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Reps ask Discos to stop upward review of tariff UBONG UKPONG AND TORDUE SALEM

ouse of Representatives, yesterday, asked the Nation-

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al Electricity Regulation Agency, NERC, to without further delay, stop electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, from further action towards upwards review of electric-

Wednesday, October 7 , 2015

UK, Swiss assure Buhari on speedy repatriation of stolen fund

ity tariff in the country. The directive followed a motion brought by Hon. Solomon Bulus Maren, representing Mangu/ Bokkos Federal ConstituCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Mixed reactions trail Buhari’s ministerial list Nothing to be excited about, says PDP OBIORA IFOH, GEORGE OJI, ABIODUN NEJO, KEMI OLAITAN, A ZA MSUE, WILLIAMS ATTAH

Senate to screen nominees Tuesday

ixed reactions, yesterday, trailed the formal unveiling of the ministerial list sent to the Senate last week by President Muhammadu Buhari The Senate will commence the screening of the 21 nominees on Tuesday next week, according to Senate President, BuCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Emir tasks FG to implement confab report

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Scene of fire accident involving a petrol tanker that fell off, killing one man and burning 3 trucks, at Oshodi area of Lagos, yesterday.

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Okar, mastermind of Oct 1 Abuja bomb blast attempts suicide Alison-Madueke’s trial, tip of the iceberg –Oshiomhole

Yobe police parade 3 suspects over illegal possession of firearms

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Mixed reactions trail Buhari’s ministerial list CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

kola Saraki, after reading out the names. The reading of the ministerial list came as the red chamber also dispelled rumours that it would summon and screen President Buhari following his disclosure that he would oversee the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee On Media and Publicity, Dino Melaye, disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen at the end of plenary session. “Let me use this opportunity to dispel the ru-

mour making the rounds that the Senate will summon and screen the President since he said he will oversee the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. There is no truth in the rumour, it only exists in the imagination of those who are the authors of the rumour,” Melaye said. The lawmaker also explained that the Senate decided to commence the screening next week to enable senators be furnished with all necessary information about the nominees to be able to pose informed questions to the candidates. On the list of the nomi-

nees are former governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti). The National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Lai Mohammed (Kwara); former PDP National Chairman, Audu Ogbeh (Benue) and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (Delta) are also on the list. Others are: Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra); Senator Hadi Sirika (Katsina); Abubakar Malami, SAN, (Kebbi); Abdurahman Bello Dambazau

(Kano), Aisha Al-Hassan (Taraba); Adebayo Shittu (Oyo); Solomon Dalong (Plateau); Amina Ibrahim (Kaduna); Osagie Ehanire (Edo); Sulaiman Adamu (Jigawa); Kemi Adeosun (Ogun), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi); Ahmed Ibeto (Niger); Ibrahim Jibril and Udoma Udo-Udoma (AkwaIbom). Shortly after Saraki read out the names, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill, rising under a Point of Order, urged the president to release the remaining list immediately, arguing that since it took the president four

months to announce the partial list, it might take a longer period for the complete list to be out. In his ruling, Saraki said the president should be given the benefit of doubt, pointing out that since he fulfilled his promise of sending the list by September, he would also send the remaining list ‘shortly’ as promised. Other PDP senators also moved to oppose the presentation of the list in batches, but Saraki only noted their observations as the Senate proceeded with other businesses of the day.

L-R: Chairman, World Pension Summit, Mr. Harry Smorenberg; Managing Director, Centenary City Ltd, Dr. Odenigwe Michaels; Director-General, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Director-General, National Pension Commission, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; Co-Chairman of the summit, Mr. Eric Eggink, and Managing Director, Quantum Global, Mr. Franck Behiblo, during the World Pension Summit-Africa Special, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Reps ask Discos to stop upward review of tariff CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ency of Plateau State. The motion, considered under matter of urgent public importance, was titled, “Arresting the impending unrealistic upward review of electricity tariff by distribution Companies, DISCOs.” The member noted to the House that recent publication in national dailies by DISCOs calling for a meeting with select consumers in preparation towards the upward review of electricity tariff by almost all the DISCOs in Nigeria.

He further noted that power generation and distribution in the country were in a state of comatose leading to the closing down of many industries thereby creating unemployment in the country while hampering the development of Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs. He said that he was aware that the House, indeed, resolved against further collection of the flat rates (maintenance) fee or service fees by the DISCOs, which were termed illegal and not in tandem

with best practices. He also said he was aware that NERC had directed all DISCOs to comply with the above resolve. Maren expressed the concern that the DISCOs were about devising another way of collecting this monies under another guise. He said he was further concerned that the DISCOs took over the distribution of electricity from PHCN close to two years now, and had not added to the sector since after they took over, to warrant such increase in

tariff. The member of the House of Representatives was worried that in many parts of the world, electricity tariffs were reducing due to fallen oil prices as much of electricity was generated by gas, which was a component of crude oil. He said that if the unwholesome practice was not checked, it would continue to the detriment of Nigerian people, who would also slow down the development of SMEs. He prayed the House to

urge NERC to direct an immediate stop and also mandate NERC and DISCOs to appear and brief the House on the issue to ensure that Nigerians are not short changed. The lawmaker also asked that the House mandated NERC and DISCOS to immediately begin the provision and installation of prepaid meters to every consumer nationwide. Consequently, his motion was carried by the House presided over by Deputy Speaker, Sulaiman Lassun, with all his prayers granted.

However, briefing newsmen after the plenary, Akpabio commended the president for the list saying, “We will do our best to ensure robust debate, fine-tune the policies of the APC administration to better the lots of Nigerians and to ensure that Nigeria gets out of the current economic doldrum.” Reacting to the list yesterday, PDP said there was nothing exciting about the names. “By a mere look at the list, one can tell that there is nothing to be excited about, especially considering the length of time it took the president to come up with it,” the party said. Its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement said going by the names on the list, it shouldn’t have taken the president six months to assemble the team. The party said the list and the length of time it took further confirmed the fact that the APC-led administration was driven by propaganda and deceit, a development that he said raised doubts on the sincerity of its anticorruption crusade. Former National Publicity Secretary of Arewa Consultative Forum, Mr. Anthony Sani, in his reaction urged Nigerians not to judge President Buhari by ministerial and other appointments made so far. Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone interview after the release of ministerial nominees by the Senate, Sani, who was also spokesman of Northern Delegates at the National Conference, said Buhari should be allowed to choose people he believed could assist him deliver his promises to Nigerians. Also, the Senior Pastor of an Abuja-based church, The Glory House, Rev. Enoch Iroegbu, dismissed the ministerial nominees list as a charade, saying that it was a payback time for those who allegedly looted the treasury to help him win election. He counselled Nigerians to keep praying to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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L-R: President/CE, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; daughters of the late Mama H.I.D. Awolowo, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Rev. Tola Oyediran and Chairman, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola, during a condolence visit to the family at Ikenne, Ogun State, yesterday

L-R: Managing Director\CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi and Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, during the launch of Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Head, Banks Financial Institutions, Standard Chartered Bank, Oloruntimilehin George; Special Assistant to CBN Governor on Development Finance, Olatunde Akande, and Acting Managing Director, Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc, Edwin Nzelu, at a workshop in Lagos, on Monday.

Representative of President General of the League of African Development Students (LEADS Africa), Comrade Mbatsav Kennedy (left), presenting Africa’s Patriotic Personality award and the Corporate Mandate Delivery Merit Award to Managing Director of NICON Insurance Limited, Mr. Bayode Samuel, in Abuja, yesterday.

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Alison-Madueke’s trial, a tip of the iceberg –Oshiomhole Rotimi Fadeyi, Abuja

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said the trial of former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani AlisonMadueke in the United Kingdom for alleged money laundering was just a tip of the iceberg. Speaking with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Oshiomhole said the economy had been mismanaged over the past several years and that nobody should be surprised about the trial of the former minister. The governor explained that it was shocking that with the revenue that accrued to the country consistently, the treasury was empty and the nation was running budget deficit. According to him, over N3.5trn was drawn down by the previous government from pension funds to support recurrent expenditure. “For me, I don’t think anybody should be sur-

prised because the most favorable commentator on the Nigerian condition, both the economy, the polity and society, everybody agree that our economy was badly mismanaged over the past several years. “I have not seen one commentator that disagreed. Even when they talk about rebasing, have you rebased the level of

poverty? Have you rebased prosperity? Have you rebased unemployment? Have you rebased homelessness? Have you rebased hunger? So I have not seen anyone that says Nigerian people are doing better,” Oshiomhole said. The governor explained that during the past administration, he was only in government and not in power because

a lot of things were not done the right way. He, however, said that with the present government, many things that were done in the wrong way are now being addressed. “I am the luckiest person, I have been in government for seven years without being in power, I was in government, I couldn’t call a commissioner of po-

lice and talk as a security officer, I am haunted by all manners of persons. “You kill the snake in Edo, they will put the snake on life support in Abuja and they keep harassing us, Now all those venoms are dead and buried. For the first time I am excited and happy not just for personal benefit, but for the changes I am beginning to see,” he added.

Also speaking, Zamfara State governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Abdulaziz Yari said the country was making progress with the new administration. According to him, Nigerians must work and give the necessary support to the government in order to bring about the desired change for a better society.

Why FG is adopting new budgeting system –Osinbajo Rotimi Fadeyi

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday said the present administration took the bold step to change the budgeting system in order to achieve the nation’s socio-economic goals amidst dwindling oil revenues and the vast number of Nigerians who live in poverty. Osinbajo disclosed this while meeting with Permanent Secretaries

and Directors-General during a one-day sensitisation session on the 2016 budget and 2016-2020 Medium Term Plan of the Federal Government. According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, the Vice President said the greatest challenge facing the country was controlling increasing recurrent expenditure and freeing up resources for growth-

related capital expenditure. Osinbajo stated government would do something about poverty, saying that in addressing the issue, budgeting must be done differently. He stressed that budget planning under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration would restore the long term policy-based approach to budgeting, alongside a zero- based budgeting, which ques-

tions all expenses and ensuring greater transparency. Osinbajo noted that unlike the traditional budgeting where baseline assumptions were taken for granted, under the zero-based budgeting, expenditures would be reduced since every item would have to be justified. He said the Treasury Single Account, TSA, introduced by the government would help to avoid

the under-declaration of revenues by ministries, departments and agencies of government. He disclose that the President had already instructed that every agency, including the military and the universities, must join the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information Systems, IPPIS, which would help in curtailing some abuses in the salaries and emoluments’ processes.

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Okar, mastermind of Oct 1 Abuja bomb blast attempts suicide DOOSUUR IWAMBE

WITH AGENCY REPORT

ecurity operatives attached to Justice Gabriel Kolawole at the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, prevented Charles Okah, the alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bombing from committing suicide in court. Okah, who is standing trial on charges of terrorism, had sought the permission of the judge to speak on what he termed “endless trial,” as his counsel was absent in court. The judge granted the oral application and permitted Okah to speak for about five minutes. Okah said: “I have been incarcerated for about five years now and I have a family to cater for. My children would grow up without feeling the warmth of their father and I am tired of this endless trial. I really do not

know what I have done to be treated this way. “Is it not better to die than to wait and be messed up this way?” Immediately after Okah ended his speech, he grabbed a chair in the court and quickly moved toward a window on third floor of the five-storey building and attempted to jump down. He was immediately pulled back by security operatives, lawyers and other litigants from embarking on the action. Consequently, Kolawole adjourned the case to October 20 for continuation of trial. Others charged in the case are Obi Nwabueze and Edmund Ebuware. The fourth accused, Tiemkemfa Osuvwo, died in Kuje prison, while Ebuwari has been jailed for life as his case was separately decided. However, Okah and Nwabueze have been facing long trial as a result of the introduction of nu-

merous injunctions from both the prosecution and defence teams.

Mr. Okah, whose elder brother, Henry, was convicted of same crime in

South Africa, was charged with one-count charge which contains 22 partic-

ulars of overt acts of treason and another 8-count charge of terrorism.

High Commissioner Designate of the United Kingdom to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, inspecting guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army at the presidential villa in Abuja yesterday.

Mixed reactions trail Buhari’s ministerial list CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

God for a better Nigeria, saying that if there would be change, only God would bring it about. A member of the House of Representatives, Danasabe Charles Hosea (PDPTaraba State), in his assessment, expressed mixed feelings. He said though the president had the prerogative to appoint ministers of his choice, the nominee from Taraba State, might be unacceptable to the people of the state. A political pressure group in Gombe State, Gombe Youth Awareness Salvation Forum, kicked against the nomination of Amina Al-Zubair from the state. Coordinator of the group, Malam Abubakar Umar, stated this in Gombe while briefing some journalists. He said the nominee was part and parcel of the previous government and an active member of the PDP. According to him, there were people that contributed to the emergence of APC and they are credible and can represent the state anywhere.

Fayemi’s nomination received applause in Ekiti yesterday. APC in the state, religious and community leaders and eminent personalities described the nomination as a reward for hard work and the vision he exuded while working as governor of the state. The groups and individuals urged Fayemi to continue to pursue his vision of human development as he takes appointment as a minister. A statement from APC state Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the chairman of the party, Chief Olajide Awe, asked the former governor to strengthen the template for modern governance anchored on human development he established in Ekiti State to contribute his quota to national development. Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Femi Ajakaye, urged Fayemi to use his Godgiven gifts and talents to “concretely and meaningfully” make a positive impact in the service of the nation. The cleric enjoined the former governor “to

continue to serve God in humanity with humility and to keep using your God-given talents for the common good”. A former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Director, Chief Bandele Falegan, said Fayemi’s nomination presented “the second time within five years that my joy is full to the brim”. The elder-statesman said he was convinced that Fayemi’s nomination was a reward by God for dedication to selfless service to humanity and loyalty to his party, even as he said that the legacy projects by the former governor had sold him beyond Ekiti State frontiers. The Onisan of IsanEkiti, Fayemi’s home town, Oba Sunday Ajiboye, said the brilliance and vision demonstrated as the former governor of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014 posted landmark impacts unprecedented in the state’s development. The monarch was quoted to have enjoined Fayemi to demonstrate the same passion at the national scale for Nigeria’s development.

Fayemi, himself, while reacting, said despite his closeness to the president, he did not tell him he would be nominated as a minister. The former governor, who was the director of Research and Strategy in Buhari’s campaign team during the 2015 electioneering period, however, told newsmen at the national secretariat of APC that he was surprised by his nomination. When asked whether the nomination came to him as a surprise, Fayemi said: “Well, to the extent that I was not told by the president, that I was going to be on his list, yes, it came as a surprise. The president is a surprise master; let me put it that way. The purported rejection of Mr. Shittu as a minister from Oyo State by the leadership APC in the state, was met by stout resistance by the people of Oke-Ogun. Two different groups, Oke-Ogun Project and Oyo State Youth Assembly led by Ismail Adedoyin and Bashir Mayowa Alade respectively, at a media parley held in Ibadan, yesterday lamented that the zone had been

largely marginalised in the distribution of dividends of democracy in the state and this made the current nomination as gladdening to all the sons and daughters of the state. The leadership of the groups said the nomination of Shittu, was an answered prayer, because, “we have always been sidelined in previous political appointments even though we had worked tirelessly to put many politicians in power”. While disagreeing with the leaders of APC in the state as represented by Chief Akin Oke and Mr. Mojeed Olaoya, chairman and secretary of the party respectively, who signed the newspaper advertorial announcing the rejection, the groups described the move as bad politics. “If the change we desire and yearn for is to be achieved, the choice of Barrister Adebayo Shittu as nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari is not only sacrosanct but also desirable. “Shittu is not only a disciplined legal icon, but also a politician with unblemished records of

public service. The nomination has laid to rest the political apprehension within the legacy parties that formed APC “If conscience is a virtue among principles that Akin Oke-led APC holds in high esteem, then they did not have any moral rights to write petition against an indigene of Oke Ogun because if not for the bulk vote of Oke Ogun people, APC would have lost Oyo State in the last election,” the groups stated further. On the argument of those crying foul over the nomination that the State Secretary of the defunct ANPP was given commissionership slot in the state, the groups described this as “not only malicious, but height of desperation by the ACN wing of APC to hoodwink the public because the said beneficiary, Sola Osotoye, has refuted the claim in a protest letter to Governor Abiola Ajimobi”. They went further to state that for the APC leaders to have described Shittu as a lone ranger and not a team player, showed height of their hypocrisy.

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UK, Switzerland ready to return stolen monies –Buhari …calls for speedy investigation, repatriation of looted funds Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said Britain and Switzerland were ready to return stolen funds to the country. He stated that the two countries had already given his administration relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations. Buhari applauded the two countries for their renewed support for the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen from Nigeria. A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke at separate audiences with new British and Swiss Ambassadors, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence, Buhari noted that British, Swiss and other

NUC explains refusal to approve ODL in varsities Priscilla Dennis MINNA

ational Universities Commission, NUC, has given reason for its refusal to approve Open Distance Learning, ODL, in most tertiary institutions in the country. It said not approving it was the commissions’ effort in putting in place quality assurance measures and should not be seen as being unduly rigid. Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, at a stakeholders’ Forum/ Open Distance Learning Workshop organised by the Centre for Open Distance and e-Learning, CODeL, of the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, yesterday, said the commission was working towards making universities go through the proper Open Distance Learning procedures.

foreign anti-crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations. The President however called for the speeding up of the processes of investigation, pros-

ecution and repatriation of such stolen funds by corrupt public officials and their accomplices. “Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started. “It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual. I personally appreciate the

efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue. “He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his words,” the President told the new British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright. In his remarks, Ark-

wright assured Buhari of Britain’s preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources. “We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency, NCA, working with your Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Tell us where and

how we can help and we will provide the assistance,” the British High Commissioner assured the President. Buhari also welcomed assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Eric Mayoraz that his country would expedite action on the repatriation of millions of dollars stolen by public officials and still held in Swiss Banks.

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

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Cost of governance: Lagos saves N9bn in 3 months FRANCIS SUBERU

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday said his effort at pruning his government through realigning of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, has yielded a dividend of N9 billion between June and September.

The governor, who spoke at the maiden edition of the Quarterly Town Hall Meeting at Abesan Estate, Alimosho, Lagos, on Tuesday, said he would prefer a lean government with quality service delivery. Ambode, while addressing thousands of residents drawn from Lagos-West Senatorial Dis-

trict, said he was determined to be accountable for every revenue and expenditure of the state. He said one of his administration’s first key tasks was to stabilise the state’s finance, which made it to embark on a financial re-engineering, thereby reviewing the revenue and expenditure framework of the state.

The governor said in August his administration approved the release of N11 billion for payment of arrears of pensions owed pensioners since 2010, saying his government had on monthly basis consistently been presenting retirees on the Contributory Pension Scheme with bond certificates and had also

approved the appointment of four additional Pension Fund Administrators to boost the processes and accord staff a wider range of options. On security, Ambode said his government was aware of pockets of violence and robberies that have occurred in different parts of the state, saying investigations were on by security agencies. The governor expressed appreciation to members of the Organised Private Sector, OPS, for their support towards

the State Security Trust Fund; even as he said the fund-raising of almost N1 billion “from the OPS is a strong indication of your confidence in our administration to tackle security in the state.” In the area of health, Ambode said his government had provided 20 mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulances at a cost of N145,240 million deployed in all the state’s ambulance points, making a total of 36 mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulances.

Korede Bello, Wande Coal, set Ijebu Ode on fire at Glo Slide n Bounce

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Chairman of the occasion, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Vice Chancellor, Bowen University, Prof. Matthews Ojo, during the first Distinguished Personality Lecture, organized by the Department of Political Science and Diplomatic Studies, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, yesterday.

Ogun lawmakers to screen 3 commissioner –nominees

makers. They include Jide Ojuko, Sunday Bamiwola, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, Bolaji Oyeleye, Leke Adewolu, Afolabi Afuwape, Gbenga Ademosun, Kolawole Lawal, Segun Abiodun and Olumide Ayeni. Six of the commissioners, who worked with the governor in his first tenure, also made the list.

overnor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun yesterday has sent additional three nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners. They are Rotimi Durojaye, Adebola Adeife and Mrs Adenike Osoba. A letter from the governor containing names of the nominees was read

on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi. He said the approval would enable the governor to appoint commissioners that would help in administering the state. It would be recalled that the governor had on September 30 forwarded names of 16 commissioner-nominees to the law-

OJO OYEWAMIDE

Ondo tribunal nullifies Rep’s election

AKURE

ndo State Election Petitions Tribunal has nullified the election of a member of the House of Representatives representing Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency, Kolade Akinjo. The tribunal headed by Justice Anthony Ogar, consequently ordered that a fresh election be conducted in the federal constituency. Akinjo was t candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the March 28 National Assembly election.

The panel, which delivered its judgement yesterday in Akure, Ondo State capital, held that Akinjo was not qualified to contest the election on the platform of PDP. The lawmaker was the standard bearer of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2014 inconclusive Ilaje/Ese-Odo bye-election. But he dumped the party for the PDP alongside the governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, before the last general elections. Akinjo was declared winner of the March 28 poll by

the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, having scored the highest number of lawful votes. But candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lucky Ayedatiwa, challenged the outcome of the election, seeking its nullification. Ayedatiwa said Akinjo was not qualified for the election as he did not obtain waiver from the necessary organs of PDP before contesting the election. Through his counsel, Yinka Orokoto, Ayedatiwa

They are Mr Bimbo Ashiru, Mrs Ronke Sokefun, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Muyiwa Oladipo, Olamilekan Adegbite and Mrs Yewande Amusan. Each nominee is expected to come to the House of Assembly with 30 copies of their resume and original certificates on Thursday, October 8 for screening.

also argued that the respondent did not score the highest number of lawful votes for him to be the representative of the people of the constituency. Counsel to the respondent, Remi Olatubora, argued that the candidate of the PDP was duly elected and that he obtained necessary waiver before he contested the election. The tribunal held that the PDP candidate scored the number of lawful votes and that the election was free and fair.

or the second time in two weeks, Ijebu Ode was literarily on fire as the Nigeria’s next generation telecoms network, Globacom last Saturday held the Ijebu Ode edition of its flagship music concert, Slide and Bounce in the town. The Ijebu Ode edition of the Slide “n” Bounce where thousands of residents of the town enjoyed first class performances from top rated artistes was coming shortly after the network treated the residents of the town to a blissful Ojude Oba Festival, which it capped with a music concert at the Equity Resort. At the show held at De Prime Event Centre, paraded some of Nigeria’s most entertaining songsters, the duo of “I Don Get Alert” maestro, Koredo Bello and the nation’s biggest vocalist, Wande Coal, were practically on fire as they dazzled the crowd with their superlative performances, just a seven-year old dance prodigy, Tolulope Orimoloye impressed the audience with his amazing dance stunts. The Bumper 2 Bumper exponent, Wande Coal regaled the crowd with endless hits and crowned his 7-star performance with, “My Woman, My Everything”, a chart-topping collaborative work he did with other artistes, just as Powerful vocalist, Ego Ogbaro added soulful touches to the evening with her powerful rendition, thrilling the overflowing crowd with her hottest songs includingDon’t give up and Love me now. She engaged the crowd and took control of the stage with the confidence and

mastery of a tested vocalist. Burna Boy, known for his ability to switch to different genres of music such as Afrobeat, R&B and Hip-hop, during performance, came to the stage with full force and thrilled the crowd with his hyper-energetic delivery. He was immediately followed by the Supreme Mavin Dynasty’s starry-eyed boy, Korede Bello brought down the roof when he sang “Godwin” and told the audience that “I Don Get Alert”. From among the local hands that performed that night, seven year-old Tolulope Orimoloye won the admiration of the crowd with his amazing dance stunts, as he beat older dancers hands down. The duo of Obadia Shanu and Hassan Idris also came tops in another category of the dance competition and all went home with different prizes. Over 2,000 young and old fun-seeking residents of the town thronged the venue of the show, turning the arena into a carnival of sorts as they sang and screamed with gusto to the tunes of all the artistes who came on stage. Popular Yoruba actor and Glo brand ambassador, Odunlade Adekola came on stage to the delight of fans who welcomed him with a loud ovation. The actor lived up to the expectations of the crowd as he cracked hilarious jokes from his acting experiences and different encounters with his fans. He and the Master of Ceremonies, Folajimi Akinsola popularly known as Jimmy de Hypeman, did a fantastic job of engaging the crowd through musical interludes between the performances by the star artistes.

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South East

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Ugwuanyi sets up committee on Enugu Urban Renewal Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has constituted a committee on Enugu State Urban Renewal, with Chris Offor as chairman. The committee, according to a statement by the governor’s senior special assistant, SSA on Media, Mr. Louis Amoke, is in fulfillment of his promise to provide equitable distribution of dividends of democracy in the state and constitute a broadbased committee for developing all zones of the state. The governor consequently dissolved the Nsukka Urban Renewal Committee earlier constituted to modernise and develop Nsukka town (a university town founded over half a century ago) as part of his administration’s vision for the development of new cities in the state. A letter signed by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Gabriel Ajah, showed that the committee takes over the functions and activities of the now dissolved Nsukka

Urban Renewal Committee. The terms of reference of the new committee, which membership runs across the three senatorial districts of the state are to: identify factors responsible for slow pace of development of some urban towns in the state; develop Enugu State Urban Plan or modify existing one if necessary; identify structures/buildings erected without town planning approval or that constitute nuisance, which may obstruct the new Enugu State urban renewal. Other terms of reference include identifying new satellite areas that could be developed as urban cities as part of Enugu State Urban Renewal and make recommendations to the state government, actions to be taken to give the state urban cities a facelift. It would be recalled that the state governor had earlier reiterated his commitment to the principles of justice, equity and fairness in the development of the state and promised to constitute a broad-based committee.

Brigade commander vows to fight kidnapping, cultism in Imo Chris Njoku Owerri

ew brigade commander of 34 FAB Obinze, Imo State, Brigadier-General Kay Isiyaku, and Governor Rochas Okorocha have agreed to work as a team, and also to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property, including fighting other security threats in the state. The brigade commander also assured the governor of his determination to fight kidnapping and cultism in the state to a standstill. Governor Okorocha and the new commander met at Government House, Owerri, yesterday when the commander paid a courtesy visit to the governor. In recent time, crimes, particularly kidnapping, have become a regular occurrence in the state despite efforts by the government to curtail them, but the governor stated in his speech that the Army had done well fighting insurgency and other related security threats bedeviling the country, and should equally assist his ad-

ministration to fight crimes in the state. The governor added: “I also want to enjoin you as the new commander to ensure that the case of kidnapping that has been nipped in the bud, does not raise its ugly head again. We are going to work collectively to ensure the success recorded in the area of security is sustained.” He continued: “As a young senior military officer, I see you as one that has the desire to bring your long-time experience to bear. I would want to ask that you liaise with the traditional rulers, state-owned security outfits, and federal security agencies in the state to make your job easier.” On Boko Haram, the governor said: “The Nigerian Army has done very well in the fight against insurgency and terrorism bedeviling the nation at the moment. The war against insurgency is a serious one, but it will soon be over since the entire Nigerian citizenry are united in the fight. It is now clear that Boko Haram is a national problem. It is still a mystery and one day the mystery will be unraveled.

L-R: Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Benjamin Ozurumba; University Librarian, Dr. Nwogo Ezeani and member, UNN Governing Board, Prof. Ezeani Onyebuchi, during UNN Founders’ Day news conference in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ban on fines: Traffic officials abandon Enugu Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

ollowing the ban on collection of fines from motorists on account of breaking traffic rules in Enugu State, all roads in the state capital have now been deserted by men of the task force. Our correspondent, who moved round Enugu, reports that none of the various traffic task forces, which hitherto patrolled the streets on Keke NAPEP, motorbike and buses, was sighted. The development has given further credence to the belief that they were not in-

Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

nugu State House of Assembly yesterday passed a motion banning hawkers and destitute from roads in Enugu metropolis. The lawmakers equally resolved in the motion to make it an offence for anybody or organisation to paste posters and handbills at bus stops built in Enugu Capital Territory and major towns in the state. Member representing Nkanu East Constituency, Hon. Paul Nnajifor, supported by 13 others moved the motion, urging the state government through the Ministry of Environment to ban

terested in regulating traffic but merely as avenues for extortion. Prior to the ban, every road in the state was taken over by stern-looking traffic officials, who harassed and exploited motorists at will. The situation was worst in Enugu East where local government officials collect N25,000 from motorists for merely crossing some ‘invisible’ lines or over-taking other vehicles at Nike road. It was therefore, a deep feeling of relief and excitement for residents when words reached the streets that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had ordered im-

mediate suspension of collection of fines for traffic offences in Enugu Capital Territory, for a period of one month. The one month grace, according to the governor, was to give every traffic offender apprehended the grace to be enlightened, corrected and educated on the offence(s) committed, after which the individual would be allowed to move on without paying any fine. Ugwuanyi, while handing down the directive to stakeholders in the transport industry in the state, stated that his action was in response to persistent complaints from the public

over “activities of some people purporting to be working as traffic wardens cum revenue collectors for the state’s Ministries of Transport and Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, as well as three local government councils in Enugu metropolis.” Consequently, the governor directed that “in order for us to address the foregoing issues properly and to save our people from further unnecessary hardship, I hereby order the immediate suspension of the collection of fines for traffic offences in Enugu metropolis, for a period of one month.”

Enugu lawmakers pass motion banning hawkers, others members of the public from defacing the bus stops with posters of any kind. The motion also sought to mandate the Ministry of Environment through the Waste Management Authority, ESWAMA, Ministries of Gender Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, to clear the bus stops and all roads in the metropolis of destitute and hawkers that constitute nuisance in the urban areas that make up the capital territory. In the same vein, the motion asked the state

government to direct the Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies to monitor bus stops with a view to prosecuting offenders. All the members spoke in favour of the motion before it was passed, except the member representing Udi North, Hon. Johnbull Nwagu, who raised objection that the House would be ridiculed should the order be flouted as done in the past when a similar motion was raised during the 5th Assembly. However, the speaker,

Hon. Edward Ubosi, overruled Nwagu’s objection, saying the import of the motion was to ensure the environmental cleanliness of the state. Meanwhile, the House has cleared a member of the Civil Service Commission nominee, Mr. Egbogu Eugene Ejike from Eha Amufu, IsiUzo Local Government Area to replace Mr. Nwanze Agu who died recently. Mr. Ejike will be a member of the commission when sworn in to fill the vacant position.

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South south

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Navy impounds merchant tanker, nabs 11 oil thieves Osahon Julius and Dennis Naku

peratives of Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have arrested 11 suspected crude oil thieves and impounded a merchant tanker ship christened MT DERA 1, with the tugboat ‘Runner Charley’. The suspects and merchant tanker laden with over 6,000 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil, were arrested at Eremor 1 Marginal Oil field located off Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. A statement by the command’s spokesman, Lt Commander Edward Yeigbo, said the suspects and the tanker were arrested at the weekend.

Shortly after the arrest, Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, said preliminary investigation was on. He said the barge was arrested where there was no loading point, adding that the crude was suspected to be stolen from well head at Eremor 1 Marginal Field. The FOC said there would be no hiding place for oil thieves within the command’s area of responsibility as the command has intensified patrol of the area. He said the command has recorded tremendous success in the fight against crude oil theft barely two weeks of assumption of office in the region. This feat he has achieved was based on

Zero Tolerance on crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and other sundry crimes in Central Naval Command Area of Responsibility. The FOC said the Navy will continue to make the illegal business of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other sundry crimes unattractive. Rear Admiral Suleiman further warned that oil thieves should desist from all forms of illegalities and get involved in meaningful and legitimate businesses. The Flag Officer Commanding was accompanied by the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA; Commodore Aliyu Sule, Commander Nigerian Naval Base Yenagoa; Commodore Yakubu Wambai, Command Deputy Operation Officer;

Navy Captain Mustapha Hassan, amid other principal staff officers of the Central Naval Command. In a related development, naval ship, NNS Pathfinder Port Harcourt said it impounded 3,000-metric tonne capacity ship allegedly waiting to steal crude oil from pipelines in Rivers. Newly appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday aboard the ship in Dust Island, Okirika local government area of Rivers. Abdulkadir said the ship code named MT Everest was impounded on October 2 with 12 of its crew members who neither had certificate and approval to operate in the area.

Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

overnor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday failed to appear before the state’s Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja. The governor was expected to appear before the tribunal to testify on the conduct of the April 11, 2015, governorship election in the state supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, but his counsel Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) announced that the respondent had closed his case. Governor Wike called 24 witnesses, who refused to read some documentary presented to them at the court on grounds that they

were not the makers of the documents. Ukala told the threeman panel that his team decided not to call additional witnesses, saying they have tendered enough evidence before the tribunal to show that the election was peaceful and credible. Hearing of the tribunal will continue tomorrow. At the next sitting of the tribunal, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is expected to open its case. Chief Dakuku Peterside and his party, All Progressives Congress, dragged PDP before the tribunal to challenge the election of Governor Wike of PDP, who was declared winner of the election by the electoral body.

PDP lauds NLC for suspending strike in C’River Richard Ndoma CALABAR

ross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday commended the Nigeria Labour Congress/Trade Union Congress chapters in the state for calling off a two-day strike embarked on earlier. The labour unions had on Friday last week called out its members to down tools following disagreement with state government, only to call off the strike on Tuesday morning following the sign-

ing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between government and the labour unions. The PDP state party chairman, Ntufam John Okon, lauded the labour unions for their action, stressing that it was heart-warming that the industrial action was called off to allow the governor concentrate on governance. Okon also told journalists in Calabar that suspension of the strike has brought great relief to people of the state since the public would have suffered if the strike had continued.

Group endorses Amaechi’s nomination as minister

L-R: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor John Jonah; Governor Seriake Dickson; newly sworn-in Special Advisers; Hon. James Dugo and Mrs. Agatha Goma, shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of the 8 special advisers, at the Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday.

Oshiomhole suspends 4 LG chairmen

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday suspended four local government chairmen for non-payment of staff salaries and diversion of funds, among others. The four chairmen are Emmanuel Momoh (Etsako Central), Victor Enobakhare (Egor), Osaro Obazee (Oredo) and Roland Ibierutomwen

(Orhionmwon). A letter announcing the suspension and signed by Prof Julius Ihonvbere has been sent to Speaker of the House of Assembly. The letter said, “Their suspension, which is for two months, is to pave the way for unhindered investigation into several allegations against the chairmen, which includes non-payment of staff sala-

ries without satisfactory explanation, inability to account for Internally Generated Revenue, diversion of funds, failure to follow due process in the award of contracts, as well as illegal employment of Senior Officers without going through Local Government Service Commission, which is a violation of laid-down provisions.

“In the meantime, during the period of suspension, relevant panels would be constituted to investigate allegations against the affected chairmen. “The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform the Honourable Speaker and the House, of this development for record purpose.”

ivers Progressive Front, RPF, yesterday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating former governor of the state, Chibuike Amaechi, as minister. The RPF is a body of senior politicians and professionals in the state, headed by Sotonye IjuyeDagogo. The body, in a statement signed by Ijuye-Dagogo, said the nomination of Amaechi, among other eminent Nigerians, was an indication of President Buhari’s commitment to ensure that Nigeria changes for better. The statement said: “The nomination of for-

mer Governor Amaechi among other tested progressive leaders is an eloquent statement by Mr. President that the change Nigerians voted for has come to stay. “It is a bold and unmistakable statement that Mr. President is very clear about his mission to reposition our great country, Nigeria. It is a statement that puts to shame professional blackmailers and smear campaigners. “The Rivers Progressives Front hereby wholly endorses and expresses total support for Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Lion of Niger Delta politics and a leader of the commonsense revolution.

North

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

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Danjuma disburses N12m to bomb blast victims Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

igeria Foundation for the Support of Victims of Terrorism yesterday disbursed N12 million to victims of bomb explosion that rocked the nation’s capital, Abuja. Chairman of the foundation, General Theophilus Danjuma, during an inspection visit at the National Hospital in Abuja explained that so far, N500 million has been spent on bomb blast victims in the country. According to him, the

foundation is planning to upgrade the burnt theatre unit of the hospital in consultation with the hospital. “We are going to assist in augmenting the feeding of victims and also in the procurement of treatment materials that the hospital lacks at the moment. We are also assisting in the area of housing and accommodation, schools, pregnant women and children,” he said. He noted that the foundation’s primary concern is to support victims to enable them have complete recovery.

Tribunal validates Mark’s election George Oji, ABUJA

ational and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, has upheld the election of the former Senate president, David Mark. This was also as Mark has reaffirmed his faith in the sanctity of the judiciary and rule of law as the last hope and defender of the rights of the oppressed. He expressed appreciation to the judiciary for standing for the truth and reaffirming the mandate freely given to him by the people of Benue South senatorial district. Mark promised to do everything that is constitutionally right to bring dividend of democracy to the door steps of his constituents and beyond. A statement by the chief press secretary to Mark explained that the Justice Mosumola Dipeolu-led tribunal in a unanimous judgement that lasted two-and-a-half hours, dismissed the petition brought by the defeated All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate, Daniel Onjeh, challenging the election of Senator Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In the judgement, the tribunal held that the petitioner failed to establish any case against Senator Mark.

Justice Dipelou said Onjeh and his APC failed woefully to prove allegations of rigging, multiple thumb printing, overstuffing of ballot boxes, allocation of votes, intimidation, harassment and inducement of voters among others. The tribunal also held that the petitioner failed to substantiate any of his claims which she said is fatal to Onjeh’s case. The tribunal therefore discountenanced the scanty evidence of PW 18 (expert witness) called by Onjeh because the witness, under cross- examination accepted that there was error in his data analysis. Mark is currently the longest serving senator in Nigeria. He was elected in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. He served as president of the Senate for an uninterrupted eight years.

Coordinator, Plateau State NYSC, Mr. Salawu Abdulrazak (2nd left), representative of the Governor, Mr. Abel Gwatau (3rd left) administering drug on a boy, during the inauguration of NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers in Kanke LGA of Plateau on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Reps urge Buhari to recruit more soldiers to tackle terrorism

•Troops capture Boko Haram financier, stimulant supplier Tordue Salem and Ubong Ukpong

igerian Army yesterday announced the capture of a Boko Haram financier and stimulant dealer. In an operational update, its Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, disclosed that the suspect, Mohammed Maina, was intercepted and arrested by troops in Bama, Borno State. The suspect, a native of Ngurosoye who came from Shuari village in Bama Local Government Area, was said to have been arrested with N1 million cash and some items. “Investigation revealed that Mohammed supplies them kola nut and other items especially stimulants.

“He further revealed that kola nut is in high demand among the terrorists as it keeps them active at night. “It is apparent also that he plies Maiduguri-DikwaKulli axis where he gathers monetary and other material contributions from Boko Haram sympathisers along that axis and send same to the terrorists camps,” the Army said. It further disclosed that troops of 112 Battalion and Special Forces in Mafa and Dikwa respectively, on a joint fighting patrol raided a Boko Haram camp in Bulungwa Naibe, Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State on Monday. During the operation, Usman said quite a number of the Boko Haram members were killed. His words: “The following items were recovered: one Buffalo vehicle mount-

ed with an anti-aircraft gun, a rocket-propelled grenade, two machine guns and one sub-machine gun. Others include 5 AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle and two sewing machines used for sewing uniforms by the terrorists.” Usman pointed out that the terrorists often launched attacks on hapless civilians in Dikwa general area. He said the troops’ morale remain very high and that they are ever ready to continue with their duty in the most professional and responsive manner. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday called on the military to absorb more personnel in its effort to end the continuing suicide-bombing in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and other parts of the country.

Yobe police parades 3 suspects over illegal possession of firearms Inusa Ndahi, Damaturu Police in Yobe State yesterday paraded three suspects in connection with cases of extortion, criminal intimidation and illegal possession of arms. Parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters, along Gashua road in Damaturu, the command’s public relations officer, PPRO, ASP Toyin Gbadegesin, said 40-yearold Kachalla Bukar was cut in possession of fire arms, in contravention

of Sections 292 and 397 of the Panel Code Law of the country. The PPRO said the firearms in his possession was English-made doublebarrel gum with seven cartridges of live ammunitions which he used as instrument of intimidation to extort money from victims. ASP Gbadegesin also said the suspect has allegedly extorted N2,155,000 from 22 victims. The offences of illegal firearms and criminal

trespass with intent to commit felony, the PPRO revealed, is a join act involving Mustapha Mohammed who was caught armed with a locallymade short gun given to him by Buji Alhaji Liman, the prime suspect. The act, according to the police spokesman, contravenes CAP “F” 28 fire Arm Act Sections 344, 95 and 207 of the Panel Code law of Nigeria. He said the two suspects have made useful statements to the police

and that upon completion of the investigation, they would be charged to court. Items recovered from the suspects include a locally-made short doublebarrel gun with 206 pieces of live ammunitions, a knife and some charms. While appreciating the role of people in the thrilling and arrests of the three suspects, the PPRO called on the public to continue to partner with security operatives in maintaining a crimefree society.

The House urged the military to take all necessary measures to reduce the rate of insurgent attacks in Michika and Madagali towns of Adamawa State. The House made the resolution as it took a motion sponsored by Hon. Adamu Kamale (APC-Adamawa). Kamale, in his motion, had acknowledged the improvement in the security situation, and urged the chamber to commend the Federal Government for its Victims Support Fund initiative, but advised that the government needs do more. He accused the Nigerian army of not doing enough to protect the vulnerable areas, especially in states of the North East. “In spite of the increasing attacks with pervasive consequences against cities, towns and villages in Nigeria, especially in North East, the army turned deaf ears to complaints by community leaders and representatives, leaving the affected places vulnerable to further attacks. “The failure of security agencies to curb the activities of insurgents in Maiduguri, Abuja and Michika/Madagali has not only made inhabitants of those areas vulnerable, but will continue to defeat the purpose of government,” he said. He therefore said urgent action is needed to stem the suicide bombings in view of the level of yearly budgetary allocation given to the security sector.

Wednesday October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PDP leadership should ensure genuine reconciliation –Idimogu

OWERRI

mo State House of Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Owerri yesterday nullified the election of member representing Owerri West State Constituency, Mr. Victor Onyewuchi (Ikonne). Onyewuchi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was dragged before the tribunal by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 governorship/assembly elections, Mr. Chidi Ihemedu. Ihemedu challenged the election on the grounds of

Politics PDP, APC and Ekiti airport project

Chris Njoku

Imo: Tribunal cancels lawmaker’s election, orders re-run electoral malpractices and non - compliance with the electoral laws in the conduct of the election in 11 polling units of four electoral wards. The PDP candidate, in his petition, prayed the tribunal to invalidate the results of the affected units and order for fresh election. Delivering judgment, the tribunal noted that the onus of proof lies with the petitioner, which he did with submissions of relevant evidence.

The tribunal, however, stated that the first respondent failed to efficiently counter the allegations in his response. The tribunal explained that testimonies of witnesses presented by the respondents’ counsel were contradictory and unreliable and therefore, ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in 11 polling units across the constituency within 90 days from Tuesday, October 06, 2015. Speaking with news-

men, Ihemedu expressed happiness that the judiciary was still alive to its duties as the last hope of the common man. He stated that the judgment was another chance “given to us by God to right the wrongs of the past election because we saw a situation where there was hooliganism, outright bestiality right there at the local government headquarters”. But speaking through his personal assistant, Dr. Collins Anah, Onyewuchi

indicated his interest to approach the Court of Appeal. He said the decision of the tribunal was surprising because “the PDP was claiming that election did not hold in the affected wards and units and during the process we were

able to prove that elections actually held in all the affected polling booths. We also brought results from the booths. But we are surprised that the tribunal ruled and cancelled the election in these units despite the evidences before it”.

I will consolidate on my transformation agenda –Wada Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

ogi State governor, Idris Wada has pledged to consolidate on his transformation agenda if given another mandate for the next four years. Wada made this pledge yesterday at the flag –off of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Eastern senatorial campaign rally at CMML Primary school, Ayigba. He expressed gratitude to the people and members of his party for their support. He stated that four years

ago he was at the same venue to solicit for votes and people voted for him, stressing that, the leadership of the party had supported him to run for second term in office. The Governor therefore called on the people of Eastern Senatorial district to vote for him en mass to enable him consolidate on his transformation agenda and takes Kogi state to the next level. He assured that his administration will continue to consolidate on agriculture, human capital development and industrialization.

Group kicks against ministerial nominee from Gombe Williams Attah GOMBE Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha (left), receiving the Brigade 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brig.-Gen. Kay Isiyaku, during the latter’s courtesy visit to Government house in Owerri, yesterday.

N3.8bn roads repair: PDP accuses Ambode of fraud Ayo Esan

he Lagos state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has described the claim of the Lagos state Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode that he has spent over N3.8 Bn within three months to rehabilitate Lagos roads ‘as very dishonest, laughable and corruption’. The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Barrister

Gani Taofik has thus challenged the governor to give the list, pictures and specific cost of the roads so rehabilitated, failure which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC should probe the claims. Governor Ambode had made public the claim at a town hall meeting with the people of the Lagos West senatorial district held at Abesan. According to the PDP, “by this claims, facts within our folds are being

confirmed that Governor Ambode is currently siphoning the state treasury in order to offset his financial undertakings to the godfathers who masterminded his controversial electoral victory. How on earth can roads rehabilitation in Mainland cost that much. The cumulative length of the portions of the roads is not up to 1km. Even to construct the said roads cannot cost that much. Is this why the governor delayed the inauguration

of his cabinet. Lagosians must rise against this continuation of fraud in the state” The PDP has also challenged Governor Ambode to commence the probe of companies such as the Alpha Beta; Drain ducks as being demanded by Lagosians. In the meantime, the PDP has described the purported town hall meeting as diversionary, wasteful and another cunning way to spend the state’s fund on APC rallies.

political pressure group in Gombe State, Gombe Youth Awareness Salvation Forum has kicked against the nomination of Amina Al-Zubair as minister from Gombe State. Coordinator of the group, Malam Abubakar Umar, stated this in Gombe yesterday while briefing newsmen. He said, “It was very disheartening, we woke up and hear that Amina is the minister appointed to represent Gombe state”. “Besides, she was part and parcel of the previous Government and an active member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ” he said.

According to him, there were people that contributed a lot to the emergence of APC and they are credible and can represent Gombe State anywhere. He said, “Going by the list of the ministers, 97 per cent of them are APC card carrying members, but that in the case of Amina, even the constituency she comes from, APC did not win election there during the last general elections. “We see no reason why she should be appointed to represent Gombe,” he said. Abubakar further appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to take a second look and reconsider his decision concerning the appointment of Amina Al-zubair as a minister representing Gombe state.

Politics

How will you assess the performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode since his assumption of office on May 29? For me, Ambode has so far performed impressively even higher than what I had expected. This is especially because he has shown positive impact of good governance in my constituency. If you watch, you can see that Egbe-Ikotun Road, which for years, other government in the state never thought of fixing, just in few months, Ambode has started fixing it. He took time to come to my constituency and sees for himself, gave directive immediately and the rehabilitation of the road has commenced. For the first time, a palliative job is going on, on that road, they are rehabilitating the road with better materials unlike before. So, since he has touched my constituency, as far as I’m concern, he has done well for me. I hope that very soon, he will also get to the roots of my constituency. And for what I have also seen, at least, I have witnessed where he launched about 46 free ambulances for general hospitals and if you watch, he has also been going around, seeing things himself and don’t forget that he is a chartered accountant. By that, he knows the system very well. He has been in the system, especially he is not new to the aspect of finance and that is why he is trying to close where he suspected that there are leakages in government. Some people believe that Ambode may not be able to meet the standard of achievements recorded by former Governor Babatunde Fashola. Do you believe this? Well no, I don’t agree with that. You know people have different styles, even though, Fashola as a lawyer has his own way of doing things and Ambode as an accountant has his own way of doing things. For me, I think he will be more prudent with resources because he has been there in the civil service especially in the finance sector. If you watch the debt left by the former government, you will know that the present government will not like to follow that pattern of debt , no matter what it takes. I think he will be more prudent. He also want to ensure that resources that will be due for government is available and by the time we have sufficient resources, enough manpower and people that are capable to do the job, he will do well. One of the beautiful things I like is that, I’ve never seen him abandoning what previous government left uncompleted, unlike people who will say let me start my own and make a name. My only prayer for him is that he should also look at these areas which previous government didn’t touch and put his magic hands on them. This is Lagos, if we actually say Lagos is going to be a mega city, a lot of things needed to be touched. If you go to Surulere now, it’s like mini London, the roads are all good but areas like Ikotun, Ejigbo, Ikorodu, Ayobo and many other places are really in bad shape. For me, he should go to these neglected places and write his name in gold by working on their roads so that by the time his four years will finish, he can proudly say that he had developed these areas, though Rome was never build in a day but gradually I hope he can achieve the success. You are a non indigene and you won election into the State House of Assembly. What is the experience like? Well, you know normally, whether you like it or not, when you are from a particular ethnic setting and you are now coming up with another ethnic setting, leave party apart, initially of course, everybody want to watch who is who. I cannot just see you and embrace you because I don’t know you very well. I have to watch. Remember in government circle, everybody is watching each other because you don’t know who will reveal your secret. I come from South East but they (Yoruba) have been very good to me, there is no discrimination, even within the parties because the real thing that brought us together into the House is to work for Lagosians. This doesn’t mean that, when you see thing that is wrong as an opposition party’s member, you will not talk or checkmate it, but I think for everything we had been doing, we are all carried along. This brought us to the question of opposition, how are they faring in the House? We don’t have much to complain of for now, though all fingers are not equal but no matter what, we are all leg-

Wednesday October 7, 2015

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PDP leadership should ensure genuine reconciliation –Idimogu

Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu is representing Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly. In this interview with EBERE NDUKWU and MICHAEL OGBONNA, he shares his experience as the only legislator in the House who hails from the Eastern part of the country among other issues. Excerpts:

Idimogu

We need opposition so that criticism, not just for the fun of talking but reasonable criticism will be there

islators. Remember, members of the ruling party are 32 in number and we are eight, so we cannot stop them from doing what they want to do, considering their number but as of today, issues like that have not arrived. We have our own principal officers as they have theirs and we all hold meetings together and discuss. They don’t segregate. Even in the area of appointment into committees, they don’t segregate for now. So, I have not seen anything that will make me say that they are not doing what they should do. Being in the opposition, there are insinuations that some of you will soon dump your party for the ruling party. How true is this? Issue of changing party, I think it is too early, and there is no need for that now. I can’t say what will happen in future but for now, there is no need for that. There are a lot of crises in Lagos state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, how are you trying to come together and get prepare for the next election? The situation in PDP is like that of a husband who had been doing well for a long period of time, providing everything for the wife and family but suddenly, something happened and the home started experiencing lack, the other side it never felt before. So, that home will never be the same until gradually they start to understand that this is the new reality. You know sometimes, accepting reality becomes a problem. So what is happening to vividly say

is, as I said, we have enjoyed success, it is not easy finding yourself in another side. It has not been easy to adjust. Remember that some other people again have left the party and tomorrow some may still jump to other parties which is not supposed to be. The truth is that today, you are on the ruling side, tomorrow you can be on the other side. Such is life, it’s never constant, you keep on doing your best afterall, we said we are going to rule for 60 years but we only did 16 years. You see, nobody is God. I think what our leaders should do is to be patience and try to rebuild, that rebuilding has to do with trust and remember no average PDP member believe that PDP would lose the last election. So for them, it was like a shock. Even me, I never thought that a sitting president would ever lose election in Nigeria. It has never happened before but because nothing is constant, so people were like, is it possible? So, it will take a while. My position is that let the leaders understand. When they were talking about a kind of rally they wanted to have nationally and later they cancelled it, I think there would have been a kind of retreat, let us come together even we may come there talk and shout and even blame ourselves but they should understand that we have lost we have lost, what is important now is what should we do? We must move forward if really we are sincere to move forward and sincerely again, I think it is high time the leadership is changed and restructured. The truth is that we must move forward and make sure we don’t make it palatable for other people outside PDP to come in. If we can start rebuilding in time, in the next two years, we can challenge these people because even within All Progressives Congress, APC, things happening there shows that they have differences . Also, remember in APC, we had five strong governors that left and who whether you like it or not still have PDP in their blood. So, we have a lot of chances but we need to put our house together and that’s where leadership plays major role. They should come together and forget all the accusations that money was lost, some betrayed others. These are the things that put us where we are. We must move forward and there should be genuine reconciliation among the leaders in geo-political zones. Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections are very near. What is the chances of your party, the PDP in these elections? From what I saw at the PDP rally in Bayelsa, the crowd that were there, if it is something that can give you a taste of what would come, it tells a lot. And the governor there has not been doing badly. However, there is also the challenge of everybody wanting to enjoy from the national source, but the issue is that everybody cannot be in one party, there must be opposition somewhere, somebody that will checkmate you and sincerely that is what real democracy is, if we really need democracy in Nigeria. So, we must encourage strong effective opposition, it is not trying to take everything and becomes one party state because one party state will not help us and that’s why some people are saying that the government is becoming dictatorial in the way they are doing things. We need opposition so that criticism, not just for the fun of talking but reasonable criticism will be there. To answer your question, Bayelsa , PDP will come out of it with success, my fear is Kogi, yes that is where my fear is, and I learnt that the guy for APC is a minority within their own ethnic setting, so it will be a little bit tough, but the bottom line is what has Wada done for them? If the performance is good enough for the people of Kogi State, I believe he will make it.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

From The Civil Service

MDGs: UNICEF lauds FG on one million target ‘U-report’ P.16

FRSC to clampdown axle load violators Chidi Ugwu, ABUJA

Hon. Justice Toyin Oyekan-Abdullai (left); Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (2nd right) and Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), jointly presenting an Award of Excellence to the former Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, during the 2015/2016 Legal Year Dinner, at the Law School, on Friday.

Bird flu: FG compensates farmers with N380m Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

armers nationwide got the sum of N380 million as compensation to 138 farmers nationwide following the resurgence of Avian Influenza, known as bird flu. The federal government, through the Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arch. Sunny Echono, during a meeting with stakeholders in the poultry industry recently in Abuja further revealed that an additional N263milion has been verified by the technical consultants appointed by the World

Bank for the purpose. Echono said the resurgence of Avian Influenza as at yesterday had spread across to 85 local government areas in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), affecting 491 farms resulting in the depopulation of 1,597, 191 birds requiring compensation claims of over N1billion to the affected poultry farmers. He further explained that with the support of World Bank and USAID, procured containment inputs for depopulation and decontamination and the materials had been distributed to all the states and FCT. “FAO has also assisted

CSOs threatens NASS over NDDC chairmanship

P.16

us with the procurement of laboratory reagents and equipment for sample analysis and diseases diagnosis. “The ministry, in collaboration with USAID and FAO have conducted series of trainings and capacity building workshops on Avian Influenza for federal, state and LGA officials, state extension workers, private veterinarians, surveillance agents as well as poultry farmers and PAN officials. “The ministry has paid a total sum of N387m to 138 farmers / farms and one zoological garden for 498,464 depopulated birds and 43,303 eggs destroyed

while N263m is being paid to 108 farmers. The payment of the remaining 258 farmers is being worked on,” he said. Echono explained that the risk factors in the spread of the disease are lack of enforcement of movement control of poultry and poultry products by most states from infected to non-infected states. He assured that they were working out modalities such that burden payment is borne by both the federal government, states, LGAs and that the farmers should safeguard their investments through the adoption of insurance policy as a way forward.

NACA begins pilot study to prevent HIV/AIDS infection

P.41

ursuant to its sustained determination to address the menace of articulated vehicles on the nation’s highways, the Federal Road Safety Corps has concluded arrangements to commence a nationwide arrest and prosecution of drivers who overload their vehicles thus creating obvious traffic hazards for other road users. In a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Imoh Etuk, the corps noted that there were indications that most drivers of tankers, especially those who convey wet cargoes such as fuel, gasoline and kerosene, are in the habit of exceeding the axle load capacity of their trucks. According to the statement, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, while speaking on this development, said, “It is most disturbing to find drivers of tankers with 30,000 litres capacity, adding fire woods and other unnecessary items to highly inflammable substances with the tendency of resulting in fire outbreaks in the event of a road traffic crash.” In a further analysis, the Corps Marshal also said, “the permissible maximum weight (gross weight) on the roads should not exceed 32 tons for heavy duty vehicles carrying two or more axle trailers and axle load not more than 9,600 kilograms (9.66 tons) as stipulated in the Federal Highway Act Cap 135 and regulation 145 (1) of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012.”

According to him, “It therefore means that any trailer carrying 900 bags or 50 kilograms i.e. approximately 45 tons, is loaded beyond the permissible limit. In the same vein, a trailer conveying 45,000 litres of fuel, will weigh about 34 tons which has also exceeded the permissible weight.” “This attitude is unacceptable especially in view of the robust partnership which the Corps has built with stakeholders in the haulage and transport sector such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), NUPENG - Petroleum Tanker Drivers and Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to enthrone sanity and decorum in their activities,” he added. Against this backdrop and pursuant to the Corps’ renewed determination to ensure safer roads, the FRSC has directed its commanding officers and patrol operatives to commence immediate nationwide clampdown on overloaded tankers, trucks and motor vehicles which violate the provisions of section 122 of the National Road Traffic Regulations on lighting system as many don’t have reflectors and adequate rear light. It would be recalled that the Corps recently flagged off this year’s Ember month campaigns along the Onitsha axis as part of measures to address not only the menace of tankers and trucks but to also ensure improved road conduct among other category of vehicles and road users.

Global poverty to fall below 10% for first time –World Bank

P.42

Civil Service

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CSOs threaten NASS over NDDC chairmanship Joel Ajayi ABUJA

arring any unforeseen circumstance, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisation Groups (CSOG) is set to storm the National Assembly by Tuesday to protest the plan to retain Senator James Manager and Hon. Nicolas Mutu in the chairmanship positions of the Niger Delta Development Commission in the National Assembly. The group will be protesting to warn the leadership of both chambers against bowing to pressure from both legislators who it claimed were already lobbying to retain their chairmanship positions.

The group said they had held the position for the past 12 years and should not be allowed to perpetuate themselves in the committee. Addressing the press yesterday in Abuja, the president of the group, Comrade Etuk Bassey Williams, said both legislators were from the same local government, federal constituency and the same senatorial district and had both occupied the position in the past 12 years. According to him, both legislators had been enhancing and encouraging corruption in the commission as their companies got most of the contracts by virtue of their position. He said: “The two legis-

lators have turned themselves into legislative contractors. They have aided the corruption in NDDC which is also contained in the Auditor General’s report revealed to Nigerians recently. “The people in their constituency have not benefited from their 12 years of legislative practice. Not even a single borehole has been sunk in their immediate constituency, no education centre, no health care system and no good roads in the face of billions of naira contracts received from NDDC. This has hindered them from carrying out their constitutional function against the commission. “We are urging the

leadership of both chambers in the National Assembly to reject any pressure from Senator James Manager and Hon. Nicolas Mutu to return to their chairmanship positions because it is not their birth right.” Speaking further, Bassey said the leadership of both chambers should make their position known on the issue before then, saying the coalition would not relent until its demand was accorded proper response. He urged the legislators to declare their asset while calling on the EFCC to immediately commence prosecution of the “two legislative contractors” because of their huge involvement in corruption

L-R: President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Kayode Obembe; Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Innocent Ujah; Lagos State NMA Chairman, Dr. Tope Ojo, and his Plateau counterpart, Dr. Bupwatda Pokop, during the commissioning of biomedical training centre in Lagos, on Thursday.

MDGs: UNICEF lauds FG on one million target ‘U-report’

Joel Ajayi, ABUJA

he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the federal government for meeting up with its one million targets on ‘U-report’ on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as Nigeria joined other countries to swift to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). U-Report launched by the UNICEF in 17 countries, mostly in Africa, as a way for community members to share their opinions and drive posi-

tive change, relies on volunteer community members, mostly young people, serving as U-Reporters to provide information on issues that affect their communities. The Country Representative of UNICEF, Mrs. Jean Gough, said Nigeria had become the first country to reach one million responders on the SMS-based U-Report platform, designed to strengthen community-led development and citizen engagement. Attributing the country’s achievement to the vibrancy of the National Youth Service Corps

(NYSC), Gough said the country did not only meet up but surpassed the set target for it by the UN body. Gough, who gave the commendation during a visit to the NYSC headquarters to strengthen their partnership, in Abuja, urged the management of the scheme to reach out to policy makers in the country to make the needed change. She called on the scheme to look into the replication of the achievements of the MDGs in the future as the country moves into the Sustainable Develop-

ment Goals (SGDs). Responding, the Director General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, told the team that “NYSC since its inspection 42 years ago had been contributing to the growth and development of the country.” Citing HIV/AID, MDGs among others as areas where the scheme had made significant contributions, Olawumi expressed their readiness to continue to collaborate with the UNICEF for Nigerians to benefits from the international community.

in NDDC. “Failure to declare their assets publicly before 7 days, we all shall occupy the National Assembly,” he said. William also said for the leadership of both chambers to perpetuate the two legislators in the position for 12 years shows that there was cor-

ruption between the leadership of both Senate and House of Representative. It reasoned that it was high time all anti-graft agencies in the country commenced thorough probe into the activities of the legislators’ companies and the over 67 alleged dubious contracts they executed.

VC tasks FG on more varsities Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

he Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Wukari, Professor Geoffrey Okogbaa, has called on the federal government to create more universities in Nigeria to cater for the growing population of admission seekers. Okogbaa, who gave this charge while playing host to a coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of Joint Action Coalition of Civil Society Groups, said the creation of additional public universities by the past administration, remained a noble gesture to both parents and students and had in a long way helped to reduce the psychological trauma, rejection and destruction of dreams being faced by many helpless Nigerians in the past. “One thing you cannot take away from the Jonathan administration is the fact that he gave education priority attention. “The universities he established in all six geopolitical zones have gone a long way to reduce the psychological trauma, rejection and destruction of dreams being faced by many helpless Nigerians in the past,” he said. Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Comrade Isaac Ikpa said they had decided to bestow on Prof. Okogbaa the award of “Man of the Year 2015” due to his sterling performance at the Federal University, Wukari.

He further added that the award was not just a commendation but aimed at spurring others to em-

ulate the great achievements of the Vice Chancellor. According to Ikpa, the drive with which the Vice Chancellor had moved had led to the rapid building of infrastructure, ensured accreditation of courses, recruitment of qualified academic and non-academic staff, useful utilisation of the available resources from government and other interventions to mention but a few caught the attention of the Civil Society to thoroughly investigate and confer on him the award of ‘’Man of the year 2014.” He said by extension it adjudged the university as “the fastest growing school in Nigeria’. While receiving the award, the Vice Chancellor stated that what he did as a public servants in Nigeria “is give service back to the people, particularly the students who are the first employer and not for recognition or awards”. He therefore enjoined the delegation to impress it on both the government and individuals to continue in pursuit of useful ventures that would help to enlarge the access to education, as it is the only key to unplug the vast potentials of the average Nigerian child. Professor Okogbaa added that no number of universities would be too many for the nation’s ever growing population and therefore implored the government to provide adequate funding for the existing ones. He also implored the government to create more, as according to him, it places Nigeria at par with other countries of the world in terms of qualitative and quantitative education.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Re:FRSC declining morals: Putting the records straight BISI K AZEEM

ur attention has been drawn to a publication in the National Mirror authored by Dr. Sherrif Folarin on 29 September, 2015 titled “FRSC DECLINING MORALS”. Let me reiterate the fact that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is born out of the need for a credible and effective response to the rising increase in road traffic crashes in the 1970s, a result of the upsurge in vehicular traffic resulting from the economic boom of the period. As the nation’s lead agency on safety management and traffic administration, the FRSC remains committed to its resolve to reform the attitude of road users in the country through its numerous efforts to bequeath an enduring legacy on road safety management to Nigerians. Presently, the Corps still remains committed to the visions of its founders as made manifest through the leadership initiatives and penchant for improved service delivery of the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, who was part of its founding team. The law setting up the Commission allocated 24 “core” mandates to it, including the design and production of driver’s licence and number plates in addition to other related functions, anchored on creating a safer motoring environment in Nigeria. The FRSC Establishment Act, 2007 empowers the agency to make regulations such as establishment and regulation of ambulance services; make laws

on the speed at which motor vehicles of any class or description may be driven either generally on any specified highway or within a define area; make laws on the design and production of drivers’ licence; and regulate the establishment, investigation and certification of driving schools. Others functions are clearing obstructions on any part of the highways; educating drivers and other road users on proper use of the highways; collaborating with government agencies and other relevant bodies engaged in road safety activities or in the prevention of road crashes on the highways; making laws on excessive noise or emission from vehicles, maximum laden weight of vehicles and trailers and the maximum weight to be transmitted to the road or any specified area thereof by any vehicle or trailer, and to also determine the various fines to be paid by traffic offenders. Improved road use education remains part of the FRSC core mandate from inception as encapsulated in its 2015 corporate strategic goals, which seeks to improve stakeholders’ collaboration and public advocacy on proper use of the highways. This article of faith has remained a critical of the Corps as numerous public enlightenment projects have been initiated and vigorously pursued by the Corps, in its resolve to make Nigerian highways safer. Worthy of note is the Corps’ status as an elite government agency with properly defined and structured modus

WISH TO

REITERATE THAT THE

FRSC

WAS

NOT ESTABLISHED AS A REVENUE GENERATION PUBLIC INSTITUTION AND HAS NEVER OPERATED IN THIS DIRECTION operandi. The Corps has never and will never ambush motorists in the discharge of its statutory functions. In the last decade, the FRSC had introduced a new dimension to its advocacy by reaching out religious leaders and Muslim clerics, in addition to traditional rulers, to utilize them as complementary agents to shore up the safety consciousness/driving culture of their congregations and subjects. The new drivers’ licence was widely presented and demonstrated to the different levels of the polity and stakeholders, including the media executives and journalists. The FRSC also embarked on extensive consultations to attract public understanding and buy-in for the new scheme. It is noteworthy that the new driver’s licence scheme is the result of a tripartite arrangement involving the Commission, state governments and the Joint Tax Board (JTB), the coalition of

the internal revenue services of all the states and FCT, chaired by the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). FRSC has no statutory responsibility to fix road taxes and so, it was the decision of an appropriate authority and in this case the JTB that approved what is the prices for the drivers’ licences and vehicle number plates. In the same vein, the sale and issuance of the licences and number plates are the responsibility of the state governments and FCT. They sell and collect the revenues that accrue from those items, while FRSC design and produce same in line with its statutory responsibility. We wish to reiterate that the FRSC was not established as a revenue generation public institution and has never operated in this direction. Price fixing for number plate and driver’s license is not under the purview of the FRSC but exclusive preserve of the Joint Tax Board. The FRSC has not abandoned its primary responsibilities even in the face of increasing spate of road crashes involving articulated vehicles. We, therefore, request that you remain consistent in your strides to complement the Corps’ functions through meaningful suggestions, consultations and contributions to further conscientize Nigerians on appropriate road conducts. Road safety is a collective responsibility. Kazeem, Corps Commander, is Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Abuja and can be reached on 08035365321, 08183833668

Remembering Dame Felicia Oluremi Oyo OCHE ECHEIJA EGWA

n the Office of the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), there are many faces on the wall. However, among the pictures of past spokespersons, there is only one female face, Dame Felicia Oluwaremilekun Oyo, who remained the first only female to have served as a spokesperson to a President in Nigeria’s history. She was there between 2003 and 2007. The picture on the wall projects the warmth of Oyo, who passed on last year on Nigeria’s 54th Independence Anniversary, just 11 days to her 62nd birthday. Oyo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist and a passionately religious person. In Nigeria’s robust, vibrant and rigorous media industry, Oyo scored many historical firsts in her career as a journalist. Starting out as a reporter with the National Broadcasting Commission in 1973, later renamed Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Oyo, as she loved to be called, was the dark complexioned, skinny and shrilled-voiced journalist, who loved wearing a school-girl low haircut. She loved telling the story of her little beginnings. She gleefully recollected, many times over, how she was posted to cover the First Lady then, Mrs. Victoria Gowon, in 1973 and how the First Lady never stopped laughing at her small statue, shrill voice and her quintessential kneeling position when greeting her elders. Oyo’s homeliness caught Mrs. Gowon’s attention, and they turned out

NAN STAFF MEMBERS WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER

OYO YELLING AT REPORTERS TO ‘‘NEVER TAKE ‘KESKES’ (BRIBE) FOR REPORTS

very good friends. That good relationship earned her scholarship to graduate school at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Through hard work, devotion to study and humility, Oyo was moved to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in 1981 as a Desk Editor, just three years after the agency started operations in 1978. She rose to become the first female Principal Editor in 1985 before leaving for the Romebased Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) as a reporter, and later as the West Africa Bureau Chief. Working at the IPS, Oyo was elected the Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Vice President, and later the first female President of the Guild. Oyo served the Guild for two terms of four years, and since remained the only female to be so honoured. After serving as spokesperson for four years under former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007, Oyo was appointed the Managing Director of NAN, remaining the first and only femaleto occupy the position. Her appointment came 22 years after leaving the same agency as a member of staff. As a Managing Director, the

newsroom was Oyo’s turf. She loved the daily analyses of topical issues, writing, editing and projections of the newsroom. And when there was breaking news, she was right at the centre of follow ups. Oyo served two terms of six years in NAN, and she preferred being called a ‘‘reporter’’. She combined her role as chief executive with reporting and editing when it was necessary. The late Managing Director was credited with ushering the agency into a technologically converged environment of telecoms, television and radio. Under her supervision, the local and foreign subscriber base rose from less than 100 to more than 200. And for the first time, Nigeria’s only news agency provided video clips, soundbites to subscribers, and breaking news alerts through mobile services. As a further departure, the agency’s editorial department was restructured, with an elaborate and modern multi-media studio and a Research and Documentation unit. Oyo instilled a new sense of professionalism in the agency, reviewed staff allowances and ensured more regular and compulsory training to prop up skills. To her credit, the agency’s nationwide offices and moribund international offices were revived and new partnerships were built with other news agencies across the globe for news exchange and training, like Reuters and the Chinese Xinhua. She exuded courage and poured out wisdom from her heart at every turn. She was a life-coach to many. NAN staff members will always remember Oyo yelling at reporters to ‘‘never take ‘keskes’ (bribe) for reports. And to every staff, she pleads: ‘‘Don’t eat

with your 10 fingers; always save some money from your salaries for the rainy days.’’ Oyo’s charisma and leadership qualities were unmistakable even at first meeting. Her loyalty, as former President Olusegun Obasanjo said, in his tribute, was unquestionable. And her integrity remained impeccable. For those who knew her closely, Oyo was the typical loving, kind hearted mother and grandmother you loved to be with when you behaved properly, and the cantankerous mother and grandmother you liked to avoid when you are wrong. Remarkably, Oyo was appointed a member of the 1999 Constitution Drafting Committee by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and later received a national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). In her dedication to the service of humanity, she earned recognitions from the National Council of Catholic Women Organization for her philanthropy, especially in supporting the girl-child education and women’s health. On January 7, 2011, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI made her a Papal Dame of St. Gregory the Great. She will not be forgotten. Egwa, is Press Officer, Media and Publicity Department, Presidential Villa, Abuja. 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, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

Corruption: Buhari’s grand truth to world leaders

he raw truth it was, which President Muhammadu Buhari told world leaders at the just concluded 70th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, United States, when the Nigerian leader admonished his colleagues at the meeting to “urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption; and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin”. Buhari, in addition, stated: “Let me reaffirm the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and illicit financial flows. By any consideration, corruption and cross-border financial crimes are impediments to development, economic growth and the realization of the well-being of citizens across the globe. Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption”. The Nigerian President, nonetheless, merely brought his presidential weight to bear on what many have for long described as the hypocrisy of most advanced nations that, with one side of the mouth, purportedly loathe the cataclysmic level of corruption being perpetrated by the leaders of backward nations, but with the other, provide safe havens for their ill-gotten wealth. Thomas Usman-Wamba,

THE BUHARI ADVOCACY – GLOBAL SHUT DOWN OF ALL SAFE HAVENS FOR

ILL-GOTTEN FUNDS AND PRESCRIBING SANCTIONS FOR INFRACTIONS OF

THE POLICY – SEEMS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION the Deputy Editor-in-Chief/COO of African Development magazine, did say not too long ago: “Today, while the international community may unanimously condemn corruption and freeze the proceeds of corrupt African leaders, the generality of Africans believe it is the western financial institutions that provide the openings for billions of the continent’s looted wealth to be stashed in Europe and American banks”. Maud Pedriel Verssier, a French investigator for ‘Dirty Money’, once did a piece on laundered monies from Africa; and in the process lamented: “Such stolen monies rob the people of development and waste the tax payers’ money. And for such corrupt leaders, Swiss banks are where you want to hide the money”. Indeed, from Africa’s recent history are such reports that Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo and his son, Teodorin

Obiang Mangue, siphoned as much as $700 million in state funds deposited at Riggs Bank in Washington D.C., US. Critics say the scale of colossal graft in Equatorial Guinea could be likened to the dumbfounding level of looting under the watch of the likes of the late Zairean dictator, Mobutu Sese Sekou; and the late Nigerian General Sani Abacha, who dumped billions of dollars into Swiss accounts before their demise. Both Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Nigeria are yet to retrieve back the full worth of the stolen funds. Former Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak and the late Libyan President, Muammar Ghaddafi, owned mansions worth multi-millions of pounds in the United Kingdom. One of such properties situated at Billionaires Row in North London, valued at 10 million pounds, was owned by the Ghaddafis; while a similar luxury apartment in Central London owned by Mubarak were both leased by shell companies, according to reports. Back home, recall that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at a local public function in November 2012, said: “When I was president… from the Abacha family alone, we recovered millions of dollars. I got 1.25 billion dollars (100m pounds); and the lawyer in Switzerland, who was doing it for us, said when I was leaving that if we worked harder, there was still at least $1 billion dollars that we can get

ON THIS DAY

from that family alone”. The Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Dr. Hans-Rudolf Hodel, stated a year later (November 2013), however, that his home government had returned about $700m traced to the late Abacha to the Nigerian government. Imagine if Abacha, alone, were to be as integrity stuffed and upright as Buhari, how far the stolen billions would have gone in turning around the country for the better if invested in critical areas like infrastructure upgrade, industrialization, uplifting educational and health institutions or stabilizing the nation’s chaotic electricity and downstream oil sectors. Corruption and related economic crimes not only stifle economic growth and development, or rob citizens of the good life. They are intricately linked with the sit-tight syndrome that is common among leaders of backward nations, coups and counter-coups, political instability, the rising wave of insecurity, civil strife, wars and the general drifting of such nations. Countries like Switzerland that strives to return looted funds to their countries of origin, as well as the US and UK that appear committed to having corrupt leaders account for their misdeeds, deserve commendation. But since it takes two to tango, the Buhari advocacy – global shut down of all safe havens for ill-gotten funds and prescribing sanctions for infractions of the policy – seems the ultimate solution.

October 7, 1960

October 7, 2001

October 7, 2003

Nigeria joined the United Nations (UN). The UN is an intergovernmental organization whose stated aims include promoting and facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, civil rights, civil liberties, political freedoms, democracy and the achievement of lasting world peace. It was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations.

The United States’ invasion of Afghanistan began with an air assault and covert operations on the ground. The Afghan invasion refers to the intervention by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and allied forces in that country’s political struggle, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the US, to dismantle the al-Qaeda terrorist organization and remove from power the Taliban government.

A historic recall election took place in California, United States, in which a sitting Governor Gray Davis, a Democrat, was overwhelmingly voted out of office. The Republican candidate, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was elected to become the 38th Governor of California over fellow Republican, Tom McClintock and Democrat’s Cruz Bustamante who, at the time, was the sitting Lieutenant Governor of California.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing FG targets higher contraceptive prevalence 21 rate

Treatment of cancer should be subsidized –Oncologist 22

Teenagers ignorant about rabies FRANKA OSAKWE

his year’s World Rabies Day coincides with the anniversary of the death of 14 year old James Makwa and 21 year old Aishat Opakunle, two young Nigerians who died from rabies after a dog bite at Mologede Estate, in Meiran area of Lagos. National Mirror reported last year on September 24, the pathetic story of this young duo and how they were bitten by Jerry, the Alsatian dog that lived on the same street with them. Jerry, owned by one of the respected residents of the estate, Mr. Ogundiran, one day, got infested by rabies and became wild. As usual, it had entered a shop where Aisha was, and she had fondly fed him with bread. Unlike his usual groovy self, Jerry became provoked and bit Aishat at her palm. The same day, James was playing with his friends when he accidentally touched Jerry. Jerry immediately jumped on him, mauling him under his right eye. Unaware of the lethal virus, rabies and the possibility that they could be at risk, James and Aishat never bothered to seek medical intervention early. Considering that the bite wasn’t deep enough, both dismissed it as nothing and went about their normal life. Days later, Aishat, the first victim to die from the rabid dog attack, fell ill and started exhibiting some of the signs of rabies. Before she died, she was hallucinating and barking like a dog, her relatives, not informed about rabies as well, attributed this occurrence to a spiritual attack. James too, never bothered to tell his parent about the dog bite until several days later, after Aishat’s death. By then, it was already too late, he had started exhibiting signs of rabies; fever, spasms, hydrophobia (fear of water), delirium, hallucinations and then finally death. But this duo were not the only people to die from dog bite last year, multiple cases (there is currently no documented data on rabies incident in the country), of death from dog bite are recorded every year, The Chairman, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, NVMA, Lagos state chapter, Dr Alao Mobolaji, said: “Every year, about 50,000 to 55,000 people die from rabies around the world, although this could be grossly underestimated considering many unreported cases occurring in rural areas without documentation”, he said. But the sad thing is that majority of these victims are children, because they are ones that play more with these dogs, he added. Unfortunately, awareness of rabies virus is still very low in the country and not many children know how deadly the virus is, and what to do in case of dog bite. For instance, majority of teenagers interviewed by National Mirror confessed

...say they don’t know dog bite kills

Precious

Kilani

that they never knew how lethal rabies was. One of them, 13 year old Adetunji Mariam, an SS2 student from Agidingbi Grammer School said she has heard about rabies before but this is her first time of knowing that the virus kills. “We have dogs in my compound but I don’t know if they are vaccinated annually. I never knew before that a dog should be vaccinated annually against rabies. The dogs in my compound are not chained, they roam about freely and I don’t think they are vaccinated. We also have dogs on my street at Ibafo where I live”, she said. Another teenager from same school admitted she was hearing about rabies for the first time even though they have dogs in their compound. “The dog plays with us and roams everywhere. I don’t think the dogs are vaccinated”, she admitted. 12 year old Afolayan Yemi, from Cayley College Agidingbi, recalled her friend that was bitten by a dog in her street but said the girl was lucky the dog was not rabid. “I don’t think she took medical precaution against rabies but nothing happened to her. We have dogs on my street and I don’t think they are all vaccinated”, she said. Precious Olatunde, 12 year old Juniour School student from Cayley College, said her family used to own a dog but they never vac-

Temi

cinated it for one day. “Up until its death, it was never vaccinated because we didn’t think it was necessary. Today, I see plenty of dogs around my street at Omole Phase 1, where I live; some are bull dogs others Alsatians and I don’t think they are all vaccinated”, precious said. The teenagers, also participants at a workshop to mark this year’s World Rabies Day by the NVMA, Lagos Chapter, were crowned rabies ambassadors and charged with the duty of informing other children about the disease. “We need to educate our children about rabies because they are the ones most affected. Like the deceased James, children usually don’t tell their parents when they are bitten, and once clinical symptoms appear, there is usually no cure”, Dr. Alao said. The experts, at the event tagged ‘Rabies yesterday, Today and the Future’ revealed that the disease kills faster than Ebola Virus Disease and HIV/AIDS, yet can be prevented with simple vaccination. “If a person is bitten by a dog and rabies is suspected, the person bitten should wash the site with soap or bleach in running water and immediately seek medical attention. The patient needs to receive a post exposure vaccination at the General Hospital as soon as possible. Because once symptoms start manifesting, death is inevitable” Dr. Alao said.

Mariam

Another veterinary doctor, Dr. Eddyson Ugwueze is worried about the rate of death from dog bites occurring in villages where people know little about rabies. “In townships like Lagos, most dog owners know about rabies vaccination, but what about the villages where dogs are owned and reared indiscriminately?”, he said. Unfortunately, the current dog law in Nigeria, established in 1964, does not encourage compulsory vaccination of dogs, The NVMA, Lagos Chapter revealed, while asking for a review of the law. “Government needs to review existing dog laws in the state and introduce leash laws to encourage responsible dog ownership. Government also needs to set up more laboratory facilities for rabies diagnoses. In Nigeria, the only institution equipped to carry out proper rabies diagnoses in dogs is the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom-Jos, Plateau State”, the association said. The World Health Organization (WHO), at the occasion of World Rabies Day, on September 28th, emphasized the vaccination of all dogs as a way of eliminating the diseases. This is because dogs are the major carriers, although other animals such as cats, bats, foxes, raccoons, skunks and monkeys also spread the virus.

Health & Wellbeing

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

hen choosing rice go for the healthy whole grain - brown rice. It has only the inedible husks removed but the bran and germ layers are left on the grain and this contains significant dietary fiber and including vitamins and minerals which aids digestion of food and removal of toxic wastes from the body. On the contrary, white rice, after milling, the rice is polished resulting in a seed with a bright, white, shiny appearance. A diet based on unenriched white rice leaves people vulnerable to various kinds of diseases. Unfortunately, most people still consume white rice instead of brown rice probably because they are ignorant about its health benefits and for others; they prefer white rice because it is attractive. A study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “brown rice is the top choice in terms of both nu-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why brown rice is healthier

tritional and other inherent healthy benefits”. Brown rice is a good source of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are compounds naturally found in plants that have anti-inflammatory properties and tend to act as an antioxidant. It is a good source of selenium and manganese. Selenium helps reduce risk of developing cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Manganese helps the body synthesize fats and maintains the nervous system. Brown rice is a good source of magnesium, a mineral that is essential to bone health. The B complex vitamins especially vitamin B1, B3 and B6, promotes energy and nourishment to the skin. Abundance of minerals in brown rice helps to nourish the hormonal system, heal wound and regulate blood pressure. Brown rice also contains iron which enriches the blood; phosphorus and potassium which helps maintain hormonal balance. Consuming rice could be a good option for hypertensive individuals because rice contains low– fat, low-cholesterol and low-salt. Researchers say that “whenever

Chizoba Benson

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

rice is used as the main food, there is corresponding benefit of low youthful vitality and a very low rate of hypertension”. The fiber content of brown rice makes it soothing for digestion and aids bowel movement. Inadequate intake of fiber is associated with increased constipation, hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, etc. Brown rice cereal or brown rice itself is the perfect baby’s first food due to the dense natural nutrition and fiber it contains. This is a much better choice than refined white rice cereal products as rapidly growing babies and toddlers require nutrient rich diets to help maintain rapid growth cycles. Brown rice is an excellent food choice for those suffering from diabetes because it stabilizes blood sugar levels. Studies show that “those who consume one half cup of brown rice daily reduce their risks of developing diabetes by 60%”. Brown rice is the perfect accessory for candida yeast infection treatments given that high glycemic and otherwise sugary/starchy foods are prohibited during most candida treatments. Brown rice helps an individual maintain a healthy

weight gain. A study conducted by Harvard researchers shows that “women who incorporate whole grains, such as brown rice, into their diet were more likely to maintain a healthy body weight”. Brown rice reduces the risk of childhood asthma. Studies show that “fruits, vegetables and even dairy do not have much of an effect in reducing asthma, but whole grains and fish do”. Rice powder can be dusted and used on skin inflammation such a burns, small pox,

measles, prickly heat, etc. It is vital to note white rice has been stripped off its nutrients during the refining process, manufacturers must have added unnatural fortifications such as glucose, and other additives in the form of synthetic vitamins or iron so it can be marketed to the public as a “nutritious” food. Brown rice is a healthy option for all, so do not wait until you are diagnosed with an ailment before you start eating healthily!

Sexual solutions and love products for adults

ello everybody and welcome. Before taking a few questions today, we will like to update you on exciting new products for adults. The first of these are top quality vibrators for women. Every now and then, we get emails from women about their lack of sexual enjoyment. Studies show that only around twenty five percent of women have orgasms during intercourse. Does this mean that the majority of women shouldn’t expect to ever enjoy sex as much as the others? Absolutely not. That is because adult toys, supplements and arousal gels are being manufactured to ensure that any woman can get the best out of her love life. The vibrators that just arrived are the best in this department. They are mostly rabbit vibrators with the ability to stimulate internally and externally. Some of them also thrust in and out like the Luxe G Plush Thrusting Rabbit and the Thrusting Purple Rabbit. A good vibrator is such a great investment for women and we have some amazing ones in this new collection. Amongst those also are the Ovo K5 Rabbit, the Pirate Katsunis Revenge of the Sea Rabbit and the Elegante Rabbit Vibe by Elan. These toys have all won different awards in many industry ceremonies. Of course a toy is not complete without a good orgasm gel to aid lubrication and arousal. So new in this collection also is the Jo Oral Delight Arousal Gel. In addition to being able to lubricate and sensitize the user, Jo Oral Delight Arousal Gel is also edible so it is perfect for oral sex. A little dab of this gel massaged on to the clitoris will transform any sexual experience to a phenomenal one. And then for the men, we have new enlargement and performance supplements that you will absolutely love. There used to be a time men dreamt about penis enlargement

with no idea of how to get it done. Back then one will research the costs of enlargement surgeries and it will run into millions of naira. Today, we have supplements that can enlarge the penis and give men better and stronger erections without hassle. One of such top quality penis enlargers is Prosolution. Prosolution is a world renowned and doctor approved penis enlarger that enlarges the penis in length and width while also reviving lost sexual desire, improving libido and better ejaculatory control. It is ranked among the top two penis enlargers in the world and is taken daily. The second of these supplements is Stiff Nights, a herbal male performance supplements that helps men with weak or no erection get back their erections while also enabling them with multiple rounds of performance, stamina, prolonged action and an enlarged penis. Stiff Nights also ensures that when you climax the first time, within five minutes, you will get a second erection. This aspect of it will benefit those men that complain that it takes them hours to get a second erection after ejaculating the first time. The dosage is one capsule with a second capsule taken 24 hours later. The effects can last up to two days in the system. Stiff Nights works on stimulation. This means that you will not be walking around with an unwanted erection except for when you are stimulated in anticipation of sex. Next week, we will discuss more new products. Let us now take a few questions from our readers. I am 58 years old and my erection is no longer as strong as it used to be. Some days it is hard enough for intercourse and at other days it is just flappy. How do I know which supplement is best for me? Jide

Jide there are several supplements that can help you. From what you have described, a basic erection enhancer is what you need. So supplements like Magic Mike, Stiff Nights, Libigrow or Man Up Now can all help you – Uche I just saw your sex products on the Sunday paper. I just want to know if there is any product that will make me enjoy sex more, reach orgasm and I don’t know if you have breast enhancement cream – Mrs Olusola Yes we have different products that can aid female sexual enjoyment. The Sex Accelerator Gel and the Ovo K5 Rabbit Vibrator will help you reach orgasm and enjoy sex. If you are also experiencing lack of sexual desire, then Kangaroo for her or G Female Oral Tablets will help you with that. And for breast enhancement, we have the Max Enhance Natu-

ral Breast Cream – Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

FG targets higher contraceptive prevalence rate FRANKA OSAKWE

he Federal Government has assured it would lift the nation’s contraceptive prevalence rate, CPR (for family plan-

ning) from its present 10 percent to 36 percent in 2018. Director of Child Health, Federal Ministry of Health Dr Bose Adeniran, gave the pledge recently at the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, NURHI,

Phase One Project Dissemination in Abuja. According to her, the Federal Government, in its effort to enhance availability and accessibility of contractive commodities in the country, gave a policy directive that

family planning commodities should be distributed free in public health facilities in 2011. This, she said, was based on the premise that the Federal Government would be contributing $3million annually for the procurement

L-R: Director-General NIMR, Prof Innocent Ujah; Pioneer chairman, National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), Professor Ibironke Akinsete; Coordinator, Research and Planning Management, NIMR, Prof Oni Idigbe and Director of Research/ Head of Non Communicable Diseases in NIMR, Dr Nkiruka Odunukwe at the commissioning of the new Biomedical Training and Cancer Research Centre.

Malnutrition deaths can be prevented –Medical Practitioner AKANJI RUKAYAT ABIMBOLA

medical practitioner, Dr. Tuyi Mebawondu has decried the high rate of death of Nigerian children from malnutrition which kills no fewer than 300,000 under-five children annually in the country, saying such deaths could be prevented. In an exclusive interview with National Mirror recently, Dr. Mebawondu who works at Medway Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, disclosed that Nigeria ranks second in

the world, after India, among countries with the highest number of deaths from malnutrition. He however described malnutrition as a disease of poor food distribution and poor knowledge of how food should be utilised, rather than being a disease resulting from lack of food as widely believed. He noted that many cases of under-nutrition are still being reported in Nigerian hospitals, in addition to diarrhoea, chest and other infections which could predispose children to malnutrition.

“When such children are brought in, the first thing you see is that, the child can be wasted, is also irritable, has no appetite, lacks interest in everything. Such a baby does not want to talk to you, he maintains a high gaze and you can observe a change in the colour and texture of his skin. “Other symptoms include frequent stooling, some could have patches, protruding abdomen while the rest of their body is thin and their hair is fluffy. All these signs show that they are under nourished,” he added.

Dr. Mebawondu declared that malnutrition could be prevented, even before the child is born, with good nutrition. According to him, the process should begin with the mother, during pregnancy, eating good food that will nourish the baby. Also, he further said, the woman must be taught during antenatal care about the kind of food to eat and the kind of food to feed the baby with. He added that the best way to treat malnutrition is to give adequate balance diet and to counsel the parent and pregnant women on food preservation.

NIMR launches cancer research center FRANKA OSAKWE

igerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has established the first ever publicprivate biomedical and cancer research Centre. Speaking during the launch, the President Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Kayode Obembe, said the Centre will aid in tackling cancer situation, one of the nation’s top killer disease. While congratulating the nation for achievements such as the elimination of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and Polio, reduction of child and infant mortality rate and

enactment of the National Health Act, he noted that a lot still need to be done in area of disease research and management hence the reason for the Centre. He commended the Director General of NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah for the achievement, describing the research Centre as the first public-private government owned cancer research institute equipped with functional hi-tech equipment from Sysmex, an international diagnostic equipment supplier. “This is a very unique episode in medical practice. The edifice is symbolic because it illustrates how public-private partnership can be very effec-

tive in moving healthcare forward. We are happy because unlike other such buildings that are not functioning, this one is functional, the equipment are already inside and we believe they are going to deliver”, he said. In his remark, Prof. Innocent Ujah, explained that the Centre was set up to aid in cancer research and management which he said has been hampered by lack of funding and fewer equipment. He therefore called on government and philanthropic organizations to show more support for the cause. According to him, the institute without any fund-

ing from government, decided to embark on the partnership with Sysmex as a way of moving forward. “Instead of waiting for government alone, we went ahead with this project. We believe the facility will improve our research capacity and update our knowledge. It is only through research that this country can have any development in the sector”, he said. Pro. Ujah further disclosed that the Centre would also be a focal point for the clinical trial on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and ARD resistance for HIV/ AIDS.

of contraceptives. “We said the women should have them free so that they will be able to plan their families…In addition to that, we’ve also gone ahead to develop a national Family Planning Blueprint. This is a costed strategy with implementation from 2014 to 2018. By 2018, we should have raised the contraceptive prevalence rate to 36 percent. Currently, from the NDHS we got in 2013, we are still at 10 percent. For us, we want to promote the wellbeing of the women; we want that to be 36 percent in 2018. “This blueprint has been costed; a lot of money is required to do it. Government alone cannot do it. By so doing, government has set aside some money; we are also using it as advocacy tool to talk to our partners that are working in this area to help us mobilize resources for us to implement it,” she added. Speaking with reporters on NURHI’s efforts on family planning in the country, Project Director for the organization, Mrs Mojisola Odeku, said the key findings of the first phase of the proj-

ect showed that there was increase in modern contraceptive use in all big cities where the organization worked in the country. The cities, according to her, are Abuja, Kaduna, Ilorin, Zaria, Benin city and Ibadan. “We worked with poor people in the slum areas in the cities. Over the years, what we have experienced was more or less like utilization because families, not just women, were not aware of the benefits of family planning, where to go for family planning, where they can get answers to some questions they have about family planning, and the providers were limited in the scope of the type of method they would provide. “So, in these cities, providers were trained, both those who work with what we call clinical, which is the hospitals, or those who work in non-clinical, so that they can provide simple information to direct people to where they can get proper care. In these cities, we were able to link all of them together.”

WHO calls for policies to favour older persons FRANKA OSAKWE

o mark this year’s International Day of Older Persons on October 1, The world Health Organisation (WHO) has asked governments to ensure policies that enable older people to continue participating in society and to live healthy lives. In a statement to mark the day, the organisation disclosed noted that old people, even in poorer countries, are living longer but not so healthy life. It said that the number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050 so there is a need for radical societal change. “We need to ensure these extra years are healthy, meaningful and dignified,” WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan said. In his message for the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons, Secretary-General Ban Kimoon said older persons are an enormous asset to society so governments need to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable so that no one – of

any age – is left behind. The release rejects the stereotype of older people as frail and dependent, saying many contributions that older people make are often overlooked. “Unfortunately, 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60, but it could be, and it should be,” Dr. John Beard, WHO Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course, said. Dr. Beard said while some older people may indeed be experiencing both longer and healthier lives, these people are likely to have come from more advantaged segments of society. Women, according to the report, who comprise the majority of older people, provide much of the family care for those who can no longer care for themselves. “As we look to the future, we need to appreciate the importance of ageing in the lives of women, particularly in poorer countries,” according to Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director- General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health. “And we need to think much more about how we can ensure the health of women right across the life course.”

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Treatment of cancer should be subsidized –Oncologist

What do you think is causing the increase? For now, we know that we are diagnosing it more because we have more facilities and resources to diagnose so cases that were not detected before are now detected. Secondly there is behavioural change; we are more sedentary than our fore fathers in terms of lifestyles, we are doing more of white collar jobs, less exercise and our eating habit has also changed, we are exposed to more pollution as a result of industrialization and this has increases the risk of having cancer.

Cancer still kills as many as 240 people every day in Nigeria, with about 100,000 new cases diagnosed yearly despite efforts by government to curtail the scourge. A consultant oncologist with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Muhammad Habeebe explained in this interview with Franka Osakwe, why death rate is still high, the challenges preventing elimination of the disease, as well as other details. Excerpt. How would you access Nigeria’s fight against cancer? There are efforts recently made by government to fight cancer but more is still needed to overcome the menace. There is much room for improvement, one big setback we have is the fact that the resources at our disposal are very limited compared to the cancer population in the country. For instance the population of Nigeria is an estimated 170 million with an estimated 100,000 cancer cases yearly but there is only about 8-9 cancer centres available throughout the country with only about 4-5 that are functional, so you can see that the disparity is much. In regards to the cancer centres, where are they located? LUTH is one of the centres; we also have the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, and others. What I mean by centres is government owned hospitals or places that have the facilities and machinery as well as the professionals that can treat cancer. What is your suggestion for improvement? I am suggesting that we should have more cancer centres, more machines to treat cancer patients, more supportive machine to help the professionals treat and monitor the cancer Therefore more resources should be set aside for cancer management, and more attention paid on it. The exorbitant cost of cancer treatment deters people from seeking treatment. How do you think this can be solved? You see, like HIV, the way we were able to bring down the scourge was by subsidizing the cost of HIV, so management of cancer should follow the same approach, treatment should be

subsidized because it is even more expensive to manage cancer than to manage HIV. We also need to raise awareness so that we can have behavioural changes; people need to know that they have to go for screening, they need to know the risk factors of certain cancers, they need to accept that cancer is a reality and can happen to anyone. With the new national health Act, do you think there will be provision for cancer intervention? Well we have to wait and see. There are lots of laws that are not implemented in Nigeria so I cannot say anything now till I see what is happening. Government hospitals have been going on frequent strikes. Has it affected cancer treatment in any way? When there is strike, there isn’t much treatment, you can’t use the machines, we can only do the little we can, but there is a great effect on treatment during the strike, we can’t give full treatment and the cancer patient is limited to skeletal treatment. It has a great effect because cancer is not an ailment that you postpone treatment, when you postpone the treatment, it becomes worse and can spread, leading to death so a lot of cancer patient were affected. As a consultant oncologist at LUTH, what is the most common type of cancer you witness and the statistics? Breast cancer is the most common, followed by cervical cancer. For statistics, I will say that in this clinic, almost all the cancer patients come in for breast cancer treatment. I heard that men also have breast cancer? Yes! For about 100 patients

cer now than before, the prevalent rate of cancer yearly in Nigeria as I said earlier is about 100, 00 new cases yearly. Here because LUTH is a referral centre, we see lot of patients, we have good amount of cancer cases, and it is increasing daily.

How do you think cancer can be prevented? We have to do more enlightenment on behavioural change and more screening so we can catch it early and have better prognosis. Is cancer an infectious disease? It is largely not infectious but some behaves similar to infectious diseases, like human papilloma virus which can be transmitted sexually. Habeebe

PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT

THEY HAVE TO GO FOR SCREENING, THEY NEED TO KNOW THE RISK

FACTORS OF CERTAIN CANCERS, THEY NEED TO ACCEPT THAT CANCER IS A REALITY AND CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE

that have breast cancer, about one or two will be men. Therefore, about 1-2 percent of breast cancer case occurs in men. Men can have breast cancer because they also have breast, even though it is rudimentary. You can have cancer in any part of your body including the breast. What about Cervical cancer cases, can it be treated and are the vaccines available? It is available in Nigeria but it is very expensive although some organisations have started subsidizing the vaccine, there is still need for more awareness. The vaccine is recommended for 0-26 year-old women that are not yet infected

with human papilloma virus. If the person is infected the vaccine will not treat it. Since the virus is transmitted through sexual disease, the vaccine is ideal for virgins. According to W.H.O, 0-13 yearold girls should have free vaccination for life prevention. Do we have that in Nigeria? In Nigeria, it is one thing to have a policy; it’s another issue to back it up. For now there is no free cervical cancer vaccination in any hospital, the vaccine is being sold. What is the rate of cancer in men? We have more prostate can-

Can some other disease lead to cancer? Definitely! For instance, HIV increases the risk of cancer, human papilloma virus increases the rate of cervical cancer. schistosomiasis haematobium which causes bloody urine increases bladder cancer risk. However generally the cause of cancer is multi factorial, it could be genetically predisposed, exposure to chemical diet can lead to bladder cancer, exposure to chemical radiation can lead to multiple cancers, and some psycho toxic drugs can cause cancer. What are the challenges of cancer treatment? The challenges basically are Ignorance and lack of funds. We need to enlightenment people about malignancy, regular screening and also get big organisation to help in the funding. According to WHO statistics, the third world countries will be responsible for 70 percent of cancer cases. Nigeria has the largest population in the third world countries so our action will determine if the prediction will happen. It’s time we stop being complacent.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Miss Heritage revives culture with new book

You build fame slowly in theatre –Adenugba

Correcting stereotypes in Nollywood Film as an agent of change can be used to correct certain stereotypes; but how willing are Nollywood filmmakers about being this change agent? Isiguzo Destiny

he Nigerian film industry over time has created certain stereotyped images of Nigerian women ranging from weaker sex, baby making machine, house wife, wicked step mother, domestic servant, gossip, article for ritual sacrifice and most importantly, sex object; what Agboola Adesanya, a Nollywood critic called “homo erotica” that is, “sexual objects and looking glasses - subtly displayed to satisfy the erotic gaze of men…” From the nascent years of Nollywood, film makers are in the business of depicting women as they like. For instance, in the first acclaimed Nollywood movie, “Living in Bondage” by Kenneth Nnebue, Merit, a character in the movie was used as ritual sacrifice while her husband’s friends told him that he can always get another woman with money. Speaking on the issue, Femi Shaka and Ola Uchendu pointed out that in Nollywood “…women are portrayed as naïve, ignorant and object attachment to men which on the one hand, there is the docile, submissive, accepting, never protesting, never questioning, and quiet model of a woman. This is the dream desire of man in a patriarchal society”. Again, when women are portrayed in the light of men, it is done with much negative extremity with themes that suggests that women are too ambitious, desperate, dangerous and powerfully evil like in “Women’s Cot, “Married to the Enemy” etc. The worst aspect of stereotyping is the depiction of women in Nollywood as sexual perverts who commercialize sex using their body to get undue advantage. This is exemplified in films like “Glamour Girls”, “Evil Passion”, “Nneka the Pretty Serpent” etc. Things have not changed even with heavy criticisms that have characterized Nollywood films. A film critic recently noted that, films like “Mr and Mrs”, “Ije”, and “October 1” “created worst depiction and commoditization of women”. He lambasted the films for negative portrayal of women. We should take to note of the fact that in “Mr and Mrs” the lead female character was raped by her husband, turned into a domestic servant, denied freedom of movement and socialization while she remained apologetic, but devised means

A Scene in Mr and Mrs

A Scene in Mr and Mrs.

A scene in Ije

to ensure her husband acknowledged her as a human being. Agboola describing “Mr and Mrs” said it “is a movie that vividly captures the realities of gender discrimination, domestic abuse of women and gender role stereotyping in a male-dominated social order. It tells the story of Susan Abah, a trained lawyer who is reduced to a domestic servant by her husband, Kenneth Abah, a proud and arrogant son of a petroleum minister, who feels the place of a women is in the kitchen, where she must cook; take care of the house and satisfy her husband’s sexual desires anytime”. Taking on “ije, a movie where a woman was heavily commoditised and used for gambling, he said “this movie tells the story of Anyan-

wu (Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde) who left Nigeria for the US in search of fame and fortune in Hollywood. On getting to her dreamland of the United States, Anyawu marries a white man, Mr.Michael Machino, who also doubles as her producer. Mr. Machino exploits Anyawu’s sexuality to achieve his selfish motives and to sustain his reckless life styles. On one of such occasions, he places his wife on bet in a poker game with his friends. He loses the bet and watched unconcerned as his friends cum co-gamblers assault and rape his wife, right in their living room. He even wanted to shamelessly have his turn after his friends...” He also observed that these women were not just humiliated without putting up resistance. They

Many have attributed this misnomer to patriarchy which was imported from the society into the film industry and the domination of male filmmakers in

Nollywood.

were portrayed as putting up resistance by being rebellious in “Mr and Mrs” and in “Ije” by the killing of the man and his friends. But there is this debate about which message was potently passed, the depiction of women as sex object and their resistant. In a interview granted to randomly selected Nigerians. There seems to be a deep heated furore and debate over these movies. In evaluating the films, most educated women emphasized on the resistance of the women over domination and exploitation, while the men, youths and uneducated women emphasized on the stereotyping of women. Adanna, a student of LASU when asked to summarize the movie “Ije” said the “movie is about Omotola and Gnevieve and how Omotola’s husband was using her to gamble and raped her with his friends”. This summary was what most people interviewed by Art Lounge replicated while very few educated women went further to stress on the resistance”. On “Mr and Mrs”, Segun Ayo who spoke with Art Lounge said “Mr and Mrs” is about a man maltreating the wife”. While this debate has reached no conclusion, Nollywood is still churning out movies where women are stereotyped negatively. However, there are movies that have centered on re-constructing the identity of women. “Antique” is one of them. The movie according to a review published in this paper pointed out that the movie should be celebrated for portraying “female heroism and messiahship. But this example of Antique is very few. Many have attributed this misnomer to patriarchy which was imported from the society into the film industry and the domination of male film makers in Nollywood. Feminist critics from their reaction through various medium like the social media are doubtful that this trend will change.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Defending copyright globally

Alex Eyengho

his task falls largely within the mandate of the World Intellectual Property Organization, in a nutshell, WIPO; which is the global forum for IP services, policy, information and cooperation. WIPO is one of the 17 specialized agencies of the United Nations. It was created in 1967 to encourage creative activity, and to promote the protection of Intellectual Property throughout the world. WIPO currently has 187 member states, administers 26 international treaties and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. There are a number of International Treaties and Conventions on copyright. These are: the Berne Convention for the protection of literary and artistic works, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), the international convention for the protection of performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organizations (“the Rome Convention”), Other Special conventions in the field of related rights, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), the Beijing Treaty on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances. Finally, another international agency, the World Trade Organization (WTO) administers, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (“TRIPS”). These treaties and agreements now form the foundation of the international copyright system. WIPO member-nations need to sign, ratify and domesticate these treaties in order to deploy effective legal defense of copyright internationally. Copyright and related rights as anchored by WIPO handles matters like copyright protection, subject matter of copyright protection, rights comprised in copyright, related rights, ownership of copyright, limitations on copyright protection, piracy and infringements, remedies, and IP and traditional cultural expressions. The defense of IP nationally: Though IP laws are established and enforced by each individual member country of WIPO, it is however instructive to say from the outset that most national IP laws (Legal Framework) were adapted from international

Alex Eyengho

(WIPO) laws. In treating this aspect of my paper, my focus shall be on Nigeria, for obvious reasons. In Nigeria, the designated governmental organization established by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to defend copyright is – the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC). However, the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry in the Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, défends the other types of IP. 1. WIPO Treaties: Nigeria is a signatory of 8 out of the 16 WIPO Treaties concerning IP. The copyright-related Treaties signed by Nigeria are the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, of September 1886 as amended in September 1979, the most recent Marrakesh (VIP) Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled, of June 2013, the Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations, of Oc-

tober 1961, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) adopted in Geneva on December 20, 1996, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) also adopted in Geneva on December 20, 1996. Sadly however, of the 8 treaties Nigeria signed since 1996, Nigeria is yet to ratify and domesticate 2 critical ones (the WCT and the WPPT). Our country’s failure to do so – so far – brings important attendant demerits. 2. Domestically, there are presently 10 statutes – including the Nigerian Copyright Act – governing our copyright legal framework. The most recent of those is the 2012 Copyright Levy on Materials Order, which is designed to bring revenues to rights holders based on private recordings of our works. This legal framework is useful as the basis for defending copyright and related rights in Nigeria. However, it is left for the copyright owner to be proactive and reactive in ensuring the defense of these rights, using the available legal frameworks in Nigeria. . Like most Nigerian pirates end films

There is a general perception that copyright is an obstacle to the development of new content distribution and usage models

Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? I’ve got quite a few really. But Wole Soyinka is up there. Chinua Achebe, John Grisham and Mario Puzo are also my ideal authors. What book is the best from your perspective? It is difficult to say. Chinua Achebe should be it for me. But I read all kinds of books; mostly books about filmmaking. I like Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’. I like ‘The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo and ‘The Man Died’ by Wole Soyinka. What book initiated your interest in what you are doing today? ‘A Director Prepares: Seven Essays on Art and Theatre’.

ERNEST BHABOR

Film Director

How much do you spend on books annually? I’m not sure. I really don’t have a budget for books. When I see, or hear about a good book I get it. I have a very extensive library - print and digital books. If you decide to write a book what would be its theme? I’m actually writing one at the moment. And it’s a fictional story based on my childhood and youth days in Nigeria. And I’m also considering writing some books about filmmaking down the road. What has reading done in your life? Reading is enlightenment. I have acquired immense unquantifiable knowledge from reading.

they produce or sponsor, “To God be the glory”. Prosecution of pirates caught in the act in Nigeria takes the twin shape of criminal and civil in the law court. While the copyright owner handles the civil aspect, the NCC, representing the State, handles the criminal aspect. The copyright owner can only handle the criminal suit if he/she gets a fiat from the Attorney-General and Nigeria’s Minister for Justice. However, the copyright owner can simultaneously institute a civil suit against the infringer while the criminal suit is on, with a view to getting damages. Suffice it to say that while the criminal suit can attract a jail sentence, fine or both, a civil suit can only attract damages in favour of the copyright owner. In the same vein, there seems to be inadequate feedback mechanism between NCC and stakeholders, particularly its activities at WIPO. First challenge: amongst policy makers and legislators here and abroad, there is a general perception that copyright is an obstacle to the development of new content distribution and usage models as well as a negative factor in economic and social growth. This, as I hope to demonstrate, is emphatically not the case. Second challenge: the widespread unauthorized making available and use of copyrighted works. Physical medium piracy has decimated our business, as you all know, and as mobile data and broadband Internet continues to deploy in Nigeria and the rest of the region, we now face the prospect of pandemic levels of unlawful streaming and downloading of the content we create, finance and distribute at our own risk. Third challenge: in years to come, following in the footsteps of Europe, the US and parts of Asia, Nollywood will begin to see reduced income from physical media such as VCD and DVD. At the same time, the very nascent nature of the new online Video-on-Demand business models will mean that earnings from those platforms will likely be very modest to begin with. This dual effect of technological mutation will greatly challenge our capacity to invest in new productions, to remain a competitive force in export markets and uphold our contribution to GDP.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ARTISTE UNCENSORED Shola Adenugba, an actor, writer is never tired of producing stage plays as he explains. Tosin Adams

any professionals are segmented into the artistic and administrative areas of stage productions. The fact remains that only those on stage are being appreciated more by the spectators because they are the ones with direct connectivity with the audience. However, without the producer and other crew members, a production is just but a mirage. Producing a standard stage production is a very tasking aspect of the business most especially at this reviving point. One of those who have been passionate and consistent in producing stage plays on the Lagos Mainland is Oluwanishola Adenugba, the producer of Live Theatre on Sunday (LTS). Shola, a theatre Producer, actor and writer who hails from Epe in Lagos State attended the University of Ibadan where he studied Theatre Arts. He is about to bag his PhD. This highly creative and industrious Youngman thought of how to bring back the tradition of Live Theatre most especially on the Lagos Mainland to measure up with what holds on the Island, and that ingenious cogitation culminated in the creation of Live Theatre on Sunday (LTS) in 2008. According to him, passion and the need to make extra income was one of the reasons for establishing the LTS Project. “I have always been fascinated by the stage and at the time we started Live Theatre on Sunday in 2008, there were very few theatre productions around so we decided to start and provide a panacea to the dearth of theatre. We started with a sponsorship from UBA at the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture and our first productions were plays by J.P.Clark-Bekederemo’s “The Song of a Goat” directed by Leke Gbolade for Black Soul Repertory Theatre and “The Wive’s Revolt” as directed by Ayo Atoki. We have featured actors like Paul Alumona, Omonor Somolu, Debbie, Emmanuel Nlemadim, Dave Akabuez, Thomas Odia, Gabriel Afolayan and Nosa. Alas, we haven’t made the money

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

You build fame slowly in theatre –Adenugba yet though” he said. He talks on the reason why most people run away from producing stage plays. “It is expensive and rigorous and requires a lot of time. Also Theatre is not the most prominent sibling in popular culture family. Theatre doesn’t give instant fame. You build your fame slowly and that discourages people”. Regardless of the fact that this passionate theatre producer does his Live Theatre on Sunday free (might review it) for all every last Sunday of the month and it is not yet as lucrative as it should, he is optimistic about the business. “I love the theatre arts, I studied it and I won’t do anything else” he added. To keep up the frenzy, he has therefore created more special productions for Easter and Christmas with the first edition slated to commemorate this year’s Easter celebration for theatre lovers. He has therefore packaged a play titled ‘Belong’ for the season. When asked the idea behind the selection of the play for Easter, he responded thus, “Easter is the season for rediscovery. I believe that there is no better time to present such a great story. It is a play on love, identity and politics. It is a story of people who in the struggle to be, have lost all they have and who they are” ‘Belong’ according to Shola Adenugba was handled by a good selection of crew and cast ranging from Tosan Ugbeye as Artistic Director and Award winning Bola Agbaje, UK based Nigerian playwright as writer, while the performers include some of Nigeria’s finest thespians and celebrities like Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Bimbo Akintola, Tunji Sotimirin, Toyin Oshinnaike, OC Ukeje, Dolapo Oni, Opeyemi Dada and Emeka Nwachukwu. On the selection of high class actors, he added that Belong is a top class production and only the best are good enough. In his words, “The play is for everyone. The theatre does not discriminate. Theatre should be didactic and we hope that people will take a step back to appraise themselves and see if they are who they are or if what they have become is what they really want.”

I have always been fascinated by the stage and at the time we started Live Theatre on Sunday in 2008, there were very few theatre productions around

MIDWEEK JUMP

Book exhibition at MUSON

dia Ofeimun one of Nigeria’s brightest poets and a multiple-award winner is exhibiting a book at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The event which is tagged ‘Special 40-Plus Book Exhibition’ will hold on the 7th of October 2015 at 1pm.

Adenugba

Beauty Africa

eauty Africa Exhibition and Conferences is the continent’s largest event dedicated to beauty, medical aesthetics and wellness and holds on 7-8 Oct 2015 at Eko Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. The event stages the latest developments and opportunities within Africa’s beauty, medical aesthetics and wellness sector and provided a strategic platform to establish successful partnerships within Nigeria and beyond.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

FAR AND NEAR

Miss Heritage revives culture with new book

Regina Otokpa

iss Heritage 2015, Benedicta Akpana, one of the most vibrant beauty queens has made her mark in the reign of Nigerian queens with the recent launch of her book, ‘The Jewel’ in Abuja. The book is a compendium of proverbs selected from across the six geopolitical zones in the country to revive and preserve the nation’s cultural heritage fast drowning into extinction. Lamenting the neglect of the age-long part of our lvesn she said, “It is unfortunate that this age-long part of our lives is almost going into extinction. This book seeks to revive this part of our heritage as Wikipedia approximately puts the numbers of ethnic groups and languages in Nigeria to 400-450 respectively.” She stressed that Nigerian proverbs were the pride of every culture and are as numerous and different as Nigerian languages itself. Akpana added that, proverbs were noted to be very important aspects of verbal discourse within the social contexts in which knowledge and emotions are communicated. “They mirror the people’s social cul-

Miss Heritage.

tural orientations, philosophy, world’s views, as well as psychological and literary make-ups that generally depicts the experience of life.” The graduate of Micro Biology further maintained that, “From time worn, proverbs have been used in conveying messages during important conversations; they are effective means of communication, as they exploit the resources of metaphor, hyperbole, similes, amongst

striking creative forms. They have remarkable qualities with which words are seasoned. “ “As Miss Heritage Nigeria, I see it as a duty, a sacred obligation to protect the younger generation from this disaster. This obligation which has consumed my entire being is the reason for this book. We hope to share and introduce this in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions,” she added.

‘Queen Amina of Zazzau’ comes on stage

Graphic impression of QUEEN-AMINA.

he staging of Wale Ogunyemi’s play ‘Queen Amina of Zazzau’ at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja in November is reminiscent of Hollywood stars vying to perform on Broadway in New York. Only this time it will be Nollywood that will be in wedlock with the Nigerian stage. To take place in two shows in two days on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 at 4pm and 7pm the announcement of Jumoke Olatubosun as taking the lead role of Queen Amina in the play is already causing a buzz in Nigeria’s entertainment circles. Olatubosun, a star of the stage also has very intimidating credentials in

Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry and the country’s television. Nominated for the United Kingdom-based ZAFAA in 2009 as the Best Upcoming Actress for her role in the Nollywood film, Greatness, she has had over 30 marvelous stage performances to her credit. Among her television appearances is the soap, Band of Five currently showing on ONTV. Others performances include ‘Wetin Dey’ which took television by storm and ‘Nimi’ (in Yoruba) both BBC initiatives. The other films to the credit of the Jos-based Olatubosun are: ‘Sitanda’, ‘White Waters’, ‘Pensioners’, ‘Laviva’, ‘Five Apostles’, ‘Heart of a Father’ and ‘Nadia’. The performance is produced by the in-

defatigable Patrick-Jude Oteh, the artistic director of the Jos Repertory Theatre (JRT), who said that tickets are already on sale and will go on at the door on the day of the performance. JRT is also bringing two other plays to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) beginning from Monday, October 12 at the Lagos Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja with Pedro Antonio De Alarcon’s ‘The Three -Cornered Hat’ as part of the Spanish Week celebration. Entry to this performance is free courtesy of the Embassy of Spain and Nigeria LNG Ltd. Time is 6pm. The other play, ‘Last Stand’ by Sefi Atta, is to be staged on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 at the French Institute, 52, Libreville Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja by 7pm daily. Tickets will be sold at the gate and Oteh promises that the Jos Repertory Theatre will be going the extra mile as is always the case with the group’s performances to not just enlighten and entertain but to also thrill those who find time to attend. Jos Repertory Theatre was founded in 1997 as a not-for-profit independent theatre organisation and started full programme implementation in 2000. JRT, as the organisation is fondly called does play/poetry readings, production of scripted plays and the creation of theatre-for-development plays.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Korea-Nigeria Love Day in Abuja Joel Ajayi

uphoria of the Tuesday the 29th September, 2015 will continue to linger in the memories of over 400 primary and secondary students, across the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory, as 2nd edition of Korea-Nigeria love fiesta was celebrated in grand style. Korea-Nigeria Love Day is an event for exciting activities and cultural performances from two countries all geared towards showcasing their diverse cultures through ;Drama, Fashion show, Folk song Cultural dance, Taekwando, K-POP dance, Music, language, and much more. Main Hall and gallery of Barcelona Hotel located at Wuse II Abuja venue of this year’s edition was filled to the capacity with Students of over 100 schools is endured a vibrate of different titillating sound of delight, as it was rocked by the energetic dances of several group. Prizes won at the competition included: micro-waves T-Shirt, Hanbok doll, character doll, pouch and mirror USB amongst others. In his welcome address, the Republic of Korean Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Noh KyuDuk stated that Korea center establish four years ago has secured a good foundation for the cultural exchange of both countries. According to him, I have been deeply impressed with the preeminent talents and enthusiasm of Nigerian citizens for arts and culture ever since I arrived here in Nigeria. He said: “It is wonderful to see more than 100 secondary school students in Abuja participating in different activities that has been distributing seeds of interest of Korea and open new channels of exchange between Korea and Nigeria and even Africa itself. “This is for fun, and every people whether Korea or in Nigeria they need such opportunity. Nigeria has a diverse historical background and a colorful culture, with over 250 unique tribes, its literature and film industry has attracted international attention over the years.” Speaking on the 2015 World K-POP festival Mr. Kyu-Duk, said korea embassy in Nigeria will do all it could within its possible best to support Nigeria team that will raise the flag of the country at the World Festival to be held in Seoul, come October 30, 2015 for the very first time. “The main event of K-POP World festival will involve performances by the 14 teams that have selected through rigorous competition held in over 80 countries around the world. “Pacific star of Nigeria will be performing lives in Seoul as the representatives of many passionate and talented Nigerian K-POP enthuiasists. I wish them all the best.” He said. In his remarks, the Director of Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria KCCN, Mr. Kwon Yonk IK, explained that “Korean Cultural Centre has become a comfortable, familiar place to many Nigerians, a place to visit to enjoy cultural content and art.”

At the Love Day in Abuja.

Business

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

DISCOs, consumers disagree over electricity tariff 33

Current forex rate undesirable for firms’ growth, earnings –Fakayejo 28

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

GTBank bags award for good corporate governance

CTN will check midstream cargo discharge, says group FRANCIS EZEM

trong indications emerged at the weekend that the stiff opposition against the re-introduction of the Cargo Tracking Note CTN especially by some foreign interests is that it would check the increasing cases of illegal mid stream discharge of cargo by some multinational shipping companies operating in the country. Mid-stream discharge is a practice by which some foreign shipping lines illegally discharge part or all of the content of their mother vessels into smaller ships, which bring such cargo into the ports with a view to evading payment of relevant charges to the relevant government agencies. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has following the increasing cases of oil theft and influx of illegal arms into the country banned all forms of mid-stream discharge, warning that culprits would be decisively dealt with. President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, Chief Eugene Nweke, who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said that the group decided to back the reintroduction of the CTN by the Nigerian Shippers Council to checkmate all forms of illegal midstream, through which

the country has lost lots of revenue with the attendant security threats. According to him, the CTN conforms to the International Ships and Ports Facility Security ISPS Code regulation of the International Maritime Organisation IMO with a view to ensuring cargo security as well as the security of the seaport facilities. “The ISPS Code regulations require all member nations of the

IMO to initiate and develop security plans for vessels, port facilities, cargo and persons entering and exiting all the national seaports”, he argued.. He also said: “The CTN component of the ISPS Code presently is to provide relevant information that would help monitor maritime security threats, while revealing shipping and cargo information that will aid in the risk profiling of vessels, crew members, ports

of calls, mid-stream operations and cargo characteristics, which will be tracked from port loading to port of final destination”. It was however gathered that the CTN is currently operational in most parts of Europe, America, Asia and even in some African countries including Angola, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Congo, Cote d’ivoire and Togo, among several others.

former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Mr. Temi Omatseye has said that the various efforts made by the government at developing and growing the maritime industry in Nigeria may not achieve th needed result until the country builds a formidable indigenous fleet. Omatseye, who spoke in an interview in Lagos, observed that though the country has abundance of cargo in terms of exports and

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

Dana Air

L-R: Director, Community Development Service, NDHQ, Abuja, Victoria Okhakhu; DG, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawunmi; Sustainable Development Manager, Guinness Nigeria, Osita Abana and representative of the Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Micheal Dawodu, at the presentation of drugs by Guinness Nigeria to the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers which was flagged off in Olorunda LCDA, Badagryon Tuesday..

‘Indigenous fleet expansion crucial to maritime development’ FRANCIS EZEM

import goods comprising both wet, dry bulk and containersised as well as Roll-On-Roll-Off cargo, she has not been able to make much impact in the global shipping arena because she has no single ship on her fleet. According to him, as the sixth largest exporter of crude oil and a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC, her crude exports are still lifted by foreign shipping lines on the basis of Free On Board FOB, which gives the buyers of her black gold exclusive right to determine the vessel of carriage because she has no ship.

Conversely, it was also gathered that as an import dependent nation, which relies on imported products ranging from healthcare, industrial equipment, raw materials and other consumables etc, these imported goods are also carried on the basis of Cost, Insurance and Freight CIF, which allows the sellers to determine the vessel used for the freight because the country has no singe ship on her fleet. The former NIMASA-boss however argued that until the government puts in place deliberate and consistent measures designed to enable the indigenous shipping

firms to build a formidable that would fly the nation’s flag, the growth and development would continue to be a mirage. Investigations also showed that because the country does not have ships on her fleet, the freight rates for lifting her crude oil exports and those of goods imported into the country is decided somewhere in the United Kingdom because the country has no ship on her fleet. He cited the instance of Ethiopia, which is a land locked country but has in excess of 15 ocean going vessels and therefore plays prominentroles in determining the freight rate.

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, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Current forex rate undesirable for firms’ The Managing Director, Enterprise Stockbrokers Plc, MR. ROTIMI FAKAYEJO, is a seasoned investment expert who feels that current foreign exchange regime may undermine corporate managers’ efforts to ensure adequate returns on investments to shareholders. In this interview with Johnson Okanlawon, he bares his mind on developments in the nation’s capital market, including the growing need for telecommunication companies to go public in the overall interest of the economy. Excerpts:

hat is your assessment of the economy and the Nigerian capital market in the last nine months of 2015?

A lot of things have really happened that has really affected the economy in general. Since last year, the price of crude oil has been dropping and Nigeria has been a monolithic economy as we depend on a single export. That has affected our revenue. Also, the election year came and huge percentage of foreign investors took profit because of uncertainty. We saw last year ending with about 50 per cent decline in market All-Share Index. Today, the market ASI is about 13 per cent decline. That simply means in the last two years, the capital market has not moved forward. Last year, every other market recorded a posiFakayejo tive closing. We expect such from Nigerian market and one other market but not so. ket came down. If any stockbroker is going to survive Imagine we had 70 per cent local parat this point in time, with the N300 million ticipation then, which volatility wouldn’t capital requirement from SEC and also have happened in the first place. At least for the MOS to actually take off, a stock- there could have been a shock absorber of broker firm will need an additional input stocks that were placed in the market. of N100 million to be able to meet the total I wanted to believe that market regulaoverhead which is about N400million. tors have more work to do with investors’ With the manpower requirement, education and without that, I don’t see the technology, the process and also corpo- capital market moving forward. rate governance in place, a stockbroker The National Assembly said it would shouldn’t have less than N400 million. pass a legislation compelling telecommuThis is a market that has maintained nications and oil companies operating in downward position over the last two the country to list on the Nigerian Stock years and as at December, the position Exchange. was N300million. Currently, a stockbroker that has N250 million will need to What is your take on that? work hard in order market capitalization. It is what the capital market has been When you think you already there, you expecting many years when the telecomhave to move forward. It is affecting the munication companies came into the capital market because many market op- country. The implication of that is what erators are discouraged. they have been battling with. It depends Many of the stockbrokers are actually on serious of legislators and the willinglooking elsewhere to meet their daily in- ness of the telecommunication companies come. If this kind of a thing is happening, to comply. coupled with the government that is yet These are some of the policies that to put its policy trust in place, we are defi- should have been implemented when they nitely in for a long walk. That is why we were given license but since they missed are not likely to see much events happen- that, it will certainly be difficult for them ing this year. One other thing that is affecting the capital market is Nigerian dependency on foreign direct portfolio investment (FPI) in the equities market. At any point in time, we have them trading above 60 per cent. So, when FPI are not investing, definitely, the capital market is on it’s kneel. With the SEC master plan, the core area is to see how to drive domestic participation in the capital market. At some point in time this year, the capital market was on a positive position but when foreign investors exit their position, the mar-

to achieve that going forward. If that should happen, the depth and quality of their listings that market stakeholders expect will put things right. Also, the NSE expectation of having a $1 trillion market capitalization is far fetch. It is a very big walk. Will the telecommunication companies and the power companies that have just deregulated will also listed, if so then the capital market definitely will be better for it. The volatility we are seeing right now will be brought to a very minimal level. The new capital requirement by the SEC for stockbrokers came to an end. How has your own firm survived the storm? It has been a very difficult one for everybody but we have been coping. Enterprise Stockbrokers Limited survived the SEC capital requirement and minimum operating standard coming from the NSE. What factors have contributed to weak corporate earnings in the halfyear from the oil and gas, financial Institutions, fast moving consumer goods sectors among others?

At some point in time this year, the capital market was on a

positive position but when foreign investors exit their position, the market came down

The quoted companies in the fast moving consumer goods reported weak performance. The banking sector except First Bank of Nigeria Holding Plc which reported positive earnings. If you look at those results critically, you will agree with me that First Bank of Nigeria results can’t be sustained. The Foreign Exchange rate has weakened companies’ earnings compared to that of last year. The only one that has actually brought up a surprise is the industrial goods sector where you have the cement companies with the likes of Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa Plc and AshakaCem. Those companies have actually kept up with their earnings and balance sheet. Half-year performance of listed companies has not been encouraging at all and it is quite expected because the state of the economy that is beyond what we expected. As at this time last year, the foreign exchange (forex) was about N168 to a dollar and I think the parallel rate was about N200/ US Dollar. Now, if you look at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s official rate that is around N197/ US Dollar and the parallel market that is around N240/ US Dollar. From there, you will definitely see that there is something wrong with the system. So, with this kind of a thing, we were only expecting that the effect will crystallize very soon and that is exactly what we are seeing in half-year corporate earnings. Except something is done fast, it might get worst. Like what do you think is needed to be done? For instance, the cost component of most companies such as finance charges,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Executive Discourse

growth, earnings –Fakayejo administrative expenses and cost of sales are on the higher proportion. Producing companies that depend on importation material witnessed increased finance cost. Now, we need to look inward by improving power supply, fair and stable position of the naira for investors to plan against any further drop. Also, the consumption level has dropped. Imagine the revenue of Nestle Nigeria and Cadbury Nigeria dropped by two per cent and eight per cent respectively. All these things are coming at the same time. Let us know where the new government is heading to. Although they have set out good intension to drive the economy but the policies are yet to come out. They need to work very well to improve power supply and I believe we need to take our eye away from crude oil. There are so many natural resources that we are yet to explore. If you go to Ondo State, that is where we have the second largest Bitumen in the World and it has not been touched. So, Nigeria is a very funny country and I believe that we have an able government that can tackle these things. On the CBN Monetary Policies, what are the side effects on the capital market? If you look at bond, treasury bills, the equities market does not give 100 per cent assurance of returns. When you look at fixed rate securities like bond market and Treasury Bills, you will realize that with the rate of 13 per cent and 16 per cent in Treasury Bills and Bond market respectively, it is descending the capital market. If there is an assurance on 13 per cent yield on Treasury bill without you losing your sleep compared to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc that will pay you five per cent yield dividend coupled with future capital appreciation which is not certain. Certainly, investors will want to put their money in fixed income securities. For that reason, it is really a disservice to the capital market and there is no encouragement since the CBN policies are not balanced. The SEC in other jurisdiction perform the role of a regulator while our own SEC regulates and work on developmental side of the capital. With the closure of its three zonal offices, what is your take on that? I think basically in the wake of the awareness that came to the market in 2008, we had more branches of NSE. Those branches are not really functioning except Abuja and I think there is no other one that is actually active. I think there is need for them to widen the net. Majority of the transactions are in Lagos and there is need for capital market operators to reach to those outside Lagos. Except that is done, we cannot attract domestic investors. The normal average number of deals done in a day right now is around 3,500 average per day. At its peak, it was around 5,000 deals per day. If you allow that to flow through the year with 300 working days, we will get 1.5 million deal in a year. If an individual takes up a deal in a year, that means we will have about less than about 1.5 million investors participating

The capital market is not an investment in Treasury bill that at the end of 90 days you pick your returns in the market all through the 300 days in a year out of the population of 160 million. With this development, it means we will have less than one per cent of domestic investors participating in the market and I don’t think that is where we should be if we want to grow the market and economy. People are fast forgetting that the capital market is a place one can raise long time fund. What are doing now is secondary transactions and the primary market has been moribund. I have not seen any listing this year and it is not likely that we are going to see any new listings this year. So, all these have to be worked on and the regulators have to do more. Can we to link downturn of the economy to companies that are not accessing the capital market? Of course, the economic downturn has affected the capital market in a negative way. We hear that new companies are reluctant to do placement because it may not succeed. The only one that was successful in recent time is United Bank for Africa which raised small N11.5 billion. The rights issue is at no cost because it is subject to profitability of the company. That is what determines returns. Whatever you are getting from Financial Market Dealers Quotations (FMDQ) is what you are going to pay; weather you make profit or not. It becomes wiser to balance your equity debt position and I think for that reason, UBA could have gone for equity. It is the fear of investors not actually participating that made them to go for that. What are the benefits of NSE Par value rule on shareholders, Companies and other stakeholders? I think the argument is that if par value is taken off, can a company share come as low as N0.09 when there is liquidity. If you look at companies who have done reconstruction of their share capital, it has not been better for them. International Energy has done reconstruction twice and their share price is still hovering around N0.60 and the liquidity has not come in. It will primarily result to force takeover of some companies and I think it may not force companies to seek delisting. If a company is having five million shares, all you need is N500,000 to take over that company. Investors and core shareholders will not like it. If it is liquidity they are looking at, by the time they test-run it with three companies, you will see how liquidity will come up Has the capital market performed it

major role in Nigeria? The Nigerian capital market did that in the past but looking at what has happened in recent time, starting from the 2008 meltdown, it seems it is performing its role but not measuring up to its standard. For the UK-Nigeria emerging Capital Market taskforce, what area do you expect stakeholder to focus their attention? One thing that is very certain is that every capital market has its own area of peculiarity. If you look at what happened in China Market when it was coming down, government brought up a policy that is not common in other countries and the China market is bouncing back. There is over dependant on foreigners coming to develop our capital market. I don’t really think that is going to give us the kind of speed that we desire. Well, we can expand our horizons but we must let people know about capital market and I think the work is right here in our country. How do we go about enhancing domestic investors’ confidence? I think anybody that is putting money in some venture is looking at returns. For some securities, the return is there and for any investment, it is important to understand the involved risk. When you talked about risk, it is expected that investors will do their risk analysis. You can lose your money and you can make more money. You can look at what happened to the likes of AfriBank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank. A lot of investors lost so much money because they were protected by the market.

They should have been protected when looking at what happened to Oceanic and Intercontinental Bank. Those that have shares in those banks still have something to hold on to. Those shareholders in Spring Bank, Bank PHB felt cheated, unprotected and uncared for. For that reason, a lot of shareholders have lost interest in capital market. Except shareholders are assured that in the future, such a thing will not happen; many of them will not come back. Given the fact that those banks still exist, even though they have changed name, they still don’t feel protected One other thing Nigeria investors must know is that Nigerian capital market is a long term market. It is a market where you put in your savings. Those who bought 1,000 units of Nigerian Breweries at N2.00 and the 1,000 units over the years grow as much as 100,000 units. Today if you have 100,000 units of Nigerian Breweries, you are a millionaire. The capital market is not an investment in Treasury bill that at the end of 90 days you pick your returns. For those that have enduring spirit and have focus on the future, those are the people that are welcome in the capital market What is your take on the likely delisting of Nigerian bonds from the JP Morgan bond Index which market analysts said could lead to capital market flight? Before the new government came in, we were actually given an ultimatum with the state of things in the country and the devaluation of Naira. New government came and they said they will another mandate to see what is going to happened in another six months before they can actually go ahead. What are the risk and benefit for any investor who wanted to invest in the ETP? The Exchange Traded Products, ETP, has not been active. If you look at it on daily basis, you hardly see N2 million transactions done on all of them collectively.

Fakayejo

Business News

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

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MAN set to promote maritime bills at NASS Dare Akogun

aritime Academy of Nigeria MAN in Oron Akwa Ibom state is presently consulting on how to sponsor two new industry bills at the National Assembly. The bills seek to address personnel’s safety at sea and standards of training for cadets and seafarers respectively. This was disclosed by the Rector of the foremost maritime school, Dr. Joshua Okpo recently during a parley with journalists in Lagos. The proposed bills, namely, domestication of all International Maritime Organisation

(IMO) conventions including the Standard of Training and Watch keeping Certification (STCW) which was amended in 2010 and to upgrade Safety Of Lives At Sea SOLAS. Okpo said that the two maritime conventions will be domesticated into Nigerian local laws through a draft bill, which he said will sail through the Federal Ministry of Transport down to the presidency as an executive bill. “We are going to articulate two bills. The first one is the domestication of all IMO relevant conventions namely the STCW as amended in 2010” “We are going to promoted SOLAS Safety At Sea and those two

conventions and there amended will be domesticated into our local laws through a draft bill that will sail through the Ministry of Transport ,and president as executive bills”, Okpo added. The Rector also stated that experts are putting finishing touches to the bills adding that if it sails through, it will enable

the academy to migrate into a new phase on maritime academies syllabus standard internationally. Okpo added that the development maritime academy syllabus will bring about exploration in the maritime domain pointing out that it is critical for the specialised school not to be

dragged backward. He noted that developing a syllabus at this time is aimed to impact on the country, economy and for the future generation. According to him the SOLAS bill is expected to have the component which includes Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Higher Degrees saying

Uganda beats US, Britain in high-level entrepreneurship SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

ganda has ranked first in the world as country with the highest level of entrepreneurship with women leading the pack. This was according to a research study carried out by UK-based business networking group, Approved Index. The number was calculated by the percentage of the adult population that owns or coowns a new business and has paid salaries or wages for three or more months. According to the report, an impressive 28 per cent of the Ugandan population are entrepreneurs taking advantage of the country’s new-found freedom after decades of dictatorship. “Many of the self-employed are seeing their businesses expand because of the country’s recently laid fibre optic cables that connect even remote villages to the internet.” While women are trailblazing the entrepreneurial landscape

in Uganda to increase their economic prospects, the challenges stacked against them are still heavy. According to the report, although 40 per cent of all businesses are owned by women, 93 per cent of business credit still goes to men. The Ugandan Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL) is an initiative that is fighting against this gender bias. UWEAL holds annual awards for the best Female Entrepreneur of the Year to drive forward the motivation of female entrepreneurs defying stereotypes. “Culturally in Uganda women don’t own land, and that is the major requirement from the bank to show them what you have and what is your security,” said Stella Maris DdumbaSewagaba, chief executive officer at UWEAL. Three other African countries that made it on to the top ten of the entrepreneurship list include Angola, Cameroon and Botswana all following the similar trend of women pioneering the entrepreneurial space.

L – R: Regional Business Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc , Ayo Lawal; Marketing Manager, Gulder, 33, More, Life and Stout category Emmanuel Agu; winner of a brand new Hyundai Elantra car, Chinedu Ifezue; Marketing Director, NB Plc Franco Maggi Maria and Public Affairs Manager, East, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Isaac Nwabuzor, at the presentation of the brand new car to Chinedu Ifezue for the Enugu leg of Gulder’s Ultimate Chase, at the Polo Club, Port Harcourt; on Saturday.

SEC to investors: verify compliance of operators

Johnson Okanlawon

he Implementation Committee on new minimum capitalrequirement for capital market operators, CMOs, has advised the investing public to verify the compliancestatus of their preferred CMO by checking the list posted on the Securities andExchange Commission, SEC, website. This is even as the commission disclosed that as atclose of business September

Facebook to expand internet access in Africa

acebook has unveiled that it would launch a satellite in partnership with France’s Eutelsat Communications to bring internet access to different parts of the sub-Saharan Africa. Facebook’s Internet.org platform to expand internet access through mobile phones is under construction and would be launched in 2016, the companies have said. Chief Executive of the Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post that the satellite,

called AMOS-6, will cover large parts of West, East and Southern Africa, “To connect people living in remote regions, traditional connectivity infrastructure is often difficult and inefficient, so we need to invent new technologies,” Zuckerberg said. The Internet.org platform offers free access to pared-down web services, focused on job listings, agricultural information, healthcare and education, as well as Facebook’s own social network and messaging servic-

es. Growth in the number of people with access to the Internet is slowing, and more than half the world’s population is still offline, the United Nations Broadband Commission said last month. Facebook has nearly 20 million users in major African markets Nigeria and Kenya, statistics released by it showed last month, with a majority using mobile devices to access their profiles. The company opened its first African office in Johannesburg in June.

30, 437 operators had met the requirement as postedon the commission’s website while there were four merger applications pendingbefore the regulator. A statement signed by the Secretary of the Committeeand posted on SEC’s website, listed some guidelines that should be adhered toby investors, target firms and the Central Securities Clearing System, CSCS,where an investor wishes to move his stock account from an undercapitalisedbroker/dealer to a broker/dealer or broker that has complied with the minimumcapital requirement (capitalised firm). It explained that where the broker/dealer has not metthe new minimum capital requirement, the investor should approach a capitalisedbroker/ dealer or broker for engagement. “The broker/dealer or broker should open a CSCSaccount for the investor using the investor’s existing Clearing House Number,CHN, from his former brokerage firm, the investor should give a mandate to thetarget firm to transfer his/ her account from the undercapitalised firm to thetarget firm (capitalised firm), and

the investor should submit evidence ofpurchase of the shares such as contract notes, receipts of purchase, dividendstubs or confirmation of holdings from the Registrar’s office, signed by theManaging Director of the Registrar firm to the target firm. “The target firm (capitalised firm) shouldinitiate intermember transfer request, the Managing Director of the targetfirm (capitalised firm) shall go to the CSCS to sign off the indemnity form andthe CSCS shall process the request and notify the broker/dealer or Brokerthrough the CSCS website,” the statement added. It should be recalled that the board of the SEC had onDecember 18, 2013, announced new minimum capital requirements for allcategories of market operators in pursuant to Section 313(6) of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007. To facilitate the smooth implementation of the newminimum capital requirements for operators, the CMC set up a market-wide“Implementation Committee on New Minimum Capital Requirement for CMOs,”comprising the SEC, Nigerian Stock Exchange,

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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Business News

GTBank bags award for good corporate governance Johnson Okanlawon

uaranty Trust Bank has once again reaffirmed itsposition as a leading global brand following its recent recognition for goodcorporate governance during the 2015 African Business Awards held on thesidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Launched in 2008 by African Business magazine, the African Business Awards has become the deﬁnitive business awards in Africa,recognizing leadership and excellence on the continent. A statement from the bank explained that the objectiveof

the awards is to highlight a successful and vibrant Africa that is open tolocal, regional and global business ventures. “Now in its seventh year, the African Business Awardshas grown into a platform that celebrates excellence in African business byrecognizing the individuals and companies that are driving Africa’s rapidlytransforming economy and creating new economic opportunities for citizens andcommunities all over the continent,” the statement added. It quoted Publisher & Managing Director of ICPublications, Mr. Omar Ben Yedder, as saying that the company is proud of allwinners, their work and ac-

complishments in various sectors show what can beachieved on the African continent with hard work and single mindeddetermination. According to him, in winning this year’s award, thebank stands out in Africa and the rest of the world as a benchmark for goodcorporate governance, business ethics and adherence to international bestpractices. Commenting on the award,the Managing Director of thebank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said, “We operate in challenging business environments,but we believe that our stakeholders

Insurance sector struggling to E find innovation –Report

by new competitors. In the same breath the report reveals that the threat is no longer just from new start-ups, four-in-ten respondents believe their existing competitors would become a challenge over the next two years.

our business model,systems and management are recognized globally as a benchmark for goodcorporate governance., “Earlier this year, we became the first financialinstitution in Nigeria to obtain and fully implement the triple InternationalOrganization for Standardization certification by the British StandardInstitute (BSI) as required by the Central Bank of Nigeria. As a Bank, we willcontinue to ensure conformity of our processes with international bestpractices and global standards,” he added.

cost of living across countries with the PPP exchange rates, the Bank said the new line preserves the real purchasing power of the previous line of $1.25 per day in 2005 prices in the world’s poorest countries. With this, it is projected that global poverty would have fallen from 902 million people or 12.8 per cent of the global population in 2012 to 702 million people or 9.6 per cent of the global population this year.

Actual poverty data from low income countries come with a considerable lag but the organization released the information based on its current projections on latest available data. World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim said that the continued major reductions in poverty were due to strong growth rates in developing countries in recent years, investments in people’s education, health, and social safety nets that helped keep people from falling back into poverty. He cautioned, however, that with slowing global economic growth, and with many of the world’s remaining poor people living in fragile and conflictaffected states, and the considerable depth and breadth of remaining poverty, the goal to end extreme poverty remained a highly ambitious target. “This is the best story in the world today, these projections show us that we are the first generation in human history that can end extreme poverty’’. “This new forecast of poverty falling into the single digits should give us new momentum and help us focus even more clearly on the most effective strategies to end extreme poverty. ‘’It will be extraordinarily hard, especially in a period of slower global growth, volatile financial markets, conflicts, high youth unemployment, and the growing impact of climate change. But it remains within our grasp, as long as our high aspirations are matched by country-led plans that help the still millions of people living in extreme poverty”, Kim stated In April 2013, nine months after Kim became president of the World Bank Group; its Board of Governors endorsed two goals: to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to boost shared prosperity by raising the incomes of the bottom 40 percent of populations.

Global poverty level to fall below 10%, says World Bank SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

nsurance executives are struggling to find the innovation that would give them growth and sustenance, according to a report by KPMG. The auditing firm surveyed 280 insurance executives around the world in a report titled “A new world of opportunity: The insurance innovation imperative”, found that 83 per cent of respondents said that their organisation’s future success is tied to its ability to be innovative. “Innovation is key to growth, and at times insurers need to reinvent themselves to merely defend their turf,” said Gerdus Dixon, KPMG’s insurance sector leader in South Africa. He adds: “We see that South African insurance customers, shareholders and employees demand innovation. The lines between banking, insurance and asset management have become blurred and insurers now have to compete on a wider stage.” Nearly 50 per cent of the respondents to the survey said their organisations are affected

should be better off for partnering withus. “Thus, we set high goals and benchmark ourselvesagainst global standards which influence our service culture and productofferings, thereby enabling us to remain relevant to our customers while addingvalue to all stakeholders . He stressed that winning the award is an attestationof the hard work and dedication of staff, management and board towardsconducting business in a manner that typifies our adherence to global bestpractices. “ It also is an indication that

xtreme poverty across the globe is likely to fall below 10 percent this year, according to World Bank projections; giving fresh impetus of sustained reduction in poverty level, thus ending poverty by the year 2030. Using an updated international poverty line of $1.90 per day, which incorporates new information on differences in the

L-R: Regional Manager, Wuse Region, Diamond Bank Plc, Abidemi Soladoye; Strategic Relationship Manager, Intel Corp, Stanley Muoneke; Divisional Head, MSME Propositions & Agency Banking, Diamond Bank, Plc, Chidinma Lawanson; MD/CEO, Oladele Construction Company Nig. Ltd, Alhaji Oladele Isiaka; MD, CLM Consulting, John Ekpikhe and Regional Manager, Garki Region, Diamond Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman, at the 60th Diamond BusinessXpress Seminar in Abuja recently.

South Africa’s rand weakens amid recession

outh Africa’s rand has weakened against the dollar, as uncertainty of when the United States Federal Reserve would raise interest rates mounted while stocks opened slightly lower. Investors are expected to turn their attention to a speech by the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, John Williams, reflecting on the economic outlook in the world’s top economy, traders said.

Another key meeting would be when the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee publishes the minutes of the policy meeting. Rand weakened 0.53 percent to 13.6735 per dollar, compared with Monday’s close of 13.6020 Dollar strength prevented the rand from rallying alongside its Asian peers as improving investor risk appetite gave support to the greenback, after falling to a near two-week low.

While the Fed could be forced to hold off tightening this year, the policy divergence theme that has supported the greenback remained in place. “The markets are struggling to get to grips with the implications and the potential for further adjustments remains real,” said John Cairns a currency strategist at Rand Merchant Bank. A Fed official, Eric Rosengren, said he still expects the Federal

Reserve to raise interest rates this year despite what the head of the Boston Fed called a “weak” September jobs report, which could signal a more significant economic slowdown that delays the policy tightening. “Should the Fed president’s tone prove to be hawkish, we would expect the ZAR’s recent short-covering to run out of steam,” said Peter Worthington an economist at Barclays Africa.

Business News

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

AfDB excludes Nigeria in $428m infrastructure projects SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

igeria’s name is missing in the list of eight African countries to benefit from the $428.43 million loans and grants from the African Development Bank, AfDB, for infrastructural developments. The Board of Directors of the AfDB Group had approved such loans and grants to finance energy, infrastructure, transport, and water as well as sanitation projects. Shortlisted African countries include Gambia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Others are Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Some analysts have wondered why Nigeria was not among the benefitting countries, considering her enormous infrastructure and transport challenges bedevilling the country. A social analyst, Bolaji Adeyemi said Nigeria ought to have been one of the benefitting coun-

tries, considering its population and economic growths. He said, the loans and grants may be in phases, raising hope that Nigeria might benefit from the loans and grants in due course, appealing for more understanding in this regard. Under the approvals, Ghana Airports Company Limited would receive a loan of $120 million to finance its capital investment programmes, which entails the construction of a new terminal at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and rehabilitation of other airports in Kumasi, Temale, Ho and Wa. Also, in Tanzania, the approved investment comprises a $97.42 million from AfDB loan and $44.29 million from Africa Growing Together Fund, AGTF, to finance Phase 2 of the Dar es Salaam’s Bus Rapid Transit, BRT) Project. The project involves the construction of 20.3 km of exclusive, BRT, lanes and Non Motorised Transport,

NMT, facilities along Kilwa road corridor as well as Kilwa road itself. Zimbabwe would receive a $16.15-million grant from the resources of the Zimbabwe Fund, ZIM-FUND, to finance the second phase of the country’s Urgent Water Supply and Sanitation Rehabilitation, UWSSRP, project to be implemented in Harare, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Redcliff with an estimated 1.9 million population. The project aims to protect public health through service improvement, preservation of physical assets, and resuscitation of capacity and improvement of financial sustainability of the water and sanitation service providers. The Board also approved a multinational Gambia River Basin Development Organisation, OMVG, Energy Project, which will benefit Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Senegal with combined loans and grants financing amounting to US $64.93 million.

Expert tasks Nigerians on equities

ic growth. It is a vicious cycle, as it also feeds into the wellbeing of their business. Onyema however noted that ‘’at the foundation of pension fund asset allocation needs to be equities because over long periods of time, they tend to give higher returns and the reason is simple; you want to beat inflation, so that when the pension contributors want to withdraw during their retirement, they will be able to sustain a lifetime”. According to him, based on the analysis undertaken between 1999 and 2014, he was able to discover that if one invests N1 million in a fixed income, about 11 per cent

MDGs to focus on development goals SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

illennium Development Goals, MDGs, in African countries have renewed their commitments to achieve a development breakthrough by tackling challenges ahead. They are expected to focus on implementation of the next generation of development goals having made encouraging progresses in some countries. Leadership, innovation and targeted investments in a number of social sectors have led to transformative interventions and by extension, revolutionized people’s lives. According to an annual report produced jointly by the Economic Commission for Africa, ECA, the African Union, AU, the African Development Bank, AfDB, and the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, tagged “Assessing Progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals”, Africa has seen acceleration in economic growths. This is in addition to the establishment of ambitious social safety nets and designed policies for boosting education while tackling HIV and other related diseases. It has also introduced women’s quota in parliament, leading the way on gender equality and increased gender parity in primary schools. Although, the overall poverty rates are still hovering around 48 percent, according to

the most recent estimates, most countries have made progress on at least one goal. For instance, the Gambia reduced poverty by 32 percent between 1990 and 2010, while Ethiopia decreased its poverty rate by one third, focusing on agriculture and rural livelihoods. Some policies and initiatives have been groundbreaking. For instance, Niger’s School for Husbands has been successful in transforming men into allies in promoting women’s reproductive health, family planning and behavioural change towards gender equality. Cape Verde has increased its forest cover by more than 6 percentage with millions of trees planted in recent years. Much more work lies ahead to ensure living standards improve for all African women and men. While economic growth has been relatively strong, it has not been rapid or inclusive enough to create jobs. Similarly, many countries have managed to achieve access to primary schooling; however, considerable issues of quality and equity need to be addressed. The continent’s new development priorities, as embodied in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, are both comprehensive and universal, while their implementation will entail mobilizing additional resources and partners, and putting in place more robust monitoring systems.

Forum to discuss agric agenda

People buying kerosene at a fuel station, in Lagos.

hief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema has said that more than 5.6 million Nigerians are contributing to the pension schemes. Disclosing that the scheme has moved from a 2 trillion deficit to a 5 trillion surplus in a decade with a strong growth, he said operators are trying to make it a more inclusive system that incorporates governments, the small and medium scale enterprises as well as small organisations. He said, “At the end of the day, it will be good for them and the relations as you amass the assets and deploy them to drive econom-

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would be returned and if one invests in equities, he will receive a return of 17 per cent on average inflation of 11 per cent. He therefore recommended that for an appropriate portfolio, an investor must have asset class diversification, fixed income, ETFs, equities, infrastructure, commodities and alternative investments. “You should be able to marry and exposure that is not highly correlated and therefore be able to meet short-term needs. How do you maximise pension fund investments while addressing risk issues because preservation of capital is very important’’, he

frican leaders are organising a high level conference to transform the continent’s agricultural sector. President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall said, the conference would bring together Ministers of Finance and Economy, Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as Ministers of Trade and Industry. Others include the Governors of Central Banks, business leaders, the private sector, academia and civil society and technical experts across the continent and beyond. Billed for October 21-23 at the King Fahd Palace Conference Centre in Dakar, the Conference is expected to result in strong commitments from governments to

undertake necessary reforms to prioritize agriculture renew private-sector engagement as well as engage in innovative agriculture financing mechanisms for Africa. A roadmap would outline key actions required to deliver a strategy for transformation of African agriculture. The conference would be organized through high-level panel discussions and parallel working sessions, co-hosted by organizations and institutions with a recognized leadership. Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Central Bank Governors, private sector and academic leaders would be invited to discuss and endorse the roadmap.

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EnergyWeek Wednesday, October 7, 2015

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DISCOs, consumers disagree over electricity tariff increase

Power plant

As the Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs continue to put forward several arguments for and against the hike of power tariff, CHIDI UGWU reports that consumers may not value for their funds as supply will not increase much as a result low investment.

n the last few months, tensions have continued rising among electricity consumers, the regulators, and the electricity distribution companies, otherwise known as Discos over the plans to review upwards the tariffs payable in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, had recently approved a new tariff from October 2015, for the Distribution Companies, DISCOS, for retail consumers. He also said the Commission is considering the review of the ‘transmission use of the network charge’, saying that the present tariff structure is very low and had served as a disincentive for investments in the sector over the years.

According to him, electricity transmission should be able to pay for itself, irrespective of whatever model the Federal Government adopts in its management going forward. Amadi also made it clear to governments of Benin and Togo that they would pay stipulated commercial rates for the power from Nigeria, adding that the ongoing reform in the Nigeria electricity industry will not jeopardise international relations and strategic interests of Nigeria.” However, several consultations embarked upon by stakeholders within the sector including the DISCOs, consumers associations, and National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for tariff adjustment have yielded little results

as parties are yet to agree on meeting point with regard to appropriate tariff. Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) was the first to give notice on tariff increase, other DISCOs soon followed, with consultations and debates urging consumers for understanding of the huge sums required to fund capital projects in the sector. “There is huge under investment for the past years and decades. In our case, we need about 300 million dollars over the next five years of our capital programme. We also need to borrow money because in the early years we will be underrecovering even with the tariff increase that we are putting forward.

The tariff being put forward is a regulated tariff; there is no opportunity for us to make exorbitant profits out it. Tariffs will come down as the level of generation increases’’ explained the managing director of Abuja Disco, Mr. Neil Croucher. On his part, Chief Executive Officer, of Eko DISCO, Oladele Amoda, during the last consultation with customers on the matter said, “there is no way we can have stable power supply without adjusting our tariffs, because currently, we are running at a loss. The company is being run at a loss since its inception, because our investors CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

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DISCOs, consumers disagree over electricity tariff increase CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

had invested lots of money into the system, which has not reflected on the supply distribution chain to the customers.” “Most of our equipment like transformers, cables, lines and so on, are being imported, and the cost effect of rising dollars had affected the cost of these materials. Gas supply is also another issue, gas suppliers have drastically increased the price and they now feel reluctant to sell gas to industrialists due to price differential.” Also, the International Finance Corporation, IFC, and other stakeholders in the power sector have called for an increase in electricity tariffs, saying that investment in the sector is being hampered by low tariffs. Specifically, the IFC Country Manager, Nigeria, Ms. Eme Essien Lore, argued that the current tariff structure in the country is insufficient to cover costs in the sector. She said: “What we need to see is a clear cut tariff reforms. If we do not have a cost-reflective tariff we cannot invest in the sector. If you do not have a path towards tariff reform we will not have investors. This needs to be cleared; if we do not have a clear path towards achieving a cost reflective tariff, we will not have investors in the sector. And if there is no understanding and appreciation of that, there would be no investments in the sector. There must be a cost reflective tariff in other for the sector to be bankable.” Continuing, she said: “What we need to see from the government now is a path, and what is the path towards achieving a cost-reflective tariff. That is what we are looking for and we expect that with this new government and with the regulator in place that all of these things will come to pass. We are going to partner with the government to make that happen.” But consumers have rejected the move to increase the tariff arguing that review would only be accepted after necessary infrastructure for constant supply and credible tariff charge have been put in place. Specifically, electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, have rejected a proposed hike in electricity tariff being proposed describing the move as illegal and unnecessary at this point in time. They made their position known in separate remarks at an extraordinary consultative forum organised by the company to inform customers of the proposal. Mr Tomi Akingbogun, the Interim President, Nigerian Electricity Consumers

Buhari

Amadi

The ex-parte order of this court restraining hike in electricity tariff is valid and still subsisting

Advocacy Network (NECAN), said the proposed increment was unnecessary and illegal. Akingbogun said: “There is no need for this increment. As we speak, only 40 per cent of electricity consumers in the AEDC catchment area are paying their bills. Now, the company is using that 40 per cent to say that they are not making enough money. Is it my business to go to their customers and get money from them? The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should be taken up on why they are allowing this.’’ He said that it was the second time that the company was asking for upward review in tariff this year, the first being in February. “They did one in February, but the law permits only minor reviews every six month until 2017. Are they telling us that 49 to 60 per cent increment they are asking for is a minor review? This is totally wrong. Let us reject it and tell NERC that something is wrong in what they are doing. This forum is just to show our face that the public has been consulted and so the increment is justified, but we are saying no,’’ he said. Akingbogun advised all the customers who attended the forum to individually write to NERC to formally reject the proposed hike. Others, who spoke at the occasion, raised several issues in the sector including estimated billing,

fixed charges, electricity rationing and lack of repair of and maintenance of facilities, among others. They accused the company of extortion though excessive billing them for power not supplied even after providing transformers, poles, cables and other facilities in some cases. The matter is now a subject of litigation at a Lagos High Court, where a Lagos lawyer, Adebiyi Toluwani, is asking the court to stop the move to increase electricity tariff. The Electricity Distribution Companies are holding, on pending when the matter would be resolved. It is recalled that a Federal High Court in Lagos had restrained the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission from implementing the new electricity tariff which was to take effect from June 1. The judge, Mohammed Idris, gave the order, in a ruling on an exparte application filed by a Lagosbased lawyer, Toluwani Adebiyi. Idris restrained the NERC and the electricity distribution companies from effecting any increment in electricity tariff pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Adebiyi, who argued the ex-parte application, had urged the court to restrain the NERC and the electricity distribution companies from implementing such plans to avoid further hardship and unjustifiable tariff increment on Nigerians.

But NERC filed a preliminary objection challenging the locus standi of the lawyer to file the suit. The commission had also argued that the suit disclosed no reasonable cause of action, and that the applicant failed to comply with relevant provisions of the law, as the suit was wrongly instituted. In his ruling, Justice Idris, who first dealt with the preliminary objection, held that from the processes before him, the defendant (NERC) failed to comply with the mandatory provision of Order 29 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules to the effect that such objection must be filed within 21 days after service. The judge disagreed with NERC’s counsel that the provision was discretionary, adding that the operating word “Shall” makes it mandatory for the court. “The objection is incompetent and it is hereby struck out having been filed outside the 21 days stipulated by Order 29 Rule 4,” Justice Idris ruled. On motion to discharge the interim order, the judge equally held that it was not filed within seven days as stipulated by Order 26 Rule 11, and no order for extension of time was sought. The development, according to the judge, equally rendered the motion incompetent, and accordingly struck it out. “The exparte order of this court restraining hike in electricity tariff is valid and still subsisting,” Justice Idris held. As the debate on the upward review of the electricity tariff rages on, many observers are of the opinion that consumers may just be compelled to pay more without any hope for additional value as there is no guarantee for sustainable supply in the short and medium term.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

OPEC puts 2016 output at 30.3mb/d STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has put its 2016 estimated oil output at 30.3 million barrels per day. The cartel maintained in its current report that the estimated output would be slightly higher than the 29.3mb/d 2015 estimated demand. “In 2016, required OPEC crude is projected at 30.3mb/d, 0.2mb/d higher than the previous month’s assessment, and around 1.0mb/d above the estimated level of this year,” it maintained. Meanwhile, Russia has disclosed its intension to meet with members of OPEC as well as non-member oil producers to discuss the situation facing global oil markets, according to the country’s oil minister. The Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Saturday “if such consultations are to happen, we are ready to take part,” Reuters reported, although he did not say when and if such a meeting may take place. In addition, he told reporters that a meeting between officials from Russia and Saudi Arabia was being planned for the end of the month to discuss energy issues and other projects. The comments seem to contradict one of Novak’s energy ministry colleagues, however, who said on Friday that he was not aware of any such meetings and that Russia would stick with its plans not to cooperate with OPEC. Russia’s economy has not only been hit hard with the fall in oil price. In-

Oil vessel

ternational sanctions imposed on the country for its annexation of Crimea and role in the pro-Russian uprising in Ukraine have also seen it isolated from the world stage in terms of exports. Major oil producers such as Russia and OPEC, which includes Middle Eastern producers as well as Venezuela, Mexico and Nigeria among others, have been hit hard after a sharp drop in oil prices since June 2014 (when a barrel of Brent fetched $114) on the back of a glut in supply and lack of demand. Rather than cutting production in a bid to support prices, however, OPEC decided last November to maintain its production ceiling of 30 million barrels a day.

The move has been seen largely as a strategy to defend its market share amid a rise in U.S. shale oil production. This is not the first meeting between the two: Russia and the group met in May to discuss the dramatic drop in global oil prices. At that meeting, Russia refused to cut its own production in a bid to support prices -- somewhat understandably given that OPEC itself has maintained record production levels. A follow-up meeting was proposed, however, and any forthcoming discussions could signal that OPEC is ready to discuss a change in strategy or closer cooperation with Russia – a country seen as a possible addition to the powerful, socalled “cartel.”

Released Alison-Madueke, keeps seal lips in London

he former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke accused of money laundering has not yet responded to the allegations. Investigations over the weekend showed that she has declined to make comments on the subject despite the inquisitiveness of the media. “We have in the past few days made several efforts to speak with her, but her assistants have not been willing to assist, “a London-based journalist said over the weekend. Alison-Madueke was arrested in London last Friday, a source from Nigeria’s presidency circle and another with links to her family said.

She was minister from 2010 until May 2015 under former president Goodluck Jonathan, who was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari at the polls in March. Buhari took office in May promising to root out corruption in Africa’s most populous country, where few benefit from the OPEC member’s enormous energy resources. Reuters had reported that a police spokesman in London said he had no record of such an arrest. The National Crime Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But in a short statement on its website, the NCA said its International Corruption Unit had arrested five peo-

ple across London on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences on Friday, without naming the suspects. Nigerian media outlets, including Channels TV, said that Alison-Madueke had been granted bail after several hours in custody. Reuters was unable to reach AlisonMadueke’s personal assistant or a lawyer representing her. She has previously denied to Reuters any wrongdoing when questioned about missing public funds and graft allegations. In a sign that the arrest had been coordinated with Nigerian authorities, the financial crimes unit sealed one of Alison-Madueke’s houses in the upmarket Asokoro district in the capital

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

44.60

-1.10

-2.41%

11:38:24

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

47.46

-1.14

-2.35%

11:38:24

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

35,900.00

-530.00

-1.45%

11:38:30

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.60

+0.04

+1.56%

11:38:11

Source: Bloomberg as at September 28, 2015

Abuja, two security officials said. During her time in office, former central bank governor Lamido Sanusi was sacked after he raised concern that tens of billions of dollars in oil revenues had not been remitted to state coffers by the government-run oil company NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013. Ordinary Nigerians, tired of seeing no narrowing of the West African country’s wealth gap, have been eagerly waiting to see the results of probes into the oil sector. Buhari said on Sunday that the prosecution of those suspected of misappropriating the NNPC’s revenue under past administrations would begin soon. Getting tough on corruption would deflect criticism of Buhari for failing to appoint a cabinet or an economic team four months after taking office as Nigeria’s economy is going through a severe crisis due to the plunge in global oil prices.

Energy Week

UK crime agency to seize cash from Nigeria ex-oil minister

ritain’s National Crime Agency, NCA obtained court permission on Monday to temporarily seize 27,000 pounds ($41,000) from a former Nigerian oil minister embroiled in a financial scandal, a court official in London said. Nigerian authorities confirmed the arrest in London of Diezani Alison-Madueke, who served as oil minister from 2010 until May 2015 under former president Goodluck Jonathan. Nigerian media said she had been granted bail. Reuters has been unable to reach Alison-Madueke’s personal assistant or a lawyer representing her. She has previously denied to Reuters any wrongdoing when questioned about missing public funds and graft allegations. An administrative officer at Westminster Magistrates’ Court said on Monday the NCA had applied to the court for an order to seize various sums of money in relation to AlisonMadueke and two other women for up to six months. The administrative officer did not provide any information on the link between the three women. Contacted by Reuters, the NCA declined any comment on the case. On Friday, it issued a short statement saying its International Corruption Unit had arrested five people in London as part of an inquiry into suspected bribery and money laundering offences. The NCA did not name those arrested but said all five had been released on conditional police bail, pending further investigations in Britain and overseas. It said the investigation had started in 2013. Confirming Alision-Madueke’s arrest, a spokesman for Nigeria’s presidency, Garba Shehu, said late on Sunday: “The government of Nigeria is collaborating with the UK authority in the investigations and her trial.” He declined to provide details on the charges against her. Alison-Madueke left office in March after Jonathan was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari has promised to root out corruption in Africa’s biggest economy, where few benefit from Nigeria’s vast oil resources. Ordinary Nigerians, tired of seeing no narrowing of the West African country’s wealth gap, have been eagerly waiting to see the results of probes into the oil sector.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saudi Arabia big founding member can assist OPEC in market stability – El-Badri

ome nations, especially Saudi Arabia have been accused of partly responsible for low prices as a result alleged over-supply crude oil to the global market. In this interview first published by Oxford Business Group, the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri maintained that the Saudi Arabia is a big producer which should use its position positively to stabilise the volatile market. What role does Saudi Arabia play in OPEC, given that it is the organisation’s leading oil producer? Yes, Saudi Arabia is OPEC’s largest producer, with major reserves and potential, but there is far more to Saudi Arabia’s role than just its size. It is vital to OPEC’s decision-making process and in helping it to achieve the central objective of oil market stability. In this regard, Saudi Arabia is always looking to find positive solutions to any challenges the organisation may face, and to work constructively with all other members. Saudi Arabia is also a founding member of OPEC and over the years it has contributed much to the organisation. For example, in 2007 it hosted the Third Sum-

mit of OPEC Heads of State and Government, which concluded with a solemn declaration in which principles were set out to guide the future work of the organisation. We respect and appreciate its support and input. And this goes for all member countries: each of them has a voice and their views are important to the organisation’s present and future. What do members need to do in terms of reducing domestic consumption to ensure optimum earnings? Many OPEC members are seeing increasing domestic demand for crude oil and oil products, as populations expand and economies grow. It is a trend that these countries are aware of, and it is evident that many are investigating ways to reduce this internal oil demand growth in their countries. The focus is on better managing domestic oil demand, through energy efficiency measures and finding and developing new sources of energy supply, such as natural gas and renewables. It is clear that these are now viewed as high priorities for Saudi Arabia, as a means of utilising its natural resources more efficiently. Given the ever-increasing global focus on climate change, what should OPEC members be doing

in terms of oil production and diversification? Current climate change negotiations to develop an agreement in Paris at the end of 2015 and raise the level of ambitions for the pre-2020 period are extremely important. It is also important to make sure the interests and concerns of all of us are taken into account. At OPEC, we recognise the importance of continually looking to advance the environmental credentials of oil, both in production and use. For member countries, this includes investing in carbon capture and storage, reducing gas flaring, developing hybrid solar-gas power El-Badri stations and solar-powered desalination units, and producing clean- significant expansion in US tight oil proer petroleum products. It is also duction, although growth in 2015 is exessential for oil-producing coun- pected to be much lower than in 2014. Let tries to look at ways to diversify, me stress that this is a welcome addition in terms of looking for alternative to the market. It adds depth and diversisources of income, and in develop- ty, and has given a boost to the country in ing other sources of energy, par- terms of the economy and job creation. ticularly when many have distinct We do not view it as a threat. OPEC’s decision in June 2015 was to advantages in terms of solar and wind. Developments in this regard keep its production ceiling of 30m barare already evident in a number of rels a day. Our members are making sure their consumers’ demand for oil is OPEC member states. Given the rise in US tight oil being met with the required supply. We production, what strategic ap- should also recognise that many of our proach should OPEC members members have huge untapped tight oil take in order to respond to this resources. But at present, it is more economic for countries to produce lowernew technology? The past few years have seen a cost production.

Shell CEO predicts first signs of oil price recovery UDEME AKPAN

he Royal Dutch Shell Plc has predicted that despite over-supply, the global oil market will start to witness slow recovery in the coming months. The chief executive of the company, Mr. said the oil markets are beginning to recover but the scale of global oversupply means prices may rise only slowly. “I see the first mixed signs for recovery of oil prices,” Ben van Beurden told an oil industry conference in London. According Reuters, he said: “But

Beurden

with U.S. shale oil being more resilient than we originally thought and a lot of oil still in stock, it will take some more time to rebalance demand and supply.” Oil prices have collapsed over the last year in the face of heavy oversupply, with benchmark Brent crude falling to below $50 a barrel from a high above $115 in June 2014. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries led by Saudi Arabia has increased production in an attempt to build market share, leaving some other producers, including shale companies in North America, operating below break-even costs. Van Beurden said many U.S. oil producers would struggle to refinance while prices remained so low, leading to lower output in the future: “Producers are now looking for new cash to survive and they will probably struggle to get it.” Longer-term, there was a risk that low levels of global production could bring a spike in oil prices, he said. If prices remained low for a long time and oil production outside OPEC and the United States declined due to cuts to capital expenditure, there was not likely to be any

significant spare capacity left in the system, he said. “This could cause prices to spike upwards, starting a new cycle of strong production growth in U.S. shale oil and subsequent volatility,” van Beurden said. Meanwhile, the price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes stood at $44.89 a barrel on Monday, compared with $43.76 the previous Friday, 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 Secretary General of OPEC, HE Abdalla S. El-Badri had maintained 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. 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. But it is crucial that we appreciate just what each energy source can provide in the future. Renewables – from wind, solar, small hydro and geothermal – certainly hold promise, but globally their share of the energy mix will still be just 4 per cent by 2040, given their low initial base.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

NEITI needs more powers to operate – Stakeholders UDEME AKPAN

takeholders in the extractive industry have called for a review of the law setting up the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to give the agency sweeping powers. At a Roundtable on review of NEITI Act of 2007, the participants were of the view that NEITI needs more powers to effectively police and monitor the oil, gas and mining industry given the present commitment to reform the sector, enthrone transparency and accountability. The participants at the Round table, who argued for more powers for NEITI, said it was in recognition of the courage, competence, integrity and professionalism with which NEITI has executed its mandate over the years in spite circumstances. The various areas in the NEITI law identified by the stakeholders for possible amendment include the provisions for funding, access to information, structure of the governing board, the powers of the Executive Secretary and the ability for NEITI to enforce sanctions. The participants made up of members of the National

Assembly, the Media and the Civil Society as well as development experts proposed a review of these and more areas to put NEITI in stronger position, better equipped to implement the global principles of extractive industries transparency initiative. The Participants shared the view that given the peculiar nature of NEITI’s assignment, the sensitive nature of the sector to national economy and the international affiliation of NEITI operations, the agency requires enough powers to perform its responsibilities. The Roundtable specifically proposed that NEITI activities should be financed directly through the natural resources development fund. It also recommended that a certain percentage of the revenues recovered from oil, gas and mining companies as a result of NEITI’s intervention be granted to NEITI to finance its operations. The participants also recommended that under the proposed review, composition of NEITI Board should be made up of experienced professionals with track record of competence and integrity. It rejected the tendency to fill the Board with politicians

with little or no interest on the mission and vision of the global EITI. The Roundtable organized by NEITI with the support of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) was chaired by Senator Ahmed Lawan of the National Assembly. Others in attendance were a one-time Chairman of NEITI Board, Professor Assisi Asobie, Senator Shehu Sani, other former members of the Board, representatives of companies, donors and multi-lateral organizations. In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs Zainab Ahmed underlined the need for NEITI to be given more powers and adequate resources to enable it efficiently carry out its mandate of enthroning transparency, accountability and good governance of Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining resources. She affirmed that NEITI’s mandate is to ensure that revenues from oil, gas and mining are prudently utilized under the multi –stakeholders approach to support national development and reduce poverty in Nigeria. Nigeria joined the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in 2003, began implementation and established NEITI in 2004 and sup-

Oil men at work

BKDF that will manage all the community developmental activities, supervise initiatives by NLNG and SPDC and implement a revised Bonny Master Plan in Bonny. The General Manager in charge of External Relations, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, said in a statement last night that the foundation would be funded by NLNG and SPDC. The new MoU replaces a 1998 MoU signed by the companies, known as Joint Industry Companies (JIC), for the Kingdom to provide in-

Conoil supplies kerosene to consumers at N50 per liter UDEME AKPAN

Ahmed

ported the policy with a specific law, the NEITI Act of 2007. The NEITI gained national reputation when its Independent Audit Reports of Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative led to disclosure of over $9.8 Billion. The amount represented cases of under payments, under assessment and questionable interpretation of agreements and MoUs between Nigeria and the companies operating in the sector. Out of this amount, NEITI working closely with relevant agencies have recovered over $2.4 Billion while about $7.4 billion remain outstanding. The Roundtable was convened by multi-stakeholders to examine ways to strengthen the agency with more powers to conform with on-going comprehensive reforms and diversificationpolicy plans for the extractive industry.

CSR: NLNG to provide N3bn yearly to Bonny Kingdom

he Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, Limited and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has signed a new memorandum of understanding, MoU with Grand Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State in order place the responsibility of sustainable community development on the community. Under the MoU, NLNG would make available N3 billion yearly through the Bonny Kingdom Development Foundation, BKDF. The MoU establishes the terms for the establishment of

frastructure and implement a master plan, which has led to the provision of power supply, good roads, portable water supply, and a vocation school. The Amanyanabo of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William DappaPepple III, Perekule XI signed the new MoU on behalf of Grand Bonny Kingdom, in the presence of Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, Deputy Governor, Rivers State, and Hon. Benjamin Ibietonye, Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Bonny Local Government area. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa, said the new MoU would change the approach of NLNG’s partnership with its host communities in a way that enables them take charge of their development. “ I am pleased to announce the following three tranches of contributions that NLNG will make annually, through the BKDF towards this vision: N1bn towards the operations and maintenance of ongoing educational and utility institutions; N1bn towards the developmental initiatives of the Kingdom as reflected in the Updated Master Plan; and another N1bn would

be set aside as bonus to the community, which would only be released on the condition that there was a conducive environment to our businesses.” Also addressing guests at the ceremony, the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, noted: “We’re delighted at the inauguration of the new MoU for Bonny Kingdom. The successes of the previous MoU should inspire all parties to accord the latest one all the attention it deserves. SPDC will play its part to make the MoU work for the benefit of all stakeholders in this ancient kingdom.” The 1998 agreement created Bonny Vocational Centre (BVC) and Bonny Utility Company (BUC) among other initiatives. BVC is accredited by the United Kingdom’s City and Guilds as well as the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in Nigeria, assuring the quality of teaching and instruction that is delivered at the Centre. BUC, on the other hand, provides Bonny Island with reliable power supply.

he plight of consumers may reduce as Conoil, a major marketing company has started supplying of commercial quantity of kerosene to consumers in Lagos and its environs. The action is said to be based on the desire of the company reduce the suffering in which households and other users of the product encounter. The company disclosed in a statement that many consumers have already benefited from the geture which is in line with the Federal Government policy. “It has been so much relief & succor brought to hundreds of homes in the suburb areas of Lagos these past weeks as Conoil flooded its stations in these neighborhoods with kerosene sold at the government controlled price of 50 naira per liter.” “People trooped out in their hundreds at these stations, in endless queues of humans & jerry cans, albeit in an orderly manner in the spirit of the change in the country to buy,” it added. The company maintained that indicated that it remains a Nigeria’s oil marketer, providing fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, ad retail services for everyday needs. “Conoil is one of the most formidable names in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry. We are engaged in the marketing of refined petroleum products and also in the manufacturing and marketing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for domestic and industrial use. The company is reputed for its unwavering commitment to excellent products and service delivery for maximal customer satisfaction.” “As the first and largest indigenous oil marketing company in Nigeria, we have over the years gained a unique understanding of research and quality control, which we continuously apply in all our businesses in order to offer the best propositions to customers. We have also developed innovative means of manufacturing and distributing our products through our wide network of outlets,” it added. A market survey showed that while many other companies did not have the product, others which had it sold in excess of N50 per liter. But the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC had created a scheme aimed at getting kerosene to consumers across the country at the regulated price of N50 per litre. The Corporation had indicated that the scheme ‘Kero Correct’ initiative’ was also aimed at cutting off the several layers of middlemen who made it difficult for the end user to enjoy the subsidy on the product.

Energy Week

Ikeja DisCo to pay N131.4m fine

he Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has been fined One Hundred and Thirty One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N131, 400, 000.00) by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This is following the company’s “flagrant breaches” of the Credited Advance Payment on Metering Initiative (CAPMI) Order, enabling act of the Commission and terms and conditions of its licence. The fine contained in Order NERC/141 was issued on September 29, 2015 as a follow up action to an earlier Notice of Commencement of Enforcement Action on the electricity distribution company alongside 10 others over “manifest and flagrant breaches observed by the Commission” in the implementation of the metering initiative. According to the Order, “The seven (7) days granted to show cause why enforcement action should not be commenced expired on August 24, 2015 and IKEDC has failed, refused and or neglected to respond to the manifest and flagrant breaches observed by the Commission, or provide a satisfactory response.” “It is hereby ordered that IKEDC shall with immediate effect from the date of this Order; comply with the CAPMI Order and forward evidence of full compliance to the Commission within two weeks. “IKEDC shall pay an administrative fine of N250.00 per minute of every hour of the day for a period of one year from September 29, 2014 to September 28, 2015 for noncompliance with CAPMI Order, with a moratorium from May 14, 2013, being the date of the CAPMI Order, to September 28, 2014.” The electricity distribution company was further ordered to “pay an administrative fine of N500.00 per minute of every hour of the day where it continues in default of compliance from October 12, 2015 until compliance.” IKEDC action, according to the Order violated Section 63 (1) of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005, Section 2(1) of Terms and Conditions of its licence as well as the “Commission’s Order on Credited Advance Payment on Metering Initiative CAPMI.” CAPMI is an initiative of the Commission to assist the electricity distribution companies close the wide metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). It was introduced following a nationwide study conducted by NERC which revealed that more than 50 per cent of electricity consumers are not metered but are on estimated billings.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shell commences production from Bonga Phase 3 project UDEME AKPAN

hell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) has announced the start-up of production from the Bonga Phase 3 project. Andrew Brown, Shell’s Upstream International Director, said: “This new start up is another important milestone for Bonga, adding valuable new production to this major facility.” Bonga Phase 3 is an expansion of the Bonga Main development, with peak production expected to be some 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent. This will be transported through existing pipelines to the Bonga floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility, which has the capacity to produce more than 200,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas a day. The Bonga field, which began producing oil and gas in 2005,

was Nigeria’s first deep-water development in depths of more than 1,000 metres. Bonga has produced over 600 million barrels of oil to date. The Bonga project is operated by SNEPCo as contractor under a production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, which holds the lease for OML 118, in which the Bonga field is located. SNEPCo holds a 55% contractor interest in OML 118. The other co-venturers are Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Ltd (20%), Total E&P Nigeria Ltd (12.5%) and Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd (12.5%). The company maintained that its pipelines have at several times been vandalized as vandals seek to steal its crude oil in the Niger Delta. For instance, Royal Dutch Shell Plc had shut oil flows of 70,000 barrels a day from the Nembe Creek Trunkline due to a leak caused by the theft of

crude. “What is really worrying about this leak is that it happened on a facility which was commissioned in October 2009 to replace an old line which was repeatedly targeted by crude oil thieves,” the company had disclosed. Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer and the fifth- biggest source of U.S. imports. Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., Total SA and Eni SpA run joint ventures with the state-

transmission and systems operation services, it added. It further provides in Subsection 2(a)(b)(c) that such methodology will allow “a licensee that operates efficiently to recover the full costs of the business activities, including a reasonable return on the capital invested in the business, (b) provide incentives for the continued improvement of the technical and economic efficiency with which the services are provided; (c) give consumers economically efficient signals regarding the costs that their consumption imposes on the licensee’s business...” The Commission disclosed that since 2008, it has established a methodology for tariff through stakeholder consultation. It maintained that whenever the Commission wants to review the tariffs it had followed the procedure stipulated in the methodology. According to NERC, this includes publishing the proposed changes on the Commission’s website and newspapers, conducting public hearing across the geopolitical zones and consulting with key public institutions with mandate to manage macroeconomic fundamentals of the economy.

It maintained that the review of the MYTO 2.1 is under way and the Commission has gained better grasp of its regulatory responsibility and a better framework of tariff making underlined by more transparency, accountability and participation of stakeholders. The Commission indicated that in line with its regulations, especially the MYTO Methodology; and pursuant to its commitment to transparency, accountability and public participation, the Commission hereby publishes the various tariff submissions by respective Discos. It maintained that customers and other publics are requested to download the tariff submissions of the DisCos they are interested in, review and submit appropriate comments on or before October 12, 2015. Meanwhile, NERC has advised Benin and Togo to be ready to pay commercial rates for electricity supplied to it by the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Speaking with a four-man delegation of CEB, the Transmission Service Provider and Independent System Operator for Republic of Togo and Benin Republic, NERC Chairman,

Oil rig

owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. that pump about 90 percent of the country’s crude. More than 200 barrels of crude that leaked after oil thieves installed two valves near a manifold on the pipeline have been cleared up, Shell said. Europe’s largest oil company shut its 200,000 barrel-a-day Bonga field last month after it leaked less than 40,000 barrels in the country’s worst offshore spill in more than a decade.

NERC notifies stakeholders on tariff review UDEME AKPAN

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has issued notice to consumers of electricity and other stakeholders on the hike in tariff. It maintained that the Commission is empowered by legislation to do so in order to stimulate the development of the sector. “The Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 grants the Commission the power to establish the tariff which all classes of customers should pay for electricity services.” “Section 76 permits the Commission to establish one or more methodologies to regulate tariffs for generation and trading, distribution,

Amadi

Dr. Sam Amadi said, “The ongoing reform in the Nigeria electricity industry will not jeopardise international relations and strategic interests of Nigeria.” The delegation was in Nigeria to find out implications of the privatisation of the remaining government-owned power plants under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) on the allocation of 200megawatts the countries received from Nigeria. They also make case for an increase in allocation from 200megawatts for 300megawatts. Nigeria currently supplies 300megawatts to Togo, Benin and Niger Republic, out which CEB countries have 200megawatts of power supply with the balance of 100megawatts given to Niger Republic. Amadi advised the visitors, “You need to sign power purchase agreement with the Nigeria Electricity Bulk Trader (NBET) and be up to date in your payment for electricity received as the market would be entirely private-sector-driven by the time the NIPP plants are sold.” He explained that such financial commitment and responsibility might be an issue in the consideration of the request for additional capacity.

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Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Experts harp on alternative energy potential for nation’s economy Although there has been noticeable improvement on the electricity supply in the country in recent time, this however cannot obscure the fact that the target of power generation and supply envisaged under the privatization arrangement has not been met while industrialists decry high cost incurred on alternative power sources. ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.

any companies in Nigeria today are going through the motions of measuring their cost of power generation only a few can credibly claim that they have a strong strategy in place to reduce such cost in a sustainable way. High cost of power generation is usually attributable to procurement of fuel to power generators and the cost of acquiring the generators but, the emphasis has ultimately been on deployment of more renewable energy sources. Apart from being a business-driver, renewable energy stands as a business on its own but many investors, which very view investors have eyed despite its economic potentiality. Stakeholders have been persistent in their advocacy for the development of alternative power from renewable energy sources such as sunlight, human and animal waste, wind, water and geothermal heat. They insist that the current level of power generation in the country would not be sufficient for just one state if such a state is fully industrialised. Some have pointed out that between 70 per cent and 90 per cent of the power energy used in countries such as Brazil is generated from renewable energy sources. These concerns formed the crux of discussions at recent forums where government and private sector actors have met to find ways of shifting to renewable energy sources in ending the energy crisis in the country. The Chief Executive Officer, Quintas Renewable Energy Solution Ltd., Dr. Omotayo Dairo, said at a recent indutry event in Lagos that the renewable energy project was a pointer to the fact that the economic transformation of the country can only be achieved when the Organised Private Sector, OPS, takes up its responsibility of advocating and partnering with government on pressing economic issues. Explaining the concept of renewable energy, Dairo said, “Renewable energy as we

Garri processing machine

Edem

Bala

INDEED, IT CANNOT BE DENIED THAT RENEWABLE ENERGY HAS THE ABILITY TO LIFT THE POOREST NATIONS TO NEW LEVELS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR A PROSPEROUS AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE SINCE WE CANNOT DO MANY THINGS TODAY IN OUR DAILY (PERSONAL/BUSINESS LIFE WITHOUT THE USE OF ENERGY all know refers to energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat. Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in four distinct areas especially electricity generation, hot water/space heating, motor fuels, and rural (off grid) energy services.” He continued, “Rapid development of renewable energy and energy efficiency is resulting in significant energy security, climate change mitigation and economic benefit. In international public opinion survey, there is a strong support for promoting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. While many renewable energy projects are large

scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas and developing countries. “Indeed, it cannot be denied that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of opportunities for a prosperous and sustainable future since we cannot do many things today in our daily (personal/business life without the use of energy. Its development will no doubt reduce our dependence on oil and gas while making investments less expensive if properly harnessed. “It is pertinent to note that for the country to sustain its leadership role in the area of commerce and industry in Africa, it must be ready to promote and utilise renewable energy delivery and create economic empowerment and transformation in the rural and urban population in all spheres of life.” Despite its huge benefits, very few companies have embarked on the cost reduction plans such as renewable energy project, which are clear business drivers that make economic sense first and foremost. Experts have linked the underutilisation of the alternative power source to lack of proactive policy and the government attitude towards the sector. A renewable energy investor, Femi Oye, said people are not investing in the sector probably because of lack of awareness of huge profits in the business. However, the Director General/ CEO, Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN, Professor Eli Jidere Bala, stated that in 2003, the National Energy Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council articulated the needs to the use of all viable energy sources for sustain-

able national development and with the active participation of the private sector in line with government’s economic policy. He noted that renewable energy was one of the energy types articulated in the policy, noting that the policy also covered energy efficiency and conservation, amongst many other issues. He also noted that the policy has been reviewed in 2013. In his own view, the only way forward to the realisation of renewable energy in Nigeria is for the government and all other stakeholders to be more proactive with the policy. “The way forward are to popularise renewable energy and EE policy, plans and incentives; provide legal instrument to renewable energy and EE policy, plans and incentives; continuous capacity building in renewable energy and EE (Human & manufacturing); and adequate funding through public private partnership, PPP”, he said. According to him, “Nigeria is endowed with sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, geothermal and ocean waves in addition to fossil fuel sources. The energy from these renewable sources can be transformed to supplement the final energies, from conventional energy, needed to grow the economy in a sustainable manner in the short and medium term; and to serve as substitute, when petroleum becomes uneconomical to exploit. “However, adequate policies, programmes, incentives and legal instruments as well as adequate funding are imperative to support and grow the penetration of these new energy sources into the nation’s energy supply mix.” Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce , Mine and industry, Chief Bassey Edem, said that the industries could not depend on renewable energy for smooth operational runnings which he said was too expensive. He appealed to the government to improve on the generation and distribution of power especially for the industries to be kept in operation. He said: “The administration of president Mohammadu Buhari needs to bring fresh perspective and impetus to ensure rapid expansion of the power sector, so that the energy being generated can conveniently meet the needs of the manufacturing sector while reducing their reliance on alternative sources of energy at exorbitant cost. “We wish to reiterate the need for the Federal and State Governments to explore the utilization of alternative and renewable energy sources for power generation such as solar, coal, wind and hydro to overcome the challenges of power supply so that we can together achieve the target of not less than 20,000MW in the medium term as no meaningful progress can be made in the effort to diversify the economy if the fight to stabilize power supply is not won and stable power supply achieved.”

Cocktail

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Canada politician mistakes Bank of England governor for actor

ne of the world’s most famous central bank chiefs, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, briefly became the late American actor Art Carney during a Canadian election debate on Friday. Gilles Duceppe, leader of the separatist Bloc Quebecois party, referred twice to “Art Carney” alluding to cor-

porations sitting on cash piles. It took Liberal leader Justin Trudeau to let him know he must have been speaking about Mark Carney, who used to head the Bank of Canada and now is at the Bank of England. Art Carney co-starred with Jackie Gleason in the comedy “The Honeymooners.”

Kuwaiti with Gulf plates nabbed for 1,645 driving violations

Kuwaiti driver who apparently thought having license plates from another Gulf country would help avoid more than 1,600 traffic citations has been hit with a huge fine. The state-run Kuwait News Agency says the driver racked up 1,645 different driving violations while traveling under the unnamed Gulf country’s plates. KUNA quoted a statement from an Interior

Ministry official, Maj. Gen. Abdullah al-Mehanna, as saying that the driver faced over $190,000 in fines after being caught. The statement on Saturday did not identify the driver, but reminded drivers they have a month’s grace period to change their license plates to Kuwaiti ones for foreignbought cars. Countries throughout the Gulf use traffic cameras to enforce speed limits and traffic laws.

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Oddities

Priest accused of pointing musket at boy over football teams A New Jersey priest accused of pointing a functioning but unloaded musket at an 8-year-old boy in a church’s rectory will plead not guilty, his lawyer said, explaining it as a joke spurred by a football rivalry. The Rev. Kevin Carter is to be arraigned Tuesday on charges of child endangerment and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm. Bergen County prosecutors charged Carter on Friday; he is free on $15,000 cash bail. Both charges stem from a Sept. 13 incident at St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church in Little Ferry. Authorities have said the incident apparently was spurred by a football rivalry, although Carter maintains it was a joke. A parishioner reported it to the Archdiocese of Newark late last month, and officials there soon notified the prosecutor’s office. “There is no question that

this was an innocent banter between a Cowboy fan and the family of the boy and the Father, who is a Giants fan,” Cassidy said. “So when somebody saw the young fellow with the Cowboy jersey, they thought it was a great opportunity to rib Father about the game that day, between the Cowboys and the Giants. So the family initiat-

ed the discussion and sought to initiate an exchange, a good-natured ribbing, between the two of them. . It’s incorrect to think the child was in fear. He was not.” Carter, an avid New York Giants fan, and the boy, who roots for the Dallas Cowboys, were talking about football shortly before the incident. The two NFL

teams were scheduled to play that night. County Prosecutor John Molinelli said Carter allegedly asked the boy, who wore a Cowboys jersey to the service, to step into one of the rectory’s rooms and stand against a wall. When the boy did, the priest allegedly pointed the musket at him.

Prosecutors said the priest allegedly pointed the Civil War-style musket at the boy.

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Civil Service 41

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

want FG to retain cooperative NACA begins pilot study to Experts societies under agric ministry prevent HIV/AIDS infection T

he National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has begun a study in some states on pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP), an initiative geared toward the prevention and elimination of HIV/AIDS. According to Mr. Godwin Odemijie, the project’s media officer and consultant to NACA, the pilot scheme will take place in three states - Plateau, Anambra and Cross Rivers - in October. Odemijie, who paid an advocacy visit to the Jos Zonal office of the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday, said NACA initiated the study because of its immense positive effects on the HIV/ AIDS pandemic. ``The study is not to find out the effectiveness of the Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, it is a long established fact that it is a very effective means of prevention of HIV/AIDS. ``It has been used in Cuba and that country now has a generation that is totally free from the disease,’’ he said. Odemijie said that the study would bring 200

discordant couples where only one in each of the parties had tested positive to HIV . ``The study will work toward protecting and preventing the risky party from contracting the disease. ``The study will take us to a level where drugs could be administered on persons with similar risk to contracting the disease after exposing themselves to the possibilities. ``After taking such drug, the risk is eliminated and the possibility of contracting the disease is

then wiped away,’’ he said. Odemijie said that Jos University Teaching Hospital had been chosen for the Plateau study where the 200 sero-discordant couple would be used for the pilot study. He disclosed that the project had three primary goals - measure the cost effectiveness of the model, estimate what would be needed to scale up the delivery model to the national level and to construct a model that effectively delivered PREP to sero-discordant couples.

he Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON) has urged the federal government not to relocate the Federal Department of Cooperatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. ICOPRON also advocated for greater collaboration between the federal and state governments on issues related to cooperative societies at both levels. The National President of ICOPRON, Mr. Ichie Okechukwu, said this during a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday in Abuja. Okechukwu said that cooperative soci-

eties were critical to the agricultural and rural development sub-sectors directly supervised by the Office of the President or any governor. ``Available data show that over 68 per cent of the cooperative societies in Nigeria are agriculture based. ``Given the Federal Government’s policy towards food sufficiency and rural development, cooperatives groups remain a corner stone to that achievement at the two top levels of government. ``The Ministry of Labour and Productivity does not and cannot have the faculty to deal with cooperative groups as expected by our public.”

Tribunal closes N28.2m VAT refund suit filed against FIRS

T Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. Martins Abeshi (right) welcoming the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration, Mrs. Enira Krdzalic, during her courtesy visit to discuss migration control management, in Abuja, at the weekend.

Police warn officers against corrupt practices

r. Ballah Nasarawa, the Assistant Inspector -General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, has warned officers in the zone to desist from corrupt practices that would tarnish the reputation of the force. Nasarawa gave the warning during a working visit to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command in Abuja on Tuesday. ``Things are changing in our country; the police cannot be left behind. ``If you want to continue on this job, you have to change your character,” he told the officers. He urged the officers to

ensure that they discharged their responsibilities effectively without being intimidated. ``You should not be intimidated, be firm in disposing your responsibilities,`` he said. Nasarawa stated that security would be stepped up at the IDPs camps in the zone. ``We have reviewed the situation in the IDPs camps, security arrangement will be beefed up in the FCT and its environs,`` he said. On the upcoming recruitment, he advised applicants to refrain from approaching officers for assistance as the exercise would be

based on merit. ``On no account should anyone approach officers for assistance as the exercise will be based on merit. ``Do not involve yourselves in corrupt practices during the recruitment exercise,`` he said. He warned that anyone caught offering money to any officer would be dealt with accordingly. The AIG also warned officers not involved in the exercise to steer clear of it. ``If you are not involved in the recruitment exercise, then continue with your work,`` he said. In a remark, the Commissioner of Police in the

FCT, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, said that the command had taken adequate steps to check crime in the territory. He stated that the command had also trained 400 officers on crowd control skills. Inalegwu, however, stressed the need for the deployment of more officers to the command for effective policing of the territory. He gave an assurance of the command’s readiness to collaborate with other security agencies in the fight against insurgency. ``I want to assure you that the command is on top of the situation,’’ he said.

he Tax Appeal Tribunal in Abuja on Tuesday closed a N28.2 million suit filed against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by Milan Nigeria Ltd. Mr. Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), the acting chairman of the tribunal said in his ruling that ``the matter is hereby determined following the terms of settlement reached by both parties.’’ He said that going by the letter received by the tribunal from Milan Nigeria Ltd., it stated that as at Sept. 14, the company had a balance of N1.8 million to be paid to FIRS. It was gathered that Milan Nigeria Ltd. had filed an appeal in May 17, 2012 against FIRS through the tribunal for VAT refund of N28. 14million. There were several

appeals on various claims by both parties, one of which stated that Milan Nigeria Ltd. owed FIRS N23. 17million. Milan then appealed that FIRS should deduct the above sum from the VAT refund of N28.14 million. In the same appeal, Milan requested that the deduction of N4. 95 million should be used to settle future tax liabilities by FIRS. Milan also appealed that the interest and penalties claim of N53. 01 million by FIRS against the company should be waved off. Mrs Angela Gabadi, the Counsel to FIRS and Miss Ifedayo Owoso, Counsel to Milan, in an agreement expressed appreciation to the ruling of the tribunal.

Civil Service

Chidi Ugwu,

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he World Bank has projected that the number of people living in extreme poverty around the world is likely to fall to under 10 per cent of the global population in 2015. According to Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group President, the continued major reductions in poverty were due to strong growth rates in developing countries in recent years, investments in people’s education, health, and social safety nets that helped keep people from falling back into poverty. He cautioned, however, that with slowing global economic growth, and with many of the world’s remaining poor people living in fragile and conflict-affected states, and the considerable depth and breadth of remaining poverty, the goal to end extreme poverty remained a highly ambitious target. It was gathered that the projection gives fresh evidence that a quarter-century-long sustained reduction in poverty is moving the world closer to the historic goal of ending poverty by 2030. The World Bank uses an updated international poverty line of US $1.90 a day, which incorporates new infor-

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global poverty to fall below 10% for first time –World Bank mation on differences in the cost of living across countries (the PPP exchange rates). The new line preserves the real purchasing power of the previous line (of $1.25 a day in 2005 prices) in the world’s poorest countries. Using this new line (as well as new countrylevel data on living standards), the World Bank projects that global poverty will have fallen from 902 million people or 12.8 per cent of the global population in 2012 to 702 million people, or 9.6 per cent of the global population, this year. “This is the best story in the world today - these projections show us that we are the first generation in human history that can end extreme poverty,’’ Kim said. “This new forecast of poverty falling into the single digits should give us new momentum and help us focus even more clearly on the most effective strategies to end extreme poverty. It will be extraordinarily hard, especially in a period of slower global growth, volatile financial markets, conflicts, high youth unemployment,

and the growing impact of climate change. But it remains within our grasp, as long as our high aspirations are matched by country-led plans that help the still millions of people living in extreme poverty.” In April 2013, nine months after Kim became president of the World Bank Group, its

Board of Governors endorsed two goals: to end extreme poverty by 2030, and to boost shared prosperity by raising the incomes of the bottom 40 per cent of populations. For the last several decades, three regions, East Asia and Pacific, South Asia, and SubSaharan Africa, have ac-

counted for some 95 per cent of global poverty. Yet, the composition of poverty across these three regions has shifted dramatically. In 1990, East Asia accounted for half of the global poor, whereas some 15 per cent lived in in Sub-Saharan Africa; by 2015 forecasts, this is almost exactly reversed:

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for half of the global poor, with some 12 per cent living in East Asia. Poverty is declining in all regions but it is becoming deeper and more entrenched in countries that are either conflict ridden or overly dependent on commodity exports.

Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam (4th right); Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye (3rd left); Osun indigenes that passed out from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) short service Ccourse 43, Adeyemi Hussein (3rd right); Adeyanju Adedapo (2nd left); Adekunle Adepoju (2nd right); Olubodun Odeniran (left) and Adedamilola Oyolola (right), during their courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo, Friday.

Toursim, major employer of labour, says Mbanefo Joel Ajayi ABUJA

irector General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, has disclosed that tourism will soon be one of the greatest employers of labour in the country if it is given proper. Mbanefo who said this during the 2015 World Tourism Day, with the theme, “1 Billion Tourists, 1 Billion Opportunities,” held in Enugu State, underscored the role of tourism sector as a valuable and sustainable source of livelihood for millions of people.

According to her, “the corporation under my administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure practical development and promotion of domestic tourism, which will propel job creation, develop the nation’s economy, and raise social awareness on cultural preservation and environment protection.” “Nigeria has a better advantage over so many other countries to benefit from tourism. We have the advantage of population. “Tourism contributes 10% to the global GDP but as at now, Nigerian is not fully benefiting from tourism like other

countries. For instance, 4,333,000 tourists visited Nigeria in 2013, which contributed about 4 per cent to our GDP. But in other countries like Gambia, Kenya, Egypt among others, tourism contributes immensely to the GDP of their country. “We need to know that Nigeria should focus more on tourism as the best alternative to oil, with domestic tourism as the catalyst. “I need to emphasise that Nigeria has the best of the ingredient of tourism. We have fascinating tourist sites, enviable cultural festivals, good weather, good and hospitable people,” she

explained. She added: “Have you ever wondered why most diplomats, after serving their terms chose to stay back in Nigeria? It is because of the warmth and friendliness of our people, environment and potentials.” Mbanefo, who disclosed that the potential of tourism in Nigeria is N4billion prayed that government should take privatisation to the next level and further facilitate an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in Nigeria. The NTDC boss therefore, lauded the Enugu State government for making tourism alive in the state, while describ-

ing the state as a hub of eco-tourism. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, described tourism as the way forward for Nigeria. She noted that the ministry is, on a daily basis, intensifying efforts at ensuring the money spinning sector is well developed and promoted in Nigeria, to ensure Nigerians, among the people of other countries, maximally benefit from the potentials of tourism. The Group Managing Director, Viko Nigeria Group of Companies

Limited, Mr. Lucky Kanu, in his earlier remarks, expressed the readiness of his company to further support NTDC in promoting domestic tourism, thereby creating more jobs and wealth in Nigeria. “Our partnership with NTDC could be best described as demonstration of a successful practice of public private partnership in Nigeria, as the partnership has yielded opening of information desks in about six states in Nigeria, while we are working on a new project that will create over 500,000 jobs for the youth in every state of Nigeria,” he stated.

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Politics

Wednesday October 7, 2015

PDP, APC and Ekiti airport project Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

hen in 2009, the idea of an airport in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, was conceived, it was a thing of joy for the people especially with their conviction that the project would herald accelerated development. Many of the residents had been dreaming of the day an aeroplane would land on the soil of the state as obtainable in other developed states of the federation including the neighbouring Ondo State, not knowing the project would soon become a pawn in the hands of politicians. This is what obtains in the state today as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC and some interested groups and individuals have begun to engage in verbal war over the move of the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to ensure the realization of the project. For the APC, the latest move of the governor to execute the airport project is a ploy to siphon the state resources. But the PDP, which alleged that the former APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi frustrated the project by playing politics with it, said the opposition party was only belly-aching that the present PDP administration in the state was demonstrating political will to execute it. The project which was initiated in 2009 during the tenure of Governor Segun Oni and President Umar Musa Yar’Adua of the PDP, could not see the light of the day following the removal from office of former Governor Oni by an Appeal Court in 2010. Governor Fayose had last month, following a meeting he held with stakeholders involved in the project, set up a five-man committee chaired by the Commissioner for Works, Mr Kayode Osho, to ensure the take off of the Ado-Ekiti Airport project, urging it to start with marking out of 2,000 hectares out of the 6,000 hectares of land set apart for the project. The governor had during the meeting, said the government might start with the construction of a standard airstrip which could be improved upon in the future especially in the face of the financial constraint the state is experiencing. “For every project there must be the political will to make it work. The airport must start and we need a standard airstrip that can be improved on in the future,” he said, adding that, a fund raising dinner for the project would be held later in Lagos. One of the founding fathers of the 19-year-old state and President of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, had said that the present administration should be encouraged on the project which had since been approved for the state by the Federal Government. Babalola said: “It was in 2009 that I mooted the idea and Federal Government approved Bayelsa, Delta and Ekiti airports and voted money for them. All we were expected to do was to look for appropriate place and key into the matter. “Flight checks were conducted. At the end of the flights, investigations were done and the Ado-Ijan axis approved as the site of the project. I tried my best but due to the lukewarm attitude of successive governments we lost everything”. Babalola advised that with the support of the federal minister from Ekiti State when appointed, “we can liaise with him and get federal support for it. Since we have got the approval of the Federal Government, we can start with an airstrip and it must be of high standard so that when we want to improve on it we won’t need to pull down those structures,” he noted. Other aviation experts at the meeting also supported the idea that the state could start with an airstrip and that many states of the federation also did that before expanding their facilities.

Faleye

Awe

The Ekiti Airport project estimated to cost a whopping

N17

billion is the most economically unviable project at this period considering how

Fayose

daily laments that the state has no money

But the APC described the planned airport project by the state governor as a drain pipe to siphon money from Ekiti State treasury, adding that, promotion of an elite project while neglecting initiatives for the growth of local economy for the masses of the agrarian state was insensitive, wicked and selfish. APC State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement that the promoter of the project had no motive other than the “characteristic flight of the state funds” in such capital projects that have little or no hope for the local economy”. The party criticised some community leaders for their alleged accomplice role in the Airport project, which it said was “mainly planned for the fancy of the few who see Ekiti State as their private property”. The APC spokesman queried: “Of what economic sense and use is an airport to the economy of Ekiti when the Akure Airport is less than one hour drive to Ado Ekiti? What has been the positive economic impact of the Akure Airport on the economy of Ondo State which has hundreds of big industries compared to Ekiti with none? “The Ekiti Airport project estimated to cost a whopping N17 billion is the most economically unviable project at this period considering how Fayose daily laments

that the state has no money”. Olatunbosun said the Airport project was meant to benefit only the few that are prodding the governor to enhance their private businesses and bring money to their pocket. The APC spokesman said the support of the traditional rulers in the state for the airport project was because the governor allegedly “embarked on begging and cajoling some first class traditional rulers with mouthwatering offers to support “this wasteful venture”. The monarchs, under the aegis of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers said the construction of an airport in the state would help hasten its economic development, saying the project, which was approved by the Presidency in 2010, must start without further delay. In a communique signed by the Chairman of the Council and the Ologotun of Ogotun-Ekiti, Oba Oladapo Oyebade, the traditional rulers had stated: “Council appreciates the new move by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to pursue this worthy cause to logical conclusion”. The monarchs, while soliciting the support of President Muhammadu Buhari for the execution and completion of the project, also appealed for support of Ekiti sons and daughters, saying: “Now is the time for all good people of Ekiti to support this project for the promotion of the socio-economic emancipation of our beloved Ekiti State”. However, a socio-political group, Ekiti New Project, EKNP, also viewed the airport project as a “frivolous, waste of public resources and a misplacement of priority.” The group, in a statement by its Administrative Secretary, Femi Aduloju, also criticized traditional rulers in the state for failing to dissuade Fayose from what it called a “bogus project” bit EKNP said the plan for a new airport when many others in the federation had become inactive with low patronage ran contrary to the governor’s claim that the state was financially challenged. It stated: “As at today, Nigeria has about 22 airports of which four are functional internationals, while more airports are also being planned to spring up in many state capitals without considering its economic viability, many states are embarking on the money gulping project. “The challenge of having an airport here is a grave one, but the simple question: How does our Governor woo investors in aviation and the economy to do the needful in Ekiti?” the group queried. However, the PDP said APC and its allies were opCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Politics

Wednesday October 7, 2015

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Ekiti govt denies inclusion of PDP members in EKSIEC Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

L-R: Senate Minority Whip, Sen. Phillip Aduda; Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Kyari Bukar and Senate President, Bukola Saraki during a visit to the Senate President in Abuja, yesterday.

Lasun, dependable ally –Dogara

Tordue Salem ABUJA

he speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara has described the Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun as a dependable ally who is needed to take the country to the next level. The speaker who stated this at the 55th birthday celebration of the deputy speaker in his Apo House Abuja, stated that the kind of lion spirit the Deputy

Speaker has, is what the leadership needs for the growth of this country. According to the Speaker, “Deputy Speaker has one thing that gives him influence and that is known as lion spirit and that thing is critical to leadership”. “I knew the kind of sacrifices he made, if not because he had that spirit in him, I tell you he would have been an impostery ,may be we would have some other occasions where we can see more in terms of what he actu-

ally stood for and in terms of the blessings that God brought his way, that would be for another time not for tonight”, Dogara stated . “We have achieved a lot but your Excellency, the Deputy Speaker we know that you cannot spill that indomitable spirit and we know that if you don’t look back there is no situation out there that you cannot conquer” “That is why anytime I look back am not scared. I know that I have a very wonderful ally and by the grace of God together we will be able to deliver the

kind of leadership that is unparallel in the history of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria no doubt about that. The Deputy Speaker in his speech, used the occasion to thank the speaker for the confidence reposed in him by picking him as his Deputy. He promised to work with the Speaker diligently and ensure that the 8th assembly comes up with robust legislation that would move the nation forward.

Anambra youths pass vote of confidence on tribunal judges Francis Ekpone ONITSHA

pressure group, Progressive Anambra Youths, PAY, yesterday, passed a vote of confidence on judges of the National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Awka for the prudent and transparent manner it is handling the election petition matters. Despite the absence of the Judiciary workers in the state who began an indefinite strike over nonpayment of consolidated

judiciary salary structure by the state government since September 7, 2015, the youth body said they were impressed by the tribunal proceedings so far. The youths, who marched from Okpuno through the State NUJ press centre to the popular Aroma junction, later ended up at the gate of the Judiciary complex with banner of various inscriptions such as: “Judges don’t compromise your integrity”, We are satisfied with what you are doing so far, “Remember that you are

the hope of the common man”,” Upturn stolen mandates” among others. Speaking to our reporter at the judiciary complex, the National president of PAY, Comrade Okafor Nonso-Smart said they have observed court proceedings for some times now and discovered that the National Assembly election tribunal judges handling the election matters in the state are fair and transparent and deserve the people’s encouragement to do more “The judges have shown

element of fairness and transparency in dispensing justice, irrespective of the parties or individuals involved in the election. “So, our interest is that we participated actively in the election and will be glad to see justice prevail without prejudice. We want to let them know that they have been fair so far. If they know that people appreciate the fact that they are fair, they will do more. We are not in support of any party or candidate but interested in fairness” he said.

kiti State government has denied appointing Peoples Democratic Party,PDP members into the state Independent Electoral Commission, EKSIEC. Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner, Mr Kolade Kolapo, said yesterday that the governor painstakingly selected non-partisan individuals into the electoral body to ensure credibility. Kolapo, who spoke in Ado Ekiti at a press briefing on the activities of his ministry in the last oneyear, described allegations that card-carrying politicians were on the commission as falsehood. He said an impartial and unbiased EKSIEC as well as other arrange-

Bayelsa guber: Isoko vow to vote Dickson Osahon Julius YENAGOA

group under the auspices of Isoko Solidarity Support Group, ISSG, in collaboration with Isoko Development Union, IDU, Bayelsa Chapter, had unanimously agreed to support the second term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson and therefore urge their members to vote massively for him come December 5.. The forum President ,Comrade Idama Michael, in a statement issued to newsmen in Yenagoa said their decision was informed by the Governor and his deputy Rear Admiral Gboribigha John-Jonah (rtd), determination to bring succor to Bayelsans. According to the group, the Governor has done

PDP, APC and Ekiti airport project CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

posed to the execution of the airport project because the opposition party was only ashamed that a PDP government was showing the political will to bring the project to reality. The PDP state spokesman, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, said: “The Ekiti Airport project was initiated in 2009 by the Yar’Adua government but frustrated by the APC government of Dr Kayode

Fayemi even though fund was budgeted for it in 2011 by the Federal Government. “As at 2010, terrain flight check for site selection had been done, site approval obtained from the Ministry of Aviation, perimeter land survey completed, meteorological data (i.e. Wind-Rose) already obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Form AC-001 had been collected for completion and submission to Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority,

ments had been put in place to ensure a free, fair and acceptable local government election on December 19, describing the situation as “a clear break from the present caretaker committee arrangement which has been in place since 2010”. The commissioner said the ministry had in the last one year settled chieftaincy matters in some communities and as well some boundary disputes to ensure peace in the state. While explaining that it was not acceptable to the present administration for any community to be without ruler, Kolade said that the administration had peacefully resolved ascendancy tussles in nine communities which had been without monarchs owing to interests from certain quarters.

NCAA, guidance materials on the procedures to be followed for development and certification of airport and related technical and regulatory requirements to be met had been collected for necessary assessment; and materials needed for runway orientation and establishment of Obstacle Limitation Surfaces had virtually been concluded, he stated”. Adebayo said the APC chose to deprive the state of the Federal Government proj-

creditably well and stood out in the administration prowess in the Bayelsa state history, noting that, with utmost gratitude and support to restoration government, they throw their weight behind the duo. “Dickson has brought security, good roads, and development of the popular Berger round-about by putting in place a standard fly over bridge. “He has been able to drive the miscreant into the cave in Bayelsa state. Dickson’s victory represents victory for the entire Niger-Delta, “He has done well in the area of prompt payment of salary, improved health care delivery, constant electricity supply as never before, community policing and the social well being of all those living in Bayelsa,” it said.

ect while running the affairs of the state because of parochial and selfish political reason, saying: “Instead of the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi to collaborate with the Federal Government on the airport project, he, out of political vendetta, told the Federal Government that airport was not the priority of the State”. However, the storm over whether the airport was necessary in the state or not has continued to rage.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

SEC targets 25% growth in non interest market products JOHNSON OKANLAWON

ecurities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has said that it planned to grow non-interest capital market products to be 25 per cent of the overall market capitalization. This disclosure was made yesterday by the Director General of SEC, Mr Mounir Gwarzo, in Abuja at a round table meeting with a delegation led by the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Alan Yarrow and Nigerian Regulators. Mounir Gwarzo who was represented by Zakawanu Garuba, Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services stated that its goal is to boost non-interest capital market product innovation so that the segment can be at least a quarter (25 per cent) of the overall market capitalization. According to him, SEC wants to build a strong regulatory regime for non-interest products, encourage stakeholders in

the non-interest capital market and ensure the emergence of Nigeria as a prominent noninterest capital market hub both at the regional level and globally. He pointed out that the SEC was considering modalities for setting up a Sharia Advisory Council as a body of experts to advise on non-interest product applications. To boost liquidity of noninterest products, he added that the SEC is working with a committee to support the Financial Market Dealers Quotation, FMDQ, platform to enable secondary market trading of the products. “We are also engaging the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to obtain liquidity status for non-interest products (especially the sukuk),” he said. Responding, Alderman Alan Yarrow, the Lord Mayor of London pledged the United Kingdom’s government support stressing that two things were universally agreed on, Is-

lamic finance will be massive and it’s here to stay. Alderman Alan Yarrow expressed concerns that the difficulty of defining what Islamic finance actually is, is with different scholars and different countries supporting different rules. That is equally true here in Nigeria with about 88 million Muslims and 39 per cent of the adult population unbanked. Alderman Alan Yarrow said there is a huge opportunity to offer Islamic finance as an alternative investment and finance model for both Muslims and non Muslims alike. Nigeria’s Exchange he said has a crucial role to play in that story since it is the second largest Exchange in sub-Saharan Africa describing it as the gateway to African markets and as such, the whole of Africa, to some extent, relies on Nigeria. The UK he said is prepared to help Nigeria from looking at Nigeria’s legal framework,

to helping to up the skills of your young, dynamic and ambitious population. London has the expertise, the variety and the capacity to help. And most of all, we offer the willingness and we stand ready to do our bit.” Alderman Alan Yarrow said “there is already a thriving partnership between the Exchanges and an excellent pipeline of Nigerian Businesses listing in London. But in the past few years, things have been shaken up by the arrival of non-interest finance and in particular, Islamic Finance.” He called on members of the Nigerian capital and financial derivatives markets to talk to him, “and the business delegation and The City UK. Whether it’s about Islamic Finance, Legal services or education, training and qualifications. That’s why we are here. And we all look forward to helping you in whatever way we can”, he added.

Equities shed 0.25% value, Curtix leads gainers’ chat Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities continued on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated 0.25 per cent to close at 30,330.58 points, compared to the decline of 0.59 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 30,405.88

points. Market capitalisation lost N26 billion to close at N10.42trillion, compared to the depreciation of N59 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N10.44 trillion. Cutix Plc led the gainers’ table with eight kobo or 4.60 per cent to close at N1.82 per share, followed by Unity Bank Plc with six kobo or 4.41 per cent to close at N1.42 per share.

NASCON Plc appreciated 25 kobo or 3.70 per cent to close at N7.00 per share, while Skye Bank Plc was up eight kobo or 3.60 per cent to close at N2.30 per share. Costain Plc rose two kobo or 3.57 per cent to close at 58 kobo per share. On the flip side, Seplat Plc depreciated N24.36 or 9.75 per cent to close at N225.54 per share, while MC Nicholas Plc dropped six kobo or 4.76

U.S. stocks slide amid biotech rout

tandard & Poor’s 500 Index struggled to add to its longest rally of the year amid a rout in biotechnology shares, while the weakening dollar boosted emerging-market equities toward the highest level since August. Oil surged. The S&P 500 slipped after rallying 5.6 percent in five days, as concern about drug pricing and earnings rekindled biotech selling. DuPont Co. led the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher, while energy shares jumped as crude surged past $48 a barrel. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index dropped for a fourth day, and emergingmarket equities extended the longest advance since April even as a chorus of

warnings about growth grew louder. “We’ve had five really good days in a row, it’s not surprising that we’re getting a little bit of a pullback,” said Michael Mullaney, who oversees $11.5 billion as the Boston-based chief investment officer at Fiduciary Trust Co. “Probably a little bit of short-term bias fatigue.” The S&P 500 was poised to halt a five-day rally that took the gauge within 1 percent of where previous advances from an August low have faltered. Disappointing U.S. data have fueled speculation the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates near zero, prompting demand for riskier assets. The Interna-

tional Monetary Fund cited a slowdown in emerging markets for cutting its The S&P 500 fell 0.2 percent to 1,982.64 at 2:22 p.m yesterday in New York. The index surged toward 2,000 yesterday, where previous advances from its Aug. 25 nadir ended. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3 percent as DuPont surged 8.8 percent after replacing its chief executive officer. Biotechnology stocks in the S&P 500 plunged 4.1 percent on Tuesday, leading the Nasdaq Composite Index to a loss of 0.7 percent. Illumina Inc. shares fell 11 percent after the company forecast fourth-quarter sales below analysts’ estimates. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. sank

per cent to close at N1.20 per share. NACHO Plc shed 22 kobo or 4.71 per cent to close at N4.46 per share, while CNN Plc declined 41 kobo or 4.70 per cent to close at N8.32 per share. Cadbury Plc dipped N1.10 or 4.58 per cent to close at N22.90 per share. A total of 300.5 million shares valued at N3.05 billion were exchanged in 3,112 deals.

6.6 percent for the biggest drop in the S&P 500.(Source – Bloomberg) Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N196.95 Market indicators All-Share Index 30,330.58points Market capitalisation 10.42trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CUTIX

1.74

1.82

0.08

4.60

UNITYBNK

1.36

1.42

0.06

4.41

NASCON

6.75

7.00

0.25

3.70

SKYEBANK

2.22

2.30

0.08

3.60

COSTAIN

0.56

0.58

0.02

3.57

CHAMPION

4.36

4.50

0.14

3.21

WEMABANK

1.00

1.02

0.02

2.00

ACCESS

5.30

5.40

0.10

1.89

NEM

0.70

0.71

0.01

1.43

FIDELITYBK

1.48

1.50

0.02

1.35

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

SEPLAT

249.90

225.54

-24.36

-9.75

MCNICHOLS

1.26

1.20

-0.06

-4.76

NAHCO

4.67

4.45

-0.22

-4.71

CCNN

8.73

8.32

-0.41

-4.70

CADBURY

24.00

22.90

-1.10

-4.58

CONTINSURE

1.00

0.96

-0.04

-4.00

TRANSEXPR

1.02

0.98

-0.04

-3.92

MOBIL

148.50

145.07

-3.43

-2.31

AIICO

0.89

0.87

-0.02

-2.25

FCMB

2.35

2.30

-0.05

-2.13

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.58

100.42

14.77

100.57

14.66

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.75

103.04

14.89

103.34

14.78

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.37

101.74

14.97

102.04

14.87

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.33

105.75

14.94

106.05

14.87

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.46

96.25

14.99

96.55

14.93

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.81 68.00

15.58

68.30

15.51

Closing Market Prices of September 29, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

24-Dec-15

10.54

10.81

WAUA

270

31-Mar-16

12.66

13.52

USD

196.96

EURO

214

01-Sep-16

12.55

14.19

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

5.7333

14.5852

POUNDS STERLING

293

15.8238

SDR

273

17.0819

NIBOR

The Fixings of September 29, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015

Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal Bond Name 15.10% FGN APR 2017 Federal Totals

Symbol FG9B2017S2

DEBT Board Totals

Equities as at October 6, 2015 No. of Deals 1 1

Bond Activity Totals

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Current Price 97.50

Quantity Traded 29,172 29172

Value Traded 30,416,512.59 30,416,512.59

29,172

30,416,512.59

29172

30,416,512.59

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 14 12 26

Current Price 27.50 30.55

Quantity Traded 25,815 61,416 87,231

Value Traded 702,647.30 1,859,102.48 2,561,749.78

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 1.71

Quantity Traded 181,099 181,099

Value Traded 308,522.79 308,522.79

268,330

2,870,272.57

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries CONGLOMERATES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Diversified Industries JOHN HOLT PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT Symbol JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 No. of Deals 3 71 43 119

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC.

119

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Activity on Board EQTY RealSummary Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals CONSUMER GOODS CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals ©

Quantity Traded 4,520 Quantity Traded 4,413 Page 2,590,220 480,996 3,080,149

Value Traded 4,520.00 Value Traded 4,059.96 14 1 of 5,895,519.58 14,703,879.73 20,607,979.27

3,080,149

20,607,979.27

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 0.58

Quantity Traded 548,887 548,887

Value Traded 311,952.85 311,952.85

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 40.00

Quantity Traded 1,088 1,088

Value Traded 44,635.00 44,635.00

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 8.17

Quantity Traded 19,211 19,211

Value Traded 154,363.40 154,363.40

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 975 975

Value Traded 9,750.00 9,750.00

570,161 Quantity Traded 14,584 Page 14,584

520,701.25 Value Traded 7,292.00 14 2 of 7,292.00

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Current Price 0.99 Current Price 0.96 2.26 30.59

Symbol UAC-PROP

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

32 No. of Deals 2 2

Symbol DUNLOP

Current Price 0.50

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 7 42 14 135 198

Current Price 4.50 149.99 18.00 141.00

Quantity Traded 159,094 140,275 64,940 1,422,349 1,786,658

Value Traded 707,753.00 21,054,952.50 1,172,401.95 200,536,499.76 223,471,607.21

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 195.70

Quantity Traded 7,719 7,719

Value Traded 1,473,078.00 1,473,078.00

No. of Deals 83 28 100 16 (Equities) 28 1 2 258

Current Price 2.60 6.75 22.68 2.76 7.00 9.46 11.84

Quantity Traded 222,292 255,750 1,332,335 138,670 311,800 1,399 18,000 2,280,246

Value Traded 568,854.42 1,719,840.15 29,960,743.64 364,702.10 2,151,971.20 12,730.90 202,500.00 34,981,342.41

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 22 45 67

Current Price 22.90 830.01

Quantity Traded 168,182 66,550 Page 234,732

Value Traded 3,856,017.30 55,310,202.08 359,166,219.38 of 14

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

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 16 6 22

Current Price 5.88 0.98

Quantity Traded 105,405 155,402 260,807

Value Traded 592,873.45 150,255.96 743,129.41

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 24 24 48

Current Price 25.39 46.50

Quantity Traded 87,702 152,697 240,399

Value Traded 2,208,523.23 7,098,707.11 9,307,230.34

4,825,145

329,149,898.75

Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015

Food Products Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY UNION DICON SALT PLC. Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Products--Diversified Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR Daily Summary NASCON NNFM UNIONDICON

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

616

Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015

FINANCIAL14:32:25.025 SERVICES Printed 06/10/2015 Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 DIAMOND BANK PLC Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY BANK PLC. Activity SummaryTRUST on Board EQTY SKYE BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES STERLING BANK PLC. Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNION BANK NIG.PLC. FINANCIAL UNITYSERVICES BANK PLC Banking WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity Summary on Board EQTY Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL SERVICES AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Other Financial Institutions Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded ACCESS 152 5.40 83,358,330 443,465,628.62 DIAMONDBNK 77 3.14 13,577,688 43,468,476.51 Daily ETISummary (Equities) 46 18.50 1,117,246 20,672,916.14 FIDELITYBK 48 1.50 1,312,756 1,975,452.47 GUARANTY 225 24.09 24,128,772 580,024,513.72 SKYEBANK 44 2.30 936,975 2,115,882.69 DailySTERLNBANK Summary (Equities) 12 2.13 124,078 255,634.41 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded UBA 188 4.41 10,878,807 48,171,992.37 14 Page 4 of UBN 38 6.00 681,910 4,028,433.50 UNITYBNK 32 1.42 9,689,804 13,626,275.68 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded WEMABANK 19 1.02 184,116 183,157.06 881 145,990,482 1,157,988,363.17

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST EQUITYASUR HMARKINS MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE STDINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 15 12 1 1 3 25 9 9 1 1 1 5 83

Current Price 0.87 0.96 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.60 0.50 0.71 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 671,128 3,028,336 200 7,000 4,100 1,400,500 935,105 620,815 30,000 500 3,000 64,384,235 71,084,919

Value Traded 607,439.94 2,977,856.37 100.00 3,500.00 2,050.00 3,617,727.42 467,552.50 440,230.50 15,000.00 250.00 1,500.00 32,192,117.50 40,325,324.23

Symbol FORTISMFB Daily Summary NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 2 (Equities) 1 3

Current Price 5.42 1.03

Quantity Traded 119 200 319 Page

Value Traded 624.75 216.00 840.75 14 5 of

No. of Deals 38 No. of Deals 15 45 25 69 192

Current Price 2.66 Current Price 4.02 2.30 22.80 1.38

Quantity Traded 1,444,830 Quantity Traded Page 5,038,753

Value Traded 3,860,960.14 Value Traded 14 620,258,641.36 of

Symbol AFRIPRUD Symbol CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

1,159

Symbol EKOCORP

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.72

No. of Deals 11 5 5 8 7 1 37

Current Price 0.63 3.15 35.20 1.26 0.97 2.14

4,179,637 1,813,487 3,216,264 15,692,971

9,783,096.52 41,367,822.33 4,496,409.54 79,766,929.89

232,768,691

1,278,081,458.04

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 354.00 354.00

Quantity Traded 1,028,540 17,939 6,055 19,700 38,750 2,500 1,113,484

Value Traded 644,884.40 57,525.70 222,023.41 25,366.02 36,698.50 5,150.00 991,648.03

1,113,584

992,002.03

Page

Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025

Daily Summary (Equities)

1st Tier Securities Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Sector

Company name

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

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Electronic and Electrical Products Activity Summary on Board EQTY CUTIX PLC. ElectronicGOODS and Electrical Products Totals INDUSTRIAL Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 BETA 14:32:25.025 GLASS CO PLC. Printed 06/10/2015 GREIF NIGERIA PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Packaging/Containers Totals © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Activity Summary on Board EQTY Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals 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 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 Published byAND The GAS Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed OIL 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 Summary on Board EQTY PrintedActivity 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. SERVICES Employment Solutions Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Hotels/Lodging Totals Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Printing/Publishing ACADEMY Solutions PRESS PLC. Employment Totals LEARN AFRICA PLC Hotels/Lodging UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. IKEJA HOTEL PLCTotals Printing/Publishing Hotels/Lodging Totals Road Transportation Printing/Publishing ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Road Transportation Totals LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Transport-Related Services Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Transport-Related Services Totals ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES ANDEQTY LOGISTICS PLC Activity Summary on Board NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC SERVICES Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Support and Logistics Totals

Value of Shares(N)

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 6 7

Current Price 0.50 3.00

Quantity Traded 6,620,000 626,000 7,246,000

Value Traded 3,310,000.00 1,878,020.00 5,188,020.00

7,247,000

5,188,520.00

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 CAP PLC Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Quantity Traded

Symbol COURTVILLE

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN PORTPAINT WAPCO

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 9 3 9 12 3 25 (Equities) 61

Current Price 22.00 9.90 37.05 8.32 3.71 98.00

Quantity Traded 196,733 900 9,130 369,716 8,000 138,040 722,519

Value Traded 4,328,220.00 9,173.00 347,665.01 3,069,775.45 28,275.00 13,524,488.40 21,307,596.86

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.82

Quantity Traded 110,000 110,000

Value Traded 200,200.00 200,200.00

Symbol CUTIX Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 2 2 4

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol JAPAULOIL

Current Price 42.70 9.37

Quantity Traded 128 15,500 15,628Page

Value Traded 5,192.96 139,915.00 14 8 145,107.96 of

848,147

21,652,904.82

Quantity Traded 62,000 62,000 Quantity Traded 3,662,619 Quantity Traded 3,662,619

Value Traded 31,000.00 31,000.00 Value Traded 37,589,013.40 Value Traded 37,589,013.40

No. of Deals 2 2 No. of Deals 180 No. of Deals 180

Current Price 0.50

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 7 10 69 20 3 14 123

Current Price 27.41 1.93 263.00 145.07 49.66 154.90

Quantity Traded 16,475 105,880 104,967 58,108 965 29,918 316,313

Value Traded 429,074.40 196,045.85 27,023,115.85 8,446,215.03 45,528.70 4,447,328.88 40,587,308.71

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 36 36

Current Price 225.54

Quantity Traded 118,053 118,053

Value Traded 26,637,444.54 26,637,444.54

Symbol OANDO Symbol

Current Price Current 10.30 Price

Page 4,158,985

341

9 of 14 104,844,766.65

Symbol

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.56

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000

Value Traded 3,240.00 3,240.00

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 3.98

Quantity Traded 40,000

Value Traded 160,000.00

Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 2 (Equities) 4

Current Price 0.98

Quantity Traded Page 66,090

No. of Deals 3 3 No. of Deals 2 No. of Deals 1 4 1 No. of Deals 3 No. of Deals 4 3 2 No. of Deals 1 1 7 1 No. of Deals No. of Deals 3 4 3 2 1 No. of Deals 4 7 21 No. of Deals 25 3 3

Current Price 0.50

RTBRISCOE Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary Symbol CILEASING Symbol TRANSEXPR Symbol IKEJAHOTEL Symbol CILEASING Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA Symbol UPL IKEJAHOTEL Symbol Symbol ABCTRANS ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO Symbol ABCTRANS

106,090

Current Price 0.98 Current Price 3.60 Current Price 0.50 Current Price 0.62 0.95 Current Price 5.73 3.60 Current Price Current Price 0.55 0.62 0.95 5.73 Current Price 1.85 4.45 Current Price 0.55

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 4 21 25 No. of Deals 4 4

SERVICES Totals Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 Board Totals PrintedEQTY 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025

Current Price 1.85 4.45 Current Price 3.21

Value Traded 14 10 65,168.20 of 225,168.20

Quantity Traded 112,500 112,500 Quantity Traded 66,090 Quantity Traded 100 106,090 100 Quantity Traded Quantity112,500 Traded 17,320 112,500 17,000 Quantity Traded 2,000 100 36,320 100 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 53,000 17,320 53,000 17,000 2,000 Quantity Traded 55,789 36,320 226,459 Quantity282,248 Traded 53,000 53,000 Page

Value Traded 56,250.00 56,250.00 Value Traded 65,168.20 Value Traded 373.00 225,168.20 373.00 Value Traded 56,250.00 Value Traded 11,251.62 56,250.00 15,910.00 Value Traded 10,900.00 373.00 38,061.62 373.00 Value Traded Value Traded 29,650.00 11,251.62 29,650.00 15,910.00 10,900.00 Value Traded 100,324.20 38,061.62 1,008,840.07 Value Traded 1,109,164.27 29,650.00 29,650.00 14 11 of

Quantity Traded 55,789 226,459 282,248 Quantity Traded 40,200 Page 40,200

Value Traded 100,324.20 1,008,840.07 1,109,164.27 Value Traded 122,610.00 11 of 14 122,610.00

636,458

1,584,517.09

2,474

255,516,650

1,765,493,020.47

Quantity Traded 100,000 100,000 Quantity Traded 29,565,691 100,000 29,565,691

Value Traded 120,000.00 120,000.00 Value Traded 492,357,568.84 120,000.00 492,357,568.84

Quantity100,000 Traded Quantity Traded 10,985,782 29,565,691 10,985,782 29,565,691

120,000.00 Value Traded Value Traded 67,817,303.10 492,357,568.84 67,817,303.10 492,357,568.84

40,551,473 Quantity Traded 10,985,782 10,985,782 Quantity Traded Page 4,353,640 40,551,473 4,353,640

560,174,871.94 Value Traded 67,817,303.10 67,817,303.10 Value Traded 14 12 of 722,884,840.73 560,174,871.94 722,884,840.73

Daily Summary (Equities) Daily Summary as of 06/10/2015 Activity Summary on Board ASeM Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025 CONSUMER GOODS Activity FoodSummary Products on Board PREMIUM MCNICHOLS PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Food Products Totals Banking ZENITHGOODS INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC CONSUMER Totals Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES ASeM Board TotalsInstitutions Other Financial

Banking FBN HOLDINGS PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals Banking Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS INDUSTRIAL GOODS PLC 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 PREMIUM Totals BuildingBoard Materials Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 226 1 226

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ZENITHBANK

Symbol Symbol FBNH ZENITHBANK

Symbol FBNH Symbol DANGCEM

1 No. of Deals No. of Deals 336 226 336 226 562 No. of Deals 336 336 No. of Deals 75 562 75

Equity Activity Traded Totals Fund Exchange Name

Exchange Traded Fund LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF

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

Current Price Current Price 6.14 16.60

Current Price 6.14 Current Price 166.50

722,884,840.73 Value Traded 722,884,840.73 1,283,059,712.67 722,884,840.73

3,112 75

300,521,763 4,353,640

3,048,672,733.14 722,884,840.73

Daily Summary (ETP)

637

44,905,113

1,283,059,712.67

Daily Summary (ETP)

3,112

300,521,763

3,048,672,733.14

DailyEquity Summary as ofGOODS 06/10/2015 Activity Totals INDUSTRIAL Totals Printed 06/10/2015 14:32:25.025

PREMIUM Board Totals

Current Price 16.60

4,353,640 Quantity Traded 4,353,640 44,905,113 4,353,640

Symbol DANGCEM

75 No. of Deals 75 637 75

Current Price 1.20

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 Symbol Daily Summary NEWGOLD VETGRIF30 Symbol LOTUSHAL15

(ETP)

Current Price 166.50

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 3 1

Current Price 9.70 Current Price 2,158.00 14.10 Current Price 9.70

Quantity Traded 5 Quantity Traded Page 101 400 Quantity Traded 506 5

Value Traded 48.50 Value Traded 14 13 of 217,958.00 5,640.00 Value Traded 223,646.50 48.50

506 Page

14 13 223,646.50 of

506

223,646.50

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Community Mirror government cameI into a time that manyGoodluck people had abandoned Let meOur again repeat what haveoffice beenatsaying Jonathan hasthe no country’s manufacturing, agricultural and mining sector. We are doing our best to personal agenda in convening this national conference. encourage diversification into these sectors which can employ a lot of people.

–PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Community sends SOS to Ambode over planned demolition Dare Akogun

esidents of Otto Awori Jobiti in Otto Awori Local Development Area, Lagos have staged a peaceful protest to express their grievance over alleged attempt by the state government to use a private company to demolish and forcefully acquire their properties. Community leader of the area, High Chief Saturday Balogun Ilosu, who also doubles as the Ase of Ijanikin kingdom who addressed newsmen during the protest, stated that the tussle over the affected properties had been on for many years before it was resolved in favour of Eleso family of Ijanikin

by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos. He alleged that it was after the court verdict that the idea of government acquisition was mooted by some selfish property consultant, in order to acquire the land at all costs. A signboard was mounted in the community claiming a ‘purported resuscitation of Otto Awori Jobiti Residential Scheme, Ijanikin by Lagos State government in Partnership with CMB Building maintenance and investment company Ltd’. Chief Ilosu said based on this action, the community filed a suit against the State government, its attorney general and commissioner for justice and the devel-

opment company among others before a State High Court. He said the suit was still pending before the Lagos State High court, with suit number M/1070/2010 and the court was yet to make any pronouncement but the respondents had already infringing on the right of the applicants. The community leader said despite the pending suit, certain

property developer had already marked their houses for demolition and also threatened the peace of the area. He said the people of the area now lived in panic due to the dayto- day threats being issued by the developer, claiming that they had been in possession of the land which was passed down from generations for many decades without government interference.

The residents of area, who displayed placards of different inscriptions to show their grievance, appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to come to their rescue and not to allow a selfish property developer reap from where it did not sow. They alleged that the developer has commenced demolition of their properties despite a pending suit over the subject matter.

Evicted tenant asks court to set aside judgement Wale Igbintade

tenant, Mr. Adekunle Raji who was forcefully evicted from his home has prayed a Lagos Magistrate’s Court to set aside the eviction order alleging that the said court order was obtained fraudulently by his landlord, Dr. Julius Okesola. An Igbosere Magistrate Court had on July 28, 2015 in a suit filed by Dr. Okesola ordered the applicant (Raji) to vacate possession of a 3-bedroom flat at No 3 Chris Onyimade Street, Ogidan in Ajah area of Lagos State following his alleged refusal to appear in court. Magistrate Mrs. O Martins had in her judgement ordered the applicant to vacate the flat on or before August 10, 2015. The court also ordered the applicant to pay N458, 334 as arrears of rent from June 1, 2013 to April 30, 3013 respectively. But, in his application to set aside the judgement the applicant through his lawyer, Mr. Tunde Tijani told the court that being a yearly tenant, he paid the sum of N500, 000 from July, 2011 to June 2012 but because the property was inhabitable, he carried out some repairs. Consequently, his tenancy did not commence until December 2011 and that his landlord was aware. The applicant in a 21-pragraraph affidavit in support of the Motion on Notice urged the

court to set aside the judgement and determine the suit in its merit. The applicant stated ‘’ I was not served with writ of summons personally or any hearing notices as evidence by the proof of service before the court as I was not in Nigeria. He stated further ‘’the claimant is not entitled to the judgement because the true and correct facts relevant to the just determination of the suit was concealed/ misrepresented by the claimant. If the court had been aware of the facts, judgement would not have been entered in his favour.’’ He further told the court that, unaware of the pendency of the suit, he continued to pay his rent every 6 months both directly to the landlord’s account or to his solicitor chamber’s account. He stated that he only became aware of the suit when the sheriff of the court came to execute the judgement by evicting him out of the house and charted away his properties. He urged the court in the interest of justice and principle of fair hearing to set aside the judgement and be allowed to defend the suit and the court. However, when the suit came on yesterday, the judgement creditor (Dr. Julius Okesola) through his lawyer, Gbenga Ajisafe urged the court to adjourn the matter. Consequently, Magistrate, Mrs O. Kushanu adjourned the suit till October 30 for mention.

L-R: Bushura Kolade; former Executive Chairman, Lekki Local Council Development Area, Barrister Ogidan Mukadasi OLaitan; Hon Taiwo Ayedun; Principal of Correction Center School, Luqman Olaitan Ikotun; Team Leader, Epe, Edu Olawale (second right) and General Secretary, Team A+ volunteer, Adekoya Oluwasheunfunmi, during a visit to the school to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence in Oregun, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED

Cosmetic products must comply with GMP requirements –Orhii Dare Akogun

n view of the possible serious health hazards associated with substandard and injurious cosmetics and medical devices, National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, have stated that it is mandatory that all regulated products are manufactured in accordance with GMP requirements. NAFDAC DG, Dr. Paul Orhii made this assertion at the at the first NAFDAC-GMP training for cosmetics & medical devices manufacturers in Nigeria, held in Lagos yesterday. Orhii pointed that in today’s society, where the use of cosmetics and medical devices is increasing in men, women and children. Cosmetics are used variously for beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering appearance to boost confidence. He said “As the demand for

cosmetics increases for greater benefit, it has become imperative to give specific attention to these products considering their complexity and high potential risk to consumer health. “Medical devices are essential for safe and effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of all illness and diseases. The achievement of our health goals may be determined by proper manufacturing of medical devices which are of good quality and safe for use. “In compliance with the requirements of the Agency, it is mandatory that all regulated products must be manufactured in accordance with GMP. They must also be registered by the Agency to ensure that they are safe, of good quality and proven integrity,” he noted. Orhii lamented that the challenge with cosmetics regulation lies mostly in the continued use of banned and toxic chemicals in the manufacturing these prod-

ucts. He noted that the urge to satisfy customers’ ever-increasing demands has driven some cosmetics manufacturers into experimenting with raw materials with little or no safety records. “Skin bleaching is a cosmetic treatment to reduce the prominence of skin discolorations and even out the color of the skin. Some people apply skin lightener to their entire body to change their complexion, but this can be very risky. The active ingredient in some skin lighteners is mercury and so bleaching can lead to mercury poisoning. Mercury is a toxic agent that can cause serious psychiatric, neurological, and kidney problems. Pregnant women who use a skin lightener with mercury can pass the mercury to their unborn child, and can also accumulate in the body and cause poisoning, which can lead to kidney or liver failure,” he warned.

Community Mirror

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015 Olokun Festival kicks off Ayo Esan

he Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, OFF, Otunba Gani Adams has said that this year’s Olokun Festival will showcase the cultural values of the Yoruba’s. Speaking at the press conference to herald the 13th anniversary of Olokun Festival in Lagos, Adams who is also the national coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC disclosed that, “The reason for celebrating Olokun festival annually is borne out of the desire to project the Yoruba Culture to the world and to promote the values that have made the Yoruba race one of the most respected race across the globe with rich cultural heritage and tradition.” “As a foremost institution poised to promote the Yoruba Culture, Olokun Festival Foundation under my leadership is determined more than ever before to set the pace for cultural integration and development of tourism in Nigeria.” He discloses that the Ataoja of Oshogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun would be the royal father of the day during the grand finale; Adams stated that this year’s weeklong event would be wrapped up at the Sultan Beach Badagry Lagos on October 22, 2015. He listed that next Thursday and Saturday have been scheduled for Arts Exhibition at centre of Black and African Arts and Civilization, CBAAC in Lagos, “With this Arts Exhibition. “On Wednesday, October 14, 2015. We are holding Yoruba Quiz Competition to encourage people with deep knowledge of the Yoruba Language. In the last few years, we have resolved to continue to promote ideas that add value to what we represent,” he said. He pointed that there would be a festival lecture on Thursday October 15, 2015; the lecture is to be delivered by Dr. Enomhen Omhanke Sylvester of Lagos State University.

The corps member, Odom Amaka, with beneficiaries and their parents

Corps member donates education materials to Kugiji community Dare Akogun

orried by the alarming statistics out of school children in Kwara State, a youth corps member serving at the Local Government secretariat of Kaiama LGA, Odom Amaka, made meaning of the essence of the National Youth Service Corps, by taking it upon herself to improve the education lot of her host community Kugiji. Odom, a graduate of International Law and Diplomacy from Babcock University, rcently brought smiles to the faces of people of Kugiji community, especially pupils of KLGEA Primary School, when she donated school uniforms, sandals, school bags, mathematical sets and three exercise books each to 131 female pupils of the school. The Mbaise LGA indigene of Imo State while speaking with

news men after the presentation, described the project as a long time passion, which was borne out of her resolve as an undergraduate to always champion gender equality as guaranteed by education for the girlchild. According to her “I have had passion to always champion gender equality since my undergraduate days, and I have come to the conclusion that education is the easiest route to attaining gender equality. This project of kitting and providing instructional materials to the pupils is a step towards increasing girlchild enrolment in schools. “When I was posted to Kwara State, I wept profusely and my sorrows were compounded when after the 3 weeks orientation camp my application for redeployment was not granted and I was posted to a village (Kugiji). In retrospect, I am glad I was posted to this community

as they (indigenes) have made my stay in the community a worthwhile experience, which is why I decided to give back to the society as my personal Community Development (CD) project. “This project cost roughly N370, 800; it however helped empower the locals as I contracted the tailors in the community who helped sew the uniforms. This project apart from helping to give a sense of belonging to children it has also helped empower the local tailors,” she added. member representing Kaima/Wazibe/Kemanji at the Kwara State House of Assembly Hon. Ahmed Ibn Muhammed described the project as a laudable one, which is worthy of commendation especially coming from a youth corps member, who decided to assist her host community unlike most of her peers who are busy pursuing

material gains. “I on behalf of the Kugiji community want to appreciate Odom for this laudable project; it is a gesture that will linger in the minds of the community people especially the beneficiaries of these materials. Odom’s gesture is worthy of emulation by other corps members and other well- to- do stakeholders in the society. “We have been advocating increased enrolment of pupils in our communities especially the girl-child, most of our girls is married off early and this has affected the girl child education in our rural communities. “With this project however, eyes of our people will be opened to the benefit of girl-child education, as even Corper Odom that executed this project is a female and seeing her in the community, parents will envy her and would want their children to also be graduate,” he noted.

Ojude Oba festival: Business mogul commends organisers Michael Ogbonna

jebu-Ode indigene and business mogul, Otunba Subomi Balogun has commended organisers of the annual Ojude Oba Festival held in Ijebu-Ode for their commitment in promoting the state’s tourism potentials through the event. Balogun gave the com-

mendation during an interview with community mirror at his Ijebu-Ode resident. He noted that the festival, as a cultural heritage, was worth preserving going by its history in bringing together indigenous children of Ijebuland, both home and abroad. He said: “The People of ijebu will always explore

this festival as a veritable means in boosting Ogun state cultural heritage as a tourist destination. Ojude Oba festival has continued to grow each year and has become well known internationally for being celebrated by all sons and daughters of Ijebu land, home and diaspora.” He stressed that the festival was not only about merry-making but provides

Ijebu people the opportunity to brainstorm on developmental and economic objectives while reuniting with family members. The mogul further assured organisers of his support every year through his Bank, First City Monument Bank, FCMB in ensuring the successful hosting of the festival scheduled to herald the Ileya festival of Muslims.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

NICON receives Merit Awards

L-R: Bale of Iragon community, Badagry, Chief Akingbade Akinyemi; National Coordinator, Odua People Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams; representative of Akran of Badagry, Bale of Yafin, Badagry, Chief Abiodun Patinvoh and Nollywood actor/Olokun Festivals ambassador, Yemi Fash-Lanso, during a press conference to announce the beginning of 2015 Olokun Festival, in Lagos, recently. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

FRSC to arrest drivers of over-loaded vehicles OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ederal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, said it has concluded arrangements to commence arrest and prosecution of drivers of articulated vehicles who over-load their trucks. The corps stated that the move was an effort to curb the rising rate of road crashes as well as reduce high traffic on highways nationwide. A statement by spokesman of the commission, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, said FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said this in Abuja yesterday. He stated that inves-

tigation by the corps revealed that most drivers of tankers, especially those who convey wet cargoes such as fuel, gasoline and kerosene, are in the habit of exceeding the axle load capacity of their trucks. Oyeyemi specifically said drivers of 30,000-litre-capacity tankers, most times add firewood and other unnecessary items to highly inflammable substances with the tendency of resulting in fire in the event of a road crash. He added: “The permissible maximum weight (gross weight) on the roads is 32 tons for heavy duty vehicles carrying

two or more axle trailers and axle load not more than 9,600 kilograms (9.66 tons) as stipulated in the Federal Highway Act Cap 135 and regulation 145 (1) of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012. “It therefore means that any trailer carrying 900 bags or 50 kilograms i.e. approximately 45 tons, is loaded beyond the permissible limit. In the same vein, a trailer conveying 45,000 litres of fuel, will weigh about 34 tons, which has also exceeded the permissible weight.” He insisted that this attitude was unacceptable especially in view of the robust partnership which

the corps has built with stakeholders in the haulage and transport sector such as the National Union of Road Transport, NURTW, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO and several other associations to enthrone sanity and decorum in their activities. The FRSC boss has immediately directed its commanding officers and patrol operatives to commence instant nationwide clampdown on overloaded tankers, trucks and motor vehicles, which violate the provisions of section 122 of the National Road Traffic Regulations on lighting system.

Ooni Stool: Lawyers clash over move to exclude Aregbesola BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

awyers to the plaintiff and respondent in the case of the vacant Ooni stool yesterday clashed over move to remove Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as one of the respondents. Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero, had on behalf of Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife, sued Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin and the Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaduola, on the decision to narrow search for the next Ooni of Ife to only the Giesi ruling

house. Appearing before Justice Adepele Ojo of an Osogbo High Court yesterday, lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Abiodun Olaide, told the court that he had filed a motion to exclude the first defendant, Governor Aregbesola, from the case. Though Olaide did not give any reason for the exclusion notice, he, however, told the court that he has right to sue and withdraw the case at any time. He therefore, sought the order of the court to remove the first defendant from the case and allow only the second and third defendants to remain. Responding, counsel to

the first defendant, Barrister Wale Afolabi, opposed the motion to exclude his client from the case. He argued that the plaintiffs could not withdraw from the case without asking for court permission, insisting that it was too late to challenge the declaration of 1979/80 that allowed Giesi to produce the next Ooni. Counsel to the second and third defendants, Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Folorunsho Omisakin and Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola respectively, Mr. Peter Ogunleye, filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case. But Olaide objected

to the oral application made by counsel to the defendant, adding that “the petition challenging the jurisdiction of the court was new and has not been served on him.” He said the oral application made by counsel to the first defendant is frivolous, adding that he should have been reacted formally, since he had been served the motion. Justice Ojo therefore reserved ruling on the argument to remove the first defendant, Governor Aregbesola from the Ooni of Ife chieftaincy matter before the court, till Wednesday.

or the umpteenth time, NICON Insurance Limited received yet another award from the leadership of the League of African Development Students (LEADS Africa), comprising students from various higher institutions of learning across Africa. The Students conferred on the Managing Director of NICON Insurance Limited, Mr. Bayode Samuel, Africa’s Patriotic Personality award and the Corporate Mandate Delivery Merit Award on the Company. While presenting the awards to Mr. Bayode Samuel in Abuja yesterday, the representative of the President General of the LEADS, Comrade Mbatsav Kennedy, extolled the exceptional and exemplary virtues of the Managing Director which endeared him the uncommon honour. According to Mbatsav, the student’s umbrella body in recognition of NICON Insurance’s immeasurable contributions to the sustainability of the insurance industry in the country deems it fit to bestow the dual awards on the company and its leadership. His words “as much as we are quick to condemn executives who are doing badly, we are also swift to commend those who are doing well, and that is the basis of our unified choice of choosing Mr. Bayode Samuel who is on course.” The students’ leader however, reverberated that even though the Managing Director is on course, it does not mean he has arrived yet. The Comrade further urged the NICON boss to do more as more is expected of him. The President emphasized that while many leaders of today have only verbalized Africa’s development, very few have really stood out to demystify germane actions that contribute positively to Africa’s quest for development and attainment of certain global charters such as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN-MDGs) that came to a halt by September 2015. “LEADS shall always be in the vanguard of

projecting and engaging in activities that would bring pride and honour to everyone that is associated with us as members or patrons. We shall find salient areas of partnership with your distinguished personality and this company especially as regards capacity building of students of Africa in germane areas of corporate and socio-political leadership, ICT appreciation and quality assurance advocacy. It is indeed, pertinent to take cognizance that NICON Insurance Limited is leading her contemporaries in Africa in terms of core professionalism, quality assurance, human capacity building, local content and innovation-driven policies. In receiving the dual awards on behalf of himself and the company, the Managing Director expressed immense joy and gratitude to the Student body for finding NICON and himself worthy of such admirable recognition. He reechoed to the body the fact that the mantle of leadership will soon befall them, stating obviously that having spent three decades practicing insurance, his due time is not from the present moment. Assuring the body of his management’s support, the Managing Director said “we have been partnering with students’ bodies for a very longtime now. We have done a lot of academic and social sponsorships for students and as it is customary, we will not relent at this juncture. To buttress the resolve of NICON Insurance Limited to upholding its principle of premium to students’ welfare, the Managing Director reiterated the benefits of the recently introduced Students Welfare Insurance Scheme (SWIS), which is intended to carter for students’ welfare in times of distress as well as the death of sponsor. Apart from the SWIS, the company has also developed Fire and allied peril covers to all Federal Government’s owned schools as the company’s little ways of cutting out to support them when need arises.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

World News What we don’t want is to see individuals coming to our country and claiming our welfare entitlement. –BRITISH CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, GEORGE OSBORNE

hana has suspended seven of 12 High Court judges implicated in allegations of bribery stemming from a documentary made by an investigative journalist. The seven had a case of “misbehaviour” to answer, an official statement said. Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas says he has nearly 500 hours of video evidence on tape, showing judges alleging asking for bribes and demanding sex. Twenty-two lower court judges have also been suspended. Some of the judges have denied the allegations. Mr Anas’ documentary has shocked the nation, and has been shown to packed houses at cinemas in the capital, Accra. The seven are the most senior judges to be suspended so far in what is the biggest corruption scandal to hit Ghana’s judiciary. Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood had established a “prima facie case of stated misbehaviour against them”, the statement by Ghana’s Judicial Council said. An inquiry would now be held to determine whether or not they are guilty, it added. They could be sacked if they are found guilty. The public is keenly following the scandal and it has been the lead story in the local media for almost a month. But people are no longer queuing at cinemas to see Mr Anas’s film - Ghana in the eyes

Ghana suspends High Court judges after Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ film

African govts show improvements but progress ‘stalls’ Thirty-three out of Africa’s 54 countries have shown improvements in the way they are governed over the last four years, research has found. But the researchers behind the Ibrahim Index of African Governance say progress “is stalling”. The index measures changes in development, human rights, security and economic opportunity. Mauritius and Cape Verde are the top-ranked countries, and South Sudan and Somalia are at the bottom of the index. The Sudan-born mobile phone magnate Mo Ibrahim, who funds the research, said that it is hard to make generalisations because “Africa is not a country”, and the research reveals huge differences within the continent.

Over 500 children killed in Yemen conflict, says UN Ghana’s Supreme Court

of God; Epic of Injustice - which is touring the country and had reached the second city, Kumasi, after showing to packed houses in the capital, Accra. This is because a court has, for now, blocked further screenings in the city, following a case brought by one of the implicated judges who says its screening

will prejudice him. The courts resumed sitting this week after a holiday break. But the suspension of judges has meant delays in judgements as their workload is being handed over to colleagues, who are already overburdened. Of the other five High Court judges implicated by the inves-

tigation - two have retired, another two are in court challenging it and one has been cleared as a case of mistaken identity Last month, 22 lower court judges and magistrates were suspended pending the outcome of investigations ordered by the chief justice.

Oscar Pistorius ‘must receive psychotherapy’ onvicted South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been ordered to undergo psychotherapy by a judge-led panel which upheld a decision taken in August to block his release from prison. The treatment should focus on the factors leading to the crime that he committed, an official statement said. Pistorius shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in 2013, saying he mistook her for a burglar. He was convicted of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, last year. The 28-year-old double amputee had hoped to be released in August after a parole board ruled that he could serve the rest of his five-year prison sentence under house arrest. However, Justice Minister Michael Masutha prevented the release, saying the decision had been taken prematurely. At the time of his intervention,

WORLD BULLETIN

Pistorius had been granted parole only six months into his five-year sentence. Mr Masutha argued that the law states that an offender can only be considered for parole after serving one-sixth of his sentence, in this case 10 months. On Monday, a panel, led by

Judge Lucy Mailula, ruled that Mr Masutha had acted correctly. It said the parole board should again consider Pistorius’ request to be placed under house arrest, or correctional supervision. The panel ruled that psychotherapy should be given “even if the offender is, indeed placed un-

der correctional supervision”, the prisons department said in a statement. The offender should “be subjected to psychotherapy in order to address criminogenic factors of the crime he committed,” it said.

“We also have seen two of them, two violations of Turkish airspace,” he said. “Intelligence that we have received provides me with reason to say it doesn’t look like an accident.” The first violation of Turkey’s airspace is reported to have happened Saturday. The second was Sunday, officials said. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg condemns Russia’s incursion into Turkish airspace. Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952, and alliance rules say that an attack on any of the 28-member states should be treated as an attack on all. Stoltenberg said he doubted

that Russia, which has been making airstrikes in Syria, was interested primarily in fighting the terrorist group ISIS, also known as ISIL. “I’m also concerned that Russia is not targeting ISIL but instead attacking the Syrian opposition and civilians,” he said. Turkey and Russia are at odds over the civil war in Syria, with Moscow backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. “I discussed the situation in Syria with (Russian) Foreign Minister (Sergey) Lavrov in New York last week. I urge Russia to play a constructive and cooperative role in the fight against ISIL.

NATO secretary general confirms second Russian violation of Turkish airspace

ATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that the “substantial buildup of Russian forces in Syria” includes “ground troops in connection with the air base they have.” NATO’s secretary general confirmed Tuesday a second incursion by Russian planes into Turkish airspace, condemning the action in strong terms. “Russian combat aircraft have violated Turkish airspace,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, according to NATO’s website. “This is unacceptable.” Stoltenberg elaborated at a news conference.

UNICEF warns some 1.7 million youths at risk of malnutrition as UN human rights body passes resolution on rights probe More than 500 children have been killed in war-torn Yemen since March, the UN children’s agency said on a day the United Nations passed a watered down resolution backed by Saudi Arabia to set up a national inquiry into human rights violations. During the six months since Saudi-led air strikes targeting Iranbacked Houthi rebels began in March to defend exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, at least 505 children have died and 702 have been injured, Christophe Boulierac, spokesman for the UN children’s agency, said on Friday.

Mother of Stoke City’s Diouf killed in Hajj crush The mother of Stoke City footballer Mame Diouf is understood to have died in a stampede during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities put the death toll from last month’s crush near Mecca at 769, but foreign media and officials put the figure at more than 1,000. The club said it wished to extend “sincere condolences” to the player. Stoke said it would provide Diouf with “all the support he needs at this extremely difficult time”. The club said its thoughts and prayers are with the player, his family and friends following “the tragic death of his mother”. The former Manchester United striker and Senegal forward joined Stoke on a free transfer when his Hannover contract expired in July last year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APC vs Dankwambo: Election tribunal reserves ruling Williams Attah, GOMBE

overnorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Gombe yesterday reserved ruling for a later date over the petition filled by the All Progressives Party, APC, governorship candidate, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, against the victory of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the 2015 election. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammad Siraj, said having concluded its session of adoption of final written addresses by counsels from both parties in the matter, it would resume sitting of its final judgement on a date to be fixed by both counsels. Yahaya of APC had challenged the outcome of the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in a petition to the tribunal, alleging that the election was marred by irregularities in six of the 11 local government areas of the state. In an interview with journalists, lead counsel to the petitioner, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), stated that CHANGE OF NAME ORURUO: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. ORURUO GIFTFAVOUR NKEIRU Nee ODEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKECHUKWU GIFTFAVOUR NKEIRU. All former documents remain valid. ENSIEC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANIAKOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANIAKOR OGOCHUKWU THERESA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZOFOR OGOCHUKWU THERESA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGBU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBU IFY JANEANN CHINASA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MADUKWE JANEANN CHINASA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

the allegations outlined in the petition, which include absence of card readers, over-voting and other electoral malpractice as proven in the evidence were substantial enough to dissolve the entire election. But counsel to Governor Dankwambo, Ibrahim Isiyaku (SAN), insisted that there was nothing whatsoever to upset the governorship election as was conducted in the state. According to him, the issue of non-compliance to the Electoral Act as alleged by the petitioner was not substantial enough to affect the election results due to the wide gap in number of votes between his client and the petitioner. On his part, counsel to INEC, Yahaya Dangana, said its position on the content of the petition was that there was no proof with respect to a lot of allegations by the petitioner. He said the allegations were criminal and needed to be proven beyond reasonable doubt. “It is our opinion that the evidence before the tribunal does not prove all of those allegations, as such we say the petition should be dismissed,” he added. CHANGE OF NAME EZE: I, formerly known as MISS. EZE HELEN NKECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UGWOKE HELEN NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, NYSC, and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE JULIANA AMOGE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANEKE JULIAWA AMOGE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANEKE FAUSTINA IFEYINWA NNENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OGBODO FAUSTINA IFEYINWA NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE GOMBE COMMUNITY CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE The general public is hereby notified that the above Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the registration under part of ‘C’ of the Companies and allied matters Act 1990. THE TRUSTEE ARE: 1. Dr. Umar U. Adamu 2. Abubakar Yakubu Gombe 3. Mrs. Jummai H. Tijjani 4. Mohammed W. Abubakar 5. Amina Mohammed

(Chairman) (Secretary/CEO) (Member) (Member) (Member)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To enhance the Capacity of our communities in the area of Humanitarian response. 2. To Build the Community Resilience Capacity Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguyi Ironsi Street Maitama Garki – Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Barr. Sanusi Baba

National Mirror Wednesday, October 7, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Niger govt, youths on warpath over appointment Priscilla Dennis, MINNA

iger State government has insisted that only technocrats will be appointed into its cabinet, just as youths of Niger East Senatorial district condemned the government for allegedly sidelining its zone in political appointments.

Calling for calm, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, however, noted the need for the people to be more concerned about development of the state rather than appointments. The group under the aegis of Gbegnu Boknu Yakwo Youth Association displayed various placards with inscriptions such as ‘We want good govern-

ment’, ‘A Gyar Don Gobe’ (address the issue against tomorrow), ‘Enough is Enough’, ‘Give us real change’, ‘Bring our SSG’, among others, in a protest to Government House. They lamented that appointments made were not in line with the principles of equity and fairness, urging the governor to correct the irregulari-

ford to wish away being what the people who represented the generality of Nigerians sat together to deliberate and packaged. The emir, a former judge of the Federal High Court and Justice of the Appeal Court, said the confab was unlike the country’s constitution that was prepared by the military. The monarch said he was part of the confab and his brother, Professor Agboola Gambari, was leader of delegates from Kwara State, and urged government not to discard the report.

He enjoined Nigerian journalists to help the country by dishing out only the news that would help promote peace. He said the media has the entire world as its constituency because people rely on it for information, which oftentimes are regarded as the gospel truth. On the election of Senate President Bukola Saraki, the emir said his position as head of the National Assembly is the first opportunity Ilorin has to occupy such an enviable position, and called on all and sundry to support him.

Emir urges FG to implement confab report Wole Adedeji, ILORIN

mir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has requested that the reports of last year’s National Conference be passed as a bill by the National Assembly and signed into law by the president. He made the call while addressing journalists in his palace in Ilorin, where he fielded questions on diverse national issues. According to the emir, the report of the confab would be a vital document the country could not afCHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olajiga Eniola Bosede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Awoleye Eniola Bosede Anthonia. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB,LGEA Ikere,EKSU and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abolarinwa Omolade Justina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebiyi Omolade Justina. All former documents remain valid.,Authority of Moba Local Government, Ekiti State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MUOZOBA : Formerly known as Miss Muozoba Chinelo Lilian, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Okoyeh Chinelo Lilian. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ATTAH: I, formerly known as MISS. ATTAH NWAKEGO PATIENCE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NGWOKE BLESSING PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZUGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZUGWU VIVIAN UKAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONAH VIVIAN UKAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. ESUT, NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UZOEZIE: I, formerly known as, MISS. UZOEZIE BERNADINE ONYINYECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IKPA BERNADINE ONYINYECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Christianah Ebun Ademiluyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fagbamigbe Christianah Ebun. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Universal Basic Education,Ise/ Orun Local Government Education Authority,Ise-Ekiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME BABALOLA: I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWATOSIN ABENI BABALOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUWATOSIN ABENI OBAYEMI as a result of my marriage to BASHIRU OBAYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ties. Chairman of the group, Comrade Danjuma Paiko, said people of the senatorial district were unhappy with appointments made by the governor, especially Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and the recent redistribution of permanent secretaries in the state. He said the zone has not been treated well despite the huge votes it gave during the elections, and called on the government, as a matter of urgency, to consider the plight of its people by re-addressing all anomalies before the local government elections. Reacting on behalf of his principal, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Dooba, stated that only technocrats with adequate mettle for work and competence will be considered. Dooba called for patience, saying a list of advisers have been drawn by the governor and that names of commissioners will soon be announced. Though the governor was absent during the protest, some state officials were present outside the Government House to address the protesters.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Ogunjobi Toyin Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwajobi Toyin Sunday. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKALI : Formerly known as Miss Okali Mary Ifunanya, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Nwafor Mary Ifunanya. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME MBAH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MBAH NNENNA LUCINA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONYENKWELU CHISOM LUCINA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ATU: I, formerly known as, MISS. ATU IJEOMA EVELYN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANIMBA IJEOMA EVELYN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Mr Iseghohimen Usiahon Tydeus, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Omonkor Usiahon Tydeus. All Former documents remain valid. Ekiti state HMB, IMLSCN and general public to take.note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omodara Oluwakemi Olanike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. DurosinmiOmodara Oluwakemi Olanike. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME JONES: I, formerly known and addressed as SAMUEL JONES EDETAN now wish to be known and addressed as OXFORD SUMMER. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AGBARAKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBARAKWE SUNDAY IFEOMA DORIS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OHADUGHA DORIS IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nig. Plc and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ORAKWE: I, formerly known as, MISS. ORAKWE OGOCHUKWU REBECCA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGHUTA OGOCHUKWU REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omoniyi Aina Oluwafunmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adarabierin Aina Oluwafunmilayo. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service commission (TESCOM),Ekiti State and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME IBEH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. IBEH PERPETUAL OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NGALOME PERPETUAL OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME EZEUGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZEUGWU NKECHI ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EZEUGWU NKECHINYERE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Defence, Diamond Bank and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Samuel Deborah Ohunene, now wish to be know and addressed as Mrs. Abdulazeez Deborah Ohunene. All former documents remain valid and general public note.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Olubunmi Grace, now to be addressed as Mrs. Olasunkanmi Olubunmi Grace. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Known as Miss. Ladoja Kuburat Titilayo, now to be addressed as Mrs. Ikulayo Kuburat Titilayo. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

Formerly known adressed as Miss Ogbonnaya Mary Onyekachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oscar Onyekachi Mary. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Moses Shulammite Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jonadab Obidiya Shulammite. All former documents remain valid. general public take note .

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinyemi Motunrayo Remi , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeoye Motunrayo Remi. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State TESCOM and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Lapite Aderonke Adesola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunyade Aderonke Adesola. All former documents remain valid. Ogun state SUBEB and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dinyo Rebecca Omowumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayodele Syndarella Omowumi. All former documents remain valid, SUSBEB ,Ondo State ,Ondo west local Govt. Education authority and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Umunnabuike Martins, now wish to be known and addressed as Ikechukwu Micheal. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Phemmy Puty, now wish to be known and addressed as Michael Babafemi Owoputi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Oluwakemi Oluwasola Agunbiade, Now wishes to be known and addressed as Ike Nwadiani. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as EKERE, UGOCHI CHITURU , now wish to be known and addressed as OBOT, UGOCHI CHITURU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFERMATION OF NAME

THIS IS TO CONFIRM THAT THOMAS JOHN EBUKA IS THE SAME PERSON AS ONWUKA EBUKA JOHN NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONWUKA EBUKA JOHN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. General PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olatunji Felicia Ayoka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeyanju Felicia Ayoka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olaniran Kabirah Olajumoke, now wish to be known and called as Mrs Adeyinka Kabirah Olaniran. All former documents remain valid, Obafemi Awolowo University IleIfe,NYSC and general public should please take note .

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Jimoh Seri Ruth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olaseha Seri Ruth. All former documents remain valid. Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Uzoigwe Ogechukwu Lucy, now wish to be known and addressed as Lucy Ogechukwu Anuo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME “ALABI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alabi Tinukemi Margaret, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaoye Tinukemi Margaret. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.”

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adeigbe Olajumoke Abibat, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sanusi Olajumoke Abibat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Faluro Omolade Temitope, Now Mrs Oladele Omolade Temitope. All Former Documents Remain Valid (NYSC) And General Public Should Take Note.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE EAGLE’S FOUNDATION FOR HUMANITY This is to inform the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the part “C” of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Board of Trustees 1.Anifowoshe Titilope Tawakalt 2. Barr. Bola A Suleiman

Aims and Objectives .To inculcate culture of creativity and ‘I can do it spirit’ into the minds of Nigerian youths. .To engage students from secondary to tertiary education on regular career talks and talents development. .To engage in youth advocacy and enlightenment services. .To inspire lifelong learning and vocational training that will strengthen communities.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME LAWAL: Formerly known and addressed as MISS LAWAL ELIZABETH RANTI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ATOBILOYE RANTI LAWAL. All documents, records and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. Kogi State Polytechnic, NYSC and General public should take note.

EVELYN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS EVELYN INAWO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EVELYN ARIMIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dimgba Rita Nwankaego, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chinweuba Rita Nwankaego. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okolie Chioma Lilian now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mbadiugha Chioma Lilian. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Mr Adekunle. A. Ademoye, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mr. Ademoye Adekunle Keshinro. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLANIYAN ELIZABETH OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FAGBIRE ELIZABETH OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as SULAIMAN ALFA, henceforth wish to be called SULEIMAN ALFA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Bida and the general public please take note.

Formerly called and addressed as Miss Abdul Raimi Mujidat, now wish to be called and known as Mrs. Oladele Mujidat Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Sangowale Oladunni Alabi now wish to be known and addressed as Olabode Oladunni Alabi. All former documents remain valid general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladunjoye Dupe Victoria now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs AyodeleJoseph Dupe Victoria all former documents remain valid general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MISS TIJANI FATIMAT ADEWUMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ABDULAZEEZ TIJANI FATIMAT. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS JIMOH LATEEFAT IYABO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ALAGBE ABIDEMI IYABO. All former documents remain valid. Lautech Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho and general public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluniran Funmilayo Grace Abimbola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Iyaomolere Funmilayo Grace Abimbola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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That on some of my documents, my names appear as Andre Emmanuel Ifeoluwa Adeyemi while on my other documents, it appears as Emmanuel Ifeoluwa Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE FAVOURED BROTHERS CLUB II OF NIGERIA

INTERCESSION PRAISE AND HELPS MINISTRY

The General public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

Trustees are:

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Onyenwigwe Ikechukwu Emmanuel 2. Ezeh Kodichinma Martins 3. Osuji Ikechukwu Everestus

Aims and Objectives:

1. Minister Patricia Jenfa Olatunji 2. Pastor Oladejo Oyeyiola 3. Pastor Abayomi Idowu 4. Mrs Juliana Idah 5. Miss Jemima Jenfa 6. Mrs. Mojisola Ogunkanmi -

- Chairman/Chairperson Vice Chairman Project Director Administrator PRO Financial Controller

To assist members to fulfil their destiny. To promote unity among individual members and groups within the organization To work in such a way as to affect our generation positively.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission. Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maritama, Abuja, within 28days of this Publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral of the Corporate Affairs Commission. Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maritama, Abuja, within 28days of this Publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar -General, Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), P.M.B. 198, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed by 1.Anifowoshe Titilope Tawakalt (CEO)

Signed: President

SIGNED:

1. To reach out to the underprivileged people in Nigeria 2. To empower these people with small scale businesses 3. To ensure that these people have better quality of lives

Wednesday October 7, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

I have had downturn to be sure. But I have not allowed the situation to kill my spirit to bounce back

Messi gets tax relief, dad faces jail

– Swansea striker, Michu

Enyeama

Crisis hits Eagles camp ...as NFF unleashes security on Enyeama in Belgium

he simmering problem in the camp of the Super Eagles between coach Sunday Oliseh and captain Vincent Enyeama boiled over on Tuesday when the goalkeeper was kicked out of the team;s hotel. Enyeama arrived camp after Monday’s deadline, having been permitted to report late following Saturday’s burial of his mother in Akwa Ibom. A month ago, the goalkeeper failed to report to camp in Abuja for the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania, only for news to break that he had lost his mother. However, it seems there will be no way back for him now as he was kicked out by security on Tuesday from the Verviers Hotel. Officials in the Super Eagles camp said that Ahmed Musa has now been named as captain ahead of returnee John Obi Mikel. We also learnt that Oliseh was unnerved by the decision of Victor Moses not to come for the game and that the winger might not be called up again in his reign.

Toyin Ibitoye, Super Eagles spokesman who is awaiting issuance of visa to join the squad in Belgium, said he was not yet aware of the developments. “The last I heard was that Enyeama had arrived camp earlier in the day, I cannot speak about further developments because I am not aware,” he said. The latest news that we have heard is that officials of the NFF are trying to help bring a positive conclusion to the situation at hand.

Musa

CHAN: Eagles’ B Team P’Harcourt camp bubbles

uper Eagles B Team commenced training yesterday ahead of this month’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Burkina Faso. The team, camped at the Presidential Hotel and exclusively made up of homebased footballers began training at 9:30am with 19 invitees, while the second got underway at 3:30pm. Both sessions held at the Shell club, Port Harcourt. Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf, is taking charge while Coach Sunday Oliseh and others prosecute the two friendlies in Belgium. Warri Wolves attacker, Gbolahan Salami, was the latest to arrive on Monday night. Two players still being expected

are midfielders Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba) and Ifeanyi Matthew (El-Kanemi Warriors). Both players were, however, expected to hit camp last night. Team Coordinator, Pascal Patrick, said the spirit in camp was quite high as the boys look to win shirts for the first leg encounter against the Stallions at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium on Sunday, October 18. Victory for the Eagles against the Stallions over two legs (the second leg comes up in Burkina Faso on the weekend of October 23-25) will see them qualify for the final tournament in Rwanda, scheduled to kick-off on January 16, 2016.

Sports

Messi gets tax relief,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday October 7, 2015

dad faces jail P

rosecutors in Spain have dropped tax charges against Argentina and Barcelona footballer, Lionel Messi, but will pursue a case against the star’s father. If convicted, Jorge Messi faces 18 months in prison and a 2m Euro fine. Both Messi and his father were accused of defrauding Spanish authorities of more than 4m euro (£3.1m; $5m). Prosecutors allege that Jorge avoiding paying tax on his son’s earnings by using offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay between 2007 and 2009. Messi’s lawyers argued that the player had “never devoted a minute of his life to reading, studying or analys-

ing” the contracts, El Pais newspaper reported. The high court in Barcelona ruled in June that Messi should not be granted immunity for not knowing what was happening with his finances, which were being managed in part by his father. But the player, regarded as one of the best in the history of the game, will no longer face charges. The income related to Messi’s image rights, including contracts with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter and Gamble and the Kuwait Food Company. Messi and his father made a voluntary 5m euro “corrective paym

Messi

Russia 2018 qualifiers kick-off in Africa ...as South Sudan makes W/Cup debut S outh Sudan will make their World Cup debut today at the start of Africa’s campaign to find five teams to represent the continent at the World Cup in Russia in 2018. The preliminaries, involving 53 of the 54 African footballplaying countries, begin on the

holiday island of Mahe this afternoon when the Seychelles, the continent’s smallest nation, host Burundi in the first leg of their knockout round tie. Juba, capital of the world’s

youngest country, will mark its first World Cup game just over an hour later when South Sudan, who last month recorded a first victory in a competitive international when they beat Equato-

rial Guinea in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, host Mauritania in the first leg of their tie. Also today, Mauritius host Kenya in Bellevue and Tanzania

Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere (5th left) after unveiling the Official Mascot of Imo 2015 34th Edition of the Federation of Public Service Games at the Government House, Owerri, recently. He is flanked on his left by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir. Jude Ejiogu and President of FEPSGA, Mr. Dahiru Hassan (on his left) and other officials.

take on neighbours Malawi in Dar-es-Salaam. South Sudan, coached by South Korean Lee Sung-jea, will be trying to make an impact despite a lack of resources or playing experience. “There is no one who plays in Europe or even from (a club in) north Africa. We do not have any player who is famous but we have kept improving,” said Lee in a recent interview. There are a total of 13 ties in the preliminary round with the aggregate winners advancing to join the top 27 ranked countries in another two-legged knockout round next month. None of the preliminary round nations are expected to qualify for the finals and for half of them their World Cup adventure will end in a matter of days.

President Savir Kir of South Sudan

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday October 7, 2015

Midweek League with PAUL EREWUBA 08032138738

Table

Glo League title race heads to the wire

he race for the 2014/2015 Glo Premier League title race heads to the wire after leaders Enyimba slipped over the weekend at Heartland with Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists still within striking distance of the coveted top prize. Six-time champions, Enyimba, remain on top of the table with 58 points from 32 matches, while Wolves are second with 55 points with Wikki Tourists and Sunshine Stars third and fourth

with 54 and 53 points respectively. Wolves and Wikki are the biggest threats to Enyimba’s ambition to winning a seventh crown with their massive away results. Though, the Aba Elephant are still in pole position to be champions again, the championship could well be decided on the final day of the season. The Aba-based outfit have already won the league title six times - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010 - and look good to clinching

their seventh title this season, while Wolves and Wilki are seeking their first-ever Nigeria Premier League title, same as Sunshine Stars, who blew their chances to hold on to the top with a poor run of results at home when it mattered most. Wikki have the trio of Victor Yakubu, Mubarak Umar and Uche Martins to rely on with experienced goalkeeper Paul Godwin as well as the hard working coach Abdul Maikaba. Enyimba have qua

lity on the bench with coach Kadiri Ikhana back at the helm and also a squad which boasts of the likes of Kingsley Sokari, Andrew Abalogu, Chinedu Udoji and Femi Thomas. But their remaining fixtures include a tricky road trip to Sunshine Stars on the final day of the campaign as well as a home game against closest rivals Warri Wolves. Wolves, on the other hand, have proved to be consistent title contenders with players

like Gbolahan Salami (13 goals), Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Ichul Lordson for them to count on. At the other end of the table, bottom team Bayelsa United with 30 points and FC Taraba, also on 30 points, seem doomed for relegation. Two other clubs will join them in the Nigeria National League - Kwara United, Dolphins, Sharks, Akwa United and Lobi Stars are still hovering around the drop zone for anyone to certify them safe.

LMC charges four clubs, six referees

our Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have been charged by the League Management Company (LMC) for

Dikko

various breaches bothering on failure to provide adequate security and unacceptable supporters behavior, even as match officials involved in three of the

ten games of Match Day 32 also received queries. The Chairman of Heartland FC Supporters Club, Iyke Jacob was handed a six match ban for acts of intimidation and harassment of Referees. In the same vein, Nasarawa United, Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Heartland FC were fined minimum of half a million Naira as the LMC exercised Summary Jurisdiction after thorough investigation of reported crowd incidences during the matches involving the four sides. In the various notices of Summary Jurisdiction signed by the LMC Chief Operating

Officer, Salihu Abubakar and sent to the clubs, they were issued the statutory 48 hours notice to submit to the decisions of the LMC or indicate in written response a choice to appear before a panel. Giwa FC as hosts of the fixture against Kano Pillars were cited for breach of Article C1 and B15.16 and consequently fined N500, 000 and N250, 000. For the unruly behavior of their fans which Article B15.16 makes clear is a responsibility of the club, Giwa FC was fined N500, 000 while another fine of N250, 000 was imposed on the

club for failure to ensure adequate security at match venue. Recalling that Giwa FC had been cautioned after Match Day 1 against Abia Warriors for similar breach, the club was issued a final warning failing which it will be subjected to a stadium ban to supporters and or relocated to a neutral venue. Nasarawa United was also cited for unruly conduct of their fans in the match against Lobi Stars, fined N500, 000 and warned against a repeat which will lead to stadium ban to supporters and relocation to neutral venue.

Teams

Enyimba

Wolves

Wikki

Sunshine

Giwa

Nasarawa

Heartland

Abia

Pillars

3SC

IfeanyiUbah

Rangers

El-Kanemi

Lobi

Akwa

Sharks

Dolphins

Kwara

Taraba

Bayelsa

Bosso dreams continental with Warriors

espite a seeming unrealistic chance of finishing in the top-three of the 2014/15 Glo Premier League, Abia Warriors coach, Ladan Boss, has said he was confident his team will end the season on a bright note, by securing a continental ticket. Bosso, whose side narrowly missed out of a top-three finish last season, drew 3-3 at home in a tightly-contested oriental derby, with regional neighbours, Rangers International of Enugu on Sunday, a result many believe has shut out the Umuahiabased team from the continental ticket bracket for the best three teams on the log. But the former national U-20 coach insists that there could still be some permutations that can see his team attain their set target of picking a ticket to play on the continent in the coming season. “We still have a realistic target and that has been our focus from the beginning of the season. We have six games to play before the season ends. Three of the games are away, while the remaining three are in Umuahia. I am sure we can still get there, if we win at least two away games, and secure victories in all three of our home games,” Bosso began with his calculations that can be considered feasible given their performances so far on the road with just one win on the road, a 1-0 defeat of Heartland in April.

WORLD RECORD

Most cosmetic procedures Vol. 05 No. 1215

N150

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Cindy Jackson (USA) has spent $99,600 (£53,148) on 47 cosmetic procedures, including nine full-scale surgical operations since 1988.

Nigeria: Rich country, poor people

ast week, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, celebrated her 55th Independence Anniversary. While there were many reasons for such celebration, for example, still being a united country, there are also contestable reasons not to have celebrated, for example the state of the economy. Salaries have not been paid in many states up till now and the exchange rate of the Naira to the US$ is at an all-time high (N1:$225). The founding fathers of the country had greater expectations. They would be saddened at its current state of affairs. Africa’s largest country, with a population of over 170 million, would have been at the brink of bankruptcy if it were a privately run company. With all the talk about empty treasuries, both at the feder-

Guest Columnist

al and state levels, it becomes imperative to ask whether Nigeria is rich and if the objective material position of the people is commensurate with her wealth. To get an insight into the wealth of Nigeria, it is important to look at its annual budgets and statutory allocations to all the three tiers of government; poverty level; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita GDP. In April 2015, the International Monetary Fund published the 2014 figures for its 187 member nations. Also, the World Bank provided similar statistics for the 193 members of the United Nations. China was ranked number one by both institutions, with a GDP of about $18 trillion, while the United States was ranked second with approximately $17.4 trillion. Nigeria, with a little over $1 trillion GDP, was ranked 21st by the IMF and 20th by the World Bank. Ghana and South Africa were ranked 79th and 29th respectively by both institutions. However, these two countries attract more direct foreign investments than Nigeria. A related term to GDP is per capita GDP, which is a measurement of how prosperous a country feels to each of its citizens. The per capita GDP shows the relative performance of the countries, and it used to compare the prosperity of countries with different population sizes. Nigeria’s current per capita GDP, using a population of 170 million, is $3,187.5 ($510 billion GDP of 2013).

Kargbo hangs Leone Stars’ boots

ormer Sierra Leone captain, Ibrahim Kargbo, has retired from international football with immediate effect. According to BBC Sport, the 33-year-old defender, who is playing for English non-

Alex O. Atawa Akpodiete

league side, Thamesmead, says his decision relates to his indefinite international ban. He made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone against Ghana in 2000 in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in Accra and took over the Leone Stars

OIL MAY HAVE BEEN THE BANE OF OUR

DEVELOPMENT, BUT WHAT ELSE ARE WE NOT DOING RIGHT?

According to the World Bank, the 2013 per capita GDP for South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are $6,617.91, $3,314.46 and $505.05 respectively. Nigeria’s annual budget has been hovering above N4 trillion in the past five years. For example, the total budget for the 2014 fiscal year was N4.962 trillion, while it was N4.749 trillion in 2012. In 2011 it was N4.2 trillion and in 2010 N4.4 trillion. By these figures Nigeria can be presented as a rich country. In fact, in his pre-election speech at Chatam House, London, President Muhammadu Buhari had this to say: “After the rebasing exercise in April 2014, Nigeria overtook South Africa as Africa’s largest economy. Our GDP is now valued at $510 billion and our economy rated 26th in the world. Also on the bright side, inflation has been kept at single digit for a while and our economy has grown at an average of 7 percent for about a decade.” On the monthly allocations for the three tiers of government - federal, state, local - over N3 trillion has been shared among them by the Federation Account

Allocation Committee (FAAC) since the beginning of this year. For example, in May 2015 the three tiers of government shared among them N409 billion (FG got N151.805 billion; states N76.998 billion and local governments N59.362 billion. Comparatively, N581.498 billion was shared in January 2014; N715.8 billion in July 2013, and N1.014 trillion for June 2013. The largest amount shared to date was N1.3 trillion for June 2011. This fell to N518.5 billion in June 2015. The figures are insightful. Many nations are not blessed like Nigeria. As I have travelled to various parts of the world, I am even more convinced that Nigeria is a very rich country. Unfortunately, however, the average Nigerian is poor and does not enjoy the wealth of the country. It is very sad, indeed. This is 101 years post-amalgamation and 55 years post-independence; we can all agree that our development does not reflect that of a man who is 55 years old, and definitely not that of a 101 year old man. Given all this wealth, it is inexplicable that we have so much poverty in the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2010 Report, the poverty level of the country is 69 percent. Using a conservative population estimate of 160 million Nigerians, it means that 113.6 million Nigerians are extremely poor. No one will argue that the primary population still survives on less than US$2 per day. Yes, oil may have been the bane of our development, but what else are we not doing right? When you run a mono-product economy, you are doomed to failure when anything adverse happens to that commodity. A country’s leadership must make sure that its wealth trickles down to the citizenry. If it does not, that leadership has failed. What shall we be celebrating at 56? Atawa-Akpodiete, a public affairs analyst, wrote from United States via Profatawa@gmail.com

Sport Extra captaincy 10 years later after former Inter Milan and Monaco striker, Mohamed Kallon, relinquished the position. Kargbo was suspended by the Sierra Leone Football Association over allegations of match-fixing over a year ago.

“The feeling and emotion are longer there, so I’m moving on with my life,” Kargbo told BBC Sport. He was banned alongside Ibrahim Koroma, Samuel Barlay and Christian Caulker - all four accused of attempt-

ing to fix a 2010 World Cup qualifier against South Africa in Pretoria in June 2008. The quartet have protested their innocence and Kargbo is angry that he has not been cleared by an investigation.

Kargbo

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