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INEC asks APC to fill Audu’s vacuum

Fuel scarcity: NLC warms up for showdown

...as Kogi supplementary election holds Dec 5 OBIORA IFOH AND DOOSUUR IWAMBE

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday declared that the supple-

Yakubu

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mentary governorship election in Kogi State would hold on December 5. The commission also declared that it would allow All Progressives Congress, APC, fill the

Wednesday, November 25 , 2015

vacancy created by the death of its candidate in the November 21 gubernatorial election in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu, who died on Sunday. APC was leading in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Birth control motion T tears Reps apart

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UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

Northern lawmakers say it’s anti-Islam Population data shows Nigeria’ll hit 433m in 2050

here was uproar in the House of Re p r e s e n t a t ive s yesterday, following a controversial motion seeking to control the country’s population. While some members did not see anything wrong with the motion, Muslims and a section of northern members said it was a direct attack on Islam. Hon. Babatunde GabriCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Lawmakers probe Chime over new Govt House, road contracts

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Lecturers more corrupt than politicians –Rector P.9

L-R: U.S Deputy Economic Counselor, Joel Kopp; Information Specialist, Mr. Sani Mohammed;U.S Deputy Chief of Mission, Maria Brewer (4th left), tasting beancake, (Akara) and other dignitaries, during a visit to Internally Displaced Persons camp at new Kuchingoro, Abuja, yesterday.

Treasury looters now returning stolen funds –Buhari

Nigeria risks losing $4.5bn to INDC non...says sabotage, theft hindering power supply submission P.12

Controversy trails missing N1bn in NCAA

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Wednesday, November 25 , 2015

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Birth control motion tears Reps apart CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

el Kolawole had brought a motion titled “Need for the Federal Government to curb population explosion in Nigeria.” In his prayer, Kolawole asked the House to urge the Federal Government to curb the current population explosion by coming up with a workable reduction policy and directing the National Orientation Agency, NOA, to educate Nigerians on the benefits of family plan-

ning. The lawmaker cited a report by the United States based Population Reference Bureau, PRB, in its 2011 World Population Data Sheet, released in 2014, which states that Nigeria’s population would be 433 million by 2050. This would make the country the third most populous in the world then, behind only India and China and higher than the United States,

but with only 10 per cent of the land mass of the US. He expressed concern that though Nigeria’s population had hit the 166 million mark, about five million people were being added annually. Kolawole expressed concern that the National Population Commission, NPC, did not seems to be alive to its responsibility of researching and monitoring national population information data-

bank as well as advising the President on population matters. He said unbridled population growth put pressure on the country’s finances and infrastructure, especially food, housing, education and healthcare and is also the catalyst for high unemployment, crime, poverty, among others. The legislator said his motion was in view of the challenges of countries which had popula-

tion problems like China (1.4 billion) and India (1.28 billion). He warned that Nigeria, as a potential third most populous country in the world by 2050, is heading in such direction if it does not immediately commence the implementation of an action plan to curb unbridled population growth. Kolawole had hardly concluded his submission when a member, Sani Abdul, from Bauchi

L-R: Children of the late HID Awolowo, Mrs. Tola Oyediran; Dr. Tokunbo Dosumu-Awolowo; inlaw, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo; wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola, at the Christian wake-keep for the late Chief HID Awolowo in Ikenne, Ogun State, yesterday.

INEC asks APC to fill Audu’s vacuum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

election, which was declared inconclusive with 41,351 votes. The declaration by INEC has put paid to calls by lawyers for the cancellation of the election as a result of Audu’s death and the position of the constitution and Electoral Act. The supplementary election will hold on the same day as the governorship election in Bayelsa State. A public notice by INEC signed by its Secretary, Mrs. August Ogakwu, reads in part: “The Independent National Electoral Commission conducted governorship election in Kogi on November 21, 2015, which was declared inconclusive. “On the November 23, 2015, the All Progressives Congress, APC, notified the commission of the death of its gubernatorial

candidate in the election, Prince Abubakar Audu. “The commission has after due consideration of the circumstances decided as follows: “To conclude the process by conducting election in the 91 affected polling units as announced by the returning officer. “To allow the APC to fill the vacancy created by the death of its candidate. “To conduct the supplementary election on December 5, 2015. “Accordingly, notice is hereby given to all the 22 political parties participating in the Kogi election that supplementary election in the 91 affected polling units shall hold on December 5, 2015.” Prior to the announcement by INEC, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, had earlier revealed that APC

would substitute its candidate for the purpose of the supplementary election. The AGF who spoke in Abuja at a seminar organised by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission on the reform of the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act, said the election had to be concluded. He, however, did not say whether the party’s deputy governorship candidate would automatically step in as candidate. He said: “The issue is very straightforward. Fundamentally, section 33 of the Electoral Act is very clear. That in case of death, the right for substitution by a political party is sustained by the provisions of section 33 of the Electoral Act. “And if you have a community reading of that

section with section 221 of the constitution which clearly indicates that the right to vote is the right of a political party and the party in this case, the APC has participated in the conduct of the election; it is therefore apparent that the combined community reading of the two provisions does not leave any room for conjecture. “APC as a party is entitled to substitution by the clear provisions of section 33 of the Electoral Act. Also, section 221 of the constitution is clear that the votes that were cast were in favour of the APC. “Arising from that deductions, it does not require any legal interpretation. The interpretation is clear, APC will substitute, which right has been sustained by section 33 of the Electoral Act. The supplementary election

has to be conducted along that line.” Asked if that substitution should automatically benefit the deputy governorship candidate, he said: “It all depends on the appreciation of issues arising from the primaries conducted before now. There was a first and a second candidate. The primaries that had taken place over time had not by anyway been nullified and it is recognised by law. “But then, a further consideration would be the idea of conducting another primary but that is not envisaged in view of the sustainability of the first primaries.” But the party has announced that it will conduct fresh primaries to determine who replaces Prince Audu as its candidate. The party also declared CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

State objected the motion, saying that it was unnecessary and a waste of time. But, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, disagreed with Abdul, noting that the motion was necessary since it was a planning issue. Abdul in sustaining his argument, however, insisted that population is the strength of any nation, adding that Nigeria has the resources and mass land to accommodate any population explosion. Thereafter, lawmakers, mostly from the north and Muslims, who contributed to the motion, were unanimous in speaking against it. They contended that it was anti-Islam and a direct attack on their religion. Zakare Mohammed, who claimed that he was not against the motion; at the same time, said the country’s culture must be preserved. According to him, in the north and in Islam, it is acceptable to have more than one wife and bear as many children as one so desires. However, Adam Jagaba raised a constitutional point of order, saying that the motion was in line with the constitution and did not offend any part of the House rules. Another member had raised a point of order pursuant to Order 9 Rule 8 of the House Rule, saying the motion was in no way attacking Muslims. The lawmaker said that was not the intent of the motion, implying that Sani Abdul’s submission opposing the motion was impugning motives, which was against the House rule. Speaker Dogara, in sustaining his point of order, said there was no attack by the motion on any religion. “It is only a call for policy for planning. It is only when the policy is developed that you can attack it,” he said. In his ruling, the Speaker referred the motion to the Committees on Justice, Population and Rules and Business to consider the way forward.

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

L-R: Project Leader, Top Institute for Food and Nutrition, Netherlands, Dr. Henk F. J. Hendriks; Dean, School of Media and Communication, SMC, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo and MD/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, at the 2015 Nigerian Beer and Health Symposium in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Fola Adeyemi; General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation [LSPWC], Engr. Ayotunde Sodehinde and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, during a press briefing on updated efforts to fix roads in Lagos State by LSPWC, Lagos State agents on roads repair, at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

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Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika (right) and President of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, at the ICAO 2015 World Aviation Forum held at ICAO headquarters, Montreal, Canada, yesterday.

L-R: MD/CEO, CMC Connect Burson Marsteller, Mr. Yomi Badejo Okusanya; Director, Total Nigeria, Mr. Viken Najarian; representing Minister of State for Petroleum, DG, NNPC Retail, Mr Oladipo Fagbole and Chairman of the Summit/former Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Chief Izioma Asiodu, during the 2nd edition of the Nigerian Lubricant Summit 2015, in Lagos, yesterday.

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CBN moves to ease banks’ lending rates, slashes MPR to 11% …says Nigerian banks healthy

Chidi Ugwu Abuja

n what appears a strategic move to thaw the undesired impact of some of its recent monetary measures on economic activities in the country, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has slashed the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, from 13 per cent down to 11 per cent. It also reduced the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, from 25 per cent to 20 per cent. MPR is the primary monetary instrument, which the monetary authority of a country uses often to control the supply of money, targeting an inflation rate or interest rate to ensure price stability. It is used by banks to determine interest rate on credits. CRR is a specified minimum fraction of the total of customers, deposits which commercial banks have to hold as reserves either in cash or as deposits with the CBN. Reducing the rate also has the potential of improving the lending capacity of

banks. The reduction of the MPR and CRR were among the major decisions taken by the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, of the apex bank after its two-day meeting concluded yesterday in Abuja. Briefing the media on the outcome of the MPC meeting, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, explained that members of the committee targeted to grow the real sector of the economy by relaxing liquidity in the system. The CBN boss emphasised that the liquidity arising from reduction in the CRR to 20 per cent, will only be released to banks that are willing to channel it to employment generating activities in the economy such as agriculture, infrastructure and solid minerals. “The decisions were taken in consideration of the weakening fundamentals of the economy, particularly the low output growth, rising unemployment and the uncertainty of the global economic environment,” he

said. Other decisions include change of the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR to an asymmetric corridor of +200 basis points and -700 basis points. MPC also noted the fragility of the domestic macroeconomic environment; reflected partly in low output growth, soft oil prices, low credit to the high employment elastic sectors of the economy and sustained inflationary pressure, which however, softened moderately in October. He said: “The MPC was, particularly, concerned that the previous liquidity injections embarked upon through lowering of the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, in the last MPC, has not transmitted significantly to improved credit delivery to key growth and employment in sensitive sectors of the economy. Rather, more credit was to sectors with low employment elasticity.” The Committee restated its commitment to evolve

and implement measures that would be supportive of consolidating and strengthening output growth with an eye on price stability. The Committee, however, recognised the limits of monetary policy under conditions of huge infrastructure gap and significant global financial market fragility. While noting the imperative of complementary fiscal policies to augment monetary policy, under the circumstance, monetary policy must remain bold in charting the desired course that would stimulate sustainable output growth in Nigeria. Concerned about the state of unemployment in the country, MPC evaluated various options for ensuring increased credit delivery to the key growth sectors of the economy, capable of generating employment opportunities, and improving productivity and growth. This is just as the Committee also underscored the need for banks, to ensure that measures taken to in-

ject liquidity and stimulate the economy adequately translate into increased lending to sectors with sufficient employment capabilities and the potential to generate growth. Emefiele said MPC agreed that going forward, any attempt by CBN at easing liquidity into the system shall be directed at targeting the real sector, infrastructure, agriculture and solid minerals, while also advising the apex bank to introduce necessary regulatory measures to ensure strict compliance by the DMBs. Meanwhile, the Committee said it noted with satisfaction the stability, soundness and resilience of the banking system even against adverse global financial conditions and agreed that close coordination between monetary and fiscal policy was imperative for sustainable growth enhancing policies. On the health of Nigerian banks, Emefiele said that none of the deposit money banks in the country

had any liquidity adequacy problem. He pointed out that CBN has internal mechanism by which daily stress tests of all the banks are carried out in order to determine the capital ratio to ensure that banks do not fall to the minimum capital ratio. According to him, what the CBN does is to carry out daily stress test of activities of banks, using different scenario to ensure that no bank fall to the minimum capital ratio. Responding to questions on the implementation of Bank Verification Number, BVN, the CBN Governor assured that the policy would boost consumer credit as it, among other things, also targets Know Your Customer guideline. The seasoned banker hinted that the reason why it suspended the power sector intervention fund was to allow Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and operators in the sector to put their house in order, particularly on tariff matters.

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Wednesday, November 25 , 2015

Treasury looters now returning stolen funds –Buhari ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that those who looted the treasury under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan have started discreet return of stolen funds. Speaking at a forum with Nigerian community in Tehran, Iran, Buhari said those accused of corruption would be prosecuted, adding however that the accusation must be thoroughly investigated in order to gather enough evidence for them to face trial. He pointed out that it was easy for him during his tenure as a military Head of State in1985 to arrest and put corrupt individuals in protective custody. However, the President explained that in a democratic dispensation, he had to follow the rule of law and due process, which had slowed down the war on corruption. His words: “On corruption; yes, they are still innocent. But, we are collecting documents and some of them have started returning something voluntarily. But we want all. “When we get those documents, we will for-

mally charge them to court and then we will tell Nigerians to know those who abused trust when they are entrusted with public funds. So, the day of reckoning is gradually approaching.” President Buhari also said the sabotage and theft of gas were undermining the efforts of government to increase power supply in the country. To tackle the problem, the President announced that existing Military Task-Forces would be reorganised to ensure a successful protection of the network of gas pipelines. Buhari said: “Although some improvement in power had been recorded in the recent period, sabotage of pipeline installations continues to be a problem.” He said Nigeria had everything it takes to generate enough power. “Power is a running battle because the saboteurs are still there. We have the potential. We have gas, we have qualified people but we are contending with a lot of saboteurs, who go and blow up installations. “When gas is pumped to Egbin and such other power stations, thieves and saboteurs such as the militants cut those supplies.” He assured that the

military task-forces with representation from the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Police and the secret services would be reconstituted to secure the pipelines, adding that “Supplies will become steady; there will be less sabotage as we secure the pipelines.” He spoke of the determination to combat Boko Haram insurgency, stressing that peace would soon return to the troubled

North-East. Buhari said a lot had been achieved following the re-organisation of the military top command as well as increased equipment supply and training. On the need to improve healthcare delivery, Buhari said efforts had been intensified towards ridding the country of fake drugs and fake doctors as well as the disgraceful aspects manifested by baby factories.

Speaking on job creation, the president blamed the last administration for the high rate of unemployment in the country, saying it was due to the devastating blow to the economy through corruption and incompetence. The President said something urgent would be done about the deplorable condition of roads, citing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as one to be addressed from

L-R: Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; President Muhammadu Buhari and Charge ‘De’ affairs Nigeria House, Tehran, Dr. Bashir Ali Maggashi, during President Buhari’s meeting with the Nigerian community in Tehran, Iran, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

INEC asks APC to fill Audu’s vacuum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

that electors will determine who becomes the running-mate to whoever wins the primaries. Addressing newsmen in Abuja, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said: “As a party we are going to proceed with process of organising primaries to provide a substitute candidate for the late Abubakar Audu.” Oyegun said the Attorney General of the Federation had made it public that APC should replace the late candidate. “He has made a pronouncement to the effect that all that is required is for APC to go through the processes of providing a substitute to our late candidate with the implication being that there-

after the supplementary elections to conclude the process of electing a new governor of Kogi State will begin. “INEC is also in agreement with the views of the attorney general because we have already received a letter from them formally asking us to find a replacement for the vacancy that has been created by the passing on of Prince Abubakar Audu; so that is what will engage the APC at this moment.” When asked what will be the modalities for the fresh primaries, Oyegun said: “We have only just got notification today, so we are going to go into executive session now, to know the nature of the primaries.” On the fate of James Abiodun Faleke, the run-

next week by the Minister, Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. Nigerian Charge D’Affairs in Iran, Dr. Ali Magashi, had earlier told the President that Nigerians in that country were law abiding. He explained that few Nigerians currently in prison in Iran were drug couriers, who attempted to smuggle banned substances into the country from Afghanistan.

ning mate to late Audu, the chairman said electors will determine who becomes the next running mate to whoever emerges through the fresh primaries. Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday demanded immediate resignation of INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for failing in his first assignment as an electoral umpire in last weekend’s governorship election in Kogi State. The party also asked the Attorney General of the Federation to vacate his office for harrying and misleading INEC into arriving at an unconstitutional decision to allow APC substitute its candidate in the inconclusive Kogi gubernatorial election.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, speaking in Abuja, said the resignation of the INEC chairman was germane as the nation’s democracy could not afford to be left in the hands of an electoral umpire that could not exert its independence and the sanctity of the electoral process. “This INEC under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has shown itself as partisan, morally bankrupt and obviously incapable of conducting a credible election within our laws,” he said. He said PDP was shocked that INEC succumbed to the antics of APC by following the unlawful directive of a partisan AGF to substitute a candidate in the middle of

the ballot process. “We are all aware that the two legal documents guiding INEC in the conduct of elections; the Constitution and the Electoral Act, have provisions for electoral exigencies as well as empower the electoral body to fully take responsibility for any of its actions or inaction without undue interference from any quarters whatsoever. “We are therefore at a loss as to which sections of these two relevant laws, INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their bizarre decision to substitute a dead candidate in an on-going election even after the timelines for such has elapsed under all the rules. “INEC as a statutory body has the full complements of technical hands

in its legal department to advice it appropriately and we wonder why it had to wait for directives from the AGF, an external party, if not for partisan and subjective interest. “Consequently, the PDP rejects in its entirety, this brazen move by APC and INEC to circumvent the laws and ambush the yetto-be concluded election by introducing a practice that is completely alien to the constitution and the electoral act,” he said. Metuh said the clear implication of the INEC declaration is that APC would be fielding two different governorship candidates, meaning that votes cast for late Audu would be transferred to another candidate, a scenarios that has no place in the constitution.

News CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify that AMOS ONWUBUALILI UDOYE and AMOS ALILI UDOYE refers to one and same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME AFFADI: I, formerly known as MISS AFFADI CATHERINE CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZIOKO CATHERINE CHIOMA. All former documents still remain valid. NYSC, UNN and general Public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZEANO: I, formerly known and addressed as EZEANO GODWIN MADUABUCHI now wish to be known and addressed as EZE GODWIN MADUABUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ACHEBE: I, formerly known as MISS VIVIAN UJU ACHEBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS VIVIAN E. OLIEH. All former documents still remain valid. General Public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NYIA: I, formerly known as MRS. NYIA NKECHI HANEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BRIGHT NKECHI. All former documents still remain valid. General Public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME IROANUSI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IROANUSI GRACE ESOMCHI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GODWIN GRACE ESOMCHI All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UZOIGWE: I, formerly known as MISS UZOIGWE MARYROSE CHINELO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHIWETALU MARYROSE CHINELO. All former documents still remain valid. ENSUBEB, and general Public please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME SAMUEL: I, formerly known and addressed as CHINEDU SAMUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as UDEIBA JOHN CHINEDU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME ONAOLAPO: I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONAOLAPO LUKMAN OMOTOLANI ,NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AZEEZ LUKMAN TOLANI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE NOTE .

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Reps to probe cashless policy implementation Ubong Ukpong Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday, resolved to investigate the frauds associated with the implementation of cashless policy in the counCHANGE OF NAME ILECHUKWU: I, formerly known as ILECHUKWU CHIKA ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEOKOLUDO SAMUEL CHIKA ELIZABETH. All former documents still remain valid. General Public please take note.

try. This is even as it urged the Central Bank of Nigeria , CBN, to ensure better implementation, particularly in cities which have banking services and to review the policy on foreign exchange in a manner that will not only continue to protect the country’s foreign currency, but also

ensure that Nigerians realistically and legitimately transact businesses globally. The House also urged the CBN to effect an upward review on the present 300 dollars daily transactions and 1,000 dollars daily POS transactions to alleviate the plights of Nigerians. These followed a motion

brought by Edward Pwajok to the House on the call to investigate the implementation of the cashless policy to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians. He noted that the cashless policy which was introduced in 2012 to reduce cash transactions and encourage electronic means of paying for goods and

service. He said he was aware that the policy was meant to check corruption, stop terrorism financing, reduce inflation, circulation of cash, financial crimes and armed robbery by tracking the trails of money and also reduce the huge costs of printing money and the huge security risk of handling cash.

CHANGE OF NAME EKEKE: I, formerly known as MISS EKEKE NGOZI VICTORY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADINDU NGOZI VICTORY. All former documents still remain valid. Power Holdings Company Of Nigeria (PHCN) and general Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKWANDU: I, formerly known as CHIMECHEFULAM OKWANDU MICHAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MICHAEL CHUKWUEMEKA MICHAEL NWACHIMEMERE. All former documents still remain valid. First Bank Plc and general Public please take note.

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L-R: Chief of Staff to Senate President, Senator Isa Galaudu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Uche Ekwunife; Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume; Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, during the commissioning of Senate President’s Suggestion Box at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday

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PUBLIC NOTICE IGBO TEXTILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION (ITEDA). The General public is hereby notified by the above named association that MR. COSMAS NWADIKE has been changed as one of its trustees and he is being replaced by MR. UMEH IHEGAZIE ALPHONSUS while MR. BENARD NWAENYI has been appointed as an additional Trustee. TRUSTEES ARE:(1) MR. STANLEY OBISIKE NWANERI (2).EMEKA ONWUGHALU (3).MR.VICTOR NZEOGU (4).MR.UMEH IHEGAZIE ALPHONSUS (5).MR.BENARD NWAENYI. The public is hereby notified for future refrences and actions. SIGNED: SECRETARY

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ON BEHALF OF DMO NIGERIAN TREASURY BILLS Notice is hereby given by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of DMO that the Federal Government of Nigeria Treasury Bills of 91, 182 and 364-day tenors amounting to N17,850,150,000 N18,000,000,000 and N93,326,138,000, respectively would be issued by Dutch auction on Thursday, December 03, 2015. All Money Market Dealers should submit bids through the CBN S4 WEB INTERFACE between 9.00a.m and 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 02, 2015. Each bid must be in multiple of N1, 000 subject to a minimum of N10, 000. Authorized Money Market Dealers are allowed to submit multiple bids. A bid may be for authorized Money Market Dealers own account, Non – Money Market Dealers or interested members of the public. The result of the auction would be announced by 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 02, 2015. The Bank reserves the right to reject any bid. Allotment letters would be issued for successful bids on Thursday, December 03, 2015, while payment for the successful bids should be made to your account with Central Bank of Nigeria not later than 11.00am on Thursday, December 03, 2015. The Bank reserves the right to vary the amount on offer in line with market realities prevailing as at the period of auction of the Nigerian Treasury Bills. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES OFFICE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ABUJA.

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

South West

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Ogun presents N200bn 2016 Appropriation Bill

...Amosun rejects reduction of minimum wage FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday presented a budget proposal of N200, 274, 453, 352 billion to the House of Assembly

for the 2016 fiscal year. The governor also dissociated himself from the proposed plans by other governors in the country to slash the N18, 000 minimum wage currently being paid to workers across

the country. Amosun emphasised that rather than reducing the current minimum wage, governors across of the federation should strive towards maintaining its payment, if they cannot surpass it.

The 2016 budget Appropriation Bill, christened “Budget of Optimisation”, is expected to be largely financed by the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, which is projected to be N108 billion, representing 59 per cent of the total budget. Presenting the budget,

L-R: Representative of Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Farai; former Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ayo Falase; his wife, Adeola; former VC, Prof Ayo Banjo, and Pioneer Director, Africa Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS), University of Ibadan, Prof. Olabode Aiyepeku, during the 25th Anniversary Lecture of ARCIS, University of Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Appeal Court upholds Ondo lawmaker’s election OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

ourt of Appeal sitting in Akure yesterday upheld the election of a member of the National Assembly representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency, Kolade Akinjo. e Ondo State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal headed by Justice Antony Ogar, had on October 6 nullified Akinjo’s election, saying he was

not an eligible candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the April 11 election. The tribunal said Akinjo was the candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the April 2014 bye-election in the federal constituency before he joined PDP. But the three-man appellate panel led by Justice Abiyiri Shehu dismissed the tribunal’s judgement. It faulted the tribunal for ruling that Akinjo was not a member of PDP at

the time of the election because his membership card was not signed by his ward chairman and secretary. The Appeal Court noted that Akinjo’s challenger, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would have had a good case if he had presented another card to show that the federal lawmaker’s card was fake and not credible enough to attest to his membership of the PDP before the March 28 National Assembly election. The three-man appellate

court, therefore, ruled that the PDP lawmaker was duly elected. Counsel to the APC, Titiloye Charles, said his party had accepted the verdict in good fate, promising to make its position known soon. PDP’s counsel, Remi Olatubora and Adeoti Adejuyigbe, lauded the Appeal Court for the judgment, which they said had again restored confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

Ambode’ll soon be Nigeria’s best governor –LG bosses

hairman of Conference of Executive Secretaries of Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State, Hon Alabi Kolade David, has faulted those labeling Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as a non-performer, explaining that the governor is being meticulous in planning and executing his administration’s programmes to make Lagos work for all. David, who is referred to as Conference 57 Chairman by virtue of his position, said by the time results of the ongoing efforts of the governor becomes visible, Ambode would be

adjudged best governor in Nigeria. Speaking during an interview, David, who is also Executive Secretary of Bariga Local Council Development Area, said Ambode has performed creditably in the past few months and every verifiable facts lead to the point that the governor actually wants the best for people of the state. He said: “When the governor came on board, he said he will practice government by service and not government by force, and that he will make life easier and Lagosians happier. “What the governor has done is laying a foundation

upon which a lot of things will be built and so I don’t understand why some people are saying the governor is slow. If I may ask, slow in what? “When the governor came on board, he met a lot of abandoned projects and he gave instruction that all the abandoned projects should be completed. If you go round Lagos State, you will find that many projects are ongoing. So, those saying the governor is slow, I ask again, slow in what? That accusation does not really make any sense to me because the governor is not slow, he is really working. “Let me tell you, very soon, Governor Ambode

will be the best governor in Nigeria from the way he is working,” David predicted. He, however, urged Lagosians to support the governor in his very sincere efforts to develop Lagos, adding that at the end of Ambode’s tenure, he was sure Lagos must have witnessed massive infrastructural development. While making reference to the 114 inner roads, which the governor has directed must be constructed in all the local government areas and local council development areas in the state, David said such was a further eloquent testimony to the sincerity of Ambode to develop the state.

Amosun said the revenue expected to accrue to the state from the federation allocation stands at N42 billion, while external loan is expected to stand at N40 billion. The over N200 billion budget proposal for 2016 as presented by the governor is however, about N10 billion or 4.79 per cent lesser than that of the 2015 budget put at N210.35 billion. Presenting the 2016 budget to the legislature for its scrutiny and passage, Amosun described the budget as a reflection of his administration’s resolve to minimise costs and maximise capacity to generate revenues. Analysing the proposed budget, Amosun, disclosed that the expenditure would comprise a capital expenditure of N99.29 billion (49.6 per cent) and Recurrent Expenditure of N100.98bn (50.4per cent). He further stated that personnel cost made up of salaries and allowances of N61.34billion and pension and gratuities of N11billion would account for 36.1 per cent of the total recurrent expenditure. The governor also noted that the balance sum of N28. 6billion (14. 3 per cent) would be set aside as overhead costs. “We placed great emphasis on capital expenditure during our first term, in line with our development objectives. Our emphasis has now shifted a little and the budget this year is balanced between capital and recurrent expenditure. “This budget mix will support both the maintenance of existing infrastructure and allow the continued execution of more capital projects,” Amosun said. The governor further stated that the budget sum would be judiciously used to execute his administration’s five cardinal programmes. According to him, while education would gulp N40.170 billion, representing 20.06 per cent, the sum of N14.346bn (7.16per cent) would be spent on Health care delivery in the 2016 budget. Also, while the sum of N10.167billion (5.08per cent) would be allocated to

agricultural production/ industrialisation, affordable housing and urban renewal would gulp N26.567 billion, representing 13.27 per cent. Rural and Infrastructural Development/Employment Generation would be allocated N31. 048 billion (15.50 per cent) while other sectors would gulp N77.973 billion, representing 38.93 per cent. He maintained that despite the financial challenges confronting the state, his administrative would not be a party to the planned reduction in the N18, 000 minimum wage being paid workers. Amosun who claimed to have been the governor paying workers the highest, said he would rather raise the minimum wage if the revenue accruing to the state improved. “I am not part of any move to say we can’t pay 18, 000 minimum wage to our workers and in any case, what we did when we came in August 2011, I probably was the only person that didn’t only limit it to N18, 000, but N18, 250 or so. If I didn’t then, the day we have enough money and we generate enough revenue, I will even move mine to N20, 000 or even N25, 000. “But for now, the N18, 250 we are paying, I will not subscribe to anybody saying we should reduce it or that they can’t pay, I am not part of those that said that. For me, we should continue to struggle to pay the minimum wage of 18, 000 Naira “For us in Ogun State, we pay N18, 250 and I have said it several times that there is no state that pays higher, we pay the highest in Ogun State,” the governor said. He therefore assured that all on - going projects in the state, particularly roads under construction would be completed before the expiration of his second term. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunmbi, in his response described the budget as “another milestone towards building Ogun State of our dream.” Adekunmbi added that the presentation of the budget was another testimony of the vibrancy of the Amosun administration.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, November 25 2015

Lecturers more corrupt than politicians –Rector ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

L-R: Wife of Consecrated Bishop, Mrs. Foluke Adebayo; Archbishop of Metropolitan/Primate of all Nigeria, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh; Consecrated New Bishop, Ven.Timothy Adebayo and Dean Emeritus/Bishop of Lagos, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Ephraim Ademowo, at the Consecration of Ven.Timothy Adebayo as New Bishop of Igbomina West of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO : NAN

Bulletproof cars: Absence of Oduah’s lawyer stalls suit Okon Abang, Oludede’s junior, Mobolaji Akintunde, told the court that earing of a fun- his principal was not damental rights in court because he had enforcement suit gone for another matter filed before a federal high before the Ibadan Divicourt in Lagos by a former sion of the Court of ApMinister of Aviation, Mrs. peal. The junior counsel apStella Oduah, was stalled plied for adjournment to yesterday due to absence enable Oluyede appear in of her lawyer, Ajibode person. Oluyede. Following the consent Oduah sued the Ecoof other parties, Justice nomic and Financial Abang adjourned the Crimes Commission; the case till December 1 for Independent Corrupt hearing. Practices and other relatOduah had on August ed offences Commission; 26, 2015, secured an orthe Attorney General of der of interim injunction the Federation; and the from Justice Mohammed Inspector General of PoYunusa of the same court lice. barring the defendants She is seeking an orfrom taking any action der restraining the deagainst her pending fifendants from probing nal determination of the her over the purchase of two armoured BMWs by suit. Oduah, who is now a the Nigerian Civil Aviaserving senator repretion Authority, NCAA, senting Anambra North, under her watch in 2013. alleged in her suit that At the resumed prothe Federal Government ceedings before Justice

WALE IGBINTADE

n order to effectively address the plight of the teeming populace, the Nigerian government has been advised to imbibe the virtue of sincerity in its dealings; cut cost of governance, and shun frivolities, if it must move the country forward. It was also charged to be involved only in few projects it can readily complete and leave as legacies. Founder of Manna

was about to use the defendants to oppress her and other prominent members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. She claimed the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, government had perfected plans to try prominent members of PDP, including herself, on trumped up charges in a Lagos governmentcontrolled court. She urged the court to stop the defendants from being used by the Federal Government to persecute and humiliate her under the guise of anti-graft war. But the AGF and EFCC have urged the court to dismiss Oduah’s suit for lacking in merit. In its preliminary objection, the EFCC described Oduah’s claims as baseless and speculative, arguing that the exminister failed to place enough material fact be-

fore the court to justify her claim that she was about to be invited or arrested. On its part, the AGF said Oduah failed to establish any cause of action against it, having not proved that she had been invited, arrested or detained by the AGF. Besides, the AGF challenged the territorial jurisdiction of the Lagos division of the Federal High Court to hear Oduah’s suit on the grounds that the alleged rights violation did not take place in Lagos. A counsel from the office of the AGF, T.A. Gazali, contended that by virtue of Section 46(1) of the constitution and Order 2 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure, only a court within the state where Oduah’s rights were allegedly violated could hear the case.

ector of Federal Polytechnic, AdoEkiti, Dr Theresa Akande, has said the searchlight should be beamed beyond public servants who steal the nation’s resources, to the tertiary institutions if corruption is to be truly eradicated. Akande said: “Lecturers, who inflate marks, mess up with students, demand sex for marks or make demands for money are corrupt, in fact, more corrupt because they are destroying lives.” The rector spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while declaring open the 10th National Conference of School of Business Studies with the theme: “Anticipated Change(s) in Nigeria: the Roles of Tertiary Institutions,” urging Nigerians to be determined to pattern thoughts towards achievement of the desired changes. She canvassed strong synergy between the anti-graft agencies and the tertiary institutions to rid them of corruption, saying: “Students who engage in examination malpractices are corrupt. Staff who report late or absent themselves willfully from work are corrupt. “So, all forms of corruption must be battled to a standstill because if this is not done, we will only be scratching the surface of our problems instead of uprooting the very tap root,” she said. The rector challenged the School of Business Studies and participants to justify the conference by “demonstrating to-

wards the system strong loyalty, accountability, transparency and discipline that will bring about the anticipated changes in our country.” Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof Patrick Oladele, in his lecture, said tertiary institutions had the role to provide qualitative education for young men and women to prepare them for the outside world and to provide leadership by functioning in a way to imbibe “integrity, genuineness and accountability.” Oladele charged tertiary institutions to go beyond awarding certificates to training for human resources development with the purpose of adding value to society, adding that attention must be paid to research, technological development and entrepreneurship training for the country to leapfrog. Dean, School of Business Studies, Mr Olabisi Olasehinde, expressed confidence that “participants would come up with expectations on Nigeria and the strategies to be employed in achieving the laudable objectives of the annual conference.” According to Olasehinde, the conference “is an important channel for researchers to present their research works, share ideas with colleagues who have similar scholarly interests. “This is a very good opportunity for networking and cross-fertilisation of ideas aimed at improving the overall quality of teaching and learning.”

Bishop charges FG on road, power sector reform Prayer Mountain, Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe, made the appeal at a thanksgiving service to mark his 50th birthday in Ogudu, Lagos. “President Buhari seems to be slow to start, but Federal Government should be sincere and cut cost of governance. Frivolity is what is killing Nigerians and the African man. Political patron-

age, let’s cut down on this and rather increase spending on capital projects like road and power (infrastructure),” he stated. Kwakpovwe, who also unveiled the prayer ministry’s plan to hold world anointing night on January 29 at TBS, Lagos, to “wipe away people’s tears,” said the two sectors were critical for national devel-

opment. He therefore, called on Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to leverage on his reputation as a performer in his new responsibilities, and not disappoint Nigerians’ expectations of at least, steady and affordable power supply soonest. According to the cleric, “We can have 24

hours stable power supply. If roads and NEPA (power) are fixed, Nigeria is fixed (and) all our people abroad will come back.” He said where an administration focuses its energies on road, another on power or the like, in no time Nigeria would be a “tourist attraction” drawing investors and tourists from all over the world,

especially with its “envied all-round summer time.” Also urging politicians not to abandon their role to direct impactful leadership in the nation, the cleric applauded the anticorruption drive of the Muhammadu Buhari gover nment, but cautioned that it must not be seen as favouring one party over others.

South East

ASATU clears air on Anambra vigilance law Francis Ekpone ONITSHA

ational President of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, Dr. Jude Okolo, yesterday explained the recent feud between traditional rulers and president-generals of various communities in the state with the recently passed Anambra Vigilante Law. He disclosed this during a chat with journalists in his Government House office. Okolo said the controversial law, which makes traditional rulers chairmen of Community Vigilante Committee, and President-Generals the secretary, created lots of confusion in various communities in the state, even as he blamed members of the House of Assembly for the friction. Anambra State vigilante law 2014 passed by the House of Assembly emanated from the executive. It would be recalled that ASATU national president had earlier led his entire members to the Speaker, Rita Maduagwu, to stop passage of the law,

which would entrust security of the communities to the traditional rulers rather than the president-generals. He, however, argued that the president-generals should have been made the executive vice-chairmen of the committee as that would keep the status of the traditional rulers sacrosanct, adding that it would have been more productive if the traditional rulers were made ‘ceremonial chairmen.’ Responding to the agitations for the actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and the unconditional release of Radio Biafra director, Nnamdi Kalu, by some youths despite court injunction to detain him for another 90 days, Okolo, who served as vice-chairman in old Abakaliki Council Area of Ebonyi State, suggested that the issue be handled tactfully. He advised that effort should be made to bring those involved to a roundtable dialogue and eschew violence, calling on all Nigerians to learn how to resolve their problems through dialogue.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lawmakers probe Chime over new Govt House, road contracts Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

nugu State House of Assembly has commenced probe of contracts awarded for the new Governor’s Office as well as some road projects by the administration of former Governor Sullivan Chime. To this effect, the House has summoned some contractors to appear before it. Making an announcement on the floor of the House yesterday, Speaker Edward Ubosi disclosed that

the Programme Manager of Arab Contractors, one of the major contracting firms that handled housing and road projects, as well as top officials of the state’s Ministry of Works, were summoned by the House Committee on Works to explain how some contracts were awarded and executed. According to the announcement, those summoned were to meet at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Assembly on November 25 (today). Recently, the House Com-

mittee on Works led by Hon. SKE Ude-Okoye of Awgu North Constituency, undertook a tour of some projects like the New Lion Building, New Workers’ Secretariat and Akwata Road, demanding to know how the contracts were awarded and their level of execution. The announcement on the floor of the House could be a follow up to the outcome of oversight function of the House Committee on Works. It would be recalled that at the tail-end of Chime’s ad-

ministration, members of the House of Assembly fell out with him on the award of contracts, as well as alleged acquisition of land under questionable circumstances. Also, a foremost lawyer and former commissioner for Youth and Sports in the state, Mr. Ray Nnaji, had dragged the EFCC to court, seeking to make the commission prosecute the former governor over what he considered alleged corrupt handling of government business.

Ebonyi: Group identifies 142 cases of violence against women, children

uman Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre, HRCRC, Abakaliki, says it treated 142 cases of violence against women and children in Ebonyi State between January and August 2015. The HRCRC director for social organisation, John Istifanus, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, decried the increasing rate of rights’ violation. “It is regrettable that families of these victims prefer to remain silent on the issue to avoid stigmatisation, and this development is seriously endangering societal value and norms,” he said. Istifanus added that the centre would embark on enlightenment programme to enable the public, especially the rural populace, understand the best way to access justice. “We will embark on a pilot programme to enhance the rights of children as regard hard labour and violence, as well as create

awareness of relevant laws. “People should report this ugly trend to our centre and the law enforcement agencies for appropriate action, as this will help protect women and children in our society,” Istifanus said, adding that the centre had set up active groups in some communities and local government areas, and that members of the groups were trained on various skills. The director said the trainees would be empowered to enable them reach out to people at the grassroots.

Umahi

L-R: Director-General, NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, during their courtesy visit to the governor in Umuahia, Abia State, yesterday.

School of statistics tasks Enugu govt on permanent site

ederal School of Statistics, FSS, in Enugu State has appealed to the state government to hasten the handover of Akpasha Boys Comprehensive Secondary School for its permanent site. Rector of the school, Mr Clement Achusim, made the appeal in Enugu yesterday at a workshop organised by National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, on capacity assessment and review of the curriculum of federal schools of statistics. Achusim said Akpasha community in Nkanu West Local Government Area had given its consent and approval to use the school as its permanent site. The rector urged the government to hasten the processes for accreditation of

the school, noting that the Ibadan and Kaduna campuses had moved to their permanent sites and had been accredited. “The National Bureau of Statistics has over the years focused its attention on how to improve the schools of statistics in Ibadan, Kaduna and Enugu in the areas of capacity assessment, curriculum improvement and permanent site acquisition,” he said. He noted that the bureau had trained the statistical manpower needed for the Nigerian statistical system, adding that the workshop would add more value to the school’s standard in achieving its mandate. In a keynote address, Statistician General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, said the aim of the workshop was

to reposition federal schools of statistics. Kale said it would operate in conformity with the standard set by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE. The statistician-general said the bureau had assisted all levels of governments in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their programmes and projects. “The bureau has put in place the necessary machineries to obtain accreditation of the school’s statistics courses 1 and 2 by the NBTE. “It will serve as an equivalent of the National Diploma programme in statistics obtained in polytechnics. “NBTE has approved two more courses thereby moving the schools from monotechnics to polytechnics,” he

said. He called on the Federal Government to support the bureau in upgrading the existing infrastructure in the schools as well as raise their capacity as knowledge-driven institutions. The European Union consultant that funded the project, Ms Alache Ode, who reviewed the curriculum, said the programme will look into the curriculum for statistical students. She admitted that in her report, Enugu was not included in the project and promised to add the state after the stakeholders meeting. Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof. Uche Eze, stressed the need for a regular review of the statistics curriculum to meet international standards.

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South south

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Glo Laffta Fest Yenagoa, a great home-coming – comedians

he people of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last Sunday, November 22, rolled out the green carpet to welcome the Glo Laffta Fest as the comedy train arrived the capital city in its grandeur from Enugu. The comedy show which is currently touring major cities across the country was held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, amid pomp. For some of the comedians who performed, the Yenagoa edition of the show was a great homecoming and an avenue to re-unite with their home fans.

Weleke Akpors Stanley, who is better known by his stage name, ‘SimCard’; Iniedogi Pekene, popularly called ‘Barrack Pikin’; and Gift Loveday, otherwise known as Aproko, are comedians who grew up in Yenogoa before setting out for Lagos and other parts of the country to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. While recounting his hay days in Yenagoa, Simcard who bagged a law degree from the Niger-Delta University, Amassoma, said he felt really good coming home to perform and thanked Globacom for the rare opportunity. For Barrack Pikin,

the Yenogoa edition of Glo Laffta Fest would forever remain indelible in the minds of the people. He said when he was informed that he would be performing in Yenagoa, he developed jokes that would resonate and remind the people of his days in the oil-rich city. Globacom’s national sales coordinator, South South, Augustine Mamuro, who gave an opening remark said: “Globacom is a business enterprise which believes strongly in empowering, rewarding and entertaining its subscribers. He said comedy shows and musical concerts are some of the ways

Globacom rewards its subscribers.” He urged the guests to keep on using Globacom as the company is determined to continue to exceed their expectations at all times. He announced that the Glo Laffta Fest train would move to Awka, Anambra State, on Friday, November 27. Mr. Mamuro added that subscribers who wish to attend the show in Awka, Nsukka, Owerri, Aba and Makurdi could do so by using up to N3,000 before the show and sending ‘LOL’ and preferred location of the show to “33001.” Among comedians who

L-R: Chairman, ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta; Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalong and member, African Union Advisory Board on Corruption, Alhaji Isa Salami, during the National Conference on Youth Against Corruption in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

S’South elders demand probe of alleged plot to divert N1bn NDDC fund Osahon Julius Yenagoa

rked by alleged attempts to divert N1 billion from funds accruing to the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, elders and politicians from the South South geo-political region have asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to urgently look into the case and begin a probe. The elders, comprising monarchs and politicians, under the aegis of Voice of South South, VSS, in their protest letter, alleged that

some politicians under the platform of a prominent political party in Bayelsa State, had mounted pressure on some senior management staff of the NDDC to illegally release the alleged N1bn for the governorship aspirations of the party’s flag bearer. The group, in a letter signed by its Bayelsa State chairman, Mr. Alex Dumbo, said a preliminary investigation they conducted showed that the decision to arm-twist the NDDC into making such an illegal deduction was taken after a failed attempt by the candidate

to secure N200m from each state controlled by his party. The letter reads: “Though, we are not against members of the party raising money for the election of their own, the forceful attempt to illegally deduct from funds provided for agencies and parastatals for development of the people of a particular region or state is criminal and should be investigated. “If the party’s state governors could decline to contribute N200m each due to the paucity of funds in the states, why should

the NDDC be forced to part with N1bn budgeted for development?” They warned that the channels and processes by which the alleged money would be deducted are being monitored closely with evidence gathered from the NDDC. On the recent pronouncement by President Muhammadu Buhari that electoral offenders would be prosecuted by the Federal Government, the group described the pronouncement as another empty vow targeted at prosecuting select and perceived political opponents.

entertained the crowd in Yenagoa were Glo ambassador, Bovi, who anchored the show; Okey Bakassi, Gandoki, Gordons, Arinze Baba, Odogwu and Selebo.

Glo ambassadors Sammie Okposo and M.I thrilled the audience with their hit tracks while DJ Neptune manned the ‘wheels of steel.’

Army arrests pastor, 2 others over fake miracles …nabs 2 fake majors too Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

he Nigerian Army said yesterday in Port Harcourt that it has arrested a pastor and two others who faked miracles and healing to deceive members of his church and the public. Presenting the suspects to newsmen, Army Public Relations Officer, 2nd Brigade, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Capt. Eli Lazarus, said the suspects have several members. Lazarus said: “We got a tip-off from a member of the church who complained of immoral and fraudulent activities going on there. “The self-acclaimed pastor and his collaborators (names withheld) were subsequently arrested, and they confessed to duping unsuspecting members of the public of various sums of money. “The suspects also confessed to stage-managing miracles and healing to attract members to their church located along Aluu community near Port Harcourt.” He said the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible arraignment in court. He urged members of the public to be weary of fake pastors, urging them to supply information about them to security agencies which could effect their arrest. The prime suspect (names withheld), a 27 years old man and founding pastor of the church, confessed to paying his collaborators undisclosed sums of money to give false testimonies. The suspect said his church, Revelation Power Ministry, has over 100 worshipers. “I told my accomplices to tell my church congregation that after performing miracles they were healed

from a terminal illness. “This was done to enable me draw more members to the church and retain the old ones, numbering over 100. “So, after praying for them during church service, they would lift up their hands and testify about their healing. “I am very sorry for my actions which have offended God and man; and if forgiven, I will live a life that will be pleasing to Heaven,” the suspect said. In a related development, the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has arrested two male suspects for allegedly parading themselves as ‘Majors’ in the army. Capt. Lazarus made the disclosure yesterday while parading the suspects before newsmen. Lazarus said the two suspects, Fabian Enudi, 39, and Samuel Agaga, 38, indigenes of Delta and Bayelsa states were arrested separately, dressed in full army uniforms with the rank of a Major. “Enudi, dressed in army uniform, presented himself as an army major to our troops at a security checkpoint in Mbiama area, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. “Enudi, realising he could not defend himself while being interrogated by our personnel at the checkpoint, speedily drove past the checkpoint in an attempt to escape arrest. “Our troops immediately mobilised and gave him a hot pursuit spanning several kilometres until he was forcefully stopped and apprehended. “During the pursuit our troops fired warning shots to demobilise his car but unfortunately the suspect sustained gunshot wounds in his leg,” he said. Lazarus said the suspect confessed to being a major supplier and transporter of cannabis and other banned substances for an unknown drug cartel.

North

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Nigeria risks losing $4.5bn to INDC non-submission OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

nvironment Minister, Mrs Amina Mohammed, has confirmed that Nigeria is yet to submit its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, INDCs, barely a week to the climate change conference in Paris, France.

Nigeria is one of 192 countries expected to participate in UNFCCC’s conference aimed at achieving a new universal climate change agreement. In the nation’s INDC, Nigeria had envisaged to earn a whopping $4.5 billion through stoppage of gas flaring, capturing of gas, setting standard for

appliances, generators and laying the path for a green economy. But this amount could go into the drain due to failure of the Nigerian government to submit the document to the UN body. Until the new minister confirmed it yesterday at the press briefing meant to articulate the

position of government going into the COP 21, France’s Ambassador for climate change, Stephane Gompertz, had raised the alarm, stating the dire implications of nonsubmission for Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria. Mohammed, who noted that the document was still being studied by the present administration,

L-R: Second Vice President, Co-operative Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Yusuf Sambo; President, Mr. Jibrin Bala and representative of Plateau State Governor, Prof Sonni Tyoden, during the Co-operative Federation of Nigeria National Workshop/Annual General Meeting in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Lawmakers task Ahmed to account for bonds WQLO ADEDEJI ILORIN

wara State House of Assembly yesterday called for more detailed information on the bonds so far accessed by government in the state. The government had two weeks ago said it was left with no other option than to go the capital market to access N20bn bond for survival. It had, however, in the last four years taken bonds said to be in billions of naira. A resolution reached in

the House of Assembly on Tuesday was a response to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed’s request seeking the House’s permission to obtain a seven-year N20bn bond “to address critical developmental projects in the state.” Reading the resolutions of the House, the Speaker, Ali Ahmad, commended the state government for its vision in “conceptualising the stimulus acceleration plan and proposing various projects that would improve the lives of the people.” The speaker said the detailed information re-

quested for would assist the House take a keen look at benefits of the previous bonds accessed by the state government to people of the state. The House equally urged the government to furnish the legislature with detailed information on the cost and locations of the projects to be executed with the proposed bond. The legislature also resolved to consult widely with members of their constituencies on the proposed bond so that they would be better informed and obtain their inputs on

the proposed N20 billion bond. The members in their earlier remarks on the proposed bond frowned at the executive arm of government for not consulting with the legislature before citing projects in their constituencies. The speaker while directing the Clerk, Mr Simon Okedare, to communicate resolutions of the House to the governor, said the House would not rush at taking a decision, which according to him, may affect the future generation.

call on Tuesday at the opening session of a meeting on the impending launch of a nationwide reorientation campaign by the ministry in Abuja. ‘’The impending campaign must take on the indiscipline, lack of respect for time, loss of our time-tested values and generally lead to attitu-

dinal change in such a way that there will be a paradigm shift in the way we do things. This is also in line with my vision as Minister of Information and Culture. ‘’Make no mistake about it; we need to change the way we do things in Nigeria. It is important to let our people know that we cannot

continue to do things the same way and expect a different result,’’ he said. The minister restated his earlier statement that the National Orientation Agency, NOA, will be in the forefront of the campaign, because it is in line with its mandate to positively change attitudes, values and behaviours.

delegation and I paid attention to who goes and for how long we go. I am committed that every member of this delegation comes back with dividends on climate change agenda. This is to redefine environment and climate change concepts in helping the country go forward. “I am satisfied that we have a competent set of professionals and key stakeholders. We have included our colleagues from the National Assembly to shape the understanding of environment issues.” She pleaded with Nigerians for more time to enable the new administration study the INDC document, adding that the process anywhere in the world usually requires incredible amount of expertise and time. The minister further explained that since it was a document that would shape the nation’s pattern of development, care must be taken to ensure it is perfect and enduring.

El-Rufai procures 107 patrol vehicles AZA MSUE

It cannot be business as usual in Nigeria –Minister

inister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has stressed the need for Nigerians to positively change their attitudes in order to achieve a paradigm shift in how they do things, in line with the change mantra of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The minister made the

however, told journalists that about 41-member team comprising negotiators, representatives of civil society organisations, and National Assembly, would be representing the country at the event starting next week in Paris. Unlike previous conferences where a large chunk of the delegation comprised people who had nothing to offer in terms of negotiation, the minister stated that the list had been thoroughly reviewed to ensure that only those with something to offer made it. She said, “I know the delegation has always been an issue in terms of size and relevance at these meetings. That is a legitimate and important question that Nigerians should ask. We are going to the conference with 41-member negotiating team, members that would attend not only intergovernmental negotiations, but also represent Nigeria at the side events, which are numerous. “We have reviewed the

KADUNA

aduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday donated 107 patrol vehicles and 230 bullet-proof vests to security agencies in the state. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, at the commissioning ceremony commended the governor for the donation and his efforts at stamping out crime in the state. Arase also said for elRufai to procure such laudable items showed that he was determined to stamp out crimes in the state, adding that he was very happy with the governor’s effort in tackling insecurity in the state. He further promised that the police will live up to the expectation of the public by doubling its efforts towards stamping out crimes in the state. Earlier, el-Rufai said his administration’s partnership with security agencies in the state had

yielded positive result in the last six months by rooting out criminals, particularly cattle rustlers from forests that have boundaries with neighbouring states. He, however, called on the Inspector General of Police to boost police in the state with additional 7,000 policemen, in addition to the current number of 13,000, which he said, represented only five per cent of the country’s police population. He said Kaduna was lucky to have the best brains in the police posted to it over the years, adding that all efforts were geared towards stamping out crimes from the state. His words: “We thank security agencies for making Kaduna safer in the last six years. “We need more policemen in Kaduna because we have 13,000 police in the state, which is about 5% of the country’s police population. So, we need additional 7,000 policemen.”

Wednesday November 25, 2015

Wale Igbintade

he All Progressives Congress, APC in Ogun State has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu , over a petition by the duo alleging the bribery of the judiciary by the APC. In a statement signed

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Politics

N150m bribery allegation: APC cautions PDP, Kashamu against assault on judiciary by its publicity secretary, Sola Lawal, APC warned that assault on the judiciary by the PDP was assuming incendiary proportion such that, if not checked , could compromise the integrity of the institution

of justice. In a separate petitions to the President of Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, both Kashamu and the PDP made allegation of bias against the state election

petition tribunal headed by Justice Ebiorieweoi Toby and also alleged a planned bribery of the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan. Kashamu and his party called for the disband-

Governor of Bauchi State, Muhammed Abubakar Muhammed, presenting the key of a vehicle donated by the Department for International Development (DFID)/UNICEF for Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project, to Head of Administration, Bogoro LGA, Mr. Lawal Musa, in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ment of the appellate court. The Tobi-led tribunal, in its October 23 judgment, had ordered fresh polls in 110 units, a decision both parties to the petition appealed with the APC insisting that its candidate, Dapo Abiodun, be declared outright winner of the election while Kashamu and PDP averred that the tribunal erred by voiding result in the 110 units. However in calling for the disbandment of the Appeal Court in its petition to Justice Bulkachuwa, Kashamu and his party, the PDP, alleged that the sum of N150 million has been forwarded to unnamed members of the Appeal Panel to influence judgment in favour of the APC. The PDP petition was signed by Semiu Shodipo, its secretary in Ogun State. However, the APC pointed out that every strand of credibility of

Court of Appeal president halts commencement of Kashamu’s appeal Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

he appeal filed before the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan by Senator Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against the judgment of the Ogun State election petition tribunal which nullified his victory in the March 28 senatorial election, was yesterday halted by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa. National Mirror learnt that Justice Bulkachuwa, dissolved the three-man panel initially set up to handle the hearing of the appeal. At the court yesterday, shortly after counsels to

all the parties in the case, journalists and other stakeholders have taken their seats, an official of the Court of Appeal, walked into the court room, to announce the dissolution of the Appeal panel. The court official who did not disclosed his name and identity, said the directive on the dissolution, was from the President of the Court of Appeal and that a new panel had been reconstituted to handle the case, adding that the concerned parties would be duly informed of the new date for the commencement of the hearing of the case. It was gathered that the decision to disband the initial panel to hear the case might not be unconnected to a two page petition adver-

tised in two national dailies last Monday, alleging likely bias of the Appeal panel and alleged compromise of the judges by members of the Appeal panel. The petition which was addressed to the President, Court of Appeal, Abuja, was sponsored by a non -governmental organization known as “Truth and Justice Initiative”. Speaking with journalists at the court premises, the Ogun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Adebayo Dayo, lauded the President of the Court of Appeal and the National Judicial Council, NJC, for the step taken, describing it as “the judiciary trying to be fair to all parties concerned in the matter”. He said, “what has hap-

pened here this morning is that, I think the judiciary is trying to be fair to all concerned and the way I see it, we discovered that, the thinking of the Lord is different from the thinking of some of our leaders in Nigeria and we have discovered that they (APC leaders) have been going around to manipulate all the arrangements that has been sealed by God. Today’s announcement is a victory for us” The All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in the Senatorial election, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, in his reaction, also attributed the development to the efforts of the judiciary to be fair to all parties concerned, declaring his firm believe in the Nigerian judicial system.

“The media have been inundated with accusations and supposed petitions, so it is my opinion that maybe it is a reaction to that, if one party feels they will not get justice because of some accusations or the other and the judiciary in its wisdom decides to take that into consideration, we believe in the Nigerian judicial system, whatever the judiciary decides to do, we shall abide with it”, he said. It would be recalled that the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District of Ogun state, Buruji Kashamu had filed an appeal against the verdict of the Ogun state Elections Petition Tribunal, ordering the rerun of election in 91 out of 110 polling units in the senatorial district.

the judiciary had come under sustained attack by the PDP after losing the last general election wondering whether it was not the same judiciary which operated during PDP’s 16year rule in the country. APC noted that Kashamu and PDP were only victims of morbid fear having realized the futility of their case against APC while opting for vain glorious self-help to avoid an imminent and sure ignominy in the public space. “It is to the credit of the crumbling edifice of Kashamu to be economical with the truth to obfuscate its actual plan of clogging the wheel of justice and further desecrate the noble temple of justice through subterfuge and archaic underhand methods”. “In their confusion, Kashamu and his party with whom impunity sits pretty well, have in futility, embarked on search for a society of of Frederick Douglass’ intellectual ingenuity where justice is denied, poverty enforced, ignorance prevailed, in which any class is made to feel society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade such that no one or property is safe”, APC stated. The statement reads “Neither our party, the APC, nor our candidate in the 2015 Senatorial election in Ogun East, Prince Dapo Abiodun ever engaged in bribery before, during and after the election with any member of the judiciary or anyone for that matter”. “Let it be on record for the umpteenth time that as a party and individuals our respect and loyalty to the institution of justice in the country would always remain unflinching” ,the party stated

Politics

Wednesday November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Audu’s death created great vacuum –Habeeb Sekinah L awal

governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC

Dr. Habeeb

in the build up to the last Saturday governorship election in Kogi State , Dr. Yaqeen Abdullah Habeeb, has expressed his great sense of sorrow as he extended his deepest sympathies to the people of Kogi State, the APC and entire Nigerians over the transition of Prince Abubakar Audu saying a great vacuum has been created. In a statement he issued on Tuesday, Habeeb said he received the news of Audu’s death with an enormous sense of shock. “With his death, a good

heart has stopped beating, a good soul has ascended and a great vacuum has been created. I am particularly saddened by the loss and our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the immediate family. I was honoured and blessed to have known late Prince Audu. He was a great man and leader whose interest in human and capital development cannot be measured nor quantified.” According to Dr. Habeeb, the late astute

politician will be remembered for his braveness, courage and determination for success. “He was truly a blessing to our state and indeed our country and we will surely miss him. “Remembering the role he played in building our party and in developing our state will continue to live with us. We will continue to include him in our thoughts and prayers.” In conclusion, he prayed that Allah in His infinite mercy will bring

L-R: Wife of Abia State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Vivian Udeoko; wife of Chairman, Christian Forum for Governance in Righteousness, Mrs. Grace Alozie, and chairman of the forum, Rev.Chucks Alozie, during the thanksgiving reception by the chairman at Umuda-Isingwu community of Abia State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

… A great loss to Kogi people –Abatemi-Usman

chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC and former Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Nurudeen AbatemiUsman, has described the demise of former Governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu as a great loss to the APC, the state and Nigeria as a whole. The former Governor died on Sunday, while the

collation of the results of the Kogi State governorship election held last Saturday, where he was the candidate of the APC, was still ongoing and he was coasting home to victory before the exercise was declared inconclusive. Abatemi-Usman, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Michael Jegede, said the late Audu

contributed in no small measure to the growth and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, noting that the vacuum left by his death will be difficult to fill. “The news of the death of Alhaji Abubakar Audu came to us as a great shock. We have, indeed, lost a great man who in his own way made great significant contributions to the development of

Kogi State and advancement of democracy in Nigeria. He would not only be missed by his family members, but also by the entire members of our great party, Kogi people and Nigerians in general,” the ex-lawmaker said. He prayed God to grant the deceased a peaceful repose and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Aluko commiserates with Audu family

ormer Senator and top member of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ekiti State, Gbenga Aluko has sent condolence message to the family of the late governorship candidate of the party in Kogi State, Dr Abubakar Audu. The late Audu died last Saturday moments after governorship election results gave him a comfortable lead above his closest

PDP’s rival, Governor Ibrahim Wada. Aluko said Kogi had lost an illustrious and creative son capable of redirecting the affairs of the state to keep hope alive again among the people, noting also that APC had been denied the service of an astute and influential politician to help shape the new political order just emerging in Nigeria. The former senator prayed God to console mem-

bers of the family the late politician left behind while urging Kogi politicians to bear the light that the late Audu had lit in making the state the model of development in the North Central geo-political zone of the country. Aluko said the honour that his Deputy, James Faleke, and whoever pairs with him in leading the state could do in Audu’s memory is to implement all develop-

mental programmes that the APC’s candidate promised his people during electioneering campaigns. While also commiserating with the party leadership at the national level, Aluko said Audu’s demise was a call on the national and state leaderships of the party to focus more attention on the strengthening of the party leadership in Kogi State to fill the vacuum left by the late former governor.

the much-needed comfort and peace to the family during this sad time and grant everyone the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. “May He also forgive his sins, shortcomings and reward him with the highest rank in Paradise,”

Habeeb said describing Audu’s death as shocking. “He was a very courageous politician and many of us were devastated by his death. He was one of the few leaders who championed the campaign for the creation of Kogi State”, Habeeb stated.

Ex-Rep urges INEC to seek judicial interpretation over Kogi poll Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

ormer House of Representatives member and lawyer, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has said the novelty surrounding the death of the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in last Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, needs serious judicial clarification. Bamidele advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to explore the opportunity of judicial clarification before concluding the election to prevent anarchy. Bamidele said in Ado Ekiti yesterday that it would be preposterous for the commission to rely wholly on Section 181 of the constitution, which allowed the Deputy governorship candidate to continue in case of such scenario or section 36(1) of the Electoral Act which empowered the commission to postpone election and allow party to substitute the candidate in case of death or infirmity. Audu, who voted on Saturday in the election which INEC declared inconclusive, died on Sunday, a situation which many believe has created a constitutional vacuum. According to Bamidele, as much as the aforementioned and section 121 of the constitution, which was applied in case of former River State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, that votes counted during elections were for the parties and not the candidates were relevant under this context, it would still be apposite for INEC to seek judicial interpretation to save Kogi State from political instability. He said: “To save Kogi State and indeed the entire nation from an embarrassing constitutional faux pas, it is imperative for INEC to seek prompt legal interpretation from the judiciary

before taking any further action on the “inconclusive” election in order to avert errors that might be tantamount to setting bad precedents in the electoral law. “In my considered personal and legal opinion, INEC committed an error in declaring Kogi election inconclusive in view of the fact that the number of voters who have picked up their PVCs in the remaining 91 units is far less than the number of vote difference between the two political parties in the concluded election, in such a way that even if all the 25,000 PVCcarrying prospective voters are to vote for the PDP in the supplementary election, it will not make a difference in the overall result”. The lawyer, however, commiserated with the Government and people of Kogi State as well as the immediate family, political associates and friends of the late Kogi State APC flagbearer. He said: “The death of Prince Audu at the climax of the election struck the nation like a bomb shell and threw everyone in confusion and deep sorrow, being the least expected thing to happen at this critical moment of our national life. “It is quite unfortunate that the unsuspecting hands of death waited for the deceased to mount a vigorous and most conscientious campaign,traversing the length and breadth of Kogi State for the past months while soliciting for the votes of the people, only to come like a thief in the night and snatch him away at the thick of the results declaration process by INEC. “I wish to also commiserate with the entire members and leaders of the APC, Kogi State Chapter and the national leadership of the party for this colossal loss at a time the APC administration is just settling down to commence work

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

From The Civil Service Minister urges youths to shun corruption

r. Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports, has called on Nigerian youths to shun corruption and embrace selfless service in the

interest of nation building. Dalung made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a National Conference on ‘Youth against Corruption’ organised by

Gloria Anaeze

the computer laptop was given to AANFE by the UNESCO Abuja, following the undiluted effort and performances of Governor Willie Obiano towards the progress and development of adult education in the state. Mr. Nwosu who also added that the laptop was distributed to the two prison yards based on the authority of the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omewsha, stated that it would help to impart more knowledge on the inmates and make them self-reliant. He spoke extensively on the reasons the laptop should be given to the inmates as not only making them to be computer literate, but also to assist them in their external examinations.

Two prisons in Anambra State receive laptops ONITSHA

our computer laptops have been donated to the two prison yards in Anambra State by the Anambra State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult aid Non-formal Education Awka. The Prison yards are Awka and Onitsha Prisons Speaking while handing over the computer laptops to the prisons inmates at Awka and Onitsha, the acting Director, Anambra State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education Awka, Mr Donatus Nwosu, noted that the laptop was meant to assist the inmates in the yard to learn more about the use of computer. According to Mr. Nwosu

the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences commission (ICPC). He said that the conference, with the theme: ``Mobilising Nigerian Youths against Corruption’’ was timely considering the fact that the youth constitutes major stakeholders in nation building. He said that youths were actors, vectors and victims of corruption, adding that the conference was a wakeup call on the youths to wage war against corruption and join in the campaign against the menace.

``It is time for us to turn a new leaf and embrace reality; every Nigerian youth needs to dedicate himself to selfless service in the interest of nation building. ``Doing this is unarguably critical for our collective human development and the survival of the country,” he said. He said that the engagement of the youths in the fight against corruption was a reflection of the fact that no society could attain its full potential without removing obstacles to full participation of its human enterprises.

``The Nigerian youths got frustrated by the failure of the state to provide good governance and had also offered itself as an instrument for manipulation in the promotion of corruption. ``Today, we have more than six presidents of the Nigerian Youth Council. ``The ways and manner these presidents patronise and promote their activities raise a lot of questions about the legitimacy of the resources they use in those things,” the minister added. In his remark, Mr Ekpo Nta, Chairman of ICPC

said the conference was the outcome of a demand by the youths to ensure their participation in the fight against corruption. ``It is not something we deliberately designed for them, we have been doing major interventions on their behalf but this time, we have to take a pause and listen to them. ``They are taking command position in this fight against corruption and I can tell you the whole arrangement concerning this conference was done in collaboration with them,” Nta said.

Most Nigerian prisons built with bricks, Ekpendu tells minister

Obiora Ifoh, ABUJA

omptroller General, Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Peter Ekpendu, has revealed that most prison formations across the country were built by the colonial master with mud bricks. Ekpendu also revealed that the service had lost about 45 officers including a retired Comptroller General to Boko Haram insurgency while more than 200 were injured. Ekpendu’s lamentation

came to fore yesterday in Abuja when the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, visited the headquarters of the prison to familiarise himself with the service. While appealing to the federal government to construct modern prisons in all the six geo-political zones so as to address some of the challenges, he expressed worry about congestion in the prisons across the country which he said was occasioned by the inability of the judiciary to dispense justice to awaiting trials inmates.

Minister seeks technology intervention in key areas

P.16

L-R: Director-General, National Agency for the Control on Aids (NACA), Prof. John Idoko; representative of National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulkadir; NACA Director, Policy and Strategy, Mr. Alex Ogundipe, and Coordinator, 2015 World AIDS Day, Mrs. Ope Abegude, at a news conference to mark the 2015 World AIDS Day in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kogi reinstates sacked 21 council chairmen Wale Ibrahim, LOKOJA

ogi State government has reinstated its 21 local government council chairmen and 239 councillors as directed by the Abuja appellate court. Source told National Mirror that the state gov-

ernor, Captain Idris Wada, had order the council chairmen to return to office with immediate effect. It would be recalled that a Konto-Karfe High Court had sacked the council chairmen and their councillors following a case filed by the All Progressive Congress over the improper constitution of the Kogi

Lai Mohammed blames culture’s failure on leadership crisis

P.16

State Independent Electoral Commission(KOSIEC). The APC also averred that the chairman and some member were card carrying members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Trial Judge, Justice Alaba Ajileye Omolaye held that KOSIEC was not properly constituted and declared that an illegal body

could not be presumed to conduct legal local government election. The Judge added that the 21 local government councils remained dissolved. The council chairmen later appealed and won. The court urged the Kogi State government to reinstate them with immediate effect.

Why NYSC is essential for fresh graduates –Akin-Moses

P.37

Civil Service

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lack of resources, bane of sustainable peace –IPCR Joel Ajayi, ABUJA

Cross section of heads of parastatals under the Ministry of Information and stakeholders, at a strategy meeting on the impending nationwide re-orientation campaign in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Minister seeks technology intervention in key areas Regina Otokpa, ABUJA

inister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that technology was needed to address some challenges registered in some key areas affecting national growth. Making this known while receiving United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Resident Representative, Opia Mensah Kumah, in Abuja, he noted that the use of technology would address the problem of diverse pollution crippling the different parts of the country. “We have a lot of pollution going on in the Niger

Delta, we have soil erosion in the eastern part of the country and also in some parts of the west soil erosion is taking place. “We have desert encroachment which has already affected Lake Chad. We have lost a lot of water in the lake and we have equally lost a lot of lands in the frontier states of the nation”. Commending the role played by UNDP during the last general elections in developing the card reader technology to aid a credible, free and fair election, he said government was ready to collaborate with the global agency in several areas including development of more

technologies. The minister stressed that Nigeria was determined to become not just a consuming nation but also a country that would supply products to countries. “The UNDP has made tremendous contributions in helping to bring prosperity to many parts of the world, we are interested in cooperating with you. “Our interest is to ensure that we diversify our economy because that is the best way to have inclusive and sustainable economic development that can help us reduce poverty and bring in as many Nigerians as possible to enjoy the prosper-

ity which our enormous resources can provide. “We are so happy that you have helped in the area of good governance. We remain very grateful because we believe that the card reader was very helpful in the last election and we want you to continue to collaborate with us in the use of adequate technology to promote good governance”, Onu stated. Earlier, Mensah Kumah solicited the support of the minister for on-going collaborations with the ministry saying that he hoped the collaborations would be expanded in the coming years of the present administration.

Lai Mohammed blames culture’s failure on leadership crisis ...set to launch National Culture Orientation Campaign Joel Ajayi, ABUJA

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has blamed dwindling fortune of culture and tourism in Nigeria on leadership crisis of heads of pararstatals. This is even as the minister disclosed that the ministry would soon launch National Orientation Culture Campaign that would improve the economy and lead to a reduction in crimes. He said this on Thursday, in Abuja, at his maiden meeting with heads of pararstatal under culture and tourism, noting that culture would be used as

vehicle for the massive national re-orientation. According to him, without mincing words, the pararstatal under the old culture and tourism which are now under the new Ministry of Information and Culture, are suffering a crisis of leadership. He said: “There are square pegs in round holes at the leadership cadre of some of the pararstatal. Sometimes where academicians are required, administrators are holding sway. “There was critical lack of understanding of the mandate of the various pararstatal by some of the heads, and where they understand the mandate, there is a serious lack of

capacity. “And the implication is that those heading these pararstatal simply invent their own agenda sometimes and impose such on us, with devastating consequences. That explains why most of the pararstatal are lying comatose. “No wonder the past administration almost succeeded in selling it off. A less magnificent and less historic building elsewhere within or outside Africa is a money spinner. Yet, all we hear is that there is no money to do this and do that. “National Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, which has the mandate to develop market and

manage tourist sites, how successful have they been in executing their mandate? “The law that established the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM) mandates it to establish and manage national museums. What have they been doing? What is their scorecard?” He asked. The minister, however, promised that the ministry was ready to launch national orientation campaign on culture industry that will drive tourism for creating jobs, reducing crime and diversifying the economy, which are three of the cardinal programmes of the Buhari administration.

he Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Prof. Oshita O. Oshita, has said that lack of resources had been the greatest problem hindering the activities of the organisation. He disclosed this while responding to questions from members of Correspondent’s Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja chapter, who visited him in his office. He said that though the impact of his organisation’s activities might not have be making the required impact in the hinterland due to lack of resources, the organisation has impacted immensely on the socio-political lives of Nigerians. Oshita, however, cited an example of how IPCR made case for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to vote during the last general election in the country. The DG acknowledged the importance of journalists in the society and said that his organisation would partner with journalists in capacity building.

According to him, the need to involve journalists and other stakeholders in conflict resolution stemmed from the fact that peace work was not something an organisation could do alone. “Be confident that we will partner with you for us to see how far we can go in eliminating conflict in the country,” he said. He enjoined journalist to be part of peace dissemination and promised that his organisation would go into partnership with journalists. In his earlier remark, the chairman, Mr. Raphael Ekpang, said the ssociation embarked on the visit to IPCR to seek areas of collaboration toward effective communication of peace in the country Mr. Ekpang in his presentation asked the organisation to partner with journalists in the area of capacity building by training journalist in conflict reporting. He said that would go a long way in bringing the activities of the IPCR to the public accurately and according to international best practices in conflict management.

Nigeria has highest neglected tropical diseases in Sub-Sahara Africa –Perm Sec Adeola Tukuru, ABUJA

he Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Shamaki, has revealed that Nigeria has the highest burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Sub Sahara Africa, adding that the high burden of worms in Nigeria is a matter of concern. She noted this during the occasion of the symbolic administration of Praziquantel tablets to school age children by the Deputy CEO of MERCK – Stefan Oschmann in Abuja. According to her, the endemicity of schistosomiasis has been largely determined in Nigeria with exception of Borno and Adamawa states which have security challenges. She further explained that the endemicity and prevalence in the 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), show that about 43,544,818 persons are at risk and in need of treatment with Praziquantel tablets. “The unacceptable high

proportion of Nigerians who are at risk of schistosomiasis is indeed a compelling call to action, to rapidly scale up mass administration of praziquantel tablets in all the endemic schools and communities. “It may interest you to know that Merck pharmaceuticals, Germany, has donated to Nigeria about seventy million, nine hundred and eighty thousand (70,980,000) tablets of praziquantel worth over 5.5 million dollars from 2008 to 2014. “For the 2016 treatment cycle, over 33 million Praziquantel tablets are expected and there is commitment for the provision of these medicines by MERCK for as long as they are needed. “In the same period, a total of about 21,706,904 school age children and some high risk adults, were treated in Plateau, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, Taraba, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Edo, Delta, Ogun and Ondo states, with about 7,154,386 (16%) persons treated in 2014 alone,” she said.

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

For Jonathan at 58 FRED B. ODUTOLA

n your birthday marked and celebrated worldwide last Friday November 20 the core prayer that my family and I said for you was “All may go well with you and may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul”. Last year it was celebrated in Aso Rock and this year you probably had it in your Otuoke home, which confirms no condition is permanent. Power is transient and highly ephemeral. The last one must have been very noisy as so many well-wishers and favour seekers would have come with various gifts and cards so much that you would not have had space wide enough to place them. Four years ago when I was invited to your birthday at a time you turned 54, I gave you the best gift ever, The Golden Jubilee Bible, though it might look insignificant before the ordinary eye. I was then the Chairman of 400 Years of King James Bible Celebration. I have been one of your ardent admirers. I actually campaigned for you pro bono to become the President in 2011. If it was element of good luck that made you succeed President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, it was our votes that brought you into power in 2011. But what did you make of our mandate? You did not want to step on bad toes. You even said that you were not a military president like Obasanjo, when you were reacting to the latter’s advice on Boko Haram menace

that was just rearing its ugly head then. I wept the day you made this statement. I wept because you forgot that you were not only the president of Nigeria, but also the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. It then reminded me of the submission of John Maxwell that “Good luck can place you in a position of authority, but competence will keep you there”. You were not bold enough to face those who said that they would make the country ungovernable for you. Boko Haram tested waters and saw that it was a conducive atmosphere to grow until they took away the Chibok girls. Your wife responded with ‘Na only you waka come, Chai, Chai, there is God o’, shedding crocodile tears in the fashion of an amateur Nollywood actress and oblivious of the international media that graced the conference. President Barack Obama personally was watching the end of Osama bin Laden with his service chiefs at that ungodly hour of the night. It was on his order that the operation was carried out in Pakistan and after he confirmed the death of the terrorist and had given the order that the corpse be dumped in the sea, he went forward to make a statement that terrorists could run, but not hide, and that wherever the terrorists are, tormenting US citizens and the world, US would chase and bring them to justice. What a way to prove that he was not just the President of America, but also the Commander-InChief of the Armed Forces. That was an

Y OU

WERE

SURROUNDED WITH HIGHLY INFINITESIMAL

MEN OF VALOUR , BUT MORE OF

SYCOPHANTS , BOOT LICKERS AND EVEN FAKE PROPHETS example that you would have followed. I personally brought your invitation to State House, Abuja for the Prayer Breakfast in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia before the African Union meeting in January, 2013. I was then the Chairman, Africa Area Board, United Bible Societies. You were in Addis-Ababa and in the past, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, one of the founding fathers of Prayer for Africa had always attended before the AU meeting. I was there when your ‘boys’ were informing you on phone that only one head of state had arrived and then only two… until the prayers were over and the President of Benin Republic said the closing benediction. You never came and I felt so bad because you would not ask who has God blessed before He chooses to bless me? It was a full house prayer breakfast, but you were conspicuously missing. Thank God for people like Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

Before you go, where is our money?

RUFUS K AYODE O TENIYA

igeria is a rich nation, whose wealth rather than being kept in a national portfolio or evident in some state-of-the-art public infrastructures and social amenities, is illicitly tucked in the bottomless pockets of some greedy and corrupt individuals who have had the privilege of being in positions of public trust. For this obvious reason, some of what are expected to be our national treasures are in the private onshore or offshore bank accounts, trading and investment accounts, landed property portfolios, business investments of these men and women who cut across all ethnic and religious divides in the country. Some have in their wallets our healthcare facilities, educational institutions, road network, national carrier aircrafts, potable water facilities, electrification amenities and any conceivable infrastructure that the public have been denied the benefit of enjoying. In their thoughtlessness and extreme greed, some have stolen our 2nd Niger Bridge and 4th Mainland Bridge and what could have become our Dubai or Singapore. Nothing is too big for them to steal. While nations around the world are using or have used their God-given resources to transform their countries, Nigeria only suffers the burden and curses from the negative impacts of these resources. Wide-scale contamination resulting

CORRUPTION AND PUBLIC THEFT ARE NOT NEW TO

US, THEY ARE AS OLD AS INDEPENDENT NIGERIA

from oil spillages and gas flaring, general environmental degradation, destruction of ecosystem, depletion of fish population and general poor sanitation are probably the only legacies some communities have as proofs of their being in the oil rich Niger Delta. No Doha! No Jeddah! No Baku! No Abu Dhabi! No standard healthcentre! No reputable university!! Not even motorable roads!!! Corruption and public theft are not new to us, they are as old as independent Nigeria and some of the perpetrators have been around since then little wonder why some of them are already dead and those still living are either terminally ill or ‘terminally old.’ A terminally old person by my very own definition is someone who has most likely lived up to 75 percent of his/her expected time here. Considering our relatively low life expectancy, most of these notorious thieves are certainly in their twilight. They are now mostly septuagenarians and octogenarians whose ends are obviously imminent. In struggle for looting supremacy with the old public enemies are the new-age public thieves whose mega stealing mostly raised its ugly head in the last administration, where

billions and perhaps trillions of naira were developing wings in shady oil deals and fathom oil subsidies. Without any doubt, they were more merciless to the economy and the people than those who looted before them. It was obvious that they were allergic to stealing millions or a few billion naira. Nigeria and Nigerians have suffered a lot of deprivation as a result of the actions and inactions of these so-called leaders, who stole the future of the nation and set it on a perilous downward course and now, should we allow their ill-gotten wealth to be passed down quietly to their next generations? No! In the absence of any feasible government action plan in place to probe and then recover these loots , shouldn’t we privately initiate a programme to encourage a voluntary return of partial loots as exemplified by Theophilus Danjuma, a retired general and the chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPetro). In an unprecedented gesture, Danjuma was magnanimous enough to not only acknowledge being a beneficiary of Nigeria’s wealth by virtue of his privileged position, he went ahead to start a Foundation to help the poor with a fraction of his personal wealth. According to him, Sani Abacha, rewarded him with an oil bloc which he sold in 2006 to China’s offshore oil company CNOOC for $1 billion. After taxes, and paying off various dues, he

who attended to keep Nigeria’s number significant at this event. You were later seen going to Israel for special prayers, Redemption Camp and lastly before the Obas in Yorubaland with their scepters on you. Scepters from different shrines? Then I knew that like the biblical Saul who went to the witch of Endor, God would not share His glory with anyone. King David of the Bible was successful because he surrounded himself with men of valour. You were surrounded with highly infinitesimal men of valour, but more of sycophants, boot-lickers and even fake prophets who told you that all was well when nothing was well. Anyone who dared criticise you was perceived as an enemy. To make your matter easier, you had spokesmen who predicted that Nigeria would burn if you were not returned and our Octogenarian elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clarke who was helping you abuse Obasanjo as a meddlesome interloper. The same man has now resigned from PDP because of your inefficiency; such is life. He was further quoted as having not benefitted anything from your administration but some of us know that his medical doctor wife, who failed to clinch a senatorial seat in Ogun State was the chairman of the Board of federal hospitals! Barr (Dr.) Odutola, a Lagos-based legal practitioner and the immediate past Chairman of the United Bible Societies, Africa Area Board, wrote via eagle5877@yahoo.com

said he was left with over $500 million. Not knowing what to do with such wealth, he set up the TY Danjuma Foundation in 2009 with a $100 million endowment. He made this disclosure during a public forum in February 2010 when he said: “This was extra money I did not know what to do with. I did not just want to leave the money in the bank. At some point, I thought about saving the money for my children, but I decided against it. I realized that they could fight over the money after I’m dead. So, I decided, why not give back to my people.” Now that it looks like former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, a major suspect in public looting is also very ill and some former other public officers are suffering from outof-office syndrome (OOOS), we need to move fast to recover the loots. I wish Mrs. Madueke a speedy recover. We certainly need her fully recovered because she might be very instrumental in a proper loot recovery effort. #BringBackOurMoney Oteniya wrote via oteniyark@hotmail.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 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

Subsidy and recurring fuel scarcity

ith recurring fuel crisis in the country, Nigeria aptly fits into the metaphor of that character that resides in a river bank, but baths with spittle. A member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria, with a huge crude oil production capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day, is ranked as Africa’s largest producer of oil. Globally, the country is among the first 12 largest oil nations. The limit set by OPEC quota is also an advantage that can be exploited to provide surplus crude for local refining. But refining petroleum products in Nigeria has turned a fairy tale; with the doublespeak of the relevant authorities on the true state of the country’s four out-dated refineries; and grim hope for the construction of new ones. In truth, no year passes by without the country experiencing acute fuel shortage. When it occurred about the second quarter of this year, the story then was that petroleum tanker owners refused to lift products to retail outlets because of fuel marketers’ failure to pay for their past services. Marketers in turn blamed their indebtedness to the transporters on Federal Government’s inability to meet its fuel import subsidy obligations. The

WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS IS AN ALTERNATIVE POLICY THAT SUPPORTS

LOCAL REFINING AND… ” pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), for instance, soared to as high as N350 per litre from N87 per litre, the official rate, while former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala; and marketers indulged in claims and counter-claims over the payment of N159 billion subsidy. Presently, the country has again been plunged into a similar crisis, with reports indicating the PMS now goes for between N200 and N400 per litre, depending on which part of the country one is. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been dishing out figures representing millions of litres of PMS trucked out to various parts of the country amidst the crisis, but the scarcity persists. Reports last week said President Muhammadu Buhari sought approval from the National Assembly to pay N413 billion subsidy claims put up by oil marketers, as the N140 billion appropriated for subsidy payment in the 2015 budget was not enough. Hope is thus raised that

with the outstanding N413 billion paid, oil marketers would team up with the NNPC to guarantee unhindered supply of petroleum products nationwide. Similar arguments were accentuated in the past, but they in no way diminished the recurrence of fuel shortages. Worse still, nothing holds any strong promise that President Buhari’s payment of the N413 billion to marketers would arrest the vicious circle made possible by the country’s almost total reliance on the importation of petroleum products to meet local needs; which makes the stranglehold of insatiable oil marketers on the nation’s jugular possible. We do not believe that the recurring mess would be possible if the country had sufficient refining capacity and import sparingly to bridge shortfalls. But getting the nation’s four refineries to work and the building of additional ones appear tasks the FG considers impossible. Not too long ago, the NNPC said the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries had commenced preliminary production following their rehabilitation; and that it had shifted its attention to the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company; all with the intention of boosting local refining capacity and products’ supply lines. But shortly after, the

ON THIS DAY November 25, 1963 In the first ever live televised murder, Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged killer of President John F. Kennedy of the United States, was in turn murdered two days after Kennedy’s death by Jack Ruby in the basement of Dallas police department headquarters. Ruby (March 25, 1911 – January 3, 1967) was a nightclub operator in Dallas, Texas. A Dallas jury later found Ruby guilty of murdering Oswald and sentenced him to death.

November 25, 2012

A fire at a clothing factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killed at least 117 people and injured over 200 others, making it the deadliest factory fire in the country’s history. The fire broke out in the Tazreen Fashion factory in the Ashulia district on the outskirts of Dhaka. It was initially presumed to be caused by an electrical short circuit, but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suspected deliberate arson and an act of ‘sabotage’.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, then as a newly appointed Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, complained that the country was losing N40 billion per annum due to the poor performance of the four refineries. This implied that the so-called rehabilitation was a fluke. It is thus back to square one, in other words, unrestrained petroleum products’ import. Is it not embarrassing to the government of the day that Nigeria, with its exalted profile in crude oil production, is probably the only major oil producer worldwide with scant refining capacity, in a world where some countries with little or no oil endowment boast of many state-of-the-art refineries? For how long would stories about fuel subsidy, landing cost of imported petroleum products, etc., which end up exaggerating the cost of fuel in the country, end? While we do not support the brash removal of oil subsidy, it is a regime whose purpose has been defeated by the non-availability of the products at subsidised rate. It is a policy the FG should find ways to end. What the country needs is an alternative policy that supports local refining and honest deregulation, while the FG takes charge of strictly strategic national and citizens’ interest in the oil sector.

November 25, 2013 Iran signed an interim agreement with the ‘P5+1’ countries, limiting its nuclear program in exchange for reduced sanctions. The P5+1 are a group of six world powers which, in 2006, joined the diplomatic efforts on Iran’s nuclear programme. The term refers to the P5 or five permanent members of the United Nation’s Security Council, namely United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France, plus Germany.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing Why cancer cases are rampant in Nigeria –Experts

Facts you should k now about Measles 22 FRANKA OSAKWE

very day, no fewer than 200 people die from cancer in Nigeria. According to recent GLOBOCAN data, the country records an estimated 102,100 cases every year and the number is growing. The death burden is also very high, about 71,600 every year, many of them women, largely breast cancer patients. Nigeria’s huge cancer burden and the current management crisis associated with the disease in the country are however not strange to the newly appointed Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunsho Adewole. With his practice at the University College Hospital (UCH) one of the nation’s cancer centres, his special research interest in gynaecologic oncology and having served as the immediate past President of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), he is familiar with the agony of cancer patients in the country and the trauma of seeking effective treatment in our hospitals. This is why stakeholders expect that cancer will not be left out among several burning issues that will receive the minister’s swift and urgent attention as he settles down in office. National Mirror investigation on the plight of cancer patients reveals a plethora of problems that have made the disease not only the most dreaded disease but one every Nigerian pray never to encounter. For a start, there are very few diagnostic laboratories in the country where cancer could be effectively diagnosed and these are sparsely located and grossly inadequate for Nigeria’s 170 million populations. The labs, mostly located at the national cancer centres, lack modern facilities such as advanced genetic testing now being used in several other countries. Only basic tests are available in most Nigerian diagnostic laboratories. This was indeed confirmed by an associate professor of pathology and Consultant Pathologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Adetola Daramola: “The kind of cancer tests we carry out right now is mainly biopsy which involves removing a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from the patient’s body and having it analyzed in a laboratory. Here in Nigeria, what we do is basic investigations, advanced investigations is still lacking”, she told National Mirror. Elsewhere in the developed world, cancer patients undergo genetic testing which can be used to find out whether or not a patient has inherited the gene mutation (changes) and also determine whether or not this has contributed to the cancer. This also helps to determine whether the cancer is more likely to reoccur and metastasize (spread to other organs). It can also help to predict the patient’s response to treatment. “We don’t do advanced genetic testing, although we do the basic molecular testing to know the type of breast cancer a patient has, we do not have the equipment for complex molecular testing and other tumour profiling,” Daramola said.

Cancer management: task before new health minister

Linear accelerator

According to her, only about eight to ten centers do the basic molecular testing. This of course means that more people will continue to travel outside for proper diagnosis and treatment, a situation that should receive the Minister’s attention. To avoid medical tourism, there is a need for government to establish more advanced diagnostic cancer centres with advanced equipment such as 3D digital mammography, CT-Scan and Breast MRI for special diagnosis. According to experts the Minister will also need to urgently address the problem of inadequate radiotherapy machines and persistent break down of the few on ground. For instance, the Head, National Committee On Cancer Control in Nigeria, Federal Ministry Of Health, Professor Francis Durosinmi-Etti, confirmed to National Mirror that out of the seven linear accelerators in the country, only two are working; one at Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDTH), Sokoto, and another at National Hospital, Abuja, which has just been repaired. The machines are stretched due to overcrowding and the constant breakdown of the only functional linear accelerator at Abuja adversely affects patient’s treatment. “Treatments are delayed, patients are told to come back due to machine breakdown. A cancer patient needs to have an uninterrupted 6 weeks radiotherapy session as part of the treatment. The extension or discontinued treatment causes the disease to develop resistance or to progress”, he said. Repairing these machines just has to be the immediate task before the new minister, Durosinmi-etti, also the President of CEAFON, insists. On the quality of the machines, a Consul-

Prof Adewole

tant Oncologist and Radiotherapist at LUTH, Dr. Muhammed Habeebe, said the linear accelerators are not sophisticated enough to provide accurate radiation therapy. “What we have is the basic linear accelerator, not the complex. The results are not as accurate as the complex ones. With a more accurate machine, you will be able to deliver a higher dose of radiation with fewer side effects and less harm done to the patient”, he explained. Hence, to be able to compete with other nations such as India, Dr. Habeebe said Nigeria needs advanced linear accelerators. However, due to lack of fund, the immediate solution, according to Durosinmi-Etti, will be for government to repair the linear accelerators on ground. “It is technically possible to repair the 7 machines between now and the next 60 days. After this, the next plan, medium term plan, is to have at least about 200 radiotherapy machines, which is the ideal number for Nigeria”, he said. Radiotherapy is an integral part of cancer management, “about 60 per cent of cancer pa-

tients will require radiotherapy to control the disease to some extent”, he further divulged. Although few private hospitals offer radiation therapy, Durosinmi-Etti, explained that the radiotherapy machines found at the private hospitals are Colbat unit which offer less, compared to a linear accelerator. “The patient’s safety and health is protected with a linear machine so there is a need for government to repair the machines”, he said. “We need to be able to cure those diagnosed, not tell them to come back in 3 months’ time because of lack of facilities. We need equipment to work with”, Prof. DurosinmiEtti, insists. Aside the need for cancer facilities, there is a need to increase the number of oncologists and other cancer specialists in the country. The government can do well to invest in preventive treatment by creating more awareness on early detection and cancer screening especially in rural areas, the experts suggests. Cost of treatment remains a major hindrance to accessing cancer treatment in Nigeria. From diagnosis to chemotherapy, treatment remains unaffordable for an average Nigerian with minimum wage of N18,000 “Patients spend as much as N67, 000 for biopsy and other tests while an average mastectomy (breast surgery) costs between N80, 000 and N150, 000 in government hospitals. For chemotherapy, cost ranges between N100, 000 and N500, 000 per treatment. Targeted therapy such as Herceptin (for the treatment of earlystage breast cancer which has spread into the lymph nodes) costs a whopping 1.3m and you need about 3 course treatments. There are drugs that cost as much as N960, 000,” Prof. Durosinmi-Etti divulged. Patients pay for treatment out of pocket forcing them to abandon treatment half way. Although treatment plan is now said to be included in National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) according to Assistant General Manger, NHIS, Dr. Christopher Okah, majority are not yet accessing them. Considering the large number of new cancer cases each year, a lot more still needs to be done to assist with treatment. “Government needs to start thinking of alternative funding model that can help patients pay for treatment such as partnering with private companies that produce anti-cancer drugs”, Roche Country Director, Mr. Herman Addae told National Mirror. Recently, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) established a cancer research Centre. But the institute’s Director General, Prof. Innocent Ujah is already crying for necessary funds to ensure that the centre performs to the optimum. The minister certainly has to look into this.

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

rosis screening/ scan by your doctor to determine the density of the bones. Usually the same reference point in the skeleton is chosen. Hip and wrist fractures usually result from falls, whereas fractures of the spine tend to occur spontaneously when a weakened vertebra eventually crumples under the stress of supporting the body’s weight. There are various factors known to increase the rate at which bone loss occurs. They are: genetic causes (a family history of osteoporosis means a greater risk), illness or inactivity, poor diet (low in calcium), conditions that affect absorption of foods, such as coeliac disease, being very underweight, smoking and increased alcohol intake. Medically related causes are: Steroid drug treatment (particularly if prolonged more than a few weeks), early menopause or the removal of the ovaries at a young age (under 45 years), hormone abnormalities such as over-activity of the thyroid gland or the glands that produce the body’s natural steroids, or under-production of testosterone in men, chronic liver or kidney disease and vitamin D

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

steoporosis means gradual breaking down of bones. It is a condition where the amount of bone tissue in the body is below what is normal for a person, taking into account their sex and age. Oftentimes, osteoporosis is called ‘the silent disease’ as it can remain undetected until someone has a broken bone as a result of a fall or an accident. Osteoporosis on its own does not cause pain nor is it a type of arthritis. Research has shown that osteoporosis can strike at any age, but occurs mostly in people over 50. One in two women and one in four men older than age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related bone fracture during their lifetime. Another study has also shown that there is good evidence that the adequacy of a child’s diet at least partially determines their osteoporosis risk in adulthood. The best test to diagnose osteoporosis is to getting an osteopo-

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diet in osteoporosis

deficiency. There are many ways to help our bodies build strong and healthy bones, especially during childhood and adolescence. After about the age of 30, it’s difficult to increase bone mass, but protecting the bones can begin at any age. Taking steps to build bone health while one is young can save people from this disease. However, at every age, a bone-building diet and regular physical activity are important. They help ensure bone tissue continues to be built since bones are constantly under construction. Certain cells break down bone tissue and other cells use the calcium and nutrients in the foods we eat to build new bone. Many foods contain calcium, but the richest and most easily absorbed source is found in dairy products like low-fat and non-fat milk, yogurt and cheese; fish eaten with bonescanned sardines and salmon and fatty varieties such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines; fruits and vegetables such as turnip greens, kale, okra, cabbage, okra, tomato products, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mustard green, broccoli, papaya, oranges, orange juice, bananas and dark leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach,

turnip greens and brussel sprouts. All these also have important nutrients like vitamins A, C, D and K, potassium and magnesium, Also, legumes, cereals, nuts and seeds are also important foods for osteoporosis. “Excess phosphorus promotes calcium loss from the body when calcium intake is low,” says Linda Massey, a dietician and professor of human nutrition at Washington State University in Spokane. Many soft drinks and certain other carbonated soft drinks contain phosphoric acid, which can increase calcium excretion in the urine. And nearly all soft drinks lack calcium. So, if you must consume soft drinks take it in moderate quantity. Avoid caffeine-laden drinks and reach for decaffeinated iced tea or hot tea.

Calcium supplements can be recommended. There are several types available on prescription if someone’s dietary intake is low or marginal. Frail elderly people with poor mobility may be helped by taking a calcium supplement along with vitamin D. Consequently, if you are not physically active your bones will suffer. Over time, they will become less dense, weaker and more likely to fracture. Regular weight-bearing activity can help maintain bone strength and reduce the rate of loss of bone mineral. Activities such as brisk walking, climbing stairs or jogging are good examples of weight-bearing exercise. Short bouts of high-impact activity, such as jumping up and down are helpful for building bones when one is young. Limit salt intake. Salt can pose a great obstacle to a sturdy skeleton. Research has found that postmenopausal women with a high-salt diet lose more bone minerals than other women of the same age. It is vital to quit smoking and then, alcohol consumption should also be kept within safe limits.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults

y daughter is nine years old now. Right from around the age of five, I noticed that she is a bit different. She does not like girlie things. She never liked playing with dolls. All she wanted to do was run around with her brothers, play football and then play cowboys and Indians with plastic guns. I sort of ignored it because kids just like to play but today, I am very concerned. My daughter says she wants to be a boy. She dresses up in boy’s clothes (jeans and T shirts), refuses to wear dresses and feels more comfortable hanging out with male friends. I see these as early signs of lesbianism and I don’t know what to do about this – Angela Early signs indicate gender dysphoria. In other words she identifies strongly with the male gender as her own gender and this is not the first development of its kind. In addition to heterosexuals, lesbians, gays and transsexuals, there are also transgendered peoples in the world. Your daughter falls more under the transgendered category. If you are wondering what to do, first realize that your daughter’s mental health and emotional wellbeing are the most important things here. So you have to protect that as her mother. This means loving your kid no matter what her sexuality is and in time when she grows up, she will be in a better position to make a decision regarding all of this. She could decide to get a sex change in the future or lead a double life where she is a girl in public but behaves like a man in private. There are many many people who do this to cope. Understand that this is a very difficult situation for her especially as she is still a child. Adults commit suicide over this type of internal gender conflict so imagine

how a child must feel about it. So love your child and don’t make it an issue. Give her good education, teach her good manners and be patient. In time, answers will come. There is nothing else you can do right now. No therapy or drug can change any of this. There is a whole branch of science and numerous research efforts devoted to this kind of development and none of them has been able to come up with a solution that reverses gender dysphoria. Some people are just born different – Uche Please I want to reorder Sex Voltz. You recommended it for me earlier this year when I told you that I am 61 years. I bought plenty the last time and it helped me get an erection and perform when I needed to. I hope it is still available – Otunba Segun Yes we have Sex Voltz. Call the numbers below to order it. You can also order it online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com I find it difficult to be sexual sometimes so I take the Spanish Fly drink when I want to switch on and be aroused. But I have never really found out what the ideal dosage is. How should it be taken? Mary Half a bottle of the Spanish Fly drink is the equivalent of one daily dose. Each bottle contains two doses for two different days – Uche I read your last article on female arousal disorder and I felt as if you were talking directly to me because I have that problem. I want to get the gel first and then buy the drug when I have enough money – Rita That is fine Rita. Get the Nympho’s Desire Arousal Balm and a Vibrating Bullet. They are affordable and work wonders

– Uche I am interested in penis enlargement but I am not quite sure of a suitable therapy – Chike Chike you can enlarge your penis with a combination of Boss Rhino Gold supplement and a penis pump like the Machismo Pump. Boss Rhino Gold is very powerful and also stops erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in addition to boosting your performance for long periods – Uche I am interested in a buying a dildo that is as realistic as the real thing. I don’t want it to vibrate. Please add a lubricant too – Grace Take the Hard Man realistic dong. It is around eight inches long, veined and supple like a real penis. For the lubricant, get the Hydro Play Water Based Glide. It is big and dispenses in a non-messy fashion – Uche I am a big fan. Sorry I have no questions or needs. Just want

to say well done - Benard Thank you. That is all 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.comUche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Why cancer cases are rampant in Nigeria –Experts TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

hrough the years, cancer-related illnesses and deaths have doubled in Nigeria and the conditions may get even worse by the day if adequate pre-

cautions are not taken fast. The Chief radiation therapist at the College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Dr. Omobolaji Saba made this observation while delivering a lecture at a breast cancer

awareness seminar organised by Jama at ul Islamiyya of Nigeria in Lagos last week. According to Saba, there are more than 2 million recorded cases of cancer currently in the country with over 100,000 new cases yearly.

While attributing the high incidence of the disease largely to poor healthy lifestyle practices and weak health care delivery system in the country, the guest lecturer pointed out that the good news was that the disease is not only curable but

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Executive Secretary, National Primary Health Development Agency, Dr. Ado Mohammed and UNICEF Country Representative, Jean Gough, at the launch of November 2015 Integrated National Measles Campaign in Abuja, at the weekend.

Merck launches machine for HIV/AIDS monitoring FRANKA OSAKWE

erck, a global pharmaceutical company has launched an innovative CD4 machine for monitoring progression of HIV/AIDS in Nigerian patients. The Muse Auto CD4 machine is designed in a simple form so that health professionals in rural areas can operate it. Speaking during the launch of the machine in Lagos, Senior Manager at Merck Life Science, Philippe Durbiano, said HIV/AIDS patients living in the rural areas often find it difficult accessing treatment at far

away clinics, making it difficult to monitor their CD4 counts and manage their infection. He said people infected with HIV/AIDS need to have their CD4 counts constantly monitored so as to find out the state of their immune system, know when to begin treatment for opportunistic infections, initiate antiretroviral therapy, and monitor the progression of the disease. “The Muse auto CD4 is designed for rapid, simple and accurate monitoring of T cells in adults and children. The low-cost system is designed to be easily portable and operational with

minimal training, making it the ideal solution for clinics serving patients living in remote areas”, he said. Unlike its competitors, Durbiano said the machine produces less waste because it uses minimum reagents, and produces very swift result. Clinical trials carried out at the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, under the leadership of Professor François-Xavier Mbopi-Keou of the Cameroon Ministry of Health, a Harvard University Fellow, proved that the product accurately monitored the progression of the virus. Explaining the results

of the clinical trials, Prof. Mbopi-Keou, said the Muse Auto CD4 was able to give accurate results in just three minutes and requires only one method for both adult and paediatric samples. President and CEO of Merck’s life science business, Udit Batra said through the launch of the Muse CD4/CD4% system, they are enabling health professionals in Nigeria to respond more effectively to the health care needs of their patients and make progress towards the treatment, cure, and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Peak launches low price packs to combat malnutrition FRANKA OSAKWE

any under-five children in Nigeria are severely malnourished and are at the risk of dying unless given urgent attention. In view of this, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, makers of Peak milk, says it has launched Peak Wazobia and a range of other low unit portion packs (LUPP) of Peak and Three Crowns evaporated and powdered milk. In a press statement issued in Lagos, the company’s Managing Director, Raul Colaco, said the initiative is aimed at managing

the growing incident of malnutrition through the increase in daily consumption of milk. “This pillar focuses on issues of malnutrition which is a growing national concern. We believe that with daily consumption of milk through increased accessibility of quality dairy nutrition, consumers will have the opportunity of getting up to 50 per cent of the nutrients that they require daily, which the body cannot make on its own”, he said. Despite its low prices, Colaco, says the small packs contain the same milk as the bigger packs and the same quality. “The idea is to make quality

milk accessible to all Nigerians. Whether you live in towns or villages, work in offices or study in schools, North, East or West, we all need complete and quality nutrition”, he added. Also, to mark its 60th anniversary, the company director said they have begun malnutrition intervention programs by providing milk to malnourished children in Internally Displaced Camps in Adamawa and other IDPs. In his presentation during the product launch, Professor of Community Health Nutrition and Nutrition Consultant, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho, Dr. Ebenezer Ojefitimi, said Nigerian chil-

dren are severely malnourished because they don’t drink enough milk. He said milk is a complete food because it contains all the necessary nutrients needed for development. “It provides high quality proteins and micro nutrients in an easily absorbed form. It contains Bcomplex vitamins which are important for clarity, as well as calcium which facilitate growth and height”, he said. According to Prof. Ojefitimi, taking diary and its products every day should be endorsed as an integral component of healthy living because they can assist us to achieve MDGs goal 4 and 5.

also preventable. He noted that although, the disease was not a respecter of person, age or any part of the body, women are at a higher risk of getting cancer, especially breast and cervical cancers. The radiotherapist listed factors that can trigger the disease to include hereditary, overweight, unhealthy diet with low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, sexually transmitted HPV-infections, alcohol use, intense heat, excessive air pollution and smoke from solid fuels, among others. “But all these are avoidable when we cultivate good diets and safe lifestyle. And since the disease develops gradually in the body, I will advise everyone especially from 40 years to always go for periodic medical check-ups as early detection is the best way to fight the disease,” he

said. He however revealed that most cases in LUTH are presented rather too late, mostly when sufferers had sought medical help at wrong places without solution, a condition, he said, which usually make the disease almost untreatable Speaking on how the disease can be prevented through good diets, Dr. Rashidat Ameen Mubarak, a nutritionist from Alliance in Motion Incorporation, said people should watch what they eat as not every food is safe for consumption. According to her, adult persons, especially from their 40s should avoid excessive intake of carbonated foods, especially juices, concoction, alcohol, red meat and so on but to take more of vegetables and natural fruits as well as water.

FG re-affirms commitment to combat Measles by 2020 ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

he Federal Government has re-affirmed its commitment towards eradication of measles in Nigeria by year 2020. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this statement in Abuja, recently, during the flag –off of National Measles follow–up campaign. The Hon. Minister pointed out that measles is rated among the top five causes of morbidity and mortality among children under-five in Nigeria, adding that in the year 2000, over 523,000 deaths were reported due to measles and the World Health Assembly declared that there was need for global efforts to be intensified to reduce these mortality figures in response to this challenge. Prof. Adewole emphasised that measles vaccination have played a key role in reducing child mortality and in achieving progress towards attainment of Millennium Development Goal 4. He also stressed that the 2015 National Measles Follow-up would be implemented in Northern Clusters from 21st -25th November 2015, while the Southern Clusters are scheduled to

take off from 28th January – 1st February 2016. He further disclosed that over 39 million children between 9-59 months of age would be targeted for 2015.. He informed that the campaign is supported by the Federal Government, Gavi and other developmental Partners. The Minister appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment for programmes in the Health sector. In his remark, the Hon. Minister, FCT, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, represented by the Acting Secretary of Health, FCT, Mrs. Odey Achu, said that the campaign is aimed at administering a booster dose to children already vaccinated and as an opportunity for reaching out to “missed children,” that is, children that ought to have been vaccinated in the earlier rounds. He added that this intervention had proved to be cost effective, of high impact and result-oriented, in respect of improving child health in FCT and the Nation at large. He pledged that FCT would support and collaborate with all relevant agencies and stakeholders in health sector towards eradication of Measles by the year 2020.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

easles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus. In 1980, before widespread vaccination, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year. The disease remains one of the leading causes of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. Approximately 114 900 people died from measles in 2014 – mostly children under the age of 5. Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the mucous membranes, then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals. Accelerated immunization activities have had a major impact on reducing measles deaths. During 2000-2014, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 17.1 million deaths. Global measles deaths have decreased by 79% from an estimated 546 800 in 2000 to 114 900 in 2014.

Signs and symptoms The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts 4 to 7 days. A runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage. After several days, a rash erupts, usually on the face and upper neck. Over about 3 days, the rash spreads, eventually reaching the hands and feet. The rash lasts for 5 to 6 days, and then fades. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus (within a range of 7 to 18 days). Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease. Complications are more common in children under the age of 5, or adults over the age of 20. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, ear infections, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases. In populations with high levels of malnutrition and a lack of adequate health care, up to 10% of measles cases result in death. Women infected while pregnant are also at risk

Facts you should know about Measles of severe complications and the pregnancy may end in miscarriage or preterm delivery. People who recover from measles are immune for the rest of their lives.

Who is at risk? Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including death. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at risk. Any non-immune person (who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected. Measles is still common in many developing countries – particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. The overwhelming majority (more than 95%) of measles deaths occur in countries with low per capita incomes and weak health infrastructures. Measles outbreaks can be particularly deadly in countries experiencing or recovering from a natural disaster or conflict. Damage to health infrastructure and health services interrupts routine immunization, and overcrowding in residential camps greatly increases the risk of infection.

Transmission The highly contagious virus is spread by coughing

Key facts •Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young chil-

dren even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available. •In 2014, there were 114 900 measles deaths globally – about 314 deaths every day or 13 deaths every hour. •Measles vaccination resulted in a 79% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2014 worldwide. •In 2014, about 85% of the world’s children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – up from 73% in 2000. •During 2000-2014, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 17.1 million deaths making measles vaccine one of the best buys in public health. and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours. It can be transmitted by an infected person from 4 days prior to the onset of the rash to 4 days after the rash erupts. Measles outbreaks can result in epidemics that cause many deaths, especially among young, malnourished children. In countries where measles has been largely eliminated, cases imported from other countries remain an important source of infection.

Treatment No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles virus. Severe complications

from measles can be avoided through supportive care that ensures good nutrition, adequate fluid intake and treatment of dehydration with WHO-recommended oral rehydration solution. This solution replaces fluids and other essential elements that are lost through diarrhoea or vomiting. Antibiotics should be prescribed to treat eye and ear infections, and pneumonia. All children in developing countries diagnosed with measles should receive two doses of vitamin A supplements, given 24 hours apart. This treatment restores low vitamin A levels during measles that occur even in well-nourished children and can help prevent eye damage and blindness. Vitamin A supplements have been shown to reduce the num-

ber of deaths from measles by 50%.

Prevention Routine measles vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with high case and death rates, are key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths. The measles vaccine has been in use for over 50 years. It is safe, effective and inexpensive. It costs approximately one US dollar to immunize a child against measles. The measles vaccine is often incorporated with rubella and/or mumps vaccines in countries where these illnesses are problems. It is equally effective in the single or combined form. Adding rubella to measles vaccine increases the cost only slightly, and allows for shared delivery and administration costs. In 2014, about 85% of the world’s children received 1 dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – up from 73% in 2000. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks, as about 15% of vaccinated children fail to develop immunity from the first dose.

Source: WHO

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge I have positive attitude towards everything –Osita Iheme

Challenges facing independent filmmakers

Optimising gains of Nollywood Health Convention After a successful Celebrity Walk to draw attention to the menace of diabetes, Nigerian entertainers are set for the next edition of the Nollywood Health Convention slated for December 14. Ngozi Emedolibe

o much has been done in Nigeria and elsewhere to draw attention to health issues through the agency of art. There have been films, stage plays and perhaps art exhibitions to sensitise the populace on issues of this nature. But the forthcoming Nollywood Health Convention will probably be the first unique platform for entertainers in Nigeria to discuss the health issues afflicting them. What however makes this important is the kind of anticipated partnership, the industry seems to have gotten from the Federal Ministry of Health, who, of course, needs these professionals to drive home some of the programmes they are involved in. Without doubt, this seems to be the right time for such, with all the ugly stories of ill health afflicting people in this sector of the economy. Although some successes have been recorded with the likes of OJB Jezreel, Ngozi Nwosu and Ifeanyi Dike, the industry has however lost the likes of James Iroha, Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa amongst others to such diseases often classified as ‘preventable’. This is perhaps why the proposed Nollywood Health Convention, being championed by a group of entertainers should be well-positioned to help artistes, manage their health challenges as well as help the health authorities highlight ways of preventing such diseases. While one of the coordinators, Obi Madubogwu, an actor and producer has highlighted that the event would avail the members of the industry drawn from movies, music and comedy the opportunity to interact and discuss the way forward in terms of health, there is great need that the various professionals who would gather at the Golden Tulip Hotel, in Lagos to teach these artistes should also harp on some basic health aspects, often ignored in the industry. For instance, it is on record that in spite of the importance of health insurance in the industry, the several unions in the entertainment industry have largely played down its importance. A few years ago, when the Actors Guild of Nigeria introduced the revalidation exercise which

At the Celebrity Walk against diabetes

was designed to re-register members of the guild at the cost of about N18000 (part of which was meant for insurance) a section of the guild bluntly saw it as exploitative. Aside the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN which has so far made an attempt to introduce this, other guilds in music, or comedy are still paying lip service to this laudable initiative. Yakubu Abubakar, national secretary of the AGN told Arts Lounge, that the leadership of the guild was concerned about insurance to prevent the recurring cases where artistes would get sick and resort to begging for assistance. “Although nobody is praying that it should befall one, health challenges are sometimes inevitable which was why the AGN embarked on the insurance policy that will benefit our members. The idea is essentially to stop resorting to begging when artistes get sick. That is why the insurance is very important to us. Even some of our members who were resisting the payment were not against the idea of insurance”. Will the issue of health insurance form part of the summit? Madubogwu says the convention will avail experts in health insurance the opportunity to meet and sell their ideas to the entertainers.

Madubogwu

“Insurance is part of the entertainment industry. An artiste is not only supposed to have insurance cover for his works but also for his health. At the convention we will have experts in this field who would equally come to speak about this and also present the packages that are suitable for people in our line of business.” Aside this, it is also pertinent that the panel also looks into the work schedule of the artistes. Although this particular issue has come up on various entertainment fora, little has been done in this aspect to address such situations, where actors are compelled to respect the contract in such a manner that also puts their health in danger. A case in question in the industry is the death of an actress Efe Mayford, some years ago. Late producer, Amaka Igwe, had previously called the attention of the Actors Guild in this regard particularly as it concerned, late actor, J.T Tom West. According to her, “When I heard that JT Tom West was involved in an accident, honestly the first thing that came to my mind was that this boy did not have any need being on the road by that time of the day. He was returning from a location at that hour of the day, and there should be checks, put in place to correct such

But the major event holds on December 13, 2015 at the Golden Tulip, Lagos. At the grand event, artistes will gather to perform. We also have comedians and actors on parade.

anomalies amongst the actors”. While so much has gone into preparing for this convention according to the organisers, some doctors told Arts Lounge that Nigerian artistes are as much predisposable to health challenges as any other Nigerian who subjects himself or herself to such risks. Kola Ogunbanwo, a doctor currently handling the case of an actor who is battling with diabetes told Arts Lounge, that it may be true that certain careers predispose someone to certain health challenges, but that people get such afflictions as a result of their genes and environment. “Yes, it is true that certain careers can predispose one to certain diseases, but a lot of diseases are influenced by one’s environment. My patient has diabetes, which is a combination of genes and life style.” How much has been put in place to make this event successful? Madubogwu, says so much is in the offing for the artistes who will be participating. “It is a unique event, currently in its fourth edition. As you know on November 14, there was a walk involving many celebrities. But the major event holds on December 13, 2015 at the Golden Tulip, Lagos. At the grand event, artistes will gather to perform. We also have comedians and actors on parade. The idea is to draw attention to our health as artistes while we work to entertain Nigerians.” Perhaps the most interesting part of the health convention is the fact that all the artistes who are working on the project are doing so, on humanitarian grounds.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Challenges facing independent filmmakers Elliot Grove

oming back from the Cannes Film Festival this spring I ran into two veteran British film producers who between them had produced nigh onto 60 features, been nominated for or won several Oscars and who by any standard are considered to be highly successful. They both were very negative about the future of the film industry and the prospects of making films like they had been over the past thirty years. ‘Independent Cinema’ is dead they argued. I beg to differ. No segment of the media industry has had as many changes since the Millennium as the film sector. Technology and film production has changed. Film distribution has changed. On top of that, rapid currency fluctuations have played havoc with film producers cash flow forecasts. Here are the seven basic challenges facing fimmakers since the Millennium, and what I believe to be a effective strategic position to take for success. 1. The digital revolution has flooded the marketplace Fact: Cheaper digital production methods have helped create more product than buyers. Strategy: Make certain your movie is genre specific. Genre is the only way that a film buyer and the marketing manager of a distribution company can quickly visualise the movie poster, trailer and marketing campaign. Never forget that distributors buy genre, not drama. 2. Online distribution is becoming commonplace Fact: On Valentine’s Day 2005 the cofounders of Youtube.com registered the name at www.whois.com. Youtube revolutionised film distribution and has changed the way consumers watch movies and television. The impact of illegal online distribution has also had the same impact on the film industry as it has the music industry. Strategy: Develop a hybrid distribution strategy that encompasses traditional cinema/DVD/television releases

Elliot Grove

with online distribution. 3. Hollywood is bankrupt of ideas Fact: The gaming industry has influenced story telling techniques and filmmaking techniques. These new storytelling techniques dominate. Strategy: Successful filmmakers are most likely artists who consider themselves visual storytellers using moving images to tell their stories. Incorporation of gaming techiques both in terms of storytelling and visualisation will make movies stronger. And what of apps? Where a new video

game can now cost $20m to develop and market, an app can be built for next to nothing. 4. Cinema distribution is still healthy but it is different somehow. Fact: Not only has image and sound capture been dramatised by advances in digital technology like DSLR, but cinema distribution has been affected too. Britain now has the world’s first fully digitised cinema chain – The Apollo Cinema. A digital screen does not need expensive 35mm film prints, films can be emailed to a cinema screen’s hard drive

No segment of the media industry has had as many changes since the Millennium as the film sector. Technology and film production has changed. Film distribution has changed. On top of that, rapid currency fluctuations have played havoc with film producers cash flow forecasts

Memorable Reads What book is your favourite? Telling what my favourite book of all times is very hard. I teach African literature a lot of the time and it is very hard for me to imagine teaching African literature without teaching Achebe’s ‘Things fall Apart’ and Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ I have taught and have read them over and over again and every time I see something new. They are favourites of mine that I read all the time. Who is your favourite author? Why choose?! My favourite authors are the writers, Soyinka, Achebe and J.P Clark. You know I have two children and I don’t choose among them and say this one here is my favourite and I don’t like the other one so much. What are the highpoints of the books?

Jonathan Hayes

Professor of African Literature

With Achebe’s book it is simply the totality of his intelligence. He understands his cultural practises deeply and really thinks about his themes in a simple and very clear way, but writes about them in a simple way. His art is an art that hides art in a sense, one doesn’t see what he does in the light of something difficult, but you try to do it and then you’ll discover that he is a genius. If you are to write a book now, what would be its theme? Well, I am writing a book now and it’s about Nollywood, mostly about the themes and genres in Nollywood. It is a project of mine. What’s your expenditure on books? Some hundreds of dollars. I am not sure of the exact amount.

and films can be scheduled easily with a click of a mouse. Cinema exhibition has also benefited from 3D technology. Like it or not, screens will be demanding 3D product. In America it is estimated that there will be an astonishing 25 million homes equipped with 3D TV screens by 2013. Television networks are struggling to find enough HD content for their HD channels, let alone their new 3D channels like Britain’s Sky 3D. Strategy: Successful filmmakers will learn how to communicate with television and cinema owners to deliver saleable content in the format which will deliver maximum revenue. 5. You can’t fund them like you used to Fact: The Euro economic malaise has translated into public sector budget cuts, dampening the political appetite for using public money to fund films. Strategy: Filmmaking should be commercially viable without the need for public funding, and film budgets need to stand the scrutiny of investors seeking cost-effective production, as well as a reasonable rate of return. 6. Producers struggle to get development funding Fact: Development funding is hard to get. Yet without proper development, movies will continue to suffer from weak storylines. Strategy: Until the script is fully developed, a movie should not be made. 7. Film producers don’t necessarily need to be involved with social media. Fact: Social media is here to stay and a strong social media strategy is something that is becoming an essential part of a film’s package. Paranormal Activity may have cost a mere $15,000 to make. What Paramount bought was not the film, but the social media strategy that the filmmaker Orin Pelli developed around his film. Strategy: The film industry will embrace any filmmaker, writer, director or producer who has a strong and clearly defined social media strategy. •Elliot Grove is Founder of Raindance Film Festival

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

I have positive attitude towards everything –Osita Iheme Osita Iheme, fondly called PawPaw made good his plan to become an actor with a lowly role in ‘Cold Blood’. How did he turn his diminutive nature to a virtue? Ngozi Emedolibe

nly a really close encounter can unfold the creative depth of Osita Iheme, fondly called Paw Paw, following his character in a 2003 home video, Aki na Ukwa. The actor who hails from Mbaitolu in Imo State could be summarised as a ‘great being that arrived in a small package’. But it has never deterred him, as he was cut out for stardom from the onset. “I do not consider my size as a disadvantage. I do not even remember it when I am dealing with people, so I have a positive mental attitude towards everything I want to do. I knew I wanted to be great and something always told me I would be a great man. In those days, I had it at the back of my mind that I would be a great man”, he says. The search for greatness brought him to the movie industry in 2000 when the opportunity to face the camera came in a movie, Cold Blood, being directed by Emma Ogugua, the current acting national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Though it made a crucial impact, it never landed him where he was aiming. It was a Herculean task but serendipity played a crucial role in launching him to stardom, when his paths crossed with Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) in a low budget movie, Aki na Ukwa being produced by Amayo Uzor Philips, one of the budding directors in Nollywood. It was a movie project no one believed in, nor cared to give a chance. Everyone involved in the project had something bigger he or she

was pursuing. But when Aki na Ukwa saw the light of the day after dragging for many months, it became a hit, selling hundreds of thousands of copies. It changed the course of history for both the producers and the lead actors- Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze. They instantly became celebrities and roles started coming their way. “So many producers commissioned writers to do scripts with us in mind. Because of the success of that movie a lot of producers, with the plans to replicate what happened in that movie besieged us with movie roles”, he says. “It has continued till today”. And since then it has been a steady rise to the top for Osita Iheme who was born in 1982, availing him one of the tightest schedules in the industry. However in spite of the tight schedule which involves moving from one location to another sometimes beyond the borders of Africa, Osita returned to school for a degree in Mass Communication which he obtained from the Enugu State University. “Education is the foundation of everything; it is the pillar of success. That is why I made efforts to complete my degree in spite of the very tight schedule. It was not easy to combine, but I am happy I did.” Of course, he must have been spurred by his partner, Chinedu Ikedieze, who graduated from the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu. While their partnership blossoms, it has been subjected to several half-truths. But the basic fact is that the duo has an enduring screen relationship that metamorphosed into a business partnership. How have they sustained this? “When they want to refer to Aki in my house, they call him my brother. That is also the way they see me in their house. We got so close that we have a lot of things in common, including the Aki and Paw Paw Foundation, which was set up to take care of children. We were also living in the same apartment until he decided to get married. May be

It is natural that when people do not have anything to say, they manufacture it MIDWEEK JUMP

Photography workshop in Lagos

ecently, a workshop organised by Philippines took place with Filipino photographers; the Hamburg-based photographer Thies Rätzke and Nigerian photographer Logo Oluwamuyiwa in attendance. The idea was to look at different urban environments in a similar social context – Manila and Lagos being two of the major megacities in the Global South. Goethe-Institut is organising another workshop which takes place today 27th of November 2015 in Lagos in with Rätzke; Manila-based photographer Miguel Sy and 6 participants. The workshop is organised in partnership with the Nlele Institute – Centre for African Photography at GoetheInstitut Nigeria Location Lagos City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island.

we would be living together had he not been married.” How does he see the rumours which have trailed them over the years? “Well it is natural that when people do not have anything to say, they manufacture it. They said we were having a beef because the government gave him an award before me, and that he married before me, all those things were fabricated. We are still as close as we have always been. And we still do a lot of things together.” His influence in the motion picture industry has not only earned him recognition all over the world but also a medal from the Federal Government of Nigeria, who in 2011 honoured him with Member of the Federal Republic, MFR. In 2007, he clinched the Special Life Achievement Award in African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA. His kinsmen from Mbaitolu, however took another bold step by bestowing a special recognition award on him, while they were celebrating their cultural day at the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Imo State. Iheme was honoured for his contributions in human development in Mbaitolu Local Government Area in the area of an annual quiz competition for all secondary school students of Mbaitolu origin aptly known as Osita Iheme Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools with the theme “Readers Are Leaders” with prizes which include laptops, educational materials and cash rewards. Another programme is the scholarship awards which he offers brilliant students to study in universities of their choice. The award by Mbaitolu Students Union also confered the patron status on the star actor. “It is a good thing to be so honoured by one’s people. I ask God to

grant me the ability to always affect my society”.

Thinking Tomorrow at Terra

anre Ajayi “Thinking Tomorrow” is a collection of art expressed in various media by contemporary Nigerian artists. The exhibition of these art works will hold on Thursday 28th of November 2015. The event opens at 4pm at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. It promises fun for art enthusiasts. v

Art Lounge

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Canongate acquires Atogun’s debut novel

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ibu, Bimbo Manuel headline NOPA 2015 Basirat Muhammed

Atogun

Wale Igbintade

anongate Books has acquired world rights in Taduno’s Song, a Kafkaesque Nigerian tale by debut novelist Odafe Atogun. Louisa Joyner, Editorial Director of Fiction at Canongate acquired the debut as part of a two book deal from Toby Mundy at Toby Mundy Associates. Canongate will publish in trade paperback in summer 2016. Taduno’s Song sees Atogun tackle major universal themes of resistance in the face of a dictatorship’s oppression, with a deceptively simple, gripping and haunting Kafkaesque narrative. In the background lie hints at the incredible life of Fela Kuti, human rights activ-

ist and Nigeria’s greatest singing superstar, who regularly clashed with the authoritarian Nigerian regimes of the 1970s and 1980s? The novel follows African singer Taduno, who returns from political exile to the country of his birth to find that the dictatorship’s efforts to erase all trace of him have been so successful that he has been entirely forgotten, even by his closest friends and neighbours. But one man remembers: the country’s dictator. And upon his return home Taduno discovers its leader has imprisoned the woman he loves and will murder her unless he performs in support of the regime. Taduno must make an impossible choice: fight the power or save the woman he loves.

Dejak, ‘BRF’ and Fashola

he artistic leaning of top artist Dejo Victor Akinlonu, massively referred to as Dejak in arts world, actually took a new dramatic dimension when in a moment of subtle feat years ago, predicted the next assignment for Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past Lagos State governor, now the new minister of Power, Works and Housing. The unsettling prophecy in art form titled: BRF (Boat Rowing Forward) meant to compliment Fashola’s campaign slogan for second term in office, may have been given various interpretations by political watchers and followers who strongly believe that the Slogan was just political. But to Artist Dejak in his interpretation, BRF was much more than his bid for second term in of-

Dejak

fice. This was actually revealed in a funny setting when his petition to Fashola over the need to provide light for Mobalaji Johnson way, came with the expected provision and unsolicited security on 24 hours basis which reallys curbed crime impressively by 150%. Fashola’s stunning provisions according to the overwhelmed Dejak, stamped rightly that BRF is bound to go beyond the expected frontiers. True to this belief, the recent appointment of BRF has confirmed Dejak’s divine artistic submission. It appears God wants a repeat of same scenario. But this time, not through artistic channel like in the case of Fashola. Rather, it is through Ambode’s sudden reenforcement of the lights on same Mobolaji Johnson way. Pretty moved by this kind gesture, Dejak predicted in his Ketu, Lagos stationed ultra modern arts bureau, Bezaleel Galleria with intimidating giants size carvings and monuments that Ambode’s pleasant surprise may likely be rewarded divinely later, backing his prophecy with the biblical quotation that those who are diligent in their work will not stand before mean men.

rganisers of the annual recognition award ceremony, Nollywood Outstanding personality Awards – NOPA has unveiled the winners of award this year. Headlining this year edition the eight in the series are top actors John Okafor, Mr. Ibu, Bimbo Manuel, Prolific writer, Mr. Tai Emeka Obasi amongst others. A release emanating from the Ikeja Project Secretariat and signed by Stanley Uche Okoronkwo, founder of Nollywood Outsanding Personality Awards, revealed’, As usual, the list of 2015 awardees is outstanding. It cuts across ethnic divides and political leanings in Nollywood it faces art and professionalism. Bimbo Manuel is an actor of no mean repute. He has made his mark

NOPA

in the make believe world. John Okafor rose through the ranks. From production manager to the celebrated actor he is today. Those behind the camera are not equally left out. Tai Emeka Obasi is an accomplished script writer he wrote some of the movies that put Nollywood on the map. Victor Okhai the proprietor of

international film and broadcast academy, another recipient is simply a maestro”. Stanley stated “former Minister of Information and Culture and chairman Board of Trustee, Association of Movie Journalists the principal partners of NOPA will be nn hand to once again ensure and excellent outing.

ANA gets new exco at Kaduna convention Isiguzo Destiny

igerian writers cannot be left out when the roll is called on people that have brought fame to Nigeria. Looking back into memory lane it was a Nigerian author, Wole Soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. It is also a Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe that put Nigerian Literature in the map of global envy by being one of the grand fathers in world Literature. However, Nigerian government

is yet to consolidate the good will, enviable fame and global footprints Nigerian writers have brought to the country for it is usually said that other kinds of assets can be bought but a writer cannot be purchased. As at today we cannot talk about global literature without naming at least three canonized Nigerian authors of global vestry. The result of the election was a big surprise as Denja Abdulahi, newly elected President, from Abuja defeated the promising BM Dzokogi from Niger by 155 to 90. Camilus Ukah, newly

elected Vice President defeated Ngozi Chuma-Udeh by 106 to131. Ofonime Inyang, newly elected General Secretary, defeated Tanko Okoduwa by 141 to 91. Alaska Ekele, newly elected Assistant Secretary defeated Greg Mbajiorgu by 138 to91. Hasia Muhammed, newly elected Treasurer, defeated Hussain Kodo by 147 to 61. Ikechi Owaibe, newly elected Financial Secretary, defeated Gloria Clement by 130 to 88. Yusuf Dingyadi, newly elected PRO North, defeated Abdulazeez Abdulazeez of Kano by 127 to 95.

OPU takes Yoruba culture to Gambia Ayo Esan

he determination of Oodua Progressive Union, OPU, being led by Otunba Gani Adams to rejuvenate, resuscitate and sustain Yoruba cultural tourism heritage among Africans in Diaspora is not only gaining global acceptance but spreading like a harmattan fire. Though OPU which has been launched in 62 countries, it add-

ed two other countries, Senegal and The Gambia to the stock of its influence from November 4 to 8, 2015, when the convener of Oodua Progressive Union, Otunba Adams led three traditional rulers, the Ajero of Ijero Kingdom kingdom, Oba Joseph Adewole, the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun and the Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Moronfoye Okunlola and other dignitaries among who are Captain Adetokunbo Adesina, Otunba Olufemi Davies, Fash-

lanso Yomi, Olajide Sanni, OPU Europe Secretary – General, MC Kirikiri, Alhaji Ibrahim Sokoto. Mr Babs Oguntade and OPC Deputy National Secretary, Mr Lasun Ogunfowokan. The bright day for the OPU delegates from Nigeria opened up at the Banjul International Airport on November 4 when the Yoruba in The Gambia organised a rousing welcome Yoruba cultural display for the guests. This spectacular cultural entertainment displayed by the Yoruba cultural group attracted other airport users and travellers by The shouts of Yoruba Nigeria Yoruba sons and daughters joined the group in dancing. The cultural tone set at the airport ruled the wave of activities of OPU delegates in the Gambia and this was exhibited at the Nigerian House, Gambia, where Otunba Adams and OPU delegates were hosted and received warmly by the staff of the Embassy.

Business

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Discos’ capacity to take power load from Gencos ‘ll boost electricity –Udo28

Oil marketers dare regulators, hike fuel price to N400 per litre

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ISO certification shows we control and reduce our impact on the environment –Total GM

World Bank unveils $16bn Africa Climate Business Plan Tola Akinmutimi

he World Bank Group yesterday unveiled a new plan that calls for $16 billion in funding to help African people and countries adapt to climate change and build up the continent’s resilience to climate shocks. The Plan, which is titled ‘Accelerating Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Development’, will be presented at COP21, the global climate talks in Paris, next Monday. It lays out measures to boost the resilience of the continent’s assets - its people, land, water, and cities - as well as other moves including boosting renewable energy and strengthening early warning systems. Commenting on the funding intervention, the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim noted that Sub-Saharan Africa remained highly vulnerable to climate shocks, which the Bank’s research shows could have far-ranging impact - on everything from child stunting and malaria to food price increases and droughts. “This plan identifies concrete steps that African governments can take to ensure that their countries will not lose hard-won gains in economic growth and

poverty reduction, and they can offer some protection from climate change.”, Kim said. The Plan states that at per current estimates, the region requires $5-10 billion per year to adapt to global warming of 2°C. The World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme estimate that the cost of managing climate resilience will continue to rise to $20-50 billion by mid-century, and closer to $100 billion in the event of a 4°C warming. Of the $16.1 billion that the ambitious plan proposes for

fast-tracking climate adaptation, some $5.7 billion is expected from the International Development Association (IDA), the arm of the World Bank Group that supports the poorest countries. This is even as about $2.2 billion is expected from various climate finance instruments, $2.0 billion from others in the development community, $3.5 billion from the private sector, and $0.7 billion from domestic sources, with an additional $2.0 billion needed to deliver on the plan. In his remarks, the Bank

Group Vice President for Africa, Makhtar Diop, said that the Plan spelt out a clear path to invest in the continent’s urgent climate needs and to fast-track the required climate finance to ensure millions of people are protected from sliding into extreme poverty. According to him, while adapting to climate change and mobilizing the necessary resources remain an enormous challenge, the Plan represents a critical opportunity to support a priority set of climate-resilient initiatives in Africa.

he Nigerian Navy has said that its inability to completely eradicate the increasing cases of oil theft, piracy, sea robbery and other criminal activities on the nation’s territorial waters was due to the gross dearth of required platforms and other logistics as well as the absence of research. Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I.E Ibass, said during the 2015 annual lecture and investiture award ceremony, that the problem of poor funding, which has led to lack of required platforms, research and development and absence of other logistics stall

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

Dana Air

L-R: Senior Brand Manager – Gulder, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Onyeka Okoli; winner of Gulder Ultimate Search 10, Dennis Okike; winner of a brand new Hyundai Elantra car, Esedi Joe David; Public Affairs Manager – East, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Patrick Ejidoh; Gulder Ultimate Search 8 winner, Christopher Okagbue and Brand Manager – Gulder, Nigerian Breweries Plc. Seun Lawal, at the presentation of the grand prize to the winner of the Onitsha leg of the Gulder Ultimate Chase at the Achebe Stadium, Onitsha at the weekend.

Paucity of fund stalls maritime environment FRANCIS EZEM

the agency’s efforts aimed at properly manning the nation’s large maritime space. Ibass, who expressed serious concern that Nigeria currently experiences some forms of insecurity in her maritime environment, also admitted that this has great potential of impacting negatively on economic development. According to him, principal among these forms of insecurity include; crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, hijack of ships, kidnapping, piracy and sea robbery, among others, which the agency has not been able to effectively curbed. The Naval chief also observed that the country has a coastline of

about 420 nautical miles stretching between its maritime boundaries with Republic of Benin to the West and Cameroun to the East and encloses an Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ extending up to 200 nautical miles (nm) from the coastline. This, it was further gathered, translates to a total sea area of about 84,000 square nautical miles over which Nigeria has sovereign rights to all living and non-living resources, in addition to Maritime Area of Interest, originating from the backwaters and encompassing the West African maritime environment to the outer limits of the Gulf of Guinea in Central Africa, which covers approximately

574,800 sq nautical miles. He however regretted that the current platform availability of the force was grossly inadequate to positively respond to present and emerging threats on the nation’s territorial waters. He said: ”The Nigerian Navy relies on NNS THUNDER Class of ships, the CAT Class ships and a gamut of boats, such as the 38m and OCEA boats for sustained operational deployment with attendant maintenance and logistics challenges. Also, increasing patrol requirements to check criminal activities such as sea robbery and crude oil theft in the backwaters have put a serious strain on the few operational boats.”

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 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Discos’ capacity to take power load from Dr. Victor Udo, is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Power Plc. Recently, the 190MW Ibom Power Plant obtained the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) licence for additional 685MW generation capacity. In this interview with CHIDI UGWU, he speaks on the importance of the licence to the operations of the company and its expansion plans, among other issues. Excerpts:

et me congratulate you on the new licence granted to your company for 685MW of electricity. How do you feel about this new achievement?

Thank you very much. First, let me thank His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for the opportunity he has given us to transform Ibom Power Company. We submitted the request for license expansion to NERC in December 2014. Today, we are delighted to receive the license expansion of our plant from 190MW to 685MW.This license expansion will allow Ibom Power to contribute significantly towards solving the national electricity problem. His Excellency’s administration seeks to make Akwa Ibom State a power exporting hub in the federation. Our immediate next steps will be to continue the site preparation for Phase 2 while aggressively pursuing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET). We will select the best of several investors; complete all other commercial agreements, EPC, O&M and commence procurements along with construction for the Udo project as soon as possible. We appreciate the role of NERC thus far. We thank the host community in Ikot Abasi Local Government area for the mutual coopera- tribution and we are committed to tion. We are grateful to the Akwa Ibom making sure we eradicate the issue of people and Nigeria as a whole for their PHEDC not taking load. Once we can deal with that, the Governor’s plan for support and understanding. our people to have steady power supply In the generation chain, there will be accomplished and sustained. are complaints about the Discos’ inability or refusal to pick up power allocated to them thereby making some plants run below capacity. Does this also impact on your business? Yes it does. For instance, when Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) takes load, we can generate between 110MW and 113MW but they are not taking load. Their excuse is that they are unable to collect revenue from the consumers. This impacts our business adversely because we are not being paid in full for the energy we generate. As a power generating company, we sell our output to NBET while the distribution companies buy from NBET. NBET is supposed to pay us but they don’t have the money to pay us because the distribution companies are not paying them. This is a major problem in the Nigerian power market. On the solution side, we have written to NERC. We proposed the development of a working agreement to ensure effective commercial and technical operations of the distribution assets in the State. The Governor is working hard to improve power dis-

The supply of gas is said to be the major problem of generation companies in the country. What strategies did you adopt that earned you the licence for additional power generation? Most people don’t know that gas is not a problem in Akwa Ibom State. The previous administration did something that I believe the Federal Government should have done. When gas was selling at 40 cents, former Akwa Ibom State Governor, now distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio paid for gas

at $2. Today, the value of that gas is about $3.30. That commitment encouraged Seven Energy to invest in the gas processing plant at Esit Eket LGA in the State with delivery infrastructure in Akwa Ibom and neighboring States. Gas is not an issue in Akwa Ibom State even though other parts of the country have challenges with gas. Therefore, when you hear people talk about “uncommon performer” or “superior performer” as the new administration is branded, it is because people have foresight. Our leaders have foresight. Godswill Akpabio had the foresight to make sure there was gas supply. Before then we depended on Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) based on what is called “best endeavor”. This means if they have gas, they give us, if they don’t supply gas, our plant will

In spite of the combined capacity of 35, 314MW on-grid, Nigeria’s most recent peak generation was

4,330MW which is only 12 per

cent of the combined capacity of

35,314MW thus far licensed by NERC

not operate. But we now have a gas supply contract that is called “take or pay” which is also a challenge. It means whether we use the gas or not, we have to pay for it. However, thank God we have gas. We have a pipeline and a gas processing plant that is supplying gas to us here in Ibom power. We are working on the challenges in the commercial aspect in collaboration with Seven Energy to reach a good mutually agreeable framework going forward. How does the improved power generation impact on business activities in Akwa Ibom? The impact is actually enormous. For instance, when we celebrated 114 days of our plant operation without forced outage, during the period, there was improved power supply across the State. However, shortly after, we lost a gear box which resulted in our plant being shut down for about three weeks. The impact was equally felt because there was a drastic reduction in power supply across the State. This implies that improvement in our plant power generation impacts business activities in Akwa Ibom positively. We are back on now; we have been running in the last 27 days and counting. At the event of receiving the new license, the Executive Governor of

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Gencos ‘ll boost electricity –Udo Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Udom hinted that the state will soon come back for an embedded generation license. Do you target specific areas with embedded generation license? The policy objective of His Excellency, the Executive Governor, is for the industrialization and sustainable development of our State. You cannot industrialize without power. Therefore, targeting specific areas with embedded generation is one for the ways we can fast track the industrialization of our State. If you recall, His Excellency mentioned that some specific locations have been mapped out as industrial estates to be established along coastal lines. It means the embedded generation will be targeted at those mapped out areas. The availability of gas supply to the power plants is a major factor to consider in determining the location. Thankfully, we have sufficient gas in Akwa Ibom State. I believe His Excellency’s intention is to ensure that this natural resource is harnessed and optimally utilized to generate sufficient power for the industrialization and sustainable development of our State. Evacuation of power generated has posed a challenge for the Gencos, how are you working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to ensure that the electricity generated by Ibom Power will be effectively evacuated? As His Excellency stated, we built the transmission line that links Ibom Power to the rest of the national grid at the cost of $22Million. Even though transmission is a Federal Government responsibility under TCN, we have fully commissioned the line to its 200MW capacity. We are expecting TCN to refund and take over the ownership of the line consistent with our National Energy Policy. This investment was necessary in order to evacuate Ibom Power output. It will be an effort in futility if we have sufficient power generation with no means of evacuating the energy we generate. More so, before now, TCN used to deploy staff from Calabar to fix faults on transmission lines. Due to the bad road, a fault that could be fixed within an hour or 2 will take a day or two because TCN does not have a work center in Akwa Ibom. I wasn’t happy with that so we pushed and they have sent 6 people. We gave them a vehicle and accommodation to make them stay in Akwa Ibom. Now, when we have any transmission failure or outage, the time and the duration will be reduced. We are also partnering with TCN in other transmission capacity enhancements across the State. NERC’s Commissioner, Legal and Licensing and Enforcement, Dr. Steven Andzenge said that the Commission had issued 126 licences with combined capacity for 35,

It is the distribution companies

that interface with the consumers. Therefore, they should introduce cost reflective tariffs. Once the tariff is right and the distribution companies collect the revenue they will be able to pay us 314mw of on-grid; 428.12mw offgrid and 298mw embedded power generations. Do you see Nigeria having problems with electricity supply if these licences are fully utilised? Of course not, Like I said earlier, we celebrated 114days of our plant operations without forced outage and it resulted in improved power supply across the State. It simply means, if all the power plants in the country can do the same - run for many days without outages, then the entire country will move towards what everybody has been dreaming of which is steady power supply. But it should be understood that having a license is just one of several processes before the generation capacity is made available to be utilized. For instance, in spite of the combined capacity of 35, 314MW on-grid, Nigeria’s most recent peak generation was 4,330MW which is only 12 per cent of the combined capacity of 35,314MW thus far licensed by NERC. More so, earlier in the year, NERC revoked some generation licenses that were ‘non-performing’. Nevertheless, the problem of electricity supply in Nigeria will be solved when the combined generation capacity is made available on the national grid to be utilized. Let us talk about lack of energy mix, electricity production in Nigeria over the last 40 years has varied from gas-fired, oil fired, hydroelectric power stations to coal-fired stations with hydroelectric power systems and gas fired systems taking precedence. Will you also consider diversification to renewable energy? Definitely! Recently, His Excellency did groundbreaking for a LED manufacturing plant at Itam. Both the developed and developing countries are beginning to adopt renewable energy sources in their energy mix. I did my Ph.D. dissertation on sustainable development. What I discovered from my research was that countries with higher sustainable development capacity had adopted the use of renewable energy sources like solar, hydro and other cleaner sources of energy. The adoption of renewable energy sources will not only contribute to our energy mix as a country but it will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. It will also help to preserve our planet by reducing global warming.

Poor maintenance planning is generally identified as one of problems of Nigeria’s infrastructural investments facilities, including power plants, what are you doing to ensure that Ibom Power is not affected adversely by this lingering problem? When His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel sent me to Ibom Power Company, to be the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, one of the things he asked me to do was to build capacity. Consistent with His Excellency’s directive, we instituted an apprenticeship and internship program where prospects are put through a rigorous interview process and the best candidates are selected to be trained. Today, I am very proud to tell Nigerians that the operation and maintenance of Ibom Power Plant is done by mostly Akwa Ibom people. Gone are the days when we used to depend solely on foreigners as technical advisers. When the so called ‘experts’ were here, the plant hardly ran for days or even a week without a forced outage. But Akwa Ibom people ran the plant for 114 days without forced outage. An accomplishment we are very proud of. We are not oblivious of how poor management of infrastructure can lead to decay overtime. This is the reason we continue to develop utility core

Udo

competency for the effective management and operations of our assets. We have built a capacity ‘pipeline’ such that if someone comes from Odukpani or Alaoji to hire one of our operators and they are willing to pay better, we encourage them to accept because we have a potential replacement. Some have argued that poor electricity pricing is also part of the generation problem. Do you agree with this view point and is there need for review of the pricing of the electricity in the country? Electricity pricing is critical to the success of power generating firms in the country.I believe this is part of the reason NERC is considering a review of the pricing by encouraging the distribution companies to set prudent tariffs. It is the distribution companies that interface with the consumers. Therefore, they should introduce cost reflective tariffs. Once the tariff is right and the distribution companies collect the revenue they will be able to pay us (generation companies) through NBET. Funding is also a problem in most investments in the country, and electricity generation is no doubt capital intensive. Do you have adequate funds to effectively run your plant? Akwa Ibom State Government has invested significantly in Ibom Power. In the past, the company used to depend on Government subventions for basic financial resources. However, we are proud to announce that in last one year under the current management, Ibom Power Company has not depended on Government support. We have repositioned the Company as an economic asset.

Business News

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fuel Scarcity: IPMAN orders non-stop fuel spensing nationwide

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has commenced dispensing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol 24 hours and seven days a week to end the recent fuel scarcity. President of Association, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, stated on Monday that the directive was part of IPMAN’s efforts to end the hardship of motorists and commuters in the country. Okoronkwo said: “After meeting with the officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other security operatives last week in Abuja, we agreed to commence dispensing across major cities 24/7 based on certain conditions. “The scarcity would soon end. NNPC management assured us of sufficient supplies. And based on the loading template we have started seeing the changes”, he added The IPMAN leader explained the directive affected members that operate within

the major cities in the country, even as he urged any marketer that has security problems while dispensing fuel to contact the security operatives or the IPMAN headquarters in Abuja or its zonal offices. Okoronkwo said some of the major challenges in the past were failure to adequately supply his members with enough fuel and some depot owners deliberately decide to deny his members products even though they have paid for it for a very long time. He said his members were law abiding and willing to assist the present administration to have smooth distribution of petroleum products across the country with over 20,000 outlets nationwide. The industry chieftain urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Department of Security Services (DSS) to improve their surveillances on the downstream market to forestall hoarding of fuel by marketers.

StarTimes unveils End-of-Year promo for subscribers

David Audu

igital TV service provider, StarTimes Nigeria, has launched a special year end offer that would allow many Nigerians recharge for content and get a decoder for free as well as get extra TV viewing time. The new offer which has already started remains valid while stock lasts and would be available for both digital terrestrial and digital satellite packages for both new and existing subscribers. The free decoders would come preloaded with exciting content on a bouquet desired by the customers, including basic, classic or unique on digital terrestrial or smart, super on digital satellite. Existing subscribers can also do an instant recharge for two months and get two months free access to watch sports plus worth N2,400. Marketing Director, StarTimes, Mr. Oludare Kafar, said the special offer is designed to give opportunities for more Nigerians to conve-

niently own a decoder, enjoy great entertainment with families and friends during the festive season and join the digital TV community in Nigeria as part of plans to guide the nation seamlessly into the digital TV switch over in 2017. “We appreciate the great opportunity that Christmas presents for family entertainment and celebrations and our desire is to create exciting moments for every family during this festive season with our array of over 100 great channels consisting of movies, series, sports, news, children’s programs, fashion and religion, said Kafar.” StarTimes recently appointed world football icon and superstar, Kanu Nwankwo, OON, as its new brand ambassador in Africa in a three year deal which covers the 12 markets where it currently operates. Kanu was joined by another celebrity and sports icon, Mr. Jonathan Akpoborie who was also appointed as sports programs strategist and celebrity guest analyst

L-R: Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; President/Chairman of Council of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN), Otunba(Mrs) ‘Debola Osibogun; Consul General of Germany, Mr. Ingo Herbert and GMD/ CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, at the 49th Annual Bankers Dinner, held in Lagos at the weekend.

CWG launches online marketplace Isaiah Erhiawarien

omputer Warehouse Group (CWG Plc) has launched an online market-place that aggregates products from different stores on Openshopen.ng for ease of navigation for buyers and to enhance sales of store owners. Chief Technology Officer, CWG Plc., Mr. James Agada, said that the creation of Openmall stems from the passion of the company to empower businesses in the country to reach their desired potentials saying that “At CWG Plc, our business is to make it easier for businesses to grow. We have created Openmall as an additional tool for them to succeed by creating a pool where buyers will see their products easily and buy them with ease. This is because exposure is crucial for sales. It is often said that you are wasting your time when you are winking at a girl in the dark.” Agada further said that people go to Amazon to buy things that they could equally get around, sometimes at a better quality or cheaper prices, and that they are forced to patronise these foreign stores because they cannot access local stores except they visit their physical location. He said that local businesses lose sizeable income that could have grown their capacities saying that with Openmall and Openshopen, this is about to change. Trade Fair Complex Association, the Public Relations officer, Mr. Onumba Arinze Benjamin, expressed delight in the pros-

pects Openmall offers business owners noting that Openshopen. ng is a good product that allows business owners have their own online stores at a very affordable cost. “At this time that our sales are affected by the emergence of many online platforms, it is good that Openmall is coming to us. Those of us that sell locally made world class products will find it most beneficial”, he said. The event featured a brief exposition on Openmall for the traders. It included a live demonstration of how buyers can use the platform as well as how the merchants can upload products on their online stores in simple steps. Business Development Manager, Openshopen.ng, Mr. Chidi Asiegbu said that the way businesses are conducted today has changed significantly recalling

that “the earlier every business owner realises this, the better. And, a ready-made solution is right here for you. With Openshopen, you can open an online store in 3 simple steps. Then, you can be able to sell to a lot more people in their homes and offices.” He said that Openshopen gives the user a wide customer base from one location, allows receipt of payment online or delivery if you choose saying that it has been made by taking care of the logistics in partnership with reliable logistics company. A merchant, Mr. Olisa Udezue said that Openshopen has improved his business experience explaining that Openshopen allows for nationwide visibility and improvement of sales margin saying, “If we don’t move in the direction the world is going, it will leave us behind.”

FAAN promises hitch-free air travels during yuletide

Olusegun Koiki

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has assured air travelers, airline operators and other players in the nation’s aviation industry of provision of necessary operational and security measures during the forthcoming yuletide holidays. A statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, hinted that apart from the statutory security and safety measures already put in place at the airports by the agency, members of the bomb detection unit of the Nigerian

police had also been deployed at the airport to compliment the effort of its Aviation Security, AVSEC, personnel at the security screening points. Dati declared that passenger facilitation at all the country’s airports had also been enhanced by the installation of more modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walkthrough detectors. He emphasised that the expansion and modernisation of all the airport terminals now

provided better ambience and more space for restaurants at the terminals, as well as newly opened duty free shops.

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Business News

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Aviation Minister seeks Yamoussoukro Decision’s implementation Olusegun Koiki

he Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has called on African governments and airline operators in the continent to take full advantage of the Yamoussoukro Decision, which encourages air transport connectivity in the continent. Sirika, who gave the charge at the 10th African Air Transport Safety and Security Summit held at the weekend in Accra, Ghana, reiterated that safe, secure and efficient customer focused air transport system remained the benefit of sound aviation worldwide and said Nigeria could not be an exception. The minister, who was represented by the Director of Safety in the Ministry, Captain Taba Alkali, pointed out that connectivity would play a critical role in the development of African economics, which could be achieved by implementing the ideas of Abuja declaration that set a target for African airlines to reach world class safety levels by 2015. He said: “Connectivity is vital for African growth and development, supporting about 6.9 million jobs and $80.5 billion in economic activity and I hope this will closely knit relationship with seamless connectivity between Nigeria and Ghana in the near future.” While recalling the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria to over several decades, which had led to the exchange of knowledge and friendship through many bilateral partnerships in the area of personnel training, expertise and information sharing, the minister charged airlines to live up to their responsibility of ensuring travellers confidence in the sector through

the service provided to the public. Noting that socio-political and cultural ties had been made possible and galvanised by a robust Bilateral Air services Agreement, BASA, Sirika explained that no less than three Nigerian airlines with the fourth commencing operations shortly,

business connections, leisure travelers and students between bother countries would be strengthened. He commended the Ghanaian Ministry of Transport and the professionalism of the highest standard exhibited by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority in allowing the implementation of

the Yamoussoukro decision between Nigerian and Ghana. He also noted that significant progress had been made in the Abuja Declaration with airlines meeting deadline, but stressed the need for synergy between government regulators and operators to ensure that goals were achieved.

reports of data breaches – such as the hacking of broadband provider TalkTalk last month – are becoming increasingly regular occurrences. Figures quoted by the UK government in September revealed that 74 per cent of small businesses, and 90 per cent of major businesses, had a cyber breach of security in the previous year2. While 36 per cent of respondents to the survey – conducted

at the Xchanging London Market Conference 2015 this month – said they ‘definitely’ have sufficient measures in place to withstand a major cyber-attack, 30 per cent felt they are only partially protected, 16 per cent said they are insufficiently protected, and 18 per cent were unsure. Adrian Guttridge, Executive Director of Xchanging Global Insurance Services, said: “The insurance industry is grappling

London Insurance firms underprepared for Cyber-Attack –Survey

changing plc, the business technology and services provider,on Monday revealed that only one-third of insurers in the London Market believes their firm could withstand a major cyber-attack, and almost half felt they were underprepared, according to a Survey1 conducted by the company. As holders of vast amounts of client data, insurers, like many other businesses, are vulnerable to attack by cyber criminals, and

L-R: PR and Communications Manager Arik Air, Mr. Adebanji Ola; second winner of ‪#‎ArikCares Gift Campaign, Mr. Olivier Fruit and Senior Cabin Crew member, Laura Nnamdi during the presentation of Lenovo laptop to Mr. Fruit in the #ArikCares reward campaign.

Globacom opens Kano outlet Isaiah Erhiawarien

lobacom has opened its customer service centre in Kano. The new Gloworld will offer services ranging from SIM replacement to resolution of recharge enquiries, sales of affordable and high-end phones, refill unblock, recovery of over-scratched cards, among other customer-related services. Speaking at the official commissioning of the outlet, the San Turakin of Kano, Aliyu Ado Bayero, commended next generation network for its commitment to excellent service delivery. He described Globacom as the pride of the nation and noted that the Board and Management of the company deserved praises for their efforts to ensure that telephone

Describing air transport as the most efficient and effective means of transportation for people and high value low volume goods for the West African continent, Sirika stressed the need for improved infrastructure, upgrade facilities and trained personnel to the highest level of proficiency and professionalism

services were made accessible and affordable to all Nigerians irrespective of social or economic status. The traditional ruler stated this at the company’s opening of another customer service centre, Gloworld, in Kano at the Ado Bayero Mall, Zoo Road, Kano. “Glo is not like any other telecoms company but a truly Nigerian company that continues to impact lives of Nigerians in many positive ways with its quality network, best tariffs, life-changing promotions and sponsorships,” Bayero said. The Gloworld Coordinator, Mr. Dele Uwefoh, disclosed at the commissioning that the company decided to open another retail outlet in Kano in order to further enrich the telephony experience of its customers in the state. “As you are well aware, our approach to customer service is one

that is always underpinned by innovation and total inclusiveness, which is why we are consistently seeking innovative channels to make available our bouquet of services to them’’, Uwefoh said. He explained that the location of the new outlet was strategic as it was one of the busiest locations in the city where diverse segments of its customers congregate. Uwefoh also assured Glo subscribers of the company’s commitment to excellent customer care services at the new office, adding that well-trained customer care staff would always be on ground to attend to customers’ needs. “We, therefore, encourage our current and potential customers to walk into our shop here to address any issue, ask questions, seek clarifications, or possibly offer advice on how best they want us to serve.”

with the extensive threat of cyberattacks from an underwriting and risk management perspective and, in the absence of enough meaningful data, modelling the risks involved remains a grave challenge. As custodians of vast amounts of data, insurers are also aware that they, too, are vulnerable to cyber breaches – and the reputational damage that this can cause.” Guttridge added: “The recent cyber-attack on TalkTalk is the latest in a lengthy list of high-profile hacks of personal data held by government and commercial organisations. “Insurance companies must take very seriously the extent of the risks they face and ensure their cyber security measures are constantly reviewed and updated. They should also be mindful that, in some areas, a collaborative, industry approach in which knowledge and skills are shared among peers, may be the most effective way to strengthen cyber defences.” Since becoming authorised by the UK’s National Cyber Security Programme’s Cyber Essentials scheme in February 2015, Xchanging has been sharing technological expertise with other companies to help them understand their exposure to common cyber threats.

Pool Re to boost terrorism retentions

ool Reinsurance Co. Ltd. announced Friday it will increase its retention loss for a terrorism event by £35 million ($53.3 million), taking effect at the start of next year. Since 2006, the Pool Re members’ retention loss had remained at £100 million ($152.4 million) for any one event. Jan. 1, 2016, the retention will increase to £135 million ($205.7 million) for any one event and will be capped at an annual aggregate of £270 million ($411.4 million) any year, a company statement said. The change is to assist in the return of a normalized U.K. terrorism insurance market, after recent events, Pool Re said in a statement. “Our continued goal is to reengage global capacity in the

provision of terrorism cover in Great Britain, said Steve Coates, chief underwriting officer for London-based Pool Re, in the statement. “This process started with the purchase of retrocession cover from global re-insurers in March this year, which saw significant aggregated cover provided in Great Britain for the first time since 1992. “Given the industry retention had been unaltered since 2006, there seemed to be scope to return more of the risk to the local market. We will continue to examine ways to secure more capacity from insurers and re-insurers, so as to increase scheme resilience and ensure that Pool Re only provides capacity that the market is unable to.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

NACCIMA rates Nigeria’s business climate harsh for enterprises ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Chief Bassey Edem has enumerated four factors as the major cog in the wheel of the Nigeria’s economy, which must be tackled headlong in order to reposition the economy on path of sustainable growth. In a paper titled “Overview of the Operating Economic and Business Environment and the Challenges of Communication” presented at the strategic public relations conference in Lagos, Edem said what constituted Nigeria’s business environment was the aggregate or sum total of the business environment of the constituent parts of the country. He rated the business climate poor on the four benchmarks for assessing business environment, namely: Infrastructure and Utilities such as power, roads, public transportation system, water and sanitation and social welfare; Regulatory Services such as property registration, tax administration, designation of industrial and enterprise zone, contract enforcement, justice sector delivery, business registration; Business Development Support which includes access to business finance, entrepreneurship promotion, support for industrial parks and security. According to him, economic environment entails those economic factors which have bearing on the functioning of a business environment, which could be divided into microeconomic environment that affect business decision making such as individual decisions on investments and consumers and the macroeconomic environment, which affect the entire economy and

Cocoa processing machine

all of its participants. He said that business environment on the other hand, entailed providing enabling conditions for effective, efficient and profitable enterprise development and it is the primary responsibility of governments at all levels to provide the much needed environment, saying that the quality of business environment is directly linked to the quality of governance. The industrialist however noted that a bad business environment has a negative impact on not just everyone, but on the business, Individuals, Communities and Groups. It increases poverty and reduces the nation’s global economic competitiveness. He said the ability to foster infrastructure development is best tackled at a strategic level from where the necessary energy to drive its implementation lies. Strategic planning combined with a strong political will requires the right procurement approach to achieve long term results. In the scenario just painted as he said, Public Private Partnerships would not only meet such goals but would have been found to accelerate them, noting that it was common knowledge that PPP allowed governments to free up fiscal funds for use in other pressing areas. The NACCIMA chief noted that Nigeria was facing acute shortage of infrastructure, which constituted a negative impact on development and empowerment of the country and her people. He noted that all over the world, infrastructural development is the engine that drives the economic and technological growth in all ramifications. On the regulation as it affect the economy, Edem said that governments created the rules and frameworks in which businesses are able to compete against each other. From time to time

the government will change these rules and frameworks forcing businesses to change the way they operate. That goes to amplify the correlations of how businesses are keenly affected by government policies. “A regulation is supposed to effect some improvements on businesses and job creation and with a resultant increase in the standard of living. Regulation should seek to make such improvement by changing individuals or organizational behavior in ways that generate positive impacts in terms of solving societal and economic problems including the macroeconomic challenges posed by unemployment. “It should gear towards achieving positive results, improved conditions and a more robust operating capacity for optimal productivity, increased revenues and higher performance through cost minimization, expansion, improved technology as well as quality human capital. “However, government regulations which most times are inconsistent, have been the banes of business growth in Nigeria as a result of several factors which stem from taxes to the multiplicity enforcers from different arm of Government, thus negating the concept of government as consistent with the idea of free enterprise,” he said. The NACCIMA Boss observed that business development support in Nigeria was not where it should be considering the number of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, which

Minister of Industry, Okechukwu Enelamah

would have gone beyond their current level if the country has a good support system. He also said that the security environment within a polity has a great effect on the returns on Investment, saying insecurity discourages business investment as it makes investment unattractive to investors. While emphasizing the role of communication in the business environment, Edem said that businesses actually require more frequent communication. He explained that communicating openly and effectively even during extremely challenging times could help build trust, teamwork and cooperation among business owners and help to maintain the value of a business’ brand.

SERAs 2015 Awards: investors charged on CSR ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

nvestors and corporate organizations in the country have been charged to intensify their corporate social responsibility as way to contribute their quotas to the development of the nation’s economy of the nation. Giving the charge during the SERAs 2015 Awards to the outstanding investors and business owners in Lagos during the weekend, one of the award presenters and Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, admonished the award winning companies to give more back to their communities in terms of scholarship to the indigent students, provision of social amenities, as well as job creation, while charging other companies to imbibe the same responsibility. Henshaw pointed out that doing sowould go a long way in the promotion of education, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, health intervention and others.

She also appealed to them to support and encourage small scale enterprises, SMEs, among the youths, adding that the investors in all sectors should embark and promote economic diversification through agriculture as it stood as the major avenue through which the economy could be diversified. Meanwhile, the SERAS Awards founder, Ken Egbas, said that the awards were to encourage the investors to do more in the aspect of corporate social responsibility being one of the major factors contributing to the development of both economy and humanity. He recalled that since 2007 when the awards began to date, the firm has registered 569 applications from 92 organisations (82 of them would rate among Nigeria’s largest 100) from 13 different sectors of the Nigerian economy, adding that the journey of tracking and assessing the impacts of organisations in Nigeria has taken it to over 210 communities situated across all the geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Baker Hughes reports drop in oil exploration 35

NLC tasks FG on fuel scarcity 36

ISO certification shows we control and reduce our impact on the environment –Total 34

Oil marketers dare regulators, hike fuel price to N400 per litre The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, had threatened to shut filling stations that sell above the Federal Government N87 per liter regulated price. But UDEME AKPAN reports that oil marketers still sell the product in excess of N400 per litre in many states, including Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa and Delta.

here are strong indications that the nation’s fuel scarcity will not be eliminated in the next few days for reasons. First, the oil marketers have dared the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR that had threatened to shut filling stations that fail to sell the product to motorists and other users. Second, a survey showed that many stations that have commercial stocks of the product use only one pump to sell to consumers, thus culminating in long queues. Third, there were also massive diversions of fuel from the depots and jetties to illegal locations, including the borders as operators continue to exploit the people. More than that, it was learnt that some operators, especially tanker drivers have left their duty posts in order to take part in many weekend activities. This means that the operators in many sectors of the nation’s economy may still have to encounter dificulties in sourcing the product this week. It also means that prices which have risen from about N200 to N400 per liter in some States may hit the roofs in the coming days, especially as the DPR has not yet demonstrated adequate capacity to tackle the excesses of the major and independent marketers in all parts of the nation. The agency seems to lack the human capital and equipment to monitor and sanction culprits. For instance, the presence of DPR was noticed in all the filling stations visited in Lagos and Abuja over the weekend. Already, investigations showed the situation has worsened in the riverine areas because of the dificulty associated with fuel distribtion. Take Bayelsa State as an example. Motorists and other users of petrol did not see the product to buy. Where the product was available, it was gathered that marketers charged as high as N600 per liter. Before the present scarcity, motorists used to pay over N100 per liter. Despite its status as an oil and gas producing state, residents in Bayelsa State had paid as much as N111 per liter of petrol in October, this year. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS which indicated in its October,

2015 report did not provide reasons for the development. But investigations showed that despite its proximity to two refineries in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, most consumers have no access to filling stations because of the ‘riverine’ nature of the State. It was learnt that it is difficult for marketers and others to supply fuel to communities in coastal and swampy areas of the state. The Executive Secretary of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMA, Mr. Olufemi Adewole maintained that Bayelsa state does not have many filling stations like some other state capitals in the nation. In the past eight months, Bayelsa residents paid N109.83, N103.40, N101.33, N108.50, N108.50, N155.00, N152.86, N132.43, N119.83 and N111.00 per liter in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October, this year. The NBS also identified Abuja as another place where residents paid N97.00, N89.50, N97.75, N93.60, N97.75, N97.20, N94.00, N94.60, N92.60, and N108.20 per liter in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October, this year. The report indicated Cross River as the third State with high fuel prices, residents having paid N114.40, N98.09, N117.91, N117.00, N123.78, N117.70, N118.40, N97.32, N99.00 and N105.80 per liter in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, ,August, September and October, this year. The NBS report further placed Taraba as another State with high petrol prices, as residents paid N126.75, N113.78, N112.86, N132.86, N129.23, N118.33, N130.00, N112.13, N124.63 and N104.57 per liter in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, ,August, September and October, 2015. It also identified Nassarawa as the next State with high fuel prices, residents having paid N105.50, N90.83, N116.50, N105.56, N126.67, N 26.08, N110.57, N103.8, N94.20 and N102.50 per liter in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, ,August, September and October, this year. According to the report, Kebbi followed

closely as residents paid N117.83, N112.11, N116.14, N117.91, N121.85, N115.91, N111.63, N105.21, N93.33 and N100.24 per liter in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October, 2015. The report identified Rivers as the next State with high fuel prices because residents paid N96.89, N90.29, N98.50, N98.71, N100.33, N110.57, N113.38, N99.71, N102.80 and N100.14 per liter respectively during the period. According to the report, Rivers is followed by Yobe State where residents paid N122.20, N104.86, N122.50, N122.50, N132.67, N115.14, N120.50, N119.63, N119.78 and N98.13 per liter in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October, 2015. The report also noted that marketers sold the product at the N87 per liter government regulated price in some States, including Adamawa, Delta, Ekiti and Katsina, probably because of easy access to fuel and other factors. However, the curent scarcity has attracted the comments of some stakeholders. For instance the NNPC, which is the only consistent importer and operator of the nation’s four refineries, had announced the supply of commercial fuel to the domestic market. The Corporation assured that it has enough volume of petrol in stock to satisfy the nation’s domestic consumption requirement, noting that the prevailing fuel queues in some major cities across the country have nothing to do with the lack of supply of petroleum products. The Executive Director, Commercial of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, Mr. Justine Ezeala, indicated that a projected volume of 1.4 billion litres of petrol are available for distribution to fuel

stations across the country all through the month of November. Ezeala maintained that as part of the extra measure in place to tackle the artificially induced queues, PPMC has increased the volume of petrol being trucked out to fuel stations across major cities in the country, adding that most of the 37 NNPC Retail Mega Stations across the country have been directed to commence 24-hour service. “NNPC Retail has 513 retail outlets all over the country and the strategy is that every one of these stations is designed to have products at all times. In addition we have decided that most of the mega stations will adopt 24 hours operation model and where for security reasons that cannot be met, we are going to have extended hours of operation in such location starting from 5am and end till about 10 pm daily,” he said. The Corporation indicated that it has opened up some hotlines to enable members of the public provide useful feedback and intelligence on the operations of Mega and affiliate filling stations across the country. He urged members of the public to provide useful information to assist the Corporation achieve its mandate and responsibility to the fuel consumers. However, the National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi maintained that the nation needs to look beyond fuel importation. Obasi called said that urgent steps should be taken to construct new refineries in the nation. He indicated that this becomes imperative as consumers are not interested in ‘long stories’, but adequate supplies of fuel at affordable prices.

Energy Week

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ISO certification shows we control and reduce our impact on the environment –Total GM

Total Nigeria Plc recently became the first Nigerian marketing entity to get its stations certified to ISO 14001: 2004 Standard by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). The company’s General Manager, Health, Safety, Environment and Quality, MR RABIU ABDULMUTALIB, speaks on what the feat means for the oil marketing company and its continued commitment to global best practices in all aspects of its operations, amongst other issues. Tola Akinmutimi captures his views:

ould you mention some of your newly ISO certified service stations in the country?

of our environmental performance based on the fulfillment of the ISO 14001:2004 Standard requirements.

TOTAL Service Station, Western Avenue and the first solar powered station in West Africa, Total Service Station, Onigbagbo are the first two service stations in Nigeria certified to ISO 14001: 2004 Standard by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Why does Total consistently comply with international environmental safety standards? As a major player in the global energy industry, it is pertinent for us to conduct our business in such a manner that is safe for our employees, neighbours, stakeholders and the environment at large. We always strive to adopt the most stringent and effective environmental standards to assure our operations against potential environmental risks associated with our activities. Commitment to our Health, Safety, Environment & Quality policy requires us to comply with applicable local and international HSEQ regulations. As such we are able to align our best-practices with statutory requirements for better HSEQ performance. Furthermore, as an ISO 14001 Certified Organization, we believe in the principle of continual improvement. We therefore always assess our processes for opportunities for improvement with the aim of raising the standards to current state-of the-art practices as a demonstration of our commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. We achieve these high performance standards by adhering to specified requirements documented in our HSEQ policy namely, Systematic analysis of the impact of our activities on the environment and our neighboring communities and adoption and application of sustainable solutions; Establishing & Documenting relevant Health, Safety, Environment & Quality procedures; regular review of their effectiveness and involvement of operators in doing so; and Training of employees, Service station staff, Drivers, Transporters and customers on health, safety, environment and quality standards. Others are, Carrying out health, safety, environment, and quality audits at all our facilities with proper corrective actions taken to close identified gaps; and Evaluating environmental performance and taking appropriate actions to continually improve performance.

So what does it mean to be ISO certified? As human beings, we all have an impact on the environment day-to-day. For example, the use of cars and other public means of transportation impact the environment through GHG, that is, Green House Gas emissions. Also, the act of cooking and consumption of sundry household items results in municipal waste generation. This may end up in landfills with potential land pollution and other ecological impacts as a consequence if not controlled. In like manner, every business entity or organization interacts with the environment and such interaction could have either positive or negative impacts on it. The nature of the impact will depend on the availability or absence of a structured approach to managing identified significant environmental impacts. Organizations could sometimes embark on diverse programmes and activities to minimize environmental impacts but without a duly planned structured approach and sustainable framework. Such actions may not assure relevant stakeholders and the society at large that the organization has reliable mechanisms or a credible system in place to monitor and control the environmental aspects of its operations and the undesirable impacts it has on the environment. Simply put, an EMS (Environmental Management System) such as the ISO 14001 requires organizations and individuals working for or with companies to control their activities so that identified environmental impacts are minimized. The ISO 14001 Certification provides a structured framework with which an organization can identify, manage, and improve its environmental performance so as to minimize its significant impacts on the environment. Effectively, by being ISO 14001:2004 certified, it means we at Total can affirm that we control and continually reduce our impact on the environment. This we achieve through structured framework and processes that allow for review and continual improvement

How does an organization attain ISO certification? The ISO 14001:2004 is attainable by following a series of steps and carrying out some activities as specified in the ISO 14001: 2004 standard. The ISO 14001 Standard recommends a process approach to be adopted in

setting up an effective environmental management system based on the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) principle. The first step to take is to conduct an Initial Review and Gap analysis. This is because before an organisation can plan for an improvement of the environmental performance, knowledge of the current state of the facilities’ environmental program/performance must first be determined. Each requirement of the ISO 14001: 2004 standard such as environmental policy, legal requirements, training, objectives and targets, operational control systems, auditing, corrective actions, management review etc, is reviewed to determine the extent of the company’s compliance to the ISO 14001 requirements while identifying the existing gaps to be filled. The Gap analysis document details areas where existing environmental management procedures and practices should be further improved based on noted deviations from the ISO 14001 Standard. An Environmental Policy document is then established by Top Management and endorsed by the Managing Director. This document sets the framework on which all other elements of the Environmental Management System will depend. Subsequently, the organisation needs to identify its Environmental aspects which may result in significant environmental impacts due to its activities. The relevant Legal and other requirements pertaining to the organizations’ activities are identified, documented and compared with the organization’s current status in order to ensure regulatory compliance by closing identified gaps. Furthermore, Environmental Objectives are established as targets against which the company’s performance will be monitored and measured for continual improvement via internal and external environmental management system audits. After the operations earlier mentioned, a 3rd party registrar such as Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) is contacted to assess the conformity of the organization’s facility to the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard. The 3rd party registrar carries out a Documentation audit/Stage 1 assessment using competent auditors. If the organization

passes the audit, a Stage 2 assessment audit will be carried out on a mutually agreed date. Identified observations and opportunities for improvement by the registrar in the course of the Stage 2 audit will be closed by the organization by taking effective corrective actions. The registrar verifies that the corrective actions taken are effective after which a decision to certify the requesting organization is taken. To ensure that the standard is maintained and the environmental management system is run effectively, a surveillance audit of the certified facility will be carried out by the registrar periodically. What are the benefits of these certifications to Total? In addition to improved environmental performance, the potential benefits associated with ISO 14001 Certification include conserving energy, reducing incidents that may result in liability due to better operational controls, facilitating the attainment of permits and authorizations; and meeting their requirements due to improved compliance monitoring systems. It also helps the promotion of environmental awareness amongst staff, suppliers, contractors and all persons working for or on behalf of Total, and also enhances brand image and equity. What are the benefits of these certifications to customers? Our customers are assured of our commitment to demonstrable environmental management and sustained environmental performance. Through their continued patronage of our products and services, they are partnering with us to make energy better for the Nigerian society whilst protecting the environment. Does Total plan to get its other service stations certified? Yes, our long term plan is to expand the scope of stations certified to the ISO14001 standard every two years. This illustrates our commitment to improved environmental performance. We are focused on building consumer trust and satisfaction now and in the future.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Baker Hughes reports drop in oil exploration STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

he prolonged lull in the global oil market has discouraged in oil exploration and production around the world. Baker Hughes Incorporated has indicated that the international rig count for October 2015 was 1,111, down 29 from the 1,140 counted in September 2015, and down 197 from the 1,308 counted in October 2014. The international offshore rig count for October 2015 was 270, up 2 from the 268 counted in September 2015, and down 56 from the 326 counted in October 2014. The average U.S. rig count for October 2015 was 791, down 57 from the 848 counted in September 2015, and down 1,134 from the 1,925 counted in October 2014. The average Canadian rig count for October 2015 was 184, up 1 from the 183 counted in September 2015, and down 240 from the 424 counted in October 2014. The worldwide rig count for October 2015 was 2,086, down 85 from the 2,171 counted in September 2015, and down 1,571 from the 3,657 counted in October 2014. The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the United States, Canada and international markets. Baker Hughes has issued the rotary

Oil rig

rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of US and Canadian drilling activity. Baker Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975. North American rig count data is scheduled to be released at noon central time on the last working day of each week. The international rig count is scheduled to be released on the 5th working day of the month at 5:00 a.m. central time. Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. The company’s 46,000 employees to-

day work in more than 80 countries helping customers find, evaluate, drill, produce, transport and process hydrocarbon resources. Meanwhile, the price of organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes stood at $38.52 per barrel on Thursday, compared with $38.04 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

OPEC won’t allow a price war – Venezuelan minister

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC cannot allow an oil price war and must take action to stabilise the crude market soon, Venezuelan oil minister Eulogio del Pino has said. “OPEC has to do something very soon ... We don’t agree with the position that says the market some way is going to dictate the price of crude oil. We don’t agree with that position of Saudi Arabia,” del

Pino said on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Tehran. “Iran is announcing its production is going to increase as soon as they lift the sanctions and we need to do something. We (OPEC) cannot allow going into a war of prices. We need to stabilise the market.” When asked how low oil prices could go in 2016 if OPEC doesn’t change its

Oil pipeline

policy, he said: “Mid-20s.” Del Pino also said Russia will not attend an informal OPEC meeting on Dec. 3. Venezuela had made a proposal in Vienna on Oct. 21 about an equilibrium price that could stabilise the market, del Pino said, repeating that the equilibrium price where future investments can continue to replace a natural decline in production is at the level of $88. He said low oil prices will affect future oil investments which could mean not meeting future demand growth for oil and that could lead to a spike in prices later. “And we don’t want that kind of cycle of low price and high price, it is not good for consumers or producers. We need to send to the market a signal of stabilisation, and that signal of stabilisation is not what we are doing now.... We are destroying the price of crude oil. The speculative market is the one that is controlling the market,” he added. He observed that oil prices may drop to as low as the mid-$20s a barrel unless OPEC takes action to stabilize the mar-

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

41.39

-0.51

-1.22%

08:54:56

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

44.48

-0.18

-0.40%

08:55:12

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

34,490.00

+480.00

+1.41%

2015-11-21

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.17

+0.02

+1.12%

08:54:56

Source: Bloomberg as at November 16, 2015

ket. Venezuela has urged the cartel to adopt an “equilibrium price” that covers the cost of new investment in production capacity, Del Pino told reporters Sunday in Tehran. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are considering his country’s proposal for an equilibrium price at $88 a barrel, he said. OPEC ministers plan to meet on Dec. 4 to assess the producer group’s output policy amid a global supply glut that has pushed down crude prices by 44 percent in the last 12 months. OPEC supplies about 40 percent of the world’s production and has exceeded its official output ceiling of 30 million barrels a day for 17 months as it defends its share of the market. “We cannot allow that the market continue controlling the price,” Del Pino said. “The principles of OPEC were to act on the price of the crude oil, and we need to go back to the principles of OPEC.” OPEC ministers will meet informally on Dec. 3 in Vienna, a day before the group’s formal session, he said.

Energy Week

Amadi refutes corruption allegations against NERC, UDEME AKPAN

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has indicated that it operations remained corruption-free contrary to speculation in some quarters. The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi indicated in a statement that over the past few weeks, the Commission had come under serious attack by an alliance of internal and external forces that aimed at damaging the reputation and credibility of the present management. He said the attacks were worrisome because it followed the pattern of similar attack in 2008, close to the end of the tenure of the pioneer commissioners when a few insiders jostling to take over the leadership of the Commission contrived corruption charges against the pioneer commissioners and engineered their illegal removal and wrongful prosecution. Amadi maintained that these series of attack are components of a well-designed strategy to discredit the management of NERC on behalf of operatives who are pursuing a political agenda similar to the one of 2008. “Because we are proud of our legacy of transparency, openness, due process and prudent management at NERC, we want to openly refute these falsehoods with evidence real evidence. That throughout the almost 5 years of our tenure we have not made any approval for any increase in our remuneration that is not as provided for in the law or based on precedent we meet in the commission.” “That as regards the severance package for staff and commissioners, we are ONLY implementing payment structure that we inherited or now mandated by law. As at the time we resumed as commissioners, the existing handbook provided for severance benefit at a minimum of 100% of gross emolument, which is also in line with the Pension Reform Act It is the same payment structure that was used by Federal Government to pay the commissioners before us. The payment structure we inherited and is now being implemented is 100% LEGAL and LAWFUL.” “It is an compliance with the Pension Act. Furthermore, it is in agreement with practices of similar regulatory agencies internationally and locally like the CBN and the NCC. NERC commissioners do not receive any payment that staff do not receive. Our severance is the same as the staff. It is as provided for in the Pension Act. The commissioners receive the same payments as staff and in the same percentage. I repeat, we have not provided any special perk for ourselves. We earn like all other employees of NERC,” he added.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NLC tasks FG on fuel scarcity UDEME AKPAN

he Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has tasked the Federal Government to tackle the nation’s fuel scarcity in order to end its negative impact on the masses. The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, noted that it was unfortunate that the people experience untold suffering and hardship looking for fuel in the past few weeks. “NLC is outraged by continuing fuel scarcity resulting in skyrocketing prices and long queues at filling stations in different parts of the country. It is unfortunate that the situation has not improved after more than 72 hours assurances from government and its regulatory agencies that the situation will improve, and that Nigerians need not to go into panic buying. “It is unacceptable to us that Nigerians are being forced to cough out between N150 – N300 per litre for fuel instead of the official price of N87 per litre. This to us showed a clear determination by some unpatriotic operators in the petroleum industry to circumvent government regulation through blackmail

and other unorthodox methods,” Wabba said. He pointed out that it was unacceptable that Nigerians were being forced to go through perennial fuel shortage hardship especially towards the end of every year, he indicated. While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for opposing removal of subsidy, the NLC leader believed the ongoing fuel scarcity was a deliberate strategy by the cabal in the oil industry to force the hands of government to remove subsidy and thereby work against the interest of the masses. He also charged the government, through the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to impose sanctions on hoarders of fuel. Wabba said the NLC was prepared to partner with relevant agencies to enforce the official N87 per litre price. The Executive Director, Commercial of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, Mr. Justine Ezeala, indicated that a projected volume of 1.4 billion litres of petrol are available for distribution to fuel stations across the country all

Fuel scarcity

through the month of November. Ezeala maintained that as part of the extra measure in place to tackle the artificially induced queues, PPMC has increased the volume of petrol being trucked out to fuel stations across major cities in the country, adding that most of the 37 NNPC Retail Mega Stations across the country have been directed to commence 24-hour service. “NNPC Retail has 513 retail outlets all over the country and the strategy is that every one of these stations is designed to have products at all times. In addition we have decided that most of the mega stations will adopt 24 hours operation model and

where for security reasons that cannot be met, we are going to have extended hours of operation in such location starting from 5am and end till about 10 p.m daily,” he said. Explaining further, Mr. Oladipo Fagbola who is in charge of its retail business remarked that in addition to the commencement of the 24-hour service, the company has opened up some hotlines to enable members of the public provide useful feedback and intelligence on the operations of Mega and affiliate filling stations across the country. He urged members of the public to provide useful information to assist the Corporation achieve its mandate and responsibility to the fuel consumers.

NEITI to prioritise solid minerals devt CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) is to place priority on providing information and data required for exploitation of the huge potentials in the Solid Minerals Sector just as it had done for the oil and gas industry. A statement signed by Obiageli Onuorah for the Director, Communications, the agency noted that it will keep eyes on the reforms in the oil and gas sector, the priority attention of NEITI now will focus more on the solid minerals industry”. The Acting Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji gave the assurance in Abuja while addressing this year’s conference on with the theme ‘Unlocking the hidden potentials in the extractive industries’ organized by the CSR-in Action, a Lagos based non-governmental organization.

Orji

Dr Orji explained that from the scoping study conducted by NEITI and the independent audit reports so far conducted, the government and investors have reliable base line information to use to develop the sector.“ NEITI will embark on a massive public education, enlightenment campaigns and advocacy. The goal of the campaign is to put the findings and recommendations of the NEITI Audit reports on the solid minerals industry firmly in the public domain and consciousness. NEITI is also to champion the campaign for integration of artisanal and small scale miners into government comprehensive plans to reform the sector”. Dr. Orji added that the people that currently operate illegally in the sector can be brought fully into the fold with good education, training, and confidence building initiatives that exposes them to the government guidelines and the benefits of legitimate business. One way to achieve this is to ensure that illegal miners are organized into cooperatives and the creation of buying markets for the minerals, thereby eliminating middlemen and channeling resources directly to the government. . According to Dr Orji, other recommendations contained in the NEITI Audit reports for the Solid Minerals sector includes the issue of the review of the tax laws to reflect current realities and in line with global pricing of minerals and precious metals. He called on the Conference to help push the boundaries of debate on the way forward for the Solid Minerals industry. “NEITI remain optimistic that if and when Nigeria pays

attention to the Solid Minerals Sector, our liberation from resource curse will be in sight”. Dr Orji used the forum to express delight that NEITI’s bold and courageous disclosures on the malfeasance and massive corruption in the oil and gas industry in the past have resulted in the on-going positive reforms by the Buhari Administration. He identified reforms recommended by NEITI that are being implemented to include the restructuring of the NNPC, review of oil swap, offshore processing agreements and the fuel subsidy managements. Others include the review of all expired MoUs and legal agreements between Nigeria and oil companies, the directive on the remittances of NLNG dividend to the federation account and the restructuring of the joint venture cash call regime. While applauding the new team for a job so far well done, Dr Orji called for implementation of other key findings in the NEITI Reports. These include the review of the eight oil wells assigned by the NNPC to the NPDC for the sum of $1.8 Billion dollars for which only $100 million was paid as at the time of NEITI Report. According to the Acting Executive Secretary, NEITI Audit reported that the oil wells were grossly under valued while the transaction was not transparent and did not follow due process. Also speaking at the Conference, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Bawa Buhari called for a multi stakeholder support towards efforts aimed at developing the solid minerals sector. “The time to

diversify the nation’s economy given the dwindling fortune of the crude oil prices in the international market has come. We in the solid Minerals industry need support, advice, a lot of information and data”. The former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Professor Wale Omole who is the Chairman Board of Trustees of CSR-in-Action, organizers of the event, called on the citizens, civil society and the academia to rally support to government in its efforts to unlock the potentials of the Country’s solid minerals sector. The Conference with the theme, “Unlocking the Hidden Potentials in the Extractive Industries” was organized by CSR-in-Action in partnership with NEITI with a view to highlighting the potentials and opportunities in the Solid Minerals sector as an alternative to oil in the socio economic development of the country. Nigeria joined the global Extractive Industries transparency since 2003 to enthrone transparency, accountability and good governance in oil, gas and mining industry. Over 50 countries around the world currently implement the EITI as a result of the increasing global resistance to mismanagement of revenues in resource-rich countries plagued by the syndrome of resource – curse. NEITI’s attention to the solid minerals sector will help bring about similar reforms currently on-going in the oil and gas industry.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ow would you assess the National Youths Service Corps scheme so far? NYSC started as a result of the Nigerian civil war which ended with no victor no vanquished. The Head of State at the time, General Yakubu Gowon, said the three Rs - Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reunification – must be observed. It was as a result of this that NYSC came about. Specifically, the scheme was formed with the aim of reuniting the nation. However, we have come a long way. The organisation has been able to foster unity. It has, along the line, made itself to be relevant to the present day society. We develop our youths through leadership training, we teach them skills to make them gainfully employed, especially in view of the condition in the country now. Over the years, we have been able to make the NYSC relevant to the society. But many think otherwise on the issue of the relevance of the scheme, hence they are advocating for its scrapping. How would you react to this development? I would say that knowledge is power, but knowledge has to be applied before it becomes power. I would say that those calling for the scrapping of the scheme have not taken time to really study what it is all about and its relevance to what is happening today. With due apology, some speak out of ignorance of the activities and effects of the scheme. There are a lot of things that the NYSC is doing but which the general public is not aware of. We are partnering with many establishments to ensure the social, cultural and economic development of the nation. Apart from that, during our orientation programmes in camps, we invite different organisations to educate the youths on how to become better leaders of tomorrow. We teach them leadership skills, empower them, and lecture them on national economic, socio-cultural developments. And by the time they leave the camp, they are better citizens of Nigeria. Those advocating for the scrapping of the scheme have among other things, argued that the efforts to unite the nation by sending corps members to parts of the country other than their own is often times defeated with the influence some parents, with the help of some NYSC officials, make to determine where their children are posted. What is your reaction to this? The problem of lobbying for posting is a big challenge for the NYSC and I want to appeal to parents… It is usually the parents, because of their old mindset. The youths want to serve in any part of the country, but it is the parents that are influencing the posting. So, I want to appeal to the parents that they should let the youths serve wherever they are posted to. It will make them better human beings, more developed, well rounded as citizens of Nigeria as they would have experienced different cultures and diverse ways of life of different people. It is a prob-

Civil Service 37

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Why NYSC is essential for fresh graduates –Akin-Moses To Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Akin-Moses, the state co-ordinator of the National Youth Service Corps scheme in Oyo State, allowing fresh graduates to go into the labour market “raw” would have been disastrous. In this interview, reported by SAKIBU OLOKOJOBI, she speaks about the importance of having youths prepared for the challenges ahead through the orientation programme of the NYSC and the one year service to the nation, among other issues. Excerpts:

Akin-Moses lem that we are aware of in NYSC and the NYSC management has instituted a way to curb this. Of recent, a programme was introduced where corps members register online, and online they are made to choose where they want to serve, as long it is not within their geographical zone and state. So, this is a way of curbing the lobby for preferential posting. It has worked successfully because this particular set (Batch B, 2015) has zero tolerance for lobbying. We don’t allow lobbying of any type; since they have made their own choice, there is no need to lobby anybody. It has stopped. The system is working. It is a new programme, but so far it is working and we shall build on it to make it better than what we have in this Batch B 2015 which is the pilot programme. One major area of concern to all Nigerians today is the increasing rate of unemployment. This is in view of the increasing number of graduates our higher institutions turn out every year. How effective would you say your skill acquisition programmes have been over the years? I can tell you that there have been many success stories. The programme we have is called the Skill Acquisition and Enterprenural Development (SAED. In it we have 12 different skills that are taught corps members. They choose the one that they have flair for; one which they are easily motivated to learn. Under these 12 schemes, there are different subsections. Like in Agriculture we have Animal Husbandry like poultry; fish farming and others. I can tell you that over the years – the programme is about five years old – we have recorded a huge success.

So many corps members have been empowered, and there are a lot of them who have vowed not to take any paid job from anyone because they have acquired practical skills to create employment and they have seen how beneficial it is. We also have the programme we call War Against Poverty, which is mainly agro-allied based. Our corps members are taken to camp for one week and they are trained intensively in any of the agricultural sector. And after the training, they are empowered; they are given a loan to start business. We don’t take any corps member that would not go into business because immediately after the training, they are empowered. Another one is the Bank of Industry programme in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria where we encourage corps members to write their own proposals after training. They are empowered by being given a loan to start a business. We have recorded a good level of success. Do you monitor them after their service? Yes, we do, and we bring them to camp to testify to serving corps members what their experiences had been and how they have been able to make a living. We bring them back during orientation programmes and during the passing out programmes – that is, at the tail end of their service year. You talked about the loan or fund from the Bank of Industry, but are there no inhibitions to accessing such funds? We are aware of the problems with getting funds from a bank, and the management of the NYSC has worked around this. They don’t need any collateral; and in the first six months, they don’t

pay any interest; they have a period of time when they can invest and turn over the loan before they start repaying. The programme has been on for some time, but we keep remodeling and reshaping it to make it relevant to the present situation. But many still believe that the programme has not been able to adequately stem the rate of unemployment. What would you say about this? It is quite unfortunate. The NYSC is trying its best; the management is doing its best to ensure that the youths are empowered and acquire skills to be able to be employers of labour. However, the teeming soldiers of the unemployed in ratio to the ones we are training is overwhelming. With time, I am sure that the impact of our programmes will be felt better because by the time the scale is balanced or tilted more to self employment and we have more people developing their own skills to get self employed, the effect will be better felt. We are aware that adequate security is provided for corps members during the orientation programmes at the camp, but how do you ensure their safety outside the camp when they are posted out? They are very well protected. We have the number of each police station which we give to corps members when in camp; we have the numbers of all security agencies all over the country, and we also have the numbers of traditional rulers and community leaders. We make the numbers available to them before they leave the camp so that in case of any emergency, they know where to get help from. So far, in the South-West, we don’t have any problem. And where there is problem in the North, we are thankful to God that the federal government is trying its best. We hope its best will yield the required positive result. In NYSC we don’t force anyone to go to the state where there is security risk. Only those who want to stay there will be allowed. We don’t have orientation camps in those state; we have moved orientation camps to states where there is security and protection of lives and property. Our corps members are secure and we thank God for that. Our management is doing its best to ensure safety and we have a call centre at our headquarters which is open 24 hours. They can call the centre to inform the management of what is going on in their community and when necessary, the management moves in to solve whatever prob-

lem. As a mother and co-ordinator of the NYSC in Oyo State, what would be your advice to the youths, considering the level of moral decadence in the society? While they are here in camp, we do have morning meditation in which we get them nuggets or ideas for national building; we hold different types of lectures – we have the ICPC lecture, we have the security lectures by the State Security Service men. We give them a lot of lectures to make sure that they are better human beings and citizens of Nigeria. We cannot open anybody’s head to put ideas, what we can do is to talk and keep talking believing that they will change for the better. Do you have testimonies of those whom your programmes have helped change their lives for the better? We do have, especially in the area of uniting the different people of the country. We have countless numbers of corps members that got married to people other than their own tribe of from their own parts of the country. Many of them had said that but for the NYSC programme, they would not have met. There are those who have settled in their state of service; they have integrated and felt part of the society. What’s your advice to the society for a better Nigeria? The society at large needs to be disciplined; curb corruption and malpractices. That is a general problem. In fact, the whole society needs to be re-orientated. If the government is given the full support it needs to make the change which they are talking about now, I believe the society will be the better. How useful is the service year in general to the corps members? The one year service is a very vital one for most of the youths. It gives them a time to replan their lives; it gives them a time for better exposure. NYSC has really helped the nation. I can’t imagine the raw graduates poured into the labour market without the training they go through in NYSC. We are saying there is so much indiscipline in the country, but NYSC has done a lot to polish up our youths. That is one thing most people don’t realise. We don’t just keep them here; when they are here, they are taught to live a regimented life; every programme is planned; every programme is timed. They are taught to be disciplined; they are taught leadership… They become better and well rounded human beings after the orientation.

National News

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fuel scarcity: NLC warms up for showdown

Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

ngoing fuel scarcity in the country may assume a new dimension as workers under the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are warming up for a national protest against the inability of the government to end the perennial scarcity in the country . The workers com-

plained of worsening harsh economic condition complicated by the persistent fuel scarcity and unaffordable transport fares to their offices. It was learnt that the workers’ union executives have been meeting to discuss the problem and mobilise members towards industrial action and make their feelings known to the national ex-

Gridlock: Lagos to reconstruct 189 roads

ecutive council of NLC on the need for action over the plight of workers in view of the difficulties occasioned by fuel scarcity. Some union leaders, while speaking with journalists on condition of anonymity yesterday, warned that if nothing urgent is done to end the fuel scarcity there would be a national protest to end the sufferings of the masses.

Oyo State Chairman of NLC , Comrade Waheed Olojede, while speaking on the plight of workers in the state, described the prevailing fuel scarcity in the country as a national calamity. He urged the government at all tiers to urgently take action to end the perennial fuel scarcity, stressing that it has brought workers to their knees. He explained that

workers in the state could no longer go to their offices because of increased transport fares and attendant effect on the economy of the workers especially when the workers were not paid their salaries when due. According to him, the union is discussing on how to handle the crisis if nothing urgent is done by the government to end the suffering of Nigerians, es-

pecially the workers. The NLC also charged the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to do the needful and stop playing with the lives of Nigerians. The workers called on the governors to discuss how best to find a lasting solution to the perennial fuel scarcity in the country, rather than discuss pay cut at a time when Nigerian workers were suffering.

...rehabilitates 282 in six months Francis Suberu

agos State government yesterday revealed it would soon embark on rehabilitation of 189 deplorable roads in the metropolis as part of measures aimed at addressing traffic gridlock in the state. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engr. Ayo Shodeinde disclosed this at Aluasa, Ikeja, while giving highlights of the state’s government efforts in the area of road infrastructural upgrade in the last six months. The state government also revealed that over 282 roads have been rehabilitated in the last six months, just as it assured residents that the ongoing construction across the metropolis will be completed in due course. General Manager of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, Sodeinde, who gave the assur-

ance while briefing newsmen on the work done so far, added that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s desire is to see that roads are motorable across the state. He listed roads completed and fully rehabilitated to include Metal Box Road, Acme Road inward Akilo, Ejigbo-Ikotun road, while extensive fixing of potholes was also carried out on other roads. He also listed roads such as Alfa Nla/Capitol road in Agege, Brown Street in Oshodi, Okota road in Isolo as among the roads under construction. Sodeinde said the rehabilitation of these roads has to a large extent reduced traffic congestion in the last three weeks, saying the Public Works gangs were working day and night to give the roads a facelift. Also, Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Ayorinde, said in continuation of the government’s effort to fix the roads, the governor approved the award of 114 roads, two from each of the 57 local governments across the state.

L-R: Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai; Special Adviser, Political Affairs, Comrade Uba Sani; Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Shehu and Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, at the commissioning of 107 patrol vehicles and bulletproof vests in Kaduna, yesterday.

Controversy trails missing N1bn in NCAA …Unions drag concessionaire to EFCC Olusegun Koiki

igerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, may be enmeshed in a massive crisis soon following accusation and counter-accusation of fraud against the current management in the regulatory agency over col-

NYSC says no to long hijab in camp Joel Ajayi Abuja

irector-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, yesterday said the scheme is against the use of hijab during orientation camp exercise due to its security implication. Olawumi, who stated this during a courtesy visit to NYSC national headquarters in Abuja by a group of Muslim

youths under the aegis of League of Muslim Youths in Da’wah, insisted that NYSC would only accommodate the use of small hijab. Olawumi also denied the allegation by the visiting youths that NYSC had infringed on the right of female Muslim corps members in the camp, challenging the group to report any infraction to the leadership of the scheme for proper action. Earlier, National Coordinator of LMYiD, Luq-

man Hassan and Deputy coordinator, Kamarudeen Adefila, had told the NYSC DG that a major protest by Muslims was averted because of the ban on hijab in most orientation camps. Adefila added, “Many Muslim organisations wanted to protest, but we said wait a while. In fact, we had to intervene to avoid the situation and if Muslims march on the streets, it will generate a lot of negative comments, but people won’t know why we are protesting.”

lection of mast clearance charges. A source close to the agency told our correspondent that an audit report has indicted the NCAA management over the payment of N699 million fine by a telecommunication company (name withheld) in Nigeria. But, in a counter-claim, another source close to the management accused one of its concessionaires, Moon Mast, in-charge of collecting aviation height clearance and charges, of defrauding the agency in connivance with a past Acting- Director-General in the agency and former Minister of Aviation. But, spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent declined to comment on the issue, saying he didn’t have details. He, however, promised to get across to our correspondent on the matter, but was yet to do so at the time

of filing this report. A source close to the agency alleged that N699 million was paid by a communication giant in Nigeria as ‘aviation height clearance and charges, but said the money could not be accounted for by the management and described the fund as a fraction of what the audit called “revenue leakages” in NCAA. The technical report of the telecommunications height clearance from the Directorate of Airspace and Aerodrome Services, DAAS, said the payments were neither with invoices nor with any documented legal agreements, adding that the total money paid by the company ought to have been over N1 billion. Sources in DAAS believed that there appeared a deliberate ploy to deny the authority close to N300m as receivable revenue. But, another source in the agency, accused some

senior management staff of perpetuating fraud in NCAA, which he said had been on for close to a decade in the system. The source claimed that Moon Mast, which hitherto used to collect mast clearance charges for NCAA was charging about 5 per cent, but a particular DG (name withheld) suspended the collection of the charges by the company, saying that even the International Air Transport Association, IATA, which collects some charges for it was not paid up to 3 percent and wondered why Moon Mast should collect much. The source however purported that immediately the former DG was removed by the government, a certain Acting DG in connivance with a former minister signed the company on at 20 per cent commission as against the initial 5 per cent, which was suspended by the management.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday November 25, 2015

Youths are needed in politics –Makinde Gbenga Ogunbufunmi

L-R: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Deputy High Commissioner of Canada in Nigeria, Mr. Lajos Arendas, and Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh, when Mr. Arendas visited the Speaker in his office, yesterday.

Bayelsa guber: We didn’t endorse Dickson –MEND Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

head of the December 5, 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa state, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND has distanced itself from a purported endorsement of the incumbent governor, Henry Seriake Dickson. It would be recalled that a faction of MEND, in a statement signed by its acting chairman in Rivers State, Prince Amaibi Horby, popularly known as ‘General Busta

Rhymes’, and 12 others had endorsed Dickson for the said poll. The group also said it would mobilize 500 of its members to monitor the governorship poll in that state. But in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, MEND spokesman, Jomo Gbomo dissociated the group from the said endorsement, describing the Prince Horby -led group as impostors. MEND also alleged that Governor Dickson had paid some thugs to use its group name to endorse him in a ‘desperate bid to be re-elected’.

The statement reads, “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, wishes to dissociate itself from an impostor and self-acclaimed “Acting Chairman” of MEND, going by the name of ‘Prince Amaibi Horby (aka General Busta Rhymes)’ who claims to be speaking for MEND by endorsing Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, for the December 05, 2015 governosrship elections. This so-called support and endorsement was circulated in some sections of the media on Monday, 23 No-

vember 2015. “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND wishes to state categorically, that we do not endorse or support Governor Seriake Dickson in a way, shape or form and strongly urges the media to disregard any such statements to the contrary, as it did not emanate from MEND. “As far as we know, Governor Seriake Dickson, in his desperation to be re-elected as Governor of Bayelsa State, has paid a group of thugs to use our group’s name to endorse his ambition,” it said.

Jonathan, PDP NWC to attend Dickson campaign grand finale Osahon Julius YENAGOA

he immediate past President of Nigeria and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, Goodluck Jonathan, is expected to lead the National Working Committee, NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the grand finale of the Seriake Dickson campaign on the 28th of November at the Samson Siasia Stadium,Yenagoa. Christened by the State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as ‘mother of all rallies’, the mega rally will be a culmination of Governor Seriake Dickson’s community-tocommunity tours, a grassroots campaign which had taken him to the nooks and

crannies of the state in the last one month. In a statement by the Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, the grand finale would also witness the presentation of PDP flag to Dickson and his running mate by the national leadership of the party as a symbolic ritual of his aspiration and support. According to the statement, besides members of the PDP national working committee and all the party’s sitting governors as well as past governors who will attend, PD P senators and members of the House of Assembly, past and present Bayelsa PDP leaders and members across the state, stakeholders and supporters

both at home and in the diaspora, the 500 non-governmental organisations routing for Dickson’s re-election and people from diverse and strategic institutions will be on ground to rally support for the governor. The event which will have former President Goodluck Jonathan in attendance, Obuebite stated, would also bring together all critical elements in all the Ijaw speaking states in the country which he said underscores Dickson’s aspiration as not just a Bayelsa affair but incorporates the strategic interest of all the Ijaws. Bayelsa State is the Jerusalem of all Ijaws and the mother of all rallies will showcase the unity of purpose of the Ijaw people coming together as one and

affirming the collective interest and aspirations of the Ijaw race’, he stated. The leadership and members of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, it was also stated, would attend as a pressure group to mount campaign for a free and fair election at the December 5 governorship election. Obuebite, who said Bayelsans were already upbeat about the grand finale, noted that the excitement being generated among the people was not surprising going by the crowd of supporters and enthusiasm displayed during the governor’s grassroots tour which he averred would mark Dickson out at the mega rally as a crowd puller and a positive effect at the election.

nless the youths of this country become active forces in the different political parties, the issue of seeking political offices would remain a mirage, the gubernatorial candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, in 2015 election in Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde has said. He made this declaration while delivering a lecture titled ‘Youth Participation In Politics: Prospects and Challenges’ as part of programme marking the 2015 Annual Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Oyo State Council held at the Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan. He submitted that “besides serving as a platform for contesting elections, political parties also play the role of policy and agenda setting for national development”, adding, “so, if the youth must have any influence in the process of national development, we must be active forces in the political arena”. He recalled that in early days of Nigeria’s independence, the country’s politi-

cal terrain was dominated by the youth, among whom are the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, late Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Mrs. Margaret Ekpo among others. According to him, “some of them did not have as much education or access to information as we have today, they were not invited to the decision making table by the British, they simply saw a cause and they seized the opportunity”. Represented by the former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Kehinde Ayoola, Makinde emphasised that since the beginning of the 4th Republic, the political space had recorded narrowing of opportunities for the young people. He said that with the definition which put the youth between the ages of 18 to 35years; “we can conclusively say that no youth has ever been the President of Nigeria since 1999. President Olusegun Obasanjo, late President Umar Yar’ Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan and now President Mohammadu Buhari have between them, a mean age of 61 years as at the day they took office”.

I ‘ll ensure Bayelsa becomes economy hub in Niger Delta –Sylva Osahon Julius YENAGOA

s campaign intensifies ahead of the December 5 gubernatorial poll in Bayelsa state, the All Progressive Congress, APC Candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, has reiterated that his vision was to ensure that the state becomes the economic hub in the Niger Delta region. Sylva, said that if elected into office, his first priority is to deepen the state economy, diversify and focus on the Brass Liquified Natural Gas project, as well as the industrialization of the state. Speaking at the carnival-like grand campaign rally in Brass Island, where his party, the APC also received notable PDP stalwarts that dumped the party for the APC , reflected on the awakening effect

of the fresh breeze, which according to him gives a lot of insight that prosperity has come to people of Brass Local Government Area. The APC Governor who hails from Okpoama community in Brass LGA, said he did not come to campaign but his visit to Brass was to see his kinsmen and also merry with them because of the assurance that they would deliver 100 per cent votes to him in the December 5, 2015 election. Sylva posited that the power to liberate Brass from the Dickson- led inflicted poverty and hunger lies in their hands, even as he urged them to use them to votes for the broom symbol of the APC on the day of election. According to him, “those who hate progress would follow the dead party (PDP) to the grave.

Cocktail

Thursday, November 25, 2015

Drunken man assaults victim with a sandwich

olice say a drunken New Jersey man threw a sandwich at another man at a northern Virginia pizza restaurant and is now facing charges. The Fairfax City Police Department said that 32-year-old Jonathan M. Magnes of Morristown, New Jersey, threw a sandwich at a 50-year-old man at a Fairfax pizza restaurant and then drove away. Authorities said the vic-

tim, who was not injured, tailed Magnes before officers arrived and pulled over the suspect. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not clear what led to the dispute between the men. Magnes was charged Sunday evening with assault and battery, driving under the influence of alcohol and refusal of a blood and breath test. It was not immediately clear whether Magnes had an attorney.

Oddities

New Jersey alligator found dead in park

dead four-footlong alligator has been found in a park in northern New Jersey, according to reports yesterday. The county sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officer, Armando Fontoura said it removed the dead animal from

Newarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weequahic Park after a jogger spotted the reptile around 07:00 hours. Fontoura said in a statement that of-

ficials believe the alligator was a pet. The remains were turned over to the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey.

Man arrested in mix-up sues

New York man who spent 29 days in jail after Pennsylvania State Police mistook homemade soap for cocaine has filed a lawsuit. According to reports, Alexander Bernstein said he had to pay thousands of dollars in court costs and missed Thanksgiving with his

toddler before the charges were dropped. He is seeking damages exceeding $150, 000. State troopers and the field test manufacturer are named in the suit filed last week. Bernstein was a passenger in a MercedesBenz police pulled over for speeding near Allentown in November 2013.

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Troopers smelled marijuana, searched the car and found packages the driver said was homemade soap, but tested as cocaine. Lab tests later showed it was soap. The driver was charged with marijuana possession and speeding. State police declined

The dead alligator after it was found in the New York Park

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Wednesday, November 25 2015

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and address as MISS OKONKWO UZOAMAKA VIVIAN, now wish to be known and address as MRS OKEAKPU UZOAMAKA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and address as OKWUELU OGOCHUKWU JACINTA, now wish to be known and address as ABDUL AZEEZ MARYANN. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANIEKWE: I formerly known and address as MISS ANIEKWE CHINENYE BENEDICTA , now wish to be known and address as MRS OGIDI CHINENYE BENEDICTA. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UMEOKA: I formerly known and address as UMEOKA EMEKA UGWO, now wish to be known and address as UMEOKA EMEKA JOVITA. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZEJI: I formerly known and address as MISS EZEJI MIRIAN OLUCHI , now wish to be known and address as MRS OBILOR OLUCHI MIRIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

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This is to confirm that NWAMBA KELVIN SUNDAY is the same person as OMOKE KELVIN SUNDAY now wish to be known as OMOKE KELVIN SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

OBINNA: I formerly known and address as MISS OBINNA FIDELIA CALISTA, now wish to be known and address as MRS EKWELIE CALISTA CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank, all other Banks and General Public to take note.

This is to confirm that ILONU CHINWE CHRISTIANA is the same person as ILOH CHINWE CHRISTIANA also now wish to be known ss ILONU CHINWE CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note

This is to confirm that NWAENYI UCHENNA CHRISTIAN is the same person as NWAENYI UCHENNA SYLVESTER now wish to be known and addressed as NWAENYI UCHENNA CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

This is to confirm that IGWEGBE CHEKWUBE JOSHUA is the same person as IGWEGBE CHEKWUBECHUKWU JOSHUA wish to be known as IGWEGBE CHEKWUBE JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as known as Issa Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Yisa Kehinde Yusuf. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Ogunjobi Muibat Adebowale now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Muhammed Muibat Adebowale all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Osofuwa Abimbola peter now wish to be known and addressed as Christ’s Peter Abimbola all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Odukoya Towuro Adesola now wish to be known and addressed as Odukoya Adesola Afusat. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Isiaq Semiu Adekunle now wish to be known and addressed as Salau Semiu Olamilekan. all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and address as OKWUELU OGOCHUKWU JACINTA, now wish to be known and address as ABDUL AZEEZ MARYANN. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME orji: I formerly known and address as SUNDAY ORJI AGU, now wish to be known and address as ORJI SUNDAY ABANA. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANIGBO: I formerly known and address as CHINWE VERONICA ANIGBO, now wish to be known and address as CHINWE PEACE ANIGBO. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ORAFU: I formerly known and address as ORAFU OVERCOMER, now wish to be known and address as MRS. ORAFU CHINENYE JULIET. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

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OGBONNA: I formerly known and address as OGBONNA AUGUSTINE CHUKWUNONSO, now wish to be known and address as AUGUSTINE CHUKWUNONSO OGBONNA. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

NNEMOLISA: I formerly known and address as MISS NNEMOLISA SARAH OGECHUKWU, now wish to be known and address as MRS ANAKUBA OGECHUKWU SARAH. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

EZEKANNAGHA: I formerly known and address as EZEKANNAGHA CHINELO PATIENCE, now wish to be known and address as OBIKA CHINELO PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

IGBOJINNA: I formerly known and address as MISS IGBOJINNA IFEYINA JULIET, now wish to be known and address as MRS MIRACLE IFEYINWA NWAKONUCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

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Adewale Alli is same and one person as Adeolu Alli Samson and now wish to be known and addressed as Adewale Alli Adeolu Samson all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Sanni Kelvin Ismaila now wish to be known and addressed as Sanni Kelvin Oluwadamilare. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Aderibigbe Adesewa Opeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olufowobi Adesewa Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Yusuf Bukonla Olumide now wish to be known and addressed as MS Adenuga Bukonla Olumide. All former documents remain valid Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Adekoya Adesola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adesola Felicia Odupitan Adekoya. all former documents remain valid and general public take note

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obasola Abayomi Adeyemi is same and one person as Abayomi Elizabeth Adeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Obasola Abayomi Adeyemi. All former documents remain valid and general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. JOSEPHINE MGBECHIKWERE AGBARAKWE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JOSEPHINE MGBECHIKWERE OSIGWE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Arotimi Esther lyabode, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Olujimi Esther lyabode. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Ogunjobi Muibat Adebowale now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mohammed Muibat Adebowale. All former documents remai valid and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Yusuf Bukonla Olumide now wish to be known and addressed as MS Adenuga Bukonla Olumide. All former documents remain valid Zenith Bank and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aderibigbe Adesewa Opeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olufowobi Adesewa Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Sanni Kelvin Ismaila now wish to be known and addressed as Sanni Kelvin Oluwadamilare. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adekoya Adesola now wish to be known and addressed as Adesola Felicia Odupitan Adekoya. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Adewale Alli is same and one person as Adeolu Alli Samson now wish to be known and addressed as Adewale Alli Adeolu Samson. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANIGBORO: I, formerly known and addressed as Ovie Raphal Mark Anigboro, now wish to be known and addressed as Ovie Raphael. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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EMERIBE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emeribe Concepta Njideka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akujiobi Concepta Njideka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADESANYA: I, formerly known as Mr. Adesanya Adeyemi Michael now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Soniregun Olumide Michael. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

FALEYIMU: I, formerly known and addressed as FALEYIMU MARCELINA IBIJOKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEPONLE MARCELINA IBIJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAMES

FALAJIKI: I, formerly known and addressed as FALAJIKI FOLASHADE EUNICE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AYENI FOLASHADE EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLALEMI: I, formerly known and addressed as OLALEMI ADEBANKE OYEDOYIN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BABAJIDE ADEBANKE OYEDOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UMAR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MUSLIHAT .A. UMAR, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MUSLIHAT MOHAMMED due to marital status. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as BEATRICE DIKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BEATRICE AKWARANDU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

BUSARI: I, formerly known and addressed as BUSARI DAUDA OREDOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGBOOLA DAUDA OREDOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OBASA: I, formerly known and addressed as YAYO OBASA, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINOLA OLUWATAYO MATTHEW. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Authority and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as EJIKE OKAFOR, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IKEME STANLEY OBUM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OLADOKUN: I, formerly known and addressed as BUSAYO OLADOKUN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NURAT SODIQ. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

EMMANUEL: I, formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL ISAAC now wish to be known, called and addressed as OGUNDIPE OLARENWAJU SEGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

RAHEEM: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. RAHEEM KEHINDE BUSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ADEJUMO KEHINDE BUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General Public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

AROWOFELA: I, formerly known and addressed as AROWOFELA YAHAYA OBINJA ARAMIDE; FELA ARAMIDE OLASHENI and FELA ARAMIDE YAHAYA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AROWOFELA YAHAYA ARAMIDE. That all documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that i am the one that is known, called and addressed as MUSA MARVELLOUS NICHOLAS SALUFU USMAN. All the names are mine as they appears in my respective documents. All documents with these names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

IGBO TEXTILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION (ITEDA) The general public is hereby notified by the above named association that MR. COSMAS NWADIKE has been changed as one of its trustees and he is being replaced by MR. UMEH IHEGAZIE ALPHONSUS while MR. BENARD NWAENYI has been appointed as an additional Trustee. TRUSTEES ARE:(1) MR. STANLEY OBISIKE NWANERI (2).EMEKA ONWUGHALU (3).MR.VICTOR NZEOGU (4).MR.UMEH IHEGAZIE ALPHONSUS (5).MR.BENARD NWAENYI. The public is hereby notified for future refrences and actions. Signed: SECRETARY

OGUNTADE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNTADE OMOLOLA RAMATU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OTIKPO OMOLOLA FELICIA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, ADEYELU BOLAJI OLANIYI is one and the same person as SUNDAY WALEOLA. That on some of my documents, my name appear as ADEYELU BOLAJI OLANIYI, while on some, it appears as SUNDAY WALEOLA. All former documents bearing any of these names remains mine and valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, UKA EBISON OPANWA is one and the same person that is bearing STEPHEN CHUKWU EGWUONWU. That all documents bearing the two names are mine and remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

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MARTINS: I, formerly known and addressed as KOLA MARTINS, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINSOLA YUSUF OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authority Concerned should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, MRS. OSUNWO AFUSAT IYABO is one and the same person as MRS. OGUNJIMI IYABO AFUSAT. All former documents bearing the two names are mine and remain valid. General public and Authorities concerned should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That on some of my documents my name appears as OSIMIRI CHIBUZOR CHRISTIAN, while on others it appears as OSIMIRI MICHEAL and OSIMIRI CHIBUZOR respectively. That i am the same person bearing all the names mentioned above, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OSIMIRI MICHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities concerned take note.

CHANGE OF OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEOSUN: I, formerly known and addressed as BAMIDELE AYODEJI ADEOSUN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MOSES AYODEJI FAKEYE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities Concerned and the general public should please take note.

ABOLURIN: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. FOLUSO OLUKEMI ABOLURIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FOLUKE OMOBOYE ADEGBITE. All documents bearing the former name remain valid. General Public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

That I am the same person bearing AROWOFELA YAHAYA, AROWOFELA YAHAYA OBINJA ARAMIDE, FELA ARAMIDE OLASHENI and FELA ARAMIDE YAHAYA. That I am the bearer of the above mentioned names. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

That I, Mr. TUNDE ADETOKUNBO OREMULE is the rightful owner of the property situated at 56, Moshood Abiola Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos. That the document registered as No. 31 at 31 Volume 1948 in Land Registry is declared missing. All efforts to trace it proved abortive. If found, please contact the owner at the above address. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is To Confirm That CHINKE JOY EMMANUELLA And CHINKE ANURIKA OLANMA Refer To One And Same Person. All Documents Reflecting Any Of The Stated Names Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mr. RICHARD EVULOBI now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. RICHARD CHISOM UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain general public take note.

42 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as EGBUNA CHUKWUEBUKA now wish to be known and called as EBUKA EGBUNA TOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, OKORONKWO FAVOUR MARY is the one as the same person as JOSEPH FAVOUR. All former please take note.

This is to confirm that USILI KINGSLEY INAKU is the same person as KINGSLEY JOHNSON USILI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ariyo Lukman but now wish to be known as Aremu Lukman Ariyo. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Awoyale Adeniyi Yinka now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Adewunmi Adeniyi Yinka. All existing documents remain valid general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Awoyale Alamerefa Toby, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adewunmi Alamerefa Toby. All existing documents remain valid general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Shomade Kabiru Oriyomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Shomade Kabiru Adisa. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Chidi Dike Chinonye Agogbuo is the same person as Dike Agogbuo Chinonye Chidi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Okoli Marcel Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Okoli Marcellinus Ogochukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, POGU YAMTA CHIROMA and JOSEPH PAUL CHIROMA, is the one and the same person as POGU YAMTA CHIROMA. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid. Keystone, Ecobank, Access Bank and General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

documents bearing my names remain valid. General public

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I formerly known and addressed as Akeem Adeniyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Akeem Adeniji. Yale Foods Limited and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ONYEKA LAWRENCE AKAEZE, now wish to be knnwn and addressed as ONYEKACHUKWU LAWRENCE IFEANYICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

OKOSUN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS NOSARHEMEN OKOSUN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NOSARHEMEN ADENIJI-ADELE.. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME BLESSING: Formerly known and addressed as IGWE BLESSING now wish to be known and addressed as IGWE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Mmeregini Ngozi Blessing, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Omosebi Ngozi Blessing. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Ekwueme Chika Juliana, but now wish to be known as Mrs Nnadi Chika Juliet. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Amusat Fasilat Adenike now wants to be addressed as Awoleke Fasilat Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known as isaac osagie okundaye, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ISAAC UYI OKUNDAYE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank PLC and general public should please note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Adebowale Ibilola Momudat, now wish to be known and addressed as Bamidele Ibilola Momudat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Friday Mfmon Ekpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Okoli Matthew Ebuk Akpan. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Etejere Ejiroghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adetiba Ejiroghene. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Glory Ita Wilson, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Glory Nmecha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME YALLEMAN: Formerly known and addressed as MUSA SHUAIBU YALLEMAN now wish to be known and addressed as MUSA SHUAIBU SALWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME KENNETH: Formerly known and addressed as KENNETH MEGO NDUBUEZE now wish to be known and addressed as ELIAS MEGO NDUBUEZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME OGA: Formerly known and addressed as OGA ABRAHAM now wish to be known and addressed as GODWIN ABRAHAM ALEJE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME SODIQ: Formerly known and addressed as SODIQ LATEEF now wish to be known and addressed as SADIQ LATEEF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

CHUKWUBIKEM: Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUBIKEM ALAGWU HENRY now wish to be known and addressed as OGOBI IKE ALAGWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm to the general public that I, MUSA MOHAMMED is one and the same person known as MAMMAN MUSA. That any documents bearing any of the above mentioned names belongs to me and remain valid. UBA and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AFUYE: Formerly known and addressed as AFUYE ABIOLA OLASUNKANMI now wish to be known and addressed as JOSHUA OLASUNKANMI JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ETUK: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ETUK UDUAK PATIENCE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKERELE PATIENCE UDUAK. All former documents remain valid. H.O.H. IGBOBI and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MONDAY ADETUNJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWAFEMI ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Lucy Amadu Tom, now wish to be known and addressed as Lucy Aniefiok Archibong. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Saidu Madachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Saidu Nuhu Abdullahi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH/NAME

This is to inform the authorities concerned and the general public that my date of birth was mis-quoted as 1st of October, 1976 instead of 20th day of May 1979. My name was also was wrongly spelt as Muritala Inuwa instead of Muritala Noah. All documents related to the above information remain valid.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Mrs Elizabeth Ugom Chima, now she is changing her name to Mrs. Elizabeth Ugom Emedoh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed Miss Browne Diana Adeyanju, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abe Diana Adeyanju. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Bello Rukayat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Seriki Rukayat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adebanji Omopariola Paul, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogundele Banji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly, MR RICHARD EVULOBl, now wish to be known and Address as MR. RICHARD CHISOM UGOCHUKWU. All former document remain valid general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm to the general public that I, MUSA MOHAMMED is one and the same person known as MAMMAN MUSA. That any documents bearing any of the above mentioned names belongs to me and remain valid. UBA and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY ODIGI, now wish to be known and addressed as EHIZOGIE SMART EHIS. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Lucy Amadu Tom, now wish to be known and addressed as Lucy Aniefiok Archibong. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Saidu Madachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Saidu Nuhu Abdullahi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Mrs Elizabeth Ugom Chima, now she is changing her name to Mrs. Elizabeth Ugom Emedoh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adebanji Omopariola Paul, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogundele Banji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Salaudeen Olubunmi Tawakalit , now wish to be known and addressed as Ahmed Olubunmi Tawakalit. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM ADESHINA OLAMILEKAN now wish to be known and addressed as MUSEDIKU KAMORU ADESINA. All former documents remai9n valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly, MR RICHARD EVULOBl. Now wish to be known and Address as MR. RICHARD CHISOM UGOCHUKWU. All former document remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OMOLOLA ADEBISI AJISAFE, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOLOLA ADEBISI GANZALLO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as lgbawaje Ukumba Emmanuel now wish to be known and addressed as lgbawase Ukumba Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss AJIKI EMMANUEL ADENIYI now wish to be called, known and addressed as MRS OMOBOLANLE IDOWU APAPA. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Salaudeen Olubunmi Tawakalit, now wish to be known and addressed as Ahmed Olubunmi Tawakalit. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm to the general public that , CHINKE JOY EMMANUELLA and CHINKE ANURIKA OLANMA refer to one and same person. All documents reflecting any of the stated names remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Bello Rukayat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Seriki Rukayat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is confirm to the general public that I Musa Ibrahim is the same person as Paul Elijahas contain in some documents bearing my names.All former documents remain valid, Access Bank,Unity Bank and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibironke Adebanke Caroline now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olanipekun Adebanke Caroline. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank, Eco Bank and Union Bank of Nigeria plc and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Areola Grace Aduke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olukayode Grace Aduke. All former documents remain valid,Ikole Local Goverment and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Alice Oluwaseun Aluko now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alice Oluwaseun Oluremi. All former documents remain valid, and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Theresa Adepoju now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Theresa Akinyemi Adepoju. All former documents remain valid, FCMB Bank and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Ali Jeje now wish to be known and addressed as Ali Alhaji Adamu. all former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesina Iyadunni Adenike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aladejare Iyadunni Adenike. All former documents remain valid and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as ODUEME OMOIRORO ESTHER wish to be known and addressed as ADELEKE OMOIRORO ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as Saliu Mutiatu Ajoke now wish to be known and addressed as Olaniyan Mutiat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Rasheed Bolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Lawal Margret Abebi. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to notify the general public of loss of Deed of Assignment Issued by Ministry of Lands and Urban development Enugu, Registered as 72/72/1630, belonging to Global Investment Nigeria Limited at plot C/2A Old GRA L/out Enugu. If found, Contact Ministry of Lands Enugu.

This is to notify the general public of lost document building lease belonging to Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company Limited situated and known as Plot G.R.A Enugu Registry 80/80/382 Enugu, All effort to trace prove abortive. If found Contact Ministry of Lands Enugu.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known Miss Olonisakin Bolatito Janet now wish to be called known and addressed as MRS RAPHAEL BOLATITO JANET. All former document remain valid. Gbonyin local government, Ode-Ekiti and general public take note.

This is to confirm that Onojah Samuel is the same and one person as Onojoh Samuel that Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Onojah Samuel. All former documents remain valid. first bank plc Ikere-Ekiti,Ekiti State general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Aweda Olalekan Danmeduka now wish to be known and addressed as Aweda Mojeed Danmeduka Ogunbiyi. all former documents remain valid. General public, take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ofoedu Okafor Njideka Juliana Ifeoma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwankwo Juliana Njideka Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. General public, take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Numoh Thosi T. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Idowu Alaba Tanimola. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Muibi Isiaka Alaba now wish to be known and addressed as Muhibudeen Hameed Akin. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Habeeb Isimath Ajoke now wish to be known as Erinfolami Isimoth Ajoke. All former documents remain valid. General public, take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Olayinka Feyisola Eunice and Salami Feyisola Eunice, now wish to be known as Mrs Omoseibi Feyisola Eunice. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly â&#x20AC;&#x201A; known as ehizielen kelvin napoleon now wish to be known and addressed as okubanjo olaife samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MODILIM CHUKWUMA SABASTINE VINCENT now wish to be known and addressed as MODILIM CHUKWUMA SABASTINE VINCENT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and address as EBELE MARY MODEBE, now wish to be known and address as AYADIUNO FAITH UDUMELUO. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Blessing Ubrone Vakpo, is the same person as Efe Blessing Bakpo or Blessing E. Ubrone Vakpo as erroneously spelt in my Eco Bank account. That, any document bearing any of the names remains valid. Ecobank PLC and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as RASAQ SHERIFAT OMOLARA now wish to be known and addressed as RASAQ IYABO OMOLARA. former documents remain valid general public note . CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADENIJI KUDIRAT ALAKE NOW WISHTO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLANREWAJU KUDIRAT NIHINLOLAWA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Isiaka Bolatito Kudirat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anwojue Bolatito Kudirat. All former documents remain valid. Ogun Subeb, Abeokuta North LGEA and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufemi Atinuke Elizabeth now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okimi Atinuke Elizabeth.All former documents remain valid,Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Ibrahim Habibat Bolanle now wish to be known and addressed as Atolagbe Habibat Bolanle All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY known and addressed as OLORODE STEPHEN OLUSOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OLORODE OLUSOLA OYEWALE former documents remain valid general public note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ekwueme Chika Juliana but now wish to be known as Mrs Nnadi Chika Juliet. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That the name Ogunola Kolade is the same person as Owolabi Michael now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Ogunola Kolade Owolabi Michael. All former documents remain valid. Eko, First bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME OBIUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as OBIUKWU GRACE GIFT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UCHECHUKWU GIFT OBIUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Isa Babangida Anthony, now wish to be known and addressed as Isa Babangida Abubakar. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Aiyeloja Kehinde Afeez, now wish to be known and addressed as Muyiwa Kehinde Afeez. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm to the general public that I. Rifkatu Singa Pamvwos is same as one person Vera Dung Pamwos, now known and addressed as Rifkatu Singa Pamvwos. All former documents bearing my names remain valid. General public please take note.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm to the general public that I, Ifesanya Adebisi Tawakalitu is the same person as Elewuro Adebisi Tawakalitu. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as RASAQ SHERIFAT OMOLARA now wish to be known and addressed as RASAQ IYABO OMOLARA. former documents remain valid,general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS FABIYI OLUWARONKE AJOKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUBODUN OLUWARONKE AJOKE.All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajibade Souradjatou Anike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajibade Surajatu Anike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Sunday Blessing now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Blessing Ajewole. All former documents remain valid,Nigeria police Authority and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Mufutau Risikat Adeola now called Kolashade Risikat Tolani,former documents remain valid general public note. CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Josephine Omolara Hazoume Kadri now to be known as Mrs Josephine Omolara Williams, former documents remain valid general public note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ariyo Lukman but now wish to be known as Aremu Lukman Ariyo. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME NWUKO: I, formerly known as SUNDAY NWUKO, now wish to be known and addressed as MONDAY NWUKO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ADEFABI ISMAIL AJANI, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDUL’RAHEEM ISMAIL AJANI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Innocent Daniel Ere, now wish to be known and addressed as Innocent Daniel Afrimo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Cecilia Effiong Bassey, now wish to be known and addressed as Cecilia Cyril Christopher. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Kori Maigari, now wish to be known and addressed as Musa Ibrahim Maigari. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLUGBUYI FORMERLY

OLUGBENGA

OLUWOLE

NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ROIY DAVID STERMART FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID PUBLIC NOTE. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Hillary chimezie and louis chimezie belong to one and same person. hencefort will like to be known and addressed as louis chimezie. All documents bearing these names shall remain valid. general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Oyebola Michael Kunle now wish to be known and addressed as Ayantunde Michael Oyebola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Epoyun Adebukola Omobosola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oloyede Adebukola Omobosola. All former documents remain valid. Ogun state Government and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, Formerly known as Miss Abieyuwa Augustina Evbuomwan now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abieyuwa Augustina Francis Evbuomwan. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Charles Osarenren IgumahAgwogieyin now called Charles Thomas Agwoje, former documents remain valid,general public note CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Hope Edna Nchekwube Nwosu now to be known as Edna Nchekwube Akunna, former documents remain valid general public note CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADIO ABDULAZEEZ JOHNSON. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADIO ABDULAZEEZ SUNDAY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS HAMED ASISAT MODUPE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADELEKE ASISAT MODUPE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mr Obidike Chukwura Samuel, now wish to be known and addressed as. Mr. Chukwura Johnpaul Obidike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SHOFOLAHAN AJOKE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADEJOKE ERINFOLAMI FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID PUBLIC NOTE CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Ernest sunnex ohanazoeze, ernest sunnex ohason, sunnex okoli ohason and sunday ohanazoeze belong to one and same person. All documents bearing these names to remain valid. general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladosu Abisola Mary now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyedokun Abisola Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as BLESSING OKON UMOH now wish to be known and addressed as KATE OKON UMOHS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Oyinloye Gbemisola Mercy now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okeowo Gbemisola Mercy. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Kalu Sunday Orji now wishes to be known and addressed as Johnson Sunday, former documents remains valid general public note CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as sakariyau YAHAYA ANIMASAUN and DAUDA ADEKOJO now wish to be known and called SAKARIYAU YAHAYA ANIMASAUN. All fomer documents remain valid. First bank and general public should please note.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OYENUGA OLUWATOSIN ADESOLA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OLUSIPO OLUWATOSIN ADESOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME ANIYU: I, formerly known and addressed as ANIYU DAUDA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ANIYU ALANI BAMIGBOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mr Osuji Chika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Osuji Chika Edmond. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Peter David Ezeamama, now wish to be known and addressed as Peter Obijiaku. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ruth Marcus Aina, now wish to be known and addressed as Jebba Mary Aina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Omoboye Gbenga Ezekeil, now wish to be known and addressed as Omoboy Alore Gbenga. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ALEX: I, formerly known and addressed as ALEX ABOSEDE MARY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLADOYIN ABOSEDE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADELAJA: I, formerly known and addressed as MICHEAL ADELAJA now wish to be known and addressed as SHOYOYE LOOKMAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OLUWABUYIJE REMI CATHERINE, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINYEMI REMI CATHERINE. former document remain valid general public note .

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as BLESSING OKON UMOH now wish to be known and addressed as KATE OKON UMOHS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obadina Aminat Temitayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alawode Aminat Temitayo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Ebere miriam maduka now wish to be known and addressed as Ebere miriam onuchukwu. all documents bearing the former name to remain valid. general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I fornerly known and addressed as Animashaun Lukmon now to be known as Olomo lukmon, former documents remain valid,general public note CHANGE OF NAME known and addressed as ISIAKA FATAI AREMU now wishes to be known and addressed as FORMERLY

ISIAKA FATAI ABIODUN,former documents remain valid,general public note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as GabrieI John Amali now wish to be known and addressed as Joseph Ojobo. All former documents remain valid General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That the name TSEKAA SAMUEL TERFA is the same person as NYAJO SAMUEL TERFA. All former documents remain valid. ECO BANK, WEMA BANK and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AYUBA: I, formerly known and addressed as AYUBA SOLOMON YOHANNA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AYUBA SULE YOHANNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as known as Kingsley Chukwuebuka Oluwatosin Onugha, now wish to be known and addressed as Kingsley Chukwuebuka Thomas. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY known and addressed as OLAMIDE OLUWAMBE AKANDE now wish to be known and addressed as OLABANDE OLUWANBE AMOS FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID PUBLIC NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Olubo Mary Odunayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinwunmi Mary Odunayo. All former documents remain valid. Ogun state Teaching Service Commission and General Public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Olabode Okanlawon Safiu now wish to be known and addressed as Olabode Okanlawon Gbadebo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Oluwabukola Omolola Akintoye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Simisola Oluwabukola Omolola Eunice Oladipupo.All former documents remain valid.First Bank plc,Gbonyin Local Government,Ekiti State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Olatoyosi Oluwatosin Mary but now change to Mrs Kowo Oluwatosin Mary Olatoyosi. General public and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to please note.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY known and addressed as AZEEZ KABIRU ADEKUNLE now wishes to be known and addressed as AKOREDE KABIRU ADEKUNLE,former documents remain valid general public note CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as JAMES MAMMAN henceforth wish to be known and called JAMES MOMOH.All former documents remain valid.Zenith bank (plc) FCMB(plc) and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IBITOYE OLUFUNMILOLA IBIDAYO. NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS IBITOYE OLUFUNMILOLA IBIDAYO GLORIA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GT BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME ONWUSURUAKA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. THERESA ELEMECHI ONWUSURUAKA, now wish to known, called and addressed as MRS. THERESA ELEMECHI ABRAHAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ekwo Angelica Ebuo, now wish to be known and addressed as Eja Betty Ebuo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE BARAKALAHU ISLAMIC ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA 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. Mr. Musbaudeen Olaide Olatunji 2. Alh. Zakariya Abdulrahman 3. Mr. Sulaiman Bello 4. Alfa Muhammed Z. Kayode 5. Mr. Abdulazees Abdulwasiu 6. Mr. Mutiu Fash 7. Mr. Muritala Ola 8. Najeem Hussein 9. Alfa Adam A. Jimoh Opeyemi 10. Mr. Sikirullahi Olatunji Fashoranti

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To preach the Islamic studies to the less privilege in the society. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: Mr. Musbaudeen Olaide Olatunji.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

PAUL: I, formerly known and addressed as PAUL DANIEL, now wish to known, called and addressed as SUNDAY OLADELE AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ME-PANTY: Formerly known and addressed as ISA ABDULLAHI now wish to be known and addressed as ISA ABDULLAHI ME-PANTY. All former documents remain valid. STANBIC IBTC Bank and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS POPOOLA TOYIN OMOBOLANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KING TOYIN OMOBOLANLE. All former documents remain valid; Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), general public to take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly PODOALIHOTO SUNDAY JOSEPH, now to be known and addressed as PODO SUNDAY SEDEGLA JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME IBEANUKA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS CECILIA IBEANUKA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CECILIA ABAMAII. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MOHAMMED: Formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED ABUBAKA SADDIQ, now wish to be known and address as MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR SADIQ. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME This is to certified that Sule Jimoh Aremu is the same one person as Sulaiman Jimoh Aremu, that henceforth wish to be called and known as Sulaiman Jimoh Aremu. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME EZEMA: Formerly known and addressed as EZEMA BLESSING OJU now wish to be known, called and addressed as OGBONNA BLESSING OJU All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKEKE : Formerly known as Miss Okeke Chioma Augustina now wish to be known as Mrs Enemuo Chioma Augustina. All former documents remains valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Rasheed Monsurat A, now wish to be known and addressed as IKIMONTU OLUBORI. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Lukmon Iyabo, now wish to be known and addressed as LUKMON IYABO SULAIMON TOYIN All documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Onilude Miniat, now wish to be known and address as .ONILUDE RACHEAL All documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Afolabi Caroline Tomilola. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adegboyega Caroline Tomilola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UDENWOKE: I, formerly known and addressed as LEONARD SUNDAY UDENWOKE, now wish to known, called and addressed as LEONARD OKORIE UDENWOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME INALEGWU: Formerly known and addressed as EBUTE UGBEDE INALEGWU now wish to be known and addressed as EBUTE UGBEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as ABIMBOLA ADEYEMI SEGUN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI EMMANUEL OLUSEGUN. All former documents remain valid, general public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as AJISAFE KAZEEM, now wish to be known and addressed as KAZEEM SAKA ADIKUN. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME HARUNA: Formerly known and addressed as AHMAD HARUNA GALADIMA now wish to be known and addressed as AHMAD NAKWASHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MARY: Formerly known and addressed as MISS MOSES MARY MODUPE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SAMSON MARY MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that ODEH UFIOMA is the same person as OKEMUTE JACKSON but now wish to be known and addressed as ODEH UFUOMA. All former documents remain valid. ECOBANK, KEYSTONE BANK and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as OLANREWAJU OLUWATOSIN OGUNADE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU OLUWATOSIN OGO-OLUWADE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and called as Miss Lawal Suliat Olanike now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Ibidun Olanike Suliat. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME ADEKALE: Formerly known and addressed as SHARIFAT ABDULRASAQ now wish to be known, called and addressed as SHARIFAT OMOLOLA ADEKALE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UBAH : Formerly known as Miss Ubah Mary Ifeoma now wish to be known as Mrs Nwachukwu Mary Ifeoma. All former documents remains valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Abioye Tawa Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as .ABIOYE TAWAKALITU AGBEKE All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Babalola Sade, now wish to be known and address as .BABALOLA SADE ISIAKA TOYIN ADUKE All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MUHAMMAD: Formerly known and addressed as MAHADI KHALID MUHAMMAD now wish to be known and addressed as MAHADI KHALID LABIYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as CHIDI DONALD OBUNA, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUDI DONALD OBINA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oluponna Mary Omolara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnamani Mary Omolara. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Paul Alice Mauyon, now wish to be known and addressed as Agosa Alice Mauyon. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME BLESSED: Formerly known and addressed as OKECHUKWU BLESSED now wish to be known and addressed as OKE EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

DANJUMA: Formerly known and addressed as DANJUMA LAWAN now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULMUMINI LAWAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Name confirmation Emeka Ezeja and Azubuike Eze belong to one and same person. All documents bearing these names shall remain valid. general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME BABATUNDE: Formerly known and addressed as SHAKIRAT BABATUNDE AYODELE now wish to be known and addressed as SHAKIRAT ABDULSALAM AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Okoye and

Augustine

Chukwuemeka

Augustine

Anthony belong to one and same person. All documents bearing these names shall remain valid.

general

public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly addressed and known as Miss Aregbesola Fausat Folasade now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Lawal Fausat Folasade. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I OGUNBELA OLAPEJU AND JUNAID OLAPEJU OLADOYIN refer to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Chukwunwe Nnedu now wish to be known, called and addressed as Ogburie Ikenna, former documents remain valid general public note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Fasasi Zainab, now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI IDOWU JOKE All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm to the general public that I, Abiodun Felicia Mendese is the same person as Sulaimon Felicia. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agunbiade Ganiyat Funke now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Folarin Ganiyat Funke. All former document remain valid, general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that I, OLUWAJUBE OLUMESO is the same person bearing OGUNBADE ALFRED.All former documents bearing both names remain valid.Skye Bank PLC and the general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Kareem Idayat A., now wish to be known and addressed as Omotayo Mufulat. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Abioye Tawa Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as .ABIOYE TAWAKALITU AGBEKE All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olasunkanmi Idaya, now wish to be known and address as .OLASUNKANMI TAIBAT ATINU. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Nafiu Mutiyat, now wish to be known and address as .NAFIU RUKAYAT All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Adetoyese Kehinde, now wish to be known and address as .MRS OGUNGBENRO REBECCA O. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Wakili Aminat, now wish to be known and address as .BUHARI MARIAMO All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ENUESIKE: I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Bridget Iferunwa Enuesike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bridget Iferunwa Chukwu . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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PLOT 31,BLOCK 11, PHASE VI, EXTENSION TO CORE AREA ASABA OSHIMILI SOUTH L.G.A WITH PLAN NOâ&#x20AC;˘ AS226 IS FOR SALE. PLEASE CONTACT, 08034775425, OR 08181008613 OR 07033894338.

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Wednesday November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Preparation for continental competitions goes far beyond teams’ training and Nigerian clubs must know that a whole lot more goes into it

Haye to fight de Mori in heavyweight comeback

–Former Super Eagles midfielder, Seyi Olofinjana

Dream team

t e k c i t s c i p m y l Rio O

, n r u t U s e k a Siasia m

picks Osimhen

…As Dream Team departs for Senegal today Paul Erewuba

-23 Team coach, Samson Siasia, yesterday in The Gambia, selected Chile U-17 World Cup highest goal scorer Victor Osihmen and 20 other players to represent Nigeria at this month’s Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal. According to the list released by Siasia in Banjul, and made available to National Mirror after the team’s second friendly game against the Gambian U-20 national team, Baby Scorpions, yesterday, Osimhen will be joined by captain of the team and Turkey based defensive midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu who is leading a list of 3 foreign professionals which includes Liverpool’s Taiwo

Awoniyi and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia’s Ajayi Junior. The full list of selected players include Emmanuel Daniel, Yusuf Mohammed, Emmanuel Iwu, Segun Oduduwa, Sincere Seth, Azubuike Okechukwu, Ajayi Junior, Oghenekaro Etebo, Taiwo Awoniyi, Usman Mohammed, Ndifreke Effiong, Chukwuebuka Iroha, Stanley Dimgba, Godspower Aniefiok, Bature Yaro, Zaradeen Bello, Amaefule Chizoba, Seun Olulayo, Tiongoli Tonbara, Kufre Ebong and Victor Osimhen. Meanwhile, Dream Team the U-23 National team, Dream Team VI will today depart from Banjul, Gambia where they have been camping for the past ten days for the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Senegal.

According to the secretary of the team, Sirajo Hassan, the delegation made up of 23 players, 10 accompanying officials will depart the Banjul International Airport at about 11pm aboard Arik Airline for the thirty minutes flight to Dakar. ‘’The team is expected to play their last friendly game against the Gambian U-20 side, the Baby Scorpions today by 4pm (5.00pm Nigerian time), before departing. ‘’The team on arrival in Dakar, will proceed to Mbour, venue of their first two group B games. ‘’The Dream Team VI will begin their quest to qualify for the Rio Olympics when they take on West African rivals Mali on Sunday 29th November at the Caroline Faye Stadium, in Mbour’’, Hassan stated.

Abuja prepares to host 2015 GLO-CAF Awards

xcitement is gradually building up in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, as it prepares to host the 2015 GloCAF Awards on 7th January, 2016. Since the Confederation of African Football announced in October this year that Abuja, Nigeria, will host the prestigious Gala nite of the 2015 GloCaf Awards, sponsors of the event, Globacom said that plans are afoot to stage a memorable Glo-Caf Awards for the second time in Nigeria’s federal capital. Abuja hosted the inaugural edition of Glo-CAF Awards in 2005. Globacom, in a press statement released on Tuesday in Lagos, said that “the Glo-CAF Awards 2015 will parade the greatest African football legends, including the new African Footballer of the Year and winners in 12 other categories.” The categories include African Player of The Year (Based in Africa), National Team of The Year, Club of The Year, and Coach of The Year. Other categories are Women’s National Team of The Year, Women’s Footballer of The Year, Most Promising Talent, Referee of The Year, Legend of The

year, Fair Play Award, Platinum Award, which has only one nominee, and Africa Finest XI. Abuja, Nigeria was announced as the host of 2015 Glo-CAF Awards by the Confederation of African Football in October this year and sponsors and organizers of the event, Globacom said that plans are afoot to stage a memorable Awards gala for the second time in Nigeria’s federal capital. The event is expected to congregate top football celebrities across Africa, as well as top government officials from Nigeria, Ghana and other parts of Africa, the statement said. Expectedly, the Awards and possible winners have been the subject of discussions in the media and among football fans and youth across Africa. The list of top 10 contenders for the 2015 African Footballer of the Year and ten nominees for Africa Footballer of the Year (Africa-based) was recently released by Confederation of African Football. Since Glo took over the sponsorship in 2005, the event has been held in several cities in Africa. Accra, Ghana hosted the 2006 edition while the 2007 edition was held in Lome, Togo.

Sports

Wednesday November 25, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UEFA Champions League…

Man United

seek win to maintain group lead against PSV .. Rooney doubtful

anchester United captain Wayne Rooney is fit for today’s Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven but may not start, says manager Louis van Gaal. Rooney trained on Tuesday after missing Saturday’s 2-1 win over Watford with illness. But asked if Rooney would regain his place in the XI, Van Gaal said: “No, not automatically.” Striker Anthony Martial is also fit, but midfielder Ander Herrera and defender Phil Jones are unavailable. Marouane Fellaini, who also missed the Watford match, has recovered from a calf injury. But Van Gaal said the Belgian midfielder, Martial and Rooney would have to “show

on the training ground” that they deserved a starting place for the Group B match. Group B leaders United will progress to the knockout stage with victory, though PSV will have other ideas as they seek the win that could take them top of the section instead. United were beaten 2-1 in Eindhoven in the reverse fixture and Van Gaal described that match as “very disappointing”, not just because of the result but also because of the loss of Luke Shaw to a broken leg. The England international will have a scan on Friday to see how his leg is recovering. Midfielders Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick also remain unavailable for United.

Haye to fight de Mori in heavyweight comeback

ormer heavyweight world champion David Haye will make his return to boxing against Australian Mark de Mori at London’s O2 Arena on 16 January. Haye has not fought since he stopped fellow Briton Dereck Chisora in 2012. The 35-year-old has been training with Shane McGuigan - son of former world champion Barry and is aiming to reclaim the world title he lost to Wladimir Klitschko in 2011. Klitschko will attempt

to maintain his 11-year unbeaten streak against another Briton, Tyson Fury, in a world title fight in Duesseldorf, Germany on Saturday. Haye has seen three previous attempts to return thwarted by injury. After pulling out of a bout with Manuel Charr because of a hand injury in 2013, Haye then saw two fights against Fury cancelled because of a cut head and a shoulder injury. De Mori has lost only once in his 33 career bouts. The 33-year-old Perth-

Rooney

Barcelona dominate UEFA team of the year shortlist

E Haye

born boxer’s last defeat came in 2004, and 26 of his 29 victories have come via knockout. “I could have picked an easier opponent,” said Haye. “I could have fought someone who’d been knocked out a couple of times but I wanted to give people someone to get excited about. “He is top 10. I don’t want to fight complete nobodies. I believe if I can do what I’m doing in the gym on 16 January then I’ll be better than I used to be.”

uropean champions Barcelona featured prominently in the 40-man shortlist for the Uefa Team of the Year announced yesterday. Barca, who claimed their fifth European title after beating Juventus 3-1 in June’s Champions League final, have eight representatives with the Serie A champions accounting for six. Cristiano Ronaldo was included in the shortlist for the 12th straight time, having been named in the final 11 last year for a record eighth successive season. Bayer Leverkusen’s Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, 21, was the youngest player to make the list with veteran Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon the oldest at 37. Internet users have until January to register their

votes on the Uefa website, with the Team of the Year revealed three days later. The nominated players are, Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (ITA/Juventus), Denys Boyko (UKR/Dnipro), Joe Hart (ENG/Manchester City), Manuel Neuer (GER/ Bayern Munich). Defenders: David Alaba (AUT/Bayern Munich), David Luiz (BRA/Paris SG), Diego Godin (URU/ Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Rodriguez (SUI/Wolfsburg), Thiago Silva (BRA/Paris SG), Sergio Ramos (ESP/ Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (ESP/Barcelona), Jerome Boateng (GER/Bayern Munich), Leonardo Bonucci (ITA/Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (ITA/Juventus), Dani Alves (BRA/Barcelona), Javier Mascherano (ARG/Barcelona) Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (BEL/Manchester City), Eden Hazard (BEL/

Chelsea), James Rodriguez (COL/Real Madrid), Yevhen Konoplyanka (UKR/Sevilla), Hakan Calhanoglu (TUR/Leverkusen), Arturo Vidal (CHI/ Bayern Munich), Paul Pogba (FRA/Juventus), Ivan Rakitic (CRO/Barcelona), Grzegorz Krychowiak (POL/Sevilla), Andres Iniesta (ESP/Barcelona), Claudio Marchisio (ITA/ Juventus), Marco Verratti (ITA/Paris SG) Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (POL/Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (ARG/ Barcelona), Luis Suarez (URU/Barcelona), Neymar (BRA/Barcelona), Thomas Mueller (GER/ Bayern Munich), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE/Paris SG), Sergio Aguero (ARG/ Manchester City), Antoine Griezmann (FRA/Atletico Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (CHI/Arsenal), Alvaro Morata (ESP/Juventus), Gareth Bale (WAL/Real Madrid)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday November 25, 2015

Midweek League with PAUL EREWUBA 08032138738

Table

A typical league match during the just concluded 2015 league season

LMC rates Glo League season high …Promises to beam 2016 league matches live on local TV

ike the proverbial lizard that fell from an iroko tree and praised himself, the League Management Company (LMC), has pated itself on the back for successful conducting the just concluded 2015 Glo League season. One of its director Isaac Ayodele, said he was happy for the way and manner the league ended, even as he prom-

ised to beam the matches of 2016 league season live on local television. “The plan next season is that the LMC will televise the league on the local television so that the league will get better and compete with other leagues in the world,” Ayodele told journalists in Lagos that the League re-

corded huge success, saying that in the next few years Nigerian league will attract millions of followers in the country. “Honestly, I must say that the just concluded league recorded tremendous success in the area of officiating, spectatorship and organization. The LMC had done a

great job by ensuring that the teams that violated the rules were punished accordingly. “I am delighted to say that football fans are beginning to show interest in our league now because we have put some logistics in place that attract them to the match venues across the country.

Enyimba prepare template for Champions League glory

Udoji

nyimba captain Chinedu Udoji has promised the club’s fans they will maintain a high level of consistency in continental competition. Udoji led Enyimba to their seven Nigeria Professional Football League title recently, which earned them a place in the upcoming CAF Champions League, and the skipper has pledged to maintain a similar level of performance on the continent. “We have been very consistent from last season and we are resting at the moment, we want to take this form and concentration to the continent,” he said. “The expectations are very high and I’m promis-

ing our fans that we shall maintain this form and show deep consistency on the continent next season.” A Nigerian club hasn’t made it beyond the group stage of any continental tournament since 2012, but Udoji believes it will be different for Enyimba. “The past remains in the past and right now we are looking into the future. It’s sad that no Nigerian club has played in the group stage since 2012 but like I said earlier we are looking into the future with so much optimism. That’s why a preparation template has been set out. We shall make Nigeria proud, that I promise,” he concluded.

Teams

Enyimba

Wolves

Nassara

Wikki

Giwa

Sunshine

Heartland

Pillars

3SC

Abia

IfeanyiUbah

Rangers

Lobi

Akwa

El-Kanemi

Dolphins

Sharks

Kwara

Taraba

Bayelsa

Tenger denies quitting Lobi Stars

obi Stars head coach, Justin Tenger has denied report that he has quit the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side. The Pride of Benue were beaten 1-2 by Akwa United in the 2015 Federation Cup final on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. Tenger said his stand as regards to coaching is that he would not consider any contract outside Benue due to age reason. “I must have been quoted out of context in the purported report that I have quit Lobi Stars after defeat to Akwa United in the Federation Cup final in Lagos on Sunday. “My position has been firm and that’s I will not choose or consider any coaching contract outside Benue because of my age. “I have told whoever that cares to hear and listen that I’m not interested in taking up any contract away from Lobi Stars. “I’m the first captain of Lobi Stars then Hawks of Makurdi for six years before I sustained a knee injury in 1986 in an FA Cup final against Enugu Rangers in Kano now coach of same side and I will be glad to end my career at Lobi Stars.

WORLD RECORD

Largest dessert pizza Vol. 05 No. 1250

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

N150

The largest desser t pizza has a total surface area of 14.28 m² (153.71 ft²) and was pre pared by the Record Pizza Men team

Perils of unholy alliance A t a church event, a then serving president said that he honored the church’s invitation because the pastor of the church routinely prayed for him and e-mailed him the transcript of the prayers. To pray for your president is magnificent, but to email him the text of the prayer is a self-serving act most likely aimed at currying the favor of the president. Pastors, especially those of new generation Pentecostal churches in Nigeria desperately desire to hobnob with presidents, governors and other members of the power elite. The power elite relish being thrust before church audience to pray, preach and exhort. There is a symbiotic alliance between the Nigerian power elite and religious elite. They need each other in their determined exploitation of the Nigerian masses. Over the years, the Nigerian power elite

Guest Columnist

Tochukwu Ezukanma

reduced Nigeria to a blundering and floundering country, considered a failed state in some international circles. Their corruption, irresponsible governance and anti-people policies consigned a disproportionate percentage of Nigerians to raw-dirt poverty and stupefacient ignorance. Their moral bankruptcy and lawlessness promoted avarice, aggressiveness of wealth and culture of impunity, essentially a moral and ethical collapse of the Nigerian society. Ordinarily, the Nigerian men of God should been unrelenting in their condemnation of these rulers. The ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, enjoined his followers to “criticize an erring ruler fearlessly in behalf of the common good”. Yes, it is a moral, spiritual and social obligation to censure an errant leader. Criticisms are most helpful to rulers. They remind them of their frailties and limitations irrespective of the loftiness of their positions and expansiveness of their powers. Criticisms humble and sober them. And sobriety and humility are necessary qualities for responsible leadership. The bible states that “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God”. Accordingly, earlier men of God like Samuel, Elijah and John the Baptist boldly reprimanded leaders that ruled unjustly and without the fear of God. Modern history is also suffused with instances of pastors taking resolute stances against bad leadership, social injustice and wicked government policies. Black American preachers like Martin Luther King Jr, Andrew Young, and Jesse

NIGERIAN PASTORS EXCULPATE THE POWER ELITE FROM THE HAVOC THEY ARE WRECKING ON THIS COUNTRY Jackson played pivotal roles in getting America to live up to her creed that “...all men are created equal”. During the apartheid era in South Africa, Desmond Tutu and Allan Boesak among other clergy men played pivotal roles in dismantling that unconscionable, institutionalized racism. But, unfortunately in Nigeria, preachers, for the most part, do not question the abuse of power and the bad policies of the power class. This is because the pastors, mostly, of the one man owned Pentecostal churches, are as greedy and venal as the most morally degenerate of the political elite. With their Prosperity Doctrine and its inherent distortion of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they ignore the motifs of Christianity - repentance, righteousness, love for others, etc - but dwell on the false doctrine of sowing seeds and prospering. The object of Prosperity Doctrine is not to make Christians more Christ-like but to line the pastors’ pockets, maintain their swanky lifestyles and enlarge their financial empires. Preaching their false doctrine with the flippancy and smoothness of a con artist, they badger and browbeat their members

into emptying their pockets into the offering boxes as offerings, tithes and seeds. While a considerable proportion of their members live in poverty and squalor, the pastors, with their tax-free wealth, dwell in mansions, possess fleet of luxury cars, own private jets and indulge their other fantasies. The political class are obliging them this protection because they need the pastors to brainwash Nigerian Christians into political passivity. So, the pastors can continue with their convolution of the Christian doctrine and exploitative amassing of wealth but, in return, preach passivity and docility to their members to dissuade a populace enraged by the excesses and evils of the power elite from questioning them and demanding accountability and retribution. So, instead of using their enormous powers - inviolability of the pulpit, moral authority of the word of God, unction of God and a mesmerizing grip on the minds of their members - to demand a more responsible and principled exercise of power by our leaders, they are using them to douse the political vehemence of the masses. As such, from the pulpit, Nigerian pastors exculpate the power elite from the havoc they are wrecking on this country and indict the masses for the offenses of the leaders. They preach docility, servility and tolerance (for the intolerable) to their members; insinuating that it is sinful to criticize your leaders. They urge them not to complain about the desperate poverty that mars their lives; the pigsties and hovels they inhabit; the trash strewn, festering, oozing and vermin infested neighborhoods they live in; etc; but to just pray for their leaders. With their perversion of the Gospel, the religious elite dispossess the people. With their corruption and thievery, the power elite ravage the country, destroy its institutions and impoverish the masses. The two elite groups need to cover each other’s flanks. There is a symbiotic alliance between them, which thrives at the economic strangulation of the Nigerian masses. Ezukanma wrote from Lagos via maciln18@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Boxing has ‘big problem’ with doping, says Tyson

ritish heavyweight Tyson Fury says boxing has a “big problem” with doping. Fury, 27, will fight for the world title against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, Fury said: “I can look at a man and tell you if he’s full of drugs by one glance at his body with his top off. “Boxing has got a big problem with drugs. But it doesn’t bother me because at

the end of the day it’s about determination over drugs.” The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) said it was firmly against doping in the sport and general secretary Robert Smith told BBC Radio 5 live he did not agree

there was a “major problem”. Fury believes the only way to make things “fully fair” is to legalise doping in sport, but concedes taking such drugs can have a longterm impact on a person’s

health. “I think being in a democratic world means we have to be open to different things,” said Fury. “Why don’t they make drugs totally legal in sports and then it would be fully fair?

Tyson Fury

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