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NEITI boss seeks reduction in 445,000pd domestic crude allocation

Court grants Dasuki’s request to travel abroad for treatment P.6

NNPC replaces Offshore Processing Arrangement CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

Kachikwu

Vol. 5 N0. 1236

ut-going Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extrac-

tive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed yesterday urged the Federal Government to reduce Domestic Crude Alloca-

Wednesday, November 4 , 2015

tion, DCA, to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to the refining capacity of the refineries. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Some ministers’ll have no portfolios, Buhari insists ...as Saraki submits list

GEORGE OJI AND OMEIZA AJAYI

he cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari is now set to take off following the submission of the list of confirmed ministerial nominees to him by Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Saraki’s action came amidst controversy over plans by Buhari to appoint some ministers without giving them portfolios. Buhari, who com-

PDP senators still oppose Amaechi’s confirmation

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

MTN pays $94.2m to renew operating licence amidst crisis P.4

We’re helpless over Lagos-Ibadan Expressway logjam –FERMA P.9

An Ebola survivor and staff of First Consultant Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Ada Igonoh flanked by World Health Organisation, Centre of Disease Control and LA County representatives, after the successful birth of an ‘Ebola-Free Child’ in California, US.

PDP, APC lavished N11.66bn on 2015 election campaigns –CSO Calls for penalties against spending above ceiling N1.2bn fraud: FG files fresh charges against Oronsaye, others

P.5 P.6

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Some ministers’ll have no portfolios, Buhari insists CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

mended the Senate president for the prompt attention given the ministerial list, insisted that some of the ministers would not be allocated portfolios. The president, restating his earlier position on why he had to appoint 36 ministers said: “If

I can remember, there must be a member from each of the 36 states. That was why I limited the number of my nominees to that number, 36.” However, he defended his position on appointing ministers without portfolios, saying while the constitution gives him the latitude to ap-

point a member of cabinet rank from all the states of the federation, it never made it mandatory for him to operate with 36 ministries. “I will explain that details. Because of the economic imperative, to have a lot of ministers, substantive ministers, let me put it that way,

whatever somebody speculated in some of today’s newspapers, I think that the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months, that we are so much battered. Although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors,” he stated.

According to him, any investor interested in Nigeria would seem to know more about the economy more than ourselves. “So, when I come and tell the truth about the position of the economy of the country, I am going out looking for investors. But I am confirm-

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), receiving the list of screened and confirmed Minister designates from the Senate President Bukola Saraki, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

NEITI boss seeks reduction in 445,000pd domestic crude allocation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

NNPC currently receives 445,000barrels per day for domestic refining, but with three out of the four refineries not operational, most of the crude are send out on offshore processing deals. NNPC in its September operational and financial report revealed that only the Port Harcourt Refinery was in operation and was producing at 4.15 percent. Mrs. Ahmed, a minister designate, said during her valedictory session with journalists in Abuja that reducing the volume of DCA would encourage the refineries to improve their capacity and also eliminate wastages in the system.

She said: “First we need to address the issue of domestic crude allocation to the NNPC. The domestic crude is supposed to be used by local refineries but our refineries over time have been operating quite below their capacity. “There might have been a little improvement but still far from their installed capacity, still below 30 percent and the national oil company ends up going into swap processing agreement sending our crude oil out of country so that we can have refined products. “My advice, which NEITI has been recommending is that we should reduce domestic crude allocation to

NNPC. We have said over time that will serve as incentive for refineries to actually improve their capacity because of the crude allocated about 20-30 percent are refined and about 35 percent are export on NNPC accounts. “So we have to reduce allocation to NNPC refining capacity plus a small margin, it would encourage more capacity development for the refineries.” Ahmed whose five year tenure as NEITI boss was due to end by the middle of this month, explained that “in the past the revenue from the sale of this domestic crude oil has served as a major means of fi-

nancing operations, if we reduce that it means NNPC will have to look at some other ways to finance its operation and it will make them more efficient.” While thanking NEITI staff for their support during her time at the agency, she said under her leadership NEITI conducted audits of the oil and gas sector for 2006-2008, 2009-2011, 2012 and 2013. NEITI also conducted audits of the solid mineral sector for 2007-2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Also the agency conducted first fiscal allocation and statutory disbursement audit covering the period 2007-2011. Ahmed, who handed

over the affairs of the agency to Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, in acting capacity, expressed optimism that the Federal Government would speedily reconstitute its board to avoid Nigeria’s suspension from the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI, by December 31. Meanwhile, in a major move, designed to enshrine transparency and eliminate the activities of middlemen in the crude oil exchange for product matrix, NNPC yesterday announced the replacement of the Offshore Processing Arrangement, OPA option in preference for the more efficient Direct CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

ing to them that we are truthful, that we need them to come and help us help ourselves by getting in industries, manufacturing and services. “They know our needs. The economy of human resources, I believe, will make them eventually come and help us,” he added. Earlier, Saraki said the Senate had since Thursday finished the screening of the last batch of the ministers, but had to wait for yesterday’s vote of proceedings before forwarding the report. On why the Senate delayed the confirmation of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, he said the issue was all part of political maneuvering. “You noticed that in some cases, we delayed the number of one or two, it is all part of politics, of behind the scene, but at the end of the day, we finished with them; that is all about give and take and eventually I am happy with what the senators have done,” he explained. Saraki added that the Senate has now laid a foundation for the government to fully take off. “The entire 108 senators, we have done a good job and I believe we have laid the platform for the government to fully take off. “On the concern of possible ministers without portfolio, well I think before, you had ministers of state in the past, I don’t think there is anything new, there was minister for special duties, which really didn’t have portfolio. “I think the key issue is being in cabinet, it is being part of government and those that would have the responsibilities of ministering are those that at the end of the day would do that. “So, minister of state is not new. We had it before, if you remember that very well. Honestly I believe we need to move away from the small issues and begin to focus on the major issues. I think the country presently now is at a very tryCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Photo News

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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L-R: Director, Amnesty International, Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim; Researcher, Business and Human Rights, Mr. Mark Dummett and Campaigner and Human Rights Advocate, Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development, Mr .Okon Emmanuel, during a Press Conference on Oil Spill, Devastating Impact on the Fields, Forests and Fisheries in the Niger Delta, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Peace Mass Transit (PMT) drivers undergoing free eye test and treatment by the PMT Management in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Director, Integrated Resource Efficiency and Environmental Management for Sustainability (IREEMS) Ltd, Dr Waleed Montasser; Principal Consultant, Asset Management Maintenance Strategy, Mr Chidi Umeano and Principal Consultant, Ora Egbunike and Associates, Mr Malik Egbunike, at Asset and Waste Management Summit in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Former Secretary-General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Mr. Olabanji Oladapo; Director-General, National Sports Commission, Malam Alhassan Yakmut and President of NOC, Alhaji Habu Gumel, at the Inauguration of Nigeria House Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

National News Isaiah Erhiawarien with agency report

arely 24 hours after de-listing its shares from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, JSE, MTN Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s telecommunications service provider, took a major step targeted at assuaging the feelings of the county’s authorities over pending sanctions on it by paying $94.2m to renew its operating spectrum and extended the operating licence to 2021. The telco is currently engaging the Nigerian government in discussions over the $5.2bn (about N1.4trn) fine recently imposed on it by the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, the industry regulator, over its failure to disconnect unregistered users. The company, in a statement yesterday hinted that it received confirmation from the regulator that its operating spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands had been renewed.

MTN pays $94.2m to renew operating licence, fate still uncertain

MTN’s operating spectrum and its digital mobile licence were issued in 2001, and both were due to expire in February 2016. Both have now been extended to 31 August, 2021, the telecoms operator said. Reacting to the development, MTN’s Corporate Affairs Executive, Akinwale Goodluck, stated that the company viewed the extension as a demonstration of confidence in its capacity to continue to provide ground-breaking and innovative services to customers. Shares in MTN, which earns 37 per cent of its revenue from Nigeria, had dropped 25 per cent since the N1.04trn fine was announced last week, and South Africa’s bourse on Monday suspended trading in its stock for a few hours. The firm’s shares recovered somewhat in early trade on the stock exchange

advancing 0.9 per cent to 149.50 rand yesterday. Meanwhile, facts have emerged that the abduction of former Finance Minister and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, may have been one of the factors that led to the imposition of the fine on the company. According to a post from Johannesburg, South Africa, by Matthew Davies,

BBC’s Africa Business Report editor, security operatives discovered that abductors of the former SGF used unregistered MTN SIM to communicate with his family. The reporter claimed the Federal Government finally ran out of patience with the mobile phone operator after repeated warnings that it deactivate unregistered SIM cards failed, although MTN Nigeria publicly stat-

ed that it had ‘complied’ with the NCC directive by deactivating over five million unregistered SIM cards from its network. It was however learnt that efforts by Chief Executive, Sifiso Dabengwa, who was in charge of the Nigerian operations before taking up the top job, failed to secure negotiate for reduction of the fine. The Federal Government was said to have re-

jected the plea from the company, insisting that MTN Nigeria pay the fine. Reacting to the suspension of trading on the stocks of MTN at the South Africa’s bourse, Afrifocus Securities portfolio manager, Ferdi Heyneke, explained that “there has been some speculation that the company has agreed to pay the fine, but we really want to hear it from the company itself.”

44 companies sue FIRS over N1.1bn excess stamp duties

orty-four insurance companies have dragged the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to the Tax Appeal Tribunal to seek refund of N1.1bn excess stamp duties. The companies alleged that they were made to pay the excess stamp duties on their respective statements of increase in their share capitals.

They urged the tribunal to direct FIRS to pay them the excess stamp duties and compounded interest at the rate of 20 per cent per annum from January 2003 until date of judgment. The plaintiffs also urged the tribunal to order FIRS to pay compounded interest of 10 per cent from the date of judgment until all excess

were refunded. Meanwhile, FIRS has said that its action was lawful and in accordance with Section 21, CAP 8 of the Stamp Duties Act. FIRS said the allegations by the companies were incorrect, adding that the plaintiffs’ suit was time barred because it had exceeded the 21 days prescribed by law for them to appeal.

It, therefore, urged the tribunal to strike out the appeal for lack of merit. When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to the insurance companies, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, closed his case. Also, counsel to FIRS, Bolanle Oniyangi, applied for a date to enable her field the defence witnesses.

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Wednesday, November 4 , 2015

PDP, APC lavished N11.66bn on 2015 election campaigns –CSO OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

n Abuja-based civil society organisation, Centre for Social Justice, CJS, has said that the two major political parties, All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, spent a whopping N11.6bn on the 2015 presidential election campaigns. Lead Director, CSJ, Mr. Eze Onyekpere gave the statistics while releasing a report on campaign finance and the use of state administrative resources in the 2015 presidential election. According to him, out of the N11.66bn, PDP spent the highest amount with N8.75bn, representing 75 per cent, while APC spent N2.91bn on its presidential candidate. Onyekpere however, stated that the N11.6bn is the amount that can be empirically verified by the group, stressing there were other expenses incurred in the course of the campaigns by the two political parties that could not be ascertained. Giving a breakdown of the amount spent, he said PDP spent N1.28bn on campaigns and rallies while APC spent N671.06m.

For billboards, he said PDP spent N473.16m, APC N190.38m; while N532.1m and N410m was spent by the PDP and APC respectively on electronic media campaign. Other campaign expenses are electronic media advertisement where PDP spent N3.98bn and APC N1.06bn; print media campaign which saw PDP spending N2.47bn and APC N579.6m. The amount spent by both parties according to the group was higher than the N1bn ceiling fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for presidential candidates. However, Onyekpere said from their analysis, there were evidence which showed that the ceiling of N1bn for candidates to finance presidential election would not be enough and should be reviewed to about N5bn. “The failure of INEC to delimit the amount of money an individual or organization can donate to a political party was also an issue in the election. This provided a leeway for an open regime on donations to the parties. “The ceiling of N1bn for candidates in a presidential election should be upwardly reviewed

NEITI boss seeks reduction in 445,000pd domestic crude allocation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Sale-Direct Purchase, DSDP, alternative. This is expected to allow for the direct sale of crude oil by NNPC as well as direct purchase of petroleum products from credible international Refineries. The Corporation in a statement signed by its Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, explained that it came to this informed position after the evaluation exercise of pre-qualified bidders revealed that most of the 44 companies earlier shortlisted for the next stage of the tender process only had affiliations to refineries abroad a situation which introduces toll on the value chain.

The Corporation stated that if allowed to subsist, the development would in turn constitute a significant value loss to the Federation by way of accruals. “In this regard, only bona fide owners of Refineries identified in the ongoing OPA Tender Evaluation process will be further engaged. “The identified Refineries will be subjected to due diligence and analysis by NNPC appointed consultants to confirm suitability in line with International best practice,” the Corporation said. NNPC noted that the call for commercial bids issued to the 44 shortlisted bidders made up of 34 international firms and 10 indigenous companies have been withdrawn.

to N5bn. This is based on observed and necessary expenses to mount a viable campaign for the presidency. “The review to N5bn should not be contained in the body of the Electoral Act. Rather, the Act should be amended and the power to determine the ceiling across all the elections given to INEC,”

he stated. The group in the report recommended that penalties for spending in excess of the ceiling should be increased to not less than a fine of 50 per cent of the value of the excess expenditure to serve as a deterrent to such act. He also advocated that the terms of imprisonment be increased to not

less than two years and a debarment from participation in politics for a period of two years. The report also recommended that donations to candidates and political parties should be made tax deductible up to a maximum limit of N1m ceiling for individual donations to candidates. He added: “The elector-

al act should provide for compulsory collaboration between government agencies such as Federal Inland Revenue Service, INEC and anti-corruption agencies to determine the source of funds donated to candidates and political parties. “Also, donors should be followed up by FIRS to verify their tax payment to the treasury.”

L-R: Commander Nigeria Navy Ship Beecroft Apapa, Navy Commodore Abraham Adaji ; Commander, 9 Mechanized Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Mohammed Sabo; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Commander, 435 Base Service Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore Danladi Santa Bausa and Director, State Security Service, Mr. Adekunle Ajanaku, during an interaction with Government House Correspondents after the State Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Ambode, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

Some ministers’ll have no portfolios, Buhari insists CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 in having all not full time

ing time no doubt about it. “We have the challenges of revenue drop, challenges in trying to boost revenue and create jobs and you know we have some of these issues which we really need to address and I think that it is time for us to address them and these are some of the issues we looked at as a Senate. “It is time for us to give support to the executive to move the country forward and I think all of us apart from those in the legislature and the executive and even those of you in the media, must begin to proffer and put our country in a positive view otherwise there is no way we are going to have those major issues addressed. “As I said, it is not new

ministers, but let us wait to see what portfolio or responsibilities some of them will have. I cannot speak on behalf of the President on that, but we have done our own constitutional responsibility,” he explained. He however said despite delivering the letter to the president personally, he never broached the issue of his (Saraki) trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senators yesterday continued their opposition to the confirmation of Amaechi as a minister. The lawmakers distanced themselves from the adoption of the votes and proceedings of last Thursday, October 29, which contained the proceedings for the con-

firmation of the former governor. In line with the Senate’s tradition, after an APC senator, Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West), had moved for the adoption of Senate’s votes and proceedings of last Thursday, Senator Peter Nwaboshi (PDP Delta North), was called upon to second the motion by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who presided yesterday. However, instead of seconding the motion, Nwaboshi rejected the request, saying: “Mr. President I am sorry, I will not be able to second this motion because I was not there.” PDP senators had walked out of the session when confirmation of Amaechi’s ministerial nomination was to be done because Saraki

refused to allow the discussion of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Prosecution on the fraud allegations against the nominee. Following the rejection by Nwaboshi, Saraki called another APC senator, Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East) to second the motion, a strange practice in the Senate. Also, the PDP senators met immediately after the session for about one and half hours, perhaps to appraise what transpired in the plenary. Although none of them spoke to newsmen at the end of the meeting, it was gathered that the lawmakers condemned the actions taken by APC senators and the Senate President, which led to the confirmation of Amaechi as a minister.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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N1.2bn fraud: FG files fresh charges against Oronsaye, others Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

ederal Government yesterday filed fresh charges against former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, and five others before a federal High Court sitting in Abuja. Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had earlier filed a 24-count charge against the former head of service, HoS, and two other defendants over alleged fraud and money laundering offences involving N1.2bn. But at the resumption of hearing yesterday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi, informed the trial judge, Gabriel Kolawole, that he had filed an amended charge and sought an adjournment to serve the charge on the three new co-defendants, who have been included in the fresh charge. With the filing of the

amended charge, the initial 24-count charge has jumped to 35-count, while the number of defendants increased from three to six. The amended charge dated November 2, has the following defendants: Stephen Oronsaye (1st), Osarenkhoe Afe (2nd), Global Services Limited (3rd), Cluster Logistics Limited (4th), Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited (5th) and Drew Investment and Construction Company Limited. Opposing the process of filing the amended charge, Oronsaye’s lawyer, Mr. Kola Okeaya-Inneh (SAN),

was of the view that the prosecution “cannot file an amended charge without a prior formal application to do so.” Ruling on the application, Justice Kolawole said the prosecution could bring an amended charge at the stage of the proceedings without the need to file any formal application for leave of court to do so. He, however, criticised the prosecution’s sudden realisation that it needed to file an amended charge when it was less than 24 hours to the date fixed for commencement of trial. Consequently, Kolawole

adjourned the matter till November 25 to enable the prosecution serve the fresh charges on the new co-defendants for them to take their pleas. It would be recalled that Oronsaye and the initial two accused persons all pleaded not guilty to the 24-count charge preferred against them when they appeared in July before Justice Kolawole. Shortly after their arraignment, the judge released them to go home pending the hearing of their bail application scheduled for July 21. But the judge ordered that their release be ef-

fective upon filing a written undertaking by the defence counsel within 48 hours and an assurance to produce the accused persons in court at the next hearing date. The accused persons allegedly collaborated in defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N118,992,201 under the guise of paying the money in tranches for the contract of biometric data capture project between March 2010 and December 2011. The fraud was allegedly perpetrated through the award and payment for fake contracts to nine

companies including, Innovative Solutions, Fredrick Hamilton Global Services, Xangee Technologies Limited, Fatideck Ventures, Obalando Nigeria Enterprises, Moshfad Enterprises and Fesbee Global Resources Limited. Other companies through which the accused persons allegedly siphoned the money from the Federal Government included Jolance Integrated Concept Limited and MOF Investment Limited. One other person, who was allegedly involved in the fraud, Abdulrasheed Maina, was said to be on the run.

Court grants Dasuki’s request for medical treatment abroad Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

ederal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered the release of international passport of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (rtd), to en-

able him travel abroad for medical attention. The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, while ruling on Dasuki’s application held that in criminal trial, every suspect is presumed innocent and that every Nigerian has the right to access medication anywhere of his

choice. He held in the ruling that the former NSA was granted bail on September 1, 2015, on self-recognition with no condition attached, adding that prosecution’s argument that the seizure of Dasuki’s passport as the only condition for his bail was

irrelevant. According to the judge, the objection to Dasuki’s application for the release of his travel document by the prosecution failed and the argument was dismissed in its entirety. Justice Ademola then ordered the Registrar of the Court to release the

passport to Dasuki to enable him travel outside the country for three weeks for medical attention. He also ordered Dasuki to return his passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the Court, within 72 hours after his return from the medical trip.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL

PENSION VERIFICATION EXERCISE OF RETIRED FEDERAL JUDICIAL OFFICERS The General Public is hereby notified that the National Judicial Council is conducting a Pension Verification Exercise of all Retired Judicial Officers and Retired Staff of the Judiciary (as defined below),who are currently on its payroll in the Six GeoPolitical Zones of the country to update its records. The affected Judicial Officers and Retired Judicial Staff are as follows:A) i

All Retired Federal Judicial Officers vide Federal Judicial Officers (Administration of Pension) Act,2007. All Retired State Judicial Officers with Federal Government Share of Pension.

B) All Retired Judicial Staff that worked in the Judiciary of the Federal Government of the First Republic, the Regional Governments and the States created in 1967 and in March 31st 1976, and continued with their services in the States created thereafter; whose pensions administration and payment had been transferred in 2007 from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to the National Judicial Council. NOTE: All Retired Judicial Officers and Retired Judicial Staff to be verified shall be only those that were captured in the last Biometric Exercise and are on the payroll of the National Judicial Council. No Retired Staff of the Judiciary whose name was not included in the list of Pensioners transferred to the National Judicial Council by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in 2007and is not currently on its Pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Payroll, shall be verified. This Exercise does not include Retired Judicial Staff who are currently on the Contributory Pension Scheme being administered by the various Pension Fund Administrators. Newly Retired Judicial Officers that are yet to receive their retirement benefits are to kindly appear in any of the venues indicated in paragraph C with the following documents:i ii iii iv v iv v vi

Letter/Gazette of First Appointment; Letter of Last Promotion; (Appointment as a Judicial Officer); Letter of Retirement; Certified True Copy of Record of Service; Last Pay Certificate; Birth Certificate/Sworn Declaration of Age; Clearance of Indebtedness to the Federal Government of Nigeria; Two recent Passport Photographs.

C) The Affected Retired Judicial Officers and Staff of the Judiciary are to appear before the Officers of the National Judicial Council, who are conducting the verification exercise in the Six Geo-Political Zones from 02nd to 17th November, 2015, in the High Court of each state as per the itinerary below:-

ZONES

DATE/MONTH

VENUE

NORTH EAST ZONE 1 Bauchi 2 Gombe 3 Yobe 4 Borno 5 Adamawa 6 Taraba

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

State High Court

NORTH WEST ZONE 1 Kaduna 2 Kano 3 Jigawa 4 Katsina 5 Zamfara 6 Sokoto 7 Kebbi

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015 16th - 17th Nov., 2015

State High Court

SOUTH WEST ZONE 1 Ekiti 2 Ondo 3 Osun 4 Oyo 5 Ogun 6 Lagos

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

State High Court

NORTH CENTRAL ZONE 1 Kwara 2 Niger 3 Kogi 4 Benue 5 Nasarawa 6 Plateau

02nd - 03rd Nov., 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

7 FCT COURT

16th - 17th Nov., 2015

National Judicial Council

SOUTH EAST ZONE 1 Ebonyi 2 Enugu 3 Abia 4 Imo 5 Anambra

02nd - 03rd Nov, 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015

State High Court

SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE 1 Edo 2 Delta 3 Bayelsa 4 Rivers 5 Akwa Ibom 6 Cross-River

02nd - 03rd Nov, 2015 04th - 05th Nov., 2015 06th - 07th Nov, 2015 09th - 10th Nov., 2015 11th - 12th Nov., 2015 13th - 14th Nov, 2015

Signed:

MANAGEMENT NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL

State High Court

South West

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

4-year-old boy kidnapped in Ogun FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

uspected kidnappers on Monday evening abducted a four-yearold boy from his parents’ compound in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The boy identified as Stephen was allegedly

whisked away around 5pm when he attempted to open for unknown guests the gate of their home at Workers’ Housing Estate, Laderin area of Abeokuta metropolis. National Mirror gathered that the unidentified gunmen forcefully threw the child into a waiting

taxi, which number plate had been removed. Our correspondent further gathered that the suspected kidnappers started shooting into the air to scare neighbours and sympathisers, who were in hot pursuit, and sped off along the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation, NNPC, road at Abiola Way, in the metropolis. Stephen’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Mucipay Kanu, told journalists amidst sobs that the boy, while playing with the family dog in their compound at Laderin Estate, rushed to open the gate of the com-

L-R: Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Chancellor, Washington University, United States of America, Dr. Mark S. Wrighton and President of Westminster College, Utah, US, Dr. Benjamin Akande, during the inauguration ceremony at the college, recently.

Land Use Bill: Osun Assembly holds public hearing BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

sun State House of Assembly yesterday held a public hearing to seek expert opinion on the Land Use Charge Bill pending before it. This was as stakeholders in land matters in the state appealed to people to cooperate with government in payment of tenement rate and land use charge to increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. The bill, when passed, will provide for consolidation of all Property and Land-based Rates and Charges payable under the Land Rate Law, the Neighbourhood Improvement Charge Law and Tenement rates Law in the state. It also seeks to incorporate the proposed law into a new Land-based charge to be called Property Land Use charge to make provision for levying and collection of the charge and for connected purposes. In his opening remarks, Speaker Najeem Salaam said the bill, if passed, would improve revenue, ensure proper layout of

towns and villages and tidiness of the environment in the state. He said now that the revenue accruable to the state could no longer sustain the desired development, there was need to look inward to be able to generate more revenue. He assured that the Assembly would continue to involve stakeholders, especially professionals in various fields relevant to the bill to ensure the people get the desired result. Representative of Nige-

ria Institute of Estate Surveyor and Valuers, NIESV, Prof. Nurudeen Aluko, said the bill is a welcome development and recommended that religious centres with schools should not be exempted from payment of the rate and charges as indicated in the bill. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Wale Ojo, called for effective administration of the bill when eventually

passed. The representatives of other professional bodies, including the Nigeria Institute of Surveyor, Surveyor O.A. Adeboye and Nigerian Institute of Town Planners said the bill if passed would generate more revenue for the state. The deputy governor, Mrs. Titi-Laoye Tomori, appealed to the citizenry to cooperate with the state government in effective implementation of the bill when passed.

Cadbury injects more distribution vans into the market

adbury recently acquired 250 sales vans which were handed over to its key distributors as part of her Route-To-Market initiative to boost operational efficiency. The brand new

Mitsubishi vans were handed over to the distributors by the Managing Director, Mr. Roy Naaman at a colourful ceremony at the Cadbury Corporate office, Agidingbi Ikeja. In a company statement,

Mr. Bala Yesufu, Head Corporate & Government Affairs opined that “this initiative is aimed at ensuring that our brands significantly increase their presence in the Nigerian space”.

pound on hearing a knock before he was forcefully taken away. When contacted, the state’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DPPRO, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident,

stressing that all police formations across the state have been directed to fish out the kidnappers. Oyeyemi expressed hope that the child would soon be rescued and reunited with his family.

We’ll flush out criminals in Lagos –CP Francis Suberu As the yuletide approaches, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has issued a strong warning to criminal elements in Lagos, saying his command was battle-ready to flush out criminals in the state. Owoseni, while briefing newsmen yesterday evening shortly after the State’s Security Council meeting with Lagos Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, said the security challenge in the state will soon be a thing of the past. He said: “We have looked at the security challenge we face in the state and the need to rededicate ourselves and commit our personnel to address the challenges,” adding that the target of the command remains the need to reduce crime rate in the state ahead of

Christmas and New Year celebrations. “We want to reassure residents of Lagos that the government is committed to their safety. We have appraised the activities of security agencies in the state and concluded that within the past few weeks, we have seen reduction in some of the incidents. But we don’t want to rest on our oars. We have decided to recommit ourselves and be more visible on the roads,” the commissioner stated. On abandoned properties and buildings, the police chief said the identified ones have been cleared of miscreants who once occupied them. He assured Lagosians that the command has not been overwhelmed by criminality in the state, even as he said his officers have improved on their presence on roads.

2 cheat death in building collapse FRANCIS SUBERU

o fewer than two people yesterday escaped death by the whiskers when a storey building under construction collapsed in Badagry area of Lagos State. It was gathered that the building located at Olagunju Street, near St. Triumph Primary School, Magbo Bus Stop, collapsed while work was ongoing on site. General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Michael Akindele, said the building had earlier been marked by Lagos State Building Control Agency, (LASBCA) for the developers to stop construction. Akindele said the developer ignored the order and continued working before the building col-

lapsed in the early hours of yesterday. The LASEMA boss said two construction workers were injured and treated by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, at the scene of the collapse. He said, “The building was a storey building under construction and LASBCA had marked it for stoppage of the ongoing construction. However, two construction workers (adult males) at the site were injured and treated by LASAMBUS officials at the spot. “Furthermore, the primary school beside the building was not affected. Investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the cause of the collapse.” Director, Lagos State Fire Services, Rasak Fadipe, who also confirmed the incident, said two persons were injured in the collapse.

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South West

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Glo delights Ikeja residents with Slide ‘n’ Bounce

L-R: Anchor Person, #Giving Tuesday Nigeria, Dr Christopher Kolade; former Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Kemi Nelson; Co-Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), Mr Audu Maikori, and Chairman of CECP, Mrs Omotayo Omotosho, at a news conference on 30-Day Countdown to the #Giving Tuesday, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

We’re helpless over Lagos-Ibadan Expressway logjam –FERMA FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

ederal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, yesterday said it was helpless over the traffic nightmare being experienced at the Warewa end of the long bridge on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as the road is under construction. The bad portion on both sides of the road has been causing long traffic bottleneck for motorists either exiting or going to Lagos. Motorists now spend three hours or more from Berger to Warewa, a jour-

ney of less than 10 minutes. Julius Berger is working on the Lagos-Sagamu end of the road and the construction giant has shown little concern for the plight of motorists. Head of FERMA in Ogun State, Alex Mazoya, said the agency could only do little in fixing the potholes since the road is currently under a contract awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works. Appealing to motorists plying the ever-busy expressway to bear with government, Mazoya, who spoke with our correspondent on phone, promised

that the agency would strive to provide palliative measures on the bad portion soon. He stated that Ogun State office of the agency was working on a proposal that would enable him carry out the palliative measures in ensuring the agony being experienced by motorists on the route was reduced. The Ogun FERMA boss also said he was on an assessment tour of IjebuOde/Itokin/Ikorodu federal highway for possible rehabilitation. Mazoya acknowledged that FERMA needs to constantly work on all federal

highways traversing the corridors of Ogun State. He explained that his agency has started applying stone-based material on the bad portions of the Lagos - Ibadan expressway. Mazoya, however, lamented the poor funding of FERMA which he said poses great challenge to the execution of the agency’s mandate, with particular reference to the cost of asphalt laying, but assured that work would soon commence on not only the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, but also all federal highways in the Ogun State corridor.

Med-View Airline begins Lagos-London flight soon OLUSEGUN KOIKI

arely three years after commencing scheduled flight operations on the domestic scene, Med-View would in about two weeks expand its operations to London, United Kingdom. The airline, which agreed that competition on the Lagos-London route was intense, however, assured that it would attract air travellers to its fold through several incentives like free limousine ride for passengers on business class and Gatwick Express for economy passengers, adding that its airfare of N149,000 at start off remains the cheapest on the

route. The airline’s inaugural flight to London from Lagos is scheduled for Friday, November 20, 2015. Managing Director of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, revealed this to journalists yesterday at the airline’s office in Lagos. Bankole said that at present the airline would operate four weekly flights out of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, and out of Gatwick International Airport, London. The four weekly flights from Lagos would be on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and departure time

is 11:15am, while arrival time in London is 17:15pm, except on Sundays, which departure is fixed for later in the day. All the flights would depart Gatwick at 22:10pm daily. Bankole observed that Nigerians were regularly exploited on the LagosLondon route by foreign carriers, assuring that with the coming of the airline on the route, such exploitation would reduce to the barest minimum, while air travellers would now have better choices of carriers to fly to Europe and beyond. At present, three carriers - Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Arik Air operate direct flights to London from Lagos and Abuja daily, while several

other foreign carriers like Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish, Kenyan Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, among others, operate indirect flights between the two countries. The choice of Gatwick instead of the popular Heathrow International Airport by Med-View, Bankole said, was due to its central location, stressing that it would also cater for people up North and South of the United Kingdom. He further explained that it was easy for air travellers to connect United States of America, USA, from Gatwick, adding that its Boeing 767-300ER is suitable for the route.

t was a weekend to remember for residents of Ikeja and environs in Lagos as Nigeria’s next generation network, Globacom, treated them to its famous music concert, Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce, on Saturday. The much sought-after concert was held at the Water Parks Hotel, Toyin Street, Ikeja. For the duration of the concert, the host street and adjoining ones were practically taken over by thousands of music enthusiasts in the neigbourhood. The Ikeja edition of Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert, which featured artistes like Korede Bello, Burna Boy and the sensational twins, P-Square, came barely five weeks after another premium comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest, was held at the same venue. The show was anchored by the creative humour merchant and Nollywood legend, Okey Bakassi, and attracted a huge crowd from all walks of life. With DJ Neptune on the music console, a dancing competition was organised as part of attractions of the evening. It was won by a Globacom subscriber, Adeosun Adeleke. Another side attraction was a special performance by the remaining 26 contestants in the Reality TV Show, Dance with Peter (DWP), sponsored by Globacom. They wowed the audience with their specially choreographed

routine. Okey Bakassi introduced another twist to the proceedings when he challenged any member of the audience to step out to compete with the dancers. The competition was not only stiff, but equally challenging for the DWP dancers. An upcoming musician, Oluwa-Damzy, a guitarist, added to the excitement of the evening with a remarkable performance. Other local stars that performed at the show included Neeyu, Martins, Jeffy Brown, Icee and D-Money, a younger brother to the ‘Akpako’ master, Terry G. Mavin Records’ fast rising star, Korede Bello, took the excitement to a new level when he climbed the stage singing his ‘Adaobi’ hit track with his crew of five beautiful ladies. Next to perform was Glo Ambassador and Check and Balance crooner, Burna Boy, who completely changed the tempo of the show with his energetic performance, and the crowd surged forward to feel the tattoo and dreadlocks-wearing afrobeat entertainer. P-Square rounded off the evening of fun with electrifying performances. The fun hit a crescendo when the DWP contestants joined P-Square on stage to celebrate with their idol and originator of the Reality TV Show, Peter Okoye.

Ibadan Poly alumni congratulates Ooni-elect

he Polytechnic, Ibadan, Accountancy 2002 alumni, has congratulated one of the old students of the Accountancy Department of the institution, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who has been picked by Ife kingmakers as the new Ooni of Ile-Ife. In a release issued and signed by its president, Oladele Kayode-Ojo, and general secretary, Matthew Ayangbola, the alumni described Ogunwusi as a role model, saying his path was a sure way to follow. “It is an honour to have you as an alumnus of the Accounting Depart-

ment of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. The entire lecturers and students of the institution - both old and new - rejoice with you as you ascend the throne of your forefathers,” the release said. They also prayed that God would grant Ogunwusi wisdom, knowledge, long life and understanding to lead the people of the ancient city of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race. “We believe your reign will bring the expected development to the ancient city and also improve the lots of the entire Yoruba race,” the release further stated.

South East

Ebonyi Assembly threatens 3 commissioners with arrest Aliuna Godwin Abakaliki

peaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, yesterday threatened to issue warrant of arrest on three commissioners, who refused to appear before the House following alleged violation of environmental laws and extortion of citizens, among other crimes. Recall that the House had last week summoned the embattled three commissioners to appear before it yesterday to explain the state government’s arbitrary taxation policy. The affected commissioners are Chief Moses OgodoAli (Environment), Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbaga (Commerce and Industry) and Dr Dennis Ekumankama (Finance). But Governor Dave Umahi on the same day at a press conference, while fielding questions from journalists on the issue of multiple taxation, said the three commissioners would not appear before the House unless he was properly notified. The House, in a plenary, through a motion moved by Mr. Chris Usulor, representing Ezza South Constituency, noted that the commissioners’ refusal to appear before the House amounts to taking

them for granted. On his part, Deputy Speaker, Odefa Obasi Odefa, expressed dismay at the attitude of the commissioners and threatened that the House would take relevant actions if they persist in their refusal. Speaker Francis Nwifuru, while ruling, noted that the matter would be deferred to the next adjourned date as it was not on the order paper. He noted that the commissioners must appear before the House at the next adjourned date or it would issue a warrant of arrest on them. The House also threatened to reduce the salaries of all commissioners and other principal officers of the executive. The lawmakers made this known during deliberation on a letter sent to the House by Umahi, asking it to approve salaries for some officers of government. In his contribution, Odefa noted that the House has the right to equally review salaries of commissioners and urged the House to do so. Nwifuru, while referring the matter to the House’s committee on finance, immediately announced the adjournment of the sitting to prevent the charged atmosphere in it from degenerating.

Man beats wife to death in Enugu Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

olice in Enugu State have launched a manhunt for Charles Oyibo for allegedly beating his wife to death. Police spokesman in the state, DSP Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said the police have commenced detailed investigation into the matter. In a statement he issued yesterday, Amaraizu said the victim “identified as Angela Oyibo, was beaten to death by her husband, identified as Charles Oyibo.” He added that “the husband had on 30/9/15 at Aku town in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, beaten his wife over a yet-to-be-established issue, which left her in a state of unconsciousness. “She was later rushed to a nearby hospital by sympathisers. However, all efforts to revive her could not yield

positive fruit as she later died on 22/10/15. “Meanwhile, the husband has taken to his heels just as police operatives have intensified manhunt for him. “According to further information received, the suspect is always in the habit of using the wife as a punching bag.” In another development, the police in Uwani Division of the state have nabbed an alleged notorious armed robber/cultist, who had been terrorising Uwani and environs with his gang. Amaraizu said the suspect, identified as Christian Chukwugekwu Oduche of Ebony Paint Road, Gariki, and a native of Amakpu Obinagu Uwani, Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, had allegedly at a gun point attempted to rob a lady of her bag, handset and wallet at Amokwe Street, Uwani, Enugu, before a distress call was made.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NAFDAC destroys fake drugs worth N5m in Enugu By Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

ational Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday in Enugu destroyed fake and adulterated herbal products worth over N5 million. The alleged manufac-

turer of the fake and adulterated herbal product, Mr. Ugwuoti Aloysius, has also been arrested by the police. Enugu State NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr. Ikechukwu Okoye, who led a team that carried out the exercise, told journalists that the destruction was aimed at preventing

and discouraging counterfeiters from venturing into production of unwholesome and fake products. According to Okoye, the suspect operated an illegal factory at Okpara Avenue, Enugu, where he carried out mixture of herbal products and sold them to unsuspecting

members of the public. He further stated that “even if the herbal product was genuine, the environment where it was being produced (under a tree) beside a toilet, already makes it counterfeit; let alone faking another product (name withheld) registered by the NAFDAC.”

L-R: Abia State Deputy Governor, ‘Ude Oko Chukwu; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and state PDP Chairman, Sen. Emma Nwaka, celebrating with the governor after the tribunal affirmed his victory in Umuahia, yesterday.

Emmanuel Ezeh Enugu

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has ordered indefinite extension of the one month ban on collection of fines for traffic offences by officials of government in the state. A statement signed by his senior special assistant on media, Mr. Louis Amoke, stated that the governor’s directive was contained in a communiqué at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, which was presented by Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele. The statement disclosed that the governor opted for the extension to give the state more time to conclude its plans to streamline activities of enforcers of traffic laws in the state, as well as understudy the models of

Ugwuanyi extends ban on collection of traffic fines traffic operations in Lagos State and other states in the country for a comprehensive approach towards innovative regulatory measures that would guarantee peace and give the people a sense of belonging. The earlier ban expired at the end of October, hence the directive to extend it indefinitely. It would be recalled that Governor Ugwuanyi in a swift response to the persistent complaints of extortion, undue hardship and incessant harassments of road users as well as visitors to the state were subjected to by individuals in the guise of enforcement of traffic laws, early last month, ordered the immediate suspension of the collec-

tion of fines for traffic offences in Enugu Capital Territory, for a period of one month. The governor stated that such practices were inimical to his administration’s efforts to sustain the peaceful and serene environment of the state and his promise to provide good governance to the people of the state and make their lives better. He frowned at the N25,000 fine being collected as punishment for a traffic offence, stressing that “a situation where, for example, a civil servant who may be earning about N25,000 a month, is asked to pay the same amount as punishment for a traffic of-

fence” is unacceptable. The statement further noted that the governor was committed to full implementation of the directive and a reform programme that would guarantee accident-free and orderly transportation system in the state.

Ugwuanyi

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South south

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Tribunal verdict: A’Ibom elders drum support for Emmanuel

overnor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has been advised not to be deterred by the Election Petitions Tribunal verdict, but to remain resolute in the implementation of his administration’s industrial blueprint as it seeks to better the lots of every Akwa Ibomite. Elders of the state under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Elders Consultative Forum gave the advice during a solidarity visit to the governor. Briefing Government House correspondents soon after the visit, leader of the delegation and former Minister of Lands and

Housing, Chief Ndueso Essien, spoke of the verdict as unnecessary distraction. He said the opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, cannot secure victory in the state despite that the governorship was unanimously zoned to Eket Senatorial District. He said the entire people of the state were anxiously waiting for the zone to produce a governor. “We are very certain that the opposition party cannot win election in this state particularly on the basis that it is the turn of Eket Senatorial District to produce the governor. It would amount to the highest level of injustice if the

district was denied this opportunity as it has been anxiously waiting since creation of the state,” the elder statesman said. Essien noted that the tribunal left the people with a confused verdict as proceedings and analysis during the hearing did not correspond with the verdict.

He stressed that the elders were in total support of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s decision to proceed on appeal, adding that they have sufficiently mobilised for election in the event of a rerun. Also, secretary of the forum, Obong Essien Esema, said the verdict did

Richard Ndoma Calabar

wo pupils of Holy Child Convent Primary School located at Efut Abua Street,

Calabar South Local Government Area, were yesterday abducted by kidnappers, throwing the vicinity into pandemonium. National Mirror learnt that Etido Asuquo, 5, and

Suspected thugs attack Dickson’s convoy …gov’s campaign group faults APC’s strategy

known, that the APC was a violent party. The statement reads, “Clearly, APC in Bayelsa State is not prepared for any election; they are prepared for war. But as a disciplined party, as a peaceful party and with a governor like Dickson, who came to restore peace in Bayelsa, we advise all our supporters not to allow themselves to be provoked by APC and its brand of violent politics. We must preach peace at all times and maintain law and order because we are people of peace.” In another development, the Restoration Campaign Organisation has described as deceitful the campaign strategy

one person on irregularity in a unit does not justify the cancellation of entire result in the local government areas. He said the elders were of the view that the tribunal’s verdict be subject to legal scrutiny as Akwa Ibom people cannot allow the judgement to stand.

Kidnappers abduct 2 pupils in Calabar

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson acknowledging cheers from a crowd that came out to welcome him, during a meet - the people tour of Yenagoa community, ahead of the December 5 Governorship election in the state.

uspected thugs in All Progressives Congress, APC, uniform on Tuesday attacked the campaign train of Governor Seriake Dickson at the popular Swali market in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The incident would have degenerated into a bloody brawl but for the prompt intervention of security aides attached to the governor’s convoy. Describing the attack as barbaric and undemocratic, Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, RCO, Jonathan Obuebite, in a statement made available to newsmen said the attack lends credence to what the people of Bayelsa have always

not show the trend of reasoning in the body of the judgement. He noted that the verdict was shrouded with contradictions. Esema argued that the nullification of election results in 18 local government areas was unreasonable as the testimony of

adopted by APC, advising the party to look for a sane and more dignifying means of campaign. The organisation advised Bayelsans and other residents of the state to be wary of the antics of APC members, “who are desperate to grab power through the back door by advancing various dubious means.” The statement issued in Yenagoa by its Director of Media and Publicity, Hon. Jonathan, was reacting to the flash sanitation exercise carried out by the APC, which it said, “has now confirmed to everyone the earlier assertion that it is indeed the so-called change party that is responsible for the heap of refuse around the

state, particularly in Yenagoa, the state capital.” Obuebite described as embarrassing such cruel campaign strategy of APC, adding that “they decided to carry out the show of shame on a day that is usually set aside by the state’s sanitation authority for evacuation.” He advised APC and its embattled candidate, Timipre Sylva, to seek sane and more dignifying means of campaign as this latest trend would not secure him the votes required to be elected. Obuebite added that Governor Dickson is fully committed to governance and ensuring a cleaner and healthy environment for all.

Esther Ntia Asuquo, 4, were whisked away by two men, who were positioned strategically at the school’s gate, awaiting school dismissal to execute their plan. The abducted children are pupils of primary five and nursery one. A source, who does not want his name in print, said the kids were taken away by two unarmed men, who disguised as ‘Good Samaritans’ to assist the children cross the road, but took advantage of the situation and abducted the kids to an unknown destination. “I saw some men standing at the school’s gate; I was then busy in my shop. I saw the men trying to assist the children cross the road. At first, I thought they were parents of the

kids until later in the evening when news broke that two children were missing. That was when it dawned on me that the children were taken away by the two men,” said the source. Mother of the kids, Nyeti Etim, 28, in an emotion-laden voice said the children left home very early in the morning to school but did not return till 5pm before she raised the alarm. The widow said it was still not clear whether the kidnappers would demand ransom or had another motive for their mission. Headmistress, Mrs. Asari Eta, stated that the incident occurred about 12 noon, adding that the school’s authority had contacted the police to investigate the matter.

Niger Delta group kicks over Orubebe’s arraignment Osahon Julius Yenagoa

Niger Delta group under the auspices of Niger Delta Grassroots Emancipation, NDGE, has condemned what it described as a deliberate and calculated attempt by the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government to rubbish the legacies of ministers and political aides who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan. The group, obviously infuriated by the planned arraignment of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, said the government’s desperation to undo all that Jonathan laboured for in the nation’s interest would fail. In a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and signed by its president, Preye Freeman, and secretary, Pastor Josiah Okiemute,

respectively, the group said, “It is now crystal clear that Buhari’s government is only interested in persecuting patriotic Nigerians, who put in their best to make Nigeria a better country through implementing programmes and policies, which have touched many lives. “The APC government is almost forgetting that it has a mandate for change, but rather than focusing on that, it is busy harassing perceived opponents whereas as a party, the APC was found, funded and is being operated by Nigerians who supervised the looting of the nation’s treasury while they were in power. “We have watched with keen interest the very lopsided anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari and want to state categorically that Niger Delta people will resist any attempt to rubbish our leaders, who have contributed immensely to national stability and development of the country.

North

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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We’re striving to build new PDP –Secondus Obiora Ifoh, ABUJA

ational Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday said the party would no longer be hijacked by moneybags. Secondus spoke when head of International Republican Institute, IRI, paid a courtesy visit to his office at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja. He said part of the reforms he was carrying out was to ensure the elimination of money politics within the party. Secondus said: “Our intention is to make our primaries zero-expensive, so that nobody will induce anybody. My agenda is to revolutionise the party so that the idea of moneybags controlling the party would be eliminated. “We want every member to participate in the party’s activities by paying his or her dues. Through this, we can eliminate the class syndrome and bring the party to the people. The party belongs to all and should not be in the hands of few moneybags. The party must be returned to the people.” He urged the new Independent National Electoral

Commission, INEC, Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, to be fair in the conduct of Kogi and Bayelsa states’ governorship elections. The chairman also stressed that the era of automatic ticket for aspirants vying for elective positions was over. According to Secondus, the decision to embark on biometric membership registration shows that the era of few moneybags controlling the party was over. He urged members to pay their dues, as the party leadership has decided to take the PDP back to the people. Secondus disclosed that the party would train its staff in collaboration with IRI, warning staff members against the sale of vital documents to outsiders. “We said it clearly that INEC must follow its rules, provide a level-playing field for all parties. If the commission is playing outside its rule, we will draw the attention of Nigerians to it. “We believe in the Nigerian Constitution; we believe in the INEC Act, but we want INEC to conduct free and fair elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. We want improvement on the conduct of the last general elections.”

Armed robbery: Deputy speaker send SOS to IGP Wole Adedeji, ILORIN

eputy Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Okedare, has sent a Save Our Soul to Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, and other security agencies to protect the people of Moro, his local government area, from incessant banditry. Okedare, while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin yesterday, said armed robbery incidents have become daily occurrence in places like Lanwa-Oke-Mi-Oke-Oyi, Bode-Saadu-Oloru-Shao, and Jebba-Bode Saadu axes, leading to loss of lives and valuable properties. He said on Monday bandits waylaid travellers to the northern part of the country in a commercial bus, violently robbing them at Oke-Mi, and dispossessing them of valuables and cash and at the end left one person dead. Similarly, the deputy

speaker disclosed that another gang robbed innocent travellers at Bode SaaduIlorin highway and killed two innocent people after dispossessing them of all their properties. Okedare called on the local government chairman, Abdulganiyu Ajibola, to cause an emergency meeting of security stakeholders in the council area with a view to designing a proactive measure to stem the ugly trend. He particularly asked the chairman, the divisional police officers in all divisions of the local government to invite the people of the council to the Police Area Commander, Commissioner of Police and Inspector General of Police. The state police command recently paraded suspected armed robbers nabbed within the council area, who were substantially Fulani herdsmen. They were caught with some teenagers and dangerous weapons.

L-R; Secretary to Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Managing Director, FORGO Battery Assembly, Mr. Joseph Offorjama during the commissioning of FORGO Battery Assembly in Ilorin, yesterday.

Kogi paid N7bn pension, gratuity –Wada Wale Ibrahim, LOKOJA

ogi State government has disclosed that the present administration paid N7bn as outstanding gratuity and pension arrears of workers for the 1991 to 2007 period. Governor Idris Wada made this known at the presentation of cash to some indigenes of Mopa, under the Somidire Poverty Eradication Programme at the Town Hall, Mopa. Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, described the delay in the release of bailout funds due to the state as reason for council workers and teachers not

getting their outstanding salaries yet, but he assured that even if the fund was delayed, the workers’ legitimate entitlement could not be denied them. He commended Godwin Abayomi of Godab Engineering Company, an indigene of Egbe, for grading Egbe to Ayetoro road, saying that now was the time for individuals to partner with government because of the present economic reality in the country. Awoniyi assured workers of local government councils employed in 2010, but now disengaged, to be patient as efforts were being made to revisit their case. The governor commended initiator of the Somidire Poverty Eradi-

cation for his compassion and efforts to put smiles on the faces of the people, especially women of the area. He called on the women to use the money for the purpose intended, describing them as good manager of resources. He expressed optimism that the purpose of the empowerment would be realised. The governor charged the women to reciprocate the gesture by voting for him, for using his wisdom to empower initiator of the programme. He made a personal donation of N500,000 to assist in the poverty reduction scheme. Earlier in a his remarks, Alex Ayodele John, spon-

sor/chairman, Somidire Poverty Eradication Programme, had stated that the programme was to empower about 2,500 women over the last seven months as his modest way of giving back to the society. Mr. Alex, thanked Governor Wada for creating an enabling business environment in the state, a factor he added, enabled him give back to the society. He called on the people of Mopa to vote massively for Wada in the November 21 governorship election. In their separate responses, Mary Emmanuel and Femi Ishola praised the initiator of the empowerment programme, saying the gesture would put their businesses on a sound footing.

Customs boss seeks partnership with FRSC

omptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), has called for greater partnership with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. Ibrahim said the two agencies were strategic to the success of the campaign to rid the nation of smuggled vehicles and other crimes. According to a statement by Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, Ali said this during his courtesy visit to the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. The statement empha-

sised that Ali called for strengthening and sustainability of existing relationship between the two agencies, stressing that this would further boost the nation’s economic and security systems. He observed that the FRSC was one of the agencies whose operations cut cross that of the Customs. The comptroller-general noted that while physical efforts would continue to be made by his men to combat smuggling of vehicles into the country through the borders, technology would be employed to identify smuggled vehicles even at the point of registration. He decried the idea of organisations shielding them-

selves from others, and wondered how it would be possible for a single agency to deal adequately with all its challenges without sharing information with other stakeholders, pointing out that such isolationist practices would be counter-productive. He further assured that the service would reduce cases of smuggled vehicles, pointing out that in the event that such vehicles are not stopped at the boarders, they would be identified at the point of registration. He said the existing technical committee of the two agencies would be strengthened for optimal result. In his remarks, Oyeyemi thanked the Customs’ boss

for the visit, saying it would solidify the existing relationship between the two organisations. According to Oyeyemi, the past contributions of the comptroller-general of Customs to safer road campaigns when he was the military administrator of Kaduna State is most appreciated, noting that such logistics support enhanced the operational and rescue capabilities of the FRSC in the state. Oyeyemi assured Ali that with his present appointment, the FRSC would reciprocate his past gestures by working jointly with him for the success of his assignment.

Wednesday November 4, 2015

Presentation of APC flag to Audu rekindles APC, PDP rivalry in Kogi

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Politics Hurdles before Abubakar’s success in Bauchi

Tribunal upholds Ikpeazu’s election George Opara ABUJA

he Abia state governorship election petitions tribunal yesterday in Umuahia, capital of the state has upheld the election of Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, as the duly elected governor of the state. Usman Bwala, chairman of the tribunal, after reading out in detail issues of allegation and motions, challenging the controversial election declared that the petitioner, Dr. Alex Otti, the 2015 Abia governor-

ship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, failed to prove his allegations of irregularities, malpractices and violence that he alleged to have characterized the said election thus, dismissed his petition as lacking in merit and incompetent and, in effect, upheld the election of the governor. Among other allegations as made by the petitioner were that there was no election materials in some pollingunits, bribery of polling agents and INEC officials, no voting in many polling

units and issue of thuggery. Also, there were allegations of manipulation of card reading machines and figures and the disappearance of some INEC sensitive election materials in many polling units. The tribunal maintained that the allegations raised against the governorship poll held on April 4, which led to the cancellation and declaration of the election results as inconclusive in the state and following the re-run poll that was held on April 26 in the affected areas like Obingwa,

Osisioma and Isiala ngwa were believed to have been regularized. “ And for the petitioner to pray to the tribunal to declare him a winner on the premise of the same allegations believed to have been corrected in the rerun poll, lacks judicial merit and legal competence”, the tribunal ruled. However, the reading of the verdict that lasted about three hours witnessed heavy security presence within and around the premises of the Umuahia high court, venue of the tribunal.

In his reaction, Governor Victor Ikpeazu said the verdict was symbolic of ‘no victor, no vanquished’ and called on his opponents to join him in moving the state forward. The challenger, Dr. Otti, could not be reached for his reactions but some APGA leaders who declined to speak to the press were palpably dissatisfied with the ruling. And it was reported that the opposition party was prepared to appeal against the ruling of the tribunal. When grilled, Senator Emma Nwaka, PDP state chairman said his party was not afraid of any moves by the opposition to appeal against the tribunal ruling and he apparently exuded the confidence that the PDP would still defeat

the opposition political party at the appeal. At the time of filing this report, the PDP members and supporters were seen jubilating everywhere in the metropolis chanting songs of victory. Some PDP women groups were gorgeously dressed in uniforms, dancing around while the loyalists, members and supporters of APGA were visibly demoralized and were discussing in groups in the party state secretariat at No.2 School road, Umuahia. There was normalcy in the state as people were seen going about their economic and commercial activities without any hiccups. Nevertheless, the apolitical groups in he state saw the verdict with mixed feelings.

Lawmaker canvasses for unity Richard Ndoma CALABAR

A L-R: Deputy Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr Akintunde Adegboye; Speaker, Mr Najeem Salaam; Deputy Governor of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori and Chairman, House Committee on Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Nureni Adebisi, during a Public Hearing on Osun Land Use Charge Bill, in Osogbo, Yesterday.

Yenagoa communities back Dickson’s re-election bid

overnor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has assured the people of Yenagoa in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa state that he would do more to enhance development in the area when reelected. Dickson who was accompanied by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah and other political appointees made the promise on Tuesday in continuation of his ”Community-to-Community meet the people” tour. Expressing his appreciation for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage and support

to his administration by the paramount ruler of Yenagoa, HRH M.C Clarkson Kikile, members of his council and residents of the area, the governor expressed his readiness to consolidate on his achievements in the area. He noted his affinity with people of Yenagoa saying that it was special area to him and pledged greater commitment to them and their aspirations. He said now is the time for all Ijaws to identify with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP noting that the Yenagoa community have been active supporters of the party since 1999. The governor enjoined

the generality of the people to reject the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC and its flagbearer, Timipre Sylva, ahead of the election as he said they do not mean well for the state because of what he said were the former governor’s negative antecedents while in office. He asked the people to take the message of ”Operation Reject APC and Sylva” home for understanding of everyone, adding that all Bayelsans should get involved in the rejection campaign. Dickson assured the people not to be afraid of any form of intimidation as security would be provided during

the elections. He therefore urged them to get their Permanent Voters Card PVCs and go out on the Election Day to vote in a peaceful manner. On the requests made by the community, Dickson promised to build a new permanent ruler’s palace, build a new school and made a personal donation of N5 m for the construction of the Yenagoa Town Hall. At Swali, Ovom, Onopa and Amarata, which are communities in Yenagoa Local Government, Dickson also told the people on the necessity to reject APC and its candidate, Timipre Sylva.

member representing Obubra 11 state consistency in the Cross River state House of Assembly , Dr.Elocate Okora Ekom has canvassed for the unity among politicians irrespective of their party affiliations so as to turn around the country’s fortune. Okora made the call while fielding questions from journalists shortly after a thanksgiving ceremony held in his honour at St.Patrick Catholic Church Iyamoyong, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State. The lawmaker urged politicians to have at the back of their mind that the unity of Nigeria is an issue which ought to remains paramount to politicians not withstanding their political ideology. The legislator stated that “Election has come and gone, all we need now is how to put our heads together to initiate policies and programmes that would bring development

to our constituencies. We should be talking of things that would move our constituencies forward and carry our nation to greater heights” Earlier in his sermon, the officiating minister who doubles as the Principal of St.Brendans College Iyamoyong, Rev.Paul Ukwa charged politicians to shun “politics of pull him down” urging them not to bear an iota of grudge against one another. He also called for team work among the nation leaders as he said that team work was the surest way the country can be lifted to greater pedestal. The clergy admonished politicians not to hold grudges against electorates who did not vote them at the just concluded polls but rather urged them to strengthened their relationship with the electorates so that they can be voted into power in the subsequent elections even as he advised them to admire those who are above them if they are willing to climb the lather of greatness.

Politics

Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

ast Saturday presentation of flag to the All Progressive Congress, APC governorship candidate, Prince Abubarka Audu was indeed an indication that the battle line has been drawn and the old political rivalry between his party , APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been rekindled The epoch making event which took place at Lokoja Confluence Stadium witnessed yet another unprecedented crowd of supporters of APC who thronged to the venue in the early hours of the day. Observers of Political events in Kogi are not divided in their opinion that the presence of the National Central working Committee, NCWC of APC was very unique and symbolic of the party’s readiness to wrestle power from the ruling party in the state. Though the PDP had had a similar rally in Okene, the headquarters of Kogi Central district with the retinue of their supporters, APC rally in Lokoja signified that its candidate is very popular given the sea of heads that attended the rally. However, the PDP and the Governor Idris Wada/ Awoniyi campaign organisation have berated the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presentation of flag to Audu as they said that it is a vindication of their stand that the APC governorship flagbearer in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu is unsellable. The Communication Manager to the Governor, Mr. Phrank Shaibu stated that the APC candidate was antithetical to the anti-corruption posture of Buhari administration, hence the failure of the president to honour the occasion. “The absence of President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a clear attestation that the candidature of Abubakar Audu is antithetical to the anti-corruption stand of the president. “It’s a further confirmation of the issue that the PDP has been harping on, particularly, that the APC candidate is being weighed down by a large ton of baggage. We implore the people of the state to toe the line of President Buhari by jettisoning Audu at the poll”, Shaibu said. But in a swift reaction, the head of Audu Media Directorate , Dr. Tom Ohikere disclosed that the absence of President Mohammed Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who were attending to national issues should not be politicized. Ohikere maintained that contrary to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP view that the absence of two elder statesmen has shown that the APC candidate was unsellable is uncalled for, noting that by the former governor’s antecedents, Audu is more sellable because he laid a good foundation for good people of the state between 1999 and 2003 in the state. He pointed out that the statement was a mere propaganda to distract the attention of electorate from the issues of maladministration and lack of infrastructural development in the state. Meanwhile, amidst speculation that some groups within APC were working for the disqualification of Audu, the NCWC of APC stormed Lokoja, Kogi State capital and presented flag to the gubernatorial candidate of the Party in the November 21st governorship election in Kogi state, Prince Abubarka Audu. While presenting the flag to Audu at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, stated that it is time for Kogi state to Join the change train and move the state forward. Odigie- Oyegun stated that the NCWC is ready to march on and deliver Kogi to APC, noting that the party is ready to take what it belongs to it, urging the people of the state to vote en masse for the APC and its gubernatorial candidate and said that

Wednesday November 4, 2015

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Presentation of APC flag to Audu rekindles APC, PDP rivalry in Kogi

Odigie-Oyegun

Audu

the process of change has begun in Kogi state. The National Chairman who was supported by other party hierarchy and State governors, told the crowd that the people will return to Lugard House to celebrate APC victory. Earlier, the state Chairman of APC, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo stated that it is high time to deliver Kogi State from PDP maladministration in the last 12 years, stating that the time has come for change in the state. Ametuo explained that people of the state have suffered a lot of infrastructural decay under the administration of PDP- led government in the past few years, stressing that the time has come to vote out PDP in the state He appealed to the large crowd of supporters of APC and defectors from PDP and other parties to work hard for the victory of APC candidate at the poll, saying that APC will be fair to all and that every segments of Kogi state will benefit tremendously under APC. Speaking also , the former governor of Kano state , Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso stated that the change has come, and that the people of the state must embrace change now, noting that all other

states in the north central are already in the ruling party at the centre and Kogi state cannot afford to be left out. He pointed out that the APC governorship candidate is a man of many achievements and a candidate to beat in the coming governorship election calling on the electorate to vote for APC candidate in the election. The Chairman of Progressive governors Forum and Governor of Imo state, Dr. Rochas Okorocha stated that Audu has done a lot and he will do it better again, noting that he did very well during his first tenure under ANPP. Okorocha urged electorate in Kogi to come out and vote for APC candidate and former governor of the state Prince Abubarka Audu because of his enormous experience in national building. The national woman leader, Hajia Ramatu Tijani stated that Audu is a pragmatic leader who has done much when he was governor and he can do it better. She called on the electorate to ensure they keep their Voter cards to enable them exercise the right to vote out PDP in the state. Responding, the APC candidate, Prince Audu stated that he came on a rescue mission, saying that the state is the most backward state in Nigeria. He noted that there has not been meaningful development since he left office 12 years ago. He said that if given the mandate again, Kogi will be ranked among the best in Nigeria. He pledged that he will address the contentious issues of power rotation among the three senatorial districts of the state by handing S over to an Ebira governor or Okun governor after four years in office. Among dignitaries at the presentation of flag are the national Chairman of the Party, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, the National Vice Chairman , Lawan Shuaibu, Governor Rochas Okorocha- Imo,Alhaji Al- Makura, Nasarawa; Dr. Samuel Ortom –Benue; Deputy governor of Adamawa state, Deputy governor of Kwara state, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, National women leader, Zonal Women leader North Central , all serving senators, House of Representatives members and all APC House of Assembly members in Kogi state.

While presenting the flag to Audu at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, stated that it is time for Kogi state to Join the change train and move the state forward

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

From The Civil Service

75% Nigerians have no bank account –AMMON P.16

NAFDAC raises alarm over foods rejected in international market Adeola Tukuru,

ABUJA

he Director General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Paul Orhii, has raised the alarm that Nigerians consume rejected foods from international market to the detriment of their health.

Orhii raised the alarm during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller General Of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ali, yesterday at the NAFDAC headquarters in Abuja. He said the rejected international goods were the causes of the increase in cases of cancer and kidney failure in the country. He however stated that

there was therefore the need to put in place Risk Management System to ensure that goods from international market were screened before consumption. Earlier, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali, said the purpose of the courtesy visit was to seek partnership with NAFDAC and

other enforcement agencies. According to him,”we have a job to do , we want to create a synergy to ensure that all the law enforcement agencies work in unity”. He further called for the need to create a forum where they could discuss common issues and find solution to them.

L-R: Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), Corps Marshal, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, Adei Abu, during a visit to FRSC by the new Comptroller General, in Abuja.

Rep seeks recreation of Unity Schools he House of Representative, Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, has said if Nigeria must be peaceful, there is need to create unity schools for children, to start with. According to her, the idea behind unity schools was to care for children, rebuild their mentality on how to care for one another, bury the animosity all with the hope that the country could rebuild itself. Ukeje made her position known at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Owerri, global reunion held in Abuja. She added that the most effective way of creating unity schools was to help the country integrate itself. She said that unity schools had its required impact in the 70s because it was perfectly put in place. She said an example was the fact that parents gave their children names from tribes different from theirs. “Creating the unity schools made all of us settle together. It is relevant now but more relevant back then,” she said. Also, the national president of the alumni, Mary Helen Nnadi, also tasked the federal government on the recruitment process of teachers in schools. She said investing on

teachers like training would help give them their pride. “Teachers must be trained to teach our children better,” she said. Earlier, the head of the secretariat of the alumni, Lizzy Akpabio, explained that a mentoring programme was initiated by the FGGC, Owerri, Abuja Alumni Association to help young girls in Abuja metropolitan region. According to her, the group was made up of motivated and professional ladies with a common desire to serve as positive role models. “Our mission is to empower young ladies with a positive understanding of self-worth while enhancing their academic and career skills. “Through our core mentoring programme and ongoing community outreach we plan to form positive relationships with young ladies in our community, and extend our reach to positively impact them to excel in school and beyond. “Our goal is to empower girls to realise their potentials while guiding them to become leaders with a desire to promote unity and impact their community. “We support the tremendous potential of young girls by nurturing and developing the skills and values,” she said.

to appeal. It, therefore, urged the tribunal to strike out the appeal for lack of merit. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that when the matter came up for hearing, counsel to the insurance companies, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan

(SAN), closed his case. Also, counsel to FIRS, Bolanle Oniyangi, applied for a date to enable her field the defence witnesses. The acting chairman of the tribunal, Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), adjourned the appeal till November 30, for further hearing.

Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

44 companies sue FIRS over N1.1 bn excess stamp duties

orty four insurance companies have dragged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Tax Appeal Tribunal to seek refund of N1.1 billion excess stamp duties. The companies alleged that they were made to pay

the excess stamp duties on their respective statements of increase in their share capitals. They urged the tribunal to direct FIRS to pay them the excess stamp duties and compounded interest at the rate of 20 per cent per annum from January

2016 census: NPC trains 300 on enumeration demarcation

P.16

2003 until date of judgment. The plaintiffs also urged the tribunal to order FIRS to pay compounded interest of 10 per cent from the date of judgment until all excess were refunded. Meanwhile, the FIRS has said that its action is

lawful and in accordance with Section 21, CAP 8 of the Stamp Duties Act. The FIRS said that the allegations by the companies were incorrect, adding that the plaintiffs suit was time barred because it had exceeded the 21 days prescribed by law for them

130,000 pensioners for verification nationwide, says PTAD DG

P.41

NYSC represents endearing legacy –Ajimobi

P.42

Civil Service

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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2016 census: NPC trains 300 on enumeration demarcation Joel Ajayi ABUJA

s part of its effort to conduct a successful national head count, the National Population Commission has embarked on training of trainers for over 300 personnel of Enumeration Area Demarcation, EAD, for 2016 population census.

Declaring open the phase 1 of Workshop on EAD, the training of the trainers, TOT, on Tuesday, in Nassarawa State, the chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Eze DuruIheoma (SAN), noted that EAD was a foundation of entire census architecture stands. The NPC boss opined that the exercise

marked the national quest to have accurate, reliable demographic data from evidence planning for sustainable development. According to him, population census was the enumeration of all persons resident in a country or well-defined geographical unit at a particular time. He said: “In order to have effective enumera-

tion it becomes imperative to divide the whole land mass of the country into small units that can be easily covered by a team of enumerators. “The essence constitutes the EAD which is one of the core preparatory activities for the census exercise. “To us in the commission, getting the 2016 EAD right is not just an option but an absolute

necessity in the strive to deliver to the nation an accurate and acceptable census. “It is in this regard that the commission is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the EAD for 2016 Census is carried out meticulously, professionally and scientifically in order to provide the basic for its smooth conduct.” The NPC boss explained further: “Quality of the personnel for

the EAD has great impact on its outcomes. Series of training programmes are being put together to ensure that the staff acquire the necessary skills for a truly scientific EAD. “The state level training will take place in seven local government areas in the six geopolical zones the states are; Sokoto, Gombe, Niger, Imo, Osun, Akwa Ibom including kwali in FCT.”

75% Nigerians have no bank account –AMMON Joel Ajayi, Ijeoma Elechi, ABUJA

Kwara State governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (left) congratulating one of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries (Ministry of Water Resources), Dr. Erubu Zubair, during their swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Ilorin, Tuesday.

Ex-senator seeks commission for the aged Joel Ajayi, ABUJA

he founder and international coordinator of Graceful Ageing Fellowship, GRAF, and former senator, Eze Ajoku, has called on government at all levels to establish a commission or center for aged people in the country to ameliorate the multiple disadvantages they face in life. He made this appeal in Abuja at the weekend during the commissioning of GRAF GYM center and the sixth anniversary of the initiative The theme of the lecture at the occasion is: “The responsibility for the ageing, whose business?” Ajoku also lamented the absence of legislation frame-work to care for the aged people. His words: “We know that the aged in the country are abandoned both by

their family members and by the nation they served. “I want to call on government to establish a center or commission similar to Ministry of Women Affairs, to cater for senior citizens. There, they will meet and interact. “It is bad that government has no programme for the aged; they have for youth, women and children, but none for the elderly. It’s time we have a commission to look after the elderly people.” The former senator identified the desire to teach aging Nigerian on how to avoid untimely death through behavioural change as the sole reason behind the establishment of Graceful Ageing Fellowship six years ago. He described exercising as the greatest health restorer. Narrating his experience, he said, “I had a

sickness experience when I was 62 years old, I have been battling with diabetiese for about 22 years; the situation is that bad. “When I approached the doctor, he said I needed a life time change and I asked what that was. That was even after I had left the Senate. He talked about food, Christian faith and exercising. “I hired a personal trainer for exercising and I renewed my faith and changed my food. After some months I discovered that I was feeling better. So, within me I am convinced that God wanted me to teach what I have learnt to my age mates and we started with just 35 members in 2009 as an NGO. Since then we have been teaching people healthy lifestyle.” Continuing, he said, “Exercises have very important role to play; let me tell you no matter amount

of good diet you eat, if you don’t exercise, it amounts to just one per cent. I can tell you in the last six years we have more than 3,000 to 4,000 Nigerians across the country that attend our lecture.” One of the beneficiaries of the programme deaconess Charity Orji, a retired teacher who was full of praise for the initiative (GRAF) said: “I got to know about GRAF through a friend, she told me that there is one fellowship and when I attended the first meeting I discovered that it’s a very good place for me. Today, I can boldly say it that I have no regret. The fellowship has been so useful to me physically and spiritually and otherwise. Before, I was having difficulty in climbing the stair case but now with regular exercise I can jump, I can climb the stair case without problem.”

ssociation of Mobile Money Operators of Nigeria (AMMON), at the weekend disclosed that over 75 per cent of Nigerians had no bank account. The association, however, said in view of the need to prevent the effect of the development on Nigerians, especially those in Internally Displaced Persons camps in the country, it (the group) had already commenced activities which would allow the IDPs to have access to money in their various camps without going to banks. The president of AMMON, Aminu Bizi, said this during a press conference shortly after the inauguration of AMMON in Abuja. According to him, the aim of instituting AMMON was to bridge the gap created by the nation’s financial institutions. He further explained that mobile money helped Nigerians who did not have bank accounts to get money through the mobile money agents across the country. He said: “Most of Nigerians don’t have bank account, those that operate with banks are few, 75 per cent of Nigerians do not have bank account. “Most of the local

governments in Nigeria don’t have banks but when there is a mobile money operator there it will be easier to use mobile money to send money to anybody across the country while the agent delivers the money to the recipient,” he explained. He said further that “we are working to empower people in the IDPs, we are focused on how to reach the IDPs and empower them, we are giving them all the necessary facilities and even the take up capital. “So if there is a mobile money agent in the IDPs camps, they can help in the transfer and reception of cash in the camps under one minute without going to banks. Bizi also revealed that mobile money operators would also train the IDPs to be agents in their various camps which would help engage them in business and make many to take care of themselves while on camp. He stated that the mobile money would further help in combating money laundering and theft because it would make customers not to move about with cash in their pockets. AMMON president disclosed that it had already commenced activities which would allow the IDPs to have access to money in their various camps without going to banks.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

NAFDAC’s agro export competitiveness drive MARTINS F.O. IKHILAE

igeria’s thoughtless dependence on oil earnings for over four decades and the concomitant deleterious effects on her mono-cultural economy are known to have accounted for the ongoing drive by some of the successive governments to tap the huge potentials of the agriculture sector long forgotten both for food security and as a complementary foreign exchange earner. President Muhammadu Buhari has expansively expressed his commitment to the restoration of the lost glory of agriculture as the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Even before the advent of this administration an agricultural development template heavy on private sector initiative with solid Federal Government support had been in place. Agricultural universities and research institutes have been established; agencies like National Agricultural and Land Development Authority (NALDA) and River Basin Development Authorities (RBDA) founded; and actions on Accelerated Food Production Programmes and FADAMA project stepped up. The imperative of adequate funding and insurance led to the establishment of agro-orientated financial institutions like Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme; Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative Bank (NACB); Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Company (NAIC), and Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS). It is also for the same reason that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in con-

junction with the Bankers’ Committee, has had to increase lending to the agriculture sector from one to five percent. By these measures, Nigeria ought to be the food basket of the world! Why not? The recent placement of a one year embargo (July 2015 –June 2016) on the country’s value-added agricultural exports to Europe by the European Food Safety Authority tells the story of unrequited efforts. The affected agro products included beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish, meat, peanut chips and palm oil. While the melon seeds were said to have been contaminated with aflatoxin, others were said to contain high levels of deadly contaminants like mycotoxins, pesticide residues as well as abnormal level of dichlorvos (in the case of beans). Even cocoa, cashew nut, etc were rejected by countries like Japan, USA on the ground of poor quality. The development has unsettled both the federal authorities and private sector players. The unscrupulous activities of some Nigerians involved in international agro trade without the relevant export certification are said to be responsible for this sad development. It is estimated that Nigeria’s yearly loss from rejections of her non-oil exports is in the region of $4 billion. The unsavory development is a wakeup call for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the nation’s premier quality control authority. It is, therefore, stepping up actions to deploy cutting-edge technology as part of the FG’s rescue package. Reeling out the scientific-based solutions recently in Abuja,

IS ESTIMATED

THAT

N IGERIA ’ S

YEARLY LOSS FROM REJECTIONS OF HER

NON - OIL EXPORTS IS IN THE REGION OF

BILLION

the Agency’s Director General Dr Paul B. Orhii, said the orchestrated ban on Nigeria’s agro products by the EU was bad news he has been challenged to redress. The Agency’s robust rescue plan will involve the acquisition of 100 mobile motorized laboratories, which will be deployed to remote farms and produce market centres, sea and air ports, as well as land border stations. The Agency’s personnel are said to be set for this all important national assignment. Intensive training/supervision of farmers, produce marketers and other stakeholders in agro export business is also on the card. One of such enlightenment opportunities is the fourth edition of Agrikexpo, a foremost event for agribusiness development in West Africa, planned for November 2015 in Lagos. Interestingly, the EU-Nigeria Business Forum is a major stakeholder of the event. There is also the monthly training programme on African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) organised by the Bank of Industry (BOI). The success of export trade depends seriously on consistent production of qual-

ity goods and services, which will meet established quality and safety standards, through the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and hygienic practices. NAFDAC has developed competencies on all of these areas. It has in place sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and possesses a very active website displaying its export guidelines for serious minded agro exporters interested in the know-how on food storage and ideal packaging practices. But these technology-based solutions need adequate funding. About N2 billion as bailout is required by NAFDAC to for the immediate import, shipment, and deployment of these technological solutions. On the basis of costbenefit analysis, the Agency deserves such financial support Agency; it deserves to be assisted to get the necessary technology-based solutions needed to address all the issues that necessitated the EU ban. The effective deployment of the cutting-edge technology would propel the forces that would unleash Nigeria’s latent agro greatness. The agro dollars so earned would be the seed money for the nation’s economic revolution. So, the Presidency, National Assembly, as well as the nation’s economic managers must rise to this historic call to rescue the nation from the self inflicted doom by rallying round NAFDAC, approve the funds needed to actualize its well conceived and very patriotic initiative as it will be improper for us to go to sleep while our roofs are on fire. Ikhilae, a Lagos-based public affairs analyst wrote via martinsikhilae@ymail.com and can be reached on 08023405821

Nigeria’s membership of UN Security Council OKECHUKWU EMEH Continued from penultimate Thursday

he central role of Nigeria in liberation struggles in Africa could also be seen in her implacable opposition to the inhuman white minority regime in South Africa, which she helped wrestle to the ground. For example, the ferocious campaigns of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa administration in the 1960s resulted in the Commonwealth being prevailed upon to isolate the racist regime. Besides funding the then Organisation of African Union’s (OAU) Liberation Committee, Nigeria was consecutively given the chance to chair the UN Committee on Apartheid from the 1970s until 1994 when the committee was dissolved following the emergence of majority rule in South Africa. This is not to gloss over the inclusion of the country in the Hall of Fame of the frontline states that stood by Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa in their darkest hours of liberation struggles. Participation in international peacekeeping is another crucial area from which Nigeria’s bid for the permanent seat of the action-packed UN Secretary Council should be considered. Being one of the broadly constituted conflict-resolution mechanisms of the world body, the country has played on indomitable role in this regard in different parts of the world, as seen in its contribution of troops to the UN peace-keeping forces in former flashpoints like Congo

PARTICIPATION IN

INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING IS ANOTHER CRUCIAL AREA FROM

WHICH NIGERIA’S BID … SHOULD BE CONSIDERED (between 1960 and 1964), Lebanon, Cambodia, Namibia, Yugoslavia and India’s administered Kashmir. In recognition of her participation in more than 28 peacekeeping operations around the world, Nigeria, which is second to India in contribution of troops to the UN Blue Helmets, was given the opportunity to head the Peace-keeping Committee of the world body for a decade. In West Africa, Nigeria has not been parsimonious in responding to conflicts that could destabilise the region, and in the search for enduring peace and stability there in the region has paid heavy price with terrible loss of men and materials. For example, in the face of the inaction of the defunct OAU, the country singlehandedly set up ECOMOG, which intervened and restored peace in the 1990s in strife-torn Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, without waiting for the bureaucracy and protocol of the UN forces. On this score, it is estimated, in some quarters, that the universally acclaimed peace enforcement operations of Nigeria in Liberia and Sierra Leone cost her over $14 billion, while she lost up to

1000 soldiers in the operations. The impact of the country had also been felt in Cote d’Ivoire, where she assisted France and other foreign powers to stop the carnage and suffering unleashed by the bloody sectarian conflict that erupted there in 2002. This is not to mention Nigeria’s pivotal role in reversing military coup d’état in Sao Tome and Principe, and recently Burkina Faso. In keeping with her unflagging commitment to the search for international peace and security, Nigeria has thrown her weight behind the international disarmament and arms control regimes. In this connection, she is irrevocably committed to the elimination of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons (so-called weapons of mass destruction). To this end, Nigeria is a signatory to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968; Biological Weapon Convention (BWC) of 1972; Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) of 1989 and the Pelindaba Treaty on Nuclear Free Zone in Africa initiated by the OAU in the 1980s. The country has also identified with various international regimes to stem the tide of illicit flow of small arms and light weapons. In this regard, Nigeria is a leading light in the adoption of the Code of Conduct of ECOWAS Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons (1999) and the OAU’s Bamako Declaration on Developing an African Common Position on Illicit Proliferation, Circulation and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (2000). Her efforts in devoting time, money and

energy to political community building in Africa, through mutually beneficial regional and continental integration, could also count in her quest to secure a permanent seat in the Security Council. In this wise, the country was not only instrumental in the formation of the disbanded OAU in 1963 and ECOWAS in 1975, but has also been in the driving seat of these organisations by playing a prominent role in their funding. In this new century, Nigeria is a motor force behind the New African Initiatives (NAIs) aimed at fostering peace, unity and development on the continent like the African Union (AU), and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Apart from such impressive steps that have made Nigeria the most qualified state in Africa for its single seat in the Security Council, she has also paid her due in the age-long struggle by the developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America for justice, equity and inclusion in the international system, as well as for a quantum leap in sustainable development. In this angle, she was a founding member of the Group of 77 developing countries (or the G-77). To be continued Emeh, a social researcher, wrote from Wuse 2, Abuja via okemehjr@yahoo. com 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, November 4, 2015

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

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

The jailing of oil thieves

ess than six months after four men, Yama Abass, Adeleke Adetoro, Olaniyi Tope and Beliya Abegunde, bagged six years imprisonment each from a Lagos Federal High Court Lagos presided over by Justice Okon Abang, on being convicted for stealing 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N3.2million, property of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the judge’s fire has again burnt the fingers of seven others. Last Friday, Justice Abang jailed Adedamola Ogungbayi; Okaraodi Uche; Olaniran Olabode; Onyeogo Happy; Suraju Gasali; Moses Emmanuel and Wilson Bonsi for 12 years each for illegally and unlawfully dealing in 1,459 metric tonnes of PMS. Unfortunately, the actual value of the product was not highlighted; though it runs into millions if not billions of naira. The judge ruled that the convicts would, in addition, forfeit the vessel, ‘MT Good Success’, which they used to perpetrate the huge theft, as well as the recovered petroleum product to the Federal Government. The oil thieves would also forfeit the sums of N66.6 million and $975,000 belonging to their company Hepa Global Energy Limited – which domiciled in the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to the FG. To ensure compliance, the judge ordered

IT IS HIGH TIME THE VEILS ON THE FACES OF ECONOMIC SABOTAGE AND SHAME WERE FLUNG OPEN TO NIGERIANS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD TO SEE the filing of an Affidavit of Compliance with the order in his court within 21 days of the judgement. The convicts were arraigned on August 28, 2014 on a five-count charge with one Padoun Jacob, whom the court described as a desperate job seeker that became a victim of circumstances, which, to us, is a demonstration of rational discretion in jurisprudence. Jacob was employed by Hepa Global Energy Limited on February 7, 2014, at which time the convicts were obviously neck deep into oil theft business. We recall that roughly two years ago, officials of the Federal Ministries of Finance; Petroleum Resources; and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, individually lamented that the country was losing $1bn (N155bn then) on monthly basis to all manners of oil theft estimated at over 300,000 barrels per day. The Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) also said the country lost

$10.9 billion to oil theft between 2009 and 2011. President Muhammad Buhari, before he assumed office last May 29, revealed that Nigeria was losing about 400,000 barrels of crude daily, which amounted to billions of naira every month. Recent indications equally suggest that Nigeria is witnessing the highest incidents of crude oil theft worldwide. Former President Goodluck Jonathan lamented that much some months before his exit from power. Nigeria’s oil theft ranking is worse than those of Mexico, Russia and Indonesia, the top five nations most plagued by oil theft at the global stage. Also recall that an international oil monitoring journal, ‘Global Financial Initiative’, reported in April 2013 that stolen Nigerian crude was transported on internationally registered vessels; sold to international buyers; processed by international oil refineries; and paid for through numerous international bank accounts. This implies that vast networks of local and international accomplices are involved in the economic robbery. Justice Abang’s court has just exposed the involvement of one local bank, though the level of complicity or innocence may not be determined as yet. We reiterate our flow with the position of now embattled oil minister, Mrs. Diezani AllisonMadueke, who once said local and

ON THIS DAY

external forces must synergize to end the illegal business, no matter the local top notches and sacred cows involved. At the international frontier, therefore, the Nigerian government should be man enough to diligently trace through diplomatic channels the countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas that benefit from the huge theft of Nigerian oil, especially now that President Buhari enjoys enormous international goodwill. Back home, however; and with more of the likes of Justice Abang holding court, the NNPC should no longer be contented with its ritualistic tales of pipeline vandalism and oil theft, but should deploy sufficient resources in not only rehabilitating or replacing naturally ruptured oil pipelines, but working with the security agencies to facilitate the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the crooks stealing refined petroleum products. More importantly, perhaps, is the expectation of Nigerians that with exPresident Jonathan administration out and that of Buhari in, big-time oil thieves would be exposed and brought to justice. The country has treated their identities as a mystery for too long. It is high time the veils on the faces of economic sabotage and shame were flung open to Nigerians and the rest of the world to see.

November 4, 1995

November 4, 2008

November 4, 2010

Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, was assassinated. Rabin (March 1, 1922 – November 4, 1995) was the fifth Prime Minister of Israel, serving two terms in office (1974 – 1977) and 1992 until his assassination in 1995. In 1994, Rabin won the Nobel Peace Prize together with Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat. He was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli radical, Yigal Amir, who was opposed to Rabin’s signing of the Oslo Accords.

Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected as President of the United States. Obama (born August 4, 1961) is the 44th and current President of the US, the first African-American to hold the office. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was president of the ‘Harvard Law Review’. He was once a community organizer in Chicago.

Qantas Flight 32, an Airbus A380 scheduled passenger flight, suffered an uncontained engine failure over Indonesia shortly after taking off from Singapore, crippling the jet. The crew managed to safely return to Singapore, saving all 469 passengers and crew. The failure was the first of its kind for the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. It marked the first aviation occurrence involving an Airbus A380.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing We are inviting deafness –ENT Surgeon

CS-SUNN tasks Kaduna, other states on maternal, child nutrition imperatives 21

Nigeria still among highest TB endemic countries FRANKA OSAKWE

espite a remarkable reduction of tuberculosis, often referred to as TB, around the world, latest report by the World Health Organization (WHO), has shown Nigeria still retaining its slot as one of the five countries with the highest number of cases, recording no fewer than 170,000 people dying every year out of an estimated 570,000 people living with disease. The 2015 Global TB report which was released few days ago also indicates that more than half of the world’s TB cases (54%) occurred in China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan with an estimated 3.3% of new cases globally having the more fatal multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a level that has remained unchanged in recent years. This is even as TB mortality witnesses a 47 per cent global reduction since 1990, with nearly the entire improvement taking place since 2000, when the MDGs were set. From the report, Nigeria’s disease burden of 322 for every 100,000 more than doubled the global average of 133, with 2.9 per cent of new cases having MDR-TB. The Nigerian tuberculosis situation which is almost the same as the previous year, indicates an increase in death from the disease, from 160,000 in 2013 to 170,000 in 2014, while the people living with TB and HIV slightly increased from 85,000 in 2013 to 100,000 in 2014. The report also indicates gains have been made in terms of treatment in the country, with 86 per cent of new cases registered in 2013 and 80 per cent of HIV-TB cases also registered same year. However, despite these gains, a Professor of Microbiology and chairman National Committee on Control of Multi-drug Resistant TB, MDR-TB, Oni Idigbe, says TB still remains a health emergency in Nigeria. This is because many TB patients are living in communities with no access to any form of TB care. “Many TB cases are located at the community where poverty level is high and where people believe the myth that it is caused by a witch in the village. Most hospitals in the communities are not equipped with TB care and that is where you have most of the cases. Now some of these communities, not only are they poor, they are hard to reach and healthcare facilities are far away from them. The services are supposed to be available at the primary health centres, PHCs, at the various local government areas but if you see

… Loses 170,000 out of 570,000 patients

A TB patient

some of our PHCs, they are not really what you can call a care centre”, he said. According to Idigbe, TB is 98-99 per cent curable when the right combination of drugs are used and if the patient adheres to treatment, but sometimes, he said, the disease can develop resistance (MDR-TB cases). “Somewhere along the line, the correct combination of drugs may not be prescribed or the patient is not adhering to treatment. The result of this is that somewhere along the line, the organism (TB bacillus) develops resistance”, he further explained. On solution to the MDR-TB cases, Head of TB research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Dan Onwujekwu, said MDR-TB cases need to be found out and treated so as to control more spread of TB among the populace. “Despite governments effort in addressing the issue of MDR-TB treatment, detecting and controlling the spread of MDR-TB is still a major problem. But, we are happy that the second line drugs for the treatment of MDR-TB are currently available at special treatment centres such as Mainland hospital Yaba, University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital, University College Hospital (UCH),

Ibadan and other places. ” However, he said these drugs are costly and the treatment involves the patient being hospitalized for about 8 months with daily dose of injection. “Not only is this form of TB expensive, it takes 24 months to treat, 8 months as an inpatient at the facility and 12months as outpatient. It is therefore preferable if TBs are cured with the first line drugs without developing into MDR –TB”, Dr. Onwujekwu however said there is hope for those with MDR-TB because the drugs and labs for the treatment are available now. He noted that some patients, when diagnosed with MDR-TB do not want to stay the complete eight months on admission or complete the treatment they require to get cured. This he said is one of the challenges facing the control of TB in the country. Also, a chest physician at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Cyril Chukwu, explains that many TB cases are still largely undetected because an immune -strong person will not necessarily become sick when infected with TB. “The TB can stay dormant in the person for years. In this case, the TB becomes latent;

meaning that the person has TB but is not yet sick with the disease so cannot transmit it. The bacteria becomes active in cases such as; HIV positive cases, advancing age or some medical conditions which can reduce the persons immunity”, he says. This year’s TB report indicates that The MDG target to halt and reverse TB incidence has been achieved on a worldwide basis, in each of the six WHO regions and in 16 of the 22 high-burden countries that collectively account for 80% of TB cases. Globally, TB incidence has fallen by an average of 1.5% per year since 2000 and is now 18% lower than the level of 2000. The report describes higher global totals for new TB cases than in previous years, “but these reflect increased and improved national data rather than any increase in the spread of the disease. Despite these advances and despite the fact that nearly all cases can be cured, TB remains one of the world’s biggest threats. In 2014, TB killed 1.5 million people (1.1 million HIV-negative and 0.4 million HIV-positive). The toll comprised 890 000 men, 480 000 women and 140 000 children. TB now ranks alongside HIV as a leading cause of death worldwide.”

Health & Wellbeing

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

onsumption of certain antioxidant vitamins which are plant-based is a good preventive step to protect the body against destructive processes caused by diseases, thus preserving the life of cells in the body. In other words, when we keep our cells nourished, cleansed and protected by consuming certain antioxidant vitamins, our cells would stay healthy and would not give opportunity for infections and diseases to attack our cells. When zinc for instance is sprayed on steel/metal, it prevents it from rusting. Consequently, when ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is sprayed on a fruits like apple, it prevents it from turning brown. This kind of occurrence usually takes place in the body. Antioxidant vitamins however, protect the body against oxidative damage. Although our bodies make some of their own antioxidants, there is not enough

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Why you need antioxidants

at all to naturally protect it against these free radicals since there are always free radicals entering the body either when the body breaks down food or when the body is exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation. Antioxidants help to slow down the ageing process to some degree. One study states that virtually all diseases stems from “free radical damage.” Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A (beta carotenoids), selenium, and zinc may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Other naturally occurring antioxidants include flavonoids, tannins, phenols and lignans. Plantbased foods are the best sources. These include fruits, vegetables and their juices, whole-grain products, nuts, seeds, herbs (culinary and medicinal herbs), spices, and dark chocolates. A study has shown that a botanical diversity of fruits and vegetables plays a role in the biological effect of antioxidant phytochemicals. The consumption of smaller quantities of many phytochemicals may re-

Chizoba Benson

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

sult in more health benefits than the consumption of larger quantities of fewer phytochemicals. Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is a proven antiviral and anti-bacterial which has stood the test of time according to so many studies. It has helped to boost the immune system, reduce cancer rates, protect cell against tobacco smoke, enhances wound repair and even increase life expectancy rate. It is found in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, green peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli and potatoes. Vitamin E helps protect the functioning of cells and intracellular processes. It helps oxygenate the tissue. It is essential for normal reproductive functions, fertility and physical vigour. It is essential for preventing free radical damage to the cell membranes. It helps prevent asthma, arthritis, heart disease and even premature ageing. Examples of natural sources of vitamin E are: seeds and nuts (walnut, peanut, etc), wheat germ, olive or sunflower oils, leafy green vegetables and liver. Vitamin A - carotenoids and beta-carotene stimulates the

immune processes including induction of cell- mediated immunity against tumors. They also act as natural-killers or antibodies against disease organisms that would want to attack the body. Studies have also shown that consumption of oral beta-carotene is useful for boosting antitumor immunity against cancer patients. Natural sources are: green/yellow/orange vegetables like carrots, squash, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables and pumpkin. Selenium acts with vitamin E as a non specific antioxidant to protect cell membranes and tissues. They help slow down ageing process and hardening of

tissues. Good sources are: wholegrain cereals like barley, whole wheat bread, red meat, seafood, chicken, eggs and garlic. Zinc inhibits virus growths in the body; it reduces average duration of colds for seven days and also inhibits replication of the cold virus. It is a critical nutrient for the immune system. Natural sources are: cereals, nuts and oilseeds. It is vital to regularly consume maximum amounts of plant-based sources such as spices, green tea, fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and even the occasional glass of red wine would help increase the amount of antioxidants that would fight all the free radicals in the body.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults

ometimes when I am aroused and erect, my testicles begin to pain me really badly and enlarge in size. I have been having this experience for years now and I am beginning to suspect that is a reason for not lasting long during intercourse – Femi Dear Femi, this problem you just described happens to some males and is known as ‘Epididymal Hypertension’ by urologists in medical circles. It is better termed ‘Vasocongestion’, which is the collection of fluid in the testicles due to unsatisfied sexual urge. A variety of solutions to this problem have been put forward such as distracting yourself to take your mind of sex, exercising to redirect blood flow, deep breathing, elevating the hips and feet also to redirect blood flow and icing. Icing is a process where you hold a cold or frozen object close to the abdomen. This stimulates the blood in the penis to rush to the core of the body to keep it warm and as this blood leaves the groin area, the pain and swelling gradually go away. But of all these suggested solutions, masturbation remains the most reliable because it actually grants the body what it desires, which is sexual relief. Vasocongestion is simply the outcome of anticipated sex which never takes place. So once you masturbate, the body gets the sexual relief it wants and the pain and swelling go away. There is no medical treatment for this problem. Some men just experience this naturally. As for your premature ejaculation, they are not connected. A simple solution to that is the use of an ejaculation delay cream or ointment such as the Stallion Delay Spray. This will enable you last longer – Uche I bought a vibrator from you guys

years ago which really served me well. Recently I could not find it so I want to order another one. Please I need two vibrators. One of them should be a rabbit vibe and the other a realistic one. The realistic one does not have to vibrate and must not be too big. Thank you – Sandra Hello Sandra, I think I have the perfect toy combination for you. For the rabbit vibrator, I recommend the Rabbit Swoop Plummeting Vibe. It does everything you expect from a rabbit (vibration, pulsation, rotation and dedicated clitoral stimulation) and the size is just right. It is also very pretty with a purple and white colour combination. For the realistic non vibrating dong, I recommend the Espresso Dong. It has an insertable length of 6.5 inches and is smooth and veined for a realistic feel. It also has a suction base to enable you stick it to a smooth floor or bathroom wall for handsfree use – Uche I called you last week about my problem of painful sex and the Mood Sensitive lubricant you recommended really really helped me. I just wanted to say thank you and good job – Chinaza You are welcome – Uche I need a mild erection enhancer that can give me a functional erection. I am 61, hypertensive and I struggle to get an erection. I still desire sex and I have not given up on my sex life – Chike A good and gentle aphrodisiac would be Man Up Now. Take one to two capsules of Man Up Now as instructed and it will give you good erection, staying power and multiple rounds too – Uche I have been using your Extenze Maximum Strength penis enlarger since the beginning of September and by my last

measurement over the weekend, I have grown an extra inch in length. I also feel fuller and I am so excited – Edward That is great Edward. Keep up the therapy and you will grow even longer. Combine it with a penis pump and you can get three to four inches in extra length within the next three months – Uche My new girlfriend is the latest beneficiary of my turbo charged sex life powered of course by the mighty Power Zen supplement. I showed her who is boss four times in one night and now she wants something that she too can use like a cream or something – Elo A good arousal cream for women is the Sex Accelerator Gel which stimulates from the outside and works differently. If there is any female enhancer that comes close to the male Power Zen, it has to be Total Diva. It will make a woman want sex nonstop for three

days just from taking one tiny tablet – 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.

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TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria, CS-SUNN, in collaboration with other civil society and health sector groups, has called on governments across the country to prioritise funding of maternal and child nutrition.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

CS-SUNN tasks Kaduna, other states on maternal, child nutrition imperatives This is even as it also charged Kaduna State Government to also place adequate attention to maternity and Exclusive Breast Feed-

ing (EBF) protection through the extension of maternity leave to six months from the current three months as had been done by the Lagos State

Government. These recommendations were among the decisions taken at the one day Stakeholders’ Forum for policy

L-R: Sen. Samuel Anyanwu; Senator Mathew Urhoghide and Mrs. Obiageli Urhoghide, during the investiture and Award night of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, recently.

IPAS makes case for abortion law review ADEOLA TUKURU,ABUJA

non- governmental organisation, IPAC has called for a review of Nigeria’s abortion law, saying no fewer than 760,000 girls within the age bracket of 25 reportedly carry out abortion annually. Addressing participants drawn from various media house in the country, at the just concluded 3- day training organised by the organisation in Abuja, Dr Godwin Akaba, a consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the

University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada said abortion is the highest promoter of maternal mortality in Nigeria. According to him, “Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate due to abortion has increased over the years and it is on record that over 400 women die as at the time this survey was carried out this year.” He however frowned at the low response from women accessing medical help with regards to pregnancy, adding that less than 60% of women in Nigeria attend Ante-natal out of which less

than 36% give birth in the hospital. He added that unsafe abortion contributes to at least 13% of maternal mortality adding however that more than 456,000 unsafe abortions are done with a conservative estimate of 3,000 women dying yearly in Nigeria. “Women who survive unsafe abortion may suffer acute and short term complications including haemorrhage, sepsis, trauma to various organs as well as long term sequelae like infertility and increasing risk of ectopic pregnancy.

“Globally, causes of maternal mortality include Eclampsia, 12%, Severe bleeding, 24%, Obstructed Labour, 8%, Indirect Cause, 20%, infection, 15% and Unsafe Abortion, 13%. These Unsafe abortion amounts to 67,000 deaths each year.” Akaba listed lack of contraception access and use as the leading cause of maternal mortality as this results in unintended pregnancy, which could lead to unsafe abortion adding that only 10% women in Nigeria use modern method contraceptives.

PSN advocates new treatment for childhood killer diseases FRANKA OSAKWE

he Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), under its PSNPACFaH project, has called for a review of the national treatment guideline for childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea, to the WHO/UNICEF’s new treatment guideline. The society made this call at a press conference, in Lagos, ahead of its 88th Annual National Conference of the Society tagged “Unity 2015,” scheduled for Abuja from November 9 to 14, 2015. Explaining the new treatment guideline, the Soci-

ety’s President, Pharmacist Olumide Akintayo, said the new first line treatment for childhood pneumonia includes Amoxicillin dispersible tablet (Amoxicillin DT), while Zinc-Lo ORS has been adopted as treatment for childhood diarrhoea 2016. Akintayo explained that the PSN-PACFaH project is a three-year programme on child and family health, aimed at reducing death caused by treatable childhood killer diseases which accounts for the death of over 400,000 under-five Nigerian children annually. “PACFaH has four programme areas, which include:

treatment of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea; family planning; routine immunization; and nutrition. The PSNPACFaH is also seeking to encourage local healthcare providers and private sector actors to increase production, distribution and appropriate promotion of the essential life-saving commodities, increase capacity of indigenous civil society- community & faith-based- organisations to conduct advocacy and track budgetary allocation for the procurement of child health commodities”, he said. Other objectives of PSNPACFaH, according to Akintayo, include advocate for

adequate and wide-spread training to ensure that frontline health workers are knowledgeable about diagnosing correctly and effectively treating childhood pneumonia and diarrhea using Amoxicillin DT and Zinc/ORS respectively; build a high performing team of indigenous civil society organisations that will engage with key policy makers for the achievement of the project objectives; advocate for budgetary allocation and in collaboration with the legislature, create a specific budget line in the ministry of health for the procurement of the essential life-saving commodities.

makers, senior government personnel and nutrition stakeholders by the CSSUNN under the PACFaH project in collaboration with Kaduna State Ministry of Health in Kaduna recently. The forum was designed to bring together policy makers, government representatives, civil society organizations, the media, donors/ partners and other relevant nutrition stakeholders to discuss and bring to the fore the problems of malnutrition and to come up with solutions to mitigate this scourge among our women and children in Kaduna state. Participants specifically canvassed amongst other imperatives, the need for Kaduna State Government to implement the National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (NSPAN 2014-2019) at every level, with emphasis on maternal and child nutrition and also increase funding for maternal and child nutrition at the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and other relevant sectors at the

national and in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger states. In addition, they also canvassed increased budgetary allocation and timely release of funds for maternal and child nutrition practices and interventions, at the state and local government levels. According to a statement signed by the CS-SUNN Chairman Steering Committee, Professor Ngozi Nnam, participants at the forum also charged government to engage media on focused and strategic media coverage, reportage, effective tracking and monitoring of nutrition interventions in Kaduna as well as provide free/reduced cost platforms for promotion of Maternal and Child nutrition practices like Exclusive breast feeding and effective disease control and management For the CSOs/NGOs/professional bodies, the stakeholders charged them to advocate for scaling up of nutrition activities within communities as well as promote sustained community health education on nutrition.

Too much meat can cause cancer –WHO FRANKA OSAKWE

he World Health Organization has confirmed that high-meat diets can cause cancer. According to the WHO report, processed meats like sausage and bacon as well as red meats, are all carcinogenic when eaten in high rates. The report was published last month, after 22 scientists from 10 countries brainstormed at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, on the association between cancer and meat consumption in order to evaluate the carcinogenicity of highmeat diets. The team looked specifically at the health effects of eating processed meat (meat that has been transformed from its original state, such as bacon and sausage), and the effects of eating red meat (unprocessed animal muscle, such as beef, pork, and lamb). In order to evaluate these risks, the researchers investigated the association of cancer and meat consumption in several countries and also looked into how rat populations are affected by these diets. Based on their

research, a majority of the group concluded that there is sufficient evidence in human beings for the carcinogenicity of the consumption of processed meat with the report specifically naming ham, hot dogs, sausages, and jerky in this category. In addition, the team classified the consumption of red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans, but cited that there was inadequate evidence in experimental animals to definitively prove this link. According to them, this correlation between cancer and eating processed meats was strongest seen in the case of colon and stomach cancer, although eating red meat was also linked to pancreatic and prostate cancer. According to the WHO report, one of the major culprits for meat’s carcinogenic properties is its preparation. “Common meat processing techniques, such as curing and smoking, can often result in the formation of carcinogenic chemicals. For red meat, although cooking makes meat both taste better and easier to digest, it can also produce known or suspected carcinogens”, it said.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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We are inviting deafness –ENT Surgeon In most towns and cities of Nigeria, people are daily being subjected to a cacophony of noise at different levels from record shops, worship places, generators, etc. In this interview with SAM EFERARO, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeon, Dr. O.G.B Nwaogwu of the ENT department, University College Hospital (UCH), says such high level of noise is not only injurious to health but could, over a long period, result in deafness. Excerpts: As an ENT surgeon, what do you think of the level of noise in our environment? n Nigeria things are not going the way they should be. When we are talking about noise and hearing, it’s all about the ear which is the organ with which we hear. The ear has three parts – the outer ear, middle ear, and the inner ear. The noise, as it were, where it does have more effect is in the inner ear where we have the sensory organ or the main organ of hearing. There are minute hairs there that actually link the neural pathways to the brain as noise as the case may be. Noise may be in various forms – like generators, aircrafts, machines and of course, the people that sell records. All these things generate forms of noise, but noise becomes injurious when it becomes sustained and greater than 80 decibels so, when somebody is exposed continuously for about 8 hours at decibels above 80, the noise really become injurious. Take for instance, we are supposed to have electricity in this country for twenty-four hours but what we have are just ‘I pass my neighbour’ type of generators in some areas. Assuming that you have this household or in a flat where we have maybe about six tenants each one with his own kind of generating set and NEPA goes off, you know the kind of thing that is generated there. So all these impact on the ear and eventually, because these things are sustained over time, it becomes chronic and damages the hearing organ. You may ask, is their some amount of noise that might not damage the ear? Yes. I’ve said that when we have noise above 80 decibels sustained over a period of eight hours it becomes harmful. Assuming that even the 80 decibels – maybe the person is exposed to it for about an hour and the person goes away from that very environment, there’s what we call temporary thresholds shift, it means that the so called damage produced within this one hour period, if the person goes away from that very environment, the ear can

recover. But if the thing persist over a period of time and does not give room for recovery, it becomes permanent so we now begin to say that the person has now gotten noise-induced hearing loss. When you say it becomes permanent what is the consequence? Are you saying the person is deaf? I will not use the word ‘deaf.’ I will say he has a hearing loss. But if it is so prolonged that the normal level of hearing is now so compromised that when you do a pure tone audiometry, the individual pick - even when you give a sound at 100 decibels the person does not even hear it, it then means the person is deaf. Nigerians subject themselves to a loud level of noise every day. Does it mean we are gradually working ourselves to deafness? Definitely. They are beckoning to deafness without knowing it. There’s no way a layman like me can measure the noise level as you have mentioned. How then can we know when the noise level is becoming dangerous? We are supposed to have monitoring and evaluation team from the ministry of health. And we have measuring instruments – sound level meters – that they are supposed to use to check environmental noise. In fact, we are supposed to have an environmental agency... We do have... Yes. These are supposed to be part of their job, but they don’t do these things or even if they do they just look away. There are minimum permissible sound levels. When the thing is more than 30 decibels you shouldn’t allow that not to talk of when the thing now goes to 80. That is one side of it. Have you gone to the production companies – the breweries, mineral producing companies, or the weaving industries? These people use heavy machines but what are the regulatory bodies doing? The workers don’t even

use protective devices like ear plugs. Which of the companies provide the devices to their workers? They (regulatory bodies) are supposed to visit these companies and make sure they enforce the regulations but they don’t. Maybe if they go they are compromised. So what can an individual do? It is when the individual is aware that such regulations exist that you will talk of what they can do. People have rights. There’s the Company Protection Act, for instance but are the people working in these companies aware that such an act exist and be able to seek redress? Even where they try to seek redress, these things are covered so it’s a hell of a problem.

Dr. Nwaogwu

I don’t know if there are studies to show this but have you observed that Nigerians are generally loud? Yes. If you look at such people, the environment in which they grew up is a noisy environment, and because that has been built into their subconscious, that people are not hearing them they tend to talk louder. Talking louder or trying to shout could as well be a pointer to the fact that the hearing is defective.

involved in the management of ear problems in this country? In Nigeria, we have approximately 140 ENT surgeons serving a population of well over 160 million and these people are even based in the urban areas. When you come to the audiologists, we don’t have more than ten real audiologists in this country. Now, there are some people who are learning on the job who have increased the number in this category to about 40 or thereabout.

So, there has been no study on that? Oh there are studies and publications – by Ologe, Lasisi, Showole – to show that we have varieties of hearing loss in various populations.

In this kind of situation, what advise will you give to the man on the street on what to do concerning problems affecting his ears? There is a speciality that is known as ear, nose, throat surgery. When somebody notices that there’s problem with the ear he should ask for appropriate referral to the few that are present. We are trying as much as possible to make sure that we produce more ENT surgeons but we have to ensure that we produce people who, when they go out of the shores of this country, they are able to compete with their colleagues.

Ours is not an environment where doctors refer patients to specialists so who exactly should manage ear problems. If I notice that my hearing capacity is declining, who do I see? It’s the ENT surgeon. It is the ENT surgeon who will evaluate the patient and determine what the likely cause of hearing loss is. He will then move him (the patient) to the audiologist. The audiologist now assesses the hearing, using special equipment. But do we have enough ENT surgeons and other specialists

Given the ratio of these specialists to our population, are they not too busy? They are really busy and some are not too busy because only few people have come to ap-

preciate that there are such ear problems that the doctor (general practitioner) can’t treat. Is there a way we can prevent hearing problems? The problem is from the community up to the Federal level. For the communities where the hospitals are based, Nigeria being what it is, the chemists goes to treat ear problems, the laboratory technologist and the pharmacist treat ear problems not to talk of the general medical practitioner. These people should know their limit and try to refer appropriately. Then the other problem with us in Nigeria is that when somebody has been to a doctor and has been given a particular prescription, the other person that may be having a similar complaint, sometimes long standing, may think that the same drug that was given to his neighbour will also work for him and then may decide to apply and before you know it, things begin to go wrong. Then we need the political class to recognise that such a speciality exist. They should try and encourage people who are in it, give the hospitals the political will to really do something, train people appropriately and provide the equipment with which to work.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge I started dancing in 2003 –Crazy Legs

‘Stitches of Partnership 4’ unites Okundaye, Wewe

Frills, thrills at Olokun Festival For close to two weeks, Yoruba culture came to the fore as the 2015 Olokun Festival took place. Here are the highlights: Robert Awokuse

his aptly describes the Olokun Festival, whose theme was “Traditional festival and the prospects of cultural dividends” kicked off on October 1, with prayers to Almighty God at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja and to the grand finale of the Olokun Festival on October 22 at the Suntan Beach, Badagry, Lagos State. The festival kicked off with prayers to God at Lagos Airport Hotel as a way of committing the eleven-day long event in God’s hand. The press conference was held at White House Hotel in Ikeja to highlight the programme of event while the art exhibition came up at the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) in Lagos. The next event was the Yoruba Quiz Competition where students from various schools displayed their understanding of the Yoruba culture to the admiration of guests and participants. Army Children Snr High School, Ikeja Millitary Cantoment emerged as the winner, State senior secondary, GRA, Ikeja came second while Estate Senior Grammar School, Ilupeju Oshodi came third. Also, Miss Onayemi Olamide, an undergraduate of Babcock University defeated 14 contestants to emerge as winner of the Olokun Beauty Pageant 2015 and she won a car and some money. Other events that took place include: Beach soccer, Boat regatta, Ayo Olopon, Olosa gala night at Badagry. During the festival lecture, Dr. Enomhen Sylvester, a Senior Lecturer at Lagos State University, Ojo, and guest speaker, whose lecture titled ‘Cultural heritage and modernity in Nigeria said that culture was the way of life of our people. “Culture was held in high esteem in Africa, adding that it was people’s ways of life. He urged the youths to understand their cultural practices and ensure that they abide by then. Also, Gani Adams, said the lecture was designed to educate people about the various advantages they can confer on the desire for development. It will also to help identify and highlight the challenges Nigerian cultural development faces in modern time. “Our choice of theme is also informed by the need to direct our common consciousness to the positive and negative impacts modernity, civilisation continue to have on our culture. “By our culture and other vultures it is our intention to use this lecture to address not only the cause of this impact. The Festival Foundation quiz competition was won by Army Senior High School, Ikeja. The first runner-up was State High School, Ikeja and the second runner-up was Estate Senior Grammar School. They all went home with N70,000, N50,000,

Yoruba drummers N30,000 respectively and the questions centered on consonants, syllable and Yoruba numerical systems. Other schools that participated in the competition were Ilupeju Senior Secondary School, Bolade Senior High School, State High School and community Senior Secondary School. During the meeting between 75 traditional rulers from South West and Republic of Benin at the Olosa Gala Night of the Olokun Festival, Otunba Gani Adams urged them to protect the culture and tradition of the land and not neglect it because politics or monetary gains. This act has made some people to disrespect some traditional rulers while some of them have been dragged to court. “Festivals belong to the traditional rulers in Yorubaland, because it is your responsibility to lift the culture and tradition high in the land. You are the custodian of culture and tradition should not be thrown away because of politics. “ Oba Ganiyu Adekunle, the Aseyin of Iseyin urged the traditional rulers to take heed to Otunba Gani Adams . He also urged his colleagues to obey Gani Adams not to relent on his efforts to uplift the culture and tradition of the people. The representative of Ankra of Badagry, High Chief Agoloto of Badagry revealed that the continuous celebration of Olokun Festival in Badagry by Otunba Gani Adams has brought about many good things to the people of Badagry, such as the largest Sea Port in Africa which was recently located in Badagry, the discovery of Petroleum products and Gas in about five places which will last for more than one hundred and sixty years. At the grand finale, the chief promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) and Oodua Progressive Union, Europe, Otunba Gani Ad-

ams said the culture of religious observances and traditional festival celebrations hold a pride of place and are held sacrosanct by the Yoruba people. Talking about Olokun Festival, the promoter of Yoruba culture, had this to say: “ Olokun is derived from oni-okun (the owner of the sea). Olokun is the sea-god of “lord of the sea”. Olokun is the chief god of not only for fishermen and everyone whose livelihood is eked from the sea; he is the principal deity of everyone that lives close to the sea. He is the Orisha entrusted with the care of the sea which is a major source of water and economic survival for mankind.” In his words: “Part of the reasons we celebrate this festival is the name, Olokun, which is universal. In Edo language, Olokun is Olokun while in Urhoboland, particularly Okpe, Olokun is Olukun. Among the Igbos, Olokun is Mmuo Mmili or Eze nwaanyi Mmili. It is Ndem Mmo among the Efik and the Ibibio while in Gaa language in Ghana, it is Farr Ingmo. Beyond Africa, Olokun festival is celebrated in the Diaspora and it is among the belief treasures of the Yoruba that survived among the descendants of enslaved Africans in the Americas.” On the theme of the festival, Gani Adams reiterated that cultural and religious tourism can augment and provide alternative source of revenue for our economy because Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources. Part of these resources are our religious and cultural festivals which are capable of drawing tourists, which in turn would translate in attracting the foreign exchange required for economic growth and development.

In Edo language, Olokun is Olokun while in Urhobo land, particularly Okpe, Olokun is Olukun. Among the Igbo, Olokun is Mmuo Mmili or Eze nwaanyi Mmili

Dean of Arts, University of Lagos, (Unilag), Prof. Muyiwa Falaiye, in his lecture on the theme noted that festivals are mostly celebrated to propagate the cultural heritage of a people and they come in various forms. “When a festival is a national one, it aims to imbue in citizens of that country the spirit of patriotism and solidarity. When it is religious, it promotes amongst the diverse adherents of that religion a feeling of brotherhood and universal affiliation relative to the other world. Festivals could be international when they express the commonness of humanity through the promotion of existential ideals. In the celebration of any of these festivals, interpersonal barriers and structures imposed by existential divides as well as the rules and norms of everyday life are suspended.” The university don quipped that festivals irrespective of their kind, are meaning-creating events. They are social points where openness of mind and representation of the world are evident. They enable people reach out to, and appreciate, their history, by making them appraise their past and see how it affects their present, manage their past through critical reflection and visionary action, and thereby prepare them for their future. The Director General, CBAAC, Sir Ferdinand Anikwe said, ‘I am a great lover of the Yoruba culture and what Gani Adams has started other Nigerians should emulate him’. Guests in attendance include Oba Joseph Adeoye, Owa Ajero of Ijero kingdom, Oba Ganiyu Adekunle, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, Zaki of Arigidi Akoko and over seventy Obas in Nigeria and Benin, Amb. Yomi Fash Lanso, Chief Victor Mobolaji Adewale, Deputy Coordinator, OPU Europe and other representatives of OPU worldwide, Maria Rodrigo from Spain, Iyanifa Ifatoun Marla from Brazil, more than thirty Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and Igbo Community in Lagos, Badagry council of chiefs respectively were present.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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VOICES

Piracy in Nollywood

Jide Rotilu

t would not be that easy but a special taskforce in Nigeria for dealing with piracy both land and online has to be created to facilitate court processes. Some of the sites hosted might be in areas where there’s no jurisdiction, such places might be extremely difficult to achieve your goal. In such scenarios, you can go after their source of income, report the site to Google or the Ad Manager with evidence and Google might block out their Ad Account. Let’s hope such scenarios are not popular. On the domestic side, major forms of land pirates are the rental club pirates. The rent-a-club pirates, these are the guys who run video clubs and rob the producers in both broad and narrow day light. I mean, they are just slapping the industry. I understand when Desmond Elliot (a popular Nollywood actor) says the Video Clubs have to be scrapped. I mean if people steal from you every day and you can see them but probably do nothing, you would also wish for their extinction. Some of these video club owners redub the movies and sell at a giveaway price to consumers. This is a major problem as there are more than 7000 clubs scattered across the country. Video clubs are meant to be adding more revenues to Nollywood but the relationship is parasitic. From the article ‘Video rental business as a lucrative venture’ by Oyetunji Abioye, most video club owners purchase movies from marketers at the rate of N240, to rent out at the rate of N100 for a 12hour window. This is perfect business for the club, but major revenue loss for the movie producer. The club has to rent the movie out to 2 people in 24 hours to break even on that movie and from thereon they keep raking in profits from that movie copy. Marketers or producers should renegotiate a higher license fee or sign a revenue sharing agreement. Because of nationwide spread, a good relationship with rental clubs is pertinent for the time being. But $2 as a license fee to rent out your movie is ridiculous. According to this logic, it is very clear the Video Rental Clubs as a group would even rake in more

Jide Rotilu and Tunde Kelani

revenue than the marketers, writers, actors all combined. When I buy a movie for N240 from you, it becomes my property and I have repeat business from the rent, the marketer only has a one off business for that movie which is the N240 paid. An option could be get the movie license at N5000 or get the operating license at N1000 and pay us a percentage you get from the revenue of my movie. This is a solid rip-off. Back to piracy in the rental clubs, you can trust the video club owners but you have to verify. I suggest periodic inspections on the video club owners and bonuses for targets met and for club owners who go the extra mile to curb piracy in their vicinity (probably by provisions of posters in their ward to sensitise the public). Bonuses could be a tax break from the Government (Nollywood needs all the government’s support it can get), dis-

count on registration fees, or anything to motivate the video club owners to be fully committed to this fight. Other areas where revenue can be sought after to offset the lost revenues due to piracy is in Product Placements, Movie producers need sharp marketing buffs to attract product placement deals from companies whether small, medium or large. Your budget would determine the airtime and positioning your campaign would receive. I have seen millions of mobile phones and other products used without any charge attached to it. This is a massive loss in revenue. Imagine if Blackberry Babes (a Nollywood movie) was actually sponsored by Blackberry. Almost every scene had a Blackberry handset or logo in it. I am not saying Research In Motion would have been willing to sponsor the movie because well the story just

Video club operators should be inspected and the deals should be renegotiated, deals with television stations especially Africa Magic must be adequately renegotiated

Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? My favourite author is Joyce Meyer, I like her because of the message, and her books are inspirational. What is your favourite book? My favourite book is Gifted Hands by Ben Carson. I love that book because of the inspiration, that book inspires like no other, it speaks to the soul. What do you look out for in books you buy? When I buy a book, I look out for the message, I make sure that the book has a message; I can’t buy a book without skimming through it; so while skimming through it, I try to find a connection with the book, and the author and title of the book also helps me decide on the book to buy. What book are you reading presently?

Halima Ailakhu

Artiste

Joyce Meyer’s The Confident Woman. How much is your annual budget on books? I have no exact budget on books; I buy books if I like them. When I come across a book I like, nothing stops me from buying it. Who or what influenced your attitude to reading? Hmmm, as a kid I used to read different story books like Ralia, The Sugar Girl, The Wicked Step Mother and others but as I began to grow I started finding more intellectual books and generally, I read inspirational books. If you write a book what would be your theme and why? If I were to write a book, it would be on mind-building.

wasn’t great, but if a decent movie with great talents attached approached MTN or a small scale business or a start up for a product placement at a sensible fee, no one loses and we have offset some losses from piracy. From my vantage point, these are some plugs that can offset the damage from the millions of leaks presently killing the industry. There are so many other leaks that can be plugged to at least offset some losses due to piracy. In Nollywood 2.0, product placement should be taken seriously, Video club operators should be inspected and the deals should be renegotiated, deals with television stations especially Africa Magic must be adequately renegotiated and proper domestic/international distribution has to be a priority. In fact if Mr. President’s $200 million stimulus went into distribution alone, the effect would change Nollywood forever. Proper distribution is the key to piracy reduction.

*Jide Rotilu, a Technology Strategist, is aso a comedy sketch writer.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ARTISTE UNCENSORED Responding to life’s situations may make one fold or focus. Vershima Mende, who goes by the stage name, Crazy Legs, sure, has ‘crazy legs’, designed for dancing as can be testified by regular visitors to celebrity hangout, O’Jez, Surulere, Lagos. Justin Esade

ende is a regular at celebrity hangout, O’jez inside the National Stadium premises, Surulere, Lagos where he entertains with deft dance steps every Friday and Sunday shows. He is popularly called Crazy Legs but the physically challenged with both legs cut off at the knees also has issues with his right hand. Despite walking on two stumps, the handsome young man in his early 20s would rather not sit at the road side and beg for alms like most of his mates with less disability. “I will rather dance and make money than to go and sit at the roadside and beg for alms like most disabled people do. In fact, I always feel embarrassed when people give me money at the bus stop while I wait for the bus. I always tell them politely, sorry, I am waiting for the bus like you, and I am not here to beg. But many would rather insist I took the money and sometimes I do because you know human being, they will begin to say I am a proud person.” Is he a proud person? “Yes, I am a proud Nigerian who believes that I must work hard to make a living and not constitute a nuisance to the society by begging for alms.” It will surprise one to know that Crazy Legs is also an athlete. He represented Nigeria at the recently concluded All Africa games held in Congo although he did not win any medal in the sports for physically challenged athletes. “I got to the final in weightlifting in the 170kg

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

I started dancing in 2003 –Crazy Legs

category.” He is into Short Put, Javelin, Discus (class 57) and Lawn Tennis. He also plays football. All these started in 2010 when he realized that people living with disability are still participating in sports. “I have never allowed my condition to limit me, so most times I chose to play football with able bodied men just to prove that what they can do, I can do it too. Although I notice that they treat me with caution in the field of play, something I am really not comfortable with anyway. Of a truth, I don’t often think about my disability because everything I have wanted to do, I have done,” the Benue State native said. He is however gaining more popularity through dancing. “I started dancing in 2003 and I rehearse a lot because I truly love dancing. I watch dance videos a lot too but I started getting popular some couple of years ago and people began inviting me to perform at shows in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Abuja, Enugu, regularly. I meet a lot of people at O’jez who will extend invitations for shows after they have seen my performance every Friday and Sunday here (O’jez). I make enough money from dancing to keep me from begging.” Crazy Legs called on government to assist physically challenged people to stop them from begging on the streets. “Not everybody has the talents God has given me, I dance, and I am an athlete and make some little money. There are so many people like me without one talent or skill, so let government open skills acquisition centres to train physically challenged people so that they can become useful to themselves, family and the society. For instance, I want to open a dance studio to train physically challenged people, but where is the money?”

Is he a proud person? “Yes, I am a proud Nigerian who believes that I must work hard to make a living and not constitute a nuisance to the society by begging for alms.”

Crazy Legs

MIDWEEK JUMP

Brunel University African Poetry Prize International Radio Playwriting Competition

he Brunel University African Poetry Prize invites entries. Worth £3,000 (US$4,640) to the winner, the prize aims to develop, celebrate and promote poetry from Africa. The Prize is for ten poems in order to encourage serious poets. Only poets who have not yet had a full-length poetry book published are eligible. The Prize is open to poets who were born in Africa, or who are nationals of an African country, or whose parents are Africans. The deadline is 30 November. Brunel African poetry prize D

riters living outside the UK are invited to submit their scripts to the 25th International Radio Playwriting Competition. The global competition, hosted by BBC World Service and the British Council, in partnership with Commonwealth Writers and co-producers The Open University, offers the unique opportunity for playwrights to use the medium of radio drama to reach an international audience. The competition has two first prizes – one for writers with English as a First Language and another for writers with English as a Second Language. Both winners will attend an award ceremony in London and see their plays recorded for broadcast on BBC World Service. The dramas need to be 53 minutes long and can be on any subject. The closing date for entries is midnight (GMT) on 31 January Radio writing contest 2016.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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FAR AND NEAR

‘Stitches of Partnership 4’ unites Okundaye, Wewe of contemporary Yoruba art and design. Wewe, whose works are widely acclaimed for their originality, simplicity, surface texture and mastery of colours, is considered one of the most talented artist. His work is a hybrid of African and western sensibilities and images, reflecting his own training and experience as an international artist. Wewe’s work has been exhibited across Europe and the US. As a full time artist, he lives and works in Ondo State.

Ngozi Emedolibe

or art connoisseurs in Lagos, another apt opportunity is being put in place to collect the best of contemporary paintings as Mrs. Nike Okundaye and Tola Wewe, former Ondo State Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, on Saturday November 7, at the Nike Art Gallery, Elegushi Road, Ikate Lagos, present a collection of their new paintings at a joint art exhibition entitled: Stitches of Partnership 4. The show will be open till November 17. It is a way to round off the year as well as offer collectors opportunity to collect their works and embrace their medium. Each of the two artists will feature 20 paintings, which will be juried, but the works will be mirroring individual artist’s studio traits to daily happenings in the society, ranging from culture, to environment and other social issues. The exhibition is a collaborative effort to feature the two top artists, who have in their various endeavors produced and executed remarkable art works in the last two decades. The hosting of the exhibition, according to the management of Nike Art Gallery, is due primarily to the public and popular demand to view the works of the artists. The opening event will feature dance performance, Nigerian cultural food and wearable arts. “It will feature painting that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland and Nigeria. Works are drawn from the archives of the two artists and they are paintings that will thrill any art lover,’’ the gallery said. Nike Okundaye is the brain behind the Nike Art Empire. She is one of the most respected internationally known female

Maniac unveils new act, Abel-J Isiguzo Destiny

Okundaye and Wewe

artist from Nigeria, who has made astounding strides in textile, visual arts and mixed media painting. Some of her work can be found amongst the collection of George Harrison (Beatles pop group member), the White House (seat of power in the United States of America), and museums worldwide. There is hardly any important museum in the world that does not have Mrs Okundaye’s work. She is an artist of many parts. She drums, directs plays, dances, paints, and trains young adults to do all of the listed. However, she is most outstanding in paintings and designs of adire, beadwork and batik. She was once described as an artist who used detailed and arresting batik images to chronicle her society’s contradic-

tory views towards women. ‘Mama Adire’ as she likes to be known, has won countless awards from around the world, not only for her artwork, but her contribution to her community at wide and the impact she has had on people’s lives. One of Nike’s proudest achievements was in the year 2000, when she was invited to Italy by the Italian government to train young Nigerian sex workers how to use their hands to engage in creative ventures. Tola Wewe is a founding member of the Ona Movement which started in February 1989. The movement is a group of scholars, critics and practicing artists committed to pursuing artistic excellence through the adaptation and interpretation of traditional materials and methods, forms and styles

Bianca Ojukwu for Akwaaba’s Wedding Show Joel Ajayi

ormer Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Ojukwu will be cutting the tape to formally open the Wedding & Spa Show at Akwaaba Travel Market. However, other VIP’s are also lined up to declare other sessions at the 3-day Travel Trade Event. African Travel Market will be taking place from the 22nd to the 24th of November 2015 at the Eko Hotels & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja ahead of the show, one of the organisers, Rita-Ikechi Uko,

Bianca

noted that, it is sad that event cannot accommodate more exhibitors this year. “We have stopped all registration of exhibitors as all spaces have been booked the space used this year is the same used last year and will not accommodate new exhibitors.” Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the former Nigerian Leader Chief Odumeugwu Ojukwu is also a former beauty queen who has since moved into diplomacy. The Wedding Show is sponsored by Dubai Tourism in partnership with Emirates and will feature over 10 countries showcasing amazing Wedding & Honeymoon destinations, Weekend Getaways and Spa Sanctuaries. There will also be a raffle where visitors can win free tickets to amazing destinations. It also features guest presentation by Seyi Olusanya on “Planning a destination Wedding”. The wedding show will hold on the 22nd of Nov from 2pm. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in line with their objective to bring connectivity in Africa has partnered with Akwaaba to organise the Aviation day. On her own, head of Communications for Travelstart Nigeria, Oluwakemi Ojo said, “We’re delighted to have the oppor-

tunity to participate in this year’s Akwaaba African Travel Market Expo, to build on our existing affiliations, acquire competitive advantage for Travelstart and stay up-to-date with latest development in the travel industry. This event is open to all hotel and hospitality professionals. Hospitality Day holds on the 24th Nov, 2015. Attendance is by registration. Nigerians are the 2nd fastest growing market for Wine in the World with net worth of US$300 million a year and value expected to reach $370 by 2015. Wine Tasting Event at the Hospitality Day presents will provide an opportunity for Wine Producers from all parts of the World to Network and Market to over 50 Wine distributors from across Nigeria. Not only that, it will also offers wine distributors the opportunity to deal directly with wine producers eliminating the middle men. The wine tasting event will hold on the 24th Nov, 2015. AFTM is listed by United Nations World Organisation (UNWTO), a partner event of African Travel Association (ATA), partner with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the only member of International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) in West Africa.

fro-pop star, Abel Junior Odachukwu Udogwu a.k.a Abel-J has signed to Maniac Entertainment, manage by Oryx Entertainment, an multifaceted entertainment/Management label that has also worked with MTN Project Fame Season 6.0 contestant, Gbemisola Rowland, Le’mmon, London Boyz, Clef Nite, Elajoe, Asha Gangali, Wendy Godfrey, Lil-Flow, Big Cakes, TB1, Plus-One, H-zone, Sam-Jamz, Hero, Wispa-Beatz, Nitegale, B-sleek, SlickJoe, Victor Echo and Mr. Benjamin, on promotions. The Afro-pop act titles his new singles Riddim Play and 7 Days, featuring Daizee Banger and music producer/singer, K-Solo, the singles were released on Monday, September 14, 2015. “Artiste development is our core interest and meeting this young and energetic producer turn artist we decided to give him a try and listen to his sound, matching him up with super dance hall producer K-solo on a dance beat, the official release singles tilted “7days” featuring K-solo became a reality, followed by the konto-Afrobeat tune By Daizee Banger which was self-tilled “Riddim Play” is his follow up single from his forth coming EP which is billed to be release by Oryx Entertainment Company”, says Olu Femi, CEO, Oryx Entertainment. “Riddim Play, featuring Daizee Banger, produced by Daizee Banger is a feel good song which talks about two ladies at a party, one was getting along with the crowd while the other wasn’t, along the line she makes a move towards me requesting for a dance while I was already dancing with the other lady”, Says Abel-J. “7 Days, features the King of Dance-hall Beat, K-Solo.

Abel

Business

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

75% Nigerians have no bank account –AMMON 30

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IOCs, indigenous firms partner to boost local content development 33

Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings dip N52.2bn Olufemi Adeosun, Abuja

also affecting the value of our non-oil export. “The situation is compounded with the non-payment of the Export Expansion Grant(EEG) and the insurgence in the North East which is the agricultural basket of the nation. On the efforts of government to put a stop to the incessant rejection of the nation’s export products, the NEPC boss noted that an inter-agency committee were working round the clock to ensure a zero rejection by 2016. Awolowo, however, explained that an inquiry into the causes of the products rejection revealed that most exporters ran foul of documentation rules even as he

alleged that they employed the services of fraudulent clearing and forwarding agents. “In a bid to unearth the reasons behind the rejection of our export products in Europe, we went to London with seven agencies of government. We visited the largest Port where Nigeria and other West African countries’ goods pass through. “To our utter disgust and amazement, many of the rejects were based on improper documentation. They route some of the goods through fraudulent clearing and forwarding agents. We have to work with the Customs service to address these. When we have export portal, people can

Perm Sec seeks NAMA, Air Force collaboration on airspace mgt 31

track their exports as being done to import. In his remarks, the Customs boss promised to partner NEPC to address some of the issues raised with a view to removing all impediments to export trade. On the status of EEG, he noted that ministerial committee set up by the past administration to review it would submit its findings to President Mohammadu Buhari for necessary action as soon as the ministers set to work. It would be recalled that the Export Expansion Grant which was meant to boost exports was reported to have been seriously abused leading to its suspension by the past administration.

he Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NIPC) on Monday disclosed that Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings dropped significantly, ebbing at $391 million in the second quarter from the $655 million recorded in the preceding quarter. The slide in non-export earning represents a 39.25 per cent decline in value The NEPC Executive Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, who spoke in Abuja during a meeting with the new Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali, attributed the dip in revenue earning to insurgence in the North East and suspension of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG). He said the unrest in the northern part of the country, where the bulk of agricultural practices take place had taken a toll on the capacity of the nation’s agricultural production. According to him, the nation is not only losing on economic front, the lull in the non-oil export is also affecting the capacity of the manufacturing sector to employ, lamenting that within the period under review, the nation has lost 50 per cent of its labour force. He said: “The country has taken a dip of 60 per cent in oil revenue. For any country across the world, it is huge. Under this circumstance, what could ordinarily be the next thing is to push our non- L-R: Mike Nnaji, Fidelity Bank Plc; Henry S.Chikelu, Fidelity Bank Plc; Andrew Efurhievwe, Executive Secretary, oil export. However, the challenges Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN); Dennis Clavier, Lead Facilitator from Lloyds Maritime Academy we are having in the oil sector are London; Uthman Ahmed, Sterling Bank Plc and Olukorede Arowojolu, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc at the Vessel Financing Programme organised by the association in Lagos recently.

MainOne, Microsoft harp on co-location, cloud solutions’ benefits Tola Akinmutimi

ainOne and Microsoft have called for the adoption of data centre colocation and enterprise cloud solutions in Nigeria and other emerging economies, stressing benefits that include cost savings and high availability.

The call was made against the backdrop of the current economic challenges facing businesses in emerging markets. Speaking during a presentation at the MainOne/Microsoft Enterprise Seminar on “Innovative Business Models: Achieving Improved Efficiency with Data Center Services”, Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Funke Opeke

urged CIOs and other IT decisionmakers to take advantage of MDXi’s services. She explained that they can do this by leveraging the Cloud expertise of Microsoft on the Azure platform and the high availability of the MDX-i data centre, owned by MainOne. Opeke noted that Tier III rated MDX-i is the only data centre collo-

cation facility in Nigeria that has received the PCI DSS and ISO 9001 and 27001 certifications, which are critical to ensuring data security for customers. She clarified: “Our Cloud Infrastructure as a Services ensures quick provisioning of ICT solutions for businesses, thus improving their time to deploy new applications and services.”

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

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

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

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian govt must frontally tackle importation STANLEY EVANS, is the General Sales and Marketing Manager, Boulos Enterprises Limited. Evans, an Irish who has had over 30 years working experience in the auto industry, said he genuinely came to Nigeria because of the good reputation of Boulos in order to move the company forward. In this interview with Adejuwon Osunnuyi, he speaks on government’s auto policy and the need not curb unbridled dumping of obsolete motorcycles into Nigeria, among other issues. Excerpts:

oulos Enterprises has been around in the country for over three decades, how do you rate Nigeria’s policy regime as they relate to manufacturing generally?

You said Boulos has been here for over three decades. We have actually been doing business in Nigeria for about 61 years now. However, I can only comment based on the number of years I have been here. In terms of asset and entity, we are manufacturing motorcycles and three-cycles. An observation I have is that in the country, which I came from before coming down to Nigeria, that is India, they have prohibitive taxes on used vehicles, which doesn’t seem to be the case here. In India for example, the use of used vehicles is absolutely prohibited, but here in Nigeria, contrary has been the case, because I have seen many used vehicles on the roads. In India, where they operate about 100 per cent import duties on used vehicles, what that simply does is to encourage companies to assemble vehicles locally to give local content. So, I would like to see a great focus on that here in Nigeria. For instance, in Boulos, we have over 3,000 Nigerians who are employed and as you had seen around the factory yourself, those men and women are going home everyday to put food on Nigerian tables as a result of working in our assembling plant. Hence, any change in government policy that would encourage more assembling plants would be considered as a good thing because it would help in employing more Nigerians. Suzuku, your major brand, seems to be the brand the present generation of Nigerians grew up to know in the auto cycle assembly. Why did the brand lose substantial part of the share in the motorcycle market? Originally, there was a change in government legislation, I think about five years ago banning the 2-stroke engine. Do not forget that we were the market leader in 2-stroke engine motorcycles. That time, we were not having much fo-

Evans

cus on 4-strokes engines, but now we are having more of them in the market and it is even becoming one of the best sellers. I am talking about Haojue Suzuki brand. We are actually coming back to take the leadership in the market. The Haojue Suzuki is 100 per cent assembled here in Nigeria. I can say it is a Nigerian bike. Definitely, we are having the right brand and the right product. How soon are you sure of taking back the automobile market’s leadership? Definitely, we are taking back the market leadership in a matter of time. One thing I want you to understand is that Boulos is very progressive company. So, all our bikes are based on modern car technology. However, if you look at the various imports from India, by our competitors, they are actually 1960 based technology. That is, very old technology. I am a true believer in the intelligence

and the technical ability of Nigerians. When Nigerians eventually received our bikes, they could see they are more technologically advanced. Our bikes are just like the smart phones, which have the latest technology incorporated in them. Meanwhile, most of the bikes that are being imported from India are having very old technology. Frankly speaking, I find it disheartening that most of the bikes you see here in Nigeria imported from India are actually those that have become obsolete. You cannot see anyone using them again in India, yet they are being flooded into this country. Nigerian government must not continue to encourage such importation. I will show you the difference between those bikes and our bikes. For instance, if you compare the Bajaj Boxer with our Haojue Elegant, you will realize that the difference is clear. All of our bikes are based on modern car technol-

In Boulos, we have over 3,000 Nigerians who are employed and as you had seen around the

factory yourself, those men and women are going home everyday to put food on

Nigerian tables

as a result of working in our assembling plant

ogy. The electronics, the headlamp, key starter, and all other things are based on modern day technology. One of our competitors is the best seller here in Nigeria, which is, the Bajad Boxer, which is based on obsolete old technology from India. If I just go through basic features on our bike, for instance, our bike doesn’t use headlamp, instead, it has halogen unit which is seven times more illuminating and safer on the road than headlamp. The Boxer has bulb, which has to be changed regularly. But it is not safe because it fails and riders need safety. The Boxer from India has spoke wheels, which basically is meant for bicycles in the last century. The spokes need maintenance. If they are not properly maintained, it is dangerous. Our bikes on the other hand only have alloy wheels. The alloy wheels are lighter, safer, better for the riders and overall, much more last longer because they don’t need much maintenance. If you take a look at the shock absorber of the Haojue Elegant, they are covered in order to prevent dust getting inside, however, the Bajaj Boxer’s shock absorber doesn’t have cover which makes it wearable. If you now look at the engine, ours is a 125CC engine, while our competitor has around 100cc engine producing less power. Our bike has five speed gear box, while Boxer has four gear box. The benefit on our bike therefore is that it is more economical and less wear on the engine. Lastly, our bikes are equipped with electric kick start just the same as a car. You turn the ignition key on, press the start button and the bike engine comes alive. The benefit of this

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Executive Discourse

of obsolete motorcycles –Boulos boss is that you are not using fuel to prime it by kicking it. Obviously, the rider is not being worn out. Overall, our bike retails for less. Specifically, the Haojue Elegant is designed in 2012 by Nigerians. It is assembled here in Nigeria by Nigerians and for Nigerians. It has modern technology on it. The fact that your company is still visible in the motorcycle and marine transportation business indicates some elements of resilience. What has been the magic that has sustained you so far? Behind the magic, from what I have seen so far at Boulos and what I am seeing now is our ability to adapt. So when you used the term resilience, I can say it is a very good term because basically we have five products which we have continued to make sure we deliver the best. The first one is the Suzuki outboard motors, which runs 4-strokes. They are the only one legally available in Nigeria today. The second products are the motorcycles, passenger bikes, which are in different ranges such as Suzuki, Piaggio, Haojue. The third is four-wheel light truck cargo and the fourth is the Piaggio tricycles. In reality, the Piaggio tricycles is better for the environment. The fifth products are the power bikes. We represent three brands, which are Moto Guzzi, Aprilia from Italy and Suzuki from Japan. As you can see, they indicate the changing face of prosperity in Nigeria. What you see is that people who have made it, who already have nice cars, beautiful houses, successful businesses are those who buy the power bikes to make statement. Today, at Boulos, we are the only three franchise power bike showroom in Nigeria.

I am working in America, Germany or India and I have a product, if my

product is better than the other

product,

two products side by side and let the consumers know the difference this challenge could be addressed by the government to attract more investment into the Nigerian economy? The way to redress this challenge is to have a policy in such a way that when we are assembling, we order the parts to arrive the latest a day before or sometimes earlier. The stock would minimize the cost or funding by having the parts arrive just in time for them to be assembled on the line. So in essence, it minimizes the cost of funding. Do you have plans to improve your brands share in their various sub segment of the Nigerian market? Yes, we have plans to expand our products range and already as you can see, we have seven sectoral brands and we would soon go beyond that as we react to change in the market. An emphasis again is that we truly believe that the taste of the Nigerian consumers are changing and becoming more refined. There are lots of that we see on social media, as well as we read in the newspapers. People want better quality products. People want more and more latest technology. Most especially, young

Recently, the implementation of the auto policy has generated a lot of reactions from both auto investors and policy analysts. What is your assessment of the policy? Here at Boulos, I can say we welcome the implementation of the auto policy. Though, we don’t sell cars here, but we assemble motorcycles here 100 per cent. We also try to put in local content as much as possible. If you take up the Piaggio tricycles, motorcycles as well as the cargoes, we hundred per cent fabricate the rear unit for them. We have the aluminum, as well as steel. We look in locally to source for as much as we can in producing the windscreen for instance. What has been prohibiting us at the moment is the lack of availability of those products. Specifically we don’t have people manufacturing them at the moment here in Nigeria for us to buy them. Hence, as many companies begin to manufacture the relevant parts, we would buy them locally, source them locally and we would assemble them locally. Cost of doing business in Nigeria, especially as they relate to infrastructure and financing cost, is believed to be high. How do you think

I can put the pictures of the

Evans

people want to look locally and desire something better. Hence, we have reacted to those changes ahead of the competitors. We don’t believe that Nigerians would want to carry on taking obsolete technology from other countries such as India. If I can step on to the changes in Nigeria itself, I think the need for petrol and diesel products would increase as the market changes. I know we have seen some issues with diesel in other countries with other certain manufacturers and it doesn’t seem to have any effect here. Are there plans to establish new assembly plants outside Lagos in the nearest future? At the moment, we operate on what I call hub and spoke principle. So our hub is here in Lagos. Here in Lagos, the hub is known as assembling or fabrication hub. Then, we have spoke in term of offices across the country such as Kano. For instance, from the hub, we distribute our products across Nigeria and we have sales team to run them around. What we also do is to back them up on our hub and spoke principle such that

at any one time, there are over twelve mechanics on the roads attending to our products and training mechanics to service them locally. We also bring in mechanics here to offer them training and we progress that by having interns, about 50 of them mostly engineering students, young men and women who are with us, working with us. We are very active in training up tomorrow’s workers. What specific incentive do you think government could give to support enterprises that have over the years demonstrated their commitment to contribute to the Nigerian economy? This is a difficult question to answer though, because government policy is the government policy and I cannot comment on that per say. But it would be nice for government to have a kind of a special recognition for Boulos Enterprises for instance based on people we have employed in the last 61 years, which runs in hundreds of thousands. Also in recognition of the products we are producing, here in Nigeria, which is a representative of the desires and safety needs of Nigerians. I would however close by expressing my mind that we have worked in many countries of the world, but it is quite frustrating that we are not allowed to advertise in newspapers our products in comparison with other products. So, if I am working in America, Germany or India and I have a product, if my product is better than the other product, I can put the pictures of the two products side by side and let the consumers know the difference.

Business News

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

75% Nigerians have no bank account –AMMON JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

ssociation of Mobile Money Operators of Nigeria (AMMON), weekend has disclosed that over 75 percent of Nigerians have no bank account. To this end, group also said that it has already commenced activities which will allow the IDPs to have access to money in their various camps without going to banks. The ‎President of AMMON, Aminu Bizi, gave this hint during a media briefing after the inauguration of AMMON in Abuja. According to him, the aim of instituting AMMON is to bridge the gap of financial inclusion in the country since mobile money helps Nigerians who do not have bank account to get money through the mobile money agents nationwide. He clarified: “Most of Nigerians doesn’t have bank account, those that operate with banks are few, 75 per cent of Nigerians does not have bank account. Most of the local government in Nigeria don’t have bank but when there is a mobile money operator there it will be easier to use mobile money to send money to anybody across the country while the agent delivers the money to the recipient” Bizi further explained that the when a customer receives alert on credit in his account, if there is no bank to cash the

L-R: Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji; representative of the Vice President, Mr. Afam Ezekude and former Dean, School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Prof. Bankole Sodipo, during the Annual COSON Lecture tagged: “Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Economy,” in Lagos, yesterday.

money, the customer can go to any mobile money agent close, transfer the money to the agent, while the agent gives him cash. He said: “We are working to empower people in the IDPs, we are focused on how to reach the IDPs and empower them, we are giving them all the necessary facilities and even the take up capital. So if there is a mobile money agent in the IDPS camps, they can help in the transfer and reception of cash in the camps under one minute without going to banks”. Bizi also disclosed that Mobile Money operators

will also train the IDPs to be agents in their various camps which will help engaged them in business and make many to take care of themselves while on camp.

frican Union, AU, has targeted the year 2063 to achieve its people-oriented Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. Director of United Nations Development Programme, UNDP’s, Regional Bureau for Africa, Abdoulaye Mar Dieye said, any growth without redistribution cannot eliminate poverty or bolster sustainable development. He said this equitable growth can only be achieved by addressing income inequality, empowering women and education as well as challenging prejudices of discrimination and marginalisation. According to theProgramme, the new global goalswill address three interconnected elements of sustainable economic growths, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. For instance, in Africa the efforts to achieve the SDGs will be aligned with achieving the vision of an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous continent, as articulated by African leaders. Policy-makers, development practitioners and researchers in an African forum, said to lay out policy options to eradicate poverty and

The association President said the group had already commenced activities which will allow the IDPs to have access to money in their various camps without going to banks.

cial services provider. The theme of the event is “Enhancing Capacity for Export Trade”, and in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). A statement by the bank indicated that the interactive forum was in continuation of the Bank’s efforts to boost export trade and help customers tap into the numerous benefits associated with the business through sensitization and capacity enhancement. The Bank stated that it would also provide an opportunity to further showcase the Federal Government’s policy on export trade, the challenges and the various initiatives developed by the Bank, such as pre and post shipment financing and market information strategy to support export of agro commodities and solid minerals in the country. These are in line with FCMB’s values as a simple, reliable and helpful financial institution. The Executive Director/ Chief Executive of the NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, and top officials of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Bank of Industry is expected to attend the forum with other regula-

tory bodies supporting export initiatives including National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services; Federal Inspection Agency for Solid Minerals as well as other participant from the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. According to the Executive Director, Business Development of FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru, the customer’s forum is another way the Bank is demonstrating its willingness to go the extra mile towards contributing to the growth of the stakeholders’ businesses. According to him, the Bank is committed to assisting stakeholders reduce challenges that hinder effective export trade in the country. Nuru clarified: “We recognise the importance of export trade and the need to diversify the nation’s economy to a nonoil export one, considering the huge resources available in this area. As an inclusive lender, we create opportunities and support initiatives that enhance the well-being of the country and our target market.

FCMB’s export trade customer forum holds tomorrow

usinesses and other stakeholders involved in export trade would converge in Lagos tomorrow for First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited’s customer forum of leading finan-

AU sets 2063 for sustainable devt goals’ attainment BY SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

This is even as he projected that the mobile money would also further help in combating money laundering and theft because it will make customers not to move about with cash in their pockets.

tackle inequality in Africa, the leaders came up with the new universal anti-poverty goals. Representatives of the African Development Bank, AfDB, UNDP, and the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa, ECA stated that “with the approval of a new roadmap to 2030 in the form of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, the roadmap for pivotal development has been charted. President, African development Bank, AfDB, Mr Akinwumi Adesina said, that SDGs had to work first and foremost for Africa, adding that “we are looking at inclusive growths to make sure that everyone benefits with nobody being left behind. It would be recalled that since 2000, Africa’s GDP growth has been high, averaging 5 percent and well above the global average of 3 percent per year, instilling optimism about the continent’s economic prospects. However, the region’s growth has also not been transformational enough to respond to challenges brought on by shocks such as drops in commodity prices, rapid urbanization, an increasingly youthful population and high unemployment rates.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Business News

Perm Sec seeks NAMA, Air Force collaboration on airspace mgt Olusegun Koiki

he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Binta Bello, has called on the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, to partner the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, on effective management of the nation’s airspace. Bello, in a statement issued by the Acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, believed that partnership between the civil and military was needed in order to ensure success in the fight against insurgency. She pointed out that the deployment of Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria, TRACON,) along with other Air Traffic Management, ATM, technologies by NAMA had greatly enhanced the safety and security of the Nigerian airspace. Adetona also quoted the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, as saying that deployment of Automatic Dependent Surveillance –Contract/ Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (ADS-C/ CPDLC) by the agency would boost military reconnaissance activities. In addition, he said that the equipment would enhance the discreet operations like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) because the data link communication provides for a unique channel of communication for the exchange of messages between each aircraft and Air Traffic Control, ATC, without other aircraft being privy to the conversation. Abdulsalam therefore pledged the agency’s readiness “to support and partner with the military in the area of personnel training within the limits of available resources,’’

just as he promised to fast-track the ratification of Standard Operating Procedures for the operation of UAVs in the Nigerian airspace by the civil and military authorities. Meanwhile, NAMA has disclosed that a total of 18 air traffic engineers in its agency would be issued the Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel, ATSEP, licence by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,

NCAA, soon, having successfully passed their practical and written examinations conducted recently by the regulatory authority. The agency stated: “Prior to this examination, they had also successfully undergone a threemonth ATSEP License Preparatory Course between July and October, 2015, at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology

(NCAT), Zaria. “The ATSEP course, which came in Seven Modules treated topics in Meteorology, Avionics, Aircraft Systems, Air Traffic Control Operations, Aeronautical Communications, Navaids, Surveillance and Electromechanical systems”, it added While congratulating the engineers for exhibiting commitment to the goal of improved air

FG urges construction industry stakeholders on sector’s challenges Tola Akinmutimi

he Federal Government on Monday urged stakeholders in the building and construction industry to collaborate in tackling challenges facing the sector. Giving the charge Abuja at the 2015 Builders Congress, organised by the Council of Regis-

tered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mr George Ossi, said that the need for collaborative approach in tackling the sector’s challenges had become more urgent now based on growing demand for land in the country. He listed some of the challenges facing the sector to include,

dearth of technical expertise, difficult business environment, dearth of key building materials and constrained access to credit, among others. Ossi said: “Reports of collapsed buildings and little or no patronage of indigenous building contractors by government and private organisations, especially for major building and infrastructural development do

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele (left) and Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammeed Ali, during his familiarisation visit to CBN, in Abuja, yesterday.

IEC opens African Centre to improve energy access

major initiative was undertaken by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) towards greater access to electric power, safer electric and electronic products and overall better conditions for economic development, with the official opening of the Africa Regional Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The official opening ceremony took place in the presence of highest level government officials of Kenya, the IEC Vice President, IEC General Secretary, industry experts, IEC Members and Affiliate Countries. The link between energy and

safety in Nigeria by taking their studies seriously, the NAMA boss noted that with major milestones so far recorded by the agency in digitalising ATM as evident in the deployment of ADS-C/ CPDLC and safe towers in the nation’s airspace, management had no option than to adequately enhance technical and operational capacity to man these new technologies.

poverty reduction is well established. Electricity permits study after sunset, foods and medicines to be refrigerated and drives millions of devices, electric motors and pumps in hospitals, manufacturing and agriculture. A reliable electricity supply improves basic services such as healthcare and increases access to clean drinking water, safer food, computing or mobile charging. With it companies are able to produce better products and individuals have greater income potential. In September, the United Nations adopted an expansive set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to “end poverty in

all its forms” by 2030. The United Nations has recognized Energy as the cornerstone: “no other SDG is more important for Africa” said Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. Frans Vreeswijk, IEC General Secretary, said: “IEC work directly underpins SDG 7, which aims to close the energy gap and to ensure access to affordable, sustainable, reliable and modern energy services for all. Energy is the key to the economic development of all countries in Africa. “Today only 24 per cent of the population of sub-Saharan countries have reliable access to electric energy. The IEC together with

its Regional Centre for Africa is there to provide the technical foundation and support all African countries in building universal access to sustainable electric power faster”, Vreeswijk added. As the regional focal point for Africa, the IEC Africa Regional Centre (IEC-AFRC) will provide training and mentoring to assist countries in the region in the adoption and use of IEC International Standards and Conformity Assessment Systems. It will cooperate closely with the African Electrotechnical Standardization Commission (AFSEC) to promote participation in and contribution to IEC work.

not portray a good image for the industry. “The poor quality of work done by the few patronised indigenous construction firms and the pride exhibited by most individuals and organisations that their projects were executed by expatriates have also made matters worse’’, he added. The Permanent Secretary also noted that most of the contracts awarded to indigenous firms were done as a means of guaranteeing political patronage and in most cases, were executed by quacks practicing the profession, pointing out that the nation’s Vision 2020 of being among the top 20 largest economies of the world may never be actualised without developing the sector. He therefore called on the building professionals, academia, building material manufacturers and suppliers, construction firms, government agencies and other stakeholders to make concerted effort towards the development of the sector. According to him, relationship among these bodies which can be described as cyclical and interwoven could go a long way to ameliorate the reported skills shortage and the use of unqualified artisans faced by the industry. Similarly, he explained that professional bodies and the relevant government agencies can collaborate to arrest the spate of collapsed building regulation in the country, adding that building industry, being a sub-set of the construction industry, should play a significant role in the nation’s economic development. “In most nations of the world, the building and construction industry is reputed for contributing highly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the national economy. However in Nigeria,

the industry is yet to realise its full potentials as it contributes little to the GDP, compared to other developed nations,’’ Ossi said.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ogun issues 609 Cs of O World population to drop to 70% in developed countries, says UN to home owners U I Isaac Asabor

n its bid to regularize landed property in Ogun state at a discount rate, the state government has issued 609 to another set of beneficiaries of the state’s Homeowners Charter programme. The programme was launched in December 2013 to tackle housing problem occasioned by undocumented properties in the state. At the ceremony which held in Abeokuta, the state capital, the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr.TaiwoAdeoluwa, explained that the Certificates of Occu-

pancy were distributed to 609 beneficiaries while assuring others that their applications are being processed. The Governor advised applicants who had not been issued their Cs of O not to exercise unnecessary panic as all applicants would be issued the certificates soon. Some of the beneficiaries lauded the state government’s efforts for the opportunity given to them through the collection of their certificates and other title documents on time without delay. A statement by the state’s Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning on the exercise indicated that “apart from forming an integral part of the government’s mission to

rebuild the state, the scheme will provide data for the medium-term planning forprovision of roads, schools, hospitals and other essential services.” It also noted that “GIS Satellite mapping of the state revealed significant numbers of unrecorded property , while thousands of houses in the state have no building plan approval, certificate of occupancy and other title documents. It would be recalled that a similar event was conducted last April during which 1000 certificates of occupancy were issued to deserving home owners. The Governor confirmed then that 8,000 certificates had been issued.

nited Nation, UN, has projected that global populations would shrink in twothirds of the world’s countries to 70 percent in more-developed countries and 65 percent in lessdeveloped ones. According to the UN, the population is getting older around the globe amid declining fertilities and improvements in health care sector, stressing that in many countries, something more dramatic is going to happen as the population is actually shrinking. This, it said, is in addition to aging. ‘’For the world as a whole, the share of the population older than age 65 is expected to increase from 12 percent today to 38 percent by 2100, which shows the old-age dependency ratio’’. ‘’These two factors shrinking and aging populations will exert pressure on public finances. With current policies unchanged, spending on age-related programmes, (pensions and health) will rise and the increase in outlays for these programmes will be staggering’’. It said, in more-developed countries, spending will reach 25 percent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, by the end of the century in less-developed countries, to 16 percent of GDP. The fiscal consequences are potentially dire; such spending increases could lead to unsustainable public debt, require sharp

cuts in other spending, or necessitate large tax increases that stifle economic growth. Lower fertility on its own could by increasing the ratio of older individuals to the younger ones raise age-related spending by another 8 percentage points of GDP in more-developed countries and another 4 percentage points in less-developed countries by the end of the century. Another important reform is increasing retirement ages to match longevity gains. Many countries have raised retirement ages over the last decade; however, these increases may not prove sufficient to sustain pension systems. Increasing the retirement age by an extra five years has the potential to yield savings on pension spending of about 2 percentage points of GDP in both the moreand less-developed countries. Retirement age increases should be accompanied by adequate provisions for the poor, whose life expectancy is shorter than that of the average population. Better tax systems and more efficient public expenditure. Many countries will find it impossible to fully offset the impact of demographics on age-related spending. These countries will need to strengthen their tax systems and generate efficiencies in public spending programs outside of pensions and health.

Manufacturing in U.S. stagnates in Co-op Bank, SimbaPay partner on October on weak exports Diaspora remittances to Kenya A Winner of a refrigerator, Mr. Ayo Samuel (left) receiving his prize from Key Account Executive, Ilorin Sales Area, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Makinde Afolabi, during the Legend Extra Stout Taste and Tell night in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday.

he Co-operative Bank of Kenya on Monday partnered SimbaPay, a digital money transfer provider, to offer international money transfer services to the bank’s customers in the Diaspora. A statement issued on the collaboration indicated that Cooperative Bank accounts receiving the funds will be credited instantly and that the service was now available for the UK-Kenya remittance corridor only and will be expanded to cover more countries soon. SimbaPay Chief Executive Officer, Nyasinga Onyancha, explained that the customers of the moner transfer services providing company, who already bank with Cooperative Bank or have friends and family using Cooperative Bank will be glad to see their transfers being credited instantly.

He described the partnership as “a great milestone for banking innovation in Africa when we see a leading Tier 1 bank like Cooperative Bank working closely with a FinTech disruptor such as SimbaPay to deliver a dramaticallyenhanced product.” In his remarks, Maurice Matumo, Director Retail and Business Banking, Co-operative Bank said that his management was “very pleased with our partnership with SimbaPay, which enables Kenyans abroad to send money home without suffering the cost of making the cash transfer.” He hinted of the plan to expand the partnership to cover more regions of the world where Kenyans live and work, to enable the economy tap the full potential of Diaspora, especially at this moment when the need for forex inflows has become critical. Co-op Bank has created a

dedicated Diaspora Banking department at its Co-op House headquarters to offer a more fulfilling banking service to Kenyans abroad. According to the World Bank, Kenyans abroad currently send home an estimated $2.5 billion annually making remittances Kenya’s largest foreign exchange earner. To send money via SimbaPay, Kenyans living in the UK with a bank account, debit card or credit card simply need to download the SimbaPay app from the Apple AppStore or Google Play and proceed to make money transfers straight from any mobile phone, tablet or computer. For ease of use, all 143 Co-op Bank branches have been preloaded on to the SimbaPay platform which eliminates the need for customers having to remember branch codes.

merican manufacturing remained stuck in neutral in October as factories struggled with dwindling overseas demand and wellstocked customers at home. The Institute for Supply Management’s index was little changed at 50.1, the weakest since May 2013, after 50.2 in September, a report from the Tempe, Arizona-based group showed Monday. A reading of 50 is the dividing line between expansion and contraction. Soft global sales, a strong dollar that’s made U.S. goods more expensive overseas, record firsthalf inventory growth and energy-sector woes have hounded the nation’s producers. At the same time, increased auto output in response to the best sales in a decade remains a bright spot for manufacturing. “Manufacturing is crawling along,” Conrad DeQuadros, senior economist at RDQ Economics in New York. While there’s

very little growth in overall manufacturing activity because of the headwinds of the stronger dollar and soft export markets,’’ an increase in orders points to “less of a drag on economic growth.” Half of the 18 industries surveyed by the purchasing managers’ group shrank, including metals, petroleum and plastics. Seven industries posted growth. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for an ISM reading of 50, with estimates ranging from 48.9 to 51.5. While factories are struggling, another report Monday showed the economy is benefiting from construction. Outlays for residential and non-residential projects increased 0.6 percent in September after a 0.7 percent gain, according to the Commerce Department. The standstill in manufacturing is leading to fewer job opportunities on factory floors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, November 4, 2015

P/Harcourt Disco flays attacks on employees 36

OPEC puts oil, gas reserves at n.8trn barrels, 4.20trn scf

Private investors to sustain NPDC oil fields operations 窶適achikwu 37

IOCs, indigenous firms partner to boost local content development

Oil vessel

With several challenges, especially the delay in the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, low crude oil prices and equally low investments, operators may not be able to deliver on target benchmarks. In this analysis UDEME AKPAN and CHIDI UGWU report that industry players have however recorded noticeable achievements in the area of local content development.

here are indications that the International Oil Companies, IOCs and their indigenous counterparts have continued to record strides in local content despite many challenges in the upstream sector, involving exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. A few days ago, over 40 Nigerian oil servicing companies and 15 British firms met in Lagos under the auspices of Shell-UKTI Partner Programme for Supply Chain opportunities in an attempt to build partnerships that will lead to the development of indigenous capacities in the oil and gas industry. At the forum, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Mr. Denzil Kentebe, promised that the

Board will continue to support every initiative geared to develop the local oil and gas industry. Kentebe lauded the partnerships between UK companies and their Nigerian counterparts, especially in the oil and gas industry, noting that such collaboration will help to build business ventures and create opportunities for Nigerians to be gainfully employed. Represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Tunde Adelana, the NCDMB boss also commended the efforts of Shell Nigeria in promoting partnerships between UK companies and their Nigerian counterparts. He explained that the underlying goal of the Nigerian Content Act is the development of local capacity and

employment generation and Nigerians must be determined to pursue these in their quest for partnerships. He stressed that without building local manufacturing of components used by the industry, there would be limited Nigerian Content growth and creation of employment opportunities would be stunted. He pointed out that the Board made it compulsory that any equipment supplied for use in the oil and gas industry must have a timeline for some of the components to be manufactured locally, adding that the initiative has started yielding positive results as some of the OEMs have begun to domicile the manufacture of their equipment components in the country. The Deputy British High Commis-

sioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ray Kyles, disclosed that over 50 partnerships had been formed by British and Nigerian companies through the programme in the last three years. He expressed hope that the attending UK firms would meet matching Nigerians partners that will help them enter the Nigeria market. Also, 40 engineering and geosciences graduates have passed out from a one-year internship programme organised by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC operated Joint Venture and Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, a group of indigenous oilfield service companies. This occurred on the same day CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

IOCs, indigenous firms partner to boost local content development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

that SPDC JV performed the groundbreaking ceremony of its Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) domestication initiative, whereby the manufacturers and their Nigerian partners have been allocated land to set up local assembly plants and service centres at the Shell Industrial Area in Port Harcourt. The internship programme introduced by SPDC JV in 2014 to support manpower development in critical disciplines equips graduates with vital industry experience for employment and continues with another batch of 40 graduates who are now attached to 20 PETAN companies. The Managing Director of the SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said that he was pleased at the successful completion of the programme by the first batch of 40 graduates who worked with 12 PETAN member- companies. The Senior Procurement Manager of Shell Upstream Nigeria, Mr. Guy Kent, said that the company was committed to developing Nigerian capability not because it feels good, but because it also makes good business sense, adding that the partnership with PETAN is about giving the right people the chance to learn and actually start to contribute to the industry. I Available records showed that there is a significant reduction in jobs and funds exported to other nations. Kentebe who confirmed the development attributed it to increased capacity to execute oil and gas jobs and services in-country. According to him, the implementation process has transformed the oil and gas industry from a sector that depended on foreign inputs to one that develops and utilises local human & material resources and indigenously owned assets. He said: “The Board’s interventions on compliance have increased participation of Nigerians in oil and gas contracts from less than 10 per cent to over 80 per cent. We now have a new class of indigenous entrepreneurs carrying out businesses that were hitherto done abroad. “Prior to the enactment of the NOGICD Act, Nigerian indigenous companies were producing just three per cent of Nigeria’s oil and gas. Now Nigerian indigenous companies are producing close to 10 per cent of production output. With recent divestments and deliberate local content requirements, indigenous producers are set to achieve the target of 30 per cent contribution to production output by 2020.” Kentebe who expressed the Board’s preparedness to galvanise the industry towards local construction, repairs & maintenance of marine vessels and rigs, announced that Nigerian built vessel be given first consideration in tenders along with Nigerian owned vessels from 2016.

Kachikwu Buhari

Osagie-Okunbor

Kentebe

“Our intervention will see to the development of a thriving ship-building industry with all the benefits in job creation, retention of revenue and technology acquisition,” he said. He indicated that an integration yard for floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels was being constructed at the Lagos Deep

With recent

Water and Logistics Base (LADOL), noting that the investment worth 300 million dollars will be completed in early 2017. Kentebe stressed that the investment was coming after over 50 years of oil discovery in Nigeria and over 14 Floating, Production, Storage and

divestments and

deliberate local content requirements , indigenous

producers are set to achieve the target of

per cent

contribution to production output by

2020

Offloading (FPSOs) had been built for the Nigerian oil and gas industry in foreign yards. The FPSO yard will ensure that all future FPSO integration scopes will be carried out in Nigeria, thus employing over 100,000 Nigerians directly and indirectly, he added. “Local content practice is being modeled by countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Gabon. We are also supporting other sectors like power, construction and telecommunications to develop their local content policy. This synergy is needed to maximize economic gains.” However, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rt. Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah has charged operating and service companies not to use the plummeting oil prices as an excuse to evade compliance with provisions of the Nigerian Content Act. Jonah stressed the need for the oil and gas value chain to benefit all stakeholders, especially persons at the grass roots.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

OPEC puts oil, gas reserves at 2.8trn barrels, 420trn scf UDEME AKPAN

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has put the current world crude oil and natural gas reserves at 2.8 trillion barrels and over 420 trillion standard cubic metres respectively. The cartel maintained that despite the continuing cumulative production, these numbers have increased over the past five decades. It indicated that these numbers do not take into account the large amounts of available unconventional oil and gas resources. The organisation disclosed that the industry’s past successes are a reminder that innovation and new technologies are key to unlocking the abundant sources of oil and energy in an ever more sound, secure and responsible manner. It maintained that in the coming years and decades, the industry can expect to see additional new technologies shift perceptions and prospects once more. The cartel disclosed that this will be achieved through such developments as carbon capture and storage, advancements in enhanced oil recovery and the development of new oil-based materials for various industry sectors. The organisation disclosed that it all points to the simple facts that the industry’s future will require more R&D; it will need more investment; and it will need more people.

El-Badri

It maintained that all the innovation, technology and opportunities that are created in the industry depend to a great extent on the availability of talented and skilled people. The organisation maintained that unfortunately, even before the recent cuts in manpower, the industry was experiencing critical shortages. It indicted that there is a sizeable section of the industry’s workforce now rapidly approaching retirement. “At the same time, the dramatic expansion in the services industry and ‘emerging knowledge’ economies has led to a fierce competition for talent. And the enrollment of students in energy-related programmes continues to be a challenge. Globally there is a short-

Chevron kicks off first oil production

age of young people entering the industry. It is vital that this is rectified. It is the sustained support for the industry’s scientists, engineers and visionaries – the people who create new ventures, new technologies and new techniques – that will drive our industry forward and expand supplies.” “Of course, we need to appreciate that the development of future hydrocarbon resources is directly linked to the short-, medium- and long-terms. None of these timeframes can be looked at in isolation. Here, it is essential to appreciate the delicate balance between prices, the cost of the marginal barrel and future supplies.” “This balance is vital in making sure the right enabling environment is in place and the necessary future investments are made. If the right signals are not forthcoming, there is the possibility that innovation will dry up, that technological breakthroughs will not materialize and that not enough new capacity and infrastructure will be in place in time to meet future rising demand levels. Yes, we need to keep our eyes firmly on the future, given the fact that oil is expected to be fundamental to the lives of many more people in the years ahead. But we also need to focus on the immediate challenges as the market searches for more stability during the current period of volatility. Stability is paramount. It is essential to have clarity in terms of our oil and energy future – whether this is 1, 5, 10 or even 20 years ahead,” it added.

hevron Corporation has commenced oil and gas production from the Lianzi Field, located in a unitised offshore zone between the Republic of Congo and the Republic of Angola. Located 65 miles (105 km) offshore in approximately 3,000 feet (900 meters) of water, Lianzi is Chevron’s first operated asset in the Republic of Congo and the first cross-border oil development project offshore Central Africa. The project is expected to produce an average of 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day. “This milestone demonstrates that we continue to make steady progress on delivering major development projects,” said Jay Johnson, executive vice president Upstream, Chevron Corporation. “We have the industry’s strongest queue of major capital projects that are

Oil pipeline

expected deliver significant value and production growth.” “As the first offshore energy development spanning national boundaries in the Central Africa region, Lianzi rep-

resents a unique cooperative approach to share offshore resources and may serve as a model for the development of similar cross-border fields between two countries,” said Ali Moshiri , president

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 October 7, 2015

of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company . The field, discovered in 2004, includes a subsea production system and a 27 mile (43 km) electrically heated flowline system, the first of its kind at this water depth. The system transports the oil from the field to the Benguela Belize-Lobito Tomboco platform in Angola’s Block 14 and utilizes a Direct Electrical Heating (DEH) system to ensure fluid flow under a wide range of conditions. Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited is operator of the Lianzi Field and has a 15.75 percent interest, along with its affiliate Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited (15.5 percent), Total E&P Congo (26.75 percent), Angola Block 14 BV (10 percent), Eni (10 percent), Sonangol P&P (10 percent), SNPC (the Republic of Congo National Oil Company - 7.5 percent), and GALP (4.5 percent). Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved.

Energy Week

NPDC/ND Western inaugurate projects in Owhrode

n line with the existing Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 34 which the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC) inherited from the former operator, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), the company recently commissioned three projects in Owhrode community. These projects will accelerate the growth and development of the community. The projects commissioned include: Ewheya Hall for the women folks with 1000 plastic chairs, 20 plastic tables and 6 tent canopies; a block of three classrooms and dual desks at Owhrode Mixed Secondary School and a 500 KVA Transformer/ Substation balancing of load/erection of units of existing substation. Addressing the community shortly before commissioning the project, the Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Anthony Muoneke stated that the projects were part of the NPDC/Community Investment Programme aimed at promoting sustainable development and peaceful co-existence in the company’s operational areas. According to the MD who was represented by the former Community Relations Supervisor, Mrs. Sylvia Willie, NPDC the adoption of the long term approach known as the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) has given the communities more responsibilities in deciding how investment funds are managed. He added that the GMoU has also provided a platform for building mutually beneficial relationship with the communities as well as creating enabling environment for business continuity and growth. “The new community development/interface model based on the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) was entered into with the various communities in Udu cluster to encourage more development at the grass-root level. It will continue to serve as an interface between the community and NPDC”, he said. In his response, the President of Owhrode Community, Reverend Markson Ohiarekurhe expressed gratitude to NPDC and its joint venture partner, ND Western for their developmental initiatives in Owhrode. He admitted that the completion of the projects has as a matter of fact addressed the various challenges facing the community. He also called on members of the community to continue to be peaceful in order to attract more developmental initiatives to the community. The ceremony was attended by the Chiefs, women folks, sons and daughters of Owhrode from all walks of life.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Port Harcourt Disco flays attacks on employees DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

he Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has decried the incessant attacks on its field staff by customers within the four states of its operation. The four states under the jurisdiction of the PHED include: Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers. The company expressed deep concerns that the spate of attacks on her field staff carrying out legitimate duties by customers in several locations in the four states of its coverage would no longer be tolerated. The Manager, Corporate Communications, PHED, Mr. Jonah Iboma, stated this in a release issued in Port Harcourt. The statement reads: “That several employees of the company had been targeted, beaten and brutalized by some disgruntled members of the public who attacked them at will for reasons that are difficult to explain.

“Although many other incidents have taken place in the past, recent cases in Polaku, a rural community in Bayelsa state as well Onne in Rivers state have made it necessary for the company to appeal to the public to desist from such acts. “In Polaku, a customer attacked PHED workers with machete and in the process inflicted severe injuries on one of the workers, while in Onne, some of the community youths who invaded the PHED office and forced workers to sit on the ground in their quest to get the company to employ them. “The incidents in Bayelsa and Rivers are very unfortunate and fall in the realm of behaviour that the company will not condone from customers,” Iboma said. The company explained that it was locked in legal battle with a former member of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom state who attacked and severely injured a staff of PHED when it was discovered that he had by-passed electricity supply from the meter that

Transformer

measures his consumption. He said that it was wrong for members of the public to attack individuals who go about their lawful duties as this was against the laws of the country. He reminded electricity consumers to know that PHED workers were like other law abiding citizens that go out for their daily bread and that they are not responsible for electricity problems in the country. PHED, he noted, “would

not condone such lawless acts from members of the public and would take necessary legal steps if such incidents occur in the future.” Continuing, he said, “If attack on the company workers continues, this can impact negatively on the ability of the company to serve customers going forward. Aside that, the company will not sit and watch any of its workers attacked by customers but will take appropriate legal measures against such persons,” the statement concluded.

NERC targets 2,000mw from renewable energy by 2020 CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has approved a regulation which it said would stimulate investments in 2,000megawatts of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. The law, Feed-in Tariff Regulations for Renewable Energy Sourced Electricity in Nigeria was approved at the last regulatory meeting of the Commission. It envisaged that the country would generate at least 1,000megawatts from renewable energy sources by 2018. Renewable sources are electricity generated from biomass, small hydro, wind and solar energy sources.

Solar panel

Commenting on the development, the Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi said, with this regulation, we have been able to unlock further investment potentials in the country’s power sector. According to NERC, Its major objective is to diversify sources of electricity and take advantage of our options. He said that the regulation expects electricity distribution companies to procure 50 per cent of the projected renewable sourced electricity, while the Nigerian Bulk electricity Trading Company (NBET) is expected to procure the balance of 50 per cent. Meanwhile, the regulation specifies capacity for renewable plant

should between 1mw and 30mw. Plant above this threshold will require additional conditions other than those already specified in the regulation. The provisions of these regulations shall apply to all qualifying renewable energy sourced electricity of capacity above 1megawatts and smaller than 30mw at a site that is connected to the transmission grid or the distribution networks, according to the regulations. And, for large renewable (30mw above) integrated resource planning will be carried out before the NERC will initiate a competitive bid process. The buyer will after this solicit bids and purchase at the most cost effective based on the optimal technology available at the location. The law allots maximum amount of renewable sourced electricity an electricity distribution can have on its network based optimal potential available in their franchised areas. This provision of the law is to achieve right mix of energy for the DISCO as well as protect electricity consumers from spike in tariff. For instance, the regulation allots higher volume of biomass 26mw; 22mw and 19mw to Ikeja and Ibadan Electricity and Eko electricity distribution companies respec-

tively; whereas Abuja DISCO has highest of wind sourced electricity at 14.4mw, while Port Harcourt has 11.4 mw of biomass and 6.5mw of wind sourced electricity. However, Kaduna and Kano Discos have highest allotments of solar sourced electricity than other discos at 12mw; with small hydro at 10mw and biomass at 6mw apiece. The regulation specifies that provisions of Distribution Code will apply to embedded generation while Grid Code will apply to those that will use the transmission network to transport their electricity. Embedded generation is a power plant whose electricity is used within the distribution network where it is generated without using the transmission network. Useful life of every renewable power plant is fixed at 20 years by the law which expects recovery of investment to last the life span of the plant and that generators have obligations to ensure that there source of energy is credible. NERC shall be responsible for regulations of feed-in-tariff whereas NBET serves as counterparty to power purchase agreement with renewable energy project developers, the law says.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Private investors to sustain NPDC oil fields operations – Kachikwu UDEME AKPAN

ndigenous oil and gas companies, known for efficiency and huge resources will continue to operate some Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC oil and fields. The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Ibe kachikwu said the companies have the speed and huge resources to assist in optimising production in the NPDC fields. The GMD said although the NPDC has many competent personnel, the smooth operations of the company have often been threatened by bureaucracy. Kachikwu cited some cases of delays in tackling challenges which culminated in low output and revenue losses. He said the NPDC is our only subsidiary involved in oil and gas exploration and production which is currently producing over 200,000

bpd. “We are determined to assist the company to do better. With adequate planning, NPDC should be able to produce 300,000 bpd in the next few years. It should be noted NPDC is in¬volved in the management of some fields. There are others that are jointly managed by the NPDC and its indigenous counterparts. We will encourage such joint management model to exist because it enables de¬cisions and actions to be taken much faster than before.” “As a state owned company, NPDC has good profession¬als. But it lacks the speed of tack¬ling issues as they occur because of government bureaucracy. In other words, if we want to build a bigger, efficient, proactive and profitable organisation, then we must get the private sector involved for a reason. We have the field but they have the speed,” he said. He said the increased

production in NPDC field will also assist to make more cooking gas available for domestic consumption. Meanwhile, the NPDC has produced its first oil from Opuama oil wells in OML 40 in the onshore of the Niger Delta which was shut in by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) in March 2006. The company successfully re-opened two Opuama oil wells with a combined production of 2,500 bopd. On assumption of operatorship, NPDC focused on the restoration of production by the replacing all corroded infield flowlines and damaged sections, refurbishing the 30,000 barrels of liquid per day production flowstation and repairing the 36km oil export pipeline. With the successful restart of production, the company will now progress its Field Development Plan (FDP). It is anticipated that production will increase by a further 3,000 bopd for each subse-

Kachikwu

quent well drilled. It should be noted that in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, the entire development work was carried out by local contractors. This further illustrates our commitment to this act as institute by the Federal Government. OML 40 is one of the assets that were divested from SPDC and NPDC took over the operatorship in January 2013. It is therefore a welcome development to achieve this great feat within one year of operations. OML 40 is jointly owned by NPDC (operator) and Elcrest Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited

DPR cautions marketers against profiteering CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Director of DPR, Mr. Mordecai Ladan has warned Petroleum Products Depots and Filling Stations owners against products diversion, hoarding, pump manipulation and selling products above government approved prices. Ladan gave the warning in Abuja while speaking against the backdrop of the purported resurgence of fuel scarcity in some parts of the country. The Director warned that

Fuel tanker

any petroleum products marketer found to be under-dispensing or selling products above government regulated prices shall be suspended for a minimum of two months. Marketers caught diverting or hoarding the products for profiteering shall be sanctioned with a fine of two million naira and have their operating License revoked and prosecuted for national economic sabotage. Ladan also mentioned that DPR is collaborating with Petroleum Equilisation Fund (PEF) and PPPRA to ensure

that defaulters are sanctioned accordingly. Meanwhile, all DPR Offices nationwide have been directed to step up their monitoring activity and ensure full compliance by marketers. In a related development, the newly appointed Operations Controller, Ilorin field office of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Salvation Ngazodo, read a riot act to petroleum marketers in Kwara State to desist from various illegal activities that could lead to economic loss in Nigeria. Ngazodo warned against illegal construction of filling stations, diversion of fuel, hoarding and overpricing of fuel among other illegal practices. He maintained that since the oil industry was facing some hard times, there was the need for strategic reasoning and cooperation for its survival. The director stressed that he had the mandate and mission to enthrone high regulatory standards for the sustenance and growth of the industry. The DPR boss also condemned product adulteration

and discharge of product without proper documentation, warning that the full wrath of the law would be visited on offenders. The Representative of the State Fire Service and the Depot Manager of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Ilorin, Abdullah Ayinla, also supported the DPR boss, stating that the change mantra in the country should be reflected in the state. The Secretary of the Kwara State Town Planning Authority, Raheem Adeoti, also condemned the indiscriminate purchase of buildings to construct filling stations and expressed the readiness of the agency to effect the necessary corrections. Reacting in an interview, the State Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, Okanlawon Olanrewaju, agreed that some nonmembers indeed construct illegal filling stations. It is expected that the DPR and petroleum marketers would cooperate to correct the ills in the oil industry in the state, for the benefit of the people.

Nigerian content key to national security – Kentebe

he successful implementation of the Nigerian Content Act is fundamental to the sustenance of national security because it engages thousands of citizens in productive activities and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB) Mr. Denzil Kentebe, has said. Delivering a lecture on Wednesday to the participants of Course 22 of the Nigerian Defence College in Abuja, the Executive Secretary described Nigerian Content as a national security imperative, noting that the Nigerian oil and gas industry must depend on Nigerian owned assets and personnel to avoid a scenario where the sector that generates 85 per cent of government revenue is forced to shut down because foreign owned assets or expatriates have to be withdrawn owing either to insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea Region, diplomatic tensions or break out of an epidemic in the country. He regretted that the Nigerian oil and gas industry suffered capital flight in the region of $300bn in the first 50 years of operations, while 300,000 Nigerian jobs were exported to the detriment of the local economy. That era did not record the establishment of any legacy investment from major industry projects, rather little attention was paid to oil producing communities, forcing some persons to take to militancy, thereby cutting crude production output by one million barrels per day, he rued. He explained that the Nigerian Content Act was introduced in year 2010 to correct such mistakes and it focuses on maximizing the utilization of Nigerian resources in the operations of the oil and gas industry, integrating oil producing communities into the industry value chain and fostering institutional collaboration. Other areas of interest include linking the oil and gas industry with other sectors of the economy, maximizing the participation of Nigerians in the sector and attracting investments. He stressed that Nigerian Content was not about ‘Nigerianisation’ of the oil and gas industry but about adding value in-country. Kentebe further explained that the Board’s strategic initiatives had in five years recorded substantial growth in the number of Nigerians trained and employed by the oil and gas industry, increase in the quantum of goods sourced from Nigeria and rise in the number of Nigerian owned assets operating in the industry. He added that over $5bn had been invested in the Nigerian oil and gas industry between 2010 to date in the establishment and upgrade of fabrication yards, acquisition of marine vessels, rigs and other assets by Nigerians and setting up of manufacturing facilities by original equipment manufacturers.

Energy Week

15 oil cargoes remain unsold in global market

ifteen cargoes remain unsold in the global market as the volatile oil market continues to witness much over-supply and low demand. Reuters maintained that crude oil price differentials were weaker on Monday, this week as a large volume of November-loading cargoes and weaker European refining margins weighed on the market. It indicated that about 15 Nigerian cargoes for November are still unsold, a relatively large volume for this point in the monthly trading cycle when the next month’s programme has already been released. “The overhang is putting pressure on differentials,” a crude trader said. Angolan crude has been selling well for December and some grades are sold out. He agency maintained that Qua Iboe was being offered at dated Brent plus 90 cents, or 30 cents lower than previously heard. One trader’s view on its value was dated Brent plus 50 cents. That would be the lowest since July according to Reuters data. It indicated that so far, few of December’s 62 cargoes have found buyers, though some could go into pending tenders. The agency maintained that about 15-18 of December’s 58 cargoes are unsold, traders said. It pointed out that most of December’s cargoes have sold and the grade was valued at a relatively weak dated Brent minus $3.50. The agency has it that Cabinda and Hungo are both sold out, while Kissanje is well on its way to clearing. A few days ago, the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri had said that looking ahead, there is no doubt that the world will need more energy in the decades to come – as the global population expands, economies grow, and countries seek to provide the energy poor with access to modern energy services. “We need to remember that many billions of people still rely on biomass for their basic needs and more than a billion still have no access to electricity. To 2040, global energy demand is expected to expand by around 50 per cent. In this regard, all forms of energy will be needed – wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and of course fossil fuels, which will continue to play the major role in meeting demand. This growth will require some major investments.” In terms of oil, with demand projected to grow to 110 million barrels a day by 2040, oil-related investment requirements are estimated to be around $10 trillion between now and then. With all this in mind, let me stress that there is no doubt that the world has enough oil and energy resources to meet these expected future needs.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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Total launches new scheme in Nigeria

otal Nigeria Plc and Total Upstream companies in Nigeria have launched the Challenge “Startupper of the year by Total.” Initiated simultaneously by the Total Group in 34 countries in Africa, the competition aims to identify, reward and provide support to the best business creation and business development projects under two years of existence in Nigeria. The winning projects will be granted the “Startupper of the year 2016 by Total” label, as well as financial assistance and a coaching from Total Nigeria Plc and Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria. This call for free submission of projects is open to all Nigerian citizens aged thirty-five years and below. A jury of professionals will preselect up to ten of the best submitted projects in Nigeria based on specific criteria which include innovation, originality, audacity and potential to impact on socio-economic development of the Nigerian society and its people. The list of finalists will be published on the competition website by February 28, 2016. After candidates’ defence which will take place by March 15, 2016, the jury will choose the best projects (up to three) and the results will be announced during the awards ceremony. The Challenge “Startupper of the year by Total” is part of Total’s global initiative of supporting the socioeco-

nomic development of all the countries where it operates worldwide. It is a very concrete action launched to locally contribute to the reinforcement of the industrial fabric and to employment on the African continent, by supporting the most daring and innovative entrepreneurs in realizing their project. This approach targets the emergence of new initiatives, while respecting the Total Group values. Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of Total E&P Nigeria Ltd. (TEPNG) has appointed Mr. Victor BANDELE as Executive Director, JV District and Mr. Patrick OLINMA as Executive Director, Oil & Gas Commercial with effect from September 1, 2015. Mr. Victor BANDELE Joined then Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited (now Total E&P Nigeria) as a Trainee Reservoir Engineer in 1993. He was involved in many subsurface field management and development activities – onshore and offshore, including some non-operated assets of the company until 2004 when he became the Geosciences and Reservoir engineering (GSR) team leader for the offshore OML 99 Assets. Mr. BANDELE has held important positions in operations, projects and management within Nigeria and overseas including serving as GSR Manager for Akpo Field which was the first deepwater development project executed by Total in Nigeria. He was Executive General Man-

Oil rig

ager, GSR & Assets management within the JV District from May to September, 2013 and worked as Petroleum Architect in the development Studies entity at Total’s headquarters in Paris for two years. He returned to the Nigerian subsidiary as Executive General Manager, Special Duties JV District on August 10, 2015 and was on this position till his recent appointment to the Board of Directors of TEPNG as Executive Director, JV District.. In his new position, Mr. Victor BANDELE will oversee activities of the three main technical divisions within the Joint Venture District. He is married with children. Mr. Patrick OLINMA joined then Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited (now TEPNG) as Legal Counsel in 1996. Mr. OLINMA has performed various roles as Lead Counsel in negotiation

of various Petroleum Sharing Contracts and Joint Venture oil and gas agreements from 2001 to 2003. He was LNG Marketing Manager in Total S.A. France, Gas & Power Division from January to August 2005 and Lead Commercial Negotiator in Total Gas &Power UK from September 2005 to August 2006. He was appointed Deputy General Manager responsible for Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) commercial matters within Total organization from January to September, 2007. In October 2007 Patrick Olinma was seconded to Nigeria LNG Limited as General Manager Commercial and Head of the Commercial Division. He was responsible for the transformation of the NLNG portfolio of Long term Atlantic Basin LNG Contracts into a global portfolio of flexible and divertible LNG Contracts.

OPEC’s October oil output drops by 12mbpd UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

PEC oil output fell in October from the previous month with top producers such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq leading countries with lower supplies to the market, a Reuters survey has confirmed. The drops are not indicative of deliberate supply cuts to prop up prices, sources in the survey said, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is still pumping close to a record high as major producers focus on defend-

Oil vessel

ing market share. Specifically, the organisation’s supply fell in October to 31.64 million barrels per day (bpd) from a revised 31.76 million in Septemberbased on shipping data and information from sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants. Although the figures did not include October 31 supplies. Even so, OPEC has boosted production by almost 1.5 million bpd since the November 2014 switch to defending market share. Despite the decline this month, output is not far below July’s 31.88 million bpd, the highest since Re-

uters records began in 1997. The OPEC increase has added to ample supplies, which have helped cut prices by more than half from June 2014 to below $50 a barrel. Still, with reductions in capital spending by oil companies expected to curb future supply, analysts see signs that OPEC’s strategy will deliver. “Clearly, OPEC’s long-game strategy is working,” said Harry Tchilinguirian, global head of commodity strategy at BNP Paribas. “In the end, OPEC’s strategy is creating the conditions for higher prices for longer in a couple of years’ time.” The biggest supply drop in October has come from Saudi Arabia, which trimmed output due to reduced use of crude in domestic power plants and refineries, sources in the survey said, despite higher exports. “Supply to the market is down,” said a source who tracks Saudi output. “Exports are up but this has been more than offset by lower refinery runs due to maintenance and lower direct burn.” Direct burn - the use of crude in Saudi power plants - usually drops in cooler months due to reduced airconditioning needs. Maintenance was being carried

out at the Saudi Yasref refinery, reducing crude consumption. Saudi output, at 10.10 million bpd, remains not far below the record high of 10.56 million bpd it pumped in June. Exports from Iraq’s main outlet, its southern terminals, were higher for much of October - reaching a record 3.1 million bpd in the first 27 days of the month - but have slowed since as poor weather delayed cargoes, shipping data showed. Shipments from Iraq’s north by the Kurdistan Regional Government via Ceyhan in Turkey have edged lower, while those by Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organisation have fallen to zero from about 20,000 bpd in September, the survey found. Smaller increases have come from OPEC’s two west African producers, Nigeria and Angola, and from Libya. Angola and Nigeria exported more crude this month, but a force majeure on shipments of Nigeria’s Forcados limited the increase from that country. Libyan output rose slightly, the survey found, but remains a fraction of the pre-conflict rate. Output in Iran, OPEC’s secondlargest producer until sanctions forced a cut in exports in 2012, continues to edge up, the survey found.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Industry & SMEs

Entrepreneurs seek review of intervention funds delivery In order to ensure entrepreneurship and other productive initiatives in the real sector of the economy, the Federal Government, mainly through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and other development finance institutions have been putting up various intervention funds to support enterprises in the country. In this news analysis, ABOLAJI ADEBAYO, critically assesses the disbursement of such funds, their impact and what stakeholders consider the best options to achieve their objectives.

ith the sundry factors that continue to hamper businesses and the socioeconomic activities over the years, especially the paucity of critical infrastructure, governments and other institutions at various levels have intervened in one form or the other to provide financial intermediation support for manufacturing and other real sector enterprises in the country. These interventions have been in various categories and packages, targeted at various categories of entrepreneurs. For instance, worried by the declining trend of businesses in the economy, the Federal Government has kept on approving huge amounts of money as intervention funds to organized private sector, OPS, to provide them some funding leverage as access to credit in conventional banks and interest on loans are considered nonfriendly to business generally. Some target at the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, MSME, some at agribusiness while some others are targeted at individual sector of the economy. Some of the intervention funds include, the N200bn Small and Medium Guarantee Scheme, N200bn Restructuring and Refinancing Facility Scheme and the N300bn Power and Airline Intervention Fund. Others are the N75bn Grooming Enterprise Leaders Business Intervention Fund, N32bn Entertainment Intervention Fund and N10.71bn Commercial Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme to six banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Also on the long list of intervention funds are the N300bn approved for the hotel and leisure sub-sector in 2012; N200bn for indigenous pharmaceutical companies and N100bn textile industry bailout. The Federal Government, between 2010 and 2012, also disbursed N126.1bn as export expansion grant. In 2010, the Federal Government reportedly disbursed about N7.9bn to 25 companies from the National Automotive Fund. The money was for the production of vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle tyres and accessories. An additional N3bn was earmarked for disbursement to nine companies before the end of that year.

Palm karnel processing machine

Buhari

CBN Gov, Emefiele

IF WE ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE, HALF OF THE PROBLEMS PLAGUING THE ECONOMY WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED. THE PROBLEMS OF ELECTRICITY, HIGH COSTS OF PRODUCTION ARE VERY BASIC PROBLEMS FACING EVERY SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY In July 2012, the Federal Government approved N330m grants to assist 20,000 farmers in Lagos state. Similarly, in November, 2012, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, disbursed a soft loan worth N9.4m to members of the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Nasarawa State chapter. In the agricultural sector, the CBN, through its Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, approved a take-off grant of N75bn to boost agriculture businesses. The Head, Project Implementation of NIRSAL, CBN, Mr. Jude Uzonwanne, reportedly said that N45bn from the N75bn had been set aside as loans to the farmers, while the balance would be used to train and insure them. The recent ones include the N220 billion SMEs fund launched in 2013; the N5 billion Cot-

tage Agro Processing, CAP, Fund launched by Bank of Industry, BoI, in 2015; and the N300 billion Real Sector Supporting Facility, RSSF, Fund, recently announced by the Federal Government among others. However, little impacts have been felt by the people and the real sector operators through the funds. The impact of government intervention funds in the transformation of the Nigerian economy has remained insignificant. Having felt that the various government’s interventions have had little or no impact on the economy, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, conducted a survey and found that only few industrialists accessed the funds. The Association stated that the intervention funds were faced with the problem of accessibility due to the way some of the funds are structured. Apart from inability of stakeholders to access the government’s intervention funds, there have been discrepancies in the administration of the funds. Analysts claimed that some of the funds have been diverted to other uses, while parts of the funds can no longer be accounted for. They also believed that the funds were not targeted to the real problems facing the economy. For instance, the President of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, Olarenwaju Jaiyeola, who attributed the problems of the Nigeria’s economy predominantly to infrastructure, said the government was supposed to address the problem first with the funds. He said: “If we address the problems of infrastructure, half of the problems plaguing the

economy would have been solved. The problems of electricity, high costs of production are very basic problems facing every sector of the economy.’’ The Director, Membership and Public Relations, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Nerus Ekezie said that most of the interventions funds were not well planned and needed to be reviewed. In respect of the of the funds targeted at SMEs, Ekezie said; “We have some reservations based on the fact that the issues arising from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund, SMEDF, is yet to be resolved to enable smooth and greater access to the fund. “The new RSSF too appears to have favoured only large enterprise based on the minimum request of N500 million which no SME has the capacity to access given their definition and current state in Nigeria. In order words, the fund should have accommodated request bellow N500 million and the minimum of N50million, which is the maximum fund accessible from SMEDF which is equally considered low to establish or expand small or medium Enterprise. “The Working Capital provision attached to those funds should be a period not less than 6 months, while collateral requirements should be reduced. A quick review is needed while implementation modalities have to be spelt out in clear terms.” The Registrar/CEO, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, Mr. Dele Togunde, specifically lamented on the disbursement modality of N220 billion intervention funds to SMEs. He said: “Of course the backbone of any economic development is the micro, small and medium enterprises. The real sector drives the economy and for a developing economy like Nigeria, a focus on SMEs is critical. The release of the funds by the CBN to the sector is commendable. But I still have my fears. These SMEs are operating in a harsh environment with huge infrastructural challenges, thus even when they access this money, they may first begin to buy generators, sink boreholes, hire security, etc., and these expenses deplete the working capital. So the value may still not be much. The success of the funds might not be impactful as we might also have had issues with the implementation. “Also, the disbursement of most of the intervention funds has not been as transparent as designed. We have underlying issues of corruption in Nigeria and this has undermined the process as access has been riddled with favouritism and nepotism. I really hope that the new administration would review and restructure the funds and their disbursement modalities so that they would go to those who really need it to create employment. If the funds are given to those that actually deserve it, it will impact positively on our economy. I implore the government to also invest hugely in infrastructure so that SMEs can survive.

Cocktail

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Baseball team gets Chompers, Chew Chew mascots

new minor league baseball team in Hartford, Connecticut, will have two mascots. The Colorado Rockies Double-A affiliate the Hartford Yard Goats introduced Chompers and Chew Chew to the public yesterday. Chompers is a male green furry goat character with blue horns and a tuft of chin hair the team calls a goat-ee. Chew Chew is a female blue

furry goat with green horns and pink lipstick. Their names were selected from among 4, 000 submissions in an online contest. Chompers was submitted by 10-year-old Middlefield resident Lauren Konefal. Chew Chew was submitted by 10-year-old Farmington resident Jeffrey Boyleton. Lauren and Jeffrey won season tickets.

Oddities

Underwater jack-o’-lanterns aquarium highlights

he New England Aquarium has put some fright into its sea life by adding underwater jack-o’-lanterns to celebrate Halloween at the weekend. Aquarium divers had

Court rule favours ‘Point Break’ parody creator

n author’s irreverent stage tribute to the 1991 Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves action movie “Point Break” is entitled to copyright protection even though she did not seek permission from the filmmakers to create the parody, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that the unauthorized creation by Jaime Keeling entitled “Point Break Live!” qualifies for copyright protection because it adds sufficient originality to the movie it’s

based upon. “Without any possibility of copyright protection against infringement for her original fair-use parody, playwrights like Keeling might be dissuaded from creating at all,” Circuit Judge Jose A. Cabranes wrote on behalf of a three-judge panel. The panel noted that Keeling’s production parallels the characters and plot elements of the movie and relies almost exclusively on selected dialogue from the screenplay about a rookie FBI agent played by Reeves who goes

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placed carved pumpkins among the coral reefs of the 225, 000-gallon giant ocean tank. It brought about the question: Will the vegetableloving, 560-pound Myrtle

the Turtle decide to snack on the jack-o’-lanterns? Myrtle the green sea turtle has been at the aquarium since 1970 and is the star of the four-story central exhibit.

The turtle shares the tank with more than 1, 000 other sea creatures. Some of them, including a moray eel, barracudas and sting rays, are known for looking scary all year-round.

undercover to infiltrate a gang of bank-robbing surfers led by Swayze’s character. “To this raw material, Keeling added jokes, props, exaggerated staging, and humorous theatrical devices to transform the dramatic plot and dialogue of the film into an irreverent, interactive theatrical experience,” the 2nd Circuit said. “I’m thrilled,” Keeling said in a telephone interview as she prepared a cast of 11 actors, mostly comedians, for an evening Manhattan per- Fishes swimming across the New England Aquarium’s 225, 000-gallon ocean tank to celebrate Halformance in a 400-seat theater. loween

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Civil Service 41

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Group berates Buhari over exclusion of youth on ministerial list etwork of Civil Society Groups, NOCSG, has berated President Muhammadu Buhari over his inability to forwarded the name of one youth to a ministerial position. The group described the development as a slap on the faces of Nigerian youths who play crucial role in bringing him to power. Comrade Afoke Okporua, Secretary General of the group, who stated this during a press conference recently, in Abuja, expressed shocked that the present confirmed ministerial nomination list had no single representation of the young people of the

country. He said: “That is an embarrassment, a slap on the faces of Nigerian youths, a threat to Nigeria youths who were most significantly the major mercenary that brought him to power. “We are not here to attack the personality of Mr. President but we are using this medium to tell the whole world and Nigeria the situation we found ourselves… “We want him to appoint somebody that falls within the bracket of 1999 constitution as amended which is 18 -35 years. That is what our constitution stipulates as somebody who is a youth. “Secondly, he must appoint a minister who has direct bearing with Nigeria youths.”

federal government’s initiative. ``We are happy that the exercise is being successfully conducted and we hope that it will further ease the sufferings of the pensioners,’’ Garba said.

Joel Ajayi,

ABUJA

L-R: Assistant Secretary, Oyo State NURTW, Mr. Lekan Alesinloye; Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State, Mr. Innocent Akata, and Deputy, Mr. Salawu Aderemi, at the Nigeria Immigration and Members of NURTW Stakeholders Meeting in Ibadan, yesterday.

130,000 pensioners for verification nationwide, says PTAD DG

rs. Nellie Mayshak, the Director-General, Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), says no fewer than 130,000 pensioners will be captured in the ongoing nationwide verification. Mayshak disclosed this in Sokoto on Tuesday shortly after monitoring the exercise which commenced on Monday. According to her, the exercise took off at the capitals of the seven North-West states. She named the states as Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi , Jigawa and Kaduna. ``The exercise commenced simultaneously in each of the capitals of the seven North-West states on Monday and it will end on Nov.14. ``Thereafter, the exercise will hold in the remaining geo-political zones of the country between November 2 and February 2016,’’ Mayshaka said. She said the exercise would require capturing of the biometrics and documents of the retired federal and state governments’ workers from 1960 and 2007. ``Those retired work-

ers being verified consist of the retired state government workers as well as retired federal civil servants.’’ Mayshak explained that the verification would help to create a

permanent, credible and transparent database for pensioners nationwide. She added: ``We want to have a database that the federal government can always fall back on and it will be sustain-

able. ``Even the next of kins of deceased pensioners will be captured, while the ones that are sick will also be captured. ``We have put in place arrangements to also

capture all sick pensioners under a mobile data capture arrangements made by the directorate.’’ Spokesmen for the pensioners, Alhaji Mohammed Garba, and Mrs. Saratu Isma’il lauded the

by WHO. The EU, she stated, was committing 150 million euros into the programme. Director, CONSEIL SANTE, an organisation through which the EU funds the SIGN programme in Nigeria, Anna McAthur, said: “The EU-SIGN actually came in at real good time for Nigeria because we’ve just got to the elimination of polio, and we are working towards eradication of polio. Government has set up state primary health care agencies and has advisory body in each state. It is good for Nigeria to strengthen its primary health care agencies and also strengthen its immunisation which will help to make polio eradication in Nigeria a success. “At the way EU funding goes, it is in three categories of programme operation guidelines. It will be over a period of four years to work with the State Technical Assistance, STAs,

with the states and with the NPHCDA to plan how to strengthen immunisation, strengthening the cold chain, the health facilities and build capacities. “What is really important with the programme is that it is working with the state governments. So, working on a system that will have a long term impacts on reducing preventable diseases and maintaining polio eradication, it is working on governance, it is working on human resources strengthening. It is building equipment in the state to be able to have strong report. So, with all these support, and working with the government, we can get there and increase immunisation campaign.” It would be recalled that the WHO recently delisted Nigeria from the three polio-endemic nations on the globe; the others being Afghanistan and Pakistan. In his remarks, Focal Person for the EU-SIGN in Nigeria, Dr. Adamu Dawud,

said at the event: “The milestone is actually to re-emphasise on our routine immunisation. And, thank God, the meeting today addresses routine immunisation; the routine immunisation and the vaccination given to children from birth to one year. It is actually the immunisation that gives the potency for children to develop immunity in such a manner that they will be able to combat all infections that will actually be encountering them as they are growing. Now, EU-SIGN programme is a very special programme that came on board actually potentiate and sustain routine immunisation. “The project itself has two components. The first component is addressing routine immunisation itself. The second component is on polio eradication. The polio eradication component is saddled by the WHO. “Thank God, we’ve halted the transmission. We’ve been delisted from the

Polio: Nigeria must obtain WHO certification –EU-SIGN Chidi Ugwu, ABUJA

he European Support to Immunisation Governance in Nigeria, EU-SIGN, has tasked all tiers of governments in Nigeria to ensure the nation obtains the World Health Organisation, WHO, certification on polio. Speaking recently in Abuja at the Bi-annual Review Meeting of 23 states of the federation and the FCT that benefitted from the fund, Training, Contracting Advisor and Procurement Expert for the EU-SIGN, Aminata Sidibe, said the organisation had been helping the country to ensure all children were vaccinated against preventable diseases, and that the country consequently defeat polio virus. While commending governments for the nation’s polio-free status, she said all hands must be on deck to guarantee certification

countries that are endemic. It is now remaining Pakistan and Afghanistan. Now, the milestone is actually to keep up with our immunisation. “We are happy we’ve halted the transmission. What remains now is maintain the tempo with projects like EU-SIGN project to continue to defend and keep immunising our children in such a manner that in the next two years, we will have a complete certificate that will declare that we have eliminated polio. “The EU-SIGN is working in 23 states and the FCT…Routine immunisation addresses all the antigens, all the diseases, measles, meningitis and polio itself. We have decided to introduce new vaccine so as to potentiate the need for attenuating the routine immunisation services to these children. We’ve just introduced pentavalent vaccine. That pentavalent is having five antigens,” he stressed.

Civil Service

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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NYSC represents endearing legacy –Ajimobi T he Executive Governor of Oyo State Senator, Abiola Ajimobi, has disclosed that the National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) represents an endearing legacy to Nigerian youths. The governor made this remark during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2015 Batch B Stream 1 Corps mem-

bers deployed to Oyo state. Ajimobi who was represented at the occasion by the deputy governor, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo (JP), said that over the years, the scheme had been inculcating in Nigerian youths leadership qualities, patriotism and commitment to the overall well-being of the citizenry.

Governor Ajimobi charged corps members to always acquaint themselves creditably with culture and tradition of the host communities, take the orientation activities seriously and stay focused. He said that his administration was committed to assisting NYSC scheme to actualise the objectives of the founding fathers and

provide platform for the realisation of more efficient and effective service delivery to the youth. Speaking earlier, the Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akin-Moses, advised the corps members to internalise and interprete the objectives of NYSC scheme with a view to becoming better leaders and

managers of the Nigerian economy. The coordinator encouraged the corps members to embrace the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED) in order to be self-sufficient during and after the service year. According to AkinMoses, “The NYSC scheme is poised to

make you great entrepreneurs and giant of industries where you become job creators and not job seekers.” The high point of the ceremony was the administration of Oath of Allegiance on the 2215 registered corps members by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Muktar Ladipo Abimbola.

Bauchi workforce over-bloated, Civil Service Commission’s chairman says

hairman of Bauchi State Civil Service Commission, CSC, Alhaji Bello Gamawa, has said that the 29, 000 workers on the payroll of the state was over bloated. The declaration was made in Bauchi, capital of Bauchi State. “The workforce, by implication, means we have employed more than what is needed, considering the fact that this new administration inherited an empty treasury and three months’ salaries arrears owed civil servants. “That is why incumbent governor, Mohammed Abubakar adopted and re-enforced a circular previously issued by his predecessor-in-office banning employment as well as the issuance of employment letters to some applicants whose appointments were approved by former governor, Isa Yuguda. “To further conserve funds, Abubakar also directed that the state government should stop the issuance of letters of promotion to 17 permanent secretaries granted accelerated promotions by former Isa Yuguda,” he said.. Gamawa said that the present administration inherited a 30,000 workforce , “But about 1,000 had either retired or died, therefore, we are now left with about 29,000 workers; and at that, it is still over bloated. “We have just been able to employ about 20 doctors, pharmacists and engineers as it became compulsory,” he said. Meanwhile, the state Board of Internal Revenue has said that it generated more than N8.49bn Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) spelled out in the state 2015 budget. Acting chairman of the

board, Alhaji Yakub Isa, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday. Isa said, `Ì don’t want to give you figures, but I want to categorically tell you that we have generated more than the target assigned to us going by the budget.’’ He attributed the successes of the board to his long stay and experiences within the various departments of the board. ``My understanding the terrains and as director for over five years and having gone through all the departments, therefore, I use same to block all loopholes that existed. `Ì equally introduce payment of tax through banks than through collectors and I abolish revenue account and replace it with pay through direct system. `Ì establishes taxpayers enlightenment forum, no coercion except in exceptionally cases, reformed auditing strategies and back duty assessments and we are able to excel,’’ he said. Isa said in spite of the successes recorded, the board was still facing challenges such as lack of database, tax enforcement laws and awareness on the part of payers. The others, he said, included no tax revenues from boards and parastatals, internet tax and high tax evasion in the informal sector of the economy as they lack records. The chairman said in spite of the success recorded, the board was mapping out strategies to explore more avenue where it could boost its revenue. He called on taxpayers in the state to voluntarily pay their taxes and not to wait till they were coerced by officials of the board.

L-R: Oyo State Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade; former Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Due Process, Folake Akinloye; Executive Secretary, Oyo State Investment Promotion, Mr. Yinka Fatoki, and Regional Sales Manager, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Justin Uzoeto, at the Capacity Building for Small Scale and Medium Enterprises in Ibadan, Oyo State, last Thursday.

Kwara swears in 14 new permanent secretaries

Wole Adedeji, ILORIN

wara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, on Tuesday sworn in 14 new Permanent Secretaries charging them as the Chief Accounting Officers of their respective ministries to drive with vigour, prudence and judicious use of public resources put in their trust. He also charged them to work to enhance internally generated revenue stressing that prudence had become expedient in the face of declining revenue to the state from the federation account. His words: “Today, the realities of the economic challenges are upon

us. In the last eighteen months, federation allocation to the state had dwindled consistently. “Specifically, our monthly allocation has dropped by about forty-five per cent and is currently incapable of meeting our recurrent expenditure such as payment of salaries. And for now, there is no indication that the situation will improve any time soon. Therefore, this is the time for the government to implement belttightening measures”. He further declared: “The economic survival and sustenance of our state is a task that must be achieved with the participation of all citizens. In this new dispensation, therefore, it is incum-

bent on you to sufficiently drive your ministries, departments and agencies to generate to the government.” Ahmed also advised all the people of the state to embrace the culture of prudence and adjustment to the new economic realities in order to overcome prevailing challenges. Ahmed counseled the new permanent secretaries to exhibit required leadership and entrench best practices of due process, accountability and transparency in the discharge of their duties. The governor advised them to shun corruption and other ills that could bring their names into disrepute and discredit the image of the state.

He added that the Permanent Secretaries should not be islands unto themselves but embrace the culture of being team players within the setting of the civil service. Speaking on behalf of the new Permanent Secretaries, Elder David Adeshina, pledged that the new appointees would bring their experiences to bear in the duties as the Abdulfatah Ahmed administration deepened the delivery of dividends of democracy. Elder Adesina also pledged that the new Permanent Secretaries, in adding value to the administration, would not bring their unalloyed support and absolute loyalty to it into doubt.

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Osahon Julius YENAGOA

he on-going governorship campaign in Bayelsa state yesterday took a ‘melodramatic but yet a pathetic dimension’ as the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, mobilized women and youths of the party to evacuate embarrassing stinking refuse that has taken over Yenagoa metropolis in recent times. The APC rolled out refuse trucks, caterpillars, earth-moving equipment and their symbolic brooms to carry out the clean-up of the various areas where heaps of refuse has taken prominence in the city. Scores of party faithful including young ladies, women and youths were seen assisting the operators of the refuse equipment and machines hired for the purpose with their brooms.

Politics

Wednesday November 4, 2015

Mild drama as APC supporters evacuate refuse in Yenagoa With vests adorned with inscription, APC cleans Bayelsa’, the party supporters had trooped out with their brooms, buckets, shovels, rakes and other items to clean the state capital which its uncleanliness has been a major embarrassment for the state government for weeks now. The party faithful were shared in groups to different parts of the metropolis to clear the garbages at strategic locations such as Swali market, Kpansia market, Kpansia Community Secondary School, Opolo market, among others. However, following the embarrassment caused by the action of the APC supporters, the Bayelsa State Government was said to

have quickly mobilized contractors to clear the garbages. The development saw the APC members and government contactors clearing the heaps of refuse side by side, causing a mild drama for residents of the City, who but cannot help to laugh their hearts out. When our correspondent visited some area of the state he realized that while the APC members were clearing a place opposite Berger, the government contractors were clearing the one opposite the FCMB. Before the clash of interest, the government contractors had cleared the garbage dumps at OMPADEC junction, Ekeki Park near the Deputy Gov-

ernor’s residence on Toolda Street as well as the one by Okaka Primary School. Giving insight into what led to the exercise, the Director, Media and Publicity, Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, lamented that the government had not been able to manage the environmental sanitation situation in the state. This is just as the Dickson campaign team, Restoration Campaign Organisation, accused the APC of being responsible for the heaps of refuse in Yenagoa. While carpeting the APC for engaging in the flash sanitation, RCDO described the exercise as “the deceitful style of campaign” by the opposi-

tion. But Egba said, “The reason for doing this is simple: everybody living in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, now knows that the government is not able to manage the environmental sanitation situation in the state. “As a result, epidemics and other diseases are likely to break out. There are instances where such rubbish is piled up in front of schools and market places. The private residence of the deputy governor is suffering similar fate. “The idea is simple: to help the government clear up the places and to ensure that our people are able to live in epidemic and disease free environment.” Egba said the exercise, which would be a continu-

ous one, would be replicated in other parts of the state, noting that they had received invitations for assistance from other communities in the state. He added, “But today, we are focused on Yenagoa because the situation in the capital city is actually an emergency. It is very clear that the Seriake Dickson administration has totally abandoned governance, they are now focusing on how to win election, which of course they know they cannot win. “So, as a party coming into power, we do not need to wait until we are officially elected into office. We believe that this kind of thing we can start doing while waiting for the election and our swearing in day.”

Lagos assembly calls for sanctity of media programmes Robert Awokuse

L-R: Assistant Secretary General, Nigeria Triathlon Union, Mrs. Comfort Nwankwo, President, Nigeria Triathlon Union, Dr. Lanre Glover and Treasurer/Legal Adviser, Nigeria Triathlon Union, Mrs. Ize Matebese, at the news briefing on 4th National Triathlon Championship in Lagos, yesterday.

agos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the Ministry of Information and every other relevant agencies to enlighten the public about the behavioural implication of strange foreign practices on the youth and encourage the practice of the Nigerian culture. The House also called on the State Films and Video Censors Board to ensure adequate content control

Ihedioha lashes back at Okorocha

…Says he did not ask him to join APC to become Senate President Chris Njoku OWERRI

ormer Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate in Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha yesterday described the statement credited to Governor Rochas Okorocha that he had asked him to join All Progressives Congress, APC and become Senate President as falsehood. Governor Okorocha

while giving account of his stewardship for past four years on Monday has stated that the former deputy speaker would have still be relevant in politics today if he had accepted his plea for him to contest the senatorial seat of Owerri zone in order to become the Senate President. Reacting in a statement by his Media Assistant, Chibuike Onyeukwu, yesterday, Ihedioha described the governor’s statement as diversionary and falsehood in its entirety and

something that could only come from a feeble mind. “Although we find the Governor’s acknowledgement of Rt. Hon. Ihedioha’s capacity to chair the National Assembly a well known fact and therefore needless to emphasize, we however wish to state that the statement is in its entirety, false, diversionary and indeed could only have come from a man, very well known for his penchant for falsehood.” Ihedioha stated categorically that Governor Okoro-

cha did not visit him before the elections to plead with him to jettison his ambition. “The only time Governor Okorocha visited me was in 2013 in company of Senator Osita Izunaso to condole me on the death of my younger sister,” adding that there was no way they could have discussed politics in such solemn moment. The statement further added: “Even if he did, Chief Ihedioha wouldn’t have yielded to his ill- informed advice because the entire Imo citizens

yearned, and still yearn for the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to address the untold hardship that has ravaged the state based on his sterling qualities and track record of achievements. “It is unfortunate that the courts couldn’t consider our petition against the declaration of Governor Okorocha by INEC as the winner of the polls, which would have exposed the fraud and massive rigging that skewed the election in favour of APC.”

of films, videos and musical lyrics in the State. Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho who moved the motion at the plenary on Tuesday said that she was aware of a planned series programmes to be aired by the True Life Chapter, TLC channel on the Digital Satelite Television, DSTV platform which x-rays a story of transgender teenager, “I am Jazz”, with a view to promoting gender immorality in the society. Hon. Tejuosho noted that she is concerned about the perceived silence of the Federal Government authorities about the spate of uninhibited display of obscenities and uncensored programmes on the Nigerian airwaves as evident in musical videos, films and other airings on National Television, especially the State Television Networks. The lawmaker said: “If the planned transgender programme aired on the Digital Satelite Television, DSTV platform is not statutorily checked before it goes public, it will not only corrupt the Nigerian youth but capable of luring them into sexual vices, contrary to the relevant sections of the Nigerian laws which forbids homosexuality and sexual pervasion in the society.”

Politics

Wednesday November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Hurdles before Abubakar’s success in Bauchi Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

emocracy is about the majority and party in power must do all it could to ensure that it retains the support of the majority. When this is not done, the ruling party may lose election while the opposition may pull weight together and become the ruling party following the support of the people. This development led to the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which had boasted that it would rule the country for 100 years in the last election when it lost both in Bauchi and at the centre to the All Progressive Congress, APC. PDP received the shock of its life when Muhammadu Buhari of APC defeated its candidate and the incumbent president, Mr Goodluck Jonathan during the last general elections. Political watchers are of the opinion that if something is not done to arrest the current political permutations in Bauchi state, a repeat of 2015 elections in the state may resurface with the opposition defeating the ruling party in 2019 Since the inauguration of the APC administration in May, Governor Mohammed Abubakar has not been able to put his house together when compared to how President Buhari had successfully brings APC officials together and focused on the business of governance. What we have in Bauchi instead is that there has been an allegations of cold war between the governor and some stakeholders who worked and ensured that the party win the state election in April. Feelers informed that the perceived cold war may be responsible for the inability of the governor to constitute his cabinet and coordinate the implementations of APC blueprints One major challenge of Abubakar it was gathered is that he has been on war path with the Speaker, Federal House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara who is a prominent indigene of the state. The cause of the ‘war’ according to sources is the allegation that the speaker is eyeing the governor’s seat come 2019 . This was said to have come to the open recently when the governor’s security clashed with the youths at a wedding ceremony in the presence of notable politicians in the state. The youths who were in their hundreds spurned security directive and intensified their efforts to hail Dogara and described him as benevolent thereby chanting song in Hausa, sai kayi 2019 , meaning we have endorse you to take over come 2019. This development it was reliably gathered angered the

Abubakar

Abubakar is also gathered is at war with the state assembly and this may not be unconnected with allegation of

N4bn

facility he was said to have received without the approval of the state assembly governor. As a further demonstration of the no love lost between the governor and Dogara, the governor it was gathered had suspended some local government officials from Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa-Balewa who visited the speaker in Abuja to rejoice with him on his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Dogara it is gathered is not having the ambition of vying for the Bauchi state governorship in 2019 considering his background and the culpable political hurdles he en-

countered even before he dumped the PDP . Abubakar is also gathered is at war with the state assembly and this may not be unconnected with allegation of N4bn facility he was said to have received without the approval of the state assembly. The state assembly according to the law is supposed to approve such loan. Sources said that the governor is currently unhappy with the lawmakers who recently paid official visit to Dogara in his Abuja office. Another problem of the governor is that all his campaign coordinators in 20 Local Government Areas of the state are said to have withdrawn their support and loyalty for him because they are said to be angry that he has not integrate them into his government in line with his promise during the campaign period A reliable source who pleaded not to be named said that the current APC leadership in the state led by Hon Uba Nana are also nursing grouse against the governor for failing to appoint some of them into juicy offices as he promised them during the campaign and this development is set to have set a stage for cold war between them and the governor.. One of the youths leaders who crave for anonymity told National Mirror that the entire youths in the state no longer have confidence in the governor saying that Dogara remain people’s choice come 2019 The youth leader maintained that Bauchi state had never congratulated Dogara in national dailies since his emergence as Speaker, but it was surprising to read that of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the newly appointed INEC boss who happened to come from the state alongside Dogara The youth had cautioned the governor not to play politics of sentiment urging him to instead, imbibe the spirit of dialogue, forgiveness and unity among Bauchi citizens as no amount of rancor will attracts democratic dividends to the state Feelers said, the governor is also not in good term with some elites in Bauchi state even when they co- opted to wisely advise the APC administration on how to get out of the PDP doldrum. It was also learnt that the current hurdle being faced by Abubakar is the divergent views between the APC and stakeholders on the constitution of the 20 LGA’s caretaker committees. The governor is said to have appointed civil servants as caretaker committees whereas he had allegedly during his campaign promised to appoint politicians and this development is said to have set the party against the governor An adage that says a stitch in time saves nine aptly describe the solution to the current political impasse going on in Bauchi State . The leaders of the APC need to intervene and save the party and the Abubakar administration from the present wrangling.

Osun stakeholders advocate payment of charges on property Ayo Esan

takeholders on land matters in Osun State have appealed to citizenry to co-operate with the state government in the payment of tenement rate and land use charge in a bid to increase Internally Generated Revenue. They made the remarks on Tuesday at a public hearing on Land Use Charge Bill organised by the state House of Assembly in Osogbo. The bill is seeking for a law to make provision for the consolidation of all

property and land-based rates and charges payable under the Land Rate Law, the Neighbourhood Improvement Charge Law and Tenement rates Law in the state. It is seeking to incorporate the proposed law into a new Land-based charge, to be called Property Land Use charge to make provision for the levying and collection of the charge and for connected purposes. The bill has passed through the second reading before the parliament. The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam said

the bill if passed would improve the revenue of the state, ensure proper layout of towns and villages and ensure tidiness of the environment in the state. He said now that the revenue accruable to the state could no longer sustain the desired development, there is the need to look inward to be able to generate more revenue. He assured that the Assembly would continue to involve stakeholders, especially professionals in various fields in the business of lawmaking to ensure that the people get the desired result.

Also speaking, Professor Nurudeen Aluko, a representative of Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyor and Valuers, said the bill was a welcome development. He recommended that religious centres with schools should not be exempted from the payment of the rate and charges as indicated in bill. In his submission, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Wale Ojo, called for effective administration of the bill when eventually passed. He said, if the bill is ef-

fectively administered, it would improve the state’s IGR. The representatives of other professional bodies, including the Nigeria Institute of Surveyor, Surveyor Adeboye O.A and Nigerian Institute of Town Planners said the bill, if passed would generate more revenue for the state. The deputy Governor, Otunba Titi-Laoye Tomori, appealed to the people of the state to corporate with the state government in effective implementation of the bill when it is passed. She said the developmental projects of the gov-

ernment have facilitated increase in the value of property in the state, saying, it is the responsibility of the property owners to reciprocate by paying appropriate charges. According to her, there is the need for all stakeholders to support the government in harnessing potentials that could assist in the generation of revenue for further development of the state. Also speaking, the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul Rauf Adedeji, appealed to the people to support government in its effort to improve IGR.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

CBN faults FRC on Stanbic IBTC directors’ suspension Johnson Okanlawon

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday dismissed all allegations of financial misstatements leveled against Stanbic IBTC Holdings by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRC, saying the latter did not follow due process before taking its decision. The FRC had on October 26, 2015 urged CBN and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC to investi After taking up the invitation of FRC to investigate the allegedly guilty parties, Godwin In a letter signed by the CBN’s governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and titled, “ Re: Regulatory Decision in the matter

of Financial Statements of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc for Year ended 31 st December 2013 and 2014,” it said it could not spot any wrongdoing. On the financial issue, the governor stated that contrary to the allegation of the FRC that the bank did not obtain approval from the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, for payment of affiliate software license, the bank actually obtained approval from NOTAP. Similarly, on the Council’s allegation of non-disclosure of intangible assets in the financials, Emefiele explained that the bank adequately recognized the software as an intangible asset in its 2011 fi-

nancials and sufficiently disclosed the disposal of the software in the 2012 financials. “Consequently, the said software could not have been reported as an intangible asset in the succeeding years 2013 and 2014,” he said. He also dismissed the allegation of lumping several expenses items under ‘others,’ as unfounded since the items were not material enough to appear as line items in the income statement and that the non-disclosure of the items did not materially affect the true and fair view of the financial statements. While agreeing with the FRC that Stanbic IBTC erred in the classification of some line items, the banking industry regulator pointed out that

the identified misclassifications did not understate or overstate its assets and liabilities, neither did it increase nor decrease its income to have cause misrepresentation of the financials. He said: “Stanbic IBTC used its judgment to capture the donation of N275 million under ‘others’ because it was of the opinion that it was not a charitable donation but a mandatory contribution towards the victims of terrorism in the country. “For the avoidance of doubt, this contribution was agreed at a Bankers’ Committee Meeting, with the share for each bank clearly spelt out. Therefore, we agree with the bank’s position, as presented.”

Equities slide 0.29%, Learn Africa tops gainers’ chart Johnson Okanlawon

enchmark index of equities dropped further on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated 0.29 per cent to close at 29,052.87 points, compared to the decline of 0.14 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 29,136.85 points. Market capitalization shed N29 billion to close at N9.984 trillion, higher than the drop of N14 billion recorded

the preceding day to close at N10.013trillion. Learn Africa Plc led the gainers table with six kobo or 9.23 per cent to close at 71 kobo per share. The company, which is an educational resource provider, said yesterday that it has concluded plans to honour candidates that posted outstanding performances during the June/July 2015 examinations, some of their teachers and the schools that produced them with various awards of excellence. The awards will be pre-

sented to students, teachers and schools who by their dint of hard work, diligence, commitment and extra-ordinary achievements have become role models for others. Oando Plc added 52 kobo or 8.68 per cent to close at N6.51 per share, while Guinness Nigeria Plc appreciated N6.18 or 4.99 per cent to close at N129.93 per share. NAHCO Plc rose 20 kobo or 4.94 per cent to close at N4.25 per share, while Portland Paints Plc appreciated 16 kobo or 4.75 per cent to close at N3.53 per share. On the flip side, Ike Hotel

Plc shed 17 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N3.24 per share, while Unilever Plc depreciated N1.83 or 4.98 per cent to close at N34.92 per share. Cadbury Plc lost N1.00 or 4.96 per cent to close at N19.15 per share, while Berger Paints Plc dipped 50 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N9.60 per share. Dangote Sugar Plc fell 34 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N6.58 per share. A total of 166.8 million shares valued at N1.12 billion were exchanged in 3,287 deals.

S&P, Nasdaq flat, Dow edges up on energy stocks

rally in energy stocks and a rebound in Visa helped the Dow inch higher yesterday, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were little changed, with gains offset by a decline in healthcare and consumer shares. Six of the 10 major S&P sectors were lower, with the consumer staples sector down 0.96 per cent and the healthcare sector down 0.58 per cent. “We’re off a little bit this morning, but I think it’s more just people not knowing where to go,” said Michael Bapis, managing director and partner at Hightower’s the Bapis Group. A rally in healthcare and energy stocks on Monday had

pushed the Nasdaq 100 to a 15year high. All S&P sectors finished higher. The energy sector rose 1.87 per cent, as oil prices recovered, putting the sector on track for its best five-day run in nearly a month. Exxon was up 1.9 per cent and Chevron three per cent, two of the three biggest boosts to the Dow and the S&P. Visa was the third. The stock rose 3.5 per cent to $77.84, after a three per cent drop on Monday when it said it would buy Visa Europe. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 65.57 points, or 0.37 per cent, at 17,894.33. The S&P 500 was up 0.21 points, or 0.01 per cent, at 2,104.26 and the Nasdaq Com-

posite index was down 3.46 points, or 0.07 per cent, at 5,123.68. Bapis said the two key influences on the market this week would be Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s testimony before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday and the monthly jobs report on Friday. “I don’t think there’s really any big momentum one way or the other with the earnings.” A majority of the S&P 500 companies have reported strong results. Their profit is now expected to have dipped 0.9 per cent in the third quarter, compared with the 4.9 per cent drop forecast before the earnings season began, ac-

cording to Thomson Reuters data. 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 29,052.87points Market capitalisation 9.98trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LEARNAFRCA

0.65

0.71

0.06

9.23

OANDO

5.99

6.51

0.52

8.68

GUINNESS

123.75

129.93

6.18

4.99

NAHCO

4.05

4.25

0.20

4.94

PORTPAINT

3.37

3.53

0.16

4.75

OKOMUOIL

29.02

30.20

1.18

4.07

NASCON

7.00

7.21

0.21

3.00

FCMB

2.00

2.06

0.06

3.00

AFRIPRUD

2.63

2.70

0.07

2.66

AIRSERVICE

1.87

1.91

0.04

2.14

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

IKEJAHOTEL

3.41

3.24

-0.17

-4.99

UNILEVER

36.75

34.92

-1.83

-4.98

CADBURY

20.15

19.15

-1.00

-4.96

BERGER

10.10

9.60

-0.50

-4.95

DANGSUGAR

6.92

6.58

-0.34

-4.91

DANGFLOUR

2.55

2.43

-0.12

-4.71

TOTAL

150.01

143.00

-7.01

-4.67

UNITYBNK

1.30

1.24

-0.06

-4.62

VONO

0.92

0.88

-0.04

-4.35

ASHAKACEM

23.00

22.11

-0.89

-3.87

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

National News

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reps investigate ‘illegal’ refineries destruction in Niger Delta

ouse of Representatives yesterday commenced investigation into activities of the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta. The House is investigating alleged burning and destruction of equipment seized from illegal refinery operators in the area by the task force. Briefing newsmen in

Abuja on the investigation, Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on Illegal Refineries, Mr. Sule Garo (APCKano), said the House was worried about the environment in the area. Garo explained that the intention of the House was to bring an end to despoliation of the Niger Delta environment through burning of equipment confiscated from illegal opera-

130,000 pensioners for verification nationwide, says PTAD DG

irector General, Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, said no fewer than 130,000 pensioners would be captured in the ongoing nationwide verification. Mayshak disclosed this in Sokoto yesterday shortly after monitoring the exercise, which commenced on Monday. According to her, the exercise took off at the capitals of the seven NorthWest states. She named the states as Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa and Kaduna. “The exercise commenced simultaneously in each of the capitals of the seven North-West states on Monday and it will end on November14. “Thereafter, the exercise will hold in the remaining geo-political zones of the

country between November 2 and February 2016,” Mayshaka said. She said the exercise would require capturing of the biometrics and documents of the retired federal and state governments’ workers from 1960 and 2007. “Those retired workers being verified consist of the retired state government workers as well as retired federal civil servants,” she added. Mayshak explained that the verification would help to create a permanent, credible and transparent database for pensioners nationwide. She added: “We want to have a database that the Federal Government can always fall back on and it will be sustainable. “Even the next of kin of deceased pensioners will be captured, while the ones that are sick will also be captured.

Police warn Kogi workers against blocking highways

igeria Police have warned striking civil servants in Kogi State against blocking highways leading in and out of the state. The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Force spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, an Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, in Abuja yesterday. “Information available to the Nigeria Police indicates that workers’ leaders in Kogi are planning to block highways leading in and out of the state to advance their labour disputes with the

state government,” it said. The statement also said that extending the protest to blocking highways would cause major traffic and security threats. It further warned the workers to desist from such inciting and provocative plans, but to follow legal and labour procedures. The statement added that failure to adhere strictly to the warning, the police would deal decisively with anyone or group trying to threaten the security or public peace.

tors of refineries. He said the JTF, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, and affected communities had been invited to testify. “Others invited to give insight before the committee includes Federal Ministry of Health and Ministry

of Environment on steps they are taking to forestall further despoliation of the Niger Delta environment,” he said. He added that while setting up the committee, the House had noted that communities in the region routinely suffered from the effects of indiscriminate burning and destruction of equipment seized from illegal refineries. According to Garo,

these acts of the task force are usually done without recourse to international best practices. “The action of the JTF has greatly polluted the environment and waters in the area and in the process destroyed farmlands and killed fishes, thereby jeopardising farming and fishing, which are the mainstay of the Niger Delta people,” he added. He said the committee

was also mandated to investigate the fire outbreak in Azuama community in Bayelsa State on July 9, 2015. He said the fire, which killed 14 people, was allegedly caused by the use of dilapidated infrastructure and equipment by Nigeria Agip Oil Company. The committee, Garo said, would ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of the 14 persons.

Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Special Traffic Enforcement, impounds motorcycles (Okada) on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, on Monday.

9 vehicles in multiple crash

o fewer than nine vehicles were involved in a multiple road accident a few metres away from the Military Cemetery at Airport Road, Abuja, yesterday. The accident, it was learnt, was caused by a tipper driver whose vehicle apparently had break failure. “I think the tipper failed break and the driver could not control it again,” Alhaji Ahmed Rufai, who was with the driver when the accident occurred, said. Rufai said the driver of the tipper marked YAB 925 YT, took to his heels on seeing the impact of the accident. A police officer, Sgt. Musa Abdulmumini, from Kuje Division of FCT Police Command, said no life was lost. He, however, added that Rufai would be kept in police custody until he produced the run-away tipper driver whose name he gave simply as Idris. According to the police

officer, Rufai may be driver of the tipper, but may not want to own up for fear of being lynched. He said though no life was lost, the level of destruction on other vehicles involved was much. Some eyewitnesses, who spoke on the accident, said the situation would

have been worse if not for a lorry belonging to ARTC Industries, which served as a wedge, and prevented the tipper from committing more havoc. The lorry driver, Mr. Akaahan Nyityo, said he was coming from Idu Industrial Area to deliver goods in Asokoro when

he was hit from behind by the tipper driver. Meanwhile, officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and police personnel were all on ground to ensure free traffic flow at the scene of the accident.

You could not have won Borno Central bye-election, APC tells PDP

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has described as outlandish and irrational the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that it was robbed of victory in last Saturday’s Borno Central senatorial election. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said it amounts to dishonesty on the part of PDP to expect victory in Borno State, where it had a dismal outing during the last general elections in March and April, and where the oppo-

sition party has remained sharply divided. “For the umpteenth time, we would like to say that for any opposition to be credible and relevant, it must avoid engaging in bare-faced distortion of facts and making ridiculous claims that cannot be supported by available evidence. “What PDP has done by giving the impression that it could have won the Borno Central senatorial election, but for the alleged use of compromised electoral officials and security forces, is ludicrous.

“We have therefore, decided to present the facts to Nigerians so they can be the judge. “In the 2015 presidential elections, our party, APC, got 473,543 votes compared to a paltry 25,640 received by PDP. “In the 2015 governorship election in Borno, APC scored 649,913 votes to the measly 34,771 by PDP. “The National Assembly election was not different. APC won all three seats in the Senate and 10 in the House of Representatives, leaving nothing for the pitiful PDP.

Wednesday, Wednesday, November March 26, 4, 2015 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49 47

Community Mirror Let methe again repeat I have been saying thatinGoodluck no Once leaders arewhat united, every other person the state Jonathan would be has united personal agenda in convening this and national conference. and this will help attract more development to the state Nigeria at large..

Dare Akogun

etwork on Police Reform in Nigeria NOPRIN based in Lagos, has demanded the urgent review of the staff composition of the various agencies under the Lagos state Ministry of Justice. The call was made in a letter to the governor and signed by its National Coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma, and made available to newsmen. Nwanguma noted that the call was necessary due to alleged complacency in the responsibilities of staff of these agencies, sometimes leading to the death of victims. NOPRIN also accused the Nigeria Police of the same complacency in assisting a particular resident of the state, who seriously needed justice over incessant battering by her husband. The letter reads in part: “NOPRIN calls on the Lagos State governor to review the staff composition and procedures of various administration agencies. “We are referring to agen-

–GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, IFEANYI OKOWA PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Ambode advised to review composition of justice administration agencies cies like the Citizens’ Mediation Centre, Office of the Public Defender, and other similar agencies established by government under the Ministry of Justice to provide various types of formal and informal legal and social services to ordinary residents of Lagos. “We understand the purpose and good intentions of Lagos State Government in establishing these agencies, which include enhancing access to justice for the poor and other vulnerable groups such as women and children, who are victims of crime and injustices. “Lagos State government set-up these formal and informal justice administration agencies to serve the needs of the poor and vulnerable sections of the society, especially poor women and children, who are the main objects of human rights abuses,” the

group said. NOPRIN also revealed that it had been inter-phasing with quite a number of agencies by referring cases to them through petitions. “Our general observation is that these agencies, on many occasions, have been unable to render satisfactory services to citizens who seek

their intervention. “This, in our humble opinion, is because a lot of the staff members who populate these citizen agencies and centres are career civil servants who lack the training, skill, compassion and commitment to fulfill the mandate of these agencies. “NOPRIN hereby calls on

the Ambode administration to order a review of the composition and procedures of these agencies. Only professionals, who understand the mission and vision of the government, and who are committed to the mandate of these agencies, should be posted there,” the statement said.

Father of 5 electrocuted in Osun Boladale Bamigbola, OSOGBO

middle aged refrigerator repairer, simply identified as Moshood Majoko, was yesterday electrocuted in Osogbo, Osun state capital. The tragic incident, which occurred early Tuesday morning behind Ilesa Motor Park, Osogbo, immediately threw the neighbourhood into confusion with some residents deserting their homes. Sources said the deceased father of five was assisting his community in electrification work and was already on a pole working when power was restored to the area. Majoko, it was learnt, had previously engaged in similar work for the community and on the day of the incident, the deceased was said to be working on a line that overlapped

along Zone C, Road 7, Ago Ayo community. According to an eye-witness, the deceased before climbing the pole, had told to his wife to bring him his rubber glove but did not wait for her to return before he set to work. The deceased, when electrocuted, fell from the pole and was immediately taken to a hospital where he later died. Some residents of the community, who spoke to newsmen, said the deceased always helped in electricity related work with the permission of the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC. Reacting to the incident, Public Relations Officer of IBEDC, Osogbo region, Miss Kike Owoeye, said the company had been educating people to report faults to avoid this kind of tragedy.

Suspected electricity cable thieves paraded by Bayelsa State Police Command, recently.

20 convicted in Ekiti for sanitation offence Abiodun Nejo, ADO EKITI

special court in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has convicted 20 offenders for flouting the State Environmental Sanitation Laws. They were apprehended during the October edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ekiti State. Magistrate Modupe Afeniforo sentenced them to jail terms ranging from one to two months for not participat-

ing in the exercise as well as dumping refuse on the road medians and drainages. They were however given options of paying between N1, 000 and N2, 500 as fines in lieu of the prison sentences. State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, said that the development would serve as deterrent to those ignoring the call to participate in the monthly exercise. Kolawole said that such stiff penalty would definitely boost conformity with the directive to keep the environment clean.

The commissioner said that the House-to-House sanitation inspection and as well prosecution of culprits had begun, cautioning that there would be no sacred cows. According to him, no landlord that contravenes the sanitary laws would be spared as the special court set up to try offenders would continue to sit twice a week in the State capital. He expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance so far recorded with the One House One Toilet Policy as landlords had started comply-

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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World News

Absolutely, we never said that Bashar al-Assad should leave or stay. It’s up to the Syrians to decide. –RUSSIAN SPOKESWOMAN, MARIA ZAKHAROVA Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

resident Alassane Ouattara yesterday pledged to ensure that more of his compatriots reap the benefits of the West African nation’s postwar economic revival as he was sworn in for a second five-year term. Ouattara won a landslide victory last month in the first presidential election since a brief civil war killed over 3, 000 people in the wake of the last presidential poll in 2010. The peaceful October 25 vote was a boost for Cote d’Ivoire’s democratic credentials and offered crucial reassurance of the country’s stability to investors who have flooded into the world’s top cocoa grower as its economy has taken off. “Only lasting peace, strong institutions and Ivorians who place national interest above all else will allow our country to irreversibly join the ranks of the great democracies and developed nations,” Ouattara said. All six of his election rivals were present at a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in the commercial capital Abidjan that was also attended by Senegal’s President Macky Sall and President Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin. Ouattara’s re-election bid was buoyed by an economy that has grown by around 9 per cent over the last four years, making Cote d’Ivoire one of the top performers in Africa as other countries

Ouattara begins second term, makes economy pledge

Zambia moves to stem inflation Zambia’s Central Bank has pushed up interest rates from 12.5 per cent to 15.5 per cent in an effort to curb soaring inflation. Consumer prices nearly doubled in October to 14.3 per cent from 7.7 per cent in September as Zambia’s currency weakened sharply. Zambia’s kwacha has halved in value against the dollar this year as lower copper prices have hit Africa’s second-biggest producer of the metal. The increase in Zambia’s benchmark lending rate was the first by the southern African nation since November 2014. “In arriving at our decision the committee took into account the inflationary outturn. Keeping inflation expectations anchored in single digits is critical,” Central Bank Governor, Denny Kalyalya, said yesterday.

Boko Haram reveals rocket-making factory Ivorien President Alassane Ouattara

have been hobbled by a global commodities crash. However, while Ouattara’s leadership has been largely credited with the revival, many Ivorians claim they have been left behind. “We must accelerate the distribution of the fruits of growth, especially for our society’s most disadvantaged,” he said, adding that he would push for more pro-

cessing of agricultural products to create jobs for Ivorian youth. Ouattara also promised to do more to foster reconciliation in a country still deeply divided along political and ethnic lines. Many supporter of ex-president Laurent Gbagbo heeded a call by hardliners from his Ivorian Popular Front party to boycott the vote last month. Gbagbo, whose refusal to ac-

Sisi’s UK visit highlights human rights

hen Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi makes his first visit to the United Kingdom, Egyptian human rights activist, Mohamed Lotfy, will be watching back in Cairo. Lofty can’t travel himself after the authorities confiscated his passport in June when he tried to fly to Germany, during the president’s visit there, to discuss human rights. He was also slammed with go a travel ban. Other leading activists would also not follow the visit because they are in jail, among them icons of the 2011 revolution. “We have never had such a dismal situation for human rights,” renowned Egyptian author and activist, Ahdaf Soueif, said, adding, “It’s the worst it’s ever been.” Soueif ’s nephew, Alaa Abdel Fattah, is one of the key figures

WORLD BULLETIN

from the uprising who are now behind bars. “I think it definitely sends the wrong message,” Soueif said. “The regime needs acceptance, and if it has acceptance when it’s disappearing people from the

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

streets, and giving people ridiculous jail sentences and allowing people to die in prison for lack of medical attention-then it’s definitely the wrong message.” The previous Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi of the

cept Ouattara’s first win sparked the 2011 civil war, is awaiting trial before the International Criminal Court charged with crimes against humanity. Ouattara, who later spoke with the world press, vowed to change the constitution to scrap a nationality clause that states that presidential candidates’ parents must both be natural-born Ivorian citizens.

Muslim Brotherhood, was also invited to the UK, but was ousted before he could make the trip. Sisi, who was then armed forces chief, removed him in 2013, after massive public protests, in what many regard as a coup. Egypt’s Ambassador to the UK, Nasser Kamel, however accused human rights groups of siding with the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood. “We know where those campaigns are coming from,” Kamel said, stressing, “We know they are politically tainted, in a way reflecting a point of view of a certain group, or view, of the Brotherhood in Egypt. “Egypt is a state of law, has been applying the law, respecting the law.” “We and the UK are talking closely to each other concerning so many issues like the crisis in Libya and the situation in Syria.”

Islamist militant group Boko Haram has released photos apparently showing a rocket-making factory in north-eastern Nigeria. The group has used rocketpropelled grenades in the past and many Nigerians have been asking where the weapons have been coming from. The photos seem to indicate that members of the group have the technical know-how to manufacture weapons. The pictures, believed to have been taken in a college in Borno State, were sent as a Whatsapp messages using a telephone number from Cameroon, and have also been published on sites linked to so-called Islamic State, which Boko Haram has joined.

Shell ‘falling short in oil spill clean-up’ Oil company Shell has been accused of making false claims about the extent of its clean-up operations in Nigeria. In a joint report, Amnesty International and the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development said Shell had failed to implement UN recommendations. The report said several sites Shell claimed to have had cleaned up were still polluted. Shell has however said that it disagrees with the report’s findings, saying it is committed to cleaning up all spills, even as it says it will yeas to effect total clean-up. A 2011 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found that oil spills in the Ogoniland region of southern Nigeria had contaminated drinking water, wrecked the fishing industry and threatened the health of local people.

World News WORLD BULLETIN

Rape: Indian driver rapist bags life jail An Indian court yesterday sentenced an Uber taxi driver, Shiv Kumar Yadav, to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping a female passenger last year in Delhi. Yadav was also convicted of criminal intimidation and kidnapping. The 26-year-old woman was taken to a secluded area and raped after booking a journey home with Uber in December. Delhi later banned Uber and several other web-based taxi firms for many months, accusing them of failing to carry out adequate driver checks. The company apologised for the incident at the time and acknowledged that it must do better. The woman had also filed a lawsuit against the service in a US court, which was later settled out of court. Yadav, who was wearing a white checked shirt, wiped away tears as the judge read out his sentence, the longest possible jail term for rape. “He will serve regressive imprisonment, which shall mean imprisonment till natural death,” judge Kaveri Baweja told the court in Delhi. But Yadav’s lawyer, DK Mishra, said he would appeal against the sentence in a higher court. “My client is innocent,” Mishra maintained.

Confusion as Iran shuts eatery Only a day after it opened, Iran yesterday shut down what officials reportedly thought was a branch of the US fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken. But the Manager of the restaurant, called Halal KFC, Abbas Pazuki, said it had nothing to do with the US company. Police justified the decision saying it was operating under a false license. The closure comes amid concerns amongst hardliners about growing Western influence in Iran as relations with a number of countries improve. “The shutting down of Halal KFC was due to a misunderstanding,” Pazukib said yesterday. “We are part of a brand known as Halal KFC, which comes from Turkey. It belongs to Muslims and its target market is Muslim nations,” he added. Head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Ali Fazeli, confirmed that the Iranian KFC had no connection with KFC in the US. “In accordance with orders from the Supreme Leader, we do not give any authorisation to Western brands in the fast food sector,” Fazeli said. Hardliners believe the recent agreement on curbing Iran’s nuclear programme, reached between Iran and Western powers, may become a vehicle for softening Iran’s anti-Americanism, opening the floodgates of foreign influences.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

ebels are caging captured Syrian soldiers and others loyal to the regime and using them as human shields to fend off government attacks, Human Rights Watch and a Syrian opposition group reported yesterday. “Nothing can justify caging people and intentionally putting them in harm’s way, even if the purpose is to stop indiscriminate government attacks,” Nadim Houry, a senior official of Human Rights Watch, said. Videos posted to social media over the weekend showed trucks transporting cages filled with up to eight men or women, according to the reports. “Rebels have distributed 100 cages, with each cage containing approximately seven people and the plan is afoot to produce 1, 000 cages to distribute in different parts of Douma city particularly in public places and markets that have been attacked in the past by the regime and Russian air-force,” one of the repots also claimed. The move came in the days after government attacks on a marketplace in Douma last week killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Syria crisis: Loyal soldiers used as ‘human shield’

File copy of Syrian rebels rehearsing an operation

The area, only 16 miles (26 km) east of Damascus, has been heavily shelled the past three weeks. There was no immediate response from the regime and no word from the opposition on whether the tactic had accomplished its goals. Pro-regime militiamen also used opposition detain-

ees as human shields in recent weeks, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The London-based group relies on activists inside Syria to document human rights violations in the country . The Syrian Observatory said the militiamen also

Pakistani jet skids off runway

put detainees inside cages and put them on the roofs of houses in order to prevent the fighters for rebel and Islamist factions from targeting the towns of al-Fu’ah and Kefrayya in the countryside near Idlib. Human Rights Watch also reported the use of the opposition as human shields.

‘Sinai plane crash propaganda’

Crashed Pakistani jet at Lahore yesterday

assengers on board a Pakistani commercial jet were evacuated yesterday after the plane made a hard landing and came off the runway in the city of Karachi. Shaheen Air Flight 142 was arriving from the southern Pakistani city of Karachi when the plane slipped off the run-

way, an airport official told journalists. Emergency vehicles came out to the plane shortly after the incident, the airport official said, adding that a full investigation was being opened. The plane’s tire appears to have burst as it was touching down, reports citing unidenti-

fied sources at the airport also said, adding, “All 112 passengers on board are safe.” Officials at Shaheen Air were not immediately available for comment on the incident. The jet is an Airbus A320-232, according to FlightRadar24, a website that monitors air traffic.

gyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has described claims that militants linked to Islamic State brought down a Russian airliner as propaganda. The Airbus 321 is thought to have broken up in mid-air over the Sinai peninsula on Saturday, killing all 224 people on board. But on Monday, the airline Kogalymavia blamed external influence for the crash. “All those interested in the matter are welcome to participate in the investigation,” AlSisi said. “When there is propaganda that it crashed because of IS, this is one way to damage the stability and security of Egypt and the image of Egypt. Believe me, the situation in Sinai is under our full control,” the president added. The US Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, said yesterday that there was no direct evidence of any terrorist involvement yet, adding: “It’s unlikely, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

North

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Ahmed forwards new commissionernominees’ names to Assembly Wole Adedeji, ILORIN

wara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has forwarded another nine names as commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation. The list will now be 18 in all and next Tuesday has been slated for the screening, says the Speaker, Ali Ahmad. On receipt of the list, however, the Speaker called on members of the public, who have petitions against the nominees, to forward same to the House on screening@kwha.gov.ng. Reading the names at plenary, Ahmad, who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Matthew Okedare, said the House would do a thorough job to ensure the nominees were properly screened in order to prepare them for the task ahead. The nominees include Haruna Mohammed (Edu Local Government), Wasiu

Odewale (Ifelodun), Sulyman Alege (Ilorin South), Mrs Saka Ayinke (Ilorin West) and Mrs Iyabo Adewuyi (Isin). Others are Dr. Amina Susa’a de Ahmed (Kaiama), Bamidele Oladimeji (OkeEro), Muideen Alalade (Oyun) and Ahmed Rifun (Patigi). Governor Ahmed in his letter said in line with section 192 (2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended), he deemed it fit to forward the list of additional commissionernominees for screening and confirmation. The Speaker however directed the nominees to forward their curriculum vitae, birth certificates or declaration of age, qualification certificates, tax clearance of the last three years, sworn affidavit of not being a secret cult member, clearance from Code of Conduct Bureau, certificate of fitness, citizenship and proof of party membership to the House Clerk latest by Thursday November 5.

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Reps task FG on dead legionnaires’ benefits Ubong Ukpong, ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday asked the federal government to ensure that security agencies immediately pay all entitlements and benefits of security personnel in the country who died in active service. The House also urged Federal Government to sponsor to university level all children of security personnel, who died defending the country against Boko Haram insurgents. This followed a motion that stood in the name of Rep E. J. Agbonayinma, calling on the Armed

Forces and other security agencies to pay entitlements of service personnel, who died while fighting Boko Haram insurgents. The lawmaker had told the House that since the war started on July 26, 2009, so many gallant personnel of the armed forces and other security agencies have died in the course of fighting to protect the territorial sovereignty of the nation. The legislator said it was standard practice for entitlements to be paid to next of kin of any soldier who died while protecting the integrity of the nation. He specifically men-

tioned Sergeant Moses Osarenkhoe, 04 NA/55/1157, who until his death, was attached to 55 Signal Command, Arakan Barracks, Apapa, Lagos State, but was posted to the Armed Forces Special Force Battalion “Operation Zama Lafiya”, Maiduguri. Agbonayinma pointed out that many months after the death of these heroes no entitlement has been paid to their families, thus leaving their spouses and children in desperate situation without any form of livelihood. The lawmaker expressed worry that such delay in payment of enti-

tlements of deceased personnel might dampen the morale and willingness of military personnel serve their fatherland, even pay the ultimate sacrifice if need be. The House presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, after a serious debate, said the payment should include all security personnel who died in active service. It therefore adopted the motion and also mandated the joint committee on Defence, Army, Navy to investigate the nonpayment of entitlements and benefits to families of deceased security personnel.

NOUN VC wants more pay for teachers A za Msue, KADUNA

ice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, yesterday said for Nigeria to attain greatness in the comity of nations, teachers must receive the highest pay in the country. Tenebe, while declaring open the 30th Annual Congress of the Nigerian Academy of Education at the National Teachers Institute, Kaduna, noted that the call became imperative because teachers remained the foundation of development in the society. The NOUN VC, who spoke on the theme: ‘Transforming Education in Nigeria to Global Levels of Relevance and Competitiveness,’ urged the government and parents to encourage best graduating students to join the teaching profession. He said: “We know that education is the foundation of human everything. When we are talking about education, don’t forget the teachers. We should not pay mere lip service; this country should place

education as top priority. Government should take teachers seriously. Teachers are the foundation. ‘‘Best graduates should join the teaching profession. Teachers should receive the highest pay and be respected. If you pay a teacher high salary, our children will enroll in the profession.” Tenebe said NOUN was also established on the same Act of Parliament like other institutions. “Nobody will stop our graduates. Once we meet the rules and regulations of the Council of Legal Education, our law graduates will start going to law school. And now we are ready for legal council’s accreditation.” Delivering the lecture, Secretary to Kogi State Government, Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, called on government to appoint academics to head ministries of education both at federal and state levels. “Time has come for education minister and commissioners to be professionals, and not anything short of that. Ministries of health and justice are being headed by professionals,” he pointed out.

Participants at the Training on Quality Assurance of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Institutions in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

AIG orders patrols to curb herdsmen, farmers’ clashes Williams Attah, GOMBE

ssistant InspectorGeneral of Police in charge of zone three, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, has ordered the three commands under him to immediately begin patrols on routes or anticipated flash points of clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The AIG whose command include Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba gave the order yesterday in Gombe during a tour of the Police Command where he said the patrol

was expected to last till March next year when harvests would have been concluded. The AIG, who regretted that most of the herdsmen are foreigners, said they have caused untold hardship and destroyed millions of naira worth of foodstuff. He said few days ago herdsmen invaded his farm, leaving immeasurable level of destruction. In a parley with members of Gombe State Police Community Relations Committee, the AIG urged traditional rulers to keep “eagle eye” on their com-

munities and work handin-hand with the police in the fight against crime. He said the zone had suffered untold devastation of lives and property in the hands of insurgents, especially in the last three years, but assured that with intensified onslaught on the insurgents, their activities are gradually waning. He urged members of the public to intensify information sharing with security agents and also thoroughly investigate strangers in their midst as such persons were al-

ways the ones that foment trouble or turn out to be terrorists. Earlier in the palace of the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, the DIG appreciated the interest and effort of the monarch in ensuring peace in the state. He said even with the activities of the insurgents, the police still kept faith by discharging their duties diligently. The emir commended the police and said the Emirate enjoys 100 per cent support from them, especially during this period of insurgency.

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CHANGE OF NAME OKOLIE: I, formerly known as MISS. UZOMA NWADIOBIMMA OKOLIE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UZOMA NWADIOBIMMA OJOMA. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JARIKE ESEOGHENEMARO now wish to be known and addressed as MIS. IDIMI ESEOGHENEMARO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Oluwaremilekun Abosede Ogunbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwaremilekun Abosede Oresanya. all former documents remain valid First Bank PLC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MADUKA: I, formerly known and addressed as OKONKWO HILLARY MADUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIEKWU HILLARY OKONKWO. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ATUORAH: I, formerly known as MR ATUORAH KENNEDY CHIZOBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MR NNABUCHI KENNEDY CHIZOBA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwunma Gospel .O. ,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwunma Gospel. O. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as MISS ISOLA OLAYINKA AMINAT, now wish to be known and called MRS. OYEKANMI OLAYINKA AMINAT. All other documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MRS CHARITY GODWIN, henceforth wish to be called Mrs. CHARITY OKWUTE .All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, ADEOLA EMMANUEL OLUWADARE, was formerly referred to as OGUNSAKIN EMMANUEL SUNDAY, now wish to be called and addressed as ADEOLA EMMANUEL OLUWADARE. All former documents remain valid. All authority concerned and general public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME JOHN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS CHARITY JOHN now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS CHARITY JAMES. All documents, records and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. U.B.A and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OMILE : Formerly known as Miss Omile Edith Ogochukwu now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Udeh Edith Doris Ogochukwu. All former documents remains valid. PPSSC and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Elenwa OMA Amaefula, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OMA Ukpenibuchi Ekamadu all former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME BARTHO: I, formerly known and addressed as BARTHOLOMEW BARTHO, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWUOWO BARTHOLOMEW CHIBUZOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Iheanatu Lilian Chioma, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ehirm Lilian Chioma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME OLANIYAN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss OLUBUNMI OPEYEMI OLANIYAN, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUBUNMI OPEYEMI ITANOLA.. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS NWAOMEZI MARTHA ADANKWOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOLIE MARTHA ADANKWOR. Former documents remain valid. General Public note.

CHANGE OF NAME USMAN: Formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR USMAN DABO now wish to be known and addressed as SADIK DABO ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and called as EMIKO BATESONE, now wish to be known and called as ASIN OMORODION CLETUS. All former documents remain valid. Authorities’ concerned and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Victoria Olubunmi, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Adeyemo Victoria Olubunmi. All former documents remain valid. National Population Commission and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Shehu Sikirat kemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alaya Sikirat Kemi. All former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME JAMES: I, formerly known as MISS JAMES VICTORIA ABENI ODUH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AMEH VICTORIA ABENI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NWAGU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWAGU ABIGAI OBIAGELI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OJO CHIAMAKA ANGELA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NZE: I, formerly known as MRS. UNOMA LILIAN NZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ESTHER UGONNA AGUNDU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ONUORA: I, formerly known as MISS ONUORA EDITH UJU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDE EDITH UJU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that OKOLI IKECHUKWU CYRIL and IKECHUKWU IKENNA. Refer to as one and same person. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that ADAMS AKUBO IDRIS is the same person as IDRIS ADAMU ADAZAKI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayegbusi Folasade Temilade now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Afolabi Folasade Temilade. All former documents remain valid,Authority Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission Ado-Ekiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Ogunjimi Modinat Olasubomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Animasaun Modinat Olasubomi all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, November 4, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS. IYABO MORUFAT BAKARE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BAKARE IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as IWU GLADYS CHINWE, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. BAYOKO GLADYS CHINWE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as HAMMED LARE AYOMO, now wishes to be known and addressed as BELLO HAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS ONUOHA RUTH CHIKAMNELE, now wish to be known, called and addressed AS MRS. TRUSS RUTH CHIKAMNELE. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as MISS MUKA ADEKEMI IDIAT, now wish to be known as MRS. AKINLEYE ADEKEMI IDIAT. All former documents remain valid. Ogun Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Okeowo Oyindamola Oluwabusola, now wish to be known and addressed as Oguche Oyindamola Oluwabusola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ALAO IDRIS ADEKOLA, now wishes to be known and addressed as LATEEF IDRIS ADEKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. AUTHENTICATION OF NAME

I, formerly addressed as Mr Olubayo Peter Oladapo Orebiyi henceforth wish to be addressed as Mr Olubayo Peter Orebiyi. That Oladapo is the family name while Orebiyi is my biological father’s name. All document s in which Oladapo appears remain valid. General public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS ODULEYE FATIMAH OLUWABUKOLA, NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS. RASAQ FATIMAH OLUWABUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MRS. OJEKUNLE SARAH OLASOMI, NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AYOKUNLE SARAH OLASOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME UCHE: I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS UCHE CHIDIMMA BLESSING NOW WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OKORONKWO CHIDIMMA BLESSING. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as KPOKPOWEI GOSPEL APOLLOS, now wish to be known and addressed as KPOKPOWEI GOSPEL KPOKPOWEI. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EZUGWU: I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EZUGWU CHIDIEBERE NOW WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AGBO CHIDIEBERE JONATHAN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS KPODO OYINMIEBI ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IKOGI STANLEY OYINMIEBI ESTHER. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

GABRIEL: I, formerly known and addressed as GABRIEL MICHAEL AMEH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGADA MICHAEL AMEH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ADISA: I, formerly known and addressed as ADISA EDWARD OBAFEMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ALABARIN EDWARD OBAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ENGR. Abiona Egunjobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Egunjobi Abel Oluwole.all Former documents remain valid. Union Bank plc and general public take note.

FARIYIBI: I, formerly known and addressed as FARIYIBI OLUSOLA OLADIPO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ISAIAH OLUSOLA OLADIPO . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME TUKURU: I, formerly known and addressed as LATEEF OLANREWAJU TUKURU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as LANRE TUKURU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omoniyi Bisola Oluwabukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agboola Bisola Oluwabukola. All former documents remain valid. Nysc and General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE UMUNA CLAN UNION

This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part C of Companies and Allied Matters, Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF BERNARD NWOSU 2. DR. GODWIN DIBE 3. ENGR. CECIL OKEREKE 4. CHIEF ALOYSIUS IHENACHO 5. MR. PETER NJEKWE 6. MR. DONALD OHAKWE 7. SIR, GERALD ENYINNIA, ESQ. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To live in peace, Unity and harmony amongst ourselves. 2. To promote the revival of our culture, heritage and identity. 3. To harness all our available and legitimate resources towards the development of our clan. 4. To ensure unalloyed support to the traditional Institutions and Leaders of the clan. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 428 Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Chikwe Aguneneye, ESQ 59, Raufu Williams Crescent, Surulere, Lagos.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OMOWON ADESOLA ADEBISI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AJAYI ADESOLA ADEBISI.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as BANKOLE MATTHEW, now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOLA SAMSON, OLUGBENGA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as AMINAH BUSAYO AWODEIN , now wishes to be known and addressed as AMINA BUSAYO RAMOS. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to confirm to the general public that on my Ubulu-Uku youths association ID card am being referred to as MOLOKWU FRANK CHIBUZOR, while on my National ID card am referred to as MOLOKWU NWAEKE CHIBUZOR. Henceforth, I wish to be addressed as MOLOKWU FRANK CHIBUZOR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

YASHEU: I, formerly known and addressed as OLANREWAJU RASHIDAT YASHEU, now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU RASHIDAT ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS JAMES ARIT EFFIONG now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWOLE ARIT JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS IBITOLA OLAMIDE KUSORU, now to be addressed as MRS. AJILEYE IBITOLA OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS AODU KUBURAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLADELE KUBURAT KEMI . All former documents remain valid. Authorities concern and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MRS SALAU OMOLARA OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ADEKOYA OMOLARA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OJEKUNLE SOLOMON OLUFEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AYOKUNMI SOLOMON OLUFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names WOYINDEINMO SUOYO DAUYEBUNA and OMIETIMI EBITEI PEREMOTEI refers to one and the same person. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME OSARETIN: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OSARETIN PRECIOUS IJOSE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ADEOYE PRECIOUS IJOSE . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UTI: I, formerly known and addressed as UTI MARY NDUDI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ATABOR MARY NDUDI . All former documents remain valid. NYSC, UBA and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UKAEGBU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UKAEGBU EMILIA .C., now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ETTOH NGOZI EMILIA .C. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

GERMAN: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MERCY DAMILOLA GERMAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OKORO DAMILOLA MERCY. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mr Afolabi Joseph Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Pastor Afolabi Joseph Oluwatosin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Morenike Ruth Soremekun, is also the same person known and addressed as Aramide Taiwo Soremekun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as and addressed as ELO UWHERU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ELO EBIE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as and addressed as EMILY OFURE AKPARA, now wish to be known and addressed as EMILY OFURE AKHIMIEN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE CURIS ANCHORA INITIATIVE

This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr Temitope Michael, Oyelade 2. Dr Mojolaoluwa Joshua, Ikotun 3. Miss Bukola Oluwamayowa, Adeoye 4. Dr Nnaemeka Maximus, Akannoh 5. Dr. Olusegun Michael, Olaniran 6. Mr Akpan Emmanuel, Anietie 7. Dr Ipinnuoluwase Abayomi, Samuel 8. Dr Ewaenaretan Paschal, Ikhatua 9. Dr (Miss) Yemi Elizabeth, Ayangunna 10. Dr Ayomide Emmanuel, Ogunsanya

Formerly known and addressed as MISS RITA CHINYERE NNADI, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. RITA CHINYERE AGBASU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS CONFIDENCE UDEOGU, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. CHUKWU CONFIDENCE ILOAKAZI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as CHUKWU UGOCHUKWU BENJAMINE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWERU UGOCHUKWU BENJAMINE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ONOIGBORIA PROMISE , now wishes to be known and addressed as GILBERT UNUANGBON PROMISE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS OJO MERCY OMOLOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OGUNTIFA MERCY OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as BOLAJI OYEWUNMI TAIWO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OJO OYEWUNMI TAIWO. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as ojekunle william adeola olawale, ojekunle winner adebayo kolade, ojekunle wuraola adepeju chinasa are now ayokunle william adeola olawale, ayokunle winner adebayo kolade and ayokunle wuraola adepeju chinasa. All former documents valid. General public take note.

I formerly kasali Saliu Adegoke is now BUSARI SOLIU ADEGOKE. All other documents remain valid. General public please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that AYOGU EBUKA KINGSLEY, was mistakenly written as ANYAOGU EBUKA KINGSLEY, hence the correct spelling is AYOGU EBUKA KINGSLEY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MR. OLUKAYODE JIMI WUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. BANKOLE ADEWUNMI OLUJIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UMEH: I formerly known and addressed as UMEH VALENTINE, now wish to be known and addressed as UMEOKWONNA CHIBUZO VALENTINE. All formal documents remain valid general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OTOBRISE :- I formerly known and addressed as MISS.OTOBRISE GRACE OLUBUKOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS. OJO GRACE OLUBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public & Oshodi Comprehensive High School. L/S should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKUNOLA: I, formerly known and addressed as OKUNOLA OLUWARANTI ADEBUKOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ANIMASHAUN DAMILARE RANTIMI ADEBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OYEWOLE: I, formerly known and addressed as OYEWOLE FALILAT BOLANLE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SALAM FADHEELAH BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IBRAHIM: I, formerly known and addressed a MISS SAKINA IBRAHIM, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. SAKINA DANJUMA IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Efemena Praise Edivri, is the same person as Mrs Janet Oluwakemi Edivri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Efemena Praise Janet Oluwakemi Edivri. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as and addressed as OLUWAKEMI GANIYAT IFEKOYA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWAKEMI GANIYAT YAKUBU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME JOHNSON: I, formerly known and addressed as JOHNSON HARRISON CHUKWUMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UDEZE CHUKWUMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oderinde Bukunmi Aarinola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Shobiye Bukunmi Aarinola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adighibe Amarachi Grace. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. MBONU AMARACHI GRACE. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE FOUNDED ZION MINISTRY This is to inform the General Public that the above named mission has applied for Registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

Trustees Are:

1. AIBANGBE GODSPOWER OGBEWI 2) GRACE AHUOAJIYIZA GODSPOWER 3) EGBUNU ELE JOHN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To engage in Evangelical outreaches, missions, teaching, prayers and deliverance.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To periodically provide free Medical and surgical Services in the form of outreach which would last 3-5 days 2. To provide free medical services during natural and man-made disasters

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar– General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

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

SIGNED A.O.IGEH ESQ

SIGNED: Dr Temitope Michael, Oyelade

Wednesday November 4, 2015

Rumble in Aba

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Sport

I can say for a fact that the World Cup nightmare for Brazil is in the past. We are now in a new era –PSG defender, Thiago Silva

Eaglets line-up

Thursday Semi-finals

Chile 2015 s/finals:

Mali

Belgium

Mexico

Nigeria

We know Mexico well

–Amuneke

Everest Onyewuchi

olden Eaglets’ coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has welcomed Mexico, Nigeria’s opponent in tomorrow’s semi-final match of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, saying the South American country, is a familiar foe. The Baby El Tri battle the Eaglets in Concepcion beginning 12 midnight following their 2-0 spanking of Ecuador in Monday’s quarter-final in Coquimbo. And a relaxed Amuneke believes he has a strategy to defeat them and book a final ticket. “We welcome the challenge of meet-

ing Mexico again because we are more or less old foes,” said Amuneke in reference to the double victories claimed by the Golden Eaglets Class of 2013 over Mexico in the group phase (6-1) and Final Match (3-0) in the United Arab Emirates. “I think it is going to be an interesting game because the Mexicans have shown in this tournament that they are a very solid side, but we will continue to work towards this important semi-final game,” he further told thenff.com. The Eaglets have since continued with their preparation and had one training session yesterday at a training ground in Chiguayante district in Concepción, while the mandatory official training at

Estadio Municipal Ester Roa will come up today before the match at the same venue tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has applauded the team for their consistency in performance and overall discipline at the ongoing cadet World Cup. Speaking at their first training session upon arrival at Concepción on Monday, NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, said the NFF was impressed with the positive attitude and ambience within the rank and file of the team. He, however, advising them to remain focused in order to end the tournament on a high note.

“The truth of the matter is that you guys have been consistent in performance and your attitude at this tournament has been excellent. On behalf of the NFF Executive Committee led by Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, I want to commend you for a job well done so far,” Ikpeme stated. “We appreciate the Head Coach (Amuneke) for being able to weather the storm and lead the rest of you by example both on and off the field. “Having said that, I want you also to know that it is not over yet and your next match (against Mexico) is of high importance and it must be approached with all seriousness,” said the trained psychologist.

Sports

Wednesday November 4, 2015

UEFA Champions League…

Rumble in host Chelsea Aba Dynamo

Today’s fixtures Barcelona vs BATE

amidst player revolt rumour C

helsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has rejected claims that there is a player revolt at the club. Earlier yesterday, Blues midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, denied reports that he was organising a “mini-revolt” at the Premier League champions. Chelsea are 15th in the table, having lost six of their first 11 league matches this season as they host Dynamo Kiev. “It’s a very sad accusation because you are accusing a player, or more than one player, of dishonesty,” said Mourinho. Speaking at a news conference, he added, “It is a question for the players. If I accuse you to be a dishonest journalist, you would be very upset and prob-

ably would take legal action.” According to BBC Sport, Mourinho said the players had responded to defeat against Liverpool last Saturday “by giving their best every minute of every training session” and “by showing solidarity” through a “fantastic personal and professional relationship.” When asked if it was true that a Chelsea first-team player had said he would “rather lose than win” for Mourinho, as reported by BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday, Blues skipper, John Terry, said, “in my whole football career I’ve never heard a player come out with those words.” Terry added, “If players heard that among ourselves it wouldn’t go down well. I can as-

Roma vs Leverkusen Bayern M. vs Arsenal Olympiakos vs Dinamo Zagreb Chelsea vs Dynamo Kiev Mourinho

they don’t understand that there are many more hills to climb to reach the top. “Unfortunately, many only see the bright side of this job: the easy money, the girls, the parties, the big cars and the beautiful clothes. And they give up too quickly on the idea of matching the best players. “Many are content with little. They send money back home and are safe for the next few years. What is the point of suffering? “I have the feeling they prohibit themselves from dreaming big with a kind of fatalistic resignation. They believe that the highest level is not for them.”

Tel Aviv vs FC Porto KAA Gent vs Valencia Lyon vs Zenith St. Peter

sure you the players are 100% behind the manager. “We are together, anyone who has been at the last four of five games can see we have been extremely unlucky. We will turn things around. We stay together.” Chelsea are third in their Champions League group and host Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge tonight before travelling to Stoke in the league on Saturday. Their striker, Radamel Falcao, will miss the match against Dynamo Kiev through injury. Mourinho said the on-loan Monaco player suffered a “muscular injury” in yesterday’s training session and would be out for a few weeks.

Ballon d’Or: Yaya slams Africans’ ‘lack of ambition’

our-time African Player of the Year, and still in the race for a fifth consecutive Glo CAF award, Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Touré, is also the continent’s only representative on the 23-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d’Or. And the Côte d’Ivoire international blames the shortage of world-class African players on an absence of focus and a lack of ambition. “Africans have a tendency to slack off,” Yaya told France Football. “They are living in a world of their own. They believe they made it, they are the greatest, the strongest. But

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Yaya

Garcia

‘It’s victory against Leverkusen or nothing’ R

oma coach, Rudi Garcia, has insisted the upcoming derby with city rivals Lazio can wait while his side focus on beating Bayer Leverkusen tonight to save their stuttering Champions League campaign. After a mediocre start to Group E, Roma sit bottom with just two points from three games. With BATE Borisov and Leverkusen just one and two points ahead of them respectively, Roma’s hopes of reaching the competition’s knockout stages for the first time since the 2010-11 season are not over yet. But defeat to Leverkusen would mean Roma would have to win their final two group matches – including away to leaders Barcelona – to have any chance of progressing. With the city derby next Sunday, it is a crucial week for the Giallorossi, who are third in Serie A just a point behind leaders Fiorentina and second-placed Inter Milan. But Garcia said yesterday, “For me, the only match that counts for us right now is tomorrow’s match. No one in the group is qualified yet and no one is eliminated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday November 4, 2015

Rumble in Aba

Midweek League with PAUL EREWUBA 08032138738

...as Enyimba, Wolves decide title on Sunday

he winner of the 2014/ 2015 Glo Premiership League could be confirmed on Sunday with a match in hand. With only two games before the curtain comes down the elite league, Enyimba require just a point to wrap up their first title in five years at the expense of second-placed

Warri Wolves. Coincidentally, the two teams will clash in what league watchers have dubbed ‘a top-of-the-table’ game with Enyimba hosting Wolves in Aba. Ahead of Sunday debacle, Enyimba lead the pack with 68 points from 36 matches, six points ahead of their closest

rivals, Warri Wolves. In order to counter the People’s Elephant’s ambition, Wolves would thus be looking for nothing short than victory to ensure the title is decided on the final day. A point from the game will take Enyimba to 69 points going into the last match with a six-point gap at the top of the

standings. Enyimba have won the league six times - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010. Meanwhile, the premiership has lined up two matches today. FC Ifeanyiubah will play El-Kanemi Warriors while Sunshine Stars entertain Rangers.

Enyimba celebrating a goal

Sharks seek six points to avoid relegation

harks look good for relegation after they were hammered by the League Management Company (LMC) following their refusal to continue a Week 36 game in Lafia against Nasarawa. The game was 2-2 when the

Festus Allen – tutored Sharks refused to continue the game. And after waiting for Sharks for the stipulated time, the referee reportedly signalled the end of the match. Sharks, who are a spot above relegation with 42 points before this judgment,

now have 39 points after three points and three goals were deducted from their accrued points. They now need to get six points from the last two games of the season to survive relegation.

ith two more matches to go in the ongoing 2014/2015 Glo Premier Leaque, football stakeholders have appealed

El-Kanemi warriors

to the League Management Committee headed by Mallam Shehu Dikko, not to bend the rules as it concerns El-kanemi Warriors FC on none payment of players salaries. Some of them who spoke to National Mirror on condi-

Coach Festus

tion of anonymity reminded the LMC that the rule stated that six points should be deducted from any club that fails to pay players salaries at a stipulated time but wondered why El-kanemi have not been punished even when the grace period given to the club has expired. According to them, management of El-kanemi had on two occasions appealed for extension of time to enable them pay with the Borno State Governor even promising to offset the debt but none has been fulfilled only for the club to be asking for another extension. “ It is very unfortunate

Teams

Enyimba

Wolves

Wikki

Giwa

Nasarawa

Sunshine

Heartland

Pillars

3SC

Abia

IfeanyiUbah

Rangers

Akwa

Lobi

El-Kanemi

Sharks

Dolphins

Kwara

Bayelsa

Taraba

Lobi bank on Rangers’ fall to finish high

Stakeholders want El- Kanemi punished Ifeanyi Eduzor

Table

that the LMC is foot-dragging on the issue of applying the rules on El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri. The rule is very clear on none payment of players salaries and instead of the board to deduct six points from the club for flouting the rules, they are trying to give them soft landing which is not good for the development of the local league”, they stated. The stakeholders however,appealed to the LMC not to bend the rules in order not to rubbish the good work they have been doing to reposition the League. Meanwhile,the football season is expected to come to an end on November, 15th, 2015.

obi Stars captain and central defender, Anthony Agbaji believes they can beat Rangers on Sunday when both sides clash in their week 37 game. Agbaji said the match day 37 clash against Enugu Rangers will afford the them the rare opportunity to shore up their chance of finishing the season’s campaign on high. Lobi are 13th on the table with 46 points with two matches to go. “Beating Enugu Rangers on Sunday will be the ice on the cake that will see us consolidate on our prime position right now. “The last match at Akwa United will offer us another chance to claim a point or the whole three points and if we are able to achieve the feat the tenth placement will be just for the asking. “Already we won’t go down on relegation so a tenth finish on the last day will be satisfactory as far as the NPFL 2014/15 season is concerned. Agbaji

WORLD RECORD

Fastest time to burst three balloons with the back Vol. 05 No. 1236

N150

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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

Citizen Charles Okereke and the AU’s conspiracy

e were all taught that patriotism as a virtue back then in elementary school, but the reality when we left those small classrooms was soon to stare us in the face. It soon became a situation of fighting those you do not hate and guiding those you don’t love just because duty, not love, made you fight! I recall hearing the name, Mr. Taiwo Akinwunmi, as being the young man who designed the Nigerian national flag as a student back then in London, since my primary school days. I was surprised to know that long after my Social Studies teachers told me of this man’s exploits, he for many years lived in near-poverty and neglect, while our political leaders who transact government businesses in the name of this flag in live in affluence. I am aware President Goodluck Jonathan tried

Guest Columnist

Olalekan W. Adigun

to come to Pa Akinwunmi’s aid in the dying moments of his administration as a face-saving acts, not necessarily an act of love. But better late, they say, than being the late! I equally read the story of Mr. Joseph Igbinovia Alufa, the man who carved the Queen Idia mask (The Olokun) used for the second edition of Festival of Black Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977 hosted in Lagos, Nigeria. He had to carve it to save the nation from a major international embarrassment, when the original mask was stolen by the British during the Punitive Expedition to Benin Kingdom in 1897 would not be released by the British Museum even on a “rental fee” of £2 million just for the use of the festival. I am aware the Mr Alufa had to wait for over 31 years for his agreed fee for his work including his 19 years in court to press for his money. All this was as at 2008, I am not aware if the man has been paid now. This is sometimes the sacrifice for patriotism! I will also like to bring in Chief Charles Okereke’s case. An embodiment of patriotism and nationalism in an age where it is very tempting to make enough excuse for tribalism, Chief Okereke believes very much in the workability of the Nigerian Project. Despite all he went through as a postgraduate - on Imo State government scholarship - the proceed of which was allegedly cornered by the Nigerian diplomatic mission in the United States. With

CHIEF OKEREKE’S PETITION STILL LIES UNATTENDED TO AT THE

SGF’S OFFICE, ABUJA!

the help of his school, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA in the University’s Physical Plant Department he got a job, when his financial challenges took a heating turn and was about to drop out of school. He successfully earned his Master of Science (MS) in agriculture with flying colours. All these notwithstanding, Okereke decided to come back home in 1982 to serve his fatherland under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme. After his service, he was disengaged from his employment bond in the Imo State government and left to wonder the streets of Owerri, Aba, and Umuahia in search of greener pastures for about 10 months. He would later get a job in the private sector to last only for a few months before the notorious Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) began to take its toll on the private sector. He was able to save some money to at least take him back to the US to continue his life. But his love for his country was unwearied, so he stayed back. Believing so much in his pax Nigeriana dreams, Okereke decided to fly the Nige-

rian flag again at the African Union (AU) Symbols Competition (Anthem Category) in 2003. His composition, God Bless Africa, today the Union’s unofficial anthem, won the competition, but was cheated out to the third place. Chief Okereke, in dismay wondered if there could be a third position in a competition where the first position was not announced, and the second position was given to one of the “panel of judges” for the competition, and he was given the “third” position! Sensing the injustice meted out on him, Chief Okereke turned to his country for help to at least save the country’s honour on the African continent. No respite under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, even as the then sitting African Union Chairman. Okereke’s petition to President John A. Kuffor of Ghana in 2007 as the AU Chairman and again to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008 remained largely unattended to. Unrelenting, in 2011, the proud member of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural group, used the instrumentality of the group to get the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in which one of their own, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to get redress. The Ohaneze Ndigbo wrote an official petition, dated 24th April, 2012 with reference number, OHNZ/FGN/2012/03/01, on behalf of Chief Okereke to the FG concerning the injustice meted out on him at the said AU competition. Chief Okereke’s petition still lies unattended to at the SGF’s office, Abuja! Let us say for the sake of arguments that others before President Jonathan did not protect Ndigbo interests, but can we say that a Jonathan government with an Ibo as SGF would not even attend to a petition filed by Ohaneze? Adigun, a political analyst and strategist, wrote from Lagos via adgorwell@ gmail.com and can be followed on twitter @adgorwell

Sport Extra

Rio 2016: Brasilia may lose football hosting

rasilia’s deepening economic crisis could see the city stripped of the football matches it is due to host during next year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Brazil’s capital is sched-

uled to stage seven games at the state-of-the-art Mane Garrincha Stadium, which hosted the same number during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, including the thirdplace play-off between the home nation and The Neth-

erlands. The 70,000-seat stadium is Brazil’s second-largest but is hardly used with Brasilia struggling to cover its annual cost of 2.25 million (£1.61 million/$2.48 million). But it has been flagging

under the huge outlay on the venue, which cost 839 million (£599 million/$926 million) to build, far more than the original projection of 316 million (£226 million/$349 million). The Rio 2016 Organising Committee has given the

city until the middle of this month to sign a contract or face losing the matches. “We are doing our homework now to see if we can sign this in time, but it’s not certain,” Brasilia’s sports secretary, Leila Barros, told Reuters.

President Dilma Rousseff

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