 kobo or 4.91 per cent to

six per cent on Friday, lower than eight per cent the previous week, and nine percentage points lower than the CBN’s 13 per cent benchmark interest rate. Overnight placement was also down to seven per cent against 8.5 per cent the previous week. Dealers expect rates to inch up next week as the government enforces its policy to consolidate revenue in a single account with the central bank. “We see rates inching up by next week, to be driven by compliance with government policy on Treasury Single Account which is expected to come to full effect on September 15,” another dealer said.

close at N5.23 per share. PZ Cussons Plc dropped N1.34 or 4.79 per cent to close at N26.65 per share, while Skye Bank Plc declined 11 kobo or 4.68 per cent to close at N2.24 per share. Wema Bank Plc was down four kobo or 4.04 per cent to close at 95 kobo per share. A total of 413 million shares valued at N2.36 billion were exchanged in 4,331 deals.

China’s concern drags stocks further down

oncerns over China kept financial markets on edge yesterday, with an underwhelmed reaction to recent data and Beijing’s efforts at corporate reform pushing Asian stocks lower and keeping any gains in Europe minimal. Wall Street was set to open flat , with investors avoiding firmer bets ahead of the first meeting of the US Federal Reserve in years at which a possible rise in interest rates has been a live issue. But worries about the impact of any Fed hike on dollar borrowers across the developing world, and its effect on growth, continued to dominate, with Shanghai stocks falling another 3.5 per cent and Brent crude around $46 a barrel. “It’s all about caution,” said Andy Sullivan, a port-

folio manager with Swiss investment firm GL Financial Group. “There is concern about the Fed, plus the China data continuing to be weak.” While Tokyo inched higher, MSCI’s broadest index of AsiaPacific shares outside Japan erased early gains to fall 0.7 per cent. Indices in Frankfurt and Paris were marginally higher while London’s main FTSE 100 index fell 0.1 per cent. Concerns around emerging economies have dominated the past month, but there are still reasons to be more bullish on a number of developed markets. Sullivan said he was positive on European equities, which will draw support from the European Central Bank’s campaign of quantitative easing over the next year and look undervalued compared to their US peers.

In Britain, while this year’s moves in oil returned headline inflation to zero, there was nothing in those numbers to further undermine expectations that the Bank of England will follow the Federal Reserve in raising interest rates next year. The Australian dollar, often a proxy for China on major currency markets, was a touch lower, while iron ore and copper prices -- also often guided by Chinese demand -- recovered from losses in Asian time to be roughly steady on the day. A Barclays survey showed growth in China and other emerging markets was now the top concern for almost half of investors worldwide over the next year. Less than 10 per cent saw Chinese assets as cheap, suggesting the sell-off has further to go. “Investors believe over-

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

US Dollar

N196.95 Market indicators All-Share Index 30,311.77points Market capitalisation 10.42trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

MANSARD

2.35

2.58

0.23

9.79

CAVERTON

3.08

3.37

0.29

9.42

CONTINSURE

0.86

0.94

0.08

9.30

NAHCO

4.52

4.74

0.22

4.87

PORTPAINT

3.74

3.92

0.18

4.81

AIICO

0.85

0.89

0.04

4.71

LIVESTOCK

1.70

1.78

0.08

4.71

CADBURY

21.91

22.93

1.02

4.66

LEARNAFRCA

0.88

0.92

0.04

4.55

UNILEVER

44.00

45.80

1.80

4.09

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

VANLEER

9.86

9.37

-0.49

-4.97

UNHOMES

5.50

5.23

-0.27

-4.91

27.99

26.65

-1.34

-4.79

SKYEBANK

2.35

2.24

-0.11

-4.68

WEMABANK

0.99

0.95

-0.04

-4.04

NPFMCRFBK

1.04

1.00

-0.04

-3.85

CCNN

9.15

8.80

-0.35

-3.83

ABCTRANS

0.57

0.55

-0.02

-3.51

STANBIC

22.90

22.11

-0.79

-3.45

GUINNESS

167.77

162.45

-5.32

-3.17

FGN Bonds capacity is China’s main economic problem and most see meaningful structural reforms as necessary before they could feel more confident about prospects,” Barclays analysts said in a report.

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.61

98.76

15.96

99.76

15.24

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.79

100.08

15.95

101.08

15.59

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.41

98.51

16.01

99.51

15.68

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.37

102.13

15.83

103.13

15.58

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.49

91.93

15.97

92.93

15.74

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.85 68.00

15.58

69.00

15.35

Closing Market Prices of August 25, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

17-Dec-15

12.06

12.44

WAUA

270

17-Mar-16

13.80

14.83

USD

196.96

EURO

214

01-Sep-16

14.08

16.29

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

91.0000

16.2805

POUNDS STERLING

293

16.7992

SDR

273

17.8889

NIBOR

The Fixings of September 15, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015

Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 10.00% FGN JUL 2030 16.00% FGN JUN 2019 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Symbol FG7B2030S3 FG9B2019S3 FG9B2022S1

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Bond Activity Totals

1st Tier Securities Company name

Quantity Traded 2,000 250 500 2750

Value Traded 1,440,436.78 266,243.42 527,079.89 2,233,760.09

2,750

2,233,760.09

2750

2,233,760.09

No Of Deals

AGRICULTURE Crop Production Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Activity Summary onSpecialties Board EQTY Livestock/Animal Totals CONGLOMERATES AGRICULTURE Totals Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. OF NIGERIA PLC Published by TRANSNATIONAL The Nigerian StockCORPORATION Exchange © U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Quotation(N)

Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Activity on BoardTotals EQTY Real Summary Estate Development CONSUMER GOODS ESTATE Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 31 11 42

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol LIVESTOCK

Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 27.12 31.00

Quantity Traded 127,843 143,963 271,806

Value Traded 3,430,495.14 4,465,495.25 7,895,990.39

Current Price 1.78

Quantity Traded 339,000 339,000

Value Traded 595,741.00 595,741.00

60 No. of Deals Current Price 4 0.95 1 3.95 180 2.46 55 31.50 240 240

610,806 Quantity Traded 1,671 1,000 19,311,681Page 365,384 19,679,736

8,491,731.39 Value Traded 1,586.41 3,760.00 46,164,111.37 1 of 14 11,507,914.71 57,677,372.49

19,679,736

57,677,372.49

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.64

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 6,100.00 6,100.00

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 13 1 14

Current Price 42.00 6.60

Quantity Traded 15,080 100 15,180

Value Traded 635,525.85 693.00 636,218.85

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 7.42

Quantity Traded 21,524 21,524

Value Traded 167,536.46 167,536.46

46,704 Quantity Traded 12,000 12,000

809,855.31 Value Traded 6,000.00 6,000.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol UAC-PROP

Symbol DUNLOP

30 No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GOLDBREW GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 27 2 115 11 188 343

Current Price 4.47 0.93 162.45 17.85 134.55

Page Quantity Traded 1,336,522 31,007 595,617 19,815 1,388,877 3,371,838

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 190.40

Quantity Traded 20,598 20,598

No. of Deals 35 46 (Equities) 100 14 24 1 220 No. of Deals 64 64 128

Current Price 2.85 6.90 22.60 2.60 6.30 11.84

Quantity Traded 405,766 2,999,227 950,657 73,675 331,226 1,500 4,762,051 Quantity Traded 475,551 416,519 892,070 Page

14 2Value Traded of 6,145,624.66 27,596.23 97,491,618.97 344,469.50 187,132,253.20 291,141,562.56 Value Traded 3,927,475.20 3,927,475.20

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES UNION DICON SALT PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Totals Published by The Products--Diversified Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR Daily Summary FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UNIONDICON

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 27 5 32

Current Price 5.80 0.90

Quantity Traded 189,476 220,000 409,476

Value Traded 1,072,849.05 196,000.00 1,268,849.05

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 58 33 91

Current Price 26.65 45.80

Quantity Traded 401,539 345,354 746,893

Value Traded 10,704,692.76 15,838,704.39 26,543,397.15

10,214,926

720,957,922.12

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

CONSUMERas GOODS Totals Daily Summary of 15/09/2015

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 45 10 58 25 85 223

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC HEALTHCARE GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. Pharmaceuticals MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Telecommunications Services MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA PLC Telecommunications Services Totals

Current Price 5.02 3.52 18.73 1.51 23.50 2.24 2.14 Current Price 4.08 Current Price 5.91 0.95 1.36 Current Price

0.95 Current Price 0.50 Current Price 0.89 0.50 0.94 0.89 0.50 0.94 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.58 0.50 0.50 2.58 0.67 0.50 0.50 0.67 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 Current Price 0.50 5.42 1.00

Current Price 0.50 0.50 5.23

Current Price 2.68 4.00 2.47 22.11 1.46

1,632

Quantity Traded 22,087,921 2,519,438 20,071,712 7,308,310 9,662,530 3,103,104 434,911 Quantity Traded 13,495,628 Quantity Traded Page 2,595,727 2,511,301 3,050,266 Quantity Traded 86,840,848 2,511,301 Quantity Traded 86,840,848 200,000,000 Quantity902,687 Traded 200,000,000 1,566,905 902,687 8,696 1,566,905 452,174 8,696 300,000 452,174 500 300,000 1,493 500 250,000 1,493 2,007,532 250,000 1,901,150 2,007,532 36,148 1,901,150 574,439 36,148 2,900 574,439 1,965,265 2,900 275,000 1,965,265 1,300 275,000 10,000,936 1,300 1,505,567 10,000,936 221,752,692 Quantity Traded 1,505,567 Page 78 221,752,692 Page 2,811,286 2,811,364 Page Quantity Traded 100 616,000 147,988 764,088

Value Traded 1,152,842.90 20,555,139.84 21,642,827.04 193,875.25 2,101,929.77 16,875.00 45,663,489.80 Value Traded 10,818,349.75 341,588,798.61 352,407,148.36 14 3 of

Value Traded 112,021,804.19 9,084,138.24 380,386,175.78 11,131,703.42 231,559,061.72 7,040,677.76 917,716.18 Value Traded 55,805,640.41 Value Traded 14 4 of 15,421,069.01 2,418,702.64 4,166,551.93 Value Traded 829,953,241.28 2,418,702.64 Value Traded 829,953,241.28 100,000,000.00 Value Traded 781,029.17 100,000,000.00 1,437,239.50 781,029.17 4,348.00 1,437,239.50 226,087.00 4,348.00 150,000.00 226,087.00 250.00 150,000.00 746.50 250.00 125,000.00 746.50 1,003,876.00 125,000.00 4,879,187.00 1,003,876.00 18,074.00 4,879,187.00 386,377.73 18,074.00 1,450.00 386,377.73 982,632.50 1,450.00 137,500.00 982,632.50 650.00 137,500.00 5,000,468.00 650.00 752,783.50 5,000,468.00 115,887,698.90 Value Traded 14 5 752,783.50 of 422.76 115,887,698.90 14 6 2,811,325.00 of 2,811,747.76 14 6 of Value Traded 50.00 308,000.00 773,977.24 1,082,027.24

Quantity Traded 2,185,307 45,017 4,871,754 1,565,431 2,255,554 10,923,063

Value Traded 5,827,279.42 181,763.92 12,080,532.85 35,230,973.58 3,224,915.30 56,545,465.07

323,092,055

1,006,280,180.25

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH Symbol MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Current Price 22.93 820.00

836

Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Banking Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 ACCESS BANK PLC. ACCESS 267 Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 DIAMOND BANK PLC DIAMONDBNK 41 Daily Summary (Equities) ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED ETI 69 Daily Summary (Equities) FIDELITY BANK PLC FIDELITYBK 87 Activity Summary on Board EQTY GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. GUARANTY 295 Daily Summary (Equities) ActivitySKYE Summary BANK on PLCBoard EQTY SKYEBANK 77 FINANCIAL SERVICES STERLING BANK PLC. STERLNBANK 16 BankingSERVICES Symbol No. of Deals FINANCIAL Activity Summary on Board EQTY UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UBA 245 Banking Symbol No. of Deals Published by The Nigerian Exchange © UNION BANKStock NIG.PLC. UBN 89 FINANCIAL SERVICES WEMA BANK PLC. WEMABANK 36 UNITY BANK PLC UNITYBNK 32 Banking Symbol No. of Deals Banking Totals 1,254 WEMA BANK PLC. WEMABANK 36 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals Banking Totals 1,254 AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AFRINSURE 3 Insurance Carriers, Brokers Symbol No. of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. and Services AIICO 25 AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AFRINSURE 3 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 21 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 25 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 3 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 21 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. EQUITYASUR 3 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 3 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. GUINEAINS 1 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. INSURANCE PLC EQUITYASUR 3 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK HMARKINS 1 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INSURANCE COMPANY PLC GUINEAINS 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INTENEGINS 1 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC HMARKINS 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INTENEGINS 1 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLCINSURANCE COMPANY PLC LINKASSURE 4 Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO 1 AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 28 Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 LINKAGE BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC LINKASSURE 4 MUTUAL ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 3 AXAMANSARD INSURANCE MANSARD 28 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG)PLC PLC. NEM 13 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 3 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 2 N.E.M INSURANCE (NIG) PLC. PLC NEM 13 SOVEREIGN TRUSTCO INSURANCE SOVRENINS 4 Daily Summary (Equities) NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 2 STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STACO 1 SOVEREIGNALLIANCE TRUST INSURANCE PLC SOVRENINS 4 STANDARD INSURANCE PLC. STDINSURE 3 Activity SummaryINSURANCE on Board EQTY STANDARD ASSURANCE PLCPLC STACO 1 UNIVERSAL TRUST COMPANY UNIVINSURE 3 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STDINSURE 3 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 6 FINANCIAL SERVICES UNIVERSAL INSURANCE PLC UNIVINSURE 3 Insurance Carriers, Brokers COMPANY and Services Totals 126 Micro-Finance Banks Symbol No. of Deals INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 6 Published byWAPIC The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC FORTISMFB 2 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 126 NPFNigerian MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPFMCRFBK 22 Published by The Stock Exchange © Micro-Finance Banks Totals 24 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC ASOSAVINGS 1 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC RESORTSAL 3 UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. UNHOMES 1 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 5

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 UBA CAPITAL PLC Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Other Financial Institutions Totals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals CompanyTotals name

Symbol MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

Sector

No Of Deals

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded 9 1.30 89,595 116,973.50 9 1.02 98,183 97,550.91 4 2.14 11,881 24,315.34 63 476,087 2,008,263.97 Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

HEALTHCARE Totals

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015

Daily Summary (Equities)

Equities as at September 15, 2015

DEBT Board Totals

Sector

Current Price 70.50 103.00 103.10

No. of Deals 10 13 18 No. of Deals 9 9 4 63

Current Price 0.76 3.35 35.11 Current Price 1.30 1.02 2.14

Quantity Traded 120,100 120,150 36,178 Quantity Traded 89,595 Page 98,183 11,881 476,087

Value Traded 90,608.00 388,064.50 1,290,751.72 Value Traded 7 116,973.50 of 14 97,550.91 24,315.34 2,008,263.97

476,087

2,008,263.97

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 25,000.00 25,000.00

Symbol MTI

No. of Deals 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 15,011,000

Value Traded 7,505,500.00

15,011,000

7,505,500.00

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Telecommunications Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 Services MASS14:32:05.005 TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA Printed 15/09/2015 PLC Telecommunications Services Totals ICT Totals

2,008,263.97

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 25,000.00 25,000.00

Symbol MTI

No. of Deals 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 15,011,000

Value Traded 7,505,500.00

15,011,000

7,505,500.00

15,061,000

7,530,500.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Activity Summary on Board EQTY ASHAKA CEM PLC INDUSTRIAL BERGERGOODS PAINTS PLC Building Materials CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DN MEYER PLC. Published by The Nigerian PAINTS Stock Exchange © PORTLAND & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC

476,087

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER Symbol CAP CCNN DNMEYER PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 18 19 No. of Deals 11 23 1 4 37 113

Current Price 22.01 9.50 Current Price 37.05 8.80 0.73 3.92 99.00

Quantity Traded 147,831 172,851 Quantity Traded 13,194 346,226 1,000 Page 72,550 499,448 1,253,100

49,151,381.31 57,817,311.30

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 1.60

Quantity Traded 679,168 679,168

Value Traded 1,077,330.72 1,077,330.72

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC.

Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 9 2 11

Current Price 40.85 9.37

Quantity Traded 48,359 51,000 99,359

Value Traded 1,877,062.79 477,880.00 2,354,942.79

2,031,627

61,249,584.81

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

100 Quantity Traded 339,153 339,153 Page

50.00 Value Traded 169,576.50 169,576.50 9 of 14

LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

GREIF NIGERIA PLC Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 Packaging/Containers Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

145

NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY Mining Services on Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol MULTIVERSE

OIL AND GAS NATURAL RESOURCES Totals Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers SERVICES R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 0.50

1 No. of Deals 29 29

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

SERVICES Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Value Traded 3,254,443.17 1,581,781.60 Value Traded 502,034.72 3,042,574.50 700.00 8 284,396.00 of 14

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 183 183

Current Price 11.50

Quantity Traded 2,624,940 2,624,940

Value Traded 30,093,731.12 30,093,731.12

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 37 6 108 32 5 15 203

Current Price 28.41 1.70 227.79 142.50 49.66 143.62

Quantity Traded 103,938 203,438 287,889 29,669 4,649 12,552 642,135

Value Traded 3,244,721.76 347,517.96 63,638,389.43 4,351,835.36 219,339.82 1,861,152.55 73,662,956.88

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 230.00

Quantity Traded 21,434 21,434

Value Traded 4,953,730.70 4,953,730.70

3,627,662

108,879,995.20

Daily Summary (Equities)

422

Symbol RTBRISCOE Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 8 0.54 No. of Deals Current Price 8

Quantity Traded 52,717 Quantity Traded 52,717 Page

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 4 3 7

Current Price 4.03 1.38

Quantity Traded 1,435 10,200 11,635

Value Traded 5,979.12 14,374.00 20,353.12

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 55,000 55,000

Value Traded 27,500.00 27,500.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 7 1 8

Current Price 3.61 3.51

Quantity Traded 87,280 200 87,480

Value Traded 302,873.60 668.00 303,541.60

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000

Value Traded 3,000.00 3,000.00

Quantity Traded 94,767 151,504 246,271

Value Traded 87,185.64 749,829.76 837,015.40

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Printing/Publishing Totals SERVICES Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Published by TheTransportation Nigerian Stock Exchange © Road Totals Specialty SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Daily Summary as of Totals 15/09/2015 Specialty Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Daily Summary as of 15/09/2015 Transport-Related Services Totals Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005 Support and Logistics Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking SERVICES Totals

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

Banking Totals EQTY BoardSERVICES Totals FINANCIAL Other Financial Institutions Banking FBN HOLDINGS PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Other Financial Banking Totals Institutions Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Other Financial Institutions Totals Building Materials Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © DANGOTE CEMENT PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals PREMIUM Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price LEARNAFRCA UPL

5 9 14

0.92 5.20

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.55

Quantity Traded 293,569 Page 293,569

Symbol NSLTECH

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 8,000,000 8,000,000

Value Traded 4,000,000.00 4,000,000.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 1 32 (Equities) 33

Current Price 1.81 4.74

Quantity Traded 42,000 122,535 164,535

Value Traded 79,800.00 571,525.63 651,325.63

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 7 7 (Equities)

Current Price 3.37

Quantity Traded 97,836 97,836

Value Traded 323,561.32 323,561.32 Value Traded 6,360,270.80 222,101,479.28 222,101,479.28

Daily Summary

PREMIUM Board Totals

Name

Exchange Traded Fund LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF Name Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exchange Fund NEWGOLD Traded EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA Name GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded EQUITY Fund Totals LOTUS HALAL ETF Published The Nigerian ETFbyBoard TotalsStock Exchange ©

ETP Activity Totals

Value Traded 165,506.55 of 14 165,506.55

Symbol ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals Current Price 91 361 17.27 361

Quantity Traded 9,015,043 12,983,572 12,983,572

Symbol Symbol FBNH ZENITHBANK

No. No. of of Deals Deals Current Current Price Price 403 6.48 361 17.27 403 361

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 16,735,137 12,983,572 16,735,137 12,983,572

Symbol FBNH

764 Current Price No. of Deals 403 6.48 403 No. of Deals Current Price 43 170.00 764 43

29,718,709 Quantity Traded 16,735,137 16,735,137 Quantity Traded Page 308,756 29,718,709 308,756

43 No. of Deals 43 43 807

Quantity308,756 Traded 308,756 308,756 30,027,465

52,362,722.10 Value Traded 52,362,722.10 52,362,722.10 380,899,251.96

308,756 413,883,211

52,362,722.10 2,361,144,978.30

Symbol DANGCEM

3,524

INDUSTRIAL Totals Activity Totals DailyEquity Summary as of GOODS 15/09/2015 Printed 15/09/2015 14:32:05.005

Equity Activity Traded Totals Fund Exchange

Value Traded 28,467.18 Value Traded 28,467.18 14 10 of

Current Price 170.00

383,855,746

43 4,331

Daily Summary (ETP) Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol LOTUSHAL15 Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30 Symbol

Daily Summary (ETP)

LOTUSHAL15

1,980,245,726.34 Value Value Traded Traded 106,435,050.58 222,101,479.28 106,435,050.58 222,101,479.28

328,536,529.86 Value Traded 106,435,050.58 106,435,050.58 Value Traded 14 12 of 52,362,722.10 328,536,529.86 52,362,722.10

807

30,027,465

380,899,251.96

4,331

413,883,211

2,361,144,978.30

No. of Deals Current Price 1 9.70 No. of Deals Current Price 3 2,129.00 1 Current14.06 No. of Deals Price 51 9.70

Quantity Traded 10 Quantity Traded Page 12 10 Quantity Traded 32 10

Value Traded 97.00 Value Traded 14 13 of 25,548.00 140.60 Value Traded 25,785.60 97.00

Page 32

14 13 25,785.60 of

25,785.60

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Community Mirror Let me again repeat what I have been saying that Goodluck Jonathan has no Election laws are not static they are dynamic, you have keep on improving on personal agenda in convening thistonational conference.

them especially when something comes up, like the issue of Diaspora voting.

Dare Akogun

n its effort to rid the state of criminals, Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police has resolved to beam its searchlight on food vendors, who operate late in the night across the state, as it continues to raid black spots. Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said this at a news conference on Monday in Ikeja, explaining that investigation had revealed that suspected armed robbers go to them to collect weapons before going for operation and return same to them afterwards. According to him, “those selling noodles by 1 am should stop it because we are going to sustain the raid of black spots in Lagos. “We are not raiding noodles joints because we don’t want them in business, but because they are part of robbery

President Goodluck Jonathan –Acting Chairman of INEC, Hajia Amina Zakari

Police to beam searchlight on late night food vendors gangs,’’ he said, while disclosing the command’s activities in the last two months. The commissioner frowned at some persons that usually took laws into their hands, saying the command would no longer tolerate such. He equally warned motorcyclists against operating on routes they were restricted and traders against selling on the roads. “We will arrest motorcyclists and their passengers on restricted roads and hawkers selling in gridlocks. “Some of these hawkers have guns and usually attack motorists, robbing them of valuables,’’ he said. Owoseni disclosed that the command had arrested 101 persons suspected to be involved in various violent crimes in

the last two months. He said within the period, 10 armed robbery suspects were killed during exchange of gun fire with the police. The police boss said within the period the command received 78 distress calls from members of the public, with 67 of them coming from victims of robbery attacks. “Our response was swift, but the robbers succeeded in 11 of

such operations,’’ he said. Owoseni added that 60 assorted guns and 347 different caliber of ammunition were also recovered from the suspects. He said 36 cars were recovered, with eight of them recovered in Aba, Abia State. It was also revealed that those arrested included suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, fraudsters and

car snatchers, among others. “Members of the public should join the police to enforce laws. The command is ready to put a stop to any act of lawlessness in Lagos State.’’ On the kidnap of The Sun Deputy Managing Director’s wife, Mrs Toyin Nwosu, on Monday, Owoseni said the command was working to rescue her and arrest the suspects.

Court jails housemaid for stealing boss’s underwear Olanrewaju Olatunbosun

n Igbosere Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced a 20 years housemaid, Vivian Simeon- Michael, to two-month imprisonment for stealing her employer’s underwear and other properties worth N295, 000. Delivering judgement, Magistrate A. T. Omodele held that the jail term was without an option of fine since she pleaded guilty to the one-count charge filed against her. The convict, who resides at 16, Hassan Street, Agege, Lagos, was said to have just started working with her employer one Mrs Bisi Awoniyi, in June 2015. The prosecutor, Corporal Cyricaus Osuji had told the court when she was arraigned that she stole a set of underwear, three complete pair of buba and wrappers, seven pieces of pants, set of bracelets, ten pieces of handkerchief and seven pieces of face towel. Others are two wedding busters, two pairs of socks, one leggie girdle and three night wears, all valued at N295,000. Osuji further told the court

that the convict, who had only worked for about two months, committed the offence on September 9, 2015, at about 9:30am, at Isale Eko Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi. He had also told the court that the offence committed was punishable under sections 285 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011. The prosecutor said, according to the complaint, the convict was employed in June 2015, through an agent named Peter Ugolor with an agreement of N20 000 salary per month, adding that there was also an agreement that the convict would be entitled to one day off duty. Osuji said that on September 9 when the maid was about leaving the house, the complainant discovered her hand towel inside the suspect’s bag. “She further discovered that her underwear and other things were in the bag, so she went to report the matter at the police station, and she was arrested and charged to court.” Earlier, when the charge was read to the convict, she pleaded guilty and also confirmed the facts in the statement made to the police before she was sentenced.

A vehicle overloaded with mattresses on the outer Northern Expressway in Abuja, yesterday.

…ban officers from accompanying revenue collectors

ommissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr. Hassan Karma, has banned officers and men of the force from accompanying agents and collectors of revenue in the state. The police boss gave the warning in Onitsha on Tuesday during a visit to Onitsha Police Area Command and other police divisional stations at Inland Town and Fegge, all within the commercial city. Karma also warned that any police officer involved in any civil matter, especially family issues and land matters in the state would be dealt with. He warned people using the police in achieving their civil matter objectives to desist. ``We strongly advise the civil populace to keep police out of civil matters since it is not part of their job. ``Anybody who has a civil

matter should go to court.’’ Karma also vowed that the police would not give the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) any opportunity to operate in the state. According to him, over 50 members of MASSOB, who were arrested on Sunday, had been moved to Police Zonal Headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State, for further interrogation and prosecution. The commissioner said 27 of them were arrested in a church at Okpoko, where they allegedly held a Catholic priest hostage to pray for them. ``When you want to build a house, they are there; when you want to open your shop, they are there; their behaviour is not different from that of hoodlums. ``We cannot accept that; they went to Okpoko and held a priest hostage to pray for them

in the name of marking anniversary. ``They are breeding kidnappers and armed robbers.’’ He also urged officers and men of the police to dress properly when they are on duty, as the command would deal decisively with anyone who dressed shabbily. Karma lauded some officers in the city for distinguishing themselves in crime control, describing them as `special officers’ who carried out their duties passionately. In a welcome address, Divisional Police Officer for Fegge, Mr Rabiu Garba, assured the commissioner that they would consolidate on their achievements. Garba appealed to him to improve the infrastructural facilities in their divisions as well as address the shortage of personnel in the area.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

CHANGE OF NAME

UGONWA: I formerly known and addressed as MISS UGONWA QUEENCY CHIMEE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWOBOSI QUEENCY CHIMEE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKAFOR: I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR SYLVIA NATALIE, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR SYLVIA NWANDO. All former documents remain valid. G.T.BANK and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwadare Dolapo Romoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obasa Dolapo Romoke. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Suberu Falilat Omolola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akerele Falilat Omolola. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado,Ekiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UGWU I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. UGWU UZOMA JOSEPHINE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKONKWO UZOMA JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EZE LOVETH IFUNANYA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU LOVETH IFUNANYA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. IKECHCUKWU JULIUS .S., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NGWOKE JULIUS .S. All former documents remain valid. OSISATECH POLY Enugu, First Bank Plc, MTN NIG, ESUT ENUGU, NTI Kaduna GTB Bank, OHHA Bank, WAEC and general public pleases take note.

CHIMANKPAM: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. CHIMANKPAM NMESIRIONYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OGBONNA VICTORIA NMESIRIONYE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EBUKA: I, formerly known and addressed as EBUKA HENRY ACHINULO,now wish to be known and addressed as EBUKA GIFT JUDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

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OGBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBODO UKAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EZE UKAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NGWOKE:I, formerly known and addressed as, NGWOKE JULIUS .S., now wish to be known and addressed as IKECHUKWU JULIUS .S. All former documents remain valid. OSISATECH POLY Enugu, First Bank Plc, MtN, Esut, NTI Kaduna GTB Bank, OHHA Bank, WAEC and general public pleases take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ODEY: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ODEY MARY OGEY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DOMINIC MARY ODEY. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE PAN AFRICAN UROLOGICAL SURGEONS ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUTEES ARE 1 Professor Emiola, Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa 2 Dr. Sikiru Adekola Adebayo 3 Dr. Ajibola Emmanuel Jeje 4 Dr. Augustine Takure 5 Professor Alexander Nwofor

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Shobowale Yetunde oluyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olanlokun Yetunde Oluyemi. all former documents remain valid. Orisun microfinance Bank Ago Iwoye and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunjemilua Funke Juliet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abayomi Funke Juliet. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ONWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ONWO NGOZI THECLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKAFOR NGOZI THECLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Iheukwu Florence Ahum, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Udensi Florence Ahum. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Chime Theresa Ogomegbunem now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunbowale Theresa Ogomegbunem. All former documents remain valid . Nigeria customs service and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olofinlua Aanu Atinuke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dumiye Aanu Atinuke. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADUMEKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. IFEOMA ADUMEKWE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IFEOMA ENWE. All former documents remain valid. IMT, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund and general public please take note.

This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. The Trustees Are: 1. Alh. Abdul Ganiy Ogbera Chairman 2. Alh. Nuraen Akorede Secreatary 3. Bros. Abdul Basheer Adefaka 4. Hajia Mrs. Fatimoh Oluboyo 5. Hajia (Dr.) Munirat Ogunlayi The Aims and Objectives are: 1. To promote the ethics, value and understanding of concepts of Islam 2. To care for underprivileged by meeting their physical, medical, material as well as spiritual needs 3. To pursue and promote public litigation 4. To offer pro bono legal services to the indigent and the vulnerables 5. To undertake programmes that will enhance and secure human and people’s right Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitaima Abuja within 28 days from the date of the publication.

Signed: Secretary

CHANGE OF NAME ANI: I, formerly known as MISS. ANI GOODNESS CHIDIEBERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANUNOBI GOODNESS CHIDIEBERE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akindipe Titilayo Lydia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Samson Titilayo Lydia. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeoye Odunayo Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeoye Odunayo Victoria. All former document remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaniyi Oluyemi Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluyemi Kehinde Aribasoye. All former document remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ALEKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ALEKWE MERCY EFE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ARO MERCY EFE. All former documents remain valid. ESUT, NYSC, and general public should please take note.

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MUO: I fomerly known and addressed as MISS MUO CHINENYE PHILOMENA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIBUKO CHINENYE PHILOMENA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DANDILAS WEST AFRICA LTD

CHANGE OF NAME OBALIM: I formerly known and addressed as MISS OBALIM ESTHER UGONNIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWABIA ESTHER UGONNIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Amos Remi Augustina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oshe Remi Augustina. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti state University Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

1. Evangelist Adelusi Susan Bola 2. Deacon Adelusi Steven Bola 3. Adelusi Olayinka Steven 4. Adelusi Dickson Olabiyi 5. Prophet Oyeleye Olusola 6. Brother Ogunmola Kayode

Aim and Objective 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitaima Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Bodunde Foluso-M.

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ONWUGHALU: I formerly known and addressed as MISS ONWUGHALU CHIZOBA FRANCA, now wish to be known and addressed as mrs OKAFOR CHIZOBA FRANCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyemi Mistura Adenike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abdusalam Mistura Adenike. All former documents remain valid and general public note.

PUBLIC NOTICE UMMUNA AISHA ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

CHRIST SOLUTION CHURCH OF GOD

The Trustees Are:

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olusanu Bolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaleye Bolanle. All former documents remain valid. First Bank plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME PUBLIC NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the general public that the Board of Trustees of the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration in accordance with the provisions of part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

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CHANGE OF NAME PUBLIC NOTICE

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CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunleye Feyisayo Sarah now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alade Feyisayo Sarah. All former documents remain valid. Hospital management board Ado-Ekiti and general public note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okeke joy chinwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwabuko joy Chinwe. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Signed Management

AKURE MUSLIM YOUTHS FOUNDATION

CHANGE OF NAME PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebambo Temitope Omotoke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Michael Temitope Omotoke. All former documents remain valid NYSC .TASUED and general public take note.

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OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. OKAFOR IFEYINWA MAUREEN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OFFOR IFEYINWA MAUREEN. All former documents remain valid. IMT and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinonyerem Theresa Okenwa, now wish to known Mrs. and addressed as Chinonyerem Theresa Nnaji. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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Signed: Bandele A. Aiku & Co. Legal Practitioners Plot 14, Adelaja Street, Mokola, Ibadan

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinonso Chioma Umegwuagu, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Henry .C. Okoye . All former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

This is inform the general public that above named company has applied for building of a petrol station at Plot RC 31 Enugu/ Onitsha express way. Trans-Ekulu Enugu. Any objection to the said development should report to the appropriate authority within 28 days of this publication

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1 To study all questions relating to urology 2 To stimulate international co-operation in the field of urology 3 To advance urological practice on the African continent 4 To foster collaborations between all stakeholders in urological care on the continent.

National Mirror

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

The general public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and allied matters Acts 1990.

THE TRUSTEES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Sambo Alhaji Yunusa Mohammadu Garba Aliyu Ubandoma El-nafaty Musa Dauda Ismaila Idris Ishaq

(Chairman) (Secretary)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promotes Sensitize and render assistance to the less privileged to acquire both western and Islamic Knowledge. 2. To provide and finance educational facilities for enhancement of both Western and Islamic education. Any objection to the above registration should be forward to the Register General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 tigris Crescent off Auguyi Ironsi Street Maitama P.M.B 198 Abuja Within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

World News I am no hero. I am just a person that has been transformed by the special grace of God. I have no regrets whatsoever.

–Kentucky Court Clerk, Kim Davies

Afolabi Gambari

With Agency report

elatives of a group of Mexican tourists killed in an attack by the Egyptian army on Sunday reportedly headed to Cairo yesterday to ascertain the situation. Twelve people were mistakenly killed by Egyptian security forces in an anti-terror operation. But Egypt said it mistook the tourists for Islamist militants, whom its forces had pursued in the Western Desert. The country’s authorities have apologised, but insist the group were in a restricted area. Egypt has been battling Islamist militants for years, with attacks escalating since the 2013 ousting of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Until recently most of the fighting has taken place in the Sinai Peninsula with occasional attacks taking place in Cairo and other cities. Egyptian officials put the number of Mexicans killed at eight, but Mexico has so far only confirmed two dead, namelyLuis Barajas Fernandez and Maria de Lourdes Fernandez

Egypt killing latest: Victims’ relatives head for Cairo

Cairo hospital where the injured are treated

Rubio. Relatives of Rafael Bejarano Rangel, another Mexican who was part of the tour group, said they had been told by tour

organisers that he was among those killed in the attack where ten people, among them six Mexicans, were also injured. Egypt’s ambassador to Mexi-

co City, Yasser Shaban, however said the tourists’ 4x4 vehicles resembled those used by the militants the security forces were chasing.

Mugabe delivers wrong speech in Parliament

imbabwe President, Robert Mugabe, yesterday read out the wrong speech at the opening of Parliament, his spokesman George Charamba admitted, blaming a mix-up in his office for the error. Mugabe had delivered the same speech during a state of the nation address on August 25, in which he hinged his hopes on China to help revive Zimbabwe’s struggling economy. “The mix-up happened in his

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe

secretarial office. Therefore the delivery in Parliament should be set aside,” Charamba told the state-owned newspaper Herald. Charamba said Mugabe would read the correct speech “later at a Harare hotel”. Zimbabwe has endured economic challenges especially since 2008 after various initial measures failed to yield positive results, leading to over 5 million of the country’s citizens pouring into several countries that in-

clude neighbouring South Africa, Zambia, Nambia and Botswana. Interestingly, opposition figures in Zimbabwe’s have blamed

the country’s woes on Mugabe who they accused of “lacking fresh ideas to return the country to normalcy.”

‘Illegal fishing could trigger Somali piracy’

ampant illegal fishing by foreign trawlers off Somalia’s once pirateinfested coastline is threatening economic gains in the Horn of Africa nation and could push communities back to maritime crime, a report warned yesterday. Somalia’s fearsome pirates often justified their attacks because they were unable to compete with foreign fishermen. Piracy peaked in 2011 when 28 vessels were hijacked and 237 piracy incidents were reported on the Indian Ocean, but has since dramatically declined due to the use of armed guards on ships and international naval patrols. But the report by Secure Fisheries, a part of the One Earth Future Foundation campaign group, warned those advances could be reversed if illegal fishing is not stemmed. “Foreign industrial fishing boats have resulted in depleted stocks, a loss of income for Soma-

lis, and violence against local fishers” the report said, adding, “It also has threatened to ignite local support for a return of piracy.” At the peak of the crisis, Somali pirates held over 700 hostages, netting millions of dollars in ransoms and threatening key maritime trade routes, including the southern access to the Red Sea and Suez Canal. “Illegal fishing was the pretext used by criminal gangs to shift from protectionism to armed robbery and piracy,” Secure Fisheries chief for Somalia, John Steed, said. Foreign boats are hauling in three times more than Somali fishermen, an estimated 132, 000 metric tonnes of fish each year compared to Somalia’s catch of 40, 000 metric tons, according to the report, based on multiple interviews and satellite evidence. Iran and Yemen have the largest presence in Somali waters, the report said, but added that boats from Europe and Asia had also made significant catches.

WORLD BULLETIN

Reports say Swaziland, Zimbabwe ‘un-free’ Swaziland and Zimbabwe have emerged as the “most un-free” African countries on a range of democracy indices such as freedom of expression, liberty to join any political association and voting for a candidate of their choosing. The latest Afrobarometer survey says 51 per cent of citizens surveyed in 28 African countries believed their country were a full democracy, or one with just a few problems. Of the 51 per cent of respondents who expressed satisfaction with the country’s democracy, 18 percent believed they lived in a full democracy, and 34 percent in a democracy with some challenges. In 10 of the 28 countries, those surveyed believed they did not live in a democracy or a democracy with major problems. Full or fair satisfaction with democracy declined from 50 percent to 46 per cent on average since the last survey, in 2011.

Kenya wins Nigerian film award A popular Kenyan DJ, Pierra Makena, has been celebrating after her shock win at an awards ceremony for the Nigerian film industry, held in Los Angeles. Makena won best supporting actress for her role in “When Love Comes Around” at the annual Nollywood and African Film Critics awards. In the film, she plays the character of Didi, a woman desperate to find love. In 2014, the Nigerian film industry, the largest in Africa, was estimated to be worth $5.1bn (£3.3bn). The Kenyan star is much more famous for her music than for her acting, according to various reports.

Internet users get Park opening Google Street View has launched its maps of Kenya’s Samburu National Park, which allows internet users to take a virtual safari in the conservancy. The initiative, launched together with the charity Save the Elephants, aims to promote wildlife conservation, even as it also aims to tell the stories of the elephant families in the park. The Google Street View car drove through the park in February 2015, assuaging any fears that the tool could inadvertently help poachers. The route follows one of the roads through the 165 sq km (65 sq mile) central Kenyan reserve and does not let the user go offroad.

National News

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan abandoned N7.7trn projects –Reps Tordue Salem ABUJA

arious water and other projects located in different states across the country from 2011 to May 2015, were left unimplemented by the Federal Government, the House of Representatives alleged yesterday. The House Ad-hoc Committee on review of implementation of the 2015 Appropriation Act (budget), made the allegations while receiving officials of the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria and the office of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC. Chairman of the ad-

hoc committee on 2015 budget, Aliyu Ahman Pategi (APC-Kwara), made the disclosure while picking holes in a report presented before his panel by Director General of Budget, Alhaji Aliyu Yahaya Gusau. “As former Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources, we found that over N7 trillion projects littering the country were abandoned,” he said. “In 2011, the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee estimated that over 11,886 projects valued at N7.7 trillion were abandoned after government had spent N2.2 trillion on them. The situation has remained the same ever since and is perhaps worse. We need

to figure out ways of stopping such wastages in future by advocating for performance budgeting. “We all know that we in the parliament represent the aspirations and wishes of the people at the grassroots, it is therefore incumbent on us all to ensure synergy between all necessary organs engaged in the budgeting process and the executive arm empowered by the constitution to execute the budget. “To facilitate our as-

signment, it is important for us to trace sources of the problems from policy planning through the proposal, appropriation and implementation stages. Certain issues have been apparent to us in the parliament as contributory factors towards non-implementation of national budgets,” he said. The committee members took turns to deplore the prioritisation of overhead and recurrent spending over capital spending.

They warned that the manner of spending must be discontinued for the sake of jobs and rapid economic development. Earlier, Gusau who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia, who was accompanied by officials of the Finance Ministry, told the committee that of the N3.45trn budgeted for the year 2015, only N1.47trn was raised as at the end of the 2nd quarter (January-June)”. He said the Federal

Government, however, borrowed a total amount of N882.122billion appropriated for both domestic and external borrowing”. The Ministry of Finance pleaded with the committee to grant it enough time to present details of the report of the implementation of the 2015 budget from last year to the end of July, by Tuesday next week. The committee granted its request and adjourned its hearing for Tuesday, September 22, 2015.

Lagos directs schools to screen visitors Tunbosun Ogundare

agos State government has directed all public and private schools in the state to start screening visitors to their schools before allowing them into their premises. Giving the directive yesterday while addressing owners of private schools in the state at a quarterly stakeholders’ forum in Ikeja, Director-General of the state’s Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, said the measure was to safeguard lives and property of students and school workers. She noted that no school was exempted to carry out the directive and no visitor, irrespective of how highly placed they may be in the society, was exempted from being screened at the gate before entrance. According to her, all schools, either public or private operating in the state must ensure their visitors, irrespective of whom and where they come from, must properly identify themselves before they are allowed in. She said it was not enough for visitors to produce their identity cards; they must also be ready to be documented in a dedicated register with their

details before they are allowed into the premises. “The era of when anybody can just come into the school and enter the premises unchallenged has gone in Lagos State. We must not give chances to unwanted guests. Let all be security conscious,” she stressed. She however, restated that primary and secondary schools across the state had resumed since Monday for a new academic session, calling on parents to release their children as academic activities have commenced immediately. Speaking earlier at the forum, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, reaffirmed the state government’s determination not only to sustain the standard of education, but also to move a step forward in the state. She said education was bedrock of development of any society and that Lagos cannot afford to compromise the future of children whom she called leaders of tomorrow. Represented by the Permanent Secretary in her office, Mr. Michael Daodu, asked private school owners to comply with all policies and programmes guiding their operations, promising that government on its part will continue to provide enabling environment for them to soar.

L-R: Chairman, Association of Stock Broking Houses of Nigeria, Mr. Madubuike Emeka; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, during a visit to the vice president, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Planned retrenchment: NUATE’s allegation speculative, pre-emptive – NAHCO Olusegun Koiki

igerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO Plc, has described allegation of planned retrenchment of its workforce by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, as speculative and preemptive. This is as the ground handling company also said it would not shy away from consistently reorganising and restructuring the organisation to meet new challenges. Media statement signed by Manager, Communications & Corporate Services, NAHCO, Mr. Tayo Ajakaye, and made avail-

able to journalists, stated that NUATE as a leading union in the industry ought to have followed a better approach to thrash out issues in contention at a meeting slated between it and management. Ajakaye insisted that the allegation and threat of stiff opposition to its operations was an attempt by NUATE to coerce its management to her predetermined conclusion. “More concretely, however, we all know that organisations restructure and re-organise to meet new challenges. NAHCO would not be an exception.” He further debunked the allegation of nontraining and retraining of

its staff by NUATE, stressing that no fewer than 32 staff of the ground handling company were on their way to South Africa on training to handle one of the major foreign airlines. Apart from this, he emphasised that other staff of the company were similarly on training for various airlines, maintaining that the recent 100 per cent certification from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, was related to training compliance. He added: “A more diligent effort by the unions would have revealed how much was budgeted for training in the last two years and how the money

was utilised. “Only recently, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, gave us a letter of commendation for total compliance on Aviation Security, AVSEC, training. If we had not been training our staff, how come all airlines audits have been so very successful?” he queried. It would be recalled that the union had on Monday accused NAHCO management of planning to retrench another batch of workforce in the system. The union also accused the management of not training and retraining its workforce as recommended by ICAO.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Wada pledges to consolidate gains of democracy Wale Ibrahim Lokoja

ogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, has pledged to continue the consolidation of democracy dividends and transformation agenda of the state. Wada, who made this pledge yesterday after he was declared winner of Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primary election at Lokoja Confluence Stadium, stated that the primary election was credible, fair and transparent. He also promised to reconcile all aggrieved members of PDP in the state to ensure victory during the November 21, 2015, governorship election in the state. Wada commended Chairman of Kogi State

PDP Governorship Primary Election Committee, Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and members of his electoral panel for conducting peaceful, credible and fair primary election for the party in the state. The governor also commended all delegates and members of the PDP in state for conducting a violent-free primary election, urging them to join hands with him to ensure victory for the party at the gubernatorial polls come November 21, 2015. Earlier, Chairman of Kogi State Electoral Panel and Returning Officer, Ugwuanyi, had declared Wada winner of the primary election, having secured the highest votes of 709, while his closest rival scored 139 with 10 votes voided. Uguanyi said total del-

egates were 864, while 858 were accredited and valid votes stood at 848. State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Hussein Pai, who supervised the conduct of primary election, commended the electoral panel for conducting credible primary election. Meanwhile, a former bank director, Isah Jubrin

Echocho, who also contested with Wada in 2011, conceded defeat and embraced the governor, while the votes were being counted. However, the House of Representatives member representing Yagba Federal constituency, Sunday Karimi, pointed out that the primary was built on faulty foundation from the beginning.

Karimi lamented that the last ward congress that preceded the primary election was fraught with irregularities, noting that all protests and petitions to the National Working Committee of the party were turned down. He also decried the arrangement where the ballot boxes were labelled by local government councils,

noting that it was a ploy to intimidate delegates from each local government with a view to sanction errant council bosses. He stated that if the PDP fails to get it right this time, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is waiting to take over the seat of power because of the present situation of the party in the state.

L-R: Director, Hinache Microfinance Malumfashi, Alhaji Yakubu Jibrin; District Head of Malumfashi and former Appeal Court President, Justice Mamman Nasir and Managing Director, Hinache Microfinance Malumfashi, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, during the inauguration and distribution of relief assistance to flood victims in Malumfashi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Salaries: New deal for police underway –AIG Lawal

Wole Adedeji Ilorin

N CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Anthony Yvonne Jecintha now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jecintha Yvonne Okafor. All former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Shonibare Oni Olaoluwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyadeyi Oni Olaoluwa. All former documents remain valid NYSC and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Adewale Ronke, now wish to be known and addressed as Micheal Ronke. All former documents remain valid. General public note. CHANGE OF NAME ONABANJO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onabanjo Oluwatosin Christiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oginni Oluwatosin Christiana. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE LIVING LIFE INTERNATIONAL TABERNACLE This is to notify the general public that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part ‘’C’’of the Companies And Allied Matters ActNo.1 of 1990 The Trustees are: 1. Rev . Ayokunle Zacchaeus Babasola JP. 2. Pastor Foluso Babasola 3. Rev Sheriff Tosin Israel 4. Evangelist Gbenga Aguda 5. Abimbola Titilayo Babasola Aims and Objectives are: i)To proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ii)To promote Christian growth ,Christian love and Christian fellowship. iii)To organize lectures , retreats , crusades and conferences iv) To entrench spiritual deliverance v) To embark on programmes and activities of internal growth of the body of Christ. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral ,Corporate Affair Commission ,Plot 240, Tigris Crescent ,off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama-Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED TRUSTEES

igeriaP will soon get salary enhancement for its personnel, Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone 8, Alhaji Tanko Lawal, has said. Lawal, who was on an inspection and familiarisation tour of Kwara State Police Command, said this was part of welfare packages for the police by Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, to make Nigerian policemen comfortable enough to resist corrupt tendencies.

He commended Kwara State Command for securing a parcel of land on which an estate of 500 housing units would be built for officers, particularly retired ones at affordable prices. The scheme, he said, would be flagged off soon by the IGP. The housing project, according to him, would be executed through mortgage financing, using the newly floated Police Construction Company, PCC, to do the job. Speaking on current operational policy of the police, Lawal said the era of roadblocks across the

PUBLIC NOTICE THE EQUIPPED MINISTRIES

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the registration under ‘’PART C’’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Ayo Olude 2. Mrs. Funke Ige 3. Mr. Jesutowo Ige 4. Barr. Onafadeju Opeyemi 5. Mrs. Oyeronke Ola 6. Pastor (Barr) Temi Ola

- Chairman - Secretary - Member - Member - Member - Presiding Pastor

Aims And Objectives: 1. To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission at 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Abiodun Ayoola Esq. Counsel to the Trustees Barzillai Chambers, 1, Irepodun Street, off Abeokuta Road, Apata, Ibadan. Tel: 08038011346

country was gone forever and has been replaced with ‘safer highway patrols’ at the instance of the IGP. He restated the standing position in law that bail of suspects at police stations was free, stressing that no person could be detained beyond 24 hours. “There is no excuse to detain anybody above 24 hours. Where investigation cannot be concluded, such suspects are charged to court. It is the court that can order further detention based on the type of charges against the suspect. “Long detention by the

police must be avoided. Ganishy orders should not be arbitrarily obtained anymore and police should also henceforth avoid unnecessary involvement in civil cases. Where such matters are brought to the police, he should make peace between them or at best advise them to go to court,” he said. Welcoming the AIG to Kwara State, Police Commissioner, Ezoza Amadasu, highlighted the success of the state command in combating cultism in higher institutions as well as rising to the challenges of kidnapping with great zeal.

PUBLIC NOTICE OUR CHRIST GOODNEWS MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUTEES ARE : 1 LADIPO WOLE 2 OWOEYE OLUBUSUYI EBENEZE 3 LADIPO MODINAT YETUNDE 4 OLADIPO OPEYEMI 5 AKINADE OLUFUNKE MARY 6 LADIPO KAFAYAT ADETUTU 7 ABIFARIN OLUREMI ESTHER

PRESIDENT SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1 To promote the kingdom of God on earth 2 To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ 3 To mentor individual to discover and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives 4 To build faith and love in a united friendly environment. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. Signed: Secretary

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ARUNA ALIYAT YOYINADE, now wish to be known and addressed as ARUNA-AFOLABI, ALIYAT YOYINADE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Ayuba Alabi mosafejo, now wish to be known and addressed as Ayuba Busari Oladepo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME I formerly know and addressed as GABRIEL ACHI UZOKA, now wish to be known and address as GABRIEL ACHI ULUGBE. All former documents remain valid. IBTC Pension, First Bank and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Szczepanska Alice Ifunanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Ekuma Alice Ifunanya. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss JEGEDE FEBIS0LA OLUWATOYIN Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. ARIJE FEBISOLA OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Funmilola Bolatito AJAYI, now wish to be known and addressed as Funmilola Bolatito KOLAOYELEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNAAMAOBI AKUOMA now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS EZE AKUOMA FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MUSA MULIKAT BUKOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. TAJUDEEN MULIKAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS VICTORIA NNEKA ANYANWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. VICTORIA NNEKA OGUNSANYA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Balogun Abibat Oyindasola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mafe Abibat Oyindasola. All former documents remain valid. Nysc and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Vin Adiekwe now wish to be known and addressed as Vin Udenaewu. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Amarawuchi Nkechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oparanyanwu Nkeiru. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Okeniyi Bidemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sosanya Bidemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDOJA ADEOLA OMOSALEWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBO ADEOLA OMOSALEWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME HAMMED: Formerly known and addressed as MISS RASHIDAT SHAYAU IBRAHIM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RASHIDAT SHAYAU IBRAHIM HAMMED. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME aB: Formerly known and addressed as MISS WURAOLA ABASS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS WURAOLA SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBOYE ADURAGBEMI OLAWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AYODELE ADURAGBEMI OLAWUNMI. All former documents remain valid; National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NASIRU: Formerly known and addressed as MISS SAFIYA NASIRU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SAFIYA LAWAN BAKO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ALI BEATRICE NGOZI, now wish to be addressed as EZE BEATRICE NGOZI SCHOOLS. All former documents remain valid. CPS1 AMACHALA,CSS AMACHALLA,UNN, ENUGU STATE MINISTRY:JUDICIARY and general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

The general public is hereby notified that I, Mr. Kamorudeen Ayodele Osayemi, of No 55, Palm Avenue Mushin, Lagos, lost Certificate of Occupancy. Cof O no.98/98/1991Q, Isheri Osun Village,Ikeja Local Government Area. With area 664.393 Square meters, dated 15th March,1991. Lagos State Ministry of Lands and General public to please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PROPERTY NOT FOR SALE This is to warn the General public that some Acres of land Situated and Lying at IDOSAN VILLAGE (MILE 9) ABEOKUTA - AJEBO ROAD, OBAFEMI OWODE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE, belonging to POPOOLA FAMILY is not for sale. Any transaction is at buyer risk. Signed Solicitor and Advcocator The Admistrators of Late Popoola Family

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Felicia Chidi, now wish to be known and addressed as Patricia Ogbu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME formerly known as Miss OLUWATUYI MERCY OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. KOLEDOYE MERCY OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian police force,United Bank of Africa (UBA) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aremu Rukayat Damilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jimoh Rukayat Damilola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Achilonu Emmanuela . I. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyanwu Emmanuela. I. All former documents remain valid. IMPOLY, NYSC and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwakaku Chinwe Ugonna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emegasim Chinwe Ugonna . All former documents remain valid. I and the general public take note. IMPOLY, NYSC and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS. AFOLABI SADE AMINAT, now wants to be known as MRS. OLADIMEJI SADE AMEN. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAOMO DAMILOLA FUNMILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWAYEMI DAMILOLA FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNDIRAN PRINCESS OLUWATOSIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAYI OLUWATOSIN PRINCESS. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNKOLA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OMOLABAKE OGUNKOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OMOLABAKE OLUSHOLA OGUNYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Iheaka Egwuonwu Elekwa, now wish known and addressed as Iheaka Chika Elekwa. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, Benjamin Obi is the same person as Ochang Thomas Obi. That he should be known and called Obi Benjamin Thomas Ochang. All former documents bearing these two names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IBIDAPO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ibidapo Muinat Ayoka , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olajide Muinat Ibidapo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UGWU : Formerly known as Miss Ugwu Ifeyinwa Julieth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwatu Ifeyinwa Julieth. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Lamide Isaiah Omerah, now wish to be known and addressed as Lamidi Omerah ISAIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OHAGWU: I formerly known and addressed as MISS OHAGWU AGNES CHIKODI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKAFOR AGNES CHIKODI . All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS GLORIA BOSEDE PALMER now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GLORIA BOSEDE OZEUDU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IKUEJAMUWA: I, formerly known and addressed as lKUEJAMUWA FOLAKE AFOLABI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BEWAJI FOLAKE AFOLABI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, ALHAJA AKIYODE IDAYAT FOLA is one and the same person bearing ALHAJA AKIYODE JOSE IDAYAT FOLA. That all former documents bearing these two names remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss. Onitayo Oluwadamilola Grace, now wants to be known as Mrs. Babalola Oluwadamilola Grace. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbede Abibat Abosede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ismail Abibat Abosede. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OSAYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Mojibola Oriyomi Osayemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mojibola Taofeek Osayemi. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and General public to please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ABDUL: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABDUL HAJARA ELEOJO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HAJARA ELEOJO ABDULMUMIN. All existing or previous records/documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olagunju Abiola Oluwatoyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunremi Abiola Oluwatoyin . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Obiageli Sabina Nwokolo, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obiaraure Sabina Nwokolo . All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Bukari Desmond Teboho, now wish to be known and addressed as Awolere Timothy Oyewole. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nduka Patience Ebele,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anyaneche Patience Ebele. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Asukwo Nkponuko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Edet Asukwo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I Formerly known as Miss Adewale Adenike Aminat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abdul-quadri Aminat Adenike. All former documents remain valid. Osun state poly iree, NYSC and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ayeni Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayeni Owoyemi Victoria Mojisola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. LOSS OF DOCUMENTS This is to notify the general public that the acknowledgment letter of Plot 111 and no 127 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 11 , Abuja , belonging to Dr Chris Wigwe is missing. All effort to trace it has proved abortive. AGIS Abuja and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ilonuma Martha Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Diala Martha Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. IMSU Owerri, NYSC and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akanmu Omolara Abidemi, now wishes to be known as Mrs. Adebayo Omolara Abidemi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bello Latifat Korede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladini Latifat Korede. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME SULEIMAN: Formerly known and addressed as MUSADDIQ ABDUL, now wish to be known and addressed as MUSADDIQ SULEIMAN ABDUL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME GRACE : Formerly known and addressed as MISS GRACE OGBENE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GRACE MICHAEL MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Bisiolu Modupe Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Otuyemi Modupe Omowunmi . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Shakoto Omowunmi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogbeyemi Omowunmi Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Reason for change of Name: My whole family changed our name because of change of religion from Muslim to Christian. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nduka Patience Ebele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyaneche Patience Ebele. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Burna Sekyen. now wish to be known and addressed as Rude daniel Sekyen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINOLA ABISOLA ODUNAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADETOLA ABISOLA ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss.Oyekola Alice Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atobatele Opeyemi Alice. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as AGBOOLA SEGUN AND ADELEKE AKINWUMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AKINTAYO SEGUN JOHN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Sanni Ojoisimi is the same person as known and addressed as Sanni Sunday Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ishola Balqees Motunrayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oshiyemi Balqees Motunrayo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NNENNA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS JOY NNENNA INNOCENT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JOY INNOCENT OKORO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AJULUCHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as MISS SARAH MAFAKWE AJULUCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SARAH CHINYERE OKWUDILI . All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinlana Sekinat Adewunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Usim Sekinat Adewunmi . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ALO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Alo Oluwatoyin Oluwaseyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joshua Oluwatoyin Oluwaseyi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZEANYA : Formerly known as Ezeanya Chioma Happiness, now wish to be known and addressed as Osunkwo Chioma Happiness. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ojo Ojuolape Olufunmilayo. Now wish to be addressed as Mrs. ABE Ojuolape Olufunmilayo. All former documents remain valid. Kogi State Bureau of Local Government Pension Ministry and general public take note.

Wednesday September 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

I can say for a fact that the World Cup nightmare for Brazil is in the past. We are now in a new era

Roma have no anti-Messi plan –Coach

–PSG defender, Thiago Silva

FIFA Presidency

AAG football Results

Itemuagbor backs Kalu P

amodzi Sports Marketing (PSM) boss, Mike Itemuagbor, has backed the FIFA Presidential bid of former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, describing it as a Nigeria project worthy to be embraced by everyone. Speaking with examples about the lopsided trends in sports administration globally and Nigeria’s indifference towards seeking such offices when the opportunities present itself, Itemuagbor stated, “Nigeria is the only country in Africa that participates in all FIFA events despite the huge cost of these competitions, yet lacks presence in the global sports bodies. “If a Jordanian Ali fully backed by the people and government of Jordan despite their non- participation or presence among the countries of football in the world why not people of Nigeria back Orji? “Nigeria is the main issue and Orji is behind at the forefront of football in Nigeria because he has the requisite management experience having governed a state for eight years in Nigeria besides being a publisher, also a football enthusiast and an administrator, who has committed his personal resources in the past. With the new recognition of Nigeria by the global community, we implore the African continent to come together and emulate Europe and Asia with their block votes. “Today we have executive committee members from Saudi Arabia in IAAF despite no record of athletics, because Asia went to the election with their block votes as against a divided Africa. Should Orji Kalu decide to contest for the FIFA presidency, let us all as Nigerians support with the same zeal we use to support the national teams of Nigeria. We all have to see the FIFA Election as a 90 minutes game to put Nigeria at the top as always. Let’s throw our hats (into the ring) for Orji Ozor Kalu.”

Dream Team

B’Faso

Falcons

Cameroon

Ebere

Super Falcons’

Ebere joins PSG

Chief Orji Kalu

igerian international, Ngozi Ebere, has been signed up by Paris St Germain (PSG) Ladies, according to reports in France. The 24-year-old joined the Paris club on Monday on a two-year contract that will keep her in the French capital until 2017. According to supersport.com report yesterday, the Super Falcons defender is excited about her move to the French club and said she is “motivated by this new challenge.” “I am very motivated by this new

challenge that awaits me here in Paris. It’s a dream come true,” said Ebere after completing her move to the Paris side. Coach of the Paris St Germain Feminines, Farid Benstiti, views Ebere as the perfect partner for highly-rated French defender, Laure Boulleau. But the coach, despite being optimistic of the quality that Ebere will add to their defence, pleaded for time for the Nigerian to adapt. “She will be the complement of Laure Boulleau, who was in demand during recent seasons. She has great

potential and qualities that were shown in the last World Cup. She will need time to adapt, but her qualities will enable her to be ready soon enough,” the PSG manager said of his new Nigerian acquisition. Ebere joined Paris St Germain from Nigerian women’s club, Rivers Angels. The defender was part of the Nigerian women’s national team to the African Women’s Championship (AWC) in 2012 and 2014 as well as the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, where PSG first scouted her.

Sports

Wednesday September 16, 2015

Roma have no anti-Messi plan –Coach

oma coach, Rudi Garcia, has said that there is no plans to target Lionel Messi as his team aim to “get a result” when they face Barcelona tonight in a Champions League Group E opening match. Roma host the defending European champions on the back of some strong performances this season including a 2-1 win over Italian champions, Juventus, two weeks ago. Garcia fully expects the Spanish league giants, who swept Juventus aside 3-1 in last May’s Berlin final and beat Roma 3-0 in a pre-season friendly, to be a tough nut to crack at their Stadio Olimpico. But the coach said Roma would take a collective approach to countering the threat of Messi, Luis Suarez or Andres Iniesta. “We don’t have an anti-Messi plan, just as there isn’t one to stop Suarez or Iniesta,” Garcia told newsmen in the Italian capital yesterday.

“As (midfielder) Daniele De Rossi has said, you deal with the threat collectively, both in attack and defence.” Roma’s fans are still hurting from a 7-1 thrashing by Bayern Munich in last season’s group stages, a reverse that contributed to the Giallorossi failing to make the last 16. Barcelona are favoured by many to claim a second successive title and Garcia underlined exactly where Luis Enrique’s men are strongest. “They like to keep the ball and they have lots of pace up top to strike at the right time, making the most of quick breaks,” he added. “We have to come out

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UEFA Champions League…

Messi

Results

well when we have t h e chance to. Our aim is to get a result based on the quality of our players, thanks to a good team approach in both phases of the game.”

Benfica

FC Astana

Galatasaray

Atl. Madrid

Man City

Juventus

PSG

Malmo FF

PSV

Man Utd

Real Madrid

Shakhtar

Sevilla

B. M’gladbach

Wolfsburg

CSKA Moscow

Today’s fixtures

Levekusen vs BATE Roma vs Barcelona Dinamo Zagrb vs Arsenal Olympiakos vs Bayern Chelsea vs Macabi Tel Avi Dynamo Kiev vs FC Porto KAA Gent vs Lyon Valencia vs Zenith St. Peter

Chelsea miss Falcao, Oscar returns

C Wilshere

Arsenal’s Wilshere out for 3 months

rsenal midfielder, Jack Wilshere, requires surgery on a hairline fracture of his left leg and is expected to be out for three months. The 23-year-old broke a fibula in August but was expected to return to training following September’s international break. BBC Sport reports that the Gunners have, however, said he needs to have a plate inserted in his leg. “Jack’s scans show that the healing process is not progressing as well as expected,” a club statement read. “He is likely to be out for approximately three months.”

Wilshere underwent two operations last season after injuring his left ankle against Manchester United in November 2014. He returned to play in Arsenal’s FA Cup final win over Aston Villa in May. Wilshere also featured in England’s June internationals, netting twice in the 3-2 European Championship qualifier victory over Slovenia. His career has been plagued with ankle problems since he first sustained a stress fracture during pre-season in 2011, which left him sidelined for 15 months.

helsea will be without striker Radamel Falcao when they open their Champions League campaign at home at the Stamford Bridge to Israeli champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Colombian has a minor injury which is not expected to sideline him beyond tonight’s game. Asmir Begovic will deputise for Thibaut Courtois in goal, while defender Papy Djilobodji has not been included in the Blues’ Champions League squad. But Brazilian playmaker, Oscar returns following a knee injury. Chelsea enter the elite European competition having made their worst start to a domestic top-flight season in 29 years. However, despite winning just one of their first five domestic matches, Begovic says confidence levels are “still pretty good.” But Coach Jose Mourinho insisted yesterday that he is under no pressure, although he admitted it was a “strange feeling” losing after the Blues’ less than convincing start to the England Premier League season. The Portuguese was in relaxed mood despite last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Everton seeing, his team drop to 17th in the league, their worst top-flight start in 29 years. “I am the current champion of England: why should I be in trouble? Why? I think that’s a good question you don’t

know how to answer. Three months ago we were the best team in the country, the best manager, the players,” Mourinho said. “We know what we are, champions of England. It’s not because we started so bad –- and it really is so bad –- that somebody can steal what we are. “Nobody can steal our trophies, our history. Nobody can do that. You can try, but you can’t do that. We know what we are: Champions of England.”

Oscar

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday September 16, 2015

Midweek League with PAUL EREWUBA 08032138738

Table

Warri Wolves players

Wolves boycott training again over unpaid salaries

layers of Glo Premier League side, Warri Wolves, refused to train yesterday, protesting the failure of the management of the club to pay their salaries. According to a source close to the team who pleaded anonymity, the players took the action after the club failed to fulfil their

promise of dealing with the situation. It would be recalled that the players embarked on a similar action few weeks ago to facilitate the prompt payment of their wages, but were prevailed upon by club officials to end the strike. The source further revealed that they will boy-

cott their next league game against Abia Warriors if their demands are not met. “The players didn’t train this morning (yesterday),” the source stated. Continuing, he said: “the management of the club have failed to fulfil their promise to the players, so they don’t have any choice

than to shun training again. “If things continue the way they are, the players say they will boycott their next game against Abia Warriors.” The Seasiders currently occupy the second position in the Glo Premier League table, four points behind leaders Enyimba.

Teams

Enyimba

Wolves

Wikki

Sunshine

Giwa

Pillars

Heartland

Nasarawa

Abia

IfeanyiUbah

3SC

Rangers

El-Kanemi

Lobi

Akwa

Sharks

Kwara

Dolphins

Taraba

Bayelsa

El-Kanemi rues poor run

Dolphins striker, Ifeanyi Egwin

Strugglers Dolphins vow to stay up

olphins coach Stanley Eguma has vowed his team will keep fighting to stay up in the Nigeria top flight. The Port Harcourt club has been sucked back into the drop zone after they lost 2-0 at Enyimba on Sunday. They are now 18th on the table with 31 points from 29

matches. “The league is not over,we still have nine games to play so we can’t write off ourselves. We will work hard so as not to go down at the end of the day,” Eguma said. Dolphins defender Jonathan Zikiye shared the optimism of his coach. “I believe we can escape rel-

egation, this is football where anything can happen. We are hopeful and have not given up,” Zikiye said. Eguma blamed the poor state of the Enyimba Stadium pitch for his team’s loss on Sunday. He said though his team lost concentration and conceded the goals, a good pitch would have

allowed his team play better. “We lost concentration in the second half after playing well in the first half. We conceded the goals due to loss of concentration,” he lamented. “The bad state of the pitch did not allow us play our normal game. We prepared well for the game, but unfortunately we lost.”

l-Kanemi Warriors utility defender Opara Chukwuebuka who has adjudged his football career a worthwhile decision that has made him, regrets his club’s poor form in the league which he is blaming on some psychological trauma. The Warriors had domination in their Match Day 27 fixture against Warri Wolves but failed to convert series of chances that would have earned all three points. The player who narrated how he was liberated from hooliganism through his natural football talent, preached the need for parental support for children to develop their God given talents. “I was born and brought up in the barracks and my father was a former police officer but i suddenly became a street boy after the death of my mum and lived all sorts of nasty life. Thanks to my father and siblings who encouraged me to play football”, Ebuka reminisced. ‘I must tell you, I am not happy with our current form, but I know we will bounce back”, he said.

WORLD RECORD

First canine film star Vol. 05 No. 1200

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

N150

Rollie Rover was the undisputed star of the film Rescued by Rover released in 1907. It was produced by Cecil He pwor th and cost £7 13s 9d to make.

Of same-sex marriage, Okotie and the ‘new’ moralism

ith the endorsement of same-sex marriage by western nations and their threat to sanction any nation that discriminates against people on account of sexual orientation, the world is witnessing the subtle emergence of a new ethnic as foretold by Rev. Chris Okotie, in a series of interviews with the media few years ago. In the twilight of his administration, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the anti-gay marriage bill into law after it was passed by the 7th National Assembly. This singular action drew the ire of two western nations, the United States and Britain in particular. In an opinion in the Nigerian Compass of Monday, October 18, 2010, the Pastor-politician had written: “…there are three levels of what I call the tripartite coalition of evil... We have Elitism, Satanism and Mysticism.

Guest Columnist If you can understand these three, you will understand how politics works...” Then also, in his monumental book, The Last Outcast, published in 2001, Rev. Okotie had warned that the time would come when the world would accept sodomy as a new normal. Many, including Ministers of the Christian faith in Nigeria dismissed it as impossibility, but little over a decade after, it came to pass. Today, several western nations are promoting same-sex marriage; and considering their drive to enlist the rest of the world in this new evil, the world is witnessing another phase in the cultural evolution of mankind. The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has also chosen to tread the path of populist views by refusing to uphold the tenets of the Bible on the matter. He would rather sympathize with gays than condemn sodomy. As a new group recognized even by the United Nations, this new ethnic group of people of shared sexual orientation has managed to get the required backing by leveraging on international sympathy to pressure nations and governments to alter laws to accommodate this bizarre sexual preference. The passage of the law permitting same-sex marriages by major western nations and its approval by the UN is a major threat to the moral health of nations. To underscore the seriousness of the clamour for this new ethnic, the spokesperson for the British High Commission in Nigeria, while reacting to the nation’s anti-

Secret of my US-Open success –Djokovic

nly six men in the history of tennis have won more Grand Slam titles than Novak Djokovic, and as he promised after winning a 10th in New York on Sunday:

Ben Adighibe

“As long as there is this flare in me, I will be coming back,” Njokovic began. Winning three more Grand Slams would take him past Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI DID WELL BY REJECTING THE PROPOSITION BY

AMERICAN HOSTS TO REVIEW NIGERIA’S ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE HIS

LAW WHEN HE RECENTLY VISITED THE

gay law had said: “The U.K. opposes any form of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, and concluded that the law “infringes upon fundamental rights of expression and association which are guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and by international agreements to which Nigeria is a party”. David Cameron, British Prime Minister hinted that his government would cut off aids to countries that enacted new laws targeting homosexuals. Sodom and Gomorrah, here we come! Also, according to a report on Al Jazerra’s website, a statement by the Nigerian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex Diaspora urged our legislators “not to make them refugees”. They claimed that criminalizing same-sex relationships “turns us into asylum seekers in other countries. We visit home with trepidation because at home we have to live a life full of lies and deny who we are for us to be ac-

cepted. Why do we want to keep subjecting our citizens to such psychological and emotional torture?” A study of 39 nations by the Pew Research Center, US, showed that 98 percent Nigerians viewed homosexuality as unacceptable. If the tenets of democracy which the US and other western nations claim to promote are true, why would they insist that a nation that does not support a trend be ‘compelled’ under the threat of ‘political duress and economic starvation’ to subscribe to it? This is a contradiction. Aid-dependent nations of the third world, which have equally strong anti-gay stances, have been harangued into scuppering such legislation for fear of being starved of funds. This is nothing but economic terrorism, which is not in line with the much touted liberal democracy, human rights and sovereignty of nations that the US often promotes. Contrary to the popular opinion in the global media, even Americans across the racial spectrum are repulsed by the trend. But these opponents of same-sex marriage feel helpless under the pervasive influence of their government’s political and media machineries, which do not consider that under the terms of engagement of its democratic culture the wish of the majority of Americans who oppose the emergence of this new ethnic should hold, as opposed to the personal desires of a select few. Already, in the US, a cleric and another clerk in Kentucky, US have been sentenced for upholding their beliefs and refusing to conduct a gay wedding. Like Rev. Okitie rightly has rightly said, same-sex marriage is a direct rebellion against the Almighty God, because the Bible forbids it. Besides, it is contrary to nature. President Muhammadu Buhari did well by rejecting the proposition by his American hosts to review Nigeria’s anti-gay marriage law when he recently visited the US. Mr. President must continue to stand firm against assaults by decadent western societies on our moral and cultural ethos. Adighibe wrote from Abia State.

Sport Extra

on the all-time list, and in sight of Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal, who both have 14 to their name. Roger Federer’s record of 17 remains the ultimate goal. Djokovic has nearly six years on Federer, but

modern history suggests such relentless success will be extremely difficult to sustain into his 30s. Watching him now, though, makes anything seem possible. Djokovic reached all four of 2015’s

Grand Slam finals, losing only to Stan Wawrinka in the championship match at the French Open. “It seems like there are not many guys that can hang with him,” Federer reflected in defeat.

Djokovic

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