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201 deities crown Ooni Ogunwusi BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was yesterday crowned by the 201 deities in Ife land at Oke Ora, the spot where

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Oduduwa the progenitor of the Yoruba race first wore the crown. The epoch making event at Oke Ora, a community located between Ife and Osu town, took place around 1p.m. at Olokuta, a hill of about 50 feet

high, as the crown was invoked by Olojudo of Oke Ora. Newsmen were prevented from taking pictures of the scenes. Shortly after the crown was invoked out of the hills, Oba Ogunwusi re-

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

DSS gets court order to detain Biafra leader, Kanu

ceived and held it on the tip of his fist. He later moved to a spot near the hill, where another set of rituals were observed, after which he acknowledged some traditional rulers that accomCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Audu, APC guber T candidate buried

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OBIORA IFOH, GEORGE OJI, ROTIMI FADEYI AND WALE IBRAHIM

Buhari, APC govs, PDP, others mourn

he remains of All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate in Saturday’s election in Kogi State, Prince Abubarka Audu were laid to rest in Ogbonicha, his village in Ofu Local Government Area of the state yester-

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day. His remains were committed to mother earth at exactly 1.32p.m. after two rakat Islamic rite amidst tears and wailing, as women cried uncontrollably. Audu developed complication on Friday night at his residence in Lokoja when he allegedly vomited blood after a meal. It was learnt that he managed to get to his Ogbonicha country home, where CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

NSE honours Afe Babalola with Fellowship award P.9 Again, NCC to sanction MTN, Airtel, others over data service migration P.7

LEFT: The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, with the Aare crown. RIGHT: The new Ooni during the crowing at Ile Ife, yesterday.

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$2bn arms deal: FG seeks revocation of Dasuki’s bail How northern Muslim elites’ hypocrisy aided B’Haram growth –Kukah

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Buhari reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to GECF

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$2bn arms deal: FG seeks revocation of Dasuki’s bail DOOSUUR IWAMBE ABUJA

ttorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, yesterday failed to appear before a Federal High Court, Abuja, over the continued siege on the home of former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), in spite of the bail earlier granted him. The court had ordered the appearance of the AGF to explain the rationale behind the house arrest and refusal to allow Dasuki travel abroad for medical attention as ordered. The AGF, instead of appearing in court, filed an application, asking for an order to revoke a bail earlier granted Dasuki and also to commit him to prison pending his trial. Dasuki was facing a charge of being in illegal possession of firearms and money laundering. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, on September 1, 2015, ordered the release of Dasuki’s International Passport to enable him travel abroad for medical attention. The judge, while ruling on the application brought by the former NSA for the release of his travel document, held that, in criminal trial, every suspect is presumed innocent and that every Nigerian has the right to access medication anywhere of his choice. He ordered Dasuki to return his International Passport back to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the court within 72 hours after his return from the three weeks medical trip. The court also reviewed the bail conditions earlier granted the former NSA; that he should produce a surety who would take his place should he refuse to return back to the country to face his trial. Alternatively, the judge held that any of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, representing him, could write an undertaking to produce him in court after the expiration of the three weeks grace given to him to trav-

el abroad. But, at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, and prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri applied for an order of the court revoking Dasuki’s bail and to commit him in prison pending his

trial. Diri hinged his application on seven grounds, one of which is that Dasuki is undergoing investigation by a committee set up by the Federal Government to audit procurement of arms/equipment in the Armed Forces and defence sector from 2007

to date. According to him, an intern report of the committee showed that over $2bn was allegedly embezzled and that Dasuki’s presence is required to assist in further investigation. He said the ailment for which permission was

given to Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment can be properly treated in the National Hospital, Abuja and any other teaching hospital in the country. He also submitted that there was intelligence report that the accused planned to take advantage

of the earlier order granted to him by the court to travel abroad for medical treatment to escape justice. “There is a Federal Government directive for the arrest of all those indicted by the report, including the defendant (DaCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Board of Governor of NJI, Justice Mahmud Mohammed; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; representative of the Senate President, Sen. David Umar and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Lawal Muhammed Uwais, during the 2015 all Nigeria Judge’s Conference in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Audu, APC guber candidate buried CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

he performed his last civic rights and voted at polling 010 at LGEA primary school in the town. He died in the early hours of Sunday before the result of the election, which he was leading with over 41, 351 was announced. The election was however declared inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. As early as 6a.m. sympathisers, friends and political associate from far and near had thronged his residence to sympathise with his family. At about 10a.m. there was mild drama and wild jubilation as news of the resurrection of the political icon rented the air. The drama started when a 22 year old self acclaimed pastor, a lady came and told security personnel that God sent her to pray for Audu, saying the politician was not dead. As soon the door of the

house where the corpse was kept was opened for the self acclaimed pastor, jubilation rent the air and the crowd, including, Muslims, Christians and traditionalists engaged themselves in serious prayer that last for two hours. The jubilation reached a crescendo, when the lady pastor came out and told the crowd that she had prayed and Audu had come back from the land of the dead. However, the reality of the situation soon dawned on the crowd when some Islamic cleric came with a coffin. The entire scenario changed immediately and the sympathisers burst into tears. Among the early callers were Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso and George Akume, former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, former Niger State governor, Alhaji Abdulkadiri Kure, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Jibrin

Usman and Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi. Other dignitaries were National Chairman of APC , Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Senator Dino Melaye, former acting governor of Kogi State Clearence Olafemi, House of Representatives member representing Lokoja Koton Karfe constituency, Buba Jibrin, son of immediate past governor Mohammed Idris who represented Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro federal constituency. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, APC governors, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Senate President, Bukola Saraki yesterday described Audu’s death as chocking President Buhari, who is attending the Third Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Tehran, Iran, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media mad Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said he received the news of Audu’s

death with an enormous sense of shock. He said the gubernatorial of APC died a talented and courageous politician. According to Shehu, the President in his immediate reaction was devastated by the news of the loss. The statement said: “President Buhari condoles with the family of the late governor, the government and people of Kogi State as well as all our party members, men and women who stood with Audu in his bid to return as governor. He ran as the favorite in the election as the early results have clearly shown.” APC Governors Forum in its own reaction described the death of Audu as the most tragic anti-climax in contemporary Nigerian politics. In a statement, the Chairman of the Forum and Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the death of the twice governor came to them as a rude

shock. He said: “The death of Prince Audu Abubakar is indeed one of the most tragic anti-climax in contemporary Nigerian politics. “Prince Audu Abubakar’s dogged political profile translates to consistency in pursuing the greater good. He was one of the few leaders who championed the campaign for the creation of Kogi State. “Kogi electorate recognised his commitment to the development of the State when in November 1991 they elected him as the first civilian governor of the state. Unfortunately, Prince Abubakar’s brilliant stint in office was cut short by military intervention in 1993. At the return of democratic rule in 1999, Kogi people returned him with a fresh mandate. “At every opportunity to serve his people, Prince Audu Abubakar had always put his hands to the plough. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

L-R: A student of Petroleum and Gas Engineering Department of the University of Lagos, Ojeme Benahili Faith; Head Lubricant and Research Manager, Mohammad Dahiru; Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Olaposi Williams and exhibition representative, Oando Oleum Syn Lubricant, Mukoro Serah, during demonstration at the University of Lagos as part of activities introducing engine lubricant at the OTL Africa Downstream Expo Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage and Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobolwale, at the company’s pre-annual general meeting conference in Lagos, yesterday.

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L-R: Executive Chairman, Harley Reed International Ltd, London, Tom Tagoe; Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Liquidified Natural Gas, Babs Omatowa; Managing Director, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, Andre Coetzee and Corporate Relationships, Energy, Oil and Gas Sectors, Phil Broughton, at the Oil and Gas Industry Syndicate Corporate Award Programme in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Daughter of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Mrs Grace Tarkula; 2nd runner-up in dancing competition, Solomon Amiji; winner, Nafisat Babalola; Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ortom on Youth Empowerment, Hon. Sunny Nyor and 1st runner-up, Ugela Maxwell, at the Makurdi edition of Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce, at the weekend.

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ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday said it would apply available legal provisions on the recent development over Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State. Deputy Director of Publicity of the commission, Mr. Nick Dazang, stated this in Abuja. Dazang, however, said All Progressives Congress, APC, was yet to inform the commission of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the party’s flag bearer in the election. “APC has to do proper notification, and accompany it with the certificate of death issued by a medical doctor,” he said. Audu, who was leading Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Idris Wada, in the election, which was declared inconclusive by INEC, died suddenly on Sunday in his home in Ogbonicha. He was buried yesterday according to Islamic rites. Dazang said INEC

INEC to apply legal provisions on Kogi would apply relevant laws and make a pronouncement on its position on the election immediately it received official notification of Audu’s death from his political party. He said there were legal provisions to address such incidence in the country’s electoral process. “When something like this happens, the party on which platform the candidate contested will need to notify the commission; of course, we have heard and read like everyone else but we need to be notified. “Once the commission is notified, it will look at relevant clauses of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and also the Constitution of APC itself. “All these relevant laws will be looked at with a view to determining what to be done to ensure that whatever is done subsequently is done within the ambit of the law.

“INEC as a law-abiding body will do everything prescribed by the law. “Thankfully, we have a consortium of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, that provide counsel to the commission. We also have a very vibrant legal service department, headed by a SAN,” Dazang said, adding that before the report of the death of Audu, INEC, on the directive of its chairman, was already making provision for a supplementary election. He said the commission would follow the Constitu-

tion and not the opinion of people on the election. The director assured that because of the urgency of the issues involved in the supplementary election, INEC would prepare itself to commence consultation. According to him, INEC will not fold its arms in a very serious incident like this. He expressed hope that the commission would come out with its position about the election before end of the week, saying that the Electoral Act

prescribed 14 days for the conduct of supplementary poll. He declined comment on whether the commission would proceed with a supplementary election or conduct a fresh poll. Dazang, however, said whatever the situation would be, Kogi election would not affect that of Bayelsa State as the commission had the capacity to handle the two elections. “Assuming the two states’ elections coincide, the commission has

curement and Supply, CIPS, in Lagos. Omatowa said: “We introduced the first Nigerian managed aviation partnership, investing significantly to ensure they could build local capacity of modern helicopters worth over $100m (N20bn). “More recently, as part of building six new ships for

NLNG, we brought creativity to enhance strategic contribution to Nigeria with training of 600 Nigerians.” He said the CIPS education had enabled him to gain deeper insights into procurement best practices and creation of value. Omatowa said the profession had witnessed phenomenal changes, especially in

the resource to conduct them. Don’t forget we have conducted national elections before and we are just talking about election in two states,” he said. On efficiency of card reader for the Kogi election, he said available statistics revealed that less than one per cent of the deployed card readers failed. According to Dazang, about 53 of the 6, 0066 card readers deployed to the state malfunctioned in the exercise.

NLNG trains 600 Nigerians in building 6 ships

igeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd, NLNG, yesterday said it has trained 600 Nigerians in the building of its six new ships.

NLNG Chief Executive Officer, Mr Babs Omatowa, announced this at the Oil and Gas Syndicate Corporate Award organised by the Chartered Institute of Pro-

the last 20 years with much technological advancement aided particularly by globalisation, telecommunication, internet, social media and efficient logistics. He said issues like climate change, slavery, human trafficking, corruption and inequalities were receiving more attention from the global leaders and change agents.

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

201 deities crown Ooni Ogunwusi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

panied him on the journey. According to some traditionalists, who accompanied the monarch, Oba Ogunwusi, could not wear Are Crown because it is worn once in a year

during Olojo festival. They added that Are Crown, which is also called Ade Oduduwa, had left Ife town on the demise of Oba Okunade Sijuade. It was also learnt that

an Ooni is never crowned by any individual as the practice is in many Yoruba towns. One of those who accompanied the monarch from Giesi Ruling House, who does not want to be

named, told our correspondent that Are Crown, at the demise of Ooni is kept by the 201 Ife deities and can only be released to another monarch succeeding the departed one. As early as 5 a.m., the

monarch began the rites that would last all day by wearing Seseefun crown, otherwise called Ade Obatala and began spot to spot rituals across Ife town. The monarch, who

L-R: Former head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; wife of Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife Funso, during a tribute to the late Chief Mrs. HID Awolowo in Sagamu, Ogun State yesterday.

$2bn arms deal: FG seeks Audu, APC guber candidate buried revocation of Dasuki’s bail CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

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suki) and that the ongoing investigation which borders on money laundering against the defendant has not been concluded and there is fear that investigation might be tempered with on account of foreign visit by the respondent before the completion of investigation. “My lord, there is fear that investigation might be tampered with on account of a foreign visit by the respondent before the completion of the investigation. “The public interest is at stake because investigation has to be properly conducted to a logical conclusion and the presence of the respondent will assist investigation,” he said. Diri also sought to know why the accused was absent in court saying there was no reason for his absence and there was no any order by the court which said the accused should not appear. Joseph Daudu, SAN, lead counsel to Dasuki ob-

jected to the prosecution’s application and reminded the court that yesterday’s business was for the Federal Government to explain why the order of the court was violated by operatives of DSS. Daudu said the essence of the preliminary objection by the defence was to deny the Federal Government any indulgence until the order of the court is obeyed, adding that Dasuki’s absence in court was justified as he had not violated any of his bail conditions. Justice Ademola adjourned till November 26 to rule on the applications. It would be recalled that Dasuki had dragged the Federal Government to court, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to dignity and security of life. He wants the court to order the Federal Government and its agents, especially DSS, to vacate his house located at 13, John Kadija Street, Asokoro with immediate effect.

“A few of Prince Abubakar’s landmark legacies include the Kogi State Government House, Kogi State University, Kogi State Polytechnic, Kogi State Television, Radio and Newspaper outfits, Kogi State Stadium, hundreds of rural electrification and water projects, Beach Confluence Hotel, three major housing estates, attraction of major industrial concerns to Kogi State and the transformation of Lokoja into a modern state capital. “Given this painful passage, we can only surrender to the will of the Almighty God. We condole with the family of Prince Audu Abubakar, the good people of Kogi State, the leadership of our great party, APC members all over the world and all lovers of democracy.” Reacting to Audu’s death, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus charged its members in Kogi State and across the nation to remember the decased, his family and loved ones in their prayers. In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said

it was shocked by the news of the sudden death of Audu. The party however said it would not comment on Saturday’s election because of the recent happening. “At this critical moment, PDP refrains from comments on the conduct of the election. That is not important now. “What is important at this point is the sanctity of human life. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go to the family of Prince Abubakar Audu and indeed, the APC fold,” it said. Saraki, in his own reaction, described as painful and shocking, the demise of the two-time governor. He said the late politician died a dogged and visionary leader. Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, recalled the tenacity of purpose and unwavering loyalty of the deceased, who he said remained committed to the course of his people and his party to the very last moment of his life. Saraki said: “He was selfless, steadfast and patriotic in his services to the people

of Kogi State and beyond. He was a visionary and patriotic party faithful. All his life time, he lived for the people. His death is extremely painful but we cannot question the will of the Almighty Allah in the present sorrowful circumstances.” In a related development, APC said it will explore all known choices and alternatives in line with party’s dictates and rule of law as regard the demise of Prince Audu. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Acting National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Timi Frank, the party expressed shock over the death, adding that the late Audu would have been the best governor like he was in the state before. The statement said: “We are exploring all known choices and alternatives to us in line with our party’s dictates and respect of the rule of law as is in conformity with laid down laws and rules of our country. “The past 24 hours has been one that of gloom, pain, shock and grief best describe, following the death of strongman of Kogi politics, a dependable party

was dressed in all white lace material, was accompanied by members of Isoro cult, some high chiefs, and many indigenes of the town. As the monarch and his party moved round, gun shots were fired amidst drumming and dancing by the crowd. At Walode compound, Oba Ogunwusi entered an old building and was received by some women and he spent few minutes there. When he emerged from the building, a ram was slaughtered and the blood of the animal was sprinkled on the floor. Also at a junction around Ilode area, series of sacrifices were carried out and the traditionalists told drummers to beat drums to announce the emergence of the monarch. As at the time of filing this report, the monarch was observing the last part of the rituals by walking on mats from Enuwa into Ile Oodua, Ooni’s palace.

man and our governorship candidate in last Saturday’s election, Prince Abubakar Audu, who was clearly headed for victory having lead with the most votes. “To say that we are shocked and dumbfounded at Audu’s death is to scratch our pains on the surface as the Kogi Prince typified what a real democrat radiates; a politician who chose to remain in opposition after losing his governorship in 2003 despite the intimidations on him but rather chose to see the nation get its deserved change in leadership.” APC described Audu as “irreplaceable not only in the politics of Kogi State where he strode like a colossus but also in the firmament of our nation’s political history.” The party commiserated with Audu’s family, relations, the people of Kogi State and indeed the APC family all across the world. “We are hurt by his demise as we are sure that the late would-be governor would have emerged the best governor again and restored all that the locusts have eaten in Kogi State,” it added.

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Buhari decries slow pace of justice dispensation Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has decried the slow dispensation of justice in the nation’s judiciary, saying its reputation has been negatively affected as a result of the trend. Buhari who was represented by the Vice President Professor Yemi Osibanjo, made the disclosure while delivering his keynote address at the opening of the ongoing all Nigeria Judges’ Conference being conducted by the National Judicial Institute Abuja. As an institution dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, the president insisted that the judiciary must go the extra miles to sanitise itself and improve its capacity to act independently, courageously and timorously. “Further on point of negative perception, there is both local and international dissatisfaction with the long delays in the trial process. Delays in the trial process have damaged the international reputation of the Nigerian judiciary, even amongst its international peers” Buhari observed. “Unfortunately, our justice system currently has a reputation for delays, usually occasioned by a combination of endless adjournments, incessant interlocutory applications and overwhelming caseloads” the president stated. “This situation is a huge disincentive for businesses. It is not surprising therefore, that Nigeria ranks near the bottom on the ease of doing business index. We are currently ranked 143 out of 189 countries by the World Bank Group’s Enforcing Contracts Indicator. According to World Bank, “it takes about 510 days on average to enforce a contract at the level of a court of first instance in Nigeria. In Singapore, the top ranked country on the index, it takes 150 days on average to enforce a similar contract” Buhari said. “The ability to enforce contractual obligations and resolve disputes is an essential consideration for intending investors, both local and foreign, in deciding where to put their money. Earlier, the Chief Jus-

tice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Mahmud Mohammed, expressed dismay that the judiciary is underfunded. “It is source of great concern that in a country where an arm of government is appropriated with less than one percent of the national budget, it is difficult to refer to our judiciary as being truly independent. “The constitution prescribes the institutional independence of the judiciary under Section 6 of its provisions. Sections 121 (3) and 162 (9) further guarantee fiscal independence for the judiciary, a fact now acknowledged by the other arms of government with recent resolutions by the federal and some state governments to pay the judiciary its outstanding and future budgetary allocations as and when due. “However, under the circumstances, the states judiciaries continue to encounter a further burden of facing difficulties in accessing these paltry funds from their executives in order to function. He therefore urged the executive and legislature to remember that judicial independence is not only expedient, but also necessary to the country’s existence. “It is this independence that gives credibility to the scales of justice and allows our citizens to rest assured that justice is indeed not for sale. For this reason, I call on the heads of other arms of government, in the spirit of the cooperation between us, to support the judiciary’s existence and I can assure you that it will flourish and grow.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NIMC commences database integration with BVN

…says Nigerians in diaspora will be enrolled for e-ID card Joel Ajayi ABUJA

ollowing the presidential directive on harmonisation of databases in the country, the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has commenced the integration of the Bank Verification Number, BVN, with the National Identity Management System, NIMS. Outgoing Director General of NIMC, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, who spoke alongside MD/CEO of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System and Mr. Christopher Kakwe Katso, DIG, Police, revealed this at a briefing in Abuja. Onyemenam described the development as the outcome of the commission’s efforts at ensuring that the presidential directive on expeditious conclusion and

integration of biometric databases was adhered to. According to him, NIMC will now begin to take data, pass it through its system to attach identification number that correspond with each BVN data and via SMS, notify successful candidate that his/her National Identification Number, NIN, has been issued based on the data received from the BVN data based. He said: “We have gotten to a point where we will kick off the integration of the BNV with the NIMS database. This is the outcome of several weeks and months at ensuring that the presidential directive which meant that we should expeditiously conclude the integration of biometric data bases and therefore enable government, particularly MDAs optimise the scarce resources to streamline ac-

tivities in the identity management process so that we can serve Nigerians better. “This is the outcome of several weeks of technical analysis, operational reviews and detailed legal evaluation. Before now, we have put together a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, immediately we were able to ascertain and confirm the technical compatibility of data coming from both ends. “Currently as we speak, we have similar harmonisation and integration implementation committees at MDA levels, liaising with the Nigeria Police also on those level of compatibility, operational modalities and of course within some legal framework commonly refer to as MoU. We also are doing the same thing with the NPC, NpopC, INEC, FRSC, FIRS and NHIS. These

are the ones that we have gained traction following successive presidential directives since 2013. Mr Adebisi Shonubi, MD/CEO, Nigeria InterBank Settlement System plc, hailed the banking industry for being one of the first to integrate with NIMC and have a NIN matched with the customers BVN. He however, disclosed plans to setup enrolment centers at the Nigerian mission offices abroad. NIMC said it is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy the offshore enrolment centers as soon as possible, as it will help the government to focus on its resources abroad and as well save a lot of cost of travelling for citizen from wherever they are to come back home just to have a means of identification.

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyema; Minister of Power, Works and Housing; Mr. Babatunde Fashola and National Security Adviser; Gen. Babagana Monguno, during a bilateral talk between Nigeria and Equitorial Guinea in Tehran, Iran, yesterday.

2014 VASA report vital to conduct of population census –NPC boss Joel Ajayi ABUJA

hairman of National Population Commission, NPC, Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), has explained that the report on 2014 on Verbal and social Autopsy VASA survey would complement existing data for the effective forthcoming 2016 population census in the country. NPC chairman stated this yesterday, in Abuja at the public presentation of the final report on 2014 Verbal and Social Autopsy VASA survey. He noted

that the report will be useful when head counts commence next year. The commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and National Bureau of Statistics with the support of United States Agency for International Development, USAID, had last year embarked on the study to unravel the causes of determinants of neonatal and child mortality in Nigeria. According to him, the conduct of the 2014 VASA is another bold step in the effort of National Population Commission to provide

demographic data for planning purposes. He said: “The report would complement existing demographic data for effective forthcoming 2016 population census in the country. “VASA are to complement the data generated not only from population census, but also the continuous registration of births and deaths, which is one of the core mandates of the commission. “Verbal autopsy is the method of obtaining as much information as possible about a deceased person by asking questions of

family and others who can describe the mode of death and circumstances preceding the death. “The outcome of the survey is a useful basis for making reliable estimates of the numbers, causes and determinants of death, which are necessary for the purpose of designing intervention schemes aimed at meeting the development goals by 2030,” he said. While explaining methodology and key findings, the Project Director Survey, NPC, Mrs. Amaka Ezenwa, revealed that the study had indicated that northern

part of the country ranked high in home birth. He said: “73% of babies were born at home in the northern regions, compared to 24% in the south and more than 57% of neonatal deaths occurred at home,” he added. She also disclosed that the report showed clearly that some of the causes of death are preventable through proper intervention programmes that will among others improve access to health-care services; improve sanitation and access to reproductive health system.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

NAF begins local production of aircraft spare parts Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

he Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has commenced the production of locally-made spares and other related equipment for its aircraft. NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, DOPRI, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, made the disclosure yesterday in a statement made available to journalists. Alonge said the effort was in a bid to address the challenges associated with spares procurement from third party countries. He said the Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in a bold move towards achieving this objective had set up both research and implementation committees comprising three professors and NAF officers in partnership with 28 indigenous universities. Alonge added that the committees which only recently submitted a combined interim report were grouped into non-destructive testing team, security monitoring system and autopilot cassette team. He said Air Marshal

Abubakar expressed optimism while receiving the interim report that the NAF was at the verge of breaking even at producing locally made spares for maintenance of its aircraft. According to the CAS, “the research outcomes of the committees will save the country enormous resources in hard currency and the time lag experienced in purchasing spare and military hardware from other countries.” He urged the committees to intensify their efforts and pledged to provide the much needed support and enabling environment for them to succeed. Furthermore, Alonge added that the Air Chief used the occasion to introduce inter-command Research and Development competition amongst all NAF units. Earlier, while presenting the interim report, leader of the team, Air Vice Marshal Kayode Beckley, stated that various experiments were currently on-going at different NAF units with the overall aim of using local content to address the issue of maintenance and procurement of spares.

Again, NCC to sanction telcos over data service migration Tola Akinmutimi

espite the raging controversies generated by its penchant to sanction telecommunications operators for infractions on industry regulatory guidelines, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, yesterday threatened to sanction MTN, Airtel and Globacom for defying the directive on automatic migration to Pay-As-You-Go data bundle. The intention to punish the erring entities was published by the Commission in its `2015 3Q Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report’. NCC stated that its latest stance to punish the erring telcos was informed by complaints it continued to receive from subscribers on automatic migration of data bundle package to PayAs-You-Go Billing on depletion of their data bundle. According to the Commission, follow-up compliance check carried out indicated that Etisalat was in compliance with the directives by notifying its subscribers through Short

Message Service, SMS, of depletion of their data bundle accounts, before due dates. It also reported that Etisalat sought the consent of subscribers before automatically migrating them to the Pay-As-You-Go data service. ‘’Globacom is in compliance with Direction No. 1 as subscribers receive SMS detailing tariff rate for auto-migration on depletion of their data bundle. However, Globacom failed to obtain express consent from subscribers before migration to PAYG and therefore in violation of Direction No. 2. ‘”MTN is in compliance with Direction No.1 but failed to highlight the tariff rate for PAYG billing. In addition, data service is not suspended on depletion of the data bundle account even without an authorisation via an SMS from the subscriber. ‘”Airtel is not in compliance with the above directions. Consequent upon the above, the commission has issued a notice of intention to sanction the concerned service providers,” the Commission stated.

L-R: Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai and Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Bashir Iliyasu, at Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council meeting in Kaduna, yesterday.

Aregbesola commissions N750m Wole Soyinka school Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

sun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday, commissioned a N750 million worth Wole Soyinka Government High School in Ejigbo. It was the first of its category in the mega schools series under the education reform programme of the Aregbesola’s government. The Nobel Laureate described the school as an emphatic rejection of the what Boko Haram insurgents preaches; describing the situation in which the country till date could not account for the missing Chibok girls as a shame. The school is a 3,000-students capacity complex with 72 classrooms of 49 square-meters, each capable of sitting 49 students and has six offices for study groups. It is also equipped with

six laboratories, 18 toilets for ladies and 18 others for gentlemen, one science library, one Arts library, facility manager’s office, a bookshop and a sick bay. Soyinka enjoined leaders in the country to ensure that children are brought up with a feeling that one religion is not superior to the other. He stated that all hands must be on deck to see to it that children in schools are not differentiated along religious line for a better Nigeria. Soyinka commended Governor Aregbesola for doing a great job with the construction of the school, saying, he is elated that such honour is bestowed on him, pledging that he will not hesitate to frequent the school to see how it is faring. He said: “It is a shame that the nation cannot account for over 200 girls in Chibok, I sympathise with

the religious policy of governments in schools, children must not be brought up with a feeling that religion inhibits knowledge. “In schools, we need not distinguish our children, the fatalistic religious holiness and the holier than thou attitude must be reduced among our students”. The Nobel Laureate stated. The governor earlier stated that the cost of the High school though huge, considering the lean resources of the state is an investment worth it. Aregbesola said that within the first quarter of next year, his government would also commission for use another set of schools in the same category. He stressed that no government can overspend on the education of his people, saying education is human development and primary way any family can get a lasting benefit from govern-

ment. The governor noted that one of his first acts in office after inauguration in 2010 was to hold an education summit chaired by Professor Wole Soyinka, adding that the rehabilitation of schools and construction of new ones were derived from the outcome of the summit. Aregbesola said that it is befitting that Osun named the school after Soyinka who he described as an excellent product of public education in Nigeria and a distinguished academic who brought honour to Yorubaland, Nigeria, Africa and the black race with his Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. The governor added that the commissioning of the school is Osun’s way of making a statement that public schools can be the best and be returned to the pre-eminent position it occupied in the past.

Navy signs MoUs with 29 private security companies

hief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IbokEte Ibas, said the Nigerian Navy has signed Memorandum of Understandings, MoUs, with 29 Private Maritime Security Companies, PMSC, to bridge security gap. Ibas stated this in a paper presented at the 2015 Annual Lecture, Investiture and Award ceremony of the Certified Institute of Shipping, CIS, made available to newsmen in Lagos on Monday. The paper was titled “Defence of Maritime Resources and Infrastructure. Catalyst for Economic

Development: Global Efforts–Role of the Nigerian Navy’’. He said the Nigerian Navy has also signed an MoU on Maritime Guard Command with the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. “Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy streamlined the operations of private maritime security companies. “The arrangement has engendered the enabling environment necessary for uninterrupted crude oil production by the International Oil Companies,

IOCs, and their contractors, thus enhancing economic development,’’ Ibas said. He also said that the Navy had established an information sharing mechanism with the Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association, as a collaborative effort to solve insecurity in Nigeria’s maritime domain. He said the Navy also held periodic meetings and retreats with maritime stakeholders, adding that all these were geared toward curbing insecurity in the maritime domain for economic development.

He said the nation was currently experiencing some form of insecurity in the maritime environment with great potential of impacting negatively on its economic development. He said the maritime environment was also susceptible to threats such as communal agitations, insurgency, pollution and terrorism among others. He recalled that over the years, the Nigerian Navy had been stretching its meagre resources to contend with the enormous responsibilities of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime frontiers.

South West

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

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Police parade kidnappers of 4-year-old boy Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

L-R: Wife of Osun State governor, Sherifat Aregbesola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Professor Wole Soyinka; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, during the commissioning of Prof. Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo, Osun State, yesterday.

Plagiarism: Nigerian Maths ‘genius’ debunks allegation

…says its sheer conspiracy by the West Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

igerian scholar who solved 156 years old Riemann Zeta knotty mathematical hypothesis, Dr Opeyemi Enoch, has refuted allegations that he plagiarised to arrive at his findings. Enoch, who teaches at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, described the allegation as conspiracy by scholars of the Western world attempting to promote racial discrimination in the academic world. He said it was laughable that the West was taking serious the allegation of a PhD student in Yale University, USA, that his work was plagiarised in the presentation. Enoch, who said he had been sponsored by inter-

national bodies to make presentation on the knotty mathematical issue at different international academic communities before now, described the allegation as "a misdirected venom and part of the conspiracy of some racist-academics in the West, who believe something good cannot come from Africa." The mathematician said the findings took him seven years to resolve after his student brought the mathematical puzzle to him on November 14, 2008, from an online publication. He said: “One thing is very clear here, if the International Conference on Mathematics and Computer Science, Vienna, Austria, did not find my work worthy and acceptability, it won’t publish it on its portal. “Aside this, the PhD stu-

dent in America, who wrote that I copied his work, was only making a folly of himself. A PhD student has not published any work for anybody to plagiarise, so I am not really bothered by his allegation. But it is wrong for anybody to rate a PhD student higher and above a PhD holder simply because the latter is from Africa,” he said. Enoch had a fortnight ago made a presentation in Vienna, Austria, on the hypothesis propounded by a German Mathematician, Riemann Zeta, in 1869, thereby resolving the issue that had become a mathematical puzzle for ages. He regretted that no African had ever won the Nobel prize in Mathematics, Engineering and Medicine, hinging this on alleged conspiracy of the West.

However, he advised the Federal Government to make Nigerian universities competitive to boost their global ranking by signing MoUs with countries abroad, saying such would boost invention and revenue generations through royalties. The don who bagged his first degree from the University of Ilorin before proceeding to the Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado Ekiti, where he obtained Masters Degree and PhD, said that apart from working on this Riemann Zeta function, part of his mathematical inventions also include: Using Mathematical function to detect someone with crime intention, invention of I-cell key holder, which earned him best inventor of the year 2012 at EKSU.

Ex-PHCN workers drag BEDC to industrial court Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

ormer staffs of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, have dragged Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, to the Industrial Court in Akure, Ondo State capital, over unpaid severance allowance. Joined in the suit are the PHCN, Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, and

National Electricity Liability Management Company, NELMCO. The workers, who were mainly contract staff under the defunct company were disengaged from service two years ago. Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the sacked workers said their disengagement from service in 2013 did not follow due process. The former PHCN work-

ers are also challenging the way they were laid off, claiming that the process was unjust. Their counsel, Ifedayo Olanipekun, said the workers were verbally dismissed without due process. One of the aggrieved workers, Tunde Bada, noted that they were laid off verbally without any letter to back it up, stressing that the management had been calming them down that govern-

ment would paid the allowance. “We are in court to ensure that we get justice over the way we were wrongfully sacked. We are surprised that in Akure district we still have over 70 people that are yet to be regularised and that is not so in other zone." The presiding Judge, Justice N.A Ubaka, adjourned the case till February for further hearing.

olice in Ogun State yesterday paraded four suspected kidnappers who allegedly abducted a four-year-old boy, Steve Kanu, at his parents' home at Laderin Housing Estate in Abeokuta, the state capital. The boy was kidnapped on November 2, 2015, at his parents' residence in Laderin Estate, Abeokuta, and was whisked away in a taxicoloured cab to an unknown destination. Parading the suspects, the state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, who paraded the suspects yesterday at the police command's headquarters, Eleweeran, Abeokuta, gave the names of the four suspects as Kenechukwu Amoke (21), Anayo Amoke (35), Oluchi Asadu (20), and Maureen Uchenna, who worked as a nurse in the hospital of the victim's father. Ali stated that the actual kingpin identified as Obinna

Amoke, who is a lover of Maureen, the nurse, was on the run. The CP explained that the four suspects were arrested at a village in Nsukka, Enugu State, at the weekend. Ali also stated that the abduction of Steve was allegedly hatched by the 25-year-old nurse, Maureen, which blew open after the suspects had collected N1 million as ransom from the parents of the victim, Dr and Mrs Mucipay Kanu. After the parents of the boy had parted with the ransom, the suspects also demanded for additional N11 million ransom and threatened to kill the boy should the parent of the 4-years old boy fail to pay the money. The CP however, stated that nemesis caught up with the suspects last Friday 20th November when the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun State Police Command swooped on their hideout at Nsukka in Enugu State with the assistance of the Enugu Command.

Ogun immortalises HID Awolowo with school, estate Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

gun State government yesterday immortalised the late Yeye Oodua, Mama HID Awolowo, by naming one of the model schools being built by Ibikunle Amosun’s administration as well as a housing estate after the matriarch of Awolowo family. Governor Ibikunle Amosun made the announcement in his keynote address, which he delivered at the Ogun Day celebration of Mama HID, which held yesterday at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area of the state. Speaking before dignitaries, who included former Head of Interim National Government, ING, Chief Ernest Sonekan, wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dolapo; wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo, among others, Amosun said the model school located in Ikenne and Plainfields Estate in the OkeMosan area of Abeokuta metropolis were part of the edifices named after Mama

Awolowo. The governor further explained that the State Executive Council, SEC, during its meeting came to the conclusion that one of the best ways through which the state could immortalise Mama Awolowo was to sustain the ideals and philosophy the duo of late Pa Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Mama HID, stood for hence, the naming of educational edifices after her. Amosun, who emphasised that Mama HID stood solidly behind her husband throughout the period of his political travails, however, charged womenfolk throughout the country whose husbands are in politics today to emulate the virtues of the late Yeye Oodua, Mama HID. Responding to the state government's gesture, the eldest daughter of the Awolowo family, Reverend Omotola Oyediran, said the show of love by the federal and state governments as well as other eminent Nigerians demonstrated the appreciation of what Pa and Mama HID did for the country.

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South West

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

FG assures of security in L education establishments

NSE honours Afe Babalola

Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ederal Government yesterday assured of its determination to provide security in all education establishments across the country. Government also said efforts were being made to eliminate violence and harmful practices against girls in accordance with the provisions of the Sustainable Development Goals. Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, gave the assurance in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, in an address at the opening session of a Training Workshop on the Use of Curriculum Guides, Record Keeping, Guidance and Counselling and Multigrade Teaching Techniques for

Buhari

Nomadic School Teachers in the South-West, holding at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. The minister in the address delivered by a Director in the ministry, Mrs. Ajaegbu Cordelia, said the present administration sees education as key to the achievement of the SDGs, hence the commitment of the ministry to provide

leadership in its attainment through promotion of equitable access to primary and secondary education for boys and girls, as well as equitable access to technical and vocational education. While noting that the country has recorded appreciable progress in the implementation of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, particularly in the area of promoting and improving the quality of nomadic education and Universal Primary Education, UPE, enrolment, the minister, however, emphasised the need to further build the capacity of nomadic education head teachers/teachers. Executive Secretary, National Commission for Nomadic Education, NCNE, Prof. Rashidi Aderinoye, said the training workshop

was earmarked to benefit 120 nomadic school teachers in the six states of South West, namely: Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Osun and Ekiti. He assured that the training and re-training of school teachers under the nomadic education scheme would be a continuous process to ensure regular update of their skills and competence. Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OyoSUBEB), Mr. Yinka Osuntogun, lauded NCNE for its sustained support for the implementation of various programmes under the scheme over the years. He said Oyo State Government under the present administration attaches priority attention to the scheme.

egal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has added another feather to his cap as the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, honoured him with the award of Honorary Fellowship. Chief Babalola was honoured along with the Secretary of the Government of the Federation Mr. Abubakar Buchachiwa, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Aliko Dangote, Ewi of Ado and other distinguished Nigerians. Presenting the award in Akure, Ondo State capital, NSE President, Mr. Ademola Olorunfemi, described Afe Babalola as a courageous and God-fearing man worthy of emulation. He said the award was given to him because of his immense contribution to the nation’s growth, particularly in the education sector and meritorious services to humanity. Ademola described Afe Babalola University, which was founded six years ago, as the best private university in Africa, considering the modern technologies and facilities the institution possesses. The NSE president said the association was impressed by what it saw, when it recently paid an inspection visit to the university. He maintained that the award was given to Chief Afe Babalola to appreciate

and celebrate his numerous achievements in all sectors of life Speaking at the occasion, Chief Afe urged the Federal Government to encourage Nigerian manufacturing industries and discourage over dependence on foreign technology, goods and services In realisation of the importance of adequate infrastructure to national development, the legal icon said many other developing economies have adopted concrete national infrastructure master plan to shore up their infrastructural services. He advised the Federal Government to urgently tackle the negative influence of a corrupt and retrogressive political class for Nigeria to achieve sustainable infrastructural development. He advised that the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan should not be jettisoned He said the master plan was aimed at building and maintaining adequate infrastructure in all areas of the Nigerian economy. The master plan he said stipulated the aspiration of raising Nigeria’s infrastructure development from the current 20 – 25 per cent of GDP to at least 70 per cent by 2043 and ensuring delivery of quality and affordable infrastructural services.

Akiolu lauds Ambode over panel of enquiry on Ajah crisis Olusegun Koiki LONDON L-R: National President, Abeokuta Descendants Union of Nigeria (ADUN), Chief Femi Oloyede; Chairman, ADUN, Suleja branch, Niger State, Mr. Ayoola Oguntade, and President, Ogun State Indigenes Forum, Abuja chapter, Dr. Kolapo Osibote, during the 25th anniversary celebration of Abeokuta Descendants Union of Nigeria in Abuja, at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

ishop-elect of The Rivers of Life Prophetic and Miracle Cathedral, Olusola Ladega, has warned governors to desist from their plans to slash the N18,000 minimum wage being paid to workers in the country. Ladega, who spoke with journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, yesterday, emphasised that the planned reduction of the minimum wage would further worsen the living condition of Nigerian workers if

Cleric cautions govs against worsening workers’ conditions

implemented. The newly elevated bishop, who was fielding questions from journalists during ordination of 20 Deacons and Deaconesses of the church, argued that claim by the governors that they could no longer pay the minimum wage was not tenable. It would be recalled that the governors, last week in Abuja, declared that they could no longer sustain payment of the minimum wage

owing to prevailing economic situation in the country. But the cleric said the current economic doldrums was borne out of mismanagement by those elected to administer the affairs of the country and not the workers. “What is happening in our nation today, I think, is some kind of mismanagement. It's not because the fund is not there but the management is not good enough and that is why we

are having problems now. “In our nation today, the people in governance are more self-centred and that is why things are going the way they are going now,” he said. The cleric however charged governors to handle the issue of the minimum wage with the fear of God, stressing that if they are committed with the fear of God, “things would be better in our nation.”

agos State government has been commended for setting up a panel of enquiry to unravel the killing of Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Company, Mr. Tajudeen Disu. Disu was in charge of the Lekki Free Trade Zone before he was murdered during a community uprising over government land acquisition. Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, said the enquiry set up by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would help to unravel how Disu, whose death he described as unfortunate, was murdered by some miscreants. He insisted that the de-

velopment of Epe axis by the state government would hasten developments not just in the state, but in Nigeria as a whole and wondered why the natives would resist such development in their area. He alleged that most of the natives had earlier collected compensations from government on acquisition of their lands and still went back to demand for another compensation, stressing that such practice would not augur well for the state. He appealed to the natives, including Obas in the area to cooperate with government in its efforts to bring developments to their domains. It would be recalled that Disu was allegedly murdered while on a peace mission by some hoodlums.

South East

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

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PRAWA extends anti-human trafficking campaign to Anambra communities Francis Ekpone ONITSHA

omen and some youths in Mmiata Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday, threw emotions to the wind as they sobbed freely when a non-governmental organisation, NGO, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, PRAWA, Nigeria in Partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, took the anti-human trafficking campaign to their door steps. The NGO, which is also partnering an Anambra State- based civil society organisation, Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking and Community Development Initiative, INTERCOM-Africa, also visited Uli in Ihiala Local Government Council Area, Awgbu, Nibo and Mgbakwu communities in Orumba North, Awka South and Awka North local government areas, respectively, to sensitise parents on the dangers of human traffick-

ing. NAPTIP in its recent report declared Anambra, Edo, Kano, Kaduna and Ogun states as the five top endemic states of human trafficking in Nigeria, hence the intervention of PRAWA in this 3rd phase of anti-human trafficking project that is being funded by the Kingdom of Netherlands. In the one week programme, the team also visited Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Federal Polytechnic, Oko and Paul University, Awka where students were advised to avoid being a victim of human trafficking by ignoring anyone who promises to take them to Europe, help them get job and study abroad. While speaking at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, the Programme Officer of PRAWA, Ms Chioma Anuna, disclosed that youths in tertiary institutions are always vulnerable and at high risk of being trafficked, adding that the campaign is to prevent them from jeopardising their future.

NUP alleges maltreatment by pay officials Chris Njoku OWERRI

igeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Imo State chapter, has appealed to Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha to wade into their plight as majority of them have not received their pension arrears, stressing that their members are exposed to undue hardship as a result of ill-treatment handed to them by the pay officials. They also want the government to pay at least 50 per cent of the arrears rather than three months out of 22 months owed some of the pensioners. In a communiqué signed by Chairman, Chief Gideon Ezeji, and Secretary, Mr. Livinus Asiegbu, at the end of November 2015 state council meeting held at NUP secretariat located at the World Bank building, Owerri, the union appealed to state government officials to treat pensioners with care. They also complained

that primary school pensioners owed 22 months arrears were paid only three months rather than 50 per cent of the arrears as announced by the governor. Continuing, the council members observed with dismay the missing of names of many pensioners on the list of verified pensioners in Imo State. The members, however, called for 100 per cent payment of all pensioners earning below N10, 000 and payment of three months arrears to state pensioners earning above N10, 000. The council demanded the payment of accrued arrears of pensions to all categories of pensioners, as well as harmonisation of the pensions of Imo pensioners based on six per cent Federal Government award of 2003, 15 per cent of 2007 and 33 per cent of 2011. The council called on the state government to commence payment of gratuities to Imo pensioners from where it stopped in 2014.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha interacting with students during his visit to Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School, Owerri, at the weekend.

I never accused Tinubu, others of killing Audu —Okorocha Chris Njoku OWERRI

mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday denied having a quarrel with Senator Bola Tinubu, saying the envisaged rift only exists in the imaginations of those who have chosen the path of dishonour. Governor Okorocha, who was reacting to a report published in a social media on Sunday, claiming that he accused Senator Tinubu and other APC members of being responsible for the death of the APC

governorship candidate in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, described such claim as “ungodly blackmail.” The governor said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuameodo, that the envisaged rift between Senator Tinubu and himself “only exists in the imaginations of those who have chosen the path of dishonor, because only dishonourable people could have authored such an inglorious write-up. Decent people do not do such thing.” The governor said he never accused the former governor of Lagos State and one of

the key pillars of the APC in the country, Senator Tinubu, of being responsible for the death of the APC governorship candidate in Kogi State, Prince Audu. “The report came up on Sunday evening and, of course, few hours after the news of the death of the Kogi Prince were still being doubted by most Nigerians. “Those who feel they can drag Governor Okorocha down through cheap blackmail should better be advised to find something meaningful to do, because whoever God has blessed, nobody can curse. This is scriptural.

And that is our joy and consolation.” The governor, however, regrets the sudden death of the APC governorship candidate in Kogi State, Prince Audu, saying that death of the APC gubernatorial candidate came when no one expected it, but God knew why He allowed it to happened few poles to his coming back as governor of that state.” According to him, the death of Audu should also be a lesson to all of us to appreciate our limitations as human beings. We are all pencils in the hand of the creator.

Protest as ESUT sacks 153 lecturers

…affected staff alleges academic fraud Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

here is tension at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Enugu, following the sack of 153 lecturers. The lecturers, who said their sack came few days after the university completed Nigeria Universities Commission, NUC, accreditation, accused the management of engaging in academic fraud. "They used us to obtain accreditation from the NUC after which we have now been sent packing; this is academic fraud; they played tricks on the NUC," the lecturers lamented.

Although no official reason was given for the purging exercise, it was gathered that the dismissal, which also affected a professor and a reader, cuts across various departments in the university. In the disengagement letter signed by the university Registrar, Leonard Khama, and made available to National Mirror, the registrar stated, “I am directed to inform you that the university is currently not in position to employ you. “You should therefore, handover any university property in your possession to the Head of Department. If, however, your services are required in the future by the

university, you will be informed accordingly.” Briefing journalists in Enugu yesterday, some of the affected lecturers, who preferred to remain anonymous, accused the university of engaging in "use and dump," lamenting that they were not paid since they were employed in February this year. They said: “In spite of the huge debts we have incurred in the process of living up to our responsibilities and keeping our jobs, no salary was paid to any of us. "Our employment was as a result of acute shortage of staff that consistently denied ESUT the NUC accreditation on different occasions.

The fruit of our employment have been felt in the vacuum we filled in classes and other academic exercises, but most evidently we were used to get full NUC accreditation for many departments in the university.” The ex-staff, who spoke under the auspices of “Disengaged Members of Staff of ESUT” further noted; “Since our employment, we have discharged our academic duties diligently, which included lecturing, invigilating during examinations, marking of quiz and examinations scripts, and preparation of results, as well as taking active part in June 2015 accreditation exercise”.

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News

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

DSS gets court order to detain Biafran leader, Kanu Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

epartment of State Services, DSS, has secured an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to detain leader of Biafran agitators, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, for another 90 days. The 90 days grace granted the security outfit was to enable investigation into the allegation of acts and financing of terrorism leveled against the Biafran leader by the Federal Government. Counsel to DSS, Mr. Moses Idakwo, at the resumption of trial of Kanu yesterday in Abuja, drew the attention of Chief Magistrate Shuaib Usman to the Federal High

Court order of Justice Adeniyi Ademola granting further detention of Kanu for another 90 days. Idakwo therefore, asked the Magistrate’s Court to step down from the trial on the ground that the court lacked power to prosecute terrorism charges. The Biafran leader was, however, produced in court in compliance with last week’s order of the Magistrate Court, but with heavy security escort. Counsel to the accused, Mr. Vincent Egechukwu Obeta, objected vehemently to the order of the court and the application that the Magistrate’s Court steps down from Kanu’s trial. He insisted that the

bail earlier granted the accused must be first complied with before any application for transfer of the case to another court can be entertained. Chief Magistrate Usman, however, adjourned ruling on whether to step down from the trial or not till December 1, 2015. The Magistrate’s Court had last week ordered DSS to produce Kanu unfailingly before the court yesterday to answer criminal charges brought against him by government. Usman gave the order following the absence of the accused in court when the trial was to commence. The DSS had last week refused to bring Kanu to court despite an order

made on October 23 to that effect. Usman insisted that no trial can continue in a criminal case in the absence of the accused, adding that the only condition that can make a court to excuse the absence of an accused has not come up. Kanu is standing trial on criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to an unlawful society and criminal intimidation contrary to Section 97, 97b and 397 of the penal code. The fact of the case, according to DSS report was that the accused formed an unlawful society with the purpose of bringing into being a Republic of Biafra. He was alleged to

I-G Solomon Arase (right) addressing national and international human rights organisations and NGOs operating in Nigeria in Abuja yesterday. With him are Programme Officer, Justice For All (JFA), Foluso Aboderin (middle), and the consultant, Kemi Okenyodo.

N347m debt: Court orders bank to take over BSS Gbenga Ogunbufunmi

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained directors and agents of BSS Steel Rolling Mill Limited, from having access to any money standing to the credit of the company until the sum of N346, 798, 405. 96 with interest owed Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, was fully liquidated. The court also restrained the directors and agents of the company from obstructing Mr. Norrison Quakers,

SAN, duly appointed by GTB, from exercising his power and performing his duties as Receiver/Manager over assets of the company. The court order was sequel to a debt recovery suit filed by Mr. Quarkers, on behalf of GTB to recover the sum of N346,798,405.95. According to the suit, between 11th of May, 2009, and March 2010, the bank granted various credit facilities to BSS Steel Rolling Mills Limited to the tune of N400 million. It also stated that the loan was accepted by Otun-

ba Ayoola Abioye as Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the company, adding further that the loan was secured by all assets of the company. However, the company could not meet its repayment obligations to the bank and as at January 2012 the indebtedness stood at N346,798,405.95, while interest continues to accrue. Consequently, the bank appointed Mr. Quakers as Receiver/Manager over the assets of the company. In his defence, Otunba Abioye alleged that the

bank over charged the company with interest which is currently subject of another litigation at a Lagos High Court. He therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit being an abuse of court process. But GTB contended that it filed a counter claim to the said suit claiming the same amount of N346,789, 405.95. After appraising the submissions of the two parties, the presiding judge, Ibrahim Buba, held that the suit has merit.

have proclaimed himself as the leader of the Republic of Biafra and established a radio of Biafra. Kanu was also alleged to have appointed himself Commander of the Loyal Forces of Biafra

and was broadcasting to the whole world the dire consequences the government and people of Nigeria will surfer should they attempt or hinder the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.

We’ll not stifle free speech —Minister

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would not stifle free speech by seeking to regulate the social media or abridging the rights of the citizens. The minister, who gave the assurance in Lagos yesterday, during a meeting with a cross section of social media influencers, however, said it was important for them to self-regulate in order to maintain credibility. He said: “Let me assure you that the Federal Government does not intend to stifle free speech or abridge the rights of Nigerians to air their views freely. “We are not about to regulate or stultify the social media. This explains why we are asking you to selfregulate. “That is why we are encouraging you to rein in the impostors among you and show restraint when dealing with issues of national unity, issues of Nigeria's sovereignty, as well as issues concerning the lives and well-being of Nigerians. '”What I am saying in essence is that you must self-regulate in order not to self-destruct. Self-regulation allows you to weed out charlatans among you in order to maintain your credibility and ensure your survival. Lose credibility and lose all. That is the stark reality. If you must survive and grow, you must not compromise your credibility.” Mohammed described as alarming the spiralling level of hatred among Nigerians, especially the educated ones, on social media in recent times, saying the kind of debate that is being carried out on the platform is exploiting the fault lines in national unity. “It (hate debate) is adding fuel to some low-intensity fires and, if left unchecked,

could conflagrate and consume all of us. Remember, you need a peaceful country before you can even dream of greatness. You need a united, strong and virile country to provide the necessary environment for your dreams to come true. “A marriage between Nigerians of different tribes that should be hailed for solidifying our unity as a people has become one of the reasons to vent incredible hatred and openly predict catastrophe for our nation on the social media. “The new media is a powerful platform that has democratised access to information and strengthened citizen journalism. “But it is also a doubleedged sword that must be wielded with caution,” he said. The minister expressed gratitude to the social media influencers for their contribution to the success of the last general elections that saw the emergence of All Progressives Congress, APC, as the ruling party, and urged them to partner with the Buhari administration to drive the change agenda, which is aimed at achieving a paradigm shift in the way things are done. “This is not a partisan call, since all Nigerians, irrespective of their party affiliation, will benefit from a better Nigeria,” he said. He assured that his doors are open and that he is willing to work with the social media influencers in the interest of the good people of Nigeria.

Mohammed

North

Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

he origin of the dreaded Boko Haram sect has been linked to the “hypocrisy of the Northern Muslim elites,” who failed to adhere to the dictate of the Sharia law they preach. This was disclosed yesterday in Osogbo by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, at the opening of the National Conference of the Islamic Welfare Foundation. The clergy said Boko Haram was a revolt by the poor against the partiality of the northern elite in the implementation of Sharia law. According to him, politicians, especially northern Muslim elites often hide behind religion to create division among people, urg-

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How Northern Muslim elites’ hypocrisy aided Boko Haram growth –Kukah ing them to henceforth use religion as a tool for development. “We must locate the current crisis of Boko Haram within the context of the inability of the northern Muslim elites to live by their own ‘’dubious creed’’. They preached Sharia Law, but only for the poor. “They (northern Muslim elites) preach a religion that encourages education, yet their own people are held in bondage of ignorance. They came to power on the basis of a democratic society, but they turned around and declared Sharia to generate a false consciousness

among the poor. “They did not wish to live by the same standards, so they decided to live their own Islam in the capitals of the world away from the prying eyes of their own people. Boko Haram began as a revolt against this hypocrisy,” he added. Kukah, who spoke on the theme, “Thoughts on

the Future of Religion in Nigeria’s Politics”, further posited that politicians have failed to use religion to manage Nigeria’s plural identities, saying “rather than focusing on our common citizenship, religious identities have become tools for war and death. “They have become tools for access to politi-

cal and economic power. These identities have now become markers that seem to determine where we shall be and how far we can grow in the society”. Delivering a paper on the theme: “Islam: Administration of Justice and Nigeria’s Development”, Alhaji Yusuf Ali (SAN), advised President Muham-

madu Buhari, to find the reasons for the agitation of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. He said the Federal Government should ensure that its war against corruption was holistic and not selective or politically motivated.

Lalong swears in 3 new judges, Acting HoS James Abraham JOS

lateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, yesterday sworn-in three new judges and a new Acting Head of Service HoS for the state with a call on them to strengthen the judiciary and the civil service for efficient and effective delivery. The governor who performed the ceremony at the banquet hall new government house, Little Rayfield , Jos, also called on the citizens to join hands with him in developing the state irrespective of their political or religious affiliations. Lalong said: “I call on all citizens irrespective of political affiliations, ethnic extractions or religious persuasion, to join us on the Plateau project, so that standing united as people , we shall purse our common destiny of greatness under the sun. ”I want to reiterates the commitment of the All Progressives Congress, APC government at ensuring that the entire Justice system in our state is positioned and reformed to deliver on the expectation of our people, “ Justice is the first condition of humanity and all that is needed to ensure that the three arms of government deliver on their

mandate, would continually to be pursed to ensure that the value of the human persons as ordained by God and enshrined under our constitution is guaranteed. “To our new Judges and the acting Head of Services, whom I have administered the oath of office on; let me congratulate you for being found worthy to serve in the capacities to which you have been sworn in. “For the judges you have been chosen from a rich reservoir of competent judicial officers which the state is endowed with and our immediate intervention to fulfill the conditions set by the National Judicial Council, NJC, for your appointments as judges to preside over cases in our courts, is a statement of our confidence in your capacity to strengthen the judiciary for efficient and effective delivery. Lalong charged the Acting Head of Civil Service, Mr Izam Atang, to reform the civil service in the state Lalong also charged the judges to ensure that all corrupt tendencies which are capable of ridiculing the justice delivery system as well as hampering the act of good governance is rid off.

People praying at the burial of the late Prince Abubakar Audu in Ogbonicha, Ofu LGA, Kogi State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Buhari reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to GECF Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

igeria has assured the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, GECF, of its continuous support as it struggles to surmount the challenges currently facing the global oil and gas industry. This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe. According to the statement, President Buhari gave the assurance at the 3rd Summit of Heads of State and Government of the GECF member countries in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. The president noted that trying times call for more cooperation and coordination among member countries, while thanking President Hassan Rouhani of Iran for the invitation to discuss issues affecting the

GECF and reaffirm commitment to the objectives of the forum. Speaking at the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the GECF at the weekend, also in Tehran, GECF President and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu identified market volatility, increasing competition, price war and escalating cost of infrastructure development as the key challenges facing the gas industry in general and the GECF in particular. Kachikwu posited that volatility has brought so much uncertainty and instability to the market thus affecting decisions on investment for long term supply of gas. He noted that increasing competition occasioned by the surge in new gas producers has led to a price war at a time when the cost of infrastructure development is escalating. These developments, he argued, are setting the stage for even more challenges for the

industry and GECF member countries in the future. Kachikwu cautioned against reacting to the current challenges by failing to invest in the industry. He assured that the current challenges will come to pass and the market will rebound given the world’s need for energy and the environmental credentials of gas as the cleanest hydrocarbon fuel. Commending the forum for the success it has achieved since inception in 2001, the GECF president urged member countries to continue to give the forum the required support to make it realise its fullest potentials. He paid tribute to the government and people of Iran for hosting the 3rd Summit of the GECF Heads of State and Government, noting that it was a great achievement for the GECF that it was able to hold three successful summits within a period of five years, 2011 in Doha, 2013 in Moscow in 2015 in Tehran.

The forum announced the re-appointment of Dr. SM Hossein Adeli, as GECF Secretary General for another period of two years. Adeli, an Iranian Professor of Economics and former Governor of the Iranian Central Bank, had competed for the position with Nigeria’s Ambassador Shuaibu Adamu Ahmed, a diplomat, Chartered Accountant and financial consultant. The ministers appointed His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh AlSada, Minister of Energy of Qatar, as President of the ministerial meeting from January 1 till December 31, 2016, and His Excellency, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Minister of Petroleum of Iran as Alternate President for the same period. The GECF Summit was attended by nine Heads of State and Government of the forum’s member countries and five representatives of other member and observer countries.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

SUPER TUESDAY FG must dialogue with Biafra agitators –Eze Dimgba

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

End of an era as Audu goes home Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

he sudden death of Kogi political icon and the All Progressive Congress, APC governorship candidate, Prince Abubarka Audu as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declaration of Kogi governorship election inconclusive would continue to attract controversy for some time to come. It was uneasy calm that enveloped the state following the death of Prince Abubarka Audu, the news filtered in like rumour at 6.00 pm and was pandemonium in some streets in Lokoja as the people were scampering for the truth about the rumour making the round. Between 6.00 pm and 12 midnight the bloggers and on line newspapers had a field day, posting all sorts of stories about the APC governorship Candidate, Prince Audu and the whole trembling on the news of his death. The political analysts in the Confluence State said that with the death of Prince Abubarka Audu, the political landscape of the state may not be the same again , following the constitutional lacuna created by his sudden demise few hours before the Kogi State Gubernatorial election was declared inconclusive by INEC Returning Officer, Professor Emmanuel Yenube Kusha . They described late Ogbonicha born politician as a political enigma who has come, saw and conquered. Prince Abubarka Audu a.k.a. Adoja will be remembered for his doggedness. He remained in opposition throughout his political career. Prior to last Saturday governorship election, there was palpable tension in the state and the Inspector General of police had deployed over 13, 000 policemen and 21 unit of mobile Policemen across the 21 local government areas of the state. The election process was very peaceful in the state except in few isolated cases where there was violence, and before the 12 midnight of last Saturday the good news was tilting towards APC candidate as posted online from some of the collation centre across the state. With the death of Audu, political associates, the supporters, loyalists, friends, party hierarchy and family members are devastated and no official statement have been made public as to what caused the sudden death. However yesterday all roads led to the country home of the late political strategist, Prince Abubarka Audu who suddenly slumped and died at tail end of his victory, having won in 16 out of 21 local government areas and has 25 per cent requirement in all others scoring 240, 867 votes ahead of his political rival and incumbent governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada who polled 199,514 votes. As a mark of honour, the state Governor, Captain Idris Wada has declared three days mourning and seven days public holidays Meanwhile, the remains of late Kogi political icon and APC governorship Candidate in November 21st election, Prince Abubarka Audu has been laid to rest at 1.30pm yesterday at his country home in Ogbonicha The body of late Abubarka Audu was lowered to his grave after two rakat islamic rite amidst tears, wailing, as women were crying uncontrollably saying their hope has been dimmed. The prayers was led by the Chairman of Kogi State council of Ulama, Salman Adams and Sheikl Yahaya Musa . The cleric statef that the demise of Abubarka Audu should not be attributed to anybody because it is God that

Audu

They described late

Ogbonicha born politician as a political enigma

who has come, saw and conquered.

Prince Abubarka Audu a.k.a.

Adoja will be remembered for his doggedness. He remained in opposition throughout his political career has power over lives of humanbeing. Audu was said to have developed complication on Friday night at his residence in Lokoja when he allegedly vomited blood after a meal. It was learnt that he managed to go to his country home, Ogbonicha where he performed his last civic rights and voted at polling 010 at LGEA primary school in the town. Age 68, he is survived by a wife and many children. He was two time governor of the state between 1992- 1993 and 1999 -2003. He was said to have laid a solid foundation for the formative years. As early as 6.00 am sympathisers, friends, political associates from far and near thronged his residence to sympathise with his family and at about 10 .00 am there was mild- drama and wild jubilation when the news of resurrection of the political Icon rented air again. The drama started when a 22 year old lady self- acclaimed pastor came and told the security personnel that

God sent her to pray for Audu, noting that Prince Audu is not dead. As soon as the door of the house was opened for the self- acclaimed pastor, jubilation went to the air again and the entire premises was turned into prayer ground for resurrection of Audu as both Muslims, Christians and traditionalists engaged themselves in serious prayer that last for two hours. It was another jubilation when the lady pastor came out and told the crowd that she had prayed and Audu is back alive, crowd were in happy mood again as the pastor was surrounded by admirers. However reality soon dawned on the crowd when some Islamic cleric came with coffin and entire scenario change and the sympathisers burst into tears. Efforts to speak with dignitaries proved abortive as they looked confused over the untimely death of APC candidate. Among the earlier callers are the former governors, senators, APC stalwarts, Senator Rabiu Kwankwas, Senator George Akume, former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, former Niger State governor, Alhaji AbdulKadiri Kure, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Jibrin Usman, the Deputy Governor of Kogi state, Yomi Awoniyi. Other dignitaries are the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC , Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, Senator Dino Melaye, former Acting governor of Kogi State, Clearence Olafemi, House of Representatives member representing Lokoja Koton Karfe constituency, Honourable Buba Jibrin, the son of immediate past governor, Mohammed Idris who represented Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro federal constituency , Senator Mohammed Ohiare , Honorable Abdullahi Bello, Senator Abbubarka Abdulrahaman and a host of others.

George urges Biafra agitators to tread softly Ayo Esan

ormer Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, has advised the agitating members of the Movement For the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB, to be cautious in their demand for sovereignty. George who was speaking in Lagos yesterday at a low-keyed celebration of his 70th birthday noted that dismembering the system on the altar of ethnic interests is not the solution to the many challenges facing the nation. While pleading with the protesters and their leaders to constructively engage the federal government in dialogue, he called for an

equitable distribution of resources and appointments in the country, adding that the government must give every tribe and region a sense of belonging. He said, “I want to plead with the Biafran protesters to be patient and tread softly. No nation goes to a civil disobedience twice and survives. We are still meandering to build nationhood. “Let us build this nation together. We must ensure that everyone has a sense of belonging. Sharing of resources and appointments should not be a winner-takes-all affair. Let us debate and deliberate over our affairs, dismembering the system through protests and agitations is not the solution,” he said. As to how he feels at 70, George said he feels great saying he harbours no illfeeling against anyone.

Politics

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Buhari’s govt must be open, more inclusive –UNDEDSS Ayo Esan

he United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy, UNDEDSS National Working Committee has called on the All Progressive Congress-led Federal Government to put behind the rancor of political campaigns, and to immediately start being perceived as truly more open, more inclusive and more nationalistic in outlook, and less exclusive, sectional or partisan. Rising from its emergency meeting, UNDEDSS said that the Niger Delta is nobody’s conquered territory, whilst reiterating its solidarity with the best of the stated goals of

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration which it said of necessity, must focus on drastically lowering the nation’s corruption index, expeditiously improving the wellbeing of Nigerians, and establishing the best systems nationwide to ensure sustained economic growth, tenable social Justice, and unblemished democratic institutions. In a release issued by UNDEDSS and signed by its Secretary –General, Tony Uranta, It also urged the Buhari administration to urgently devise ways for it to begin to establish itself as more accessible, less militaristic, and more ready to deploy rule of law mechanisms to impartially interface with all persons

or groups it perceives as being putative dissenters or opposed to it. “The Executive should show contrition for all its past recent acts of nonrespect for the powers and independence of the legislative and judicial arms of the FGN, and, immediately cease the frighteningly increasing culture of impunity such as evidenced in its constant refusal to comply with orders on it by the judiciary, and the legislative and judicial arms should reciprocate, all for the general good of the Nigerian citizenry”, UNDEDSS said. It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to be very visibly impartial, “and must, in tandem with

an impartial civil security structure, ensure that all future elections be free of the kind of violence and shenanigans that threatened to mar the Kogi Gubernatorial Elections, and that seriously threaten to set the Niger Delta ablaze even in advance of the Bayelsa gubernatorial elections”.; “The FGN needs to know that should the Bayelsa Gubernatorial Elections be seen to not be truly free and fair solely based on “One Person, One Vote, UNDEDSS foresees a not-easily manageable breakdown of law and order in the Niger Delta, that will bode nobody well, especially with regard to Nigeria’s alreadybeleaguered oil and gas economy;

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCD recalls suspended National Chairman, Secretary Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

ational Congress of Democrats, NCD has recalled its suspended National Chairman and secretary, Dogon-Yaro Bibi and Yakubu Alhaji Jibrin, after setting up a committee to investigate the allegations leveled against them. It would be recalled that a communiqué signed by the Interim Chairman of the NCD and Secretary, Comrade Mu’azu Azare and Ibrahim Ahmad Anka which was issued at the end of their meeting held at late Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Tomb in Bauchi unanimously resolved to suspend the two officials of the congress. It accused the national chairman and the secretary of corruption practices and for allegedly embarking in activities that violate the NCD’s constitution. Another allegations

levelled against them include incompetence, using the organization to pursue selfish interests, and engaging in campaign of calumny and character assassination, among others. A statement Issued and signed by acting Chairman, Hon. Mamman Zodo and the Secretary Barrister James J. Audu, said after receiving the report of the investigative committee set up in respect of the allegations levelled against the two national officers , they were both cleared. The statement, said the committee after thorough investigation did not found the allegations with the magnitude they were presented and the Executive Council of NCD recalled the National Chairman and the Secretary with immediate effect. It said “the two National Officers, Alhaji Abubakar Bibi Dogo and Yakubu Ali Jibrin should resume duty immediately”.

Group celebrates Buhari, Osinbajo Robert Awokuse

F L-R: Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Hon. Ado Alhassan; Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and House Committee Chairman on IDPS, Hon. Sani Zoro, at the presentation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Handbook for Parliamentarians in Abuja, yesterday.

Senator seeks support for govts to fast track development Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

he Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Duro Faseyi, has said assistance of well-meaning individuals to governments at all level will aid in fast-tracking development especially of the communities. Consequently, he charged wealthy Nigerians to pay attention to the development of their communities and forgo the trend of neglect. The senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, who spoke at Ayetoro Ekiti during the

Ayetoro Day celebration, said: “It is crystal clear that government alone cannot be left with all developmental efforts at all levels of governance and therefore urged, wealthy Nigerians to come together as groups and rebuild our society. “The global economic downturn and the consequent shrinking of revenue accruable to government at all levels with the geometric progression need is a reality and a cause for worry for all discerning minds”, he said. According to him, synergy among wealthy individuals and philanthropists for development of communities would achieve

far-reaching results including checking rural-urban drift. He lamented neglect of many communities by their wealthy sons and daughters including politicians, saying: “The trend is irresponsible and highly condemnable and all must see it as such in order to fast track the development of our various communities. “What is happening across Nigeria states in terms of building our communities is disheartening, hence the need for everyone to join hands together to develop the society,” he said. The senator advised that

contributions by different individuals must be the yardstick for elections and political appointments, saying: “The idea of politicians only coming to seek for votes during electioneering campaigns or coming around to grab available political appointments must be stopped. “It is appalling and unacceptable the rate many Nigerian communities are wallowing in abject poverty. And with such communities having young men and women of ‘means’ living large in urban centres without looking back to contribute to the development of their communities,” he said.

orum for the Patriotic Members of the APC, FOPAMEC, a group last week held activities to commemorate the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the last general election.The event also saw the inauguration of the forum’s south-west executive members. The south-west states which had their inauguration were Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti. Speaking at the occasion, the national chairman of the forum, Alhaji Lawal Garba said the emergence of Buhari and Osinbajo as the president and the vice-president was a gift to the nation, which would bring the desired change Nigeria has been waiting for. Garba noted that the victory however would not have come but for the support of the party leaders and faithfuls at all levels as well as various patriotic groups, who in different capacities gave their unalloyed backing to the president and his vice. Speaking specifically on

the forum, he said: “Our members as change agent committed themselves fully to the aggressive membership drive for the election, during and after the polls. We actively participated in the campaign that brought the present leaders to powers at all levels. “We are in forefront of the campaign and in the drive for change in this country. Here in Lagos, our members were present in all the polling units and collation centres reporting directly to Buhari Support Organisation for the presidential election. The situation was the same in all the states and local governments. We are satisfied that we have done what was expected of us as true patriots which ushered in the change we desired.” Fielding questions from journalists, the Lagos state chairman, Engr. Olufunmilayo Olugbeja,said the poor outing of the party in Oshodi area during the last general election was because there was no level playing ground for aspirants who sought various positions as many of the leaders were not transparent in their dealings with the candidates.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

Court stops installation of Eze Ndigbo in Benin

Benin High Court has ordered the Edo Commissioner of Police to prevent one Chief Luke Abbas from being installed as Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo State. Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga gave the order following an exparte motion filed by Chief Fe-

cus Ezekwere and two others on behalf of Igbo Community Union in Benin City. In the High Court enrolment order on Monday in Benin, the Judge granted the interim injunction restraining Abbas from presenting himself to Eze Nwosu Ibe for installation as

Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo State. The judge also restrained Ibe and his agents from installing Abbas as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State pending the determination of the motion on notice. The court additionally restrained the state commissioner of police from ``permitting

or allowing Ibe and Abbas to assemble at Abbas’s Gapiona GRA residence for the purpose of installing him as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State.’’ Edodo-Eruaga adjourned the case to December 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.

L-R: Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Peace and Rural Development, Mr. Emma Ogidi; Coordinator,Center for Peace and Environmental Justce, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, and Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador William Azumah Awinador-Kanyirige, at the International Peace and Security Conference by Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, in Asaba, at the weekend.

C’River garment factory to discourage capital flight –Ayade

overnor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has said that the state’s garment factory would reduce capital flight but provide job opportunities to many when it commences operations on December 15. Ayade said this while unveiling the theme of the 2015 Calabar Carnival at the 2015 Akwaaba African Travel Market Dinner in Lagos. The theme of this year’s carnival is “Climate Change.”

The governor said the establishment of the factory would reduce the money being spent by the state government to import various costumes for the festival. Ayade said that the building of the factory would also create employment opportunities for many citizens. He said that the carnival was not just about culture and entertainment but would be used to showcase the huge business potentials available in the state. Also speaking, Sen. Florence

Ita-Giwa, Chairman, Calabar Carnival Bands Association, commended the efforts of the past governors of the state for sustaining the carnival. “The Calabar Carnival started from the era of Governor Donald Duke. “When Duke was leaving, we thought it would be the end of the carnival; but Governor Liyel Imoke on assumption of office took it to the next level. “Today, Calabar Carnival has found itself on the social map of

the world and we are happy that Governor Ayade has also embraced it,`` she said. Earlier, Mr. Gab Onah, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, said Nigeria should look inward by exploring its tourism potential to boost foreign earnings. Onah, who revealed that this year’s carnival would attract more than 50,000 participants, noted that it would help to improve the livelihood of those living in the state capital.

Rivers people appreciate my work –Wike Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the celebrations on the streets of Port Harcourt, Obio/ Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas during his regular project inspections represent the overwhelming mandate freely given to him by the people of the state. Addressing journalists after inspecting road and school projects in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas on Monday, Governor Wike said he was further inspired to deliver on his covenant with the people by their appreciation of his good work. He pledged that he would drive the revival of Port Harcourt city to its logical conclusion, noting that the old Garden City, would re-emerge at the end of the urban renewal programme of his administration. Governor Wike said: “The people are happy. They appreciate what we are doing for them. We want to turn Port Harcourt and its environs around and re-establish the Garden City that will be a pride of the nation. “We will use the dry season to accomplish the revival programme within the limits of available resources. “In Diobu, out of the 22 kilometres being reconstructed, we have achieved 17 kilometres. The remaining aspects of the Diobu roads have reached 70 per cent completion. “The mandate the people freely gave to us will be utilised effectively for their well being. People came out overwhelmingly and voted for us and we are doing what they want. “ National Mirror reports that hundreds of residents thronged the streets of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas to cheer Governor Wike as he inspected roads and school projects.

Wike

16 Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State House of Assembly yesterday approved the appointment of 20 commissioners as members of the state executive council. The screening and confirmation followed a request letter by Governor Nyesom Wike to the Speaker of the House, IkuinyiOwaji Ibani, pursuant to Section 195 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rivers Assembly okays appointment of 20 commissioners-designate

Among the commissionersdesignate were a former member of the House of Representatives and three former state lawmakers, who were customarily allowed to take a “bow and leave”. Also, one of those screened and confirmed, Mr. Emeka Onowo, was a non-Rivers man.

He hails from Imo State. Debating the confirmation, some of the lawmakers, in their submissions, expressed optimism that the calibre of persons screened would help in moving the state forward. In his submission, Leader of the House, Martin Amaewhule, said the array of nominees were

persons with pedigree, adding that they cut across various fields. Amaewhule further said their nomination was in tandem with the vision of Governor Wike for the development of the state. In his ruling, the Speaker, Ibani, citing again, Section 195 of 1999 Constitution as amend-

ed, said that the screening was in line with the constitution. “The nominees screened have been confirmed commissionerdesignates,” he said. Twenty-five of the legislators present voted in favour of their confirmation, even as they will be assigned portfolios by the governor this week.

Indigenous contractors declare support for Sylva Osahon Julius YENAGOA

head the December 5th gubernatorial poll in Bayelsa State, indigenous contractors in oil host communities under the aegis of Agip Indigenous Contractors Association (AICA) in Bayelsa State have declared their support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the December 5 election, Chief Timipre Sylva. In a statement issued after a meeting in Yenagoa at the weekend, the president of the group, Mr. Clement Adaminegbe, said their support was in acknowledgement of the enabling environment created Chief Sylva while in office. He said the enabling environment created by the former governor during his tenure encouraged local contractors to do their businesses freely without fear of insecurity as presently being witnessed in the Bayelsa waterways. The group decried the spate of kidnapping and sea piracy in the state, stressing that the insecurity in the creeks had made it difficult for both local contractors and multinationals to carry out their legitimate activities freely. The statement made available to National Mirror, in Yenagoa, maintained that the local contractors were confident that when re-elected, Sylva would further provide the enabling environment for their trade to thrive, hence their support.

Sylva

Women hawking Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, (petrol) as scarcity of the product bites harder in Benin City, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

APC charges Ayade to settle down to work Richard Ndoma CALABAR.

he All Progressive Congress yesterday castigated Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State for travelling abroad on regular basis in the name of seeking foreign investors to invest in the state without due process being followed. The national vice chairman of the party (South South), Prince Hilliard Etta, made the remark while fielding questions from journalists in Calabar. Etta accused Ayade of not properly handing over power to his

deputy each time he left the state. He charged the governor to, at all times, read through the Nigerian constitution to acquaint himself with issues pertaining to travelling so as not to violate the laws. Etta said that they was need for the governor to refresh his memory on how to properly hand over power to his deputy each time he wants to embark on any foreign trips so as not to over step his bounds. Etta stated that even though five months was too short to asses any government, Ayade had been “over-junketing” around

the world in the name of seeking investors for the state. He urged Ayade to settle down to work so as not to put governance of the state at risk. The APC chieftain recalled that since the governor took over power from his predecessor, Sen. Liyel Imoke, in May 2015, “he has on his own created a state of confusion and right now, Cross River is in a state of flux. There is motion, but no movement; so much talk, but no action; so much display of exuberance, but no real governance.” “In all honesty, I would have wished that Senator Ben Ayade

succeeds as governor of Cross River State because his success, regardless of party affiliation, will be to the glory of Cross Riverians. His failure will be our pain as well and this will exacerbate our problems as a state. And so, my prayer has always been that he succeeds,” he said. Etta maintained that since Ayade wanted to become governor of the state, there was no need for him to continue to stay out of the state when there were so much calling for his attention, warning that such prolonged absence could jeopardize governance.

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Views

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Reviving and repositioning Anambra’s entertainment industry CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

nambra State’s slogan is ‘The light of the Nation’. The state, truly, is living up to its motto and slogan. Are the sons and daughters of Anambra State not excelling in their chosen endeavors? Anambra State holds aloft the compass, which shows other states in Nigeria the right path to follow. A great number of people, who hail from Anambra State, are trail-blazers in their undertakings and endeavours. In the 1980s, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, the springy African sprints Queen of the tracks, who dominated the sprint races in Africa hails from Anambra State, which is the home state of Chimamanda Adichie, a globally known and award-winning writer; Chike Obi, an internationally renowned mathematician; Nnamdi Azikiwe, a freedom fighter, etc. Anambra people have contributed in no small ways to the evolution and growth of different genres of music in Nigeria. Osita Osadebe, a high life music maestro is one. His songs are philosophical teachings that serve as lodestars for the people. He took the high-life music to a great height, globally. Not surprisingly, his musical accomplishments reverberated across the globe. Music is part of the entertainment industry. The entertainment industry is

composed of film-acting, modeling, music, comedy shows, and others. Anambra State is ably represented in the Nollywood, as the Nigerian film industry is called by the likes of Pete Edochie, a man with deep guttural baritone voice loved for his film acting prowess. Wasky Oguegbu (Akaeze Obosi), is another. And, there is Bobmanuel Udokwu. Dapper and always well-turned out, Bobmanuel Udokwu has combined film acting with political leadership. Right from his secondary school days, he has been an ardent lover of creative arts. And, over the years, he has garnered leadership experience. Now, Bobmanuel Udokwu is the Senior Special Assistant (Creative Media) to the Anambra State governor. His current political post is a holdover from the immediate past government in the state. It is a testament to his leadership qualities, versatility in the entertainment industry, and competence. He is saddled with the responsibility of reviving and strengthening the movie/entertainment industry in the state. And, Governor Obiano has created a safe environment for the blossoming of artistic activities in the state, having purged and rid the state of kidnappers and armed robbers. A crime-free state is an incentive to the flourishing of artistic activities such as musical shows, film acting, modeling, comedy shows, and others. As the state is not having security challenges now, Bobmanuel Udok-

THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY HAS BEEN OFFERING JOBS AND EMPLOYMENTS TO TEEMING MILLIONS OF

NIGERIAN YOUTHS,

BOTH DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY wu has mapped out programmes that are aimed at discovering people who are gifted in modeling, film acting, music and others. Among the programmes is NAIJA NEW DAWN SHOW: RAISING NEW STARS AND CREATING JOBS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. Participants for the programmes were first auditioned on May 22 and 23, 2015 at the Summit Splendor Hotel, Awka, and the final five days later at the same venue. The NAIJA NEW DAWN SHOW took place on May 30, 2015 at Marble Arch Hotel, Awka. Over one million naira cash prizes were on the offer for the participants. The date for the show coincides with the period of the change of leadership baton between PDP and APC. It will herald the resurgence of artistic activities in the state. The show served as a platform for the discovering of people gifted in the areas of music, film acting, modeling, and comedy

shows. I have no doubt that the SHOW produced new stars, who could hold their own in the entertainment industry in the future. The influx of new entrants into the entertainment industry will reduce the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria. The entertainment industry has been offering jobs and employments to teeming millions of Nigerian youths, both directly and indirectly. Some globally acclaimed artistes of Nigerian descent were discovered and poached at such shows as the NAIJA NEW DAWN SHOW. They are now Nigeria’s Cultural Ambassadors in the Diaspora. It is a known fact that there is a nexus between unemployment and criminal activities. An adage says that “an idle mind is a devil’s workshop”. A lad who is obsessed with writing songs and singing will not have the luxury of time to indulge in criminal activities. NAIJA NEW DAWN SHOW will help to re-focus the attention of our youths on sharpening and honing their latent artistic gifts and skills. When they were rewarded with financial gifts for their excellent performances at the NAIJA NEW DAWN SHOW, it would motivate them to seek careers in film acting, modeling, music, comedy shows, and others. The NAIJA NEW DAWN SHOW is one of the programmes in a series of programmes mapped out by Bobmanuel Udokwu. Okoye, a poet and book editor, wrote from Uruowolu-Obosi, Anambra State.

Unfolding dynamics of voters’ power OKECHUKWU EMEH

n the human system, nothing is permanent except change. It is also notable that those who only look to the past or the present are bound to miss the future. To be sure, the positive outcome of the 2015 general elections has given hope about a gradual paradigm shift by a high percentage of the electorate in the country with regard to determining who would lead or represent them without pandering to any undue external pressure. This reassuring development was in stark contrast to what was observed in previous elections under the present democratic dispensation, when overbearing and self-serving politicians would arbitrarily decide how Nigerians would cast their ballots using coercion, financial inducements and manipulation of sectional sentiments. Looking back, from the election of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, one could discern the underlying trend of many voters’ preference for candidates rather than political parties that fielded them. This phenomenal development was only evident in 1993 when millions of Nigerians across our ethno-religious divide voted overwhelmingly for the late business mogul, Bashorun Moshood K. O. Abiola in the annulled June 12 presidential poll of the year. However, as regards the current changing pattern of a large number of people voting on the basis of individual rather than party in Nigeria, it could be recalled that during the election that produced Dr Jonathan as president in 2011, many of the electorate that

voted for him were carried away by several exceptional circumstances that were shorn of captivating leadership attributes like vision, mission, pragmatism, dynamism, charisma and certain lofty values. One of the circumstances was his presumed humble beginnings – including coming from the economically, socially and politically marginalised oil-bearing Niger Delta region There were also Jonathan’s superb academic credentials as capped by a doctorate degree. This is not to mention his stretch of luck, which catapulted him to somewhere assumed to be the pinnacle of political position in Nigeria – the presidency. All these circumstances, coupled with Jonathan’s salivating promise of fresh air in governance in the country and the envisaged transformation in different facets of our national life if elected, made millions of ordinary Nigerians to stake their votes for him, hoping that he would reciprocate by improving their living conditions. In any case, there are two key factors why the Nigerian electorate, who are increasingly becoming politically conscious, grabbed the opportunity offered by the presidential poll of last March 28 to speak out in righteous indignation with their votes. One factor was the considerable difficulties the Jonathan administration was facing in making progress in salient areas of governance in almost six years of being in power. They included leadership accountability and efficiency, anti-corruption war, economic revitalisation, provision of functional infrastructure and social services, poverty alleviation, and protection of lives and property amid the exacerbation of crime and violence in the country. The other factor was the proven inability of his government to tread on toes, no matter

THE POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS HAS GIVEN HOPE ABOUT A GRADUAL PARADIGM SHIFT…

whose ox is gored, in order to ensure justice and protect the downtrodden, majority of whom voted for him in 2011 presidential election. As expected, the ultimate outcome was the electoral victory of Buhari, a forthright former head of state who contested the election under the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It is noteworthy that during his electioneering campaign, he pledged to rescue Nigeria from the wreckage of bad governance and, in so doing, give its expectant people a befitting national leadership with whom they would join hands to make a clean break with the retrogressive developments in our polity like official corruption, mismanagement, impunity, economic stagnation, decrepit amenities, mass poverty, acute unemployment (especially among youths), inequality of opportunities and insecurity. Stemming from the amazing outcome of our recent national elections, it is obvious that our electorate are gradually becoming so dynamic, sophisticated, vociferous and resolute in taking the political destiny of Nigeria in their hands by voting candidates who they see as tested, proven and trusted despite all kinds of pressure from desperate politicians. Understandably, this is because some of our voters are now aware that material inducements during an election, for example, would not be to their advantage in

the long run. Furthermore, many Nigerian electorate are becoming more conscious that electing a wrong candidate on account of ethnic or religious appeal would not augur well for them in view of the repercussions of bad governance or poor political representation like abject poverty, joblessness, despondency and insecurity, which are no respecter of one’s communal background. No doubt, the unfolding dynamics of voters’ power in Nigeria is a welcome development that would sound the death knell for incumbency factor in politics and the so-called political godfathers and cabals in the country. By this development, voters in our clime would now easily supplant sitting elected officials with candidates of their dream in an election. Lest we forget, the dilution of incumbency factor in our Fourth Republic started at the state level, with several governors losing their position during the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections, and now at the centre, with the historic victory of Buhari in the March 28 Presidential poll of this year. Indeed, what was hitherto seen in certain quarters as unimaginable in Nigeria – an incumbent president with a huge war chest and panoply of security apparati at his disposal being defeated in an election. To be concluded Emeh Jr, an Abuja-based social researcher, wrote via okemehjr@yahoo.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

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

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

NIS’ probe of Koreans

gainst the backdrop of the flagrant abuse of Nigerian labour laws by foreigners, and indeed, their unmitigated assaults on their local staff, the probe by the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) of two Koreans, Messrs. I. S. Seo and Park SeoYoung, over their alleged stay in the country with irregular work permits, is a welcome development. Mr. Sule Wunti, the Bayelsa State Comptroller of NIS, hinted lately in Yenagoa, the state capital, that the investigation was prompted by a petition by the state government. Reports said the Senior Special Assistant on Oil and Gas to the Bayelsa State governor, Mr. Basil Kenbo, in a petition to the NIS and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), requested for a penetrating investigation of the legitimacy of the immigration status of the aforementioned expatriates said to be working for Daewoo Nigeria Limited. Kenbo accused them of taking undue advantage of their illegal stay in Nigeria to do jobs which Nigerians had abundant expertise for. Seo, for instance, according to Kenbo, was granted entry into Nigeria by the NIS over 20 years ago as a technician, but he had since taken up appointments as Administrative Manager and Community Affairs Manager in the company at different times in

the last 20 years. “… A worrisome and devastating development under the unholy administration of Seo as the Community Affairs Manager is his deliberate refusal to comply with and implement Freedom to Operate (FTO) agreements, thus escalating crisis between youths, communities and the company”, Kenbo stated. He specifically accused Seo of using his position in the company to cause communal crisis in Obunagha, the host community of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Bayelsa State. If indicted by the NIS probe and diligently prosecuted, Seo and Seo-Young risk three years imprisonment each in line with the prescriptions of the Immigration Act 2015 for any expatriate that fails to renew his residence permit within 30 days after expiration. For its part, the NCDMB was established by the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan based on the Nigerian Content Act of April 22, 2010. Some of its responsibilities relating to the issues Kenbo complained about include the evaluation of the application of Nigerian content in the operations of oil companies and contractors; assembling a data base for national skills development pool/building local capacity and competencies; as well as ranking and categorization of oil service companies based on capabilities and Nigerian Content,

November 24, 1977 Former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. was found guilty in Philippine and sentenced to death by firing squad. Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. (November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983), was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Aquino, together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, formed the leadership of the opposition to the government of President Ferdinand Marcos.

PUBLIC EXPECTATION IS THAT THE NIS WOULD DO A THOROUGH JOB OF IT; AND UPDATE

NIGERIANS WITH ITS FINDINGS, THE SAME WAY IT WENT PUBLIC WITH THE PROBE INITIATIVE among others. Foreigners’ penchant for breaching these laws without being questioned by relevant authorities in the country has contributed in no small measure to the contempt with which they treat the nation and Nigerian workers in their employment. The crimes some foreign firms perpetrate against their hosts and the ill-treatment they met out to indigenous workers in backward nations are such that would attract severe penalties were they to be operating in their homecountries. We recall the recent protest at the Alausa, Ikeja office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State by Nigerian workers sacked with ignominy by the management of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The Chinese construction company is currently working on the Lagos Light Rail Project. But the distressed work-

ON THIS DAY November 24, 1999 The United Nations established the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to commemorate the murder of the three Mirabal Sisters for their resistance against the Rafael Trujillo dictatorship in Dominican Republic. The premise of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence.

ers said many of their colleagues had either lost their lives or were maimed with no tangible compensation in return, owing to the absence of insurance cover and other work-place safety measures. There was also the story of how a Lebanese, Mr. Kaveh Noine, allegedly brutalised a six months pregnant woman, Mrs. Alexandria Ossai, over a minor mistake in the office. Noine reportedly turned the pregnant woman to a punching bag, unleashing blows and kicks on her stomach; which resulted in an emergency surgery for Ossai, during which process her damaged foetus was removed. Another instance was the tragic Ikorodu factory fire of 2002; where about 20 workers of a Chinese firm locked inside a factory that had no provision for emergency exit were roasted alive. Kenbo’s petitions to NIS and NCDMB are, therefore, a wakeup call for the two organisations and others charged with similar tasks to be alive to their responsibilities. For, it would not just be quite insulting, but pathetic that the country is habouring heartless expatriates that are having a ball with dubious work permits. Compromising the ongoing probe of the Koreans is unacceptable. Public expectation is that the NIS would do a thorough job of it; and update Nigerians with its findings, the same way it went public with the probe initiative.

November 24, 2009 Devastating floods known as the ‘2009 Saudi Arabian Floods’, took over the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during an ongoing Hajj pilgrimage. About 3,000 cars were swept away and 122 people perished in the torrents, with 350 others missing. Business losses were estimated at a billion riyals (US$270 million). The flooding came just two days before the expected date of the Eid al-Adha festival.

Business

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Sanitation: Global body, experts task Nigeria on unhygienic 25 practices

Oracle to provide IT solution for NSITF 22

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Budget Ministry’s Perm Sec tasks workers on professionalism

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline

Cyber-attack threats spur quest for cloud technology deployment globally Corporate entities and other internet users globally have over the past few months been kept abreast with latest threats posed to their valued databases and other critical information by cyber-criminals as they sustain their havocs on the global communication highways and devices. In this analysis by Isaiah Erhiawarien, the cyber predators antics and how to avert the risks associated with the havocs are critically examined, based on cyber security experts and other industry professionals’ prescriptions.

orporate entities and other internet users globally have over the past few months been kept abreast with latest threats posed to their valued databases and other critical information by cyber-criminals as they sustain their havocs on the global communication highways and devices. In this analysis by Isaiah Erhiawarien, the cyber predators antics and how to avert the risks associated with the havocs are critically exam-

ined, based on cyber security experts Also the reliance on the and other industry professionals’ over 20 years old legacy appliprescriptions. cation on-premise IT operat-

There are fresh fears over the increasing wave of cyber-attack on critical government and business infrastructure across the globe as latest statistics has revealed that more than 66 per cent of attacks go undetected though 95 per cent of networks have so far been breached.

To mitigate these threats to globe data security, organisations have now been advised to migrate to clouding for data warehousing

ing model has now created a dilemma for chief executive officers of corporate organisation who now consider the model to be unsustainable. To mitigate these threats to globe data security, organisations have now been advised to migrate to clouding for data warehousing. This advice was given at stakeholders’ forum during the Oracle Cloud Day that was held in Lagos, where IT savvy brainstorm on the urgency for businesses and government to migrate from on-premise storage of data to cloud. Clouding is the practice of using a network of remote

servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. Leading key speakers at the event, including the Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Sanni, pointed out that the global trend in data storing is clouding because it mitigates cyberattack and it is cost effective. With the theme, “Transforming Your Tomorrow”, the Oracle Nigeria boss noted that the business environment had produced a new set of competitors that requires chief executive officers to begin not only to look for new market but to step-up their game by embracing clouding. He advocated that the decreasing in house IT techniCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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

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

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

Business News

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

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Cyber-attack threats spur quest for cloud technology deployment globally CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

cal capabilities are enough quests for the adoption of clouding saying that 80 per cent of budget on the average is spent on maintenance and integration instead of innovation and progress. Sanni said that while system failures were increasing cyber security is also increasing yearly by about 10 per cent, adding that latest updates in Oracle’s Cloud Computing solutions can help them deliver the experiences customers expect, the talent to succeed, and the performance the market demands. While feeding questions from journalists at an interactive session, he said that drivers for IT transformation has moved to the cloud noting that 68 per cent consumers demand seamless integrated experience regardless of the channel while 90 per cent insist on access to real-time product availability into influencing their shopping choices. Present trend in the industry, according to him is that business agility is one of the key drivers that are making chief executives officer to move their data to the cloud, look at the new market “because we are in a competitive world.” He explained that financial growth was also a key factor driving businesses to the cloud, saying that CEOs are even more worried about the state of IT infrastructure which are already getting old and are constantly consuming huge IT budget. He said that the events of security breach across the globe is also creating panic amongst CEOs such that of the United Airlines in the United States and the New York Stock Exchange saying that CEOs are looking at addressing such issues through clouding and that Nigeria should not be left behind. He listed lower cost, reliability and offering standard as key drivers that should make enterprises embrace clouding technology. Sanni explained further that Oracle has the ability to move a company’s data from their on-premise data centre to Oracle cloud data centre, which is public without necessarily dumping their old data centre by making sure that IT is not only very expensive but simple and secured. Describing the Oracle Cloud Day as an opportunity whereby its customers are made to see the future of cloud in a dynamic perspective saying that a lot of its customers already have the infrastructures in place but that what Oracle is discussing with them is what their key priorities were. Reflecting on how the journey of cloud technology started 15 years ago, he said that the industry was in the middle of the cloud transition, saying that Oracle is one of the drivers of cloud technology in the world today. He said that the important thing in clouding is how to deliver clouding to meet the customer’s specific business challenges, noting that Oracle wants to be the trusted adviser to both its customers both in the private sector and the government.

Shittu

Sanni

He explained that government is the key component of the transformation that Oracle has seen in clouding adding that looking at the priority of the present government the foundation is to be transparent , and that the only that that can work is through technology. “From the Oracle point of view we see it both as an opportunity and as a company that is committed to this country we are consistently working with the government through strategic partnership to address the bottlenecks and the challenges that they see that are preventing transparency”, he said. He assured that Oracle will align its business solutions with the priority of the present government so that it can work with each of the different ministries to leverage on technology to drive transparency. Sanni said that Oracle will work with government to tackle the challenges that it facing in ensuring transparency using the options of the technology that are available either as on-premise or clouding noting that there is the need to have in place policies that addresses these new trends in technology. According to him, the various cloud technology solutions and strategies being churned out by Oracle gave it about seven per cent growth, “this is even when other big IT companies have in the last two years suffered combined loses of about

$16 billio in revenue. In fact in the last five years, we discovered that IT spending has dropped significantly.” He noted that it has become important again to discuss cloud strategies for business growth especially for emerging countries like Nigeria, stressing that lot of companies Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) needed to get their priorities right, by looking for measures to enter new market, drive revenue growth and survival in the market that has become highly competitive. “There is need for CEOs to look at the future and this is where cloud actually comes in. At the Open World, customers were opened to what Oracle was doing concerning cloud going into the next decade. There we explained our cloud strategies, which are Software As A Service (SAAS); Infrastructure As A Service (IAAS); Platform As A Service (PAAS). Oracle is the only company playing in these key areas. Lots of announcements were made in terms of key designed areas, which our strategy was actually based on in terms of driving cloud in the last 10 years. This has also formed part of the reason why we are organizing the ‘Oracle Cloud Day’ in Nigeria. The Oracle Nigeria leader disclosed that his company has sold about $450 million worth of cloud solutions as at May 2015, stressing that the challenges with IT spending is that it has to be looked at in

rather than spend money on deploying their own

infrastructures; businesses can actually outsource their

IT aspect to a third party;

business need to embrace pay-

as-you-use

IT services to drive

their businesses

two ways, which are the ability to drive agility and enter new market with focus on driving revenue and survival. Explaining on how further he said that survival means that players like Oracle will need to look at where their IT spend is going and value coming from there, which centres around operating model, with technical depth and security. “These have contributed significantly in revenue drop for companies and apart from this, the age of IT equipment in many companies have also dropped significantly, over 30 per cent. 80 per cent of the budget actually spent on maintenance and this will continue to be a challenge for CEOs and CIOs and there is also the issue of system failures”, said Sanni. Recalling the experiences of other technology companies worldwide, He said that in the last two years appeared not has been very rosy for most tech firms saying that revenue has been downward. Spcifically, according to Oracle, tech firms mostly international may have lost about $16 billion in the last two years, due to global economic meltdown. An IT expert, a Managing Director of Kitskoo Cloud Services Limited, Tunde Tani-Fafunwa, put the worth of the cloud technology service in Nigeria at an estimated $100 million (N20 billion) yearly. He said though the adoption of cloud computing in Nigeria cannot be said to have grown significantly, “the market potential for cloud computing in Nigeria is well over $100 million per year.” According to him, “rather than spend money on deploying their own infrastructures; businesses can actually outsource their IT aspect to a third party; business need to embrace pay-as-you-use IT services to drive their businesses.” Tani-Fafunwa said that though the cost of going cloud does not come cheap, its adoption has great impact on the growth of a company’s returns saying, that the Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, has a lot to benefit from adopting cloud technology.

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Business News

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Budget Ministry’s Perm Sec tasks workers on professionalism Tola Akinmutimi

he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs.Fatima Nana Mede has urged the staff in the Ministry to exhibit highest level of professionalism in all their responsibilities in view of the strategic and significant roles the Ministry is expected to play in the development of the nation. Mede, was quoted in a statement issued by the Assistant Director (Information), Mallam Salisu Haiba, as giving the charge during her maiden meeting with the directorate level officers of the new ministry. She disclosed that in order to enhance the competences of the workforce, the Ministry and the Centre for Man-

agement Development (CMD), were already working on relevant training programmes for the employees that will enhance their knowledge, produce crop of professionals and position them in the new task of budgeting and planning for national development She said: “We must be very professional and articulate in everything and need to also have an identity in the course of discharging our duties because of the important job we are doing” The Permanent Secretary also described the ministry as unique with the most challenging job and also at the center of the core activities of the government while also soliciting the cooperation of all staff. Mede promised to operate

BEDC’s cable thieves bag six years jail each

enin Electricity Distribution Plc, BEDC, has further demonstrated its resolve to tackle electricity equipment vandalism as it recently prosecuted two cable vandals who were sentenced to six years imprisonment each without option of fine by the Edo State Division of the Federal High Court, Benin. The two offenders, Lucky Obesewe and David John, were accused of unlawfully tampering with electrical installation of BEDC located at Lucky Way, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City in February, this year, an act punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act M17 Vol 9 laws of the country. Messrs Obesewe and David John were dragged to the Federal High Court by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence department and sentenced to two year jail term each on a three count charge, even though their terms will run concurrently. The convictions gave further boost to the current drive by BEDC and other distribution companies (Discos) to tackle vandalism of power sector equipment such as transformers, cables and other electrical installations even as the electricity supply industry grapples with a lot of challenges. It would be recalled that BEDC in August arraigned four persons aged between 26 and 30 years in the Benin Division of the Federal High Court on a three count charge of damaging the company’s properties. According to the charge sheet, the four persons allegedly committed the offence in Ighalo Irrua

community in Esan Central Local Council. Managing Director of BEDC had during the visit of the Senate Committee on Power last year advocated a 25 year jail term for power vandals. To demonstrate its readiness to eradicate vandalism of power equipment, the BEDC had earlier celebrated residents of Ughiyoko community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area and hosted them with gifts presentation for arresting some vandals that attempted to vandalise the company’s transformers in their community. The company’s Managing Director said the community had imprinted its name among great communities worthy of emulation and should be celebrated by all and sundry. It was further affirmed that the act of bravery displayed by the community’s youths made it imperative for BEDC to honour them with a token gift as appreciation, saying this will encourage other communities to see the company’s investments in their domains as theirs to protect and secure.

an open door policy to work with everyone provided it is within the context of the public service provisions. On the ongoing restructuring of the ministry as a result

of its merger with the Budget office, she told the staff to forward suggestions and recommendations to be incorporated into the input being prepared by the Ministry

which will be forwarded to the main Committee set up by the government under the coordination of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)

L-R, Dental Officer Ministry of Health Mr, Adeniyi Kehinde, Oral Care Consultant, Colgate- Palmolive, Mrs Ogechukwu Mac-Johnson; Director, Dentistry, Ministry of Health, Dr. Bimpe Adebiyi and Dental Officer Ministry of Health, Mrs Boyoga-Gambo Khadijah, during the Colgate- Palmolive Oral Health outreach and examination at Wuse Market in Abuja at the weekend photo ROTIMI OSASONA

Total Nigeria to sustain downstream investments UDEME AKPAN

otal Nigeria Plc has pledged its commitment to sustain investment in the downstream sector despite the continued regulation of the sector. The company indicated that it would continue to sustain investment in the sector despite the inability of the government to bring about deregulation. The Executive Director (Strategy), Total Nigeria Plc, Mr Jeff Nnamani disclosed on the sidelines of just concluded OTL Conference in Lagos that the company would continue to invest in the sector in order to ensure petroleum products are supplied to the general public. Being the petroleum marketing company with the largest market share, it will be unpatriotic for Total to suspend investment due to non-implementation of deregulation, “We recognized various challenges facing the government from security to dwindling revenue, capable of creating shortfall. It will not be a good deci-

sion to compound’ the problem but collaborate with the government to ensure adequate fuel supply and distribution through our filling stations in the six geopolitical zones of the country,” he noted. Nnamani added that the company was ready to cooperate with government targeted at boosting supply in the domestic market. He called on the National Assembly to collaborate with the Executive to ensure that laws needed to make the environment friendly are put in place. The company maintained that Total Nigeria Plc is a Marketing and Services subsidiary of Total; a multinational energy company operating in more than 130 countries and committed to providing sustainable products and services for its customers. It maintained that for over 50 years, Total Nigeria Plc has remained the leader in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry with an extensive distribution network of over 500 service stations nationwide and a wide range of top

quality energy products and services. On the corporate philosophy of the company, the management states that Total Nigeria Plc is “committed to deliver high quality with strict adherence to safety standards throughout our distribution process. It stated further: “We monitor each step of our supply chain regularly to ensure we provide you with quality products and heightened safety. At Total Nigeria Plc, we have implemented strict procedures through our distribution process, and control our products regularly to check out for potential defects as air oxidation or water presence in the products. “At Total Nigeria Plc , we work hard every day to guarantee the safety of our customers, through equipments and installations (extinguishers, sand boxes, etc). Our teams are regularly trained on how to assess and mitigate risky situations,” it added.

Fidelity Save4 Shelter Savings Promo House winner emerges

adiza Kuburat Umar Suleiman, at the weekend emerged a proud winner of an exquisite 4 bedroom duplex in the bi-monthly draw of Fidelity Save 4 Shelter Savings promo conducted in Lagos. The duplex, a masterpiece of modern architecture, is located at Lingo Estate, Lokogoma Abuja. Strategically designed to advance government’s financial inclusion policy, the promo, is part of the Bank’s earnest contribution towards

bridging Nigeria’s housing deficit. In the monthly draw held at the Bank’s corporate head office in Lagos, six (6) lucky customers emerged winners of Rent Support worth N6 million while 12 other customers were pronounced winners of consolation prizes such as fridges and generating sets. Managing Director of the Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said that the initiative also raised awareness on the need to acquire a savings cul-

ture amongst the Nigerian populace. Alluding to the correlation between savings and economic development, Okonkwo explained that savings serves as a veritable instrument for capital mobilization to finance aggregate investment required for economic growth. “As an active participant in the economy, we are supporting the government of Nigeria by making savings available for national development”, he added.

Business News

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OPIC invests $18.75m in CBO Oracle to provide IT solution for NSITF equity fund Johnson Okanlawom

he Overseas Private Investment Corporation, OPIC, the US government’s development finance institution, has approved a $18.75 million commitment in CBO Investment Management, CBOIM, fund. The CBOIM is one of the first private equity fund managers to target African institutional capital through a Nigeria onshore fund in parallel with a fund backed by international investors. A statement by CBO Capital indicated that the private equity investment limited fund was seeking to raise $150 million from international and local institutional investors to invest in Small and Medium Enterprise, SME, companies in West Africa. It stated that the fund will specifically invest in SMEs with scalable growth patterns and credible management teams across six core sectors including agri-business/food processing, energy services, manufacturing and import substitution, education and healthcare services, technology and media and real estate

services. According to the fund managers, CBOIM and OPIC have a mutual commitment to make investments that not only generate commercial private equity returns but also have a positive developmental impact. The President of OPIC, Elizabeth Littlefield, stressed that CBOIM presented an opportunity for OPIC to support an institutional-quality investment manager that will provide critical capital to SMEs in a variety of sectors in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa where access to finance for SMEs remains a challenge, but has a strong potential for development impact. OPIC invests $18.75m in CBO equity fund She said: “I’m especially proud that this is the first Africa-focused approval to result from OPIC’s Innovative Financial Intermediaries Programme, an OPIC initiative to facilitate capital flow to developing economies.” The Managing Partner of CBOIM, Mr. Bex Nwawudu, noted that securing investment from OPIC represented a powerful endorsement of the opportunity and strategy to support the best SMEs in West Africa.

Isaiah Erhiawarien

racle has been engaged by the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, to tackle the challenges that are associated with social security organisations. According to Oracle, it will provide IT solution, which will allow the fund to put contributors (clients) at the center of the NSITF business operation saying that it has solutions targeted directly at the specific challenges faced by social security organisations. The company announced that NSITF has chosen a comprehensive suite of products and technology from Oracle as the foundation for the trust fund’s transformation to the leading social security institution in Africa. According Oracle, it was chosen as a result of a thorough evaluation process, noting that Oracle was found to be uniquely positioned to deliver complete solutions with vertical and horizontal applications, middleware, database, operating system, virtualisation, servers, storage and management. Country Managing Director of Oracle Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Sanni said that the result will be

improved contributor outcomes, the ability to target services efficiently, integrate service providers into the system more effectively, and increase the efficiency of the operation as a whole. He disclosed that the project to put a modern infrastructure in place to provide social security benefits to the aged, the unemployed, child welfare recipients and the physically challenged, started with an exploratory phase in 2014 and the implementation is expected to run through 2016 in phased approach. Sanni explained that following the results-oriented Oracle Unified Method (OUM) for efficient and rapid implementation, the organisation also developed agencyspecific learning modules in conjunction with Oracle University. He said that a project of this size needs to be rolled out in a phased manner to ensure all the components are efficiently implemented and the business processes followed as per the initial requirements noting that the NSITF followed the OUM for the installation, which provides an implementation approach that is rapid, broadly adaptive, and business focused to quickly achieve measurable business results.

Discount mega store to open in Abuja Regina Otokpa

L-R: National Sales Manager, Ford, Coscharis Motors, Justin Ngini; General Manager, Coscharis Ford Assembly Plant, Nigeria, Daniel Biju; Personal Assistant to GMD, Coscharis Group, Shola Afolayan; Regional Manager, Sales and Aftersales, Sub-Saharan Africa, Ford, Rob Johnston; General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde; and Market Manager For Ford, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eugene Prinsloo, during a tour of Ford Assembly Plant in Lagos

Ericsson, Airtel to provide video-on-demand service Isaiah Erhiawarien

ver 30 million subscribers on the Airtel network are going to benefit from video-on-demand service that will be provided by Ericsson as a result of a new partnership that both companies have gone into. The first service will be launched in the first quarter of 2016 and will offer subscribers access to around 3,000 local and international TV and film titles spanning a wide variety of genres. A core feature of the service is the built-in ability to distribute content to consumers during offpeak periods, minimizing data costs for both the operator and the consumer According to Ericsson with this solution, subscribers will be able to download content directly

to their smartphones or tablets at no additional data cost during offpeak network times and access the content offline for up to 30 days after downloading. Known as NuVu, its content offering, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, will span a wide variety of genres including Hollywood and Nollywood movies, TV series, kids, music, gospel and education. Ericsson said that it was working with a number of leading international distributors to acquire TV and film content for its new service saying that NuVu is a complete end-to-end technology and content service. The platform, which has been developed by Ericsson leveraging the company’s extensive over-thetop capabilities, will be fully integrated into the operator’s custom-

er relationship management and payment systems. Head of Broadcast and Media Services at Ericsson, Thorsten Sauer, explained that the service will launch initially as an Android app for smartphones, providing subscribers with a personalised user interface, bookmarking and personal recommendations adding that Ericsson will continue to roll out the service on other platforms and operating systems. “The launch of NuVu is a significant landmark for Ericsson and is uniquely positioned to help our operator customers to address

a significant untapped market for video content. Africa has some of the highest mobile adoption rates globally with ever-increasing levels of investment and infrastructure”, said Sauer.

discount retailer of general merchandise, Game Stores, is set to expand its economic base in the country, following its decision to establish its fourth store in Abuja. Expressing optimism over the expansion, the Marketing and Customer Director, Mr. Mark Turner said “We are delighted that Nigerian consumers have shown us such great support by supporting our Game stores in Lagos, Enugu and Kano. Game’s value for money concept of discount retailing which has earned the group a loyal customer base across Nigeria and Africa at large will dramatically expand the shopping options that have been available in Abuja before now.” He disclosed that unprecedented low prices and a trio of guarantees would be some of the unbeatable attractions to be made available to its customers. “We are aware that Abuja shoppers expect something different to what has previously been offered in the retail market, such as an improved shopping experience and a wider ar-

ray of general merchandise. “Customers can be rest assured that we will offer unbeatable everyday low prices, quality general merchandise, dry groceries and fresh food in addition to unsurpassed customer service. Shoppers will get only the best of what Game has to offer when they visit our stores,”Turner added. He also noted that Game was the first retailer in Nigeria to launch an in-store revolving credit facility to help customers save money in order to improve standards of living, adding that the credit facility which was administered by 03 Capital, affords customers the ability to buy and pay later for any items purchased in-store and issued without any form of issuance fees. Game is a discount retailer of general merchandise items ranging from major domestic appliances, high-tech televisions, sound and audio equipment to toys, linen, sporting goods, interior decorations, camping and outdoor products, health and beauty aids including a wide array of dry groceries

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Youths account for Nigeria’s highest unemployment rate Tola Akinmutimi

ndications have emerged that the socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerian youths and that appear to make their future not so promising in terms of career opportunities may not end soon unless radical policies are introduced by government to develop the grassroots and by so doing, creating job opportunities for millions of the youths. The latest Unemployment and Underemployment Watch report published by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, at the weekend showed that youths between the ages of 15 and 24 had 17.8 per cent of their population out of employment as the third quarter of this year while those in the ages between 25 and 34 also had 10.8 per cent of their population in the labour market. The NBS reported that when compared with the previous quarters of the year, the Q3 rates represented an increasing trend. For instance, the Bureau stated that while the rate of unemployment among the population of the first age bracket of 15-24 years in the first quarter stood at 13.7 per cent, it surged to 14.9 per cent in Q2, before peaking at 17.8 per cent in the last quarter. The same trend was also recorded in those within 25-34 years as the rates rose from 8.2 per cent in Q1 to 8.9 per cent in the succeeding quarter before rising to 10.8 per cent at the end of September. On the underemployment rate, the NBS disclosed however underemployment rate for those within the ages 15-24 declined slightly to 31.8 per cent in Q3 from 33.8 per cent in Q2 and 30.6 percent

Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige

in Q1 2015 NBS clarified: “For those in the labour force within the ages of 25-34 however, unemployment rose to 10.8 per cent in Q3 2015 from 8.9 per cent in Q2 2015 and 8.2 per cent in Q1 2015, while underemployment stood at 18.5 per cent in Q3 from 19.5 per cent in Q2 and 17.7 per cent in Q1 2015. “Accordingly, 49.6 per cent of Nigerians in the labour force (not entire population) aged 15-24 were either unemployed or underemployed in Q3 2015 compared to 48.7 per cent in Q2 and 44.3 per cent in Q1 2015, while another 29.3 per cent aged 25-34 were either unemployed or underemployed in Q3 2015 compared to 28.4 per cent and 25.9 per cent in Q2 and Q1 2015 respectively”, it added.

Statistician General of the Federation, Yemi-Kale

Expatiating further, the agency reported that out of a total youth labour force of 36,380,320, representing 48 per cent of total labour force in Nigeria of 75.9 million, a total of 13,658,065 of them were neither unemployed or underemployed in Q3 2015. It explained that a youth may not be working but may not be unemployed and that a youth not working will only be termed unemployed if he is willing and able to work and actively looking for work within the review period. Making a distinction between being employment or to be underemployed, the Bureau stated that “you are unemployed if you do nothing at all and underemployed if you still manage to do something for some money for at least 20 hours a week but is menial and not fully

engaging relative to your skills, time and qualifications”. It also noted that the methodology adopted for the survey did not make value judgments about the quality of work or suitability or sufficiency of income earned in line with international methodology, adding that sufficiency of income or suitability or quality of jobs is statistically and technically covered under other living standard indicators like poverty. On the gender classification of the Unemployment and Underemployment rate, the Burea disclosed that unemployment and underemployment was higher for women than men in Q3 2015, noting that while 11 per cent of women in the labour force, that is those between 15-65 willing, able and actively working or searching for work, were unemployed in the quarter, another 20.4 per cent of them were underemployed in Q3 2015. However, it found out that on the other hand, 8.3 per cent of males were unemployed in the quarter under review, while another 14.6 per cent of males in the labour force were underemployed. Elaborating on the Urban and Rural Unemployment and Underemployment rates, the NBS noted that while underemployment continued to be more of a rural phenomenon, with 21.0 per cent rural underemployment compared to 9.0 per cent urban underemployment, given the nature of their jobs largely as seasonal farmers, unemployment is more of a concern in urban areas, amounting to 12.1 per cent of urban unemployment compared to 9.0 per cent rural unemployment.

Diplomat says tribalism endangers labour migration

Diplomat with the United Nations, UN, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has expressed concern over inability of African continent to create jobs, especially for migrants, saying tribalism may endanger migrations. Ould-Abdallah affirms in a UN summit that what is happening now in Africa’s workforce is only a tip of an iceberg, compared to what will occur, if urgent solutions are not found. International Labour Organisation, ILO, had noted that labour mobility is essential due to the fact that it has become the characteristics of globalization as well as the global economy. The international organisation says it is on a mission for human and labour rights with a motto suggesting that labour peace is indispensable to affluence.

The organisation informs that migrant workers earned $440 billion in 2011; and the World Bank estimates that more than $350 billion of that total, the developing countries benefited it, in the form of remittances. Kofi Annan, a former UN Secretary-General whispers in a World Economic and Social Survey said, “We cannot ignore the real policy difficulties posed by migration, but neither should we lose sight of its immense potential to benefit migrants, the countries they leave and those to which they migrate.” Annan’s views on the benefits of migrants apparently are disobligingly in Africa. Just early this year, many South Africans justified killing, claiming that migrants were taking jobs from South Africans. Migrants, who were not pummelled

to the South African soil, were forced to flee for safety. Mr. Raila Odinga, who’s Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, said in an exposition that ethnicity has roundly been condemned as the bane of Africa. He added that it was easy to see why: In almost all African nations, so many lives have been lost in civil wars that had clear ethnic undertones. A Political Writer-based in Zimbabawe, Reason Wafawarova said in a public presentation that the world saw what happened with xenophobic; or is it afrophobic attacks in South Africa recently. “Tribalism has nurtured the typical African into a hating animal when it comes to outsiders, and most of us inherently consider outsiders lesser beings, even those that are clearly more successful than ourselves,” Wafawaro-

va said. A state government in Nigeria gave reason in 2014 why it sent internally migrant workers, who were not natives of that state, packing. Mr. Ben Bruce, a Nigerian businessman and politician told newsmen on November 2 2015 that tribalism, regionalism and religious intolerance were strange to post independence and early independent Nigeria. Something prompted Bruce to say that. According to him, he was very angry on Friday, 23rd of October, 2015, when one of his Twitter followers tweeted a photo of an advertisement for a room to let. Bruce said that what was disturbing about this ‘to let sign’ was that the landlord listed a long list of tribes that he would not rent out his premises to.

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Organised labour carpets governors on minimum wage Isaac Asabor

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused state governors of declaring war on workers in the country by their claims that payment of the N18,000 minimum wage was longer sustainable. The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement at the weekend said the declaration was an attempt to frustrate new moves by the organised labour to submit a proposal for a review of the old minimum wage, which was signed in 2011. In what appeared a strong stance of the Congress on the matter, Wabba stated that organized labour was ready to remove any obstacle to efforts geared towards improving workers’ welfare. He stated further that though the Congress wanted a higher monthly minimum wage of N52,000 then, but that it was compelled to accept the N18,000 minimum wage after two years of negotiation. While noting that that the ability to pay minimum wage was not the problem of the economy, the labour leader hinged the fiscal challenges of the tiers of government to fiscal recklessness in the public sector, especially on the large sums of money usually paid as wages to political office holders and their aides.

Wabba stated: “The governors cannot, therefore, want Nigerians to take them seriously by their present claim that the current national minimum wage was ‘imposed’ on them. “For us in the NLC, we know as a fact that ability to pay minimum wages is not the problem of the economy. What is the problem for states and other tiers of government is the amount of many political office holders and their unproductive aides take away as wages. “For the private sector, the creed to accumulate more and more profit is also always a motivating factor to keep wages down. Similarly, we have been in the forefront of campaigning that the cost of governance at all levels need to be drastically cut down, to free enough resources for development. “The hundreds of billions of Naira our public office holders continue to filter away in the name of governance are what are not sustainable. For instance, the annual cost to the public purse of governors security votes, which is an unaccountable drain on the public resources, is worth several thousands of minimum wages per state. “Secondly, Nigerians who have the means to travel by air would recall that in the last six – 10 years, majority, if not all our governors, no longer use commercial airline regular flights as a means of transportation from one place

to another. They now have ‘official’ aircrafts and helicopters, which they maintain at huge costs to the state treasury. “Their less ‘fortunate’ counterparts charter aircrafts and helicopters at millions of Naira cost to taxpayers to attend any manner of functions from marriages to child naming ceremonies. States are in the poor financial state they are in largely on the developmental choices they have made; largely on the basis of priorities they have chosen which has nothing to do with the public good”, he added. The NLC President recalled that as early as last May, the NLC gave notice that the N18,000 minimum wage was due for review and that workers would be submitting a new proposal once the incoming government settled down. According to him, with the recent devalu-

ation of the Naira, the attendant increase in inflation and cost of living, even without the last Minimum Wage Act reaching the mandatory five years when it is due for review, organized labour would have been justified to request for review. He clarified: “Now, the five years is here – we are at the end of 2015, and with the cost of living being so high, we will soon table our new minimum wage demand to the Federal Government. “If the recent statement by the governors’ forum is intended to manoeuvre them away from addressing these imperatives, then it is bound to fail as we are ready to do battle to raise the living standard of the Nigerian working people,” Wabba said.

UN endorses global initiative on decent jobs Sylva Emeka-Okereke

oard of the Chief Executives of the United Nations, UN, has endorsed global initiative on decent jobs for youths. The Board stated that the endorsement was aimed at spurring actions in support of youth employment, which is one of the main global challenges and priorities of the times. Lauding the global labour initiative, the DirectorGeneral of the International Labour Organization, ILO, Guy Ryder, said it was a system-wide effort for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developments. The Organisation’s boss noted that the goals of inclusive and sustainable

economic growths as well as employment and decent work for all concern youth employment. Under the ILO lead, the initiative was developed by 19 entities of the United Nations that are committed to increase the impact of youth employment policies and expand country-level action on decent jobs for young women and men. Currently, two out of five young people in the labour force are either unemployed or working but poor. Of the estimated 200 million unemployed people in 2014, about 37 per cent (or about 73 million) were between the ages of 15 and 24. “The youth employment crisis represents a huge decent work deficit for societies worldwide and one of

the main challenges of our time. Following the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, we have the unique opportunity to work together to scale up action on youth employment and tackle this crisis head on,” said Ryder. “The CEB’s endorsement will help mobilize the various arms of the UN system, and engage multiple partners so that – in the end – young women and men have greater access to decent jobs everywhere.” More specifically, the Initiative proposes to engage key stakeholders and world leaders in high-level policy action on youth employment expand and scale up national and regional policies and interventions on youth employment.

Abuja youths to organise security, leadership skills carnival

he Abuja City Center Youth Association of Nigeria, is set to host the maiden edition of its City Center Carnival 2015 in furtherance of its commitment to promote social cohesion amongst the youths, Breifing the media on the planned event, the Coordinator of the Asso-

ciation, Shuki Godwin, disclosed that the event sought to raise awareness on security and impact leadership skills on the young people through a Youth Summit which is among the highlights of the carnival. According to him, other highlights at the event slated to hold next

month include, food fair, pageantry, Gossip Fair and a host of other side attractions. The organizers hinted that leading artistes including, W4, Seyi Shay, Phyno, Cynthia Morgan were billed to perform at the Gossip Festival which will attract ticket fees.

Workers exchanging ideas in office

Construction workers strike over poor working conditions

hanaian workers at the construction site of the Kejetia Terminal have laid down their tools in protest over what they described as bad conditions of service. The aggrieved workers have told Graphic.com. gh that management has delayed in migrating them from casual workers to permanent staff and has refused to allow them to form a union. The workers, numbering over 700, brought work at the project site to a standstill. Most of them have grouped themselves, discussing the way forward, while others are engaging in minor works. President John Dramani Mahama and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in October 2015, cut the sod to signify the beginning of construction of the fourphase project which will

turn the terminal into more than 10,000 shops with modern facilities. The $298-million facility, which will be completed within 24 months, has facilities such as CCTV systems powered by a solar power generation plant on the roof, modern sewerage and waste management facilities, a water reservation and sewer treatment station, among others. Other facilities to be provided include a large convenient parking lot, a modern bus terminal, a clinic, a police station, a crèche and some community facilities that will all change the skyline of Kumasi after completion. Phase One of the project comprises construction work at Kejetia in a period of 24 months at a cost of $198 million, while the remaining $100 million will be expended on the second

and third phases, which will focus on the redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market which has experienced incessant fire outbreaks. Jobs of 37 000 Lonmin workers hang in the balance As the shareholders of Lonmin Plc prepare to vote on the future of the company, the decision will be most felt the most by the miners. In less than 24 hours, the shareholders of Lonmin Plc will take a vote that will decide the fate of the world’s third largest platinum producer. They would be offered a 94 per cent discount as part of a $400 million rebuilding plan for Lonmin. As the shareholders of the company vote on the future of the company at its London headquarters, thousands of miles away, the decision will be felt the most by the miners in Rustenburg, in North West South Africa.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Pit toilet

Sanitation: Global body, experts task Nigeria on unhygienic practices As the global community marked the ‘World Sanitation Day’ few days ago, findings by sanitation experts and civil society organisations, including WaterAid, show that Nigeria ranks among the most falling countries on access to good sanitation. Olufemi Adeosun, in this report, captures the state of Nigeria’s sanitary system and what needed to be done to address the drift.

espite the United Nations’ projection of ending open defection across the world by the year 2025, there are no visible signs that the practice would end soon in Nigeria. With all its negative consequences on the environment and people’s health, the act of open defecation has assumed a frightening dimension, particularly among rural dwellers who do not have access to good toilet system. Even our urban centres are not insulated from this social misnomer. For instance, while Nigeria is said to account for about 39 million of the 2.4 billion people in the world that engage in the practice of open defecation, WaterAid, in its latest report, entitled, ‘State of the World’s Toilets’, revealed that the number of households in Nigeria with access to sani-

tation had declined by 9.1 percentage points since 1990. As a result of this, the report hinted that an estimated eleven children in every 1,000 die of diarrhoeal each year in Nigeria, and 58 out of 100,000 births result in the mother dying of sepsis. Apart from the pollution of the environment, sanitation experts

also pointed out that Nigerians constituted a sizable proportion of the estimated global 314,000 children under five that die each year of diarrhea illness which could be prevented with safe water, good sanitation and good hygiene. According to the experts, address-

Our analysis shows just how many nations in the world are failing to give sanitation the political prioritisation and financing required

– with Nigeria featuring

strongly at the top of that list

ing the issue of open defecation and its inherent negative effects on the people and the environment would entail deliberate efforts across the three tiers of government to provide the needed infrastructure particularly at the the local level. Speaking during the event marking the World Sanitation Day in Abuja recently, the WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Michael Ojo said:“Just two months ago, memberstates of the United Nations promised to deliver access to safe, private toilets to everyone everywhere by 2030. Our analysis shows just how many nations in the world are failing to give sanitation the political prioritisation and financing required – with Nigeria featuring strongly at the top of that list. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

European property prices exceed fair valuation –UBS 29

World Bank says 80% Nigerians live on rented apartments 27

Nigeria’s property business looks impressive, says experts 30

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sanitation: Global body, experts task Nigeria on unhygienic practices

Mohammed

“We also know that swift progress is possible, from the impressive advances in sanitation achieved in nations like Nepal, Vietnam and even Rwanda which is on the African continent. No matter where you are in the world, everyone has a right to a safe, private place to relieve themselves, and to live healthy and productive lives without the threat of illness from poor sanitation and hygiene. On this World Toilet Day, it’s time for our leaders and the world to make good on their promises and understand that the state of the world’s sanitation is no joke. “The implications of a lack of access to basic sanitation reach beyond health. It affects gender equality, education and economic development. Goal 6 of the newly agreed Sustainable Development Goals aims to deliver access to water, sanitation and hygiene for everyone everywhere. Without achieving this goal, the world cannot achieve many of the other goals – it can’t end hunger and malnutrition, or ensure gender equality, education and healthy lives for all. Ultimately, it can’t deliver on the overarching aim – a world free from extreme poverty by 2030.”, the WaterAid boss added. On the best way to tackle the problem of bad sanitation within the African continent, Ojo noted that the world, and particularly, the continent needed leaders who would publicly admit the importance of good sanitation and prioritise with a view to coming up with funding model. “We need leaders worldwide to state publicly that sanitation is crucial and to prioritise and fund it accordingly. And it’s not enough to just deliver toilets. Transforming hygiene

behaviours and making sure that everyone within a community is able to use a toilet – regardless of age, gender or ability – so that they are used by everyone is key to realising the full health benefits,” he also added. Also commenting on the sanitation system in Nigeria, an environmentalist and Chief Executive Director, Charity Aid and Development Foundation for Africa, Dr. Patrick Tolani, said that one of the issues encouraging poor sanitary system in Nigeria was inadequate waste management system. He said: “One does not need to be expert in the area of water and sanitation to be able to know that our waste management system in Nigeria is very inadequate (putting it very mildly). The implication of this for the nation’s socioeconomic trajectory means that we will continue to spend more more on curative rather than preventive medicare. “That does not help in achieving

the objectives of sustainable development. A lot of man-hour will be lost to treating preventable diseases and that reduces productivity, Tolani added. According to him, the WaterAid’s ranking appears not to be strange to anyone who knows that Nigeria lags behind on so many development indices. He pointed out that There was no doubt that the nation was plagued by many unwholesome development truncating its development. The environmentalist added, the last year Ebola scourge that nation was saved from underscored the need to treat this report with all the seriousness that it deserved rather than continuing to be in denial. The environmentalist clarified further: “With perennial energy crisis often restricting access to facilities couple with the growing poverty level in the country; the poor can least afford the outbreak of communicable

no serious government should abdicate its public duty in doing whatever needs to be done to sustain primary health of its citizenry

- it is a sacred duty

because our lives and existence depend on it

Commissioning of Bank of Industry-funded Solar power project in Osun State... recently

diseases which thrive in environment with poor hygiene conditions.The role of of government in making the waste disposal facilities work and the provision of safe drinking water has to be revisited and prioritized. “If government cannot effectively run the waste disposal facilities, perhaps running them through partnerships with the private sector might offer the necessary reprieve. More importantly, creating public awareness about the danger of indiscriminate dumping of wastes must be seen as a serious public duty and, if possible, sanctions and incentives should be provided for areas that are performing well or otherwise in the area of waste management. “Directing government to play a critical role by the WaterAid’s Report is not misplaced because no serious government should abdicate its public duty in doing whatever needs to be done to sustain primary health of its citizenry - it is a sacred duty because our lives and existence depend on it.”, he added In her contributions on the issue, an Abuja based social worker, Mrs Beatrice Ayodele, blamed the poor sanitary system, especially among the rural dwellers, to the neglect of rural communities. She less than 10 per cent of the people living in the rural areas could afford to build toilet in their homes. According to her, while the issue of sanitation is the exclusive preserve of the third tier of government, most of the local governments’ chairmen pay lip service to it and the resultant effects are manifesting in festering diseases and high morbidity rate.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

States commend World Bank, NEWMAP over erosion project

MORTGAGE NOTES with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

Olufemi Adeosun, ABUJA

Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com Fasanya-Osilaja https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

Mortgage Practitioners; please raise your hands… H ello all. This week I would like to return to some of the basics of the mortgage industry, in an effort to discuss some of the reasons for the challenges in the mortgage industry as verbalized to me by industry professionals and stake holders. As I stated in my last article, I was able to attend the recent NMRC awareness workshop recently held in Lagos. It is always very interesting to be on the outside looking in, and I took full advantage of this position in trying to understand the challenges faced by the professionals who actually operate in this field on a daily basis. I was really rather shell shocked to realize that the industry is as uninterested as I found it to be. It seemed that no two entities actually maintain relationships with each other. In fact, there almost seemed to be an air of uncertainty between company representatives, about how to interact. The danger with this situation in my opinion is that it leaves room for unscrupulous borrowers to misrepresent their situations from one bank to the other. It must be understood that there is a time to be competitors and a time to be collaborators. The industry owes it to its operators as well as the general public, to learn how to come together and speak with one voice for the good of the industry and/ or its clients. One of the most disturbing trends I seemed to decipher is the appearance that, as a result of the industry’s seeming inability to address new developments in a timely manner and as a single unit, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), seems to be doing the work of developing products, guides and reforms and then simply presenting it to the industry as a finished product, to be implemented without question. One of the most glaring examples of this is the debt ratio section of the NMRC guidelines. In an environment where level 15 civil servants cannot afford

the monthly payments on a 20 million naira home with their full monthly salary, it is a mystery to me that the NMRC guidelines limit a borrower to maximum payments of less than 40% of their salary on a mortgage. I am not sure if this happened due to the guidelines not being subject to industry comments prior to issue, or if the industry players just never bothered to fight it. The problem is of course that if a guideline is not debated while it is still a proposal, it becomes much more difficult to reform it once it has taken effect. I was also concerned about what some of the attendees admitted to as a ‘lack of ingenuity’ in the industry. According to this attendee, the mortgage practitioners almost seem lacklustre in the performance of their duties. As a result, there is not much excitement about seeking out new markets, establishing new territories, or attracting new clients with exciting and innovative products. One of the questions I asked the attendees was where their main target markets were. The overwhelming majority of the answers pointed to the dangerous trend for all (or most) companies to all be in the habit of marketing the same market – oil companies and big banks etc. I was met with almost a stare of incomprehension when I asked why no one was exploring any of the less visible markets in the business system (e. g Teachers Unions etc), and someone explained that there were no products available for them. I instantly asked the person why she, as the Head of the Department, had not worked on creating new products to tap into the market, and I got a very blank stare from her too. I encourage the mort-

gage industry players to join hands together as colleagues, carefully review the NMRC guidelines, and probably set up a group to identify problem areas, and submit them to the CBN as feedback. Since the NMRC program, is still relatively new, I believe that there is room for discourse and slight adjustments to make the guidelines to encourage its widespread use by the members of the industry. I would dare to go as far as to suggest a quarterly review of the guidelines as feedback from the industry to the regulators, with visible efforts to employ as many of the guideline clauses as possible in day to day activities. The industry must not allow itself to be spoon-fed by its regulators, but must be a present, active and vibrant participant in the whole process. One of my favourite sayings is that when an eligible person is passive throughout a voting period, they cannot turn around and complain if they get the wrong person elected. So it is with politics, so it should bexxxxx with the mortgage industry. I also encourage the Marketing Department of each mortgage entity to get into the habit of new product development and special pricing opportunities from time to time, to attract new customers, and to open up new markets. Marketing staff must be incentivized, not just by monetary target bonuses, but also for ingenuity and creativity in the development of new products to serve their public. As usual, your questions and comments on this piece are very welcome, and I hope to hear from as many of your readers as possible.

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

he governments of Cross River and Imo States have lauded the World Bank for its intervention in controlling the menace of gully erosion and watershed challenge that have devastated and wreaked havoc on a number of communities in the two states. The Bank was so commended at separate events in the course of its on-going supervision mission to gully erosion and watershed control project sites in the two states. In Calabar, Cross River State, the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Ejemot who stood in for the State Governor Professor Ayade said the bank’s intervention in partnership with FAO and the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, had helped quite significantly in stemming the tide of rampaging erosion in the state. Ejemot said the Cross River State Government was highly appreciative of the intervention and that state was committed to ensuring the successful completion of the project at all the sites. Also in Owerri, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, expressed deep appreciation for the Bank’s intervention, describing it as very important to the State. He said further that the project was a worthy partnership in view of the fact that it was in the

direction of ameliorating a very pathetic situation, adding that the state is prone to erosion as a result of the texture of the soil and thereby aggravated poverty in its most parts. Okorocha expressed optimism that the bank’s intervention would reduce the effect of gully erosion in Imo State quite significantly. In his remarks both in Calabar and In Owerri, the project’s Task Team Leader, Dr. Amos Abu, told the hosts that the Team was on a Supervision Mission to see the extent of progress so far made on the implementation of the project at the sites. He said further that the Bank’s intervention was informed by its desire to reduce vulnerability of the people in the affected communities to the dangers of gully erosion; and to restore their livelihoods, thereby helping them out of poverty. Abu expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation the Project had enjoyed in the states even as he commended the governments for their commitment to paying the required Counterpart Fund. The Task Team Leader disclosed that additional sites were being considered for intervention in the states; and that approval had been given for the Bank’s intervention in seven more states. The additional states are Oyo, Kogi, Plateau, Gombe, Kano, Sokoto and Delta.

World Bank says 80% Nigerians live on rented apartments SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

orld Bank has raised serious concerns over the living standards of Nigerian adults, disclosing that over 80 per cent of them are living in rented apartments. Already, the global apex bank had raised the alarm over the rising population explosion, saying the population would hit 289 million by 2050, thus increasing rural and urban drifts as well as rising building costs and exerting pressure on shelter. Reacting on the situation, a quantity surveyor, Mr Loius Ehizokhale said, mortgage policy of the Federal Government has not given the citizens the opportunity to own their houses, thus leading to many Nigerians to live in rented apartments. Citing corruption as one of the problems for such lax, he also noted that non-clear direction of government’s housing policy ne-

cessitated the inability of many Nigerians not having their own homes, just as he said, deviation from city’s master plan by successive administrations also created a network of slums in some states. ‘’Our governments should immediately commence corrective measures to reverse the living trends of 80 percent Nigerians living in rented apartment. This is in addition to the verdict of the United Nations Population Commission that Nigeria has the highest slum proliferation rates in Africa’’, he stated. Government should also revive its reforms of the mortgage sector to reverse a situation where over 70 per cent of all housing here is undertaken by the private individuals and informal sector and where mortgage loans and advances account for only 0.5 per cent of all lending compared to 30-40 per cent in other emerging economies, and 60-80 per cent in developed economies.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cool ceil

GO DARK Walls in the master bed room are covered in Donghia’s Sil k Texture II, and the ceiling is painte d in Benjamin Moore Regal Select in Night Horizon to dramatize the soa ring space in a Long Island Shingl e-style beach house decorated by Rob Southern.

Source: www.housebeautiful.com

European Commission invests € 160.6m in 96 T he Commission has approved an investment package of $264.8 million to support Europe’s environment, nature and green growth. The investment covers 96 new projects spanning to 21 Member States, funded under the LIFE programme for the Environment. The projects cover actions in the field of environment and resource efficiency, supporting the transition to a more circular and sustainable economy, nature and biodiversity, and environmental governance and information. EU will co-finance the projects by providing € 160.6 million. EU Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella said: “Money invested in environment projects is money well spent. I am delighted to see that our LIFE programme will support many innovative projects, and I am sure they will make a vital contribution. “As well as protecting and enhancing natural capital, there are many promising avenues here that will help steer Europe towards a low-carbon, resource efficient and sustainable future. We will follow these projects carefully, with a view to sharing and replicating their success.”, Vella added. The Commission received 1 117 applications in response to a call for proposals that closed in June 2014. Of these, 96 were selected for co-funding through the programme’s three components. The 51 LIFE Environment & Resource Efficiency projects will mobilise $103.3 million, of which the EU will provide $56.2 million. These projects cover actions in five thematic areas: air, environment and health, resource efficiency, waste and water. Out of these close to half the funds will be dedicated to 14 resource efficiency projects that will facilitate Europe’s transition to a more circular economy. The 39 LIFE Nature & Biodiversity projects improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats and contrib-

ute to the EU’s goal of halting biodiversity loss. They have a total budget of $153.9 million, to which the EU will contribute $ 100 million. The 6 LIFE Governance and Information projects aim to raise the awareness of environmental issues. They have a total budget of $7.5 million, to which the EU will contribute nearly $ 4.5 million.

The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. It has been running since 1992 and has co-financed more than 4 000 projects across the EU and in third countries, mobilising $7.8 billion and contributing $ 3.4 billion to the protection of the environment

and climate. At any given mom are ongoing. The bu gramme for 2014–202 in current prices, and for environment and climate action.

Tower Property sees 38% jump in reven

ower Property’s revenue increased by 38 per cent and its operating profit grew by 37 per cent. The South African property investment fund saw revenue increase to 117 million rand in 2014 from 85 million rand for the five months ended 30 November 2013. “Tower performed well in the six months ended 30 November 2014 in an increasingly difficult trading environment,” it said. “The investment strategy is to expand the portfolio by targeting well located, mainly medium-sized properties with strong cash flows and to ensure a diversified sectoral and geographic portfolio.” Tower Property added that its longer term objective is for the

portfolio to comprise approximately 50 per cent in retail space, followed by office at 30 per cent and industrial at 20 per cent. “During the period two properties totalling 122 million rand were acquired. Active asset management of the portfolio has continued to reduce operating costs,” the company said. “Greening initiatives undertaken include lighting retrofits at Cape Quarter and the De Ville Shopping Centre, and a large solar installation at Cape Quarter which is predicted to yield a 17 per cent return.” According to the company, this solar project will ensure that most of the roof space is being utilised to generate energy. “This is a strategically important programme given the country’s elec-

tricity supply constraints and the expected tariff increases from Eskom,” Tower Property said. “Savings at Cape Quarter have exceeded predictions with 850,000 rand being saved per annum as a result of lighting changes. The electricity demand of the property has been reduced by 13 per cent.” The property fund saw its net property income for the 2014 period increase to 103 million rand from 75 million rand for the previous corresponding period, and a profit before taxation of 98 million rand from a loss of 31 million rand. Its operating profit grew by 37 per cent and its basic and di-

luted earn weighted a sue, increa “Manag focus on th tegic prop sustainabi enhance re said Tower “The di mitted to tion foreca 2015 financ in the co statement i 4% of S 32% total i More th South Afri poverty un (R15.90*) p ing to Oxfa

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

ling ideas

LACQUER

In the kitch en of a New York apartment designed by Philip Gorrivan, iridescent mosaic tiles and a ceiling lacq uered in Benjamin Moore’s Oce anic Teal pick u p a color fr om the wallpaper in the hallway . Thonet barstoo ls by York Street Studio. Rom an shades in Homer wool in Verdigris by Gorrivan by High land Court.

6 environment

ment some 1100 projects udget for the LIFE Pro20 is set at $ 3.4 billion nd has a sub-programme d a sub-programme for

enue

nings per share, of the average shares in isased to 69 cents in 2014. gement continues to he acquisition of straperties to ensure the ility of the fund and to eturns for investors,” r Property 0.00%. irectors remain commeeting the distribuast of 86.6 cents for the cial year, as published company’s pre-listing in July 2013.” SA’s households earn income han ten per cent of icans live in extreme nder 1.25 US dollars per day; this is accordam’s recent report.

GOLD LEAF

To make the Tony Duquette chandelier feel more at home, Ruthie Sommers had decorative painter Peter Bolton create an elaborate tree design in gold leaf on the dining room ceiling. Jacaranda and plum trees inspired the vibrant pink Penny Morrison fabric on the front of the chairs and the Claremont floral on the back. Rug from Melrose Carpet.

European property prices exceed fair valuation –UBS J ust eight years after the sub-prime mortgage crisis, banks are warning about the risks from booming real estate markets across the world. For instance, last Thursday UBS stated that property in all European cities now exceeded fair valuation, with London the most overvalued market on the continent and the city most at risk in the world for another housing bubble. “The UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index, as well as the cross-sectional benchmarks, point to the risk of a substantial price correction should the fundamentals for real estate investment deteriorate,” the bank warned in its global property report. London house prices, in real terms, are 6 percent above their previous peak in 2007, with real estate in the capital decoupling both from the rest of the U.K. and local household earnings, according to UBS. The city is the world’s least affordable, bar Hong Kong, which UBS ranks as the second-most likely city to have a property bubble. “Foreign demand (for London properties) and demand deriving from safe-haven seekers largely explain current valuations. Global geopolitical risk and the high property valuations in Asian cities

have helped to propel London house prices to new heights,” UBS said. “Domestic buyers too have contributed to the appreciation,” the bank added, highlighting the alluring yields on buy-to-let investments and ongoing population growth. While the expense of London housing is wellknown, Europeans may be surprised to learn that Amsterdam is rated the second-most susceptible city on the continent to a housing bubble. The German financial center of Frankfurt was also described as “on a rising trajectory in overvalued territory,” with Geneva, Zurich and Paris additionally highlighted as overvalued. After London and Hong Kong, Sydney was singled out by UBS as the world’s most overvalued city — a feature that has also been highlighted by RBS. Alberto Gallo, head of European macro credit research at RBS, warned in a research note on Wednesday that Australian banks could be at risk from a house price correction, stating that mortgages accounted for over 60 percent of their loan portfolio (almost double the share in the U.S. and three-times the share in the U.K.)

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s property business looks impressive, says experts A

s Nigeria’s real estate sector looks bleak, experts have predicted impressive outcome in 2017. The sector might also witness proliferation of markets as several properties will be up for grabs. Experts had noted that operators in the property industry may witness large volumes of activities within the period under review. According to them, those, who would make tomorrow’s money, may invest in property today as the gains would

be immense from 2017, adding that, one area of interest in this outgoing year, would be renovation of properties, which would be up and running. ’’Most investors, who would offer their property for sale this year without success will begin to renovate them for the next two years, as the year will end with improved cash flow from other businesses. Even those, who did not offer their property for sale in the year, will consider investments in form of reno-

vation for enhanced value in the last quarter of this year’, he added Though, investors expect the sector to improve this year, but some experts have said the sector would be unpredictable, due to the prevailing economic and political indicators. According to them, the real sector would feel the backlash of these signs, coupled with the possibility of less money being in circulation, leading to low-buying and less-building with less-construction

works. Expectedly, investors have predicted a growth of about 30 percent, considering the fact that private operators would embark on more real estate investments, aimed at filling the yawning housing gaps. Already, several local and foreign firms had long before now and even presently, showed interests in the nation’s real estate market by promising to build several housing units to shore up the present housing stocks in the political agenda of some political parties, as promises of affordable and decent houses

country. Many of them said, they might kick-off the housing projects before the end of the year and if this is done, the projected 17 million housing deficit in the country would be reduced to the barest minimum. Some analysts have also predicted that property prices will drop in some states, which would make it more exciting year for speculators as well as investors. It was also forecasted that housing issues might top the for citizens would once again, feature on their political campaigns and promises.

NCF, Oxfam train farmers on climate change adaptation Sylva Emeka-Okereke

Group Brand Development and Activation Manager, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Adebayo Obarotimi (left), and Head of Marketing, Microsoft West Africa, Olumide Balogun, at the 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair’s Forum tagged: Enhancing Small and Medium Enterprises in Diversification, in Lagos, recently.

US kids’ lawsuit over climate change gathers steam

lawsuit over climate change filed by 21 young Americans has gained the attention of the fossil fuel industry, which is joining the US government to oppose the kids’ demands for sharper pollution cuts.

The plaintiffs, aged eight to 19, include the granddaughter of renowned climate scientist James Hansen, formerly of NASA and a well-known advocate of reducing the greenhouse gases that are causing the planet to heat up. The plaintiffs want the government to commit to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions and implement “a science-based climate recovery plan” that protects the Earth for future generations, according to the Oregon-based group, Our Children’s Trust. “This case will put indisputable science about climate change squarely in front of the federal judiciary,” said

the group, which filed its lawsuit against President Barack Obama’s administration in August, and has filed multiple state lawsuits over the past several years. They are calling on the US District Court of Oregon -- the state where most of the plaintiffs live -- to order the government to “swiftly phase down carbon dioxide emissions” so that atmospheric CO2 concentrations “are no more than 350 parts per million by 2100.” Atmospheric CO2 concentration is currently around 400 ppm, a level unprecedented in modern history and one that has raised alarm among many climate scientists. Meanwhile, the planet is on track for its hottest year since 1880, amid key climate talks later this month in Paris that will reveal how much world leaders are prepared to do to save the environment.

In a sign that the kids’ lawsuit is causing some concern to industry interests, powerful oil and coal companies filed earlier this month for permission to join the US government in opposing it. They include the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers -- which represents ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Koch Industries and more -- the American Petroleum Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers. “The fossil fuel industry doesn’t want additional pressure on the federal government to run a stricter climate change program,” said Cornell University law professor Gerald Torres, an expert on environmental law who is not involved in the case. “It does suggest they are taking this lawsuit seriously. And I think it ought to be taken seriously,” Torres told AFP.

igerian Conservation Foundation, NCF and Oxfam have formed a synergy geared towards improving the resilience of small scale farmer’s, aimed at adapting to climate change. With the initiative tagged, Farmers Field School (FFS), the farmers are prepared on measures against climate change as well as its effects on food crops. This measure will also make small scale farmers to cope with the negative effects of climate change. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the initiative in Omo J4 Forest Reserve, the Chief Conservation Officer, NCF, Adedamola Ogunsesan said though, the menace of climate change and its numerous effects is a global issue, but each country will develop its strategy, aimed at ameliorating the impacts on human lives as well as agricultural productions to tackle issues of food security. According to him, Ogun state like other states in the country, is faced with low food harvest due to lack of ineffective farming practices by farmers and inadequate knowledge to effectively manage the effects of climate change on food crop production. He therefore noted that farmers in rural communities should be equipped with knowledge on how to tackle climate-induced poor yields, poor soil fertility, low nutrient retaining ability, abnormal flow of rain fall as well as spreading of common and uncommon diseases. “Adaptation strategies are short and long-term changes to

human activities that respond to the effects of changes in climate. In agriculture, adaptation will require cost-effective investments in water infrastructure, emergency preparation for and response to extreme weather events, development of resilient crop varieties that tolerate temperature and precipitation stresses, and new or improved land use and management practices”. The initiatives are also interested in the use of indigenous knowledge as adaptation strategies. According to the NCF Field Officer in OMO Forest Reserve, Clifford Omonu, the initiative requires grassroots experiments, regular field observations and group analysis among others. The knowledge gained from these activities would enable participants to make their own locally-specific decisions about crop practices and management as it affects them. This approach represents a shift from earlier agricultural programmes; in which farmers were compelled to adopt generalized recommendations for a better outcome. The purpose of this initiative is to establish a regular Farmers Field School (FFS) in nine communities in Omo Forest as well as train and build farmers capacities for climate change adaptation while reducing human pressure on forest resources in the forest. “We will train some farmers in these nine selected communities of Area J4, Aberu, Mile 1 village, Osoko, Olooji, Aba kurudu, Abeku 1, Eleyele London and Abeku Temidere” Omonu said.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Aviation

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Med-View new Lagos-London route flights excite stakeholders Med-View Airline last Friday commenced scheduled flights from Lagos to Gatwick International Airport, London. In this analysis by OLUSEGUN KOIKI, aviation stakeholders bared their minds on expectations from the airline, challenges and prospects of the route and how it could explore its opportunities and cope with the hurdles.

igerian air travellers on the LagosLondon route have over the years complained of indiscriminate airfare regime on the most lucrative route out of Nigeria, but their grumble received little or no attention as a result of ineffective competition from other Nigerian carriers flying into the route. But, such unfair practice last Friday became a thing of the past with the commencement of four weekly frequencies between the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos and Gatwick International Airport, London by MedView Airline. With the introduction of attractive N149,000 return ticket by Med-View, rather than the N350,000 charged by some other airlines, choosing of a strategic airport in London and other striking packages by the airline, competition is set to be intense the route. The Federal Government had in 2014 designated Med-View Airline to commence operations to United Kingdom in line with the dual designation policy between the two governments. The policy allows two airlines from each country to operate unhindered into each other’s terrain in line with the conditions of the agreement. While two airlines from Britain have been enjoying this policy over the years, Nigeria on the other hand has been wobbling with only Arik Air flying between the two countries. However, while many stakeholders and professionals in the country’s aviation industry commended the management of the airline for taking the audacious step to commence direct flight operations into the former colonial masters’ enclave, they however cautioned the airline on some of the steps it would take on the route. Some also called on the Federal Government to take a cue from governments all over the world that protect their carriers on international routes through formulation of favourable policies, saying that the carriers in Nigeria had not received enough protection from the government over the years. The Managing Director of Belujane Konzult and former spokesman of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Mr. Chris Aligbe called for strong anti-trust laws and strict adherence to such laws to protect Nigerian carriers from malicious competition aimed at de-marketing them or outright removal from international routes. Aligbe insisted that absence of anti-trust laws allowed airlines that have challenges in terms of infrastructure, fuel and others cut down their prices ridiculously in a bid to remove another competitive airline from a route. He said this was a wrong marketing prctise adopted by such carriers, noting that such practise must be checked so as to protect Nigerians airlines especially those fly-

Boeing 767-300 Med-View Aircraft to London

I’m sure they are up to it, they have the manpower, determination, good partners and all that, but people like us must continue to drum it home that it is not hurray yet ing out of the country. Recall that sometime in the mid-2000s, after Virgin Nigeria started flying to the United Arab Emirates, the dominant carrier on that route, Emirates, after a while crashed its air fares ridiculously, which eventually compelled the carrier out of the market and later increased the airfare when the Nigerian carrier had been forced out of the route. Aligbe however, commended the management of Med-View Airline management for the giant strides it has taken on the last couple of year, stressing that it had brought reasonable competition to every route it flies into in terms of fares, service and other indices. Besides, a pilot with the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Capt. Samuel Adewunmi expressed optimism that the airline would record success on the route, but cautioned the management against taking wrong steps that might lead to its close of shop on the route. Adewunmi in his statistics explained that the airline would earn about N20 million from ticket sales to and fro London, but hinted that at least 70 per cent would be spent on maintenance of aircraft, crew, navigational and other charges. He warned that if the management was not judicious with spending, it might not stay long on the route. He said, “In aviation, if you take a Boeing 767 to London, you are going to make an average of N10 million for the six hours and coming back again, you are going to make another N10 million, but it should be clear to all and sundry that the money is not yours. You have to divide it by three; a

part of the sum goes to heavy maintenance of the aircraft, which is called sinking account. You don’t pray to use it, but if you can manage not to have bird strikes and other incidents for the next six months to a year, you are okay. “The second part is your operational account and the third part is your profit. So, out of the N10m, only N3 million is your profit, but when you think your regular N10m is yours and you don’t plan well for the usage that is where the problem comes. “How many airlines have been going to London from Nigeria before now? They all failed. Is it because the route is not lucrative? No. It is because of bad management because we cannot manage success. I’m praying for him to look at his predecessors on the same route.” The former President, Aviation Round Table, ART, Capt. Deke Ore described the Lagos-London route as an uphill task for the airline. He explained that other existing carriers on the route would feel threatened by the successes recorded so far on the annual hajj operations to Mecca by the airline and would do everything possible to sabotage the airline on the route. He posited that if the airline could continually operate Mecca flight for nine years, it would effectively function on the London route. He however advised the management to look at the indices that led to the collapse of the defunct national carrier on the route, Nigeria Airways and other carriers before it, stressing that with this, it would record success in London. He however advised the airline to join

global alliances in order to further connect its passengers beyond London, warning that absence of this might spell doom for it on the international route. He said, “It needs to join some alliances so that we don’t have a situation that it is operating a point to point and passengers will have to buy tickets again for onward travels. That was what pushed Nigeria Airways out of business towards the tail end. You must join some alliances for you to do that, you must definitely have met the standard of the IATA Operational Safety Audit, IOSA. “I’m sure they are up to it, they have the manpower, determination, good partners and all that, but people like us must continue to drag it home that it is not hurray yet. It is hard work and planning and if you go back way to history, when an airline tries to expand so fast, some people will intentionally want to destroy it, both in Nigeria and abroad. You must stay on a route consistently with cautious and well-trained crew.” The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Finum Aviation Services, Engr. Sheri Kyari said that Med-View had good track records in its airline management and expressed confidence that this would not crumble its managerial skills.

Bankole, Medview boss

Aviation

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

FAAN debunks claims on recruitment exercise in agency

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has debunked the claim in some quarters that it has begun recruitment exercise in the agency. The agency in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Yakubu Dati, hinted that the last recruitment exercise that took place was between March and May this year. Dati explained that the exercise was conducted for officers into the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service, ARFFS, Aviation Security, AVSEC, and Information Communication Technology, ICT, Departments, which had shortage of professional staff at present. Dati declared that at the appropriate time, FAAN would invite successful candidates during the May

exercise, for mandatory training before deployment to various airports across the country. He added, “We wish to emphasise that no recruitment exercise is taking place in FAAN at the moment. This is more so because it has come to our notice that fraudulent recruitment agents and questionable recruitment websites are deceiving and in some cases, duping unsuspecting applicants by giving out misleading information about an ongoing recruitment exercise in FAAN.” I would be recalled that a top management staff of FAAN had disclosed at a gathering recently that the Federal Government had approved the engagement of additional 720 personnel to boost its workforce. The Director in the agency had said that the proposed new workers would be deployed to critical areas around the airside of the

Dunoma

airports runways in order to boost safety around the facilities across Nigeria. He also informed that as a result of increase in threat to airports and flight operations, the airports management authority was putting appropriate measures and equipment in place to forestall any threat to aircraft operating in and out of the airports.

Stakeholders laud FAAN on airports’ security measures

takeholders and professionals in the Nigerian aviation industry have commended the security arrangements at all the airports across the country. This is as they called for continuous training for personnel that man that aspect of the nation’s airports. Speaking at a three-day workshop to mark the Murtala Muhammed Airport Safety Week in Lagos recently, stakeholders insisted that security at Nigeria airports’ airside has recorded significance improvement over the years as evidenced by the near zero incidence on the runways. The workshop with the theme: ‘Airside Safety, the Very Essence of Aviation,’ drew participants from all aspects of aviation in the country including airlines and ground handling agents. Participants commended Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, airlines and other managers of the facilities for recent improvement and urged them to con-

tinue to grow the industry. The Director of Airport Operations of FAAN, Capt. Henry Omeogu explained that FAAN, like other sister agencies across the globe had continued to imbibe a safety culture among those who walk around the runway and deployed resources to ensure that the airports’ airside operation was given all the support it required in the areas of manpower, training, equipment and orientation. He declared that airside safety required the conscious effort made primarily by airport operators, airlines and stakeholders to ensure the deployment of safety culture around the aircraft maneuvering areas at the airports that ensure safe operations of aircraft. Omeogu explained further that safe culture was an integral part of the industry, stressing that it takes several forms, including standard operating procedures and adoption of new technologies. Also, speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive of Talk Trans-

L-R: Dana Air’s Chief Pilot, Capt. Victor Ola-Olukayode, Head of Security; Austin Akalonu, Head of Human Resources, Mr Edwin Ossai;, Mr Anand Alargasamy and Dana Air’s Director of Flight Operations, Captain Segun Omole during a novelty match to mark the airlines’ 7th anniversary recently in Lagos.

port and Safety Consult Limited, Mr. Amaobi Imediegwu emphasised the need for vigilance around the runways, taxiways and taxi lanes, the ground transportations, grass areas as well as the apron areas and airport lighting. Amaobi hinted that runway safety was a significant challenge and top priority for everyone in aviation the global aviation industry. Other speakers spoke on the need to effectively carry out protection of navigational aids, prevent wildlife hazard, prevention of runway incursion, excursion and confusion and effective communication around the airside. They advised that only authorised establishments by the airport management authority should always utilize the airport perimeter routes for airport management service purposes.

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Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Will Sirika do the needful?

he appointment of Senator Hadi Sirika as Aviation Minister was well acknowledged by aviation stakeholders and professionals who had hitherto asked for the appointment of aviation professional as a minister in the sector. Sirika before venturing into politics was an aircraft pilot and rose to become a Captain in the system. The euphoria of appointment is gradually waning and Airside and other major stakeholders expect the minister to commence work almost immediately. Sirika undoubtedly has enormous tasks before him. Stakeholders expect him to surpass the achievements of his predecessors being a professional in the sector, but Airside is skeptical if the minister can step on toes and right all the wrongs in the system in order to propel the sector forward. With-

out this, he can’t achieve much for the sector and those who had previously craved for the appointment of a professional may be disappointed after just six months. Some of the steps stakeholders especially the airline operators would expect him to address is to take tackle the issue of multiple entries granted foreign carriers in Nigeria by the ministry of aviation, high tax regime on the airlines’ operations while other stakeholders especially the industry unions and agencies’ helmsmen would want him to address the issue of massive debts owed parastatals by airlines and other operators in the sector. Past ministers in the sector had tried to address the above issues, but failed. Hope Sirika would in the next one year continue to enjoy the current high rating he’s presently having? Only time will tell.

One airport too many

ecently, a press statement from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, disclosed that the Nasarawa State Government has proposed the construction of new airport. The Governor of the State, Mr. Tanko Al-Makura in the statement hinted that the proposed airport in the State would serve as alternate airport for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, serve as cargo airport for agricultural produce and serve neighbouring States of Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Plateau and Taraba. Airside says the reason put forward by the State Governor was good, but in reality, the proposed airport if it comes into fruition would only add to the tens of unviable airports across the country and on the long run would not serve its purpose. There are several airports constructed by Federal or State

Governments in recent time, but remained unattractive because of their closeness to other existing airports. For instance, Ibadan Airport in Oyo State is nearing derelict, Dutse International Airport in Jigawa State is largely unused, Asaba Airport remains unviable due to its closeness to Benin Airport and while Akure airport is gradually turning to a ghost town. However, despite the irrelevant of the above airports and many others, FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, have their full-fledged staff stationed at those terminals and environment. Airside advises the State Government to channel the scarce resources to other avenues, rather than sinking about N10 billion into a drainpipe. A word is enough for the wise.

Global IT investments rise to $8.7bn – SITA

he rate of investment in Information Technology, IT, at airports around the world is rising – the latest figures from SITA, world’s leading specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions company, estimates it will hit $8.7 billion by this year end. This forecast, according to SITA is a climb from 5.82 per cent of revenues in 2014 to 6.25 per cent this year. It stated that Airport Chief Information Officers, CIOs, are also predicting even higher budgets for 2016 with 64 per cent expecting an increase over this year. The annual Airport IT Trends Survey, co-sponsored by Airports Council International, ACI, and SITA, in

association with Airline Business, is the most extensive study of IT trends within the global airport industry. The 2015 results came from respondents who collectively represent the views of more than 223 airports. They show the priority for improving the passenger experience as rising numbers put greater pressure on airport capacity and infrastructure. Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of airports consider passenger processing a high priority for IT investment, up from 59 per cent last year. In addition, this year, 84 per cent of airports see passenger and airport security as either a primary or secondary priority for IT investment, up

from 76 per cent in last year’s survey. This highlights a growing determination by more airports to try and address a common pain point for passengers. The SITA Vice President, Airport Solutions, Matthys Serfontein, said, “Airports always have passengers as a high priority, but this year we see a clear acknowledgement that technology can help improve the passenger experience. Airport CIOs are committing their rising budgets to introduce technologies such as beacons, mobile services and increased self-service, to make it easier for passengers as the world’s airports become increasingly busier.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

N’Delta group defends Kachikwu over alleged romance with PDP Osahon Julius YENAGOA

he Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has given the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, a clean bill of health, dismissing his alleged romance with the leadership of the Delta State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A group, Buhari Movement for Change (BMC), recently wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari entitled “Urgent Appeal To President Muhammadu Buhari to Save Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Extinction over Ibe Kachikwu’s Romance With The Leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State Chapter.” But in a swift reaction, NDIMRC in a press release signed by its president, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer, Stanley Mukoro, and made available to Niger Delta Mirror, the group implored President Buhari to ignore the group, saying its members were out to give the minister a bad name while at the same time seeking self recognition. The group said it was not true that the minister was romancing with the Delta State Chapter of the PDP, noting that it was too early in the day to call for the head of the minister. According to the group, the minister should be allowed to settle down for his national assignment rather than distract his attention. While giving the president a pat on the back for the wise choice of the minister, the group implored the president not to take the allegation against the minister seriously. The group wrote: “We want to draw your attention to the recent publication by the group going by the name Buhari Movement for Change (BMC) in which they faulted you for the choice of Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu as the Minister of State for Petroleum and also accused him of romancing with the leadership of the Delta State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “Mr.President, ordinarily, we would not have joined issues with the Buhari Movement for Change (BMC), but we are constrained to react to the unwarranted accusation of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu in order to put the record straight.”

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Group renews resource control campaign, seeks UN support N iger Delta Self-Determination Movement has renewed the demand for the people of the Niger Delta to control resources in their geopolitical zone. The convener of the movement, Ms. Ankio Brigs, made the appeal in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Monday. ``After due consultations, we came up with the position to control our resources,” she asserted. According to her, the demand for resource control is because of the lopsided nature of the revenue sharing formula in Nigeria. Briggs pleaded with the UN to step in and assist the people of the Niger Delta in conducting a referendum to establish the will of the people on resource control.

“After due consultations with our various peoples, we have come to a conclusion and our position was reached relying on and pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. “We are also relying on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and various bills of rights in the Niger Delta. “We also rely on the UN address by President Muhammadu Buhari at the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on the 28th of Sept. 2015. “The president stated in his address that the unresolved question of self-determination for the Palestinian people and those of Western Sahara, both nations having been adjusted by the UN as qualifying for this inalienable

right must now be assured and fulfilled without any further delay or obstacle.” She noted that being allowed the option of self-determination would enable the Niger Delta people to exercise their right to autonomy in matters relating to their local affairs, religion, education, economic activities, lands and other natural resources. “Pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, we the peoples of the Niger Delta had articulated our demand for self-determination through our various ethnic nationalities Bills of Rights. “These include but not limited to the Ogoni Bill of Rights 1990, the Kaiama (Ijaw) Declaration 1998, the Bill of Rights of the Oron People 1999, Urhobo Bill

of Rights 2002 and Efik Bill of Rights 2014, among others. “Every state has a duty under the UN to refrain from any forcible action which can deprive indigenous peoples their right to self-determination and freedom,” she argued. Briggs said that the sharing of oil and gas revenues from the Niger Delta had always been disturbing and unacceptable to the people of the Niger Delta. “Over the years, well-meaning Nigerians have drawn attention to the inadequacies in the current Nigerian Constitution. The constitution did not take into consideration, the genuine desires, wishes and aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta and other minorities in Nigeria” the activist said.

Women in solidarity rally for Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State in Benin, yesterday.

Mother appeals for N2.5m assistance for dying daughter Sebastine Ebhuomhan

mother of two children has passionately appealed to kind hearted and philanthropic citizens for financial support to rescue her dying daughter. Little Omokorede Laniyan, two-year-old, is bed-ridden with severe heart and lungs disease and merely counts days of survival pending when her parents can raise the sum of N2.5 million to carry out a recommended surgery on her in India. Omokerede’s mother, 26-yearold Mrs. Busola Laniyan, a contract staff of Unity Bank Plc in Benin City, Edo State, said she

had spent her savings on the treatment of the ailing daughter, for which reason, she was now appealing to Nigerians and other citizens to come to her aid to save her daughter from the jaws of death. The mother of another oneyear-old male child, who resides at No. 1, Prophet Ojo Avenue Ekae Junction, Off Sapele Road in Benin City, Edo State and who was a choir member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Fruitful Vine Parish of Lagos Province 22 in Ikorodu, Lagos State before her transfer, stated: “My daughter fell ill at a point. I have been treating her at Edi Ale Hospital on Airport

Road in Benin City. She has this persistent cough for which the doctor asked me to run a chest xray on her at St Bridget Hospital in Benin, which we did and the result said she had tuberculosis. We were also advised to take her for ECG Scan. When I heard this, I had to call my parents who asked me to bring her down to General Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos, where she has her personal paediatrician, who asked us to do series of tests to know if it is truly tuberculosis. “We ran an echocardiography scan. We found out through the results that she did not have tuberculosis but heart and lungs disease.” A medical report with ref-

erence GHIKD/9/VOL. XXXVI/136, dated 11th November 2015, signed by the Consultant Paediatrician/HOD Paediatrics of General Hospital, Ikorodu, Dr. O. O. Oluwabiyi and made available to our correspondent, explained Omokorede’s ailment. “The above named 2 year old toddler was recently diagnosed with patent duclus arteriosus (PDA) following recurrent respiratory tract infection.” “Echo done 3 weeks ago showed large PDA L-R and mild pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). She is at present on oral captopril and frusemide. She would require to undergo PDA ligations with PDA device closure,” the report concluded.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Insurance

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CBN urges insurance firms to develop quality database

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has advised insurance companies in the country were to imbibe the culture of developing quality database as a way of deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria. The Head of Data Management Office of the apex bank, Mr. Olayinka Peter, who gave the advice at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Insurance Association, NIA’s Micro Insurance Fair in Lagos, noted that it is common knowledge that insurance culture remained very low among the informal sector and that it will take deliberate effort to win the public confidence in the sector. According to him, statistical data available to the CBN from National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, is not comprehensive enough to form the basis of research for the industry. He assured on the apex bank’s readiness to partner with NAICOM to deepen the industry’s financial penetration. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Insurance Association, NIA, Mr. Godwin

CBN Deputy Governor, Adebayo Adelabu

Wiggle

Wiggle, said that the objective of the conference was to ensure an equilibrium in demand and supply of micro- insurance in the sector by creating awareness for the association’s

members’ micro-insurance products for the informal sector of the economy. He pointed out that findings showed that less than one per cent of the adult population in Nigeria had access to voluntary insurance

policy. Wiggle said: “Nigeria is among the least countries in terms of insurance contribution to GDP, which is about 0.72 per cent. The way forward is through closer interaction with the sector, intensive capacity building and greater expertise in micro-insurance. Other solutions include provision of unique micro-insurance services, development of people-friendly products and improved innovative system.” The fair was initiated to deepen the slow insurance penetration in the country by using it to sensitize the insuring public on the one hand, and stakeholders, particularly the underwriters and the general public. In addition, the event was also organized to serve as a common ground for the exhibition of insurance products that would suit the needs of low income earners as well as to afford the insurable public the opportunity of making clarifications and getting readily available explanations on insurance products.

PenCom faults TUC on Voluntary Contribution withdrawal guidelines

he National Pension Commission, PenCom, has described the River State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) threat to embark on industrial action if the Commission failed to halt the yet to be released “Guidelines on Unilateral Withdrawals from Voluntary Contribution from Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) by Contributors” as unwarranted. The Congress, in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Hyginus Onuegbu, threatened to embark on industrial action should the Commission implement the yet to be released Guidelines. It noted that the guidelines which were still being worked on state, among other provisions that “Any contributor who is making voluntary contributions to his or her RSA in addition to the statutory contributions made by him and his employer, is entitled to withdraw up to 20 per cent of the balance standing in the Voluntary Contributions portion of the RSA which should not be more than once in every 4 years. The guidelines also proposed that subsequent withdrawals, after the above, shall be based only on additional contributions made into the RSA after the last withdrawal, and consequently, the balance of 80 per cent after the above shall not be accessed

until retirement. The Congress argued that “the above is not only a significant change to the current practice but clearly at variance with the spirit and intent of Section 10(4) of the 2014 Pension Reform Act which allows withdrawals at any time from the additional Voluntary contribution made under section 4(3) of the Pension Reform Act 2014.” It also stated that the above provisions were at variance with what obtains in the industry now saying non-restrictions on withdrawal formed the basis of Contributors’ decision to save more using their RSAs; as such changing the rules midway would be inimical to the interest of Contributors. The group therefore, called on other labour unions to resist this move and threatened that “TUC Rivers State will commence the process of shutting down the economy of Rivers state (without any notice or ultimatum) if PenCom goes ahead with these illegal changes in the proposed guidelines without due engagement of the Trade Unions and the workers they represent, and without the due process of law in a constitutional democracy.” However, PenCom however noted that the provisions cited by the Congress did not negate Section 4(3), Section 10(4) or any other Section in the Pension Reform Act, 2014 since they addressed only the taxation of

pension fund and not mode of Withdrawal of Voluntary Contributions from RSAs. According to the commission, Section 4(3) states that “any employee to whom this Act applies may, in addition to the total contributions being made by him and his employer; make voluntary contributions to his retirement savings Account.” Section 10(3) provides that “without prejudice to the previous provisions of sub-section (2) of this section, any income earned on any voluntary contribution made under Section 4(3) of this Act shall be subject to tax at the point of withdrawal where the withdrawal is made before the end of five years from the date the voluntary contribution is made.” A statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Communication Unit, Emeka Onuora, therefore clarifies that “there are indications that some Contributors may be confusing RSAs to be the same as Bank Accounts. RSAs are not the same as Bank Accounts, so PenCom needs to discourage this practice. To this end, the commission averred that “Voluntary Contributions into RSAs are meant to boost Contributors’ final pension and not a savings account that could be drawn at will.” According to PenCom, rather than imposing hardship on contributors as erroneously interpreted by the Congress, the

Guidelines will boost Government’s fight against financial terrorism and money laundering and nip in the bud the dangers that could be arise should Contributors decide to use his RSAs to launder dirty money. PenCom stated: “The Guidelines is still a Draft, the Commission will expose it to stakeholders for their input in due course. The TUC Rivers State Council should harmonise its position on the issue and make useful input into the Guidelines before it is finalised. “Also, TUC is represented on the Board of PenCom, so workers could use this channel to address their grievances.”, it added.

PenCom Chairman, Anohu-Amazu

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Audu was an embodiment of patriotism, integrity –DPC

he Democratic People’s Congress , DPC said it received with shock the news of the demise of Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress,APC governorship candidate in the 21st November election in Kogi State, describing him as an embodiment of patriotism, integrity and nobility. The National chairman of the party, Olusegun Peters, in a press release said his sagacity and tenacity of purpose, his exceptional passion to serve the people of Kogi State and improve their standards of living endeared him in the hearts of the masses. “His death at 68 years is a monumental loss to the

good people of Kogi State in particular and Nigerians in general. An Iroko has fallen that will alter Kogi State political arithmetic. “We are deeply pained that he died before the governorship election which he was APC flagbearer could be concluded. “The nation will miss the service of this illustrious Prince of Kogi State. We are glad that he lived a life worthy of emulation. “We share the grief of members of his family, his political party, APC Kogi State government and Kogites. “ We pray to God Almighty to comfort and strengthen all those affected by the transition to glory of this great compatriot,” he said.

IGP condoles Nigerians, Kogi State and ruling APC over Audu’s death George Opara ABUJA

he Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, commiserates with Nigerians, especially the people of Kogi State, family, friends and relations of the All Progressives Congress’ APC, over its gubernatorial candidate in the last Saturday election, Prince Abubakar Audu, whose death was announced late Sunday, and prays God to give the family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost, and to grant the deceased eternal rest. However, the IGP has commended the people of Kogi State for their enviable peaceful conduct before, during and after the November 21, 2015 guber-

natorial election held in the State. The IGP is particularly pleased with the very high level of comportment, discipline, orderliness, patience and understanding exhibited by the citizens throughout the period of the election. Arase also called for a similar level of citizens’ cooperation and support for the Police and other relevant agencies, during the forthcoming Governorship election in Bayelsa State and, gives kudos to the Personnel of the Police and other security agencies assigned to election duties in Kogi State for their professional conduct throughout the election period. He charges the officers to remain focused and committed in the discharge of their duties to their fatherland.

Lagos Ebira community mourns Audu Robert Awokuse

he Asiwaju of Ebira indigenes in Lagos State, Alhaji Momoh Sanni Yukub, has expressed shock over the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Kogi State. Yakub, in a chat in Lagos said that Audu was a bundle of humility, patience and exhibited profound respect and worship for Allah, his creator and fellow human beings, re-

gardless of colour, race and status in life. These noble virtues of his led to the delivering of democracy dividends to the good people of Kogi State and by extension, Nigeria as a whole. It could be re-called that Audu, who was gunning for second term as governor of Kogi State on Sunday, November 22, slumped and died while the results of the governorship election, which he was having an upper hand was declared by the electoral body as inconclusive.

Women jubilating during the rumour that the late Prince Abubakar Audu resurrected in Ogbonicha, Ofu Lga in Kogi, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Kogi election: Audu’s deputy should complete the election –Sagay, Keyamo, others ...INEC should seek intervention of the Supreme Court Wale Igbintade

ollowing the death of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the Kogi State governorship election, Prince Abubakar Audu, senior lawyers are in agreement that his death has created constitutional lacuna. Most of the lawyers that spoke with National Mirror stated that James Abiodun Faleke automatically becomes the governorship candidate of the APC. The Kogi election was declared inconclusive on Sunday due to the large number of cancelled votes. Speaking on the election, former Dean, faculty of Law University of Benin, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN said ‘’from what I gathered the difference between the scores of APC candidate and that of PDP is less than the number of people prevented from voting. Those who could not vote due to lack of materials, their numbers are more than what APC and PDP scored, hence the election was declared inconclusive’’. According to him ‘’using nomination as index, it follows that the deputy will set in to replace Audu for the purpose of the supplementary elections. This is a reasonable proposition because this situation has not happened before and there is no constitutional provision for it. Sagay argued that if

Audu had been declared winner, there would have been no problem at all adding that ‘’if we follow that line of reasoning, then that Audu’s deputy should contest the supplementary elections now , if he wins, he can then suggest the name of a new deputy governor. “ In his view, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to seek appropriate legal opinion on how best to handle the situation. ‘’INEC must seek legal opinion and be properly guided on this issue otherwise they might cause constitutional crisis. It is clear that as it is now the election is inconclusive, so INEC needs proper legal advice to be able to know what to do next’’, he stated. In his opinion human right lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, acknowledged that Audu’s death had created a “strange and novel constitutional scenario”, argued that it fits more into Section 181(1) of the constitution, “and as such James Abiodun Faleke automatically becomes the governorship candidate of the APC”. Specifically, Section 181(1) of the constitution states: “If a person duly elected as governor dies before taking and subscribing to the oath of allegiance and oath of office, or is unable for any reason whatsoever be sworn in, the person elected with him as

deputy governor shall be sworn in as governor and he shall nominate a new deputy governor who shall be appointed by the governor with the approval of a simple majority of the House of Assembly of the state.” However, Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act states: “If after the time for the delivery of nomination paper and before the commencement of the poll, a nominated candidate dies, the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or the Resident Electoral Commissioner shall, being satisfied of the fact of the death, countermand the poll in which the deceased candidate was to participate and the commission shall appoint some other convenient date for the election within 14 days.” Speaking, a law lecturer, Mr. Wahab Shittu said ‘’there is need for the intervention of the Supreme Court to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency within the next two weeks. Who is to activate the process and by means of what mechanism in order to avert the impending constitutional crisis? This is where the intervention of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice at this stage is of critical significance’’. ‘’This can be affected by activating the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on reference of questions of law. Section 295(3) of the Constitution provides:

“Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution arises in any proceedings in the Court of Appeal and the Court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the Court may, and shall, if any party to the proceeding so requests, refer the question to the Supreme Court which shall give its decision upon the question and give such directions to the Court of Appeal as it deems appropriate.” He said ‘’the justification for invoking jurisdiction on reference of questions of law arises because the electoral process is regulated by the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act and so arguably cannot be held to be limited to the construction of just the Electoral Act in which case same would be held incompetent for reference (see Atake v Afejuku (1994) 12 SCNJ 1 at 12). This is founded on the fact that there is no direct authority of the Supreme Court on the situation that has arisen in the Kogi State election debacle wherein a leading aspirant died during the process of the election. This can be contrasted with the ratio in Senator Abraham Adesanya v. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria &Anor(1981) (2) N.C.L.R. 358 where the court held that once a decision have been given on substantial question of law, the same question cannot be referred to the Supreme Court by way of reference’’.

Politics

The Eze-Ndigbo of Ikeja and All Progressives Congress, APC Chieftain, Uche Dimgba in this interview with EBERE NDUKWU called on the Igbos to reject the new demand for Biafra . He also speaks on other national issues. Excerpts:

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

FG must dialogue with Biafra agitators –Eze Dimgba ger his father, go where? It doesn’t work like that; there should be a means for my son to tell me what I have done wrong so we can discuss it. So, my advice is that no Igbo man should join the Biafra movement because it will lead us to nowhere.

How do you feel about the recent allocation of portfolios to the ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari? I feel so happy about it because right from the beginning people were pre-empting the President and they even said what the President didn’t say. People have been sharing different positions and a lot of things have been happening on the internet, some people will call him Baba go slow and what have you. We know that it is not easy to change, we all voted for change and that change is what you are seeing today. From the way he distributed the ministries one can see that nobody is marginalized. Why we supported All Progressives Congress, APC is because we know that our leader in Lagos, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a detribalize man and that is what reflected at the federal level, so the way they distributed the ministries is good. All we are asking the new ministers is that they should work hard so that APC will realize its promise to the nation. For me, it is okay and I know that any of them who fail to deliver will be booted out because the President doesn’t believe in tribalism . What he believes is how Nigeria could be changed to become a better society. What is your reaction to this recent clamour among your people for the state of Biafra? I don’t support Biafra because I saw the war when I was young. I even joined Biafra Boys Company, I was one of the Biafra Rangers as a small boy until we were trained as Biafra Organisation of Freedom Fighters, BOF, the war ended and we left it there. The war ended with no victor, no vanquished, that’s the way I see it, so anybody that is still agitating for Biafra, I don’t support him, neither am I part of it and will never be part of it. The only fear I have about it is that this kind of thing if not checked could caused a lot of problem. We all know how Boko Haram started, we said they are miscreants and didn’t take them serious until terrorist organisation hijack them and now we can see what we are suffering, the level of human lives that have been wasted, level of property damaged, that is just my fear and I think that government should devise a way to know what their problems really are so that government could address it and finish it once and for all. This is because if we just go to sleep and feel that they are bunch of miscreants and that what they are doing doesn’t disturb anybody, we don’t know what it could lead to because some terrorist organisations are busy looking for those to hijack. And when they hijack them, they will start by killing those of us who never supported them. Something triggered agitation for Biafra in the first instance, do you see those things being addressed? That is what I’m saying, the promise that was given to Biafrans at the end of the war in fairness was not addressed. But most of them that are agitating now were not born during the war and do not even know what Biafra was all about. That was why I said that the government should look into it, engage those jobless boys and find ways to involve them in meaningful means of livelihood because an idle mind is devil’s playground. If it is not done, one may be thinking they constitute nuisance by what they are doing, but that nuisance could turn to something we may end up blaming ourselves for if we do not nipping it in the bud. Initial attempt by Eastern governors and Ohaneze to stop the agitation yielded no fruit, does it mean that the issue is out of hands? I was not involved in the meeting, so I cannot talk about what I don’t know.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dimgba

I don’t support Biafra because I saw the war when I was young. I even joined Biafra Boys Company

But if you are to set an agenda for government in respect of the agitation, what will it be? We should be able to find out what they are looking for, myself I don’t know what they are looking for. Government should send out people to find out what their problems are. Like I said, the boys who are doing this were not born during the war, so maybe something is in the offing which we don’t know. So, government should stand up, open its eyes very well and know where they are coming from. Giving the rate at which this agitation is going , what will be your advice to Igbos? My advice is that they should not join the Biafra movement , it takes us to nowhere. Are you asking us to join Biafra when the Igbos have invested in all parts of Nigeria? If there is anything that we want, let us discuss it in Nigeria and not in Biafra because Biafra failed and I don’t see the reason why we are talking about it now. I will advise the agitators to fashion another means of airing their grievances. There are many other ways to bring out one’s problems and it will be listened to but not to say that you want to go out of Nigeria. It is like my son telling me that he wants to go, that I’m no lon-

The immediate past governor in Lagos state had an Igbo man as a commissioner but there is nothing like that in this present one, considering your support for APC, how do you see the situation? This question has always come to me because when we stick-out our neck, a lot of people called us names, some said that we have sold the Igbos, so many people have been coming to ask me, what have they done for you? What have they done for the Igbos? There is no commissioner, no this, no that. Well my answer to them is that the government is still very young; all those things that have not been addressed will be addressed by the leaders. Why they have not appointed an Igbo man into position is because there are so many Igbo people coming from different organisations, so we are trying to harmonise and by the time we do that, all those things which are due to us will be given to us. We have been having series of meetings recently, trying to harmonise and presently we have formed an organisation, the Igbo Vision, which metamorphosed from the rally we did for APC and we are using it to call on every Igbo person to come into the Igbo Vision and join the APC. We have inaugurated it in many local governments and by the time we finish our inauguration we’ll now present ourselves to the government. I think the present governor, Akinwunmi Ambode is not a sadist, he knows those who worked for him and will definitely do something. How will you assess the government of Ambode so far? I tell people that he has already made bold step, but you cannot start assessing somebody that have not started. The government of APC is not like the other government that when they come on board they start by giving themselves empty praises ,when they are not working. You see them shouting 100 days in office but at the end of the day, nothing. Some of them will even go to TV stations and show fake pictures of what they are doing but when you go to verify those things, you won’t see anything. With this new APC government we have not seen such things on TV, so Ambode is trying to build, consolidate on the good works of Tinubu and Fashola, so we need to give him time. It’s too early to say whether he has done well or not. Those of us who worked for him are still watching to see where he is going to. I know that he is a man who is well grounded in leadership, so he cannot afford to miss it, because if he misses it, we will vote him out. What is your advice to President Muhammadu Buhari? My advice is that he should remain firm and straightforward in his decisions; he shouldn’t look at anybody’s face. Whatever that is good for the country he should do it and remain firm on it. He shouldn’t allow those who believe in tribalism to hijack his government. He should do whatever he’s doing based on merit, let even the smalles tribe be given their right so that Nigeria will march forward. What is holding us down as a country is not even corruption but tribalism because if you put a square peg in a square hole, things will be better for everybody. When a leader begins to listen to those promoting mediocrity, certainly his government will collapse. Let his watchword be excellence, anybody who is capable despite where he comes from should be giving the chance to help the country regardless of the religion the person practices. What should be his concern should be how to take Nigeria to the next level

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Election monitoring group lauds INEC Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

A cross section of the South East Political Elders during a meeting at Enugu on Sunday.

Bayelsa former Ag. Gov raises alarm over threat to life Osahon Julius YENAGOA

ormer Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Nestor Binabo, yesterday raised alarm over threats to his life by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson. Chief Binabo, who spoke in Yenagoa said Dickson while addressing Non-Governmental Organisations at the Banquet Hall, publicly declared that he (Binabo) was his greatest enemy in Sagbama Local Government Area. Both Binabo, a leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Governor Dickson are from the same Sagbama Local Government Area of the state and was the person who handed over to the present governor in 2012. But in a swift reaction, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, denied Binabo’s allegation, describing it as wicked. The PDP in a statement on Monday by Director of Publicity, Restoration

Ayo Esan

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured that the Buhari Administration will not stifle free speech by seeking to regulate the Social Media or abridging the rights of the citizens. The Minister, who gave the assurance in Lagos on Monday during a meeting

Campaign Organisation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, stated that there was no time Dickson addressed any gathering where he said that “Nestor Binabo was his greatest enemy as alleged.” Obuebite said any imputation to link the governor to such allegation was not only wicked but callous political orchestration which should be condemned. Obuebite said Dickson was not the convectional politician who trades in lies or engages in needles propaganda and blackmail to score cheap political points. Rather, he said, Dickson would use his time to campaign on issues that would enhance the wellbeing of the electorate. But Binabo said he decided to cry out following attacks on APC leaders in the state by suspected thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which had already claimed the life of an APC stalwart and left many others in-

jured. The APC leader said, “Dickson said that an Okunbiri man who has joined the APC is his greatest enemy in Sagbama. Everybody knows that l am from Okunbiri, close to Dickson’s community in Sagbama. I am an APC stalwart and since l joined APC, Dickson has been after me. “This is the second time he is declaring me his arch enemy. I don’t know what he meant by declaring me his arch enemy. First of all I handed power over to him. I conducted a peaceful election and spent the resources to make him a governor. So, I don’t see why Governor Seriake Dickson sees me as his arch enemy. “It is not a surprise to me at all, as a former Deputy Speaker, a Speaker, and an acting governor of this state having moved to APC and more so from his own local government, he knows he has failed. And I think that is the primary reason he has continu-

ously declared me his arch enemy.” Binabo said it was a matter of serious concern for a governor who is also the Chief Security Officer of a state to publicly threaten a defenceless and armless citizen. He said, “The world knows that when a governor publicly declare somebody his enemy, it raises a lot of concern. Dickson is the chief security officer. He has all the security; he has all the bad boys, the so called volunteer service of this state. “So, I would not pretend to say that my life is in danger. I have said it sometime ago when my wife was kidnapped. I accused the government and now that there is a public declaration that I am his enemy, I am also afraid of my life.” Binabo said the alleged threats from the governor would not deter him from supporting the APC and working for the victory of the party’s candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.

We will not stifle free speech –Minister with a cross section of Social Media Influencers, however said it is important for them to self- regulate in order to maintain their credibility. ‘’Let me assure you that the Federal Government does not intend to stifle free speech or abridge the rights of Nigerians to air their views freely. We are not about to regulate or stultify the So-

cial Media. This explains why we are asking you to self-regulate. That is why we are encouraging you to rein in the impostors among you and show restraint when dealing with issues of national unity, issues of Nigeria’s sovereignty, as well as issues concerning the lives and well-being of Nigerians. ‘’What I am saying in

essence is that you must self-regulate in order not to self-destruct. Self-regulation allows you to weed out the charlatans among you in order to maintain your credibility and ensure your survival. Lose credibility and lose it all. That is the stark reality. If you must survive and grow, you must not compromise your credibility,’’ he said.

he Coalition of INEC Accredited Domestic Election Monitoring Groups have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the early distribution of election materials to all the 21 local government areas of the state saying it was a great improvement from the previous elections. This was contained in a press statement signed by one Daniel Asukwo of the Initiative for the Promotion of Civic Obligations and Sustainable Peace on behalf of the coalition. It said despite some apprehensions before the election, the Nov 21st governorship election was generally peaceful. The Coalition however, observed that some electoral officers connived with some political parties during the election to compromise the integrity of INEC and advised the new INEC Chairman to deploy trained and impartial personnels in subsequent elections. The coalition in a separate view with Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness said they stand by the INEC Returning Officer, Prof Emmanuel Kucha who declared the governorship

election inconclusive saying the margin between the two leading parties was truly below the numbers of registered voters in polling units cancelled. In its own view the spokeman of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Dr Nwamba Gabriel observed that violence was very visible in some towns in the Eastern senatorial district namely, Ayingba, Ankpa, Dekina, Ejule , Odolu where he said some thugs hijacked some ballot boxes and burnt them. He disclosed that in spite of the hitches in these areas, the election was generally peaceful and commended INEC for a job well done.

INEC Chairman, Yakubu

Rep joins Ondo guber race

our party leaders and elders at all levels for their AKURE resilience, hardwork and member of the Na-courage in making our tional Assemblygreat party to be a beautiful representing Owo/bride today. Ose Federal Cconstituency, “I want to use this opporBode Ayorinde, has de-tunity to solicit free, fair, clared his intent to contestcredible primary by our 2016 gubernatorial electionparty. This is an antidote to in Ondo state. peaceful cohesion among The lawmaker, who is athe aspirants. chieftain of the All Progres- “When a party primary sives Congress, APC, madeis not only free, fair, credthe declaration yesterdayible and transparent but at the NUC Press Centre,seen by all to be so, it makes Akure, Ondo state capital. the work of the party’s He pledged to allow him-candidate easier as any asself to be guided by the APCpirant who has genuine inpolicies and programmes if terest of the party at heart given the party’s ticket andwould have no option than eventually elected governorto cooperate and work with of the state. the party’s candidate havAyorinde, however, urgeding convinced himself and leaders of the party to con-seen that the primary was duct free, fair and credibleopenly won and lost.” primary election for all the aspirants. He said: “Let me thank

Ojo Oyewamide

Features

The delight of every shopper is to shop at a market and get value for money from whatever that is bought from the market. Alade Market is fast degenerating and as such, many diligent shoppers have deserted it. In this article, FRANCIS SUBERU looks at the prospect inherent in the relocation of the market.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Alade market and battle over relocation The new site is not

arkets are essential parts of every community and in fact, in Yoruba land, no community strives without an ‘Oja-Oba’ (king’s market). But a megacity like Lagos should have a befitting market that will not be an eyesore to both residents and visitors alike. In a situation where a market has degenerated to a shadow of its original self, traders and buyers in the market are most likely to call for intervention of they see the possibility. Alade Market at Ikeja is, perhaps, one of such markets in Lagos that need urgent attention from the necessary level of government. The Nigeria constitution places the administration and control of local markets under the local government; even as it remains one of the major sources of revenue for council administration. However, in the case of Alade Market, it has not only become an embarrassment, it has become an underutilised facility. An investigative visit to the market revealed that, there are over 200 illegal shops that littered the whole place apart from about 300 shops that were legally constructed. The entire parking space in the market has been converted to kiosks and sheds. It will be recalled that the market suffered a fire outbreak on April 7, 2013 as a result of which most of the shops are disfigured. But aside this, the ugly looking market produces health-threatening fumes and noise from generating sets which dangerously littered the length and breadth of the market. The noise from the generating sets is a testimony to the prevailing confusion in the market. The state government had to intervene when the market was gutted by fire even thought its administration was still in the hands of the local council. The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development investigated the structural strength of the market and the report of that was submitted showed that the shops are structurally defective. According to the report signed by a director in the ministry, Tpl. D.A. Rufai, the grave impact of the fire incident has compromised the integrity of the structures in the market. Hence, the picture painted by the report is that of a disaster in waiting unless something is done urgently. The report, also, added that the market is overcrowded and unorganised and recommended that the market must be relocated. The entire process of relocation of the market is presently being handled by the Ikeja Local Government Area. Relocation? Hell no. The traders will not hear anything of it. Concerned traders in the market are resisting the proposal of Ikeja Local Government to relocate them to a newly built market. Led by Mrs. Sulola Odunsi-Daina, the concerned traders have staged series of protests to the office of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, accusing the council of forceful eviction. The traders were concerned about the negative impact of relocating to a new site, which they said, might lead to loss of customers and a sharp decline in patronage. Originally, only 300 shops were built in the market, but Odunsi-Daina said the proposal to rebuild the market would displace about 1,000 shop owners and traders. Odunsi-Daina acknowledged that a new place had been built for the traders, who she said, were no fewer than 1,000. But she observed that only 120 shops “have been built.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

environmentally friendly because it is close to a

canal. It is not habitable.

Aside, it is a slum. The

shops there are a far cry

1,000 traders currently in Alade Market

from about

Ambode

She added that, “What will be the fate of about 880 traders?” Aside, she complained that “The new site is not environmentally friendly because it is close to a canal. It is not habitable. Aside, it is a slum. The shops there are a far cry from about 1,000 traders currently in Alade Market.” But the Iyaloja of Ikeja, Mrs. Adia Apena gave a slightly different account, noting that there was no plan to forcefully evict the traders. Apena explained that the plan to rebuild “has been in the pipeline about one decade ago. Ever since, the traders have been told that they will be relocated and the work is ongoing on the relocation site.” The market leader added that since another place “has been provided for them, it becomes imperative for them to cooperate with the local government and the developer. But the developer and the market leaders have to agree on terms and conditions of

The suit is still at the prehearing stage and I hope by the time we sit down, we would understand ourselves better and settle out of court because we belong to the same family

relocation. Once this aspect is resolved, the traders will relocate the new site.” In a recent interview with our correspondent in his Ikeja Local Government office, the Executive Secretary of the council, Mr. Adekunle Adeokun, dismissed the insinuation that the council plans to forcefully evict the traders. He said in response to the investigation carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, as well as the committee’s recommendation, the council was about completing market where the traders would be relocated to. He however ruled out the possibility of them being relocated this year. He said: “When we set up a 16-man committee; we agreed that after everything must have been completed, the committee would sit down to determine a date for the relocation of the market. Definitely, it cannot happen this year again. It will be early next year. “We have decided to allow the traders do their Christmas sales there. Our intention is to carry them along and both parties have agreed to carry each other along. I don’t see us doing anything as regards relocation of the market until next year.” Adeokun noted that the committee recommended that the council continued to provide the market with essential facilities pending the time the market would be relocated. He added that the committee was still meeting because they were also the supervisor of the project. According to him, “it is the council that is doing the project, while the committee is assisting us with the supervision. So, it is not just about the committee sitting and sending reports, they will not round off until after the completion of the project.” In the heat of the disagreement between the traders and the council authority, some of the traders headed for court to help them resolve their grievances but the council secretary is optimistic that out of court settlement is imminent. His words: “The suit is still at the pre-hearing stage and I hope by the time we sit down, we would understand ourselves better and settle out of court because we belong to the same family. What is important is that we are bound to disagree and agree later. “One interesting thing is that, of the 300 lock ups shops, over 180 of them have responded by paying the mandatory N150, 000 and as at this morning we have seen another eight people paying. So, majority are on our side. We believe the minority must also have their say and that is why we are ensuring that we carry everybody along.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

As the efforts by the Catholic Bishops from Taraba and Benue to broker peace between the two states which have hitherto not known peace for some time gathered momentum, JUSTIN TYOPUUSU writes on the initiative of the religious leaders in restoring peace.

Men of God in Taraba, Benue peace move

he persistent border crisis between Taraba and Benue states and some internal crisis in the two states may soon be over if efforts by the Catholic bishops of the two states in bringing about lasting peace is anything to go by. The peace initiative which was conceived by a small group of young men under the auspices of “Concerned Taraba Tiv Youth Frontier” and supported by Rev. Fathers and Pastors from Taraba State, got a boost with the intervention of the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo, The Most Rev. Charles Hammawa and his counterpart in Gboko, Most Rev. William Amove Avenya. Taraba and Benue states have recorded series of crises at one time or the other and presently Taraba is faced with serious security concerns despite efforts by the state governor, Darius Ishaku, to restore peace in the state. There are reported cases of killings here and there in the state and few days ago, the celebration of the victory of Aisha Alhassan of the APC as governor at the election tribunal led to the killing of many with others injured and houses burnt in Wukari town. Thousands of people from Taraba are currently taking refuge in Benue and Nasarawa states following communal crises that engulfed the central and southern parts of the state in the last two years. There is nothing spectacular about news of peace meetings particularly between Taraba and Benue because series of such meetings had been held in the past without corresponding peace thereafter. What got one enthralled about this particular peace pilgrimage in Wukari in Taraba and Gboko in Benue is the involvement of five Catholic bishops - Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. William Amove Avenya; Secretary, Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria and Bishop of Gboko Diocese; Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa; Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Adobo and the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most. Rev. Wilfred Anagbe. Overwhelmed by the visit of the men of God to his palace in Gboko, the Tor-Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Orchiviligh Alfred Akawe Torkula (Tor-Tiv Vi), remarked that “I have no doubt in my mind that God is about to do something historic between Tiv and Jukun. With your involvement, there is light at the end of the tunnel and we shall see permanent peace between Tiv and Jukun.” The Tor-Tiv recalled that the Tiv people had lived under the authority of the Aku Uka from the pre-colonial period to date. Their relationship with the Jukun were so cordial that when the British officials on expedition in Nigeria sought for boundaries between Jukun and Tiv their informant, a Jukun man merely inserted his ten fingers together, demonstrating that they lived together as one people. He noted that the relationship turn sour when Gongola State was created out of Benue Plateau State as a result of fear of domination and the fight for scarce resources, which caused the two neighbours to fight. “For sometime now, many wars have been fought between the two tribes; many lives and property destroyed. Today, there is suspicion and fear of domination in their relationship to the extent that Tiv people are being denied some rights in the state,” elder Beeve Tyogema told National Mirror. But the bishops are determined to correct these misconceptions and unite the people for peaceful coexistence. They have earlier in July this year met with the Aku Uka in his palace, and he assured them of his readiness to make peace. The Aku Uka told the bishops during the visit that

From R-L, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; the Tor-Tiv, Orchiviligh Alfred Akawe Torkula (Tor-Tiv vi); Most Rev. William Amove Avenya, Secretary, Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria and Bishop of Gboko Diocese; The Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, Bishop of Makurdi Diocese during a peace meeting with the Tor-Tiv in Gboko.

For sometime now, many wars have been fought

between the two tribes; many lives and property destroyed.

Today, there

is suspicion and fear of domination in their relationship to the extent that

Tiv people are being

denied some rights in the state the problem between Jukun and Tiv was long over and the two groups were not anticipating any crisis between them again. He was however quick to blame religious, traditional leaders and the elite for being responsible for the problems of the country because they were not saying the truth. In all the visits, the bishops carried with them a message of peace. Spokesmen of the bishops on the visits, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, himself a Jukun man and Most Rev. William Amove Avenya a Tiv man told the traditional rulers that they were concerned about peace between the two tribes who once lived in peace in the past. “We are concerned about peace between Tiv and Jukun. We have been praying for peace, but we must do more to ensure permanent peace between the two tribes. In doing this you the paramount traditional rulers of the two tribes have a key role to play in ensuring

intra and inter ethnic harmony. “In doing this, we must look inward on issues that generate tension and crisis and deal with them. We want to promote peace and we cannot achieve that without your support and cooperation,” the bishops told the paramount traditional rulers during their visits to them. Considering the importance of the institution of the Aku Uka which is a revered position among the Jukun, and that of the Tor-Tiv respected by the Tiv people all over the world, their genuine involvement and commitment to peace initiative of the bishops would definitely bring permanent peace between the two tribes. Before the collapse of the famous Kwararafa empire, the Aku Uka was the supreme ruler of Kwarrarafa, a kingdom governed by the Jukun which stretched in the West African sub region. He is held in such awe by his people and is respected by all. It is unfortunate that series of communal crisis not only between the two tribes alone, but other forms of crisis in recent times had threatened the authority of this reverred institution of the Aku Uka. These crises have left the ancient towns of Wukari and Ibi deserted. Takum, the home town of Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd) had been pulled down and remains without an Ukwe, the paramount ruler of the town for years. Farmers in Gassol, Bali, Donga and Gashaka cannot boast of any meaningful harvests because of crisis between herders and farmers, which has forced thousands to flee their homes and abandoned their farms. The religious leaders have beckoned on the Aku Uka of Wukari and The Tor-Tiv, who have all concurred and nodded in affirmation that peace is the only solution to development. The Lion of the Tiv (The Tor-Tiv) and the Crocodile of Wukari (The Aku Uka) have agreed to come down from their comfort zones for a historic peace meeting with the men of God. For the people of Taraba and Benue, a new chapter in the annals of the two tribes is about to be opened and they can’t help, but wait to see the ‘historic peace meeting’ happen soon.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Naira slides at parallel market …as equities shed 1.15% Johnson Okanlawon

aira eased 2.17 per cent against the dollar on the parallel market yesterday after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, cut dollar supply to bureaux de change operators in a bid to conserve forex reserves. The currency traded at N235 to the dollar on the parallel market compared with N230 a dollar on Friday, but remained unchanged at N197 to the dollar on the official interbank market. “The CBN has reduced the amount of dollar sold to bureaux de change at its twice-weekly intervention,

which has also been cut to once a week now,” Harrison Owoh, a bureau de change operator told Reuters. He said the reduction in volume of dollar sales by the CBN coupled with yearend surged in demand for foreign currencies by importers have impacted negatively on the local currency. Trading in equities continued on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings. The All Share Index depreciated 1.15 per cent to close at 27,820.49 points, compared to the decline of 0.25 per cent recorded the

preceding day to close at 28,131.28 points. Market capitalisation lost N107 billion to close at N9.563 trillion, compared to the depreciation of N25 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N9.670 trillion. E-Tranzact Plc led the gainers’ table with 12 kobo or 4.65 per cent to close at N2.70 per share, followed by Portland Paints Plc with 17 kobo or 4.38 per cent to close at N4.05 per share. FCMB Plc gained eight kobo or 4.28 per cent to close at N1.95 per share, while Livestock Plc added five kobo or 3.40 per cent to close at N1.52 per share.

PZ Cussons Plc appreciated 88 kobo or 3.35 per cent to close at N27.13 per share. Conversely, Champion Breweries Plc shed 12 kobo or 4.65 per cent to close at N2.70 per share, while Guinness Nigeria Plc dropped N6.40 or 4.99 per cent to close at N121.84 per share. NAHCO Plc depreciated 19 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N3.64 per share, while UAC-Properties Plc dipped 32 kobo or 4.86 per cent to close at N6.26 per share. May and Baker Plc fell five kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N1.00 per share. A total of 154.8 million shares valued at N2.22 billion were exchanged in 2,663 deals.

Guinness plans 75% local content sourcing, declares 4.82bn dividends Johnson Okanlawon

uinness Nigeria yesterday said it aims to source 75 per cent of its raw materials in the country in the next three years. Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the new Managing Director of the company, Mr. Peter Ndegwa said before now, it was sourcing 27 per cent of raw materials locally and improved to 43 per cent in the current financial year ended June 30, 2015. Explaining why the company stopped farming in Kudu, Niger State, he said the farm was produc-

ing five per cent of raw materials and the remaining 95 per cent was being sourced outside the farm. “We sold off the farm and continue to buy from the farmers. We also liaise with agricultural research firms to develop new inputs for the farmers,” he said. Ndegwa, who said the company declared N4.82 billion dividends for the current financial year ended June 30, 2015, explained that the profit was affected by the depreciation of naira. According to him, the inflationary environment and the importation of

about 50 per cent of raw materials impacted negatively on the profits. He stressed that the company is not going to change strategy because the environment has changed, but will improve upon capacity, value chain, particularly brand quality and supply system. The new managing director, however, noted that though the operating environment will continue to be volatile considering the pressure on the naira, the company will continue to drive growth through innovation. The chairman of the

company, Mr. Babatunde Salvage, commended its parent company, Diageo, for its unwavering support and its continued believe in the country. Salvage, who said that the new managing director was not appointed because of the N1 billion fine to the company by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, said he was moved to Nigeria before the fine on the company. He explained that the company believed in the rules and regulations of Nigeria and its is going to abide with them.

Commodities drag down European shares

uropean shares fell yesterday as demand concerns weighed on commodities and energy stocks, but British defence plays such as Rolls Royce rose on plans to boost military spending. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 was down 0.5 per cent but off its initial lows thanks to stronger than expected business surveys, while the Euro STOXX 50 index was 0.3 per cent lower. Mining stocks fell 1.4 per cent, the top sectoral faller, after metal prices dropped to multi-year lows on worries about Chinese demand, with a strong dollar also hindering prices. Oil and gas shares were also put under pressure by weakness in the price of Brent crude, although they were down just 0.6 per cent,

off their lows after Saudi Arabia said it was willing to work with other oil porducers to stabilise prices. “It looks like we’re going to be stuck in a glut for a while,” Mike McCudden, head of retail derivatives at Interactive Investor said, adding that the news from Saudi Arabia would not make much difference unless it was backed up with action. “There are still concerns over Chinese growth and that’s going to impact commodities and be a weight on European markets” Rolls Royce and BAE Systems rose 2.8 and 1.2 per cent respectively after Britain’s finance minister George Osborne said it planned to buy more fighter jets and boost its anti-terrorism spending by 30 per cent. On Monday Prime Min-

ister David Cameron said Britain would invest an additional 12 billion pounds ($18 billion) in defence equipment over the next 10 years, including nine Boeing submarine-hunting aircraft. Italian lenders were among the top gainers in Europe, boosted by the launch of a new system to undertake a 3.6 billion euro ($3.8 billion) rescue of four small savings banks before stricter rules take effect next year. Italy’s FTSE MIB rose 0.8 per cent, the only major European bourse in positive territory. Although the cost of the rescue will be borne by Italy’s healthy banks, a trader saw it as a positive resolution for the sector in the medium term. Elsewhere among euro zone banks, Bank of Ireland

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.95

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR

273

US Dollar

N196.95 Market indicators All-Share Index 27,820.49 points Market capitalisation 9.56trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

ETRANZACT

2.58

2.70

0.12

4.65

PORTPAINT

3.88

4.05

0.17

4.38

FCMB

1.87

1.95

0.08

4.28

LIVESTOCK

1.47

1.52

0.05

3.40

26.25

27.13

0.88

3.35

CAP

38.93

38.50

0.72

1.91

BERGER

9.60

9.75

0.15

1.56

UBA

3.62

3.65

0.03

0.83

7UP

183.55

184.00

0.45

0.25

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHAMPION

4.00

3.80

-0.20

-5.00

GUINNESS

128.24

121.84

-6.40

-4.99

NAHCO

3.83

3.64

-0.19

-4.96

UAC-PROP

6.58

6.26

-0.32

-4.86

MAYBAKER

1.05

1.00

-0.05

-4.76

AGLEVENT

0.85

0.81

-0.04

-4.71

HONYFLOUR

2.30

2.20

-0.10

-4.35

120.00

115.00

-5.00

-4.17

WEMABANK

0.96

0.92

-0.04

-4.17

CONTINSURE

1.00

0.96

-0.04

-4.00

FGN Bonds rose 3 percent in strong volumes after it said it would redeem 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) of preference shares on Jan. 4, 2016, the final step allowing it to resume dividend payments.

Bid

Description

Offer

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.45

108.17

8.94

-0.28

108.32

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.62

111.57

11.95

0.29

111.87

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.24

111.39

12.02

0.31

111.69

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.20

111.28

13.62

1.90

111.58

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.32

107.68

12.67

1.04

107.98

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.68 80.21

13.06

0.90

80.51

Closing Market Prices of November 16, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

11-Feb-16

4.20

4.25

05-May-16

5.57

5.73

20-Oct-16

6.40

6.80

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

0.9533

12.5380

14.0714

15.7359 The Fixings of November 16, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, November 24, 2014

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015

Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT

Equities as at November 23, 2015

Federal Bond Name 14.20% FGN MAR 2024 Federal Totals

Symbol FG112024S1

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Bond Activity Totals

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 115,308.89 115,308.89

100

115,308.89

100

115,308.89

Quotation(N)

Current Price 112.50

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries CHELLARAMS PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 18 8 26

Current Price 26.33 30.50

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 1.52

Daily Summary (Equities)

Real Estate Development Daily Summary of 23/11/2015 UACN as PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 Real Estate Development Totals

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

Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Activity Summary on Board NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. EQTY Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Published by The Stock Exchange 7-UPNigerian BOTTLING COMP. PLC.©

Value Traded 1,253,204.15 1,253,204.15

949,886

4,258,655.75

Current Price 0.81

Quantity Traded 86,241

Value Traded 70,012.62

Symbol CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 1 51 24 79

Current Price 3.76 1.76 27.21

Quantity Traded 5,000 Page 3,319,362 213,667 3,624,270

Value Traded 17,900.00 1 of 10 5,844,209.12 5,894,723.34 11,826,845.08

3,624,270

11,826,845.08

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 39.50

Quantity Traded 2,500 2,500

Value Traded 93,825.00 93,825.00

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 6.26

Quantity Traded 144,000 144,000

Value Traded 902,260.00 902,260.00

146,500

996,085.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB Symbol CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 10 39 8 123 No. of Deals 180 1 51 24 79

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Quantity Traded 834,200 834,200

No. of Deals 3

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION PLC. EQTY Activity SummaryBREW. on Board GUINNESS NIG PLC CONGLOMERATES INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Diversified Industries Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Diversified Industries Totals

Value Traded 2,489,874.20 515,577.40 3,005,451.60

Symbol AGLEVENT

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Quantity Traded 99,360 16,326 115,686

Current Price 3.80 121.84 16.50 Current115.00 Price 3.76 1.76 27.21

Quantity Traded 446,000 74,942 32,025 7,164,171 Quantity Traded 7,717,138 5,000 3,319,362 213,667 Page 3,624,270

Value Traded 1,694,800.00 9,142,011.40 505,140.40 858,519,757.55 Value Traded 869,861,709.35 17,900.00 5,844,209.12 5,894,723.34 10 2 of 11,826,845.08

3,624,270

11,826,845.08

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 39.50

Quantity Traded 2,500 2,500

Value Traded 93,825.00 93,825.00

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 6.26

Quantity Traded 144,000 144,000

Value Traded 902,260.00 902,260.00

146,500

996,085.00

Symbol CHAMPION Daily Summary GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Symbol 7UP

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

No. of Deals 10 (Equities) 39 8 123 180

Current Price 3.80 121.84 16.50 115.00

Quantity Traded 446,000 74,942 32,025 7,164,171 7,717,138

Value Traded 1,694,800.00 9,142,011.40 505,140.40 858,519,757.55 869,861,709.35

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 184.00

Quantity Traded Page 656,369

Value Traded 2 of 10 120,763,964.95 120,763,964.95

656,369

Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

No. of Deals 18 52 16 13 99

Current Price 6.20 21.00 2.20 7.00

Quantity Traded 78,654 321,878 277,643 484,766 1,162,941

Value Traded 477,113.34 6,796,720.49 610,764.60 3,394,100.00 11,278,698.43

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 24 47 71

Current Price 20.00 807.00

Quantity Traded 89,209 29,511 118,720

Value Traded 1,777,622.85 23,819,282.41 25,596,905.26

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 4.98

Quantity Traded 29,150 29,150

Value Traded 141,956.50 141,956.50

Symbol

No. of Deals 37 19 56

Current Price 27.13 36.38

Quantity Traded 313,227 70,237 383,464

Value Traded 8,247,982.40 2,680,938.00 10,928,920.40

10,067,782

1,038,572,154.89

Daily Summary as Durables of 23/11/2015 Household Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 Personal/Household Products Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015

CONSUMERSERVICES GOODS Totals FINANCIAL Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © DIAMOND BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Banking SKYE BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC. STERLINGBANK BANKPLC PLC. DIAMOND UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED UNION BANK NIG.PLC. FIDELITY BANK PLC UNITY BANKTRUST PLC BANK PLC. GUARANTY WEMABANK BANKPLC PLC. SKYE Banking Totals STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION BANK NIG.PLC. AIICO INSURANCE PLC. UNITY BANK PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC WEMA BANK PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 Banking Totals AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services WAPICINSURANCE INSURANCEPLC. PLC AIICO Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Totals CONTINENTAL REINSURANCEServices PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. Micro-Finance Banks AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC ActivityN.E.M Summary on Board INSURANCE CO EQTY (NIG) PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, and Published by The Nigerian StockBrokers Exchange © Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Published Other by TheFinancial Nigerian Stock Exchange © Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Daily PZSummary (Equities) UNILEVER

425 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY Symbol SKYEBANK ACCESS STERLNBANK DIAMONDBNK UBA ETI UBN FIDELITYBK UNITYBNK GUARANTY WEMABANK SKYEBANK

STERLNBANK UBA Symbol UBN AIICO UNITYBNK CONTINSURE WEMABANK LAWUNION MANSARD NEM Symbol WAPIC AIICO CONTINSURE LAWUNION Symbol MANSARD NEM WAPIC

HEALTHCARE Totals

116 No. of Deals 24 16 7 7 41 6 1,012 1 12 No. of Deals 15 16 57 7

4.70 2.48 16.50 1.40 Current 21.05 Price 1.72 4.70 1.99 2.48 3.65 16.50 5.70 1.40 1.14 21.05 0.92 1.72

1.99 3.65 Current Price 5.70 0.90 1.14 0.96 0.92 0.54 2.70 0.68 Current Price 0.50 0.90

Symbol FORTISMFB Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC UCAP

No. of Deals 39 10 40 23 3 115

Current Price 2.50 4.05 1.95 18.30 1.31

1,189

Symbol EVANSMED GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

Quantity Traded 1,109,008 Page 14,844,753 128,686 13,831,055 5,556,836 Quantity Traded 1,676,549 1,109,008 6,155,514 14,844,753 11,729,512 128,686 515,385 13,831,055 153,630 5,556,836 2,918,715 1,676,549 58,619,643 6,155,514

Value Traded 10 35,211,213.70 of 37,013,651.65 2,123,164.56 19,910,224.00 118,914,014.38 Value Traded 2,901,071.56 5,211,213.70 12,007,813.23 37,013,651.65 42,536,759.71 2,123,164.56 2,931,514.55 19,910,224.00 175,194.30 118,914,014.38 2,685,217.80 2,901,071.56 246,409,839.44 12,007,813.23

11,729,512 Quantity Traded 515,385 651,851 153,630 352,000 2,918,715 2,701,500 58,619,643 15,000 1,570,173 Quantity Traded 126,067 651,851 5,416,591 352,000

42,536,759.71 Value Traded 2,931,514.55 587,750.97 175,194.30 338,100.00 2,685,217.80 1,458,780.00 246,409,839.44 39,000.00 1,067,737.64 Value Traded 63,033.50 587,750.97 3,554,402.11 338,100.00

0.96 6 0.54 2,701,500 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 1 2.70 15,000 12 0.68 1,570,173 15 0.50 126,067 Page 57 5,416,591 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 2 5.42 36 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 3 1.02 11,500 5 11,536

Daily Summary (Equities)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

74 43 27 42 219 No. of Deals 45 74 374 43 116 27 24 42 7 219 41 45 1,012 374

No. of Deals 3 12 12 4 31 31

Current Price 0.50 37.07 1.00 0.90

Quantity TradedPage 1,327,225 1,324,097 1,255,577 996,578 53,635 4,957,112

1,458,780.00 Value Traded 39,000.00 1,067,737.64 63,033.50 10 4 3,554,402.11 of Value Traded Value 185.40 Traded 12,780.00 12,965.40 10 4 of Value Traded 3,290,763.09 5,367,592.85 2,407,776.35 18,162,647.15 73,479.95 29,302,259.39

69,004,882

279,279,466.34

Quantity Traded 91,000 87,249 304,100 52,553 534,902

Value Traded 45,500.00 3,284,849.80 304,339.00 45,195.58 3,679,884.38

534,902

3,679,884.38

Page

Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001

1st Tier Securities Sector Activity Summary Company nameEQTY on Board Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 ICT Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. IT Services Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY ICT Processing Systems E-TRANZACT PLC Computer BasedINTERNATIONAL Systems Processing Systems Totals SOLUTIONS PLC COURTEVILLE BUSINESS Computer Based Systems Totals ICT Totals IT Services INDUSTRIAL GOODS NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Building Materials IT Services Totals ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER Systems PAINTS PLC Processing CAP PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC CEMENTSystems CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC Processing Totals PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC ICT Totals LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 ASHAKA CEM CO PLCPLC. BETA GLASS Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC Published by CEMENT The Nigerian Exchange ©PLC CO.Stock OF NORTH.NIG. PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Packaging/Containers INDUSTRIAL GOODS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Packaging/Containers Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 1 1

OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 ETERNA PLC. Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production ActivitySEPLAT Summary on BoardDEVELOPMENT EQTY PETROLEUM COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS OILPackaging/Containers AND GAS Totals Packaging/Containers Totals SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services© Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Activity Summary on Board EQTY Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001 Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Daily Summary as of 23/11/2015 Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001Services Transport-Related AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Transport-Related Services Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES SERVICES BankingTotals ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Banking Totals EQTY Board Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Banking FBN HOLDINGS PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Published by TheFinancial Nigerian Stock Exchange © Other Banking Totals Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Other Financial Institutions Totals Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC BuildingBoard Materials Totals PREMIUM Totals

NCR

PREMIUM Board Totals

Exchange Traded Fund Name

Exchange Traded Fund LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF

Current Price 0.50

3 3

11.02

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

Quantity Traded 600 600

Value Traded 6,282.00 6,282.00

Quantity Traded

Value Traded 1,394,700.00 Value Traded 1,394,700.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,401,982.00

Symbol ETRANZACT Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals Current Price 2.70 No. of Deals4 Current Price 14 0.50 1 8

517,000 Quantity Traded 517,000 2,000 2,000 519,600

Symbol NCR Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER Symbol CAP ETRANZACT CCNN PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals Current Price 3 11.02 No. of Deals Current Price 3 15 23.00 16 Current Price 9.75 No. of Deals 16 38.50 4 2.70 12 8.01 4 2 4.05 8 39 89.50 100

Quantity Traded 600 Quantity Traded 600 50,966 673,733 Quantity Traded 198,616 517,000 117,061 517,000 100,000 519,600 365,614 1,505,990

Value Traded 6,282.00 Value Traded 6,282.00 1,202,154.57 6,484,563.77 Value Traded 7,589,782.40 1,394,700.00 893,176.39 1,394,700.00 398,251.00 1,401,982.00 32,748,952.84

Symbol Symbol ASHAKACEM BETAGLAS BERGER CAP CCNN PORTPAINT Daily Summary WAPCO

No. No.of ofDeals Deals Current CurrentPrice Price 151 23.00 48.51 16 9.75 16 38.50 12 8.01 2 4.05 (Equities) 39 89.50 100

Quantity QuantityTraded Traded 50,966 1,100 673,733 198,616 Page 117,061 100,000 365,614 1,505,990

Value ValueTraded Traded 1,202,154.57 51,700.00 6,484,563.77 7,589,782.40 10 6 of 893,176.39 398,251.00 32,748,952.84 49,316,880.97

Quantity Traded 1,100 Quantity Traded 1,100 Page

Value Traded 51,700.00 Value Traded 51,700.00 6 of 10

Symbol BETAGLAS Symbol

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1

Current Price 48.51 Current Price

101

Symbol OANDO

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

Daily Summary

49,316,880.97

1,507,090

49,368,580.97

No. of Deals 107 107

Current Price 6.19

Quantity Traded 3,736,373 3,736,373

Value Traded 23,295,597.52 23,295,597.52

No. of Deals 3 1 25 14 3 46 (Equities)

Current Price 27.41 1.85 275.50 138.99 143.00

Quantity Traded 1,225 1 29,100 9,310 785 40,421

Value Traded 31,899.00 1.76 7,616,343.00 1,234,952.21 117,750.00 9,000,945.97

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 222.10

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 215,020.00 215,020.00

Quantity Traded 3,777,794 1,100

Value Traded 32,511,563.49 51,700.00

1,507,090 Quantity Traded 2,000

49,368,580.97 Value Traded 8,000.00

Symbol SEPLAT

Symbol

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 154 Current Price 1 101 No. of Deals 1

Current Price 4.10

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 107 107

Current Price 6.19

Quantity TradedPage 3,736,373 3,736,373

Value Traded 10 7 of 23,295,597.52 23,295,597.52

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

No. of Deals 3 1 25 14 3 46

Current Price 27.41 1.85 275.50 138.99 143.00

Quantity Traded 1,225 1 29,100 9,310 785 40,421

Value Traded 31,899.00 1.76 7,616,343.00 1,234,952.21 117,750.00 9,000,945.97

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 222.10

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 215,020.00 215,020.00

3,777,794

32,511,563.49

Daily Summary (Equities)

154

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 4.10

Quantity Traded 2,000

Value Traded 8,000.00

Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 4 5

Current Price 1.02

Quantity Traded Page 16,000 18,000

7Value Traded of 10 16,920.00 24,920.00

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 8,333 8,333

Value Traded 4,166.50 4,166.50

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 4 2 6

Current Price 0.59 0.67

Quantity Traded 15,370 7,788 23,158

Value Traded 9,073.70 5,451.60 14,525.30

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 370 370

Value Traded 185.00 185.00

1.90 3.64

Quantity Traded 2,000 1,494,844 1,496,844

Value Traded 3,680.00 5,713,855.85 5,717,535.85

Symbol ZENITHBANK

60 Current Price No. of Deals 195 16.01 195

1,546,705 Quantity Traded 42,362,440 42,362,440 91,679,411

5,761,332.65 Value Traded 684,743,420.55 684,743,420.55

Symbol Symbol FBNH ZENITHBANK

No. No. of of Deals Deals 360 195 360 195

Current Current Price Price 5.00 16.01

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 20,740,033 42,362,440 Page 20,740,033 42,362,440

Value Value Traded Traded 103,669,618.81 684,743,420.55 10 8 of 103,669,618.81 684,743,420.55

Symbol FBNH

555 No. of Deals 360 360 No. of Deals 9 555 9

Current Price 5.00

63,102,473 Quantity Traded 20,740,033 20,740,033 Quantity Traded 9,690 63,102,473 9,690

788,413,039.36 Value Traded 103,669,618.81 103,669,618.81 Value Traded 1,530,385.82 788,413,039.36 1,530,385.82

9,690 Quantity Traded 9,690 9,690 63,112,163

1,530,385.82 Value Traded 1,530,385.82 1,530,385.82 789,943,425.18

9,690 154,791,574

1,530,385.82 2,217,599,975.73

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price AIRSERVICE NAHCO

Daily Summary (Equities)

1 44 45

2,099

Symbol DANGCEM

9 No. of Deals 9 9 564

INDUSTRIAL DailyEquity Summary as of GOODS 23/11/2015 Activity Totals Totals Printed 23/11/2015 14:41:01.001

Equity Activity Totals

Quantity Traded

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

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 162.00

9 2,663

Daily Summary (ETP) Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol LOTUSHAL15 Symbol NEWGOLD VETBANK Symbol VETGOODS LOTUSHAL15 VETGRIF30 VETINDETF

Daily Summary (ETP)

1,427,656,550.55

564

63,112,163

789,943,425.18

2,663

154,791,574

2,217,599,975.73

No. of Deals Current Price 1 9.29 No. of Deals Current Price 1 2,060.00 1 Current Price 2.87 No. of Deals 11 6.94 9.29 1 12.70 1 20.38 6

Quantity Traded 5 Quantity Traded Page 50 5 Quantity Traded 55 5 Page 5 75

Value Traded 46.45 Value Traded 10 9 of 103,000.00 14.35 Value Traded 34.70 46.45 63.50 9 of 10 101.90 103,260.90

ETF Board Totals

103,260.90

ETP Activity Totals

103,260.90

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Dikwa IDP camp consumes 60 bags of rice daily –Commissioner •Govt calls for security consciousness INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

L-R: Chairman, Hygeia Community Health Insurance Scheme, Mrs. Fola Laoye; Chairman, Dutch Health Insurance Fund, Kees Storm, and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, after signing an agreement on Dutch Health Insurance Fund for the State Community Health Insurance Scheme at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

Katsina moves to revive dormant Kaolin, metal coys

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

fforts are underway for the revival of two dormant stateowned companies that produce Kaolin and metal works in Katsina State. While the Kaolin-producing company is located in Kankara Council Area of the state, that of metal works is located in Kankia Council Area of Katsina State. Commissioner for Commerce, Abubakar Yusuf,

who made this known yesterday, said the companies had stopped operation for more than 15 years now. Yusuf said their being dormant was due to lack of commitment in operating or running of the companies by past administration in the state. He said the current state government had released funds for the purchase of materials and installation of facilities to make the two companies functional.

He also said the state government had engaged the services of some individuals in the form of public-privatepartnership for smooth running of the companies. The commissioner said reviving the two companies would help generate employment as well as boost state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. He said efforts were also being made to attract foreign investment into the state, and that the

state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari’s recent trip to India was part of the process. He said the state government had in addition, set up a committee to organise an economic summit that would set path for the economic transformation of the state. He, therefore, called on people of the state to submit memorandums to the committee for successful conduct of the committee’s assignment.

Police to return 400 street urchins to school in Gombe WILLIAMS ATTAH GOMBE

ombe State Police C o m m i s s i o n e r, Mr. Austin Iwar, says the command is taking pro-active measures at preventing crime as it initiates a programme of returning over 400 street urchins back to school. He stated this yesterday during his second periodic stocktaking meeting with senior officers of the command and major stakeholders to review strategies, evaluate achievements, challenges and determine next course of action. According to the Commissioner of Police, this initiative was taken based on the fact that policing is not all about punitive measures or incarceration, but also helping potential criminals make meaning out of life through being responsible citizens. Gombe State is known

for activities of the notorious Kalare political thugs, who are mostly school dropouts or youths who never went to school. They are gangsters who maim, steal, terrorise and even kill innocent persons as they make major towns in the state insecure. He said the command plans to sustain the programme and that already workshops are scheduled to take place this week with many of the dropouts agreeing to return to schools. Iwar said: “While we strive to engage our children by making sure they are in schools, the command equally appreciates the fact that our schools need to be safe enough for both the students and teachers to allow for smooth learning process. Therefore, the command developed the Gombe State Safer Schools Programme”.

He said the State Ministry of Education and heads of schools in the state have shown keen interest in this strategy and that their cooperation and response had been fantastic. He gave kudos to his men and officers for their doggedness and steadfast-

ness as well as the public for their cooperation in ensuring that Gombe State did not record any major security breach to warrant deep worries despite the disturbing happenings in some state where the Boko Haram terrorists are already terrorising.

nited Nations Special Representative of SecretaryGeneral for West Africa, Mr Mohammed Chambas, yesterday restated the UN’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in overcoming its challenges of Boko Haram insurgency. Chambas, while speaking in Lagos, said the UN stood in solidarity with the Nigerian government in its ongoing effort at fighting Boko Haram insurgency. “Today, as we can all see, terrorism is no longer a Nigerian problem alone. It has become an international problem that calls

for a strong international response. “The UN stands in solidarity with Nigeria as it takes the fight to Boko Haram terrorists, which must be defeated at all cost. “We will continue to be supportive in ensuring the effective coordination of situations in Nigeria and other countries currently being affected by Boko Haram terrorists,” he said. The UN official said that he and other UN agencies’ chiefs were in Nigeria for discussions with notable

orno State government has said that over 60 bags of 50 killogramme of rice are being supplied on daily basis to take care of over 33,310 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who are taking refuge in Dikwa town following activities of Boko Haram and the ongoing military operations in the area. The state government had on Monday sent a delegation to visit Monguno following the bomb explosions that was alleged to have been set off by two female suicide bombers on Sunday, killing 10 people with scores injured. This was disclosed by Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Usman Zanna, in a chat with newsmen in Maiduguri, the state capital. Zanna said following the ongoing operation by the military under ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in and around Dikwa axis and surrounding communities of Mafa, Marte, Kala Balge local government areas of Borno State, IDPs are still trooping into Dikwa camp, which was established by the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA. He said already government has released funds to carter for the victims of insurgency, particularly displaced people, mostly drawn from the affected council areas and now taking refuge in Dikwa.

He added that a team of medical experts have been dispatched to the Dikwa camp to carter for those who are sick and to offer free medical treatment for IDPs who were mostly women and children, as according to him, the soldiers and the government are doing their best to ensure that peace return back to affected communities. On the bomb explosions by two female suicide bombers who disguised as passengers after boarding “Keke Napep” (Tricycle) in Monguno leading to the death of 10 people with scores injured at Onion Market in the town on Sunday, the commissioner said he had directed the Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Sheriff Galgal, who was accompanied by member of the of the State House of Assembly, Maina Garbu, to visit Monguno to ascertain the situation on ground with a view to assist the victims. While praying to Allah for the repose ofthe souls of those who lost their lives in the incidents and wishing the injured quick recovery, Zanna, commended the effort of the military, police and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency in the state, even as he called on members of the public to be security conscious and to report any suspicious movement around their communities to security agencies for necessary action.

Insurgency: UN restates commitment to Nigeria Nigerian leaders on the way forward to ending the menace of Boko Haram. Chambas also announced plan to increase the number of troops for the Multi-National Joint Task Force to be able to match the capacity of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and other countries. The UN special representative also disclosed plans by the UN to work closely with the National Emergency Management, NEMA, and Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, in providing hu-

manitarian support for internally displaced persons. Chambas said that the UN had recently visited the North East part of the country for an assessment of the humanitarian situation of the displaced persons. “So, many Nigerians have been displaced and so many others dead due to activities of these terrorists. “The UN is already supporting many Nigerians who are refugees in neighbouring countries particularly in Niger and Chad.”

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Dikwa IDP camp consumes 60 bags of rice daily –Commissioner •Govt calls for security consciousness INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

L-R: Chairman, Hygeia Community Health Insurance Scheme, Mrs. Fola Laoye; Chairman, Dutch Health Insurance Fund, Kees Storm, and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, after signing an agreement on Dutch Health Insurance Fund for the state’s Community Health Insurance Scheme at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

Katsina moves to revive dormant Kaolin, metal coys

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

Police to return 400 street urchins to school in Gombe WILLIAMS ATTAH GOMBE

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We will intensify our strikes, choosing targets that will do the most damage possible to this army of terrorists.

–FRENCH PRESIDENT, FRANCOIS HOLLANDE

Hotel siege: Mali makes terrorists’ identity plea Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

alian police yesterday appealed for help to identify the two gunmen who carried out Friday’s attack on Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital, Bamako, in which 22 people were killed. Pictures of their bodies have been shown on state TV as police asked for the public’s help to identify them. Investigators have yet to determine the number and nationality of the gunmen. However, Islamist group al-Murabitoun, which first claimed responsibility for the attack, has issued a new audio recording identifying the two gunmen, reports said. They were named as Abdel Hakim al-Ansari and Moadh alAnsari. One security source in Mali earlier said officials believed that the two dead gunmen had been speaking English during the attack. The police found a suitcase with grenades in the hotel lobby and were following up “several

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

leads” linked to “objects” left by the gunmen, a Malian police source also said. Ahead of the three days of national mourning declared by Mali which started yesterday, ECOWAS Chairman and Senegal’s President, Macky Sall, vis-

ited Bamako on Sunday to show support. Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea are also observing the mourning. “Mali will never be alone in this fight, we are all committed because we are all involved,” he

‘Mugabe’ll rule Zimbabwe on wheel chair’

ife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Grace, has said that the 91-year-old- maximum leader will rule the landlocked southern African country until he is 100 years old and a special wheelchair will be designed for the former liberation war hero who now struggles to walk and has battled with swollen ankles for years if need be. Mugabe, who has been in power since independence in 1980, turns 92 next February and his ZANU-PF party has already nominated him as its presidential candidate for the 2018 elections when he will be 94. Recent stumbles at Harare international airport as well as during a foreign trip to India have drawn opposition calls for him to step down and allow a younger and more energetic leader to take over. But the president’s wife, who addressing supporters at Murewa Business Centre in Mashonaland East at the weekend, disagreed.

“We are going to create a special wheelchair for President Mugabe until he rules to 100 years because that is what we want and that is the people’s choice. We want a leader that respects us,” she said, although she admitted that divisions in the ruling party remained the main threat to Mugabe’s staying in power for life. “There is a lot of factionalism

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe

but the grassroots people are not stupid and those fanning factionalism will reap what they sowed,” she added without mentioning any names. Mugabe has repeatedly indicated he will not retire, but his lieutenants continue to bicker over his succession with turf wars splintering the party. The divisions saw the dismissal of former vice president, Joice Mujuru, and scores of party leaders and cabinet ministers said to have backed the alleged coup. Mujuru’s ouster has not ended to the squabbling with new rows said to pit a faction rallying behind vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, against the younger G-40 grouping which appears to support Grace. “Leaders come from God. It will not work now or in the future,” the First Lady further said, stressing, “Let’s be well mannered people and let’s listen to ourselves.”

said. Six Russians were killed, all employees of the Volga-Dnepr airline, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Volga-Dnepr reported that the six were Stanislav Dumansky and Pavel Kudryavtsev, mechanics; Vladimir Kudryashov, a flight radio operator; Konstantin Preobrazhensky, a flight engineer; Sergey Yurasov, a load manager, and Aleksandr Kononenko, a navigator. Three Chinese, Zhou Tianxiang and Wang Xuanshang and Chang Xuehui were executives from the state-owned China Railway Construction Corp, the company said in a statement on its website. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliate, alMurabitoun, have both said they were responsible for the attack. The Macina Liberation Front (MLF) which has been blamed for attacks in southern Mali, has also said its fighters carried it out, even as security remains tight around major hotels in Bamako.

Syrian army captures towns

yrian government forces are reported to have gained ground from Islamic State (IS) in the west of the country. Various reports said troops, backed by Russian air strikes, had seized the towns of Mahin and Hawwarin. They lie to the east of a strategically important motorway connecting Damascus with major cities to the north. The army has launched a series of offensives since Russia launched an air campaign to bolster President Bashar al-Assad’s government on September 30. Russia has said it has targeted only “terrorists”, but activists say its strikes have mainly hit Western-backed rebel groups which are opposed to IS. A military source said a large number of IS militants had been killed and that soldiers were dismantling bombs planted on roads, in farmland and homes.

AFRICAN BULLETIN

Corruption, threat to security –Kenyatta Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, has declared corruption a national security threat. Kenyatta, who made the observation yesterday, announced Moa raft of measures to bolster the fight against corruption that he described as endemic in the East Africa’s largest economy. Measures include the vetting of customs and revenue officers, whom the government believes are denying the country revenue by taking bribes to overlook individuals’ and institutions’ tax obligations. Kenyatta’s nearly three-year old regime has come under heavy criticism for inaction against graft. Many of the incidents of graft highlighted by the Kenyan media focused on the Devolution and Planning Ministry where the Minister Anne Waiguru resigned over weekend, citing health concerns.

Miner dies after rescue One of the five gold miners rescued in Tanzania after being trapped underground for 41 days, Onyiwa Morris, has died. Morris, 55, had digestive system complications after being admitted to hospital last week, his doctors said yesterday. The other four men are still receiving treatment at the Kahama District Hospital, where doctors said their health “is improving”. The miners survived on roots, soil, and insects after a shaft collapsed, blocking their exit from the mine. Many people search for gold in unregulated mines in remote areas of Tanzania in the hope of becoming rich. The incident took place at a mine in the north-western Shinyanga region, 900km (500 miles) west of Dar es Salaam.

White rhino dies in US One of the world’s last four remaining northern white rhinos has died in a zoo in the United States. The condition of Nola, a 41-yearold female, had deteriorated after surgery and she was put down on Sunday. Nola had been a popular attraction at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 1989. The remaining three northern white rhinos, all elderly, are kept closely guarded at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Nola underwent surgery on November 13 to drain a hip abscess. However, her health deteriorated a week ago and worsened again over the weekend and it was decided she should be put down. The northern white rhino population was devastated by poachers seeking their prized horns, and was declared extinct in the wild in 2008.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

I will not comment on Real Madrid. It’s my style not to comment on losing teams. I will talk about winning teams –Chelsea Manager, Jose Mourinho

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Sport

Rio 2016: My fear for Okagbare –Obajimi

U-23 team

Siasia names Olympic qualifying squad …Osimhen dropped

ream Team VI Coach, Samson Siasia yesterday in The Gambia named four foreign-based players in his 21-man squad for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. The top three from the tournament will qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics. The tournament kicks off on 28 November and will be played in Dakar and M’bour with the final set for 12 December. Victor Osimhen, top scorer at last month’s Under-17 World Cup which Nigeria won, attended training in The Gambia but is not on the final list. But Siasia included Taiwo Awoniyi, who is on loan from Liverpool to German side FSV Frankfurt. Granada’s Isaac Success, who like Awoniyi was part of the squad that won the under-17 title in 2013 will also play in Senegal. Twelve players from the squad that won a bronze medal at this year’s All African Games in Congo-Brazzaville, including Erhun Obanor, Kingsley Sokari, Etor Daniel and Mustapha Abdullahi, are axed from the list of selected

players. Nigeria boasts a proud Olympics football record, having won gold medals at the Atlanta Games in 1996. They also finished runnersup at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where current under-23 coach Siasia also coached the ‘Dream Team’ in China. However, ‘Dream Team V’ led by Austin Eguavoen failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics after crashing out in the group stages of the qualifying tournament in Morocco. Siasia’s full squad includes: Goalkeepers: Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Iwu (Heartland), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers) Defenders: Zaharadeen Bello (Kano Pillars), Seun Olubayo (Sunshine Stars), Chizoba Amaefule (Dolphins), Ebuka Iroha (Diamond Football Academy), Sincere Seth (Supreme Court FC), Seun Oduduwa (Nath Boys) Midfielders: Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Matalatyaspor, Turkey), Godspower Aniefiok (Kano Pillars), Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors), Usman Moham-

.. Junior Ajayi promises AFCON crown med (FC Taraba),Tiongoli Tobara (Bayelsa United), Bature Yaro (Nasarawa United), Oghenekaro Etebo, Stanley Dimgba (both Warri Wolves) Forward: Taiwo Awoniyi (FSV Frankfurt, Germany), Isaac Success (Granada CF, Spain), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Kufre Ebong (Warri Wolves). Meanwhile, Tunisia-based striker Junior Ajayi has vowed to help Nigeria win the 2015 U23 AFCON in Senegal. Ajayi is one of four overseas-

based stars on the Nigeria U23 final squad for the tournament, which gets underway on Saturday in Dakar. “I have come to contribute my little quota in ensuring that we not only pick an Olympic ticket, but also win the Africa U23 Cup of Nations,” said Ajayi on arrival in Banjul, The Gambia, to join the team prior to the tournament. “I can’t describe how I feel any time I report for national duty. For me, it’s an honour to put smiles on

the faces of Nigerians, this I have come to do, God willing.” Ajayi, who now features for Tunisian club CS Sfaxien, scored the two goals that eliminated Congo Brazzaville from the U23 championship, which will serve as qualifying tournament for next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The team are due to play their final warm-up match on tomorrow before they depart for nextdoor Senegal. Their opening game is on Sunday against Mali.

Ajax join Man City, Liverpool in chase for Eaglets’ Bamgboye

jax Amsterdam yesterday became the latest club to be linked with Nigerian youngster Funsho Bamgboye. The Golden Eaglets forward has also attracted interest of top English sides like Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. A reliable source close to the Aspire Academy star revealed that the Dutch side are keen to

secure the services of the player who was a key member of the Nigerian U-17 side that conquered the world earlier this month in Chile. “Several clubs have indicated interest in signing Funsho, but we don’t want to do things in a hurry,’’ the source further stated. “A lot of agents have also called him saying a lot of sweet things. “Ajax are a good club, but we

will be careful in determining the club he will join at the end of the day.” The Eredivisie side have a rich history of Nigerian players who made their names at the club. Top on the list are the duo of Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu who won the UEFA Champions League with the club in 1995. The likes of Tijani Babangida and Pius Ikedia have also featured for the club.

Sports

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

UEFA Champions League…

eal Madrid have been dealt a further blow after the defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona, with the news that Marcelo damaged a thigh muscle during the match. The full-back is now facing a spell on the sidelines and has not been included in the squad for the trip to play Shakhtar Donetsk in Champions League Group A tomorrow. Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was also left out of the squad for the Shakhtar game, when the 10-times European champions can make sure of top spot in the section, having already qualified for the last 16. Real were outclassed in the 4-0

Marcelo

Marcelo blow for Real Neymar, Iniesta, Suarez show Barcelona Messi need not rush back

n crushing Real Madrid by four goals last Saturday at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Barcelona asserted their superiority over their fiercest rivals and maintained their spot atop La Liga. Perhaps just as importantly, though, the memorable victory showed that Lionel Messi need to be rushed back from injury. When Messi sustained knee ligament damage in late September, many feared Barcelona would be unable to cope without their superstar. To label Messi a talisman is almost inadequate. The little Argentine’s contribution to Barca’s success over the past decade is almost immeasurable, though his four Ballon d’Or awards hint at his value. Last Saturday’s match, therefore,

should have represented an opportunity for Real. Messi started a Clasico on the bench for the first time in 11 years, and the hosts had a chance to pull level with Barca atop the table. But by full-time, the visitors had finished off a crushing 4-0 victory, and the little Argentine had made only a secondhalf cameo. Messi did contribute to Barca’s fourth goal, but by that time the result was well beyond doubt. Make no mistake: Barcelona trounced Real Madrid, and they did so largely without the genius of Lionel Messi. So how did it happen? In general terms, Barca’s team approach trumped Real’s individuals. But while the whole team contributed, three individuals created and drove home the Catalan side’s superiority.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

reverse at the Bernabeu, with Brazil international Marcelo limping out of the game after 59 minutes. Spanish media has reported Marcelo will be out of action for two or three weeks, but Real have not confirmed the length of his absence. The central defender has been struggling with a shoulder injury but played the whole of the ‘Clasico’. Under-pressure Real boss Rafa Benitez is taking just five recognised defenders to Ukraine. Pepe is likely to start alongside Raphael Varane in the middle, with Daniel Carvajal and Nacho at right and left-back respectively.

Manchester to miss Kompany, Silva against Juventus

anchester City head coach Manuel Pellegrini yesterday revealed that defender Vincent Kompany and midfielder David Silva will not be fit for the European Champions League group stage encounter against Juventus tomorrow. Spanish international Silva has been out for six weeks due to an ankle injury, while a calf injury is looking certain to force Belgium international Kompany out of the match against the Italian football champions. “They are still injured. We hope in the future they can recover as soon as they can, but I don’t think any of them will be ready for tomorrow,” Pellegrini said. City are coming off a 1-4 rout against Liverpool last Saturday in the English Premier League (EPL).

Kompany

Blatter, Platini to get seven-year bans from football.. if

he judgement arm of FIFA’s ethics committee has opened a case against the body’s suspended president Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, with a verdict in the corruption allegations surrounding both men due next month. The panel of judges, known as the adjudicatory chamber, received the final report from the ethics committee’s investigative branch on Saturday, which called for sanctions to be levelled against both men. A guilty verdict would almost certainly crush UEFA president Platini’s hopes of succeeding Blatter at the top of world football’s governing body. The investigative branch did not disclose the severity of the recommended sanctions, or the evidence collected, but both Blatter and Platini have been implicated in possible criminal conduct in a separate case launched by Swiss prosecutors. In a statement, the adjudicatory chamber said it had “opened formal adjudicatory proceedings against Joseph S. Blatter and

Michel Platini based on the final reports submitted by the investigatory chamber.” The chamber “intends to come to a decision in both cases during the month of December”, the statement further said. FIFA’s ethics committee provisionally suspended both men -- once the two most powerful figures in world football -- for 90 days in October. Those suspensions followed the announcement from Switzerland’s attorney general that a criminal case had been opened against Blatter over financial misconduct during his tenure as FIFA’s president. Platini has been questioned by Swiss prosecutors over a murky $2 million payment he received from FIFA in 2011, reportedly for work done a decade earlier. Blatter had already agreed to step down as FIFA’s president following a special election in February, a concession made days after the unprecedented corruption scandal at FIFA kicked off.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Mercyjacob_26@yahoo.com Tel: 08063056537

Rio 2016: My fear for Okagbare –Obajimi

… Hails Ajunwa’s pet project

he Deputy Director of National Institute for Sports, (NIS) and ex track and field athlete, Dr. Gloria Obajimi has expressed worry over Nigerian medal hope, Blessing Okagbare ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics. According to the former Athletics Federation(AFN) Board member ,aexcept Okagbare learns from the experience of her last World Championship fumble in Beijing it would be difficult for anybody to beat her chest that she will make Nigeria proud at the Olympics. “For now, I cannot say for sure that Nigeria would not win any medal at the Olympics, until we get closer to the competition . We have medal hope in Blessing Okagbare, but my fear is if she failed to learn from the World Championship experience we should all forget getting a medal from her. Okagbare had a dismal outing at the IAAF World championships in Beijing, China. She claimed that injury forced her out of the competition, where

Nigerians expected her to win a medal having run the third fastest time of the season in the 100m. Speaking further, Obajimi said “when it comes to preparations I believe all the athletes are preparing on their own ,especially somebody like Okagbare and Tosin Oke who is based in US and our medal hope in triple jump and some athletes who are based in the country that won a medal at the last African Games in Congo Brazzaville. “I believe the preparation for the Olympics will kick off fully by January and February where the athletes would be exposed for some competitions and if that is not done we should not be in expectant”. Meanwhile, Obajimi has hailed the Atlanta 96 gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa on her successfull maiden edition of CAJFON’s U13 Athletics championship. She however called on other ex athletes to emulate from this laudable project and assist the younger generation. “I am impressed with Chi-

oma‘s project just like Fililat Ogunkoya use to do it is good we remember to give back to the society through the younger generation and they would forever remember us. Chioma Ajunwa foundation recently organised under 13 athletics competition which many schools took part in.

World bits… Eriksson wants investigation into 2021 World Champs

Obajimi

Russia to hold talks with Wada

ussia’s sports minister said yesterday he would meet with the World AntiDoping Agency (Wada) in Frankfurt this week to discuss a roadmap to revamp the country’s scandal-ridden anti-doping system. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) this month provisionally suspended Russia after a bombshell report published by a Wada independent commission found evidence of state-sponsored dop-

Okagbare

ing and large-scale corruption in Russian athletics. Both Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA and the Moscow anti-doping laboratory were also suspended over the report. “We have decided what to do with RUSADA with the laboratory,” sports minister Vitaly Mutko told Russian news agencies. “We will have meetings in Frankfurt on the 25th and 26th, we will design a roadmap.”

Star Quote…

I am sure I can make the Manchester United team any day. I know the game and can play it well. So, I have no fear

Usain Bolt

former head of Interpol wants the investigation done following the release of letters sent to Lamine Diack, then head of the governing body, insidethegames reports. Eugene was awarded the 2021 edition by the IAAF Council in April without a formal evaluation process or consideration of rival bids. Björn Eriksson, a retired civil servant who was Interpol President from 1994 to 1996 before heading to Swedish Athletics Federation as president and so to rival bid from Gothenburg, has claimed they were repeatedly promised by Diack that they would be given a chance to present their case. “I would now like the French

police to look into Diack’s role in the 2021 process,” said Eriksson. The IAAF at the time of announcing Eugene as host, said in a statement: “Much was written about the decision to award the 2021 World Championships to Eugene. The following quote is an extract from the IAAF announcement at the time: ‘In granting the championships to Eugene the IAAF Council have made a clear choice on a strategic decision that enables us to take advantage of a unique opportunity that may never arise again, whereby public authorities, the private sector, the national Olympic Committee, NBC and a particularly enthusiastic public are joining forces.’ The vote for Eugene was 23-2 in favour.”

Bolt, Fraser-Pryce big winners in CASJA Sports Awards

orld sprint champions Usain Bolt and ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce copped the major titles as Jamaica won five of the six categories in the second Annual Caribbean Sports Awards, organised by the Caribbean Sports Journalists’ Association (CASJA). NASSAU, Bahamas – World sprint champions Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce copped the major titles as Jamaica won five of the six categories in the second Annual Caribbean Sports Awards, organised by the Caribbean Sports Journalists’ Association (CASJA). Bolt was unanimously chosen as the sportsman of the year, beating Paralympic athlete Akeem

Stewart of Trinidad and Tobago and O’Dayne Richards of Jamaica. Bolt successfully defended his titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing last August. The Jamaican sprinter clocked a worldleading time of 19.55 seconds when winning the 200m and he now owns 17 gold medals from senior global championships. Stewart won two gold medals at the Parapan Am Games in Toronto where he set world records in both the discus (63.03m) and javelin (53.36m) events in the F44 categories while Richards won Jamaica’s first ever World Championship medal in a throwing event, taking bronze in the shot put at the IAAF World Championships.

WORLD RECORD

Largest dribbling cooking vessel Fastest marathon two basketballs

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1249 Tuesday, November 24, 2015

The largest cooking vessel has a volume of 23,616 litres (5,194.79 UK gal; 6,238.69 US gal) and was constructed by Union Energy Corporation Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), in Singapore, on 1 August 2015.

Gender equity: Whither Nigeria? T he issue of gender equity has been an issue that evokes lots of emotion, depending on which side of the gender-divide you belong to. The quest for participation of women in the political and socio-economic life of a nation has been the subject of debates in international fora in recent years. This is against the background that women, the world over, are discriminated and marginalised in decision-making structures, a development that stifles their voice in the formulation of policies that affect them and their societies. Women constitute about half of the world’s population, Nigeria inclusive. Consequently, the clamour for women’s equal participation in decision-making is a demand for justice and equity. The continuous exclusion of women

Guest Columnist

Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau

from all decision-making processes negates all known ideals of democratic principles, equity and natural justice. Ensuring women’s political participation in all spheres has been agreed internationally as one of the basic imperatives for achieving sustainable development in any given society. This perhaps, explains why promoting gender equality and empowering women was earmarked by the United Nations as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals set out to be achieved by the year 2015. Nigeria clearly did not achieve this particular goal, amongst others. Successive governments in Nigeria have tended to use affirmative action for women as mere rhetoric, without taking deliberate and concrete steps towards actualising women empowerment and gender equity in governance. It is sad that during electioneering campaigns, politicians often use affirmative action for women as campaign slogans in order to attract their massive votes. But no sooner the elections are over, than they beat a retreat and recant. Interestingly, most of our registered political parties have affirmative action for women included in their manifestoes, some even go as far as having ‘favourable’ policies for women political aspirants, such as making nomination forms free for them; but that is where it stops. A situation where in reality most female aspirants are ‘elbowed’ out or hamstrung into stepping down for their male counterparts through unfair parameters and uneven playing-field is absolutely a clear case of paying lip-service to the affirmative action policy for women. Successive governments before now have

SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS BEFORE NOW HAVE CLEARLY SHOWN LACK OF POLITICAL WILL IN IMPLEMENTING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR

NIGERIAN WOMEN

clearly shown lack of political will in implementing affirmative action for Nigerian women or entrenching gender equity in decision making structures in Nigeria. For instance, during the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Administration, of a total of 37 ministers, only six were women. As if that was not enough, when the then President named a 12-member Presidential Steering Committee that would fashion out a strategic response to the impact of the current global financial meltdown on the country, no woman was found ‘wise’ enough to be named in that committee! The Goodluck Jonathan Administration, though had done fairly better in terms of ministerial appointments for women at the federal level, gender equity in political governance still remained a far cry for Nigerian women. A quick look at all the different tiers of government during the last administration as well as other decision-making structures in the country indicated that Nigerian women did not, over all, get a fair share of what was due to them. What they got was at best mere tokenism! The Muhammadu Buhari administration is only a few months old. Like it is said in Af-

rican parlance, the signs of a good market day can be deduced way before the market day. First, when the 19 member Transition Committee was constituted by Buhari, only one woman made the list. After his inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari made a state visit to the United States of America on the invitation of President Barack Obama with 33-member entourage. Not a single woman was found worthy to make the list. Of all the appointments so far, women have been completely marginalised. This leaves much to be desired. For a group that constitutes about 50 percent of the nation’s population, this is certainly unacceptable! The Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in its concluding observations to Nigeria’s 6th Country Report presented in July, 2008 observed that “……the Committee is concerned that women continue to be seriously underrepresented in political and public life, especially in leadership and decision-making positions”. Seven years down the road, not much has changed. Indeed, the situation is not any better! The principles of gender equity demands that at all levels and tiers of governance, women and men must be accorded equal opportunities and fair representation. A conscious level playing field must be made available to all irrespective of their gender. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. AsrecentasSeptember25,2015,193countriesof the United Nations Generally Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled ‘Transforming our World’ aimed at building on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals, which ended in 2015. There are in total 17 SustainableDevelopmentGoalsand169Targetsinthe2030 Development Agenda. Goal 5 of the SDGs seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. It is, therefore, important to note that an integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals. Our leaders, however, do not seem to apprehend this basic fact. Ms Shekarau is National President, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA )

Sport Extra

group of Kenyan athletes have occupied the headquarters of the sport’s national governing body, stopping officials from entering. They want Athletics Kenya (AK) officials to step down over corruption al-

Corruption allegation: Kenyan runners occupy athletics HQ legations linked to a deal with Nike, the BBC’s Anne Soy reports. The athletes also blame the administrators for failing to deal with doping in the sport.

Kenya is one of the world’s top athletics nations and topped the medals table at August’s athletics world championships in Beijing. Dick Pound, the man

looking into doping for world athletics governing body, the IAAF, said that Kenyan athletics had a “real problem” with athletes taking performingenhancing drugs.

The athletes are protesting over alleged corruption in the governing body Athletics Kenya. The protesters say they want former runners to manage AK.

Protesting Kenyan athletes

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