FG earmarks N145.2bn for oil subsidy in 2015
Niger Assembly impeaches speaker, elects Kawu P.51
…borrows N473bn to finance 2015 budget so far
TOLA AKINMUTIMI Okonjo-Iweala
Vol. 5 N0. 1106
C
oordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,
yesterday said N145.2bn had been provided for subsidy payments on petroleum CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>
Aliyu
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
N150
Jonathan, PDP plan to empty treasury –APC ...ruling party begins probe of campaign fund spendings
OBIORA IFOH ABUJA
P
rogressive governors on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday met with the Presidentelect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, lamenting that the outgoing government of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would be leaving behind an empty treasury. The governors also raised alarm that the FedCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
Open sky policy’ll hamper domestic airlines’ survival President Goodluck Jonathan (4th right); Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku (4th left) and other members of the council, after a breakfast meeting with President Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.
ADVERT HOTLINES
For advert bookings and information, please contact: LAGOS 01-8446073, 08113947415 08113947419 08113947420 08113947422 ABUJA 08113947421 PORT HARCOURT 08113947418 OGBESE 08113947424
Nigeria rich, not qualified for foreign aid, says EU ...ready to support pilot projects in North
P.5
CBN reads riot act on monetary policy contravention
P.4
—Med-View boss P.28,29
10,606 Lagosians test HIV positive in one year P.8
News
2
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Jonathan, PDP plan to empty treasury –APC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
eral Government may not be able to pay salaries for April and May. The APC governors led by their chairman, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, disclosed that they have come to notify the incoming President about the parlous state of the economy. Okorocha, who spoke after a closed-door meeting of the APC Governors Forum, noted that states have been finding it difficult to pay workers salaries as a result of the terrible state of the economy. He said: “One of the issues that became of concern to all of us is the state of the Nigerian economy which is really in bad shape. “We have come to notify the incoming President of the challenges ahead of him. As it stands today,
most states of the federation have not been able to pay salaries and even the Federal Government has not paid April salary and that is very worrisome. “By May and June, that (salary) will be in cumulative of three months. “Most governors are not able to pay salaries and there is no magic any governor can do to pay salaries under the present situation. “We wonder with the huge expectation from Nigerians and people who have voted us into power, we are hoping that the President-elect will do whatever is humanly possible to bring about a bailout not only for the states but the Federal Government at least for people to get their salaries and turn around the economy. “We have seen the reason to work together and
support Mr. President and we have also called on all our brothers in other political parties to come along with us to build the Nigeria of our dream.” Buhari, in his response, told the governors that the high expectation by Nigerians from his government is making him nervous. “I have started nervously to explain to people that Rome was not built in a day,” he said. The President-elect however maintained that security remains high on his agenda, noting that “if there is no security, there is no development.” He lamented what he called the destruction of social infrastructure especially education, but assured that he would do everything within his power to make sure every part of the country is safe.
Meanwhile, the clash of interest between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors and the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, played out yesterday at the inauguration of the Post-Election Assessment Committee. The governors were absent at the inauguration of the committee, which was set up to review and evaluate the performance of the party in the 2015 general elections. The governors have been calling for the sack of the NWC, headed by Adamu Mu’azu, accusing it of being the reason for the woeful performance of the party. But reacting, the party’s national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the governors did not boycott the inauguration. Metuh said they were
not at the inauguration because they were not aware that it would still take place, as Mu’azu has travelled out of the country. He said: “The national chairman travelled out of the country and the governors were not aware that the meeting will still take place today (yesterday). “They thought because the chairman would not be around the inauguration would be postponed. They did not boycott the meeting.” The governors, who are part of the committee, headed by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu are Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe). Inaugurating the committee, the national secretary, Prof. Wale Ola-
L-R: (Front row) Governors, Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), AbdulFattah Ahmed (Kwara), Governor-elect Abdullahi Umaru Ganduje (Kano); National Chairman, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha; Speaker and Sokoto State Governor-elect, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Kebbi State Governor-elect, Sen. Abubakar Baguda Atiku and Deputy Governor-elect, Niger State. (Back row) Governors-elect, Alhaji Kashim Shettima (Borno), Muhammad Bindow Jubrilla (Adamawa), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Governors-elect, Mohammad Abubakar (Bauchi), Mr. Simon Lalong (Plateau) and former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, when the President-elect met with the APC governors and governors-elect at the Defence House in Abuja, yesterday.
Nigeria rich, not qualified for foreign aid, says EU
E
uropean Union delegation yesterday said Nigeria is a rich country which should not depend on aid from foreign donors. EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Michel Arion, expressed the opinion in Abuja. He told newsmen that any money given to Nigeria by the EU is “seed money.” Arion explained that aids given to Nigeria by
EU were to fund projects on a pilot scale while the Federal Government is expected to replicate them on a larger scale. “Please note that our aid is strategically-tailored to unlock Nigeria’s potential. Nigeria is not an aid-dependent economy, with aids constituting less than one per cent of its GDP. “Therefore, when we fund projects on a pilot scale, governments at various levels can replicate
them at a larger scale for wider reach and greater benefits. “Nigeria is a rich country, but Nigerians are regrettably poor. “To really develop the economy in a sustainable way, the core issue will be to redistribute social benefits through fiscal measures using taxation and social measures, using safety nets. “Strengthening the institutions is absolute key in this regard,” he said.
He added that EU’s development assistance to Nigeria, under the 11th European Development Fund, would focus on the North. According to him, the focus on the northern part of the country is due to the fact that development indicators in the area are “unacceptably worse.” He said the emphasis would be on improved access to basic social services such as health, nutrition and social protection. “The fund will also be
on improved access to electricity which will lead to economic growth and improved security,” he said. Arion said the EU recently signed an agreement with Nigeria to fund a pilot project. According to him, the project is aimed at providing community-based psychological support and protection services for children and adolescents affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.
dipo, who represented Mu’azu, said members were selected because of their patriotism and commitment to the party`s development. He said that the March 28 presidential election loss was a good commentary on the party’s democratic credentials. Prof. Oladipo said President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that unwarranted attacks and counter-attacks on members and the leadership of the party should stop immediately. The terms of reference of the committee, according to Prof. Oladipo are to: *Identify the remote and immediate causes of the relatively poor performance of the PDP in the 2015 general elections. *Trace the origin and process of the seeming decline of the party in its electoral performance; *Take a critical look at the preparations and build-up of the party to the general elections and determine its adequacies and lapses. “Review and determine the adequacy of the structures for the 2015 general elections and how those structures functioned. *Ascertain the degree of anti-party activities, compromises and outright sabotage that may have contributed to the misfortunes of our party at the elections; *Look at the funding of the elections to determine whether or not the funds meant for the campaigns were adequate and whether disbursements were properly done. *Identify different groups in the party who were to play critical roles before and during the elections and determine their effectiveness or otherwise; *Determine any other matter that may be considered necessary and in the interest of the party. *Propose a road map for the party to recover its past glory and definitely win the general elections in 2019. The committee has the mandate to submit its report in three weeks’ time. Speaking after the in-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
3
2
Photo News
Wednesday May 6, 2015
L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Guillaume Roux; Managing Director, Ashakacem Plc, Mr. Leonard Palka and Chairman, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah, during the annual general meeting of Ashakacem Plc in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Minister of Information, Sen. Patricia Akwashiki (left) and Director-General, NTA, Mr. Sola Omole, during a visit to NTA headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Managing Director, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Malam Garba Hamed (left) and Head of Corporate Communications, Alhaji Abdulazeez Abdullahi addressing a news conference on activities of the company in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
L-R: Division Head, Oil and Gas Upstream, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Abolore Solebo; ED, Nigerdock FZE Plc, Mansour Jamarkani; Director, Kay and William Oil and Gas Consultant Group, Mr. Kunle Elegbede and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ernest Nwapa, during the Nigeria Content Investment Forum at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, USA.
National News SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE
C
entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned individuals and corporate bodies against the use of foreign currencies in domestic economy as a medium of payment for goods and services. Observing that some institutions price their goods and services in foreign currencies and
CBN reads riot act on contravention of monetary policy demand payments in the same currencies, rather than the domestic currency (the Naira), which is the legal tender in Nigeria, CBN’s Director, Corporate Communication, Ibrahim Mu’azu, said the provisions of the
CBN Act of 2007 states inter-alia: that “the currency notes issued by the bank shall be legal tender in Nigeria, for the payment of any amount.” In a statement, the apex bank said any person(s), who contravenes the
provision of the Act, is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a prescribed fine or six months imprisonment. This prohibition, he said, is without prejudice to foreigners, visitors
and tourists, who are encouraged to continue to use their cards for payments or exchange their foreign currency for local currency at any of the authorised dealers’ outpost. He, however, advised
the general public to report any contravention of the provision to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for appropriate actions.
Senate passes violence against persons bill S enate yesterday passed Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Bill, which seeks to prohibit female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices. The bill also prohibits abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices. The Bill was sponsored by Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba. It is also intended to eliminate violence in private and public life and
provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims of violence and punishment of offenders. The bill equally prohibits economic abuse, forced isolation and separation
from family and friends, substance attack, depriving persons of their liberty, incest, indecent exposure, among others. In his remarks, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who
presided at the session, said the passage of the bill would provide adequate protection for the vulnerable in the society and punish those who take advantage of them. He commended the sena-
tors and other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring that the bill was passed, adding that it was a good step in the fight against violence in the society. “The primary responsibility of government is
to protect lives and property and as a responsible arm of government, our primary responsibility is to enact laws that would not only protect our people, but also protect their property.
Niger Republic evacuates 4,000 Nigerian refugees
N
iger Republic has evacuated thousands of Nigerian refugees sheltering from Boko Haram fighters on Lake Chad’s Karamga Island, a military official told Reuters yesterday, as the armies of four West Afri-
can nations battle to quash the Islamist militants. A regional governor in southern Niger said last week that the refugees should leave after Boko Haram fighters killed scores of the country’s soldiers and civilians during a
dawn ambush on the island on April 25. Executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency in Yobe State, Idi Jidawa, said the 4,000 displaced Nigerians were in the process of being sent home.
Lake Chad’s islands, which lie in dense swamp land, have been used by Boko Haram to mount surprise attacks on the bordering countries: Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. The group, which is fighting to create a caliph-
ate in West Africa, has killed thousands and uprooted 1.5 million people from north eastern Nigeria, many of whom have found relative security in neighbouring countries, including Chad and Cameroon.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
News
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
5
FG earmarks N145.2bn for oil subsidy in 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
products in the 2015 budget. Making the disclosure during a media briefing on the N4.493trn 2015 budget in
Abuja, the minister hinted that N100bn was provided for subsidy payments on premium motor spirit (petrol) while N45.2bn would
cover kerosene subsidy claims during the fiscal year. This is just as she also disclosed that prior to the passage of the budget by
Commuters on queue at petrol station as fuel scarcity bites harder in Lagos, yesterday.
the National Assembly last week, the Executive had borrowed N473bn out of the N883bn borrowing provision in the budget to meet
PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI
Jonathan, PDP plan to empty treasury –APC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
auguration, Ekweremadu expressed pain over the party’s electoral misfortune. He said: “Let me empathise with party faithful across the country over what has been generally accepted as the poorest outing of the PDP in any general elections since its birth in 1998. “Our pains and disappointments are well founded, especially given the
enormous hopes and prospects the party holds as a pan-Nigerian movement for social, economic and political transformations. “Thus, it is not a loss for the PDP only, but a loss to the great people of this country that the party lost the steering at the time it had laid a solid foundation through the Transformation Agenda of the present administration. “However, we must appreciate the fact that
change is the only constant thing in life. “Much as we are pained by the sad turn of events, we must come to terms with the fact that anger, recriminations, self-pity and blame-trading will not take us even an inch away from the harsh outcomes of the 2015 general elections. “Let me empahsise that the worst tragedy that could befall the PDP is not to have lost the 2015 presi-
dential election or our majority status at the National Assembly or some PDP-controlled states to the opposition. “All through human history, even the greatest and strongest empires have suffered one setback or the other at certain points of their existence. Instead, the greatest tragedy would be our failure to draw from the lessons embedded in the outcome of the elections.”
Power supply: Gloomier days ahead as 150m gas lost daily UDEME AKPAN
E
lectricity supply in Nigeria may worsen as the country loses about 150 million standard cubic feet of gas daily due to pipeline vandalism. Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. David Ige, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, that began yesterday in Houston, Texas, USA. He admitted that the corporation was having issues linked with the power sector in the past two months, adding that one leg of the EscravosLagos pipeline between
Escravos and Ojidi and Warri has been down due to vandalism. “It has taken us this long to repair the pipeline because, the elections meant that the Joint Task Force, JTF could not provide security for our people to access the terrain. It is only now after the elections that the people can now go in there and access the location. Work is ongoing to effect that repair,” he said. He said in addition, the trans-Forcados pipeline which was attacked about four weeks ago had not been put back on stream because of new cases of vandalism along the same line, adding that the corporation is losing gas supply from Obein, Sapele and from NPDC, which
has a huge capacity. Ige said there had also been problem with evacuation. According to him, even as the corporation has been able to supply gas to Okpai power plant, evacuation challenge has made it practically impossible to release power. “So, Okpai sometimes has not been able to operate at full capacity. We are able to supply to Ibom power, but Ibom power has been operating at about 50 per cent capacity for a few months now. “Although the gas is there, the power plant is not working at full capacity. We are able to supply gas to Alaoji, but the Alaoji power plant is not able to evacuate power because when Alaoji is on, you cannot evacuate Alaoji
and Calabar. “It is a combination of issues, there was a time that the hydro generation was at its lowest; we have lost 300mw from Shiroro as a result of hydro going down. “So, bringing all these together is almost like a perfect storm for a much reduced generation,” he said. Ige projected that over the next couple of weeks, as repair work begins and the rainy season draws nearer; there would be improvement in power supply because all the problems are short-term. He said gas price should not be an issue for producers and consumers because it had been increased to export parity in Nigeria, adding that today’s challenge is not that of pricing.
up with recurrent expenditure, including salaries and overheads, since the Constitution allows the Executive to explore the financing option pending the passage of yearly budgets. She said: “I want to clarify some of the information in the media that the National Assembly passed the budget without the subsidy. This is not true. I also want to share with you that we have sent in a budget with a benchmark price of $52 per barrel, the National Assembly passed a benchmark oil price of $53 per barrel. That is one dollar higher than the budget proposal. “This generated an extra revenue of N54bn for the Federal Government; they retained the production volume of 2.2782 million barrels per day and exchange rate of N190 to a dollar.’’ Giving a breakdown of the budget, she said gross federally collectible revenue was raised by N169.845bn, from N9.61trn to N9.78trn due to increase in the benchmark price by a dollar. In addition, OkonjoIweala explained that the budget revenue provisions were raised by the legislature to N3.452trn up from the N3.358trn earlier proposed by the Executive. Similarly, she reported that on the expenditure side, the aggregate expenditure passed was increased to N4.49trn by the National Assembly as against the aggregate expenditure of N4.425trn proposed by the Executive. The minister, who pointed out that the debt service provision was unchanged at N943.62bn, however, said that statutory transfers were increased. Specifically, she said that NDDC transfer was increased from N45.75b to N46.72bn; UBE from N67.3bn to N68.3bn; National Assembly from N115bn to N120bn; Human Rights Commission, from N1.2bn to N1.516bn. She said pension was slightly reduced from N231.4bn to N231.06bn, adding that other categories were removed and some moved to other sections of the budget. On the expenditure, the minister clarified that aggregate capital expenditure, including transfers and SUREP, was increased to N722.2bn from N663.67bn; while the fiscal deficit was decreased
from N1.067trn to N1.041trn with the deficit from the GDP decreased from 1.119 per cent to 1.09 per cent. Making further clarification on the revenue projections, Okonjo-Iweala said the drop in oil revenue which began in 2014 had impacted negatively on gross federally collectible revenue. For instance, she disclosed that the country experienced about 50 per cent drop in collectible revenues largely due to the drop in oil prices as well as low revenue receipts from nonoil sources over the past 10 months, thereby compelling the government to resort to borrowing. Making further clarification on the fiscal position of government this year, the minister explained that despite efforts by government to reduce the level of borrowing, such could not be achieved due to cash flow problems. For instance, she said government’s borrowing was brought down to about N570bn last year but that the figure had to be jacked up in the current fiscal year to about N882bn in order to cushion the negative impact of revenue decline. The minister said: “We have tried to work within the budget. The budget provides for N882bn in borrowing and we have had to increase the borrowing budget this year as compared to last year when we have actually brought it down. If you all recall, we said we will be bringing down borrowing to finance the budget and we have been doing that steadily. “Last year, the borrowing came down to about N570bn but this year, because of the very difficult cash flow situation, we provided N882bn in borrowing. About N380bn of that is external borrowing and the balance of N502bn slated for domestic borrowing. So, what we’ve had to do to manage this first half is to front load the borrowing programme which is a normal reaction that you have because the cash crunch situation has been very difficult. “In the budget, we provided for N882bn and all we have borrowed is within the budget. What we have borrowed so far is N473bn and so we still have more room for borrowing.”
6
News
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Jonathan appoints new Executive Secretary for PEF
Xenophobia: Senate seeks recall of suspended Perm Sec
...Kentebe as NCDMB Executive Secretary
GEORGE OJI
ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA
P
resident Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Asabe Ahmed, as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF. Ahmed takes over from
Mrs. Sharon Kasali, who was PEF Executive Secretary since 2007. A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the new PEF Executive Secretary hails from Niger State and holds Bachelor and Masters degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,
and the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, respectively. She is expected to put her years of experience in public service to good use in re-engineering, repositioning and re-invigorating PEF for present and future challenges. Similarly, Jonathan has approved the appointment of Mr. Denzil Kentebe
Flooded part of Davies Street off Broad Street in Lagos Island after yesterday’s downpour, yesterday.
as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Management Development Board, NCDMB. Kentebe, an architect with years of experience in strategic planning and policy management, takes over from Engr Ernest Nwapa, who has been Executive Secretary of the NCDMB since April 2010.
ABUJA
F
ormer Managing Director of Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company, NSMPC, Emmanuel Okoyomon, has rejected the verdict of Abuja Federal High Court that okayed request of the Federal Government to extradite him to the United Kingdom for trial. He has consequently gone before the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal with an application to set aside the verdict. He is also requesting the court to issue an order staying execution of the judgment. The application preempts an alleged move by the government to whisk him away to the United Kingdom by filing a motion to stay execution of the said
verdict delivered on May 4. In the notice of appeal filed on the appellant’s behalf by his counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), he formulated four grounds why the decision of the Federal High Court should be upturned. In ground one of the said appeal notice, Izinyon contended that “the learned trial judge erred in law when he ordered the extradition of the appellant to Great Britain to stand criminal trial.” He cited three particulars of error to support ground one, which includes the following: * There is no subsisting Act of the National Assembly or treaty between Nigeria and Great Britain upon which the decision of the court was premised. * There was also no Order made by the President of Federal Republic of Nige-
ria applying the provisions of the Extradition Act. Cap E25, LFN 2004 to Great Britain as envisaged by Section 1(6) of the Extradition Act, Cap E25, LFN 2004. * The Order for the Extradition of the Appellant is not supported by any legislation. In ground two, Izinyon submitted that “the learned trial court erred in law when he held that the Extradition Treaty between Great Britain and the United States of America signed at London on November 22, 1931 is applicable to Nigeria and ordered the extradition of the Appellant to Great Britain to stand trial, relying on the said treaty between Great Britain and the United States of America.” In support of ground two, he cited seven particulars of error, where he stated that “the said treaty be-
S
enate yesterday resolved to write President Goodluck Jonathan to plead with him to reconsider the indefinite suspension clamped on the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the recall of Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa. The Federal Government last week suspended the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, over his unauthorised recall of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Martin Cobham. Sheni withdrew the envoy from South Africa at the heat of the xenophobic attacks on foreigners and their businesses. The action of the envoy was without recourse to the presidency, an action which angered President Jonathan, making him order Sheni’s suspension on Monday, April 27, through Head of Service of the Federation. But rising under Order
PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI
IGP orders clamp down on cult groups
Ex-mint boss asks A’Court to quash extradition order ISE-OLUWA IGE
ABUJA
43 of the Senate standing order on matter of urgent national importance yesterday, Senator Abdul Ningi (Borno South) while observing that the permanent secretary has no powers whatsoever to recall an ambassador without a clear directive by the government urged the Senate to appeal to the President to be merciful. According to the lawmaker, “he (Permanent Secretary) did the wrong thing at the wrong time and should not have done it because of the mood of the nation. So, the President, a humble man, should tamper justice with mercy.” While acknowledging that the issue is a very sensitive one, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over yesterday’s session, assured that the senate will write the President to make a special case for the recall of Sheni. “The issue of the recall is a very sensitive matter and we will convey the issue to the president,” Ekeremadu assured.
OMEIZA AJAYI tween the Great Britain and United States of America is not applicable to Nigeria.” However, wary that government may overreach him and extradite him to the UK, Okoyomon filed a motion for stay of execution of the extradition order of Justice Evoh Chukwu. In the said motion, he prayed the court for an order of court staying the execution of Justice Chukwu’s judgement delivered on May 4. The United Kingdom had forwarded an extradition request to the Federal Government for Okoyomon, requiring him to answer to charges relating to his alleged role in the bribery scandal involving officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the NSMPC and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.
I
nspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has ordered immediate clamp down on cult groups across the country. He specifically expressed serious concern about activities of cult groups in Benue, Rivers, Edo, Cross River and Akwa-Ibom states. The directive was announced in a statement issued by the Force in Abuja yesterday and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu. Ojukwu said the IGP has consequently directed all Command Commissioners of Police and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs of the affected states to arrest and prosecute any youth engaging in cult activities in order to forestall increasing menace of the evil. “The IGP warned all the
state Police Commissioners and Divisional Police Officers to be on the lookout for these cultists and bring them to book”, Ojukwu stated. The statement however, advised parents and guardians to warn their wards and children against this social menace that can jeopardise their future. While observing that no nation can develop if their youths, the leaders of tomorrow are involving themselves in cultism and other criminal activities, the IGP urged the youths to rather engage in productive activities.
Arase
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
News 7
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Exam malpractice: WAEC announces stiffer punishment SAIDAT ALAUSA
W
est African Examinations Council, WAEC, has said that henceforth candidates caught impersonating in WAEC examinations would have their names, photographs, as well as examination and certificate details published in national dailies and the council’s corporate website to serve as deterrent to others. This was stated in a press release at the end of 59th meeting of the Nigerian Examinations Committee held in Lagos recently and made available to Na-
…culprits names to be published tional Mirror. The committee also directed that several ad-hoc examination functionaries, who were indicted for involvement or condoning malpractice during the conduct of the November/ December 2014 WASSCE, be reported to the appropriate state Ministries of Education and other relevant bodies for disciplinary action, in addition to sanctions imposed on them by the council. The committee, which is the highest decisionmaking organ of WAEC on examination-related mat-
ters in Nigeria, meets twice a year to consider matters relating to the conduct of May/June and November/ December West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE. In the course of considering the various reported cases of malpractice, the committee approved appropriate sanctions in all established cases of malpractice, as prescribed by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the council’s examinations. It also approved that the entire results of candidates involved in proven cases,
which attract cancellation of entire results be cancelled, while subject results of those involved in proven cases, which attract cancellation of subject results be similarly cancelled. In addition, some candidates will also suffer other sanctions such as barring them from sitting for the council’s examinations for a certain number of years. The decisions of the committee will be implemented without delay and the affected candidates will be duly informed by the council. However, the results of
L-R: Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Toro Oladapo; Director, Finance and Administration, Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Mr. Maroof Elegbede; Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Hon. Folami Olohuntele and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Oluranti Odutola, during the 2015 ministerial press briefing in commemoration of the 4th year of the second term in office of Governor Babatunde Fashola, in Lagos, yesterday.
Cultists kill 2 mothers in Benin T wo mothers were on Monday night killed by suspected cultists at different locations in Benin City, Edo State capital. The two mothers were killed when the suspects attacked the homes of their targets. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, learnt that the women were killed around Murtala Muhammed Way and the New Benin Area, respectively, in Edo State capital. While the one at Murtala Muhammed Way was killed for lying over the whereabouts of her son, the other was killed for
failure of the cultists to locate her son at home. An eye-witness account said the armed men stormed the Virginia junction by the Murtala Muhammed Way at 8pm in search of their target, said to be a 20-year-old boy. They were said to have first gone to a store belonging to the mother of their target, but when they queried the woman about the whereabouts of her son, she told them she had not set eyes on him for over two weeks. They were said to have gone to the residence of the boy and found him at home, where they shot
and killed him. Angered that the woman had lied to them, they went back to her shop and also shot her dead. A similar incident happened at New Benin, where the suspected cultists shot the mother of their target when they could not find him at home. An eye witness said the woman was shot in the eye and died almost immediately. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that over 20 persons have died within the past three weeks since the renewed cult war started in the Edo
capital. The reprisal killings were said to have started immediately after the elections, when a member of a cult group was killed during the polls. Spokesman for the state Police Command, Mr Stephen Onwochei, told newsmen that some arrests have been made. When asked about the number of persons that have been killed since the renewed cult war started, he said: “I cannot give you the accurate figure, but we are compiling and once we are done, we will parade them. We are still investigating,” he said.
candidates who were exonerated by the committee will be released. The committee, as in previous meetings, strongly expressed concern at the alarming incidence of malpractice in examinations and urged stakeholders to join hands in curbing the menace.
Members also noted that there was need to create more awareness of the penalty attached for bringing mobile phones into examination halls by candidates, and recommended that metal detectors be used to stop candidates from smuggling mobile phones into examination halls.
FG did not overshoot budgetary spending by N365.35bn –CBN TOLA AKINMUTIMI
C
entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has stated that the Federal Government did not over-spend its budgetary allocations in the second half of the 2014 fiscal year. The clarification, it pointed out, became imperative in view of allegations being peddled in some sections of the media that the government overshot its budget by 365.35 billion during the period, saying the allegation ass untrue and misleading. The apex bank’s Director of Communication, Mallam Ibrahim Mu’a zu, stated in a release issued yesterday that contrary to insinuations, which were erroneously inferred from the Financial Stability Report, the amount was not an over-expenditure, but the overall deficit during the second half of the year. He clarified: “The CBN would like to correct the erroneous reports in the press, which suggest that the Federal Government over-spent the budget by
N365.35 billion during the second half of 2014. “The Financial Stability Report from which this misleading conclusion was drawn clearly states “… the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an overall deficit of N365.35 billion or 0.8 per cent of GDP, as against the proportionate budget deficit of N482.10 billion for the second half of 2014. The deficit was financed mostly from privatisation proceeds.” According to him, this means that the Federal Government had initially projected to run a budget deficit of N482.10 billion during the second half of 2014, but however, the actual outcome turned out to be much less than projected at N365.35 billion. Mu’azu added that the difference of over N116 billion indicates some prudence, rather than profligacy, in fiscal management, saying that the apex bank notes that deficit financing of budgets, which is within the Fiscal Responsibility Act, is a widely accepted fiscal practice.
Ogar, DSS spokeswoman now Assistant Director
D
epartment of State Services, DSS, has promoted its spokeswoman, Marilyn Ogar, to the next rank of Assistant Director. Ogar, who occupies the office of Deputy Director, Public Relations, in the service, was promoted for her dedication to duty as well as her ability to keep sensitive details secret despite the schedule of her office, which usually sees
her interfacing with different publics. National Mirror checks revealed that Ogar’s new rank is next only to the highest rank of director in the service, the Director General, being mainly a political appointment. Ogar, a graduate from the University of Calabar, enlisted into the State Security Services, SSS, in 1988.
8
South West
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Lecturers send SOS to Ajimobi over unpaid salaries
•UCH striking doctors appeal to public K EMI OLAITAN IBADAN
A
cademic staff in various tertiary institutions in Oyo State under the aegis of Joint Action Forum of Academic Staff (JAFAS)
yesterday pleaded with Governor Abiola Ajimobi to have mercy on them by ensuring prompt payment of their four-month outstanding salaries. The academic staff made the appeal in a communiqué jointly signed by
Comrade Ajadi Kelani, Comrade Oke Kingsley and Adeniyu Afeez Bababatunde, ASUP chairman, The Polytechnic Ibadan, COEASU chairman, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, and ASUP chairman, Oyo State College of Agriculture and
Technology, Igbo-Ora, respectively, on behalf of their colleagues after a meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The lecturers also congratulated the governor on what they described as his well-deserved victory at the just-concluded governorship election,
L-R: Board member, Lagos Court of Arbitration, Chief Felix Okpho; Governor Babatunde Fashola; representative of Chief Judge of the State, Justice Toyin Oyekan-Abdullahi and President, Lagos Court of Arbitration, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, during inauguration of the centre in Lagos, yesterday.
Tribunal grants Jimi Agbaje leave to inspect poll materials MATTHEW IRINOYE
E
lection Petitions Tribunal sitting on governorship election in Lagos, yesterday granted leave to governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jimi Agbaje, to inspect election materials used for the April 11, 2015, governorship election. Chairman of the threeman tribunal led by Justice Muhammad Sirajo, also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to provide certified true copies of all polling documents, including printed data from card reader machines in every polling unit in the state. The orders were among two prayers out of five filed by the petitioner before the tribunal. The tribunal had earlier taken submissions of the petitioner through his counsel, Clement Onwuenmunor, and that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, represented by Ademola Sadiq. Onwuenmunor urged the tribunal to order INEC
to provide certified true copies of all polling documents, including printed data from card reader machines in each polling units in the state. It would be recalled that Agbaje lost the election to Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC, who was declared winner by INEC. He had dragged both INEC and Ambode before the tribunal, alleging that some irregularities were observed during the election, which contravened provisions of INEC and approved guidelines for the election. Meanwhile, speaking at the inaugural sitting at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja Division, Justice Sylvanus Oriji, chairman, Lagos State National and State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, warned lawyers that the tribunal would not tolerate strategies aimed at delaying the expeditious hearing and determination of petitions before it. Other members of the tribunal are Justices K. Dabo and Kadi Yusuf. The judge noted that election petitions were
delicate and sensitive to handle because they must be heard and determined within 180 days as specified by Section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution. He added that it is now established that any judgment delivered by an election tribunal in an election petition after 180 days from the date of filing is a nullity. Oriji implored the lawyers to give the tribunal the necessary support and cooperation both at the prehearing conferences and throughout the hearing of the petitions. Oriji, also urged the lawyers to be guided by the rules of professional conduct for legal practitioners and show respect to the Bench and their colleagues while conducting their matters before the tribunal. The judge advised the media to report the proceedings of the tribunal accurately, adding that they should contact the tribunal’s secretary when in doubt. He maintained that the tribunal would discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour, noting that its interest to do justice is higher than that of any in-
dividual. Responding on behalf of the lawyers, Mr Sadiq, assured the tribunal that all the admonitions given by the judge would be strictly adhered to in the interest of justice
wishing him a very successful second tenure. They, however, noted with heavy heart the unspeakable embarrassment the current situation has caused their members and relations among which is the premature loss of lives of members, most especially those who had been placed on life support drugs. The union also disclosed that members were now being forced to trek long distance to work and find it extremely difficult to pay their children’s school fees and many other untold hardships. They urged the governor to, as a matter of urgency, see to their demand in order to prevent imminent industrial disharmony. Meanwhile, striking doctors under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, have urged members of the public to prevail on management of the hospital to accede to their request for better working condition, implementation of skipping circular and stoppage of casualisation of workers. President of the association, Dr. Lukman
Ogunjinmi, while speaking with journalists at the ARD Lounge of the hospital yesterday, said rather than blaming the doctors for the ongoing indefinite strike, the management should be chastised for its unyielding posture regarding the issues confronting the doctors in the hospital. Ogunjinmi, who was flanked by other officers of the association, tabled several agreements reached between them and the Prof. Temitope Alonge-led leadership of the hospital, stating that other teaching hospitals like the Usman Dan Fodio, OAUTH, FMC, IdoEkiti and a neighbouring teaching hospital in Ogun State have all complied with the directives of the Ministry of Health and the circular written by Head of Service of the Federation on the aforementioned issues. The ARD boss urged the management of the hospital to stop seeking clarification from National Salary and Wages Commission, adding that the only option left to it is to honour the circular from the ministry and the Office of the Head of Service, failure which would drag the strike longer than envisaged.
10, 606 Lagosians test positive to HIV FRANCIS SUBERU
N
o fewer than 10, 606 people living in Lagos State tested positive to HIV out of 58,792 clients tested by the state’s AIDS Control Agency in the last one year. The dreadful revelation came to the fore during the ministerial press briefing of the Ministry of Health at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja. According to Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency was able to carry out HIV Counseling and Testing, HCT, on 58,792 people out of which 18 per cent tested positive. He also said during the sensitisation exercise for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) on prevention of mother to child trans-
mission of HIV, 28,736 were counselled and tested out of which 340 tested positive to HIV. Idris said, “The State Aids Control Agency was able to carry out HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) for 58,792 clients in health facilities and 10,606, representing 18 per cent of these patients were positive. “The agency conducted the fourth phase of sensitisation of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) on Prevention of Mother of Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT), Universal Safety Precautions (USP) and Referral Linkage to PMTCT intervention. “A total of 28, 736 pregnant women were counselled and tested during the outreaches. Of this number, 340 were positive and referred for PMTCT services.”
Idris said 2,957 HIV positive patients commenced antiretroviral treatment in the year under review, even as 1,066 HIV positive pregnant women and 745 HIV exposed babies were placed on ARV prophylaxis. Speaking on infrastructural development in the health sector, the commissioner said the state essentially needs to enhance the efficiency of the health workforce as well as increase the scope and quality of service delivery in the health facilities. He added that the infrastructure development involved the revamping of health and related structures through phased rehabilitation, equipping and upgrading of existing health facilities and the construction of new ones at all levels of care.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
South West
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
9
Vandals destroy NNPC pipeline in Ogun FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA
A
s the independent marketers of premium motor spirit (PMS) continue to dispense the product above official pump price, a gang of vandals yesterday ruptured a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipeline at the
Abeokuta-Ogere highway in the neighbourhood of Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, in an attempt to siphon fuel. The impact of the incident, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday, was minimal due to the timely intervention of men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and officials NNPC who
raced to the site. When National Mirror visited the site in company of men of the NSCDC led by the command’s spokesperson, Kareem Olanrewaju, instruments left by the fleeing vandals such as chisel, cutlasses and jerry cans used in their nefarious act littered the scene. The heavy downpour in the area helped in pre-
venting fire outbreak. However, as a precautionary measure, a firefighting vehicle was on hand to take care of any eventuality. A team of NNPC staff were on hand to repair the damaged pipeline. According to Olanrewaju, pipeline vandalism is rampant in the area, stressing that the NSCDC had some time ago prevented a major
incident like that of yesterday. He said he got information about the incident around 3am and that the command quickly dispatched men to the scene and also informed the authorities of the NNPC to shut the flow from their station to prevent further loss of the product. Sensing danger, the vandals abandoned the site and fled.
“This place has been having incessant attacks of vandalism. We have tried to reduce it and for some time, there was no report of such incident here. “At about 3am in the morning, I received a call and immediately we dispatched our men. The vandals ran away and our men took charge of the scene with petrol gushing out.
Ejigbo market torture: Lagos govt arraigns 10 persons Blame unionists, students for MATTHEW IRINOYE
L
agos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions yesterday arraigned 10 persons for allegedly torturing three women accused of stealing pepper at Oba Morufu International Market, Ejigbo, on February 11, 2013. The defendants, who were arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual
assault, malicious administration of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them. Those arraigned include market leader, Isiaka Waidi; Buhari Yusuf, Abdullahi Haruna and Saheed Adisa. Others are Lateef Tijani, Ahmed Adisa, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Adekunle Adenuga and Oloruntoyin Dauda. Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Idowu Alakija, said the defendants
had tortured the trio of Nike Salami, Juliana and Joke Agomo, for allegedly stealing pepper in the market. Alakija said the women were beaten up, stripped naked and pepper was rubbed over their bodies by the suspects, who are members of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC. The defendants were also alleged to have inserted sticks and obnoxious substances into the women’s private parts, while the incident was recorded with a mobile phone. They were also accused
of obtaining N50,000 from one Fima Agomo, who is a relative to the victims by claiming that the money would be used to repay the traders whose pepper was stolen. According to her, their offences contravene Sections 44, 127 (1) 171,228 (2), 241,243, 259, 270, 312, 408 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The judge however ordered the defendants to be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications fixed for May 21.
Osun guber: Supreme Court to hear Omisore’s appeal BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO
T
he Supreme Court will tomorrow begin hearing in the appeal of candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the August 9, 2014, Osun State governorship election, Senator Christopher Iyiola CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bisiriyu Adijat Aderayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sabitu Adijat Aderayo. All former document remain valid NYSC and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Ajani Bilikis Abiodun, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Abdulwahab Bilikis Ajani. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.
CHANGE OF NAME
KAZEEM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nofisat Oyindamola Kazeem, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Nofisat Oyindamola Olawale. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Karo Justina Bothe, now wish to be known and addressed as Karo Justina Schallenmueller. All former documents remain valid. General public take note
Omisore, against the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Omisore had appealed against the verdict of an Akure Court of Appeal that upheld the judgement of Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime tribunal, which affirmed Governor Aregbesola’s victory at the poll. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fabunmi Olubukola Titilope now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Salisu Olubukola Titilope. All former document remain valid. NYSC and general public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME
This is to inform the general public that my name is Salami Wasiu, not Salam Wasiu, as it appeared in my GT Bank acount. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ADEBANJO : Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebanjo Olufunmilayo Yemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ilori Adebanjo Olufunmilayo Yemisi. All former documents remain valid. Ondo State Hospital Management Board and General Public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nureni Basirat Amoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adetokunbo Basirat Amoke. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Mid-Wivery Council of Nigeria and General public take note
According to the appeal notice issued by the Supreme Court dated April 30, 2015, and dispatched to parties in the matter, the court disclosed it would commence hearing of the appeal at 9am tomorrow. The appeal notice also indicated that there would be adoption of the briefs of arguments earlier filed by the CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunfowokan Modupe Adebowale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okunowo Modupe Adebowale. All former document remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission Abeokuta, First Bank, UBA PLC Ijebu Ode and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinwale Debola Oloyejobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebiyi Debola Oloyejobi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
AWOYINKA : Formerly known and addressed as Miss Awoyinka Toyin Wemimo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Fapohunda Toyin Wemimo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dairo Funmilola Abosede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunsina Funmilola Abosede. All former documents remain valid.NYSC and general public take note.
parties before the court. Senator Omisore and the PDP filed 14 grounds of appeal and formulated nine issues for determination, while the respondents, Governor Aregbesola and the APC, also raised some preliminary objections to the notice of appeal filed against the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Akure. CHANGE OF NAME
continued closure of LASU –LASG FRANCIS SUBERU
L
agos State government yesterday said the bulk of troubles bedeviling the Lagos State University, LASU, were caused by various unions in the institution and some students. Speaking during the yearly ministerial press briefing of the Ministry of Education at the state’s Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, special adviser to the governor on education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, who responded to questions posed by journalists after initial briefing by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, noted that unionists in the university have overbearing attitude and have been fueling the crisis in it. According to Otunba Fatai, lecturers, students and management of the university need to be talked to, adding that unless they go back and develop a sense of reasoning, the school would not be reopened. CHANGE OF NAME
The special adviser said: “LASU was established by law, which gave the management and Governing Council board the power to run the university. When there is a problem they cannot resolve, it is brought to the governor for intervention. “We don’t just dabble into LASU crisis because we have a statutory governing council that is competent and capable of handling matters affecting it. “The crisis in LASU is that you cannot dictate to your employer to sack anybody. When they came they don’t want the vice chancellor, we said, look, it is wrong for you to say that we should send him packing. “Imagine if you run a company and somebody you employed wakes up one day and said you should sack the managing director, or somebody who the chief executive officer employed and rose through the ranks, and because he is a unionist he says you should sack the chief executive officer. I think we have to have a rethink. CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Awosanya Oluwayemisi Adetutu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bello Zainab Oluwayemisi. All former document remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.
Formerly known and addressed as Dada Hannah Ayomide now wish to be known, called and addressed as Oluokun Hannah Ayomide. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public should please take note
OLUYELU : I formerly known and addressed as Adeyeye Oluwabukola Francisca now wish to be known and addressed as Oluyelu Oluwabukola Francisca . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obetta Rosemary Obiageri now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Nwaenyi Rosemary Obiageri Catherine. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public should please take note
I formerly known and addressed as Omoyemi Folashade Agbebi now wish to be known, called and addressed as Talabi Omoyemi Folashade All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public should please take note
ESTHER: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Silas Nyako, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Esther Steve Job. All documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ABOLAJI : I formerly known as Aluko Hannah Olayemi, now wish to be known as Abolaji Hannah Olayemi. All former documents remain valid. Schools of Health Information Management, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sunmola Ayisat Ibukun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwemimo Ayisat Ibukun. All former documents remain valid. General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Ajisafe Ayowole Isaiah now wish to be known and addressed as Olapade Steven Adewale. All former documents remain valid. General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Abimbola Omolara Rebecca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. AdekoyaAbimbola Omolara Rebecca. All former documents remain valid. General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluremi Temitope Rosemary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Shobowale Temitope Rosemary. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Esther Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Craig Esther Abosede. All former documents remain valid.General public take note
10
South East
G
overnor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has described the threat of impeachment against him by the House of Assembly as futile. Reacting to the threat while briefing journalists in Enugu yesterday, Chime said the Assembly had not followed constitutional procedures. The governor said the constitution required two-thirds of members to impeach him, but they did not reach the required number. According to him, the Assembly comprises 24 members, but only 14 members, including the Speaker, met to commence the impeachment proceedings. He said at least 16 members of the house were needed to investigate the allegations against him, even as he said he was yet to receive any impeachment notice. On the allegation of financial misconduct, Chime said since assuming office in 2007, the ac-
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Impeachment plot against me futile —Chime • PDP supporters protest counts of the government had been audited and published annually till 2014. The governor stated that the audited accounts and budgets were given to the Assembly and interested members of the public. He maintained that the allegation of forgery of 2012 supplementary budget was a rude shock as he only reallocated funds through virement. Chime explained that the Assembly authorised the government to obtain the loan of N11 billion in November 2014 through its resolution which was communicated to him. “Their resolution dated November 13, 2014 authorised the state government to obtain loans of N1 billion and N10 billion from UBA to refinance facilities at GTB and for infrastructural projects in the state,’’ he
said. On concession of the water corporation, the governor said the government only engaged a company, AG Gold, to help in water infrastructure after previous attempts by three companies failed. Chime explained that everything concerning water was in the law, adding that the government had not gone contrary to the law. He alleged that the ag-
grieved legislators asked for financial inducements which he refused. Meanwhile, no fewer than 1,000 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP faithful stormed the Government House yesterday, protesting against the purported impeachment plan against the governor. The protesters, drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state, carried placards with inscriptions: ‘Sullivan
is fair to every member of the House’, ‘Let peace reign in Enugu State’, ‘Sullivan is a good governor’, and ‘We are solidly behind the new speaker, Chinedu Nwamba.’ Coordinating Chairman of PDP at the local government, Albert Eze, said the party condemned the impeachment plan against the governor. According to him, PDP in the state would resist
any attempt to foment trouble in the area. However, PDP Woman Leader, Mrs Oby Nwofor, appealed to the state government and legislators to sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue in the interest of the state and its peoples. The PDP Youth Leader, Dr Christian Iyiani, said youths in the state would fight any group that wants to cause confusion in the area.
Anambra Assembly defers confirmation of commissioner —nominee Charles Okeke AWKA
A
nambra State House of Assembly has deferred the confirmation of Mr Joseph Muoka for the post of commissioner to Thursday when it would sit again. Members of the House of Assembly had at its plenary yesterday, postponed Muoka’s confirmation as a new commissioner, when it was discovered that the nominee did not appear in person to be screened. Moves to postpone the confirmation of Muoka as one of the new commissioners appointed by Governor Willie Obiano began to unfold when the member from Onitsha North I Constituency, Chugbo Enwezor, moved a motion for members to suspend deliberation on the nominee’s appointment until he appears in person before the house for screening. Enwezor, while stating that it would be wrong to confirm Muoka’s appointment without seeing him in person, noted also that the nominee needs to appear before the house to explain his absence at Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Chinwe Nwaebili.
Moving his motion, Enwezor stated: “It will be good if we see him before we confirm him and I hereby move that confirmation of Muoka who is not here before us should be deferred to Thursday.” Gabriel Onyenwife of Ayamelum Constituency seconded the motion, which was thereafter adopted by the House after voting. Motion by the House Majority Leader, Harford Oseke, to proceed and confirm Muoka’s appointment was killed. It is however expected that the House will confirm Muoka’s appointment at its next sitting on Thursday. Earlier at its plenary last week, the Assembly had confirmed the names of five persons which were forwarded to it by the governor for consideration as new commissioners, even as one of the nominees, Mark Okoye, was dropped for not having attained the mandatory 30 years of age. The successful nominees, who are awaiting assignment of portfolio by the governor and swearingin are Chinwe Nwaebili, Mrs Amaka Ilobi, Dr Mary Nwogu, Frank Ofor and Afam Mbanefo.
L-R: Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano; Auxilliary Bishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dennis Isizoh, and Governor Willie Obiano, at the Reception Mass for the new Bishop at St Joseph Catholic Church, Aguleri, recently.
Admission scam rocks Imo School of Nursing Chris Njoku OWERRI
S
tudents of School of Nursing, Umulogho community in Imo State have expressed bitterness and disappointment over continuous extortion of money by the school’s management headed by Rev. Sr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwachukwu. The school’s management, it was gathered, in collaboration with the principal, Rev. Sr. Nwachukwu, charges students illegal fees. It was learnt that after paying the mandatory N160,000 school fee, students admitted through the backdoor were to pay N450,000 as fees. Some visibly angry students told National Mirror that they were forced to pay other illegal fees of N40,000 for
the purchase of school bus. The students said they were asked to pay the money into Rev. Nwachukwu’s private account in Ecobank, though the school’s bank account is with First Bank Plc. The students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they may have no option than to go on protest to demand the sack of the principal and the entire management, saying that since inception of Nwachukwu’s administration, illegal fees, admission racketeering and poor learning facilities have been a common feature in the school. “We are fed up with the school’s system,” the students said. Reacting to the situation, a youth in the community, Mr. Ikechukwu Iweajunwa, said if nothing was done by the
school owners to checkmate illegal activities the school might lose its accreditation from the Nursing Council. Iweajunwa said there were 48 first year students whose names were shortlisted for capping ceremony organised by the principal and confirmed by Nursing Council officials on December 2014. He further disclosed that after the ceremony, the principal illegally admitted over 80 students from the backdoor, who allegedly paid over N400,000 each. “The admission limit for first year students by Nursing Council rules is 70, but there is approximately 127 students in the first year class,” he said. Iweajunwa expressed worry over the poor state
of learning facilities in the institution, wondering why the principal of the school was not borthered about upgrading the school, save to introduce policies that are not suitable for learning. In 2007, the host community revolted against the former school principal, Rev. Sr. Eberechukwu Onwu, over corrupt practices, which led to her sack. Iweajunwa said if nothing is done urgently to address irregularities in the institution, youths of the community may go on rampage to check the anomalies. When contacted on phone, the school principal, Rev. Nwachukwu declined comment on the issues raised. Also a text message on the issue was sent for her comment without response.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
South South
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
11
FG downgrades Asaba Airport over safety OLUSEGUN KOIKI
F
ederal Government has downgraded Delta State-owned Asaba Airport over inability of the state government to put in place measures that would guarantee safety and security of the airport users. Ministry of Aviation in a statement by Minister of Aviation, Chief
Osita Chidoka, stated that the downgrading of the airport takes immediate effect, adding that henceforth the airport would only accommodate Dash 8-Q400 aircraft or its equivalent until all safety issues are rectified. Chidoka recalled that the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, had raised several safety concerns over un-
dulations on the airport’s runway, lack of required strip, perimeter fencing, drainage, as well as lack of adequately-trained technical personnel. The statement added that the issue became a matter of serious concern in that despite series of meetings with, and assurances given by operators of the airport, the Delta State government, no concrete steps have been tak-
en to address the issues, which it said were capable of compromising safety of flight operations and passengers. Chidoka emphasised that the downgrading was carried out in the public interest, stressing that the government placed very high premium on safety and security of aviation passengers and would not compromise set standards for whatever reason.
The statement added: “The Federal Government has also drawn the attention of the owners of the airport to the fact that it has, through its inability to address the issues, violated the Compliance with Safety Standards as stipulated in the Nig. CARs Part 12.6.2 and 12.6.3 in respect of the airport runway and its associated facilities as well as adequately-trained personnel.
“The minister, however, assured that the airport would revert to its previous status as soon as all the safety concerns are adequately and satisfactorily addressed.” At present, Overland Airways, Arik Air and Aero Contractors operate direct flights to the airport from Lagos and other destinations in the country.
Monarch leads protest against abandoned N4bn contract inety-year-old paramount ruler of Agge community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, HRH David Gian Isiayi, yesterday led indigenes of his community in a peaceful protest over abandonment of a N4bn shore protection contract awarded by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The contract was awarded to an indigenous contractor, Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd., and it is expected to sand-fill and reclaim over 2.9km land of the community washed away by the surging ocean. The monarch and the angry indigenes of the community led by chairman of the Community Development Committee, Steven Fiopare, accused the contractor of engaging in illegal sub-letting of the contract to Kameala Consult Service Company and abandoning the site over alleged non-mobilisation by the NDDC. According to the community, in spite of the
peaceful disposition of the people to the project, which is meant to save the community from extinction by the rampaging ocean, the contractor had attempted to move its equipment away from site, but was stopped by the people. The protesting indigenes carried placards with inscriptions such as: “JTF should not be used, Don’t intimidate Agge people;” “NDDC, Beks and Kameala come and finish the job you were paid for!” and “Agge project money should not be used for politics.” They said the community would not release the heavy duty equipment belonging to the contractor unless an assurance for the completion of the job is given by the NDDC. According to the monarch, “the situation in Agge is threatening our existence as a people. The ocean has claimed half of our homes and people. I have ruled the community for over 41years and the deceit and failure of the company awarded the contract is a shameful act.
to track down the perpetrators. On Sunday night, another set of cult groups, the Scorpions and the Black Cats, also clashed on Idang Street near Ibesikpo, where they shot sporadically into the air. However, another dangerous gang which dominates the area, the Idang Boys, challenged them for
invading their territory, and succeeded in scaring them away. Two months ago, Idang Boys were alleged to have killed one of their members, Eteka, who was accused of tormenting the Ambo, Idang and Ibesikpo neighbourhood even after signing an undertaking not to operate in the ‘home neighbourhood.’
OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA
N Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bayelsa, Mr. Baritor Kpagih (left) presenting certificate of return to member-elect representing Ogbia Constuency 3 in Bayelsa House of Assembly, Naomi Ogoli, at the INEC office in Yenagoa, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
‘PDP plotting to assassinate APC members in Rivers’ DENNIS NAKU
PORT HARCOURT
R
ivers State leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been accused of plotting the assassination of members of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state. The allegation was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday and signed by state APC chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya. The party said the planned killing was due to PDP’s frustration over the hand-over process from Governor Chibuike Amaechi to the Governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, on May 29. The APC further alleged that another reason for the plot was the decision of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, to conduct local government election on May 23. The statement reads: “Credible intelligence just
received by the APC in Rivers State has confirmed that the leadership of the state’s chapter of the PDP has decided to commence targeted assassination of members of the APC in Rivers State. “The report confirmed that the decision to resort to yet another round of killing of APC members in Rivers State was reached following what PDP considers the high possibility of not having Barr Wike sworn in as governor of Rivers State on
May 29, 2015. “The dastardly plot is also reported to stem from the anger of PDP members over what they consider as frustration of the handover process by the incumbent governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. “Yet, another reason reportedly responsible for the plot is the decision by the RSIEC to conduct local government council elections on May 23, 2015. “The APC would like to
bring these evil plans of the PDP to the knowledge of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, State Director of the Department of State Security, DSS, Inspector General of Police and heads of all security agencies and call on them to urgently intervene, not only to prevent these planned killings but also to apprehend all those behind the plot and prosecute them according to the laws of the land.”
Cultists kill two in Calabar RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR
T
wo persons were murdered by young boys suspected to be members of a secret cult around Iboku Street near Ambo Street in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. The victims were murdered on Saturday evening by a rival cult gang operat-
ing in the neighbourhood in a bid to exert superiority and supremacy over another cult gang. A resident of the area, one Mr. Donatus Ikpeme, who claimed to be an eyewitness, said the two died as a result of gunshots by the police to scare the cult gangs. It is commonly thought that secret cults and crimes
were prevalent in Calabar South area of Cross River State, leading to crimes like pick-pockets and armed robbery. But police public relations officer in the state, Hogan Bassey, said they were aware of the cult clash that led to the death of the two, who were not easily identified. Bassey said they were doing everything possible
12
North
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Senate probes Wase, Plateau killings GEORGE OJI ABUJA
S
enate has mandated its committee on defence to probe the circumstances behind the invasion and killing of over
50 persons in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State by alleged military personnel last weekend. The committee is also to determine the true identity of the people who carried out the killing, particularly
whether or not they were real personnel of the Nigerian Army. On Saturday, May 2, some armed men wearing Army uniform in about 11 Hilux vehicles and one truck raided Wase local government, sacking five
villages and killing over 50 people, while leaving over 100 persons wounded in the process. At least, 20,000 people were displaced and are currently seeking refuge in Lantang South Local Council Area. Rising under Order 43
of the Senate standing order on matters of urgent national importance yesterday, Senator Victor Lar of Plateau South, while moving a motion to probe the killings, said the suspects were likely armed militia or Boko Haram soldiers wearing Nigerian Army uniforms to cause mayhem. He said their operations tended to imply that they are not genuine Nigerian Army personnel because they used machetes to hack down people, shot at and killed women and children, killed uniformed policemen and civil defence per-
sonnel, burnt every house within reach and used petrol to burn the bodies. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over yesterday’s sitting while sympathising with the people of Wase and the Plateau State government over the incident, said the prayer of the Senate was that the government should see to the end of such insurgency in whatever form, against the ordinary citizens. The Senate also condemned the evil acts and prayed it would not be repeated.
ICPC arraigns former prison staff for job racketeering ...may get up to 7 years jail if convicted ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA
L-R: Emir of Yamaltu, Alhaji Hassan Jonga; Provost, Federal College of Horticultural Technology, Dadin-Kowa and Deputy Provost, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf, during the 2014/2015 matriculation of the college in Gombe State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Blackout hits North West states …Kaduna Disco accuses union of sabotage A ZA MSUE KADUNA
W
orkers of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, KEDC, yesterday staged peaceful protest to mark the beginning of three days warning strike, as electricity blackout hit Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states. The union, who spoke through Assistant Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, North-west, Comrade Moses Amedu, alleged delay in payment of monthly salary, non-payment of salary arrears, inadequate equip-
WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN
T
raffic wardens in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, went on partial vacation yesterday as the number of vehicles on the roads reduced drastically due to fuel scarcity that got worse over the weekend. Commuters, motorists, and residents have been groaning over scarcity of
ment to work with. Amedu further alleged poor medical policy, nonrecognition of labour union and low supply of electricity to consumers in the aforementioned states. Meanwhile, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of KEDC, Garba Haruna, in a news conference in Kaduna, warned that the company did not need any external labour union to operate as a private company. He said the company had earlier in the privatisation process entered an agreement with the workers that once their severance was paid, they would only be engaged as contract staff
for a period of six months, which is due this May. According to Haruna, the management has given both the existing staff and fresh graduates, who wish to work with the company the opportunity to apply through online application process after which they would be invited for aptitude tests and interview in an attempt to get the best hands, as the work required efficiency. He further added that all the existing staff were paid 100 percent severance package, and it was agreed that the new investor has the right to terminate their appointment and recruit
young, energetic and information communication technology driven staff. “We don’t need the union to come and sit with us and tell us what to do just the way they have been doing with previous management. I do not see where union comes in as regarding privatisation process. “The reason for blackout includes the activity of the union who stopped some of the staff from work but we are doing everything to restore the power as soon as possible while the consultation is going on. So, embarking on strike and blocking the road will not solve their problem,” he said.
Fuel scarcity worsens in Ilorin fuel across the nation due to tanker drivers strike over non-payment for services rendered. School children, civil servants, health workers and other private citizens could not make it to their businesses till the afternoon and even at that commuters were stranded at major bus stops. To the motorists, it was
a replay of the bitter days of old during the military reign of the late General Sani Abacha. They formed long queues at every few filling stations that had fuel which did not go round to all intending buyers. Filling stations had another opportunity to arbitrarily jerk up their pump prices from the official N87
per litre, to as much as N300 in some cases. Apparently, loading of petrol expected to commence on Monday had not been effected in Ilorin, but sources told National Mirror late yesterday afternoon that there is hope that more lifting and discharging of petrol would resume later in the evening and possibly extend into the night.
I
ndependent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, has arraigned a former officer of the Nigeria Prisons Service, NPS, Ahmed Abdul, over job racketeering, before an Abuja High Court. The accused faces a twocount charge punishable under section 10 (a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act. When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty. The trial judge, Abubakar Kutigi of Abuja High Court after taking the plea adjourned the matter to June 23 for trial. The accused in the first count charge was alleged to have asked for N250,000 from one Adamu Abubakar with a signed agreement to help him secure employment with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in July 2014. If convicted, the accused faces up to seven years imprisonment, according to section 10 (a) (2) of the ICPC Act The provision stipulates: “Anything to be afterwards done or omitted or any favour, disfavour to be afterwards shown to any person, by a public officer in the discharge of his official duties or in relation to any such matter as aforesaid, is guilty of an offence
of official corruption and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for seven (7) years.” A petition to the ICPC chairman from one Babangida Jibril alleged that the accused asked for and received the said sum of money per person, from him and five other persons in order to get them jobs with the Nigerian Immigration, Civil Defence or Prison Service. Despite repeated demands by the petitioner and the others, the accused failed to provide the jobs he promised. Eventually, Abdu requested the job seekers to make further payments of N50,000 each to enable him get them their appointment letters which he never produced. Count two of the charge against Abdu reads in part; “That you Ahmed Abdu (M) sometime in the month of July 2014 or thereabout at Abuja FCT while being a public officer to wit: Prison Officer of the Nigeria Prisons Service, did receive the sum of N250,000 from one Adamu Abubakar, which sum was demanded by you on account of something which you promised to do for him afterwards i.e to secure him employment with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 10 (a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
13
Politics
Isiaka is courting public sympathy ahead of 2019 -Amosun’s aide
14
Jonathan, Buhari and $20bn oil revenue controversy
F
or a nation that the survival of its economy depends largely on oil and regarded as one of the largest oil producer in Africa, the alarm raised by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and now Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that $20 billion revenue from crude oil was missing generated a lot of controversy. The revelation jolted the President Goodluck Jonathanled administration, particularly when the country with the largest population on the African continent was facing challenges in the demand for provision of basic necessities of life for its increasing population. Sanusi, had then as the CBN governor written to Jonathan in September 2013, alleging that $49 billion was not remitted to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. On account of the allegation raised by Sanusi, there was reconciliation of NNPC accounts, since his letter generated a lot of controversy. The former governor of the CBN later said the unremitted fund was $12 billion and thereafter changed the figure to $20 billion, while calling for a thorough probe into the matter. However, before the thorough investigation he demanded for could be concluded on the matter, Sanusi was suspended from office on the orders of Jonathan on February 20 last year. The suspension notice issued to Sanusi stated that he was suspended to allow for proper investigations into alleged financial recklessness and misconduct contained in the reports of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN. Announcing Sanusi’s suspension, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a press statement said Jonathan’s administration took special notice of reports of the FRCN and other investigating bodies, which indicated that Sanusi’s tenure has been characterised by various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct, which were inconsistent with the administration’s vision of a Central Bank propelled by the core values of focused economic management, prudence, transparency and financial discipline. The government also said it was deeply concerned about far-reaching irregularities under Sanusi’s watch, which have distracted the Central Bank from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate. The suspension order, according to the government, was to urgently re-position the CBN for greater efficiency, respect for due process and accountability Pending conclusion of investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN, Sanusi was ordered to hand over to the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade, who later served as acting governor. Sanusi was in Niger Republic on official assignment when his suspension was announced. However, with the death of the 13th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, on June 6, last year, the opportunity to ascend to the throne became open to Sanusi as well as another contender for the royal seat and son of the deceased Emir, Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero. The former CBN governor was later announced by the Kano State government as the 14th Emir of Kano. However, concerned about the wild allegations of financial mismanagement by Sanusi, the Federal Government authorised the engagement of reputable international firm to carry out the forensic audit of the accounts of NNPC. The audit firm, PriceWaterHouseCooper, moved into action and beamed its searchlight into the account of
Twenty three days to May 29 when President Goodluck Jonathan would hand over power to General Muhammadu Buhari, the issue of the missing $20 billion oil money raised by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, now Emir of Kano, has again come into the public domain. With Buhari’s decision to revisit the issue after his inauguration as President and the release of the full report of the forensic audit into the allegation be released to the public, Nigerians anxiously wait for the oil revenue controversy to be put to rest, writes ROTIMI FADEYI.
Buhari
Jonathan
But the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has indicated his desire to pry into the controversial
$20 billion,
allegedly missing from the
NNPC.
NNPC after which it came out with a report that was submitted to Jonathan on February 2, this year at the Presidential Villa. In the report, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, a subsidiary of NNPC was directed to refund $1.48 billion to the Federation Account. Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, last week in an interview with State House Correspondents, confirmed that NPDC has started refunding money to the Federation Account. While speaking on the directive by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, asking the NPDC to refund $1.48 billion, Alison-Madueke said: “The money was owed by NPDC Limited for a block that had earlier been assigned from the NNPC to NPDC.” But the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has indicated his desire to pry into the controversial $20
billion, allegedly missing from the NNPC. However, the decision of the President-elect, General Buhari to revisit the $20 billion when he takes over power on May 29 stirred another round of controversy. Speaking while receiving a delegation of the Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who paid him a courtesy call, Buhari said that the way the issue of the $20 billion oil fund was handled, was not the best standard practice as government only resorted to sacking, Sanusi, the whistle blower. Buhari who spoke in Hausa language said: “I heard that some people have started returning money; I will not believe it until I see things for myself. “Imagine a situation where the former governor of CBN, who by God‘s grace would later become the Emir of Kano, raised an issue of missing billions of money, not in naira but in dollars – $20 billion. “What happened? Instead of investigating to know whether it was true that the money was missing or not, they simply found a reason to remove him. This issue would be revisited for us to know what happened.” However, Jonathan has again come out to clear the air surrounding the allegation of the $20 billion oil fund by directing that the full report of the forensic audit conducted by PwC on the accounts of NNPC be released to the public. In a statement issued by Special Adviser the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Abati said Jonathan was deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has anything to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20 billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
14
Politics
T
he candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Mr Gboyega Isiaka, has described the election of Governor Ibikunle Amosun as fraudulent. How do you react to this? Let me say straightaway that we are now in the court of public opinion. We did not seek this; it was thrust on us by people who are in the habit of overrating themselves. And their intention is simple. To corrupt public opinion in the hope that such opinion corruption will diffuse to the court of law. Otherwise, having taken his case to the court of law, one would have expected Mr Isiaka to devote his time to the suit. But our courts are not unaware of the antics of some political litigants in Nigeria. Rather than bring concrete evidence to the courts, they recourse to duplicitous stories on the pages of newspapers in the hope that the courts will rule in their favour based on such avalanche of lies in the media. It doesn’t happen that way. If you describe as fraudulent an election that has been hailed all over the country as free and fair and in line with pre-election surveys, opinion polls and prognoses by credible individuals, bodies and institutions, then it is a pity because you now face the selfinflicted burden of having to manufacture evidence to prove that. So you believe Isiaka stands no chance at the tribunal? Judges give verdicts based on facts, not sentiments; they deal with facts, not fantasies, and this is trite. As I stated a couple of days ago, Isiaka himself knows that he lost the election and knows the reasons why he lost. He knows about the performance of the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, which endeared him to voters. He is very much aware of how Amosun, despite being the incumbent, never took our people for granted, but went from village to village, hamlet to hamlet. He also canvassed for votes in towns and cities; toured the entire 236 wards in the state; went on an extensive local council tour and devoted hundreds of hours to meeting all shades, groups and socio-cultural associations across the state before the election. Please, ask Mr Gboyega Isiaka how many wards he visited during his campaign? He knows that his own electioneering never attained any steam until few days to the election, when it was already
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Isiaka is courting public sympathy ahead of 2019 –Amosun’s aide Soyombo Opeyemi, Special Assistant on Media to the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, reacts to the allegations against the governor by the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State in the recent general elections, Mr Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, adding that courts deals with facts and not fantasies. DEBORAH DIDI brings excerpts.
Gov. Amosu
Let me tell you that Mr Isiaka has only taken the tribunal option to score a cheap political point ahead of
2019 election
too late. And for his godfathers to resolve their tug of war over who should control the PDP candidate and party machinery only three days to the election did enormous damage to Isiaka’s campaign. Let me tell you that Mr Isiaka has only taken the tribunal option to score a cheap political point ahead of 2019 election. He wants to court public sympathy; he wants to be seen as the champion of the masses in order to get a soft-landing come 2019. There’s also the paranoia of having to
lose election thrice in a row to the same candidate. So when some politicians go to tribunal, they have other reasons. Unfortunately they waste the time of people who have high regard for their time. Isiaka has also accused Amosun of pursuing self-aggrandizing projects… You know such comments are made to seek newspaper headlines. I told you in an interview before the election that but for the freedom allowed during campaign, we should have dragged these people to court
for using the name of Amosun without permission to raise their public profile. They need to attack Amosun in order to remain in the public domain. And I don’t have any problem with the opposition attacking or criticising Amosun, provided they do so with facts. Even the governor himself has said severally that we need constructive criticisms to keep us on our toes. But when a 10-kilometre road is constructed for say N50 million, you then sit in your critic armchair to divide N50 million by 10 and claim that each kilometer costs N5 million, deliberately ignoring the fact that on that same 10-kilometre, you have one overhead bridge or flyover, two or three bridges constructed over river and several other road furniture. Does it make sense to pick your calculator and say a kilometer of road costs N5 million, when it is known in construction world that such bridges will take close to 30% of the entire cost. Is this criticism or sheer deceit? What is self-aggrandizing in erecting model schools, in providing free education, in providing limited free health care through Gbomoro, in providing hundreds of transformers in order to bring to life comatose businesses, in building light rail, in boosting agriculture through provision of massive land clearing equipment, in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and thousands of jobs generated for our youths? But for the investment of Amosun in security, what will have become the economy of our state today? How will our people who could not sleep in the night and work in the day under the climate of fear be productive? How will a global institution like the World Bank have taken notice of the giant strides made in just few years of the current administration? Were you not here in 2008 and 2010 when the respected institution rated Ogun as lowest in terms of ease of doing business in Nigeria? And the same body says we’ve moved to the top rung of development ladder within three years of the Amosun administration. Is that also self-aggrandizing? Politicians should not play politics at the expense of our people.
Jonathan, Buhari and $20bn oil revenue controversy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Abati stated that in order to lay the matter to rest, Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians would be properly informed on the matter. Abati in the statement also dismissed allegations that officials of the Federal Government are engaged in “last minute looting of the nation’s resources, rushed privatisation of key institutions and hurried recruitment into the public service.” He said the present administration considered such statement as most unfortunate and uncharitable, adding that the suggestion by the APC spokesman that the Jonathan administration was trying to “tie the hands” of the incoming government merely by continuing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities until the end
of its tenure was untrue. According to him, the Jonathan administration which continues to do its best to ensure a smooth and peaceful handover over of power to the President-Elect, General Buhari, deeply regrets the unfairness and combative frame of mind reflected in Lai Mohammed’s statement. Abati noted that Jonathan has done his best in the past five years to discharge his constitutional responsibilities for good governance and effective leadership of the nation. He further said: “Without any prejudice whatsoever to the freedom of the incoming administration to do as it pleases, within the confines of extant laws when it assumes office, the Jonathan administration will continue to discharge its responsibility to govern until May 29. “In continuing to fulfill the obligations of his office however, President Jonathan has not, and will never condone any form of unscrupulous conduct on the part of
state officials. “President Jonathan will also never authorise any attempt to create any problems for the incoming administration as the APC spokesperson, who ought to know that the outcome of the March 28 presidential elections does not imply a cessation of governance, unjustly alleges. “As Alhaji Mohammed threatened in his statement, the incoming administration will be perfectly within its rights to review all actions of the present government as it may deem fit. “We see nothing wrong with that. After all, the present administration reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office with resultant benefits for policy and project implementation.” With the release of the forensic report on the $20 billion oil revenue to the public, Nigerians anxiously await for the matter to be put to rest.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror National News www.nationalmirroronline.net
15 15
From The Civil Service NULGE charges staff on dedication
Jonathan lays foundation of TETFund Teaching Hospital in Benue MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA
The statement said the President who was represented by Vice-President, Arch Namadi Sambo, explained that Nigeria would be better for it in future when the institutions start churning out professionals to cater for the health needs of the Nigerians. He was quoted further as expressing delight with the level of expertise the institution would produce in the nearest future, as he described the institution as a centre of excellence. The President noted the efforts of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and National Universities Commission (NUC) to make the project a reality, while also appreciating the local communities for donating a vast land for the site. “He said the project is in continuation of the
promises made by his administration to focus on infrastructure and improvement of education as well as health sectors in the country. “In his remark Senate President, Senator David Mark, said the people of Benue State would forever remain grateful to the Federal Government for bringing such a huge project to their soil. “Mark said: ‘The Teaching Hospital and College of Health Sciences are the President’s brain child and we can’t thank you enough. It will become one of your legacies”, he noted. Similarly, Benue State Governor, Hon. Gabriel Suswam, in his remarks described President Goodluck Jonathan as a quite achiever, stating that the institutions would be a developmental landmark
that personifies the President. He thanked the President for choosing Benue for such a big project, saying that it would open up developmental opportunities not only for the people of the state, but the entire Nigerians. In his goodwill message, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of University of Agriculture, Chief ChikeUdenze said the idea of building the education/ health institutes was an affirmation of the present administration’s relentless effort to transform the education sector. The Pro-Chancellor also lauded the presidential implementation committee as well as other agencies involved in ensuring the smooth take-off of construction of the site.
Osun NMA writes Aregbesola over unpaid salaries, allowances BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO
O
sun State Branch of Nigerian Mediresident Goodluck cal Association Jonathan has laid ,NMA, yesterday wrote an the foundation for open letter to the state govthe commencement of ernor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesoconstruction of the Unila over unpaid six months versity Teaching Hospital salaries and other welfare and College of Medicine, packages for members. both campuses of the UniIn the letter signed by versity of Agriculture, the chairman and the Makurdi, Benue State. secretary of NMA Action The twin project occuCommittee, Dr R.A Adepies 600 hectares of land bayo and Dr Adeola Ajisited at Akwete-Akpa, bare, and addressed to the Otukpo, community in the governor, copies of which state, according to a recent were made available to statement made available newsmen, the body stated to National Mirror by Pubthat medical doctors and lic Relations Officer of other workers in the state TETFund, Ezenwa Chinehad been in agony over the nyeze. failure of the state governThe release informed ment to pay them their that TETFund had resalaries. leased N200 million to enBut All Progressives sure the smooth take-off of Congress, APC, Osun the project. state chapter, had earlier in a statement issued by Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, the party’s spokesperson, implored the state Nigerian Labour Congres, NLC, and civil servants to exercise patience over the “current economic crisis in the state”, saying “solution is less than 60 days away”. The party said “new APC Federal government has given assurances that it would look into the Federal allocation to the states to reduce months of unpaid salaries, as soon as the new government is sworn in on May 29, 2015.” The APC further explained that “the long and difficult battle to defeat the forces of evil that have squandered the nation’s Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mr Emeka Mba (4th-L front row); Minister of Information, Sen. Patricia wealth has just been won Akwashiki (4th-R front row) and some directors of NBC and Ministry of information during official visit of the minister to NBC comprehensively.
P
Headquarters in Abuja, recently.
Marketers to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products –Official
NAFDAC warns against hawking of unauthorised herbal medicine P.41
P.42
P.42
“This has now paved the way for a new, progressive and responsible APC government to take over the affairs of the country and end the suffering which PDP corruption, mismanagement and treasury looting have brought on Nigerians including workers in the state of Osun.” But NMA in its letter explained that, two previous letters dated 2nd April and 24th April, 2015 to the governor had not yielded any positive result, a situation that forced the body to issue an open letter over the matter. The state branch of NMA regretted that despite effort made by the association to broker peace over the matter, the state governor “was unexplainably unavailable for mediation and dialogue with all negotiating teams” both at the state and national levels. The group explained further that a meeting called at the instance of the state Head of Service with the National President of NMA, Dr. Kayode Obembe and the Chairman of NMA, Oyo state branch, Dr. M.B Olatunji in respect of its ultimatum issued to the state government on the matter led to the discovery of many other issues. The state NMA explained that it discovered that Osun state has received monthly revenue from the Federation Account up till March, 2015 and although there was a general reduction occasioned by the dwindling fortune of the national economy.
Tourisim Institute to graduate 500 students May 16 P.16
Duke, Minister of Tourisim
16
Civil Service
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Tourism Institute to graduate 500 students May 16 JOEL AJAYI ABUJA
A
s part of its effort to grow hospitality industry in Nigeria, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, has fixed 16 May to hold its first Convocation Ceremony for about 500 graduating students from its Training School, across eight campuses in
the country, for the award of Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in hospitality management, tourism management amongst other To this end, the institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the Trans African Homes and Estate Management Services to promote professionalism in the hospitality industry in Nigeria. The MOU will also focus on training of workers, as
FRSC sanitises processing of vehicle registration numbers
T
he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), on Saturday, said it had established a one-stop shop for obtaining vehicle number plates in Anambra in order to check racketeering. The Head of FRSC Regional Plates Plant in Awka, Mr Shehu Iliyasu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nteje, near Onitsha, that the new one-stop shop in the state would eradicate number plate touting. Illiyasu, who said that the plant serves states in SouthEast and South-South, noted that the centralised plate obtaining procedure would eliminate middlemen who might want to take advantage of unsuspecting members of the public. He said that “in Anambra, we have one-stop shop for obtaining number plates. “And in the one-stop
shop, we have the Anambra Board of Internal Revenue, we have Vehicle Inspection Officers , we have the road safety office and bank representatives, whereby you can just go and make payment. “Also, you don’t have to go to a bank outside the building, it is co-located within the building whereby you can go, make payment, obtain whatever you want to obtain; so it makes things easy.’’ According to him, the number plate one-stop shop in Anambra is located at Amawbia, the outskirt of Awka along the OnitshaEnugu road. Illiyasu, who is a Core Commander in FRSC, said that the demand for number plates from South-East and South-South states had been encouraging, adding that the plant only produces vehicle number plates for now.
well as given recognition to hotel owners, who exhibit good managerial acumen in the hospitality industry. Speaking during the signing ceremony, in Abuja, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun said the bedrock of hospitality industry is training, adding that her agency would not relent in its efforts to fulfil its mandates. According to her, “we are looking at a minimum of 500 students across the eight campuses in Nigeria; this will also include students
who have graduated in the previous years they are all invited for the convocation. “The followings are the courses to be offer hospitality management, tourism management, IATA Certification, and let me tell you IATA has approved and accredited nine courses, we even do little courses like cookery, bakery, and cake decoration, so we have various courses. “We are been working with the relevant bodies to improve the level of professionalism in the industry, We are worried over the
state of some hotels in our cities and it is time we start to proffer sanctions to hotels that fail to operate within the approved guidelines. “Continuing Mrs Balogun said: “We discover that many people establish hotel because they have money to do so, but they are not very conversant with management skills required to run hotels and these have contributed to the problem we are having in hospitality today. “We are working very hard to revamp the entire curriculum system for NI-
HOTOUR and now again NBTE in its magnanimity has approved that NIHOTOUR an authentic trainers for National Vocation Qualification (NVQ) which means certificate acquired through a NIHOTOUR programme can be bench marked globally.” In his remarks, the Managing Director of TransAfrican Homes and Estate Management Service Limited Barr. Victor Danjumbo revealed the reason behind the signing of MOU is simply to add value to hospitality industry in Nigeria.
L-R: Head of Sports, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr, Bisi Kazeem; Corps Marshal, Mr, Boboye Oyeyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, and President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr. Ademola Olorunfemi, during sensitisation campaign for implementation of speed limit device in Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI
FG to clear promotion backlog in NSCDC before May 29 OMEIZA AJAYI
T
he Federal Government has expressed readiness to clear all the backlog of promotions in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC before the May 29 hand-over date. A similar gesture, National Mirror learnt, will also be extended to other paramilitary services. Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro stated this yesterday while commissioning the third phase of the Civil Defence Cooperative Housing Scheme in Dawaki, Abuja. While he revealed that promotion exercises in the past have not been implemented, the minister said he is aware of reports that some few officers had stagnated on one rank for over a decade now.
“When we came in 2011 and we got complaints about the non-release of the report of the verification exercise, we ordered that such be released within one month and we achieved that. “I want to assure you that I will not leave any of your problems hanging, and I will not hand over
your problems to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Even within the little space we have, we are going to tackle them. “The result of the last promotion exercise is awaiting action, and even the backlog on ground, these will be acted on. I want to
assure you that all the parastatals in the Ministry of Interior will get their promotion letters for those who merit them, before the end of the life of this administration”, he said. Moro specifically lauded the NSCDC management for her various welfarist policies for the personnel, urging other
services in the ministry to take a cue from them. “You begin to wonder and ask yourself: is this the only department in the Ministry? The answer is no. But is this the only department that has lived up to expectation? The answer is yes. You (NSCDC) are making me to keep my promise of being
active and commissioning projects until the last day of our administration”, he stated. Earlier, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ade Abolurin said his dream to ensure housing for all personnel of the corps is being gradually fulfilled.
staff are the core stakeholders in the Nigeria’s tourism industry, hence I cannot afford toneglect the staff and their welfare, which included their promotion as at when due Meanwhile, the newly promoted staff of the have commended the seamless efforts of the Director General of the Corporation,
Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, and the governing board of the Corporation for the approvalof their promotions As many of them described the Sally Mbanefoled administration as the one with a clear-cut goal to practically develop and promote Nigeria’s domestic tourism, while not undermining staff welfare.
NTDC tasks staff on hard work JOEL AJAYI ABUJA
T
he management of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has charged the newly promoted staff of the corporation not to relent in their efficient and effectiveness that has contribute to the growth and
development of the corporation so far. However, 53 senior staff and three junior staff of NTDC benefited from the newly approved promotion in the corporation. It will be recall that NTDC staff and management were at loggerhead three months back over non promotion of the staff
by the Mbanefo led-board, this even one of the factors that contribute to the calling of DG sack by the worker Reacting to the development, the NTDC boss Mrs. Salley Mbanefo noted that staff welfare is pivotal to her tourism promotion and development. According to her NTDC
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Views
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
17
For Tolu Fatoyinbo, ace sports commentator K AYODE SOYINKA
I
felt so sad on hearing the news of the death of TOLU FATOYINBO, aged 69. The ace broadcaster and sports commentator was my school senior - I did not meet him when I entered Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta in 1970. Prince Fatoyinbo was also my professional senior in the media world. But it was while at BBHS that I first met him. Even though he had long graduated from the school, he used to make the occasional appearances on Egunya Hill. Since he had already carved a niche and made a national name for himself as a broadcaster and sports commentator, it was natural not only to identify but to also proudly associate with him as “One of us” - boys from the famous BBHS, Abeokuta, the school that has produced many eminent Nigerians (Obafemi Awolowo, Adeoye Lambo, Kehinde Sofola, MKO Abiola, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ojetunji Aboyade, to mention but few. Tolu came in that true BBHS tradition. He himself was a remarkable role model to a generation of young aspiring broadcasters and media practitioners. The school was so good in national quiz competitions in the 1960s and ‘70s, and as students of BBHS we all had that sense of pride when we went to Radio Nigeria in Ibadan, long before it became known as the FRCN, to see that the anchor and Quizmaster on the famous na-
tional radio programme was our own senior and old boy of BBHS, Abeokuta. If my memory serves me right, BBHS had lost the final of the 1970 national quiz competition to King’s College, Lagos, by half a point. Senior Alao Babasanya was in that team. Both schools were level on points when the last question was thrown at them. To separate them, one last question was asked. BBHS missed it completely, while King’s got it partially and were awarded half a point for their effort, and that was how the Lagos boys took the prestigious trophy that year from the Abeokuta boys. In the following year 1971, BBHS got to the national final again and won this time, defeating Federal Government College, Kaduna. The Daily Sketch in Ibadan described that victory and the school with a screaming headline: BBHS: THE BEST IN KNOWLEDGE. And an elated principa,l Chief Gabriel Adebayo Otunla, the Iwamaiyero of Ede, couldn’t hide his joy when on the Monday after our stunning national victory he commended the boys who made us proud and said their brains “worked like the children encyclopaedia”. Trust our beloved principal, Gabu. He was not one to be found wanting when it comes to capturing an epochal moment like that in the school’s history. However, the point I wanted to make is this: Something had happened on our way to this historic 1971 national
Sports and youth development MICHAEL OPUTEH
I
n all societies of the world, a virile youth is the bedrock on which national integration and development is predicated. The youth are the backbone and building blocks of any nation. It is a fact that the stronger the youth, the more developed a nation is. The energy and brightness of the minds of youths act as torch-bearer for a nation. There is a confirmed connection between the prosperity of a nation and its youth development system. The late British politician and writer, Benjamin Disraeli, had rightly described the youth of a nation as the “trustees of posterity”. It is in the reality of the above that many nations have made concerted efforts in galvanizing integrated approach in putting in place youth development structures that have a very high propensity to be a catalyst for their growth. On the contrary, the countries which fail to realize the importance of the youth lag behind in every department of life. Unfortunately, in this clime, this tested principle of utilization of the youth as agents for national development is grossly taken for granted. The Nigerian youth is rather neglected and abused. Despite constituting more than 50 percent of the country’s population of over 150 million people, all most all levels of governments have fallen short of systematizing policies, programmes and projects that can bring about an appreciative level of devel-
DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES ARE TOTALLY AWARE OF THE WORTH OF THEIR
YOUTHS, HENCE THEY ARE REGARDED AS AN ASSET opment in our youth. The fallout of this neglect is a demoralized and frustrated youths that easily take to crimes, prostitution and drug abuse! Some of them have been turned into thugs by the political class. Many social commentators have attributed the insurgency crisis in the north of the country to the unacceptable level of unemployment among the youth. What do we have with the extreme impoverishment of the youth due to unavailable employment opportunities? Disenchanted youths, who are angry with the system, will not hesitate in taking to anything illegal and illegitimate just to survive. Today, teenagers are among the major perpetrators of advanced fee fraud, popularly called ‘419’ Developed countries are totally aware of the worth of their youths, hence they are regarded as an asset. Most importantly, these countries cater to the needs of their youths and provide them good and qualitative education, employment, and recreational activi-
HE RAN SOCCER AND GENERAL SPORTS COMMENTARIES WITH SUCH DEXTERITY AND EFFORTLESS FLAIR quiz victory. We were supposed to meet Aquinas College, Akure, in the western state’s final at the Radio Nigeria studios in Ibadan. This was our footballing nemeses - Aquinas College had beaten BBHS in the 1970 school boys’ soccer final of the Omitola Cup at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, and there we were, again, the following year, locked up with them in the western state’s final of the national quiz competition. On the day of the regional quiz final BBHS got to Radio Nigeria in Ibadan, but surprise, surprise, Aquinas College did not turn up! If it were a football match, they would have been walked over and the trophy would have been BBHS’ there and then. But the decision, through wise counselling, was reached announcing a new date for this final - but with a caveat that BBHS would not have to come to the Radio Nigeria studios in Ibadan and that the final would, in fact, take place at BBHS itself, in our campus, on our turf, on our famous and intimidating Egunya Hill itself ! And that was exactly what happened. Many years after, I still cannot forget the sight of the outside broadcast van of Radio Nigeria outside our school
ties, such as a healthy and competitive environment to prepare them for a future leadership. However, all hope is not lost. We can still, as a nation, make a u-turn by putting in place policies and programmes that can put our youths on the right path. Amongst many approaches that can be utilised in developing our youth is sport include harnessing the potential of sport as a veritable tool for youth development. The nexus between youths and sports is development. Sport and development refers to the use of sports as a tool for development and peace. Actors in sport, academia, private sector, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, government agencies, UN agencies and international organizations, the media, the general public as well as young people, are increasingly interested in the potential of sports as a tool to reach personal, community, national and international development objectives. They are also interested in how sports can be used as a tool for addressing some of the challenges that arise from humanitarian crises and in conflict and post-conflict settings. Absolutely, sport is an indisputable tool that can be used to develop and take the youths out of the streets. Sport is a means of attaining physical fitness, while providing entertainment and pleasure. But in our world today, sports are anything but that. Sports have become a very big and serious business all around the world. Unbelievably, huge investments are now made into sports business that
chapel on Egunya Hill where the final took place, LIVE! And on this occasion, Aquinas College came. Suffice it to say that we not only beat them and took the trophy again as quiz champions of western Nigeria, but also took revenge, a sweet one for that matter, of our 1-2 Omitola Cup loss to them at Liberty Stadium in the 1970 final of the state’s schoolboys’ soccer competition. And guess who anchored the programme again on Egunya Hill? It was our old boy, Tolu Fatoyinbo. He must have been so proud himself signing off the programme from the campus of his own famous Alma Mater! I finally met and got closer to Senior Fatoyinbo when I myself entered journalism and I signed for the Sketch newspapers in Ibadan in 1976. Radio Nigeria was just across the road to us at the Sketch and I used to go in there to see Senior Fatoyinbo. On radio, Tolu Fatoyinbo was such a talented professional. He ran soccer and general sports commentaries with such dexterity and effortless flair, demonstrating an impeccable mastery of the language. On several occasions I felt very proud seeing him arriving at the commentary box either at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, or the National Stadium in Suru Lere. May his gentle soul rest in peace. NULLI SECONDUS! Soyinka, is publisher of the panAfrican newsmagazine, Africa Today
it has become a lucrative venture with enormous turnover. It has become an international entertainment industry with global revenues of more than $38 billion in television rights and ticketing alone. Millions of people around the world earn their living from sports-related interests. The sports industry’s core sources of revenue can be divided into three main categories: broadcast rights, sponsorships (including licensing and merchandising), and ticketing and hospitality, such as entertainment and catering in sports venues. Now is the time that we must also key into the approach of using sports for development. All levels of government must start with aggressive renewal and building of more sports facilities all around the country. The Federal Government can lead the way in this regard by rehabilitating the neglected National Stadium, Lagos and all others across the country. The lost glory of this stadium must be restored now! All other derelict and abandoned sporting facilities all over Nigeria must be resuscitated and put into good use. Oputeh is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja 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.
18
Editorial
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER
SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO SEYI FASUGBA DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR BEN MEMULETIWON GENERAL EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS
Nepal’s earthquake and the humanitarian challenges
P
enultimate Saturday’s massive earthquake that struck Nepal, described as one of the worst to hit the South Asian country in more than 80 years, has left behind a catastrophic toll and still counting. The quake, which was calculated as 7.9 on the Richter scale, occurred after midnight (GMT) on the ill-fated day, with the epicenter near the city of Lamjung, not very far from Kathmandu, the nation’s capital, where heavy damage and a high number of casualties has been reported. A large aftershock that followed roughly 30 minutes later had a magnitude of 6.6, according to reports. An estimated total of eight million people were said to have been affected across Nepal, while one million children urgently needed help. Indeed, as at last weekend, the casualty figure was put provisionally at 6,300 and well over 92,000 people injured. Provisionally also, about $2 billion is said to be needed for reconstruction works. About 1,000 European Union (EU) citizens, mostly engaged in climbing and trekking in the affected Mount Everest region of the Himalayas near the epicentre of the quake, were said to be missing, while the difficulty of the terrain and poor communications hamper efforts to trace
IT IS REALLY THE TIME FOR ALL NATIONS OF GOODWILL TO BRAVE ALL ODDS IN HELPING THE
NEPALESE AUTHORITIES SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS POSSIBLE their whereabouts. An entire military post was also lost to the disaster, according to the authorities. And whereas the rescue of two survivors from the ruins in Kathmandu last week reinvigorated the search for other lucky ones that may still be alive, the Red Cross spoke of what it called ‘total devastation’ in far-flung areas. Agency reports said tens of thousands had been rendered homeless by the natural mishap. One report captured the humanitarian plights this way: “A man sleeps in his store with the shutters open in Kathmandu, Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Across central Nepal, including in Kathmandu … hundreds of thousands of people are still living in the open without clean water or sanitation since Saturday’s massive earthquake”. Many lost everything and were crying over their hardships; public infrastructure is in tatters and there has been an
exceptionally urgent need for the provision of emergency shelter and basic goods and services. Desperate survivors living at ground zero were reportedly feeling abandoned to their fate after losing their loved ones and means of livelihoods to the disaster, the scale of whose devastation and the aftershocks, according to the United Nations, “would have challenged any government”. The Nepal government must have been doing its best in leading emergency response efforts to the limit of available resources at its disposal, but most of the victims say they are “heartened and encouraged” by the generosity shown by the international community so far. Deserving of commendation is the Nepalese government for the serious effort it invested in tackling the national emergency, as well as the international community which has shown immense interest in both rescue operations and humanitarian supplies. The UN and Red Cross are on ground, as are many other countries assisting in confronting the challenges trailing the calamity. The Turkish and Chinese rescue crews, for example, helped in pulling out one of the survivors from the rubble. It is quite unfortunate, nonetheless, the report that relief
ON THIS DAY
efforts especially, were being hampered by problems officials encounter in their bids to get aid into the country and deliver same to affected remote communities in desperate need. The setbacks should, however, not dampen the assistance spirit of countries. For, if the world is a global village as has been acclaimed worldwide, an injury to one is injury to all. This is not the time to bemoan Nepal’s difficult terrain or be consoled by mere lamentation. It is really the time for all nations of goodwill to brave all odds in helping the Nepalese authorities save as many lives as possible and retrieve all retrievable from the damages wrought by the earthquake. There is no doubt that the said quake will go down in history as one of the most devastating. For us in Nigeria and those in other nations that nature has been gracious enough to; and spared natural disasters of the magnitude witnessed in Nepal and elsewhere, but who invite self-inflicted problems like terrorism, insurgency and other crimes against humanity that claim thousands of lives, the pains of Nepal today provide a very good opportunity for self-introspection, sober reflection and the turning of a new leaf.
May 6, 1997
May 6, 2001
May 6, 2013
The Bank of England was given independence from political control, the most significant change in the bank’s 300-year history. Bank of England, formally the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world.
During a trip to Syria, Pope John Paul II became the first pope to enter a mosque. John Paul II, born Karol Jozef Wojtyla (May 18, 1920 – April 2, 2005) reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the second-longest serving Pope in history and the first non-Italian since 1523. John Paul II was acclaimed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.
Three women missing for more than a decade were found alive in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Ariel Castro was taken into custody for the kidnap and unlawful imprisonment, between 2002 and 2004, of the three young women - Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Georgina “Gina” DeJesus, in his home in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. They were held against their will in Castro’s house.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
19
Health & Wellbeing Facts about childhood immunisable diseases
Malaria cases decline nationwide –FG
22
21
HIV/AIDS: Discrimination persists ...despite new law
FRANKA OSAKWE
T
ired, frail from starvation and sorrow, 28-year old HIV positive Vivian Onyebueke looked so despondent when National Mirror visited her. Her life and joy seem to have faded the moment news of her HIV status leaked to friends and neighbours. Although Nigeria now has, a new anti-discrimination law, signed this February that should enable people living with HIV/AIDS to live normal lives without fear or discrimination, the law is yet to impact in any way on Vivian and others living with HV/AIDS in the country. The mother of two told National mirror how she and her two sons were forcefully evicted from their house in Otta Ogun State after it became known that her husband had died from HIV infection. Declaring her own status had worsened the disdain from neighbours who felt that she and her husband were simply reaping what they sowed. The new law has not stopped people from treating her like an outcast. “The most painful is that my mum rejected me. My mum who is in South Africa with my siblings had flown down to see me after the death of my husband. When she found out I too had HIV, she simply went back without offering any assistance. “My mum’s anger was because I married my husband despite her dislike and refusal to accept the union. She said I was a disobedient child who was getting her repercussion”, she lamented. Indeed, life turned sour for Vivian after she spent all she had taking care of her husband when he was sick. “After his death, I had to sell off our shop and the goods, so I could raise money for his burial and our upkeep” she said. Her only regret she added, was declaring her status openly for people to mock and taunt her. Today, many HIV positive people, out of fear of discrimination, don’t have the Vivian’s audacity to bravely declare their status and seek treatment; instead they chose to live in denial. Mrs Akinterinwa Temitope, a health worker at Agege Primary Health Centre told National Mirror how a staff of the health centre recently died of HIV even when she could easily obtain free anti retroviral drugs from the centre. This was rather shocking to many who wondered why the staff never revealed her status so as to access free ARV treatment. Obviously, the lady chose to hide
Vivian
Prof. Udoko
UP TILL NOW, THE PROVISION OF TTHIS LAW IS STILL NOT STIPULATED AS PART OF THE
CONSTITUTION, THE CONTENT OF T THE LAW IS NOT YET REVEALED AND NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT IT her status out of fear of discrimination. Mrs Akinterinwa revealed that the local government lost no fewer than four staff last year from HIV. According to her, the Local government frequently organises awareness rally on HIV, distributing free condom to residents of the local government and educating them on HIV/AIDS. Despite these, she said, young people continue to die due to refusal to get treatment at the early stage, not going for test and hiding their status out of fear of discrimination. Earlier this year, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the new anti-discrimination bill into law. The Act makes it illegal to discriminate against people based on their status. It also prohibits any employer, individual or organization from requiring a person to take HIV test as a pre-condition for employ-
ment or access to services.But despite this law, discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS is still high in Nigeria. “The impact of this law is yet to be felt. We are still being discriminated against at work and at home”, says Ibrahim Umoru, Immediate past coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV/ AIDS in Nigeria, (NEPWHAN), Lagos Chapter. Umoru, says there is a need to educate the people about the new law. “When you make a law, you are making it for the people. People need to be aware of this law. Up till now, the provision of this law is still not stipulated as part of the constitution, the content of the law is not yet revealed and no one knows anything about it.” According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria has 3.1 mil-
lion persons living with HIV/AIDS which is the second largest in the world after South Africa with 5.6 million. Most worrying is the fact that 70% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria fall into the most productive segment of the population, within the 20-39 age bracket. The implication of this trend is that the nation runs the risk of her workforce being depleted by the disease if drastic steps are not taken urgently to reverse the spread of the disease. However, some others are hopeful that the new law will still create a more supportive environment for People Living With HIV/AIDS. “The signing of the anti-discrimination law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a much welcome action in the fight against AIDS. It will help more Nigerians to seek testing, treatment and care services without fear of facing stigma and discrimination”, said John Idoko, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS. UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria, Bilali Camara, also believe the new law has given all Nigerians living with or affected by HIV a guarantee to access justice and to regain their human rights and dignity in society while enjoying productive lives.
20
Health & Wellbeing
Nutrition for Health chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)
N
utrition is an important factor for the health and wellbeing in persons over the age of sixty-five. However, careful nutritional assessment is necessary for development of comprehensive treatment plans for malnutrition in the elderly. Poor nutrition in the elderly may be as a result of financial burden, dental disability, side effects of medication, decreased sensitivity, physical difficulty, forgetfulness and depression; and these has been shown to increase the risk of ailments such as infections, bed sores, chest infections, poor wound healing, arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic illnesses in the elderly. One vital aspect of their diet is cutting down on calories by replacing saturated fats with heart healthy fats. They are thought to play a role in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Hearthealthy fats may also have a role in other diseases, including obesity and cancer. Examples are olive oil, safflower oil, peanut oil and corn oil. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, trout, mack-
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Nutrition for the elderly
erel, sardines and herring. Plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed (ground), oils (canola, flaxseed, soybean), and nuts and other seeds (walnuts, butternuts and sunflower). Phytochemicals from different fruits and vegetables can be used as a surrogate marker for adequate variety in their diets. They should try to eat five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables from each color group. It is also essential for the elderly to consume unrefined cereal foods and pulses, as they are mostly rich in fibre, low in calories and packed with the nutrients that lower the risk of constipation and bowel problems mainly due to a reduced gut motility and inactivity. Examples are: brown rice, barley, etc. To help the gut work properly, it’s also important for the elderly to drink plenty of fluid, whenever thirsty. Dehydration can make older people feel drowsy or confused, it’s important to drink, even if this means extra trips to the toilet. Fluid intake does not just mean water it can also include such drinks as tea, fruit juice and squash. Older people should limit foods and drinks that are rich in sugar, as it can impair dental health and contribute to weight gain when energy
Chizoba Benson
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
intake is too high. But for people who have a poor appetite, or who have lost weight, sugar-rich foods can be a useful source of calories. They should avoid excessive alcohol intake, this could be detrimental to health. It is vital to consume more foods rich in B vitamins (vitamin B12 and folates). The richest sources include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a B12 supplement. They should also consume foods rich in vitamin C (such as a glass of fresh juice, fresh fruit or vegetables). Also foods rich in calcium like skimmed milk, unsweetened yoghurt are also very good sources. Foods can often taste bland to older people so they can try using herbs and spices, such as garlic, onions, ginger, etc. Tomatoes and other flavouring such as lemon juice may be used to flavour foods but must avoid using too much salt. Salt and salt-preserved foods are linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer, high blood pressure, etc. The lifestyle pattern of the elderly should be well taken care of. They are advised to eat within the company of people, especially if they are depressed. It is vital to present food in an attractive way and choose a variety of foods where
possible to keep the experience interesting. Vitamin D (sunshine vitamin) is very important for those who are housebound. Exercise and physical activity are among the healthiest things
older ones can do. Scientists have found that staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay many diseases and disabilities and can make muscles grow stronger and helps maintain bone strength.
Sexual solutions and love products for adults I do not last up to 30 seconds before I ejaculate and my sex organ is too small. Sometimes during intercourse, I will suddenly lose my erection and cannot continue sex again. It makes me feel bad. I am only 35 years old. I need a natural drug with no side effects that can delay my ejaculation for at least 30 minutes for my first round of sex and give me very hard erections. I also want it to extend the length of my penis to 10 inches and increase the diameter of my penis too. I will be glad if you can assist me to achieve the above. Include the prices too. Thank you – Femi From everything I have read, you experience premature ejaculation and sudden erection loss and you also desire penis enlargement. You also want a drug that will fix all of these problems at once. What I can recommend is a series of solutions that will target the different areas where you experience difficulties and fix them one at a time. Combining these different solutions often give better results than using supplements that are supposed to do everything. For instance, X Again Platinum Supplement and Rhino 5 are very good multipurpose performance enhancers for men. They give erections, stop premature ejaculation and enlarge the penis but of all the things that they are supposed to do, strengthening hard erections is the most felt result. I mean Rhino 5 can give you an erection hard enough to punch through a brick wall but as far as preventing premature ejaculation and enlarging the penis, the results vary. But there are people who swear by these supplements and are satisfied with their results. So you can go for the above all purpose supplements or you can go for the following. For the prevention of premature ejaculation, take a delay cream. Delay creams are special
ointments applied on an erect penis to stop the user from climaxing early. They are quite effective and a good example of this is the Colt Stay Hard Delay Cream. To stop sudden erection loss during intercourse, wear a Cockring during sex. What a Cockring does is that it ensures that even when you ejaculate, your erection remains firm for an additional twenty minutes. It is also affordable and reusable. And to give you hard erections and enlarge your penis, you can either go for Extenze Plus Penis Enlarger or Big Bam Boo enlarger. They are both very good. For even better enlargement results, combine these supplements with penis enlargement exercises which can be achieved using a Penis Pump. So the above are all effective solutions to your numerous problems. Take care – Uche There is an instant penis enlargement cream that I bought from you about five months ago. It is called the Optimale Enlarger or something like that. I really liked it and my young brother has taken what’s left. Please do you still have it? Nwokolo Yes Optimale Enlargement Cream is still available along with a few others like it. Men like it a lot and say that it also improves their erections – Uche I have some marital issues and after vising a doctor, I was diagnosed with low genital arousal. According to the doctor, that was the reason for me not wanting or enjoying sex with my husband. Do you concur and can you help? Florence Yes what you experience affects a lot of women all around the world. But there is help. There are supplements and arousal gels for treating low genital arousal. Kangaroo for her supplement will restore your hunger for sex and make you responsive to sexual stimulation. Kangaroo starts working in less than one hour and remains effective in your
body for three days. Combine it with an external clitoral stimulant like the Horny Honey Orgasm Gel and you will get an even better result – Uche Sir, when I come home from work, I am usually too tired to satisfy my wife – Tagbo Dear Tagbo, it is normal to be tired after work. It doesn’t mean you have a problem. It is just because most working people usually have sex in the night that they desire performance energy at night. For this I recommend Rock Hard Weekend Perfor mance Drink. It is an effective energy drink specifically designed to aid sexual activity and stamina and it fires you up for hours. And that is it for today. Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order
or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD/CEO, Zee Virtual Media.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Health & Wellbeing
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
21
Malaria cases decline nationwide –FG STORIES BY MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA
T
he Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, has said that sustained efforts of government in the country against malaria have resulted in decrease in cases of the dis-
ease, nationwide. This is even as he tasked states and local governments in the country to strengthen fight against the disease. Dr. Alhassan stated these recently at a Ministerial Press Briefing and the launch of the National Malaria Strategic plan (NMSP) 2014-2020, in Abuja, to commemorate
World Malaria Day, 2015. The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Linus Awute, said that “though malaria accounts for 60% of all outpatient hospital visits and 30% of hospital admissions in Nigeria, collaborative efforts from states and local govern-
ment will go a long way in eliminating the disease.” He revealed that over N3.1 billion was spent in 2014 by federal government on various intervention efforts. This, the minister said, yielded appreciable result with 20% decrease in malaria cases, nationwide. Dr. Alhassan however observed that, if meaning-
L-R: Immediate Past Chairman of Council of WMA from Australia, Dr. Mukesh C. Haikerwal; Council Adviser WMA from Nigeria, Sir, Dr. Kayode OBEMBE; President, World Medical Association from France, Dr. Xavier DEAU and Secretary General, World Medical Association from Germany, Dr. Otmar Kloiber, at the 200TH council session of the World Medical Association in Oslo, Norway, recently.
ful impact must be made, the need to mobilize against the disease at the local level through awareness creation, environmental and personal hygiene would be key. According to him, efforts put into the fight against malaria since 2000 have significantly reduced maternal and child mortality in Nigeria. He emphasised the need for more collaboration against the scourge among stakeholders. The Minister said further: “When we started this journey 15 years ago, the statistics we had were so disturbing. Today we have made progress, but the world has shifted from malaria control to malaria elimination, justifying the theme for this year’s World Malaria Day,’Invest in the future. Defeat malaria.” He explained that the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2014-2020 was the result of a painstaking effort after the grand initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health supported
by development partners. He maintained that partnership has enabled the ministry to come up with the strategic plan, which he said is a credible template for mutual accountability in the effort targeted at malaria management and elimination in the country. The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, in her overview of the National Malaria Strategic Plan explained that the plan was developed as a road map for a coordinated fight against malaria in Nigeria derived from the national Strategic Health Development Plan. “Before now Nigeria had implemented three previous plans. 2001 to 2005 the plan was developed immediately after African summit on roll back malaria on 25 April of 2000, it launched Nigeria into the RBM (Roll Back Malaria) initiative”, she said.
Nigerian pharmacist claims discovery of remedial drug for cancer FG inaugurates National Clinical Trial technical working group ...bring it for evaluation, NAFDAC DG urges
A
Nigerian phythomedical researcher, Pharm Ben Amodu, has claimed to have discovered effective drug against cancer. A statement issued by the researcher and obtained by National Mirror in Abuja recently, stated that the study was carried out on the researcher’s product SAABFAT6 by the Department of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Services in the Texas Southern University in Houston, United States, and its result showed that cancer, “a dreadful disease that has been tormenting humans has succumbed to
the power of researched drug combinations from the Herbal Centre.” The researcher conducted research on the drug in association with one Halamin Herbal Centre located in Nigeria. The statement said the drug was listed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. A paper from the university that contained result of the research titled “Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Herbal Supplement SAABFAT6 on HT29 Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells” said the consumption of herbal supplements had been one
of the remedies for several aliments including cancer for a long time. “Cancers, especially colorectal Adenocarcinoma are diseases with high morbidity and mortality and are often associated with suffering and poor quality of life. Herbal supplements are an attractive cancer therapy, we have investigated the antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties of the herbal supplement SAABFAT6 on colorectal Adenocarcinoma cell (HT29). Ethanol extracts of SAABFAT6 (0.5 —mg/mL) was incubated with HT29 and in vitro antiproliferative/ cytotoxcity activities were
evaluated using MIT assay. Treatment of HT29 with SABFAT6 significantly reduces cellular proliferation at 48 and 72 but not at 24 hrs except for 2 mg/mL concentration. Cytotoxic evaluation showed significant reduction in cell viability at24 and 48 hrs (2 mg/mL) and at 48 hrs (0.5 and 1 mg/mL). This preliminary result indicates that SAABFAT6 supplement may have a potential for the regulation HT29 growth and survival. Further study is required to identify the mechanism(s) by which the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of SAABFAT6 is mediated,” the statement said.
T
he Federal Government has set up a 30man National Clinical Trial-Technical Working Group to help improve on clinical trials across the country. The group, which comprises the former Chairman, National Independent Electoral Commission and Professor of Pharmacognosy, Prof Maurice Iwu, is to review and harmonize all current and past efforts at transforming the Nigerian Clinical Research sector. It is also has as part of its terms of reference to review all issues impeding the growth of clinical research sector in Nigeria and make recommendations to the
Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, Dr Paul Orhii. Besides, it will create clinical trial awareness to both the lay and medical communities in Nigeria on issues regarding research of medicines. Clinical research is a branch of healthcare that determines the safety and effectiveness of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens intended for human use. Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, NAFDAC boss, Dr Orhii said clinical trial was one of the core mandates of the agency.
Improve quality care for pregnant women, newborn –WHO FRANKA OSAKWE
T
he World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that quality of care must improve if the world is to end preventable deaths of mothers and newborn babies globally. This was part of a new documentary published recently in, The BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The documentary under-
lines the importance for the world’s health community to move beyond focusing on the provision of essential healthcare interventions, to quality of care for both mothers and newborns throughout the entire pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal periods. WHO, therefore calls for a focus on the crucial time of childbirth and the period immediately following birth. “A focus on the time of childbirth and the period immediately following birth
is critical to ensure a significant impact on reducing preventable maternal deaths, stillbirths and the early deaths of newborns. globally, over 70% of maternal deaths occur as a result of complications of pregnancy and childbirth such as haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis, and abortion, and the complications of preterm birth, birth asphyxia, intrapartum-related neonatal death and neonatal infections together account
for more than 85% of newborn mortality”, it said. According to the WHO, quality of care framework for maternal and newborn health, as highlighted in the BJOG, must include a dialogue between provision of care and people’s experience of care. “This means that to ensure better outcomes, the experience of care effective communication, respect and dignity, emotional support , must be prioritized and implemented in addition to
provision of care, which is ensured through evidence based practices for routine care and management of complications, actionable information systems and functional referral systems”, it said. The framework also includes competent and motivated human resources and essential physical resources available as essential parts of both the provision and the experience of care. This reflects how better outcomes are ensured when provision
and experience of care processes within health services function as one. With the end of the Millennium Development Goals this year in 2015, WHO underlines that such a vision and approach is crucial as the world develops the new Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, to ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights are included within the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
22
Health & Wellbeing
I
mmunisation took the centre stage worldwide last week amidst reports that progress towards global vaccination targets for 2015 is far off-track. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1 in 5 children is still missing out on routine life-saving immunisations that could avert 1.5 million deaths each year from preventable diseases. Below is a fact sheet on immunisation and childhood immunisable diseases recently published by WHO.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Facts about childhood immunisable diseases
Key facts • Immunization prevents illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases including cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhoea, rubella and tetanus. • Global vaccination coverage is holding steady. • Immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year. • But an estimated 21.8 million infants worldwide are still missing out on basic vaccines.
Overview Immunization averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles. Global vaccination coverage—the proportion of the world’s children who receive recommended vaccines—has remained steady for the past few years. During 2013, about 84% (112 million) of infants worldwide received 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine, protecting them against infectious diseases that can cause serious illness and disability or be fatal. By 2013, 129 countries had reached at least 90% coverage of DTP3 vaccine.
The Childhood Immunisable Diseases Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) causes meningitis and pneumonia. Hib vaccine had been introduced in 189 countries by the end of 2013. Global coverage with 3 doses of Hib vaccine is estimated at 52%. There is great variation between regions. In the Americas, coverage is estimated at 90%, while it is only 18% and 27% in the Western Pacific and SouthEast Asia Regions respectively. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. Hepatitis B vaccine for infants had been introduced nationwide in 183 countries by the end of 2013. Global coverage with 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine is estimated at 81% and is as high as 92% in the Western Pacific. Human papillomavirus — the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract—can cause cervical cancer, and other types of cancer and genital warts in both men and women. Human papillomavirus vaccine was introduced in 55 countries by the end of 2013. Measles is a highly contagious
disease caused by a virus, which usually results in a high fever and rash, and can lead to blindness, encephalitis or death. By the end of 2013, 84% of children had received 1 dose of measles vaccine by their second birthday, and 148 countries had included a second dose as part of routine immunization. Meningitis A is an infection that can cause severe brain damage and is often deadly. By the end of 2013—3 years after its introduction—more than 150 million people in African countries affected by the disease had been vaccinated with MenAfriVac, a vaccine developed by WHO and PATH. Mumps is a highly contagious virus that causes painful swelling at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), fever, headache and muscle aches. It can lead to viral meningitis. Mumps vaccine had been introduced nationwide in 120 countries by the end of 2013. Pneumococcal diseases include pneumonia, meningitis and febrile bacteraemia, as well as otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis. Pneumococcal vaccine had been introduced in 103 countries by the end of 2013, and global coverage was estimated at 25%. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis. In 2013, 84% of
in Africa and Asia. Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. As of 2013, yellow fever vaccine had been introduced in routine infant immunization programmes in 35 of the 44 countries and territories at risk for yellow fever in Africa and the Americas and coverage was estimated at 41%.
Key challenges
infants around the world received 3 doses of polio vaccine. Targeted for global eradication, polio has been stopped in all countries save 3—Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Polio-free countries have been infected by imported virus, and all countries—especially those experiencing conflict and instability—remain at risk until polio is fully eradicated. Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in young children throughout the world. Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in 52 countries by the end of 2013, and global coverage was estimated at 14%. Rubella is a viral disease which is usually mild in children, but infection during early
pregnancy may cause fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome, which can lead to defects of the brain, heart, eyes and ears. Rubella vaccine was introduced nationwide in 137 countries by the end of 2013. Tetanus is caused by a bacterium which grows in the absence of oxygen, e.g. in dirty wounds or in the umbilical cord if it is not kept clean. It produces a toxin which can cause serious complications or death. The vaccine to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus had been introduced in 103 countries by the end of 2013. An estimated 82% of newborns were protected through immunization. Maternal and neonatal tetanus persist as public health problems in 25 countries, mainly
Despite improvements in global vaccine coverage during the past decade, there continue to be regional and local disparities resulting from: • limited resources; • competing health priorities; • poor management of health systems; and • inadequate monitoring and supervision. In 2013, an estimated 21.8 million infants worldwide were not reached with routine immunization services, of whom nearly half live in 3 countries: India, Nigeria and Pakistan. Priority needs to be given to strengthening routine vaccination globally, especially in the countries that are home to the highest number of unvaccinated children. Particular efforts are needed to reach the underserved, especially those in remote areas, in deprived urban settings, in fragile states and strifetorn regions.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
23
Arts Lounge
Piracy: AVRS hosts stakeholders in Asaba
26
I see story ideas in everything ng –Uzoma Uponi
25
Entertainment industry awaits Buhari As the nation eagerly waits for the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari to come on board, the question on the lips of many entertainers remains how his policies would affect them REGINA OTOKPA
S
ince 1999, when President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed power to begin the journey of democracy in the country, the entertainment industry has not enjoyed such massive recognition and active participation as witnessed during the administration of the outgoing president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Jonathan, within six years in power as president played an enormous role in reviving the entertainment industry. That is why it became natural to see actors, actresses and few musicians flocking in and out of the Presidential Villa in Abuja with faces beaming with smiles. This could be one of the reasons why the entertainers within his camp would say just anything without mincing words trying to convince Nigerians to vote for his continuity in power. One notable feature during the campaign period preceding the general elections was the active participation of entertainers as they drummed massive support for the two major political opponents, President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party and the President-Elect, Retired General Muhammad Buhari of the All Progressives Congress. Within the campaign period, entertainers took television screens hostage on a daily basis trying to canvass votes for both contenders. It was a battle field on and off the screen, especially on the social media as words were traded; loyalties were lost among friends and colleagues in the industry. But just as the Governor Performing Musicians Employees Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Collins Adeyemi righty said, “How do you know that the person singing did not cast his vote for the other person? It is his profession, he was engaged to come and perform”. Under the umbrella of ‘Nollywood Professionals’, the likes of Ibinabo Fiberesima, Paul Obazele, Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda, Mike Ezuruonye, Patience Ozokwor, Seven Arinze, Emem Isong, Zack Orji, Mercy Johnson and a host of others, had campaigned vigorously for President Jonathan to remain in power for the next four years whereas, only a handful of entertainers in the persons of Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Ice Prince, Olu Maintain, Yemi Alade,
Filming in Nollywood
Uti Nwachukwu, Banky W, Jimmy Jatt, MI and flavor drummed massive support for Buhari. Reflecting on these happenings surrounding the electioneering period, one would imagine that if such massive support were concentrated on development issues by entertainers within the past few years, a lot of wrongs would have been made right. Most entertainers in camp GEJ, who obviously benefitted from the dollar rain, kept hinging on the inability of Buhari to take the Industry along in its policies for reasons not farfetched from his persona but others who believe in the change agent had maintained that Buhari would not abandon the industry, but would rather inject capable hands to further develop the sector. Just like the game of football, political events in the country unexpectedly experienced a new twist when the sitting president conceded defeat even before the collation of election results came to end. The once most insulted sitting president suddenly became a hero even as some who had pitched tent believing in the power of incumbency began to lick their wounds. The big question bugging the minds of stakeholders in the industry including celebrities who thought they would continue to siphon the money meant for the development of the industry
is what next? For those who campaigned solely because of monetary benefits, it was a huge shame and slap on their faces. An actress during the collation of results had taken to her Instagram page to say, “How are we going to survive this government because they will not be releasing money easily like that?” This only proves that the singing, dancing and talking under the blazing sun was not as a result of the love they have for President Jonathan. However, there are quite a number of entertainers who have maintained that based on the freedom to support any candidate of one’s choice; they have no regret whatsoever for the decisions they made at the time. Segun Arinze had said, “I stood for what I believed in and if I had the opportunity I would do it all over again. I do not ever regret campaigning for Jonathan. I supported the President because he has done well for my industry and Nigeria as a whole and I don’t think Buhari would victimise me because I supported Jonathan”. Speaking to one of the dailies, Actress Omoni Oboli noted that, “I can never regret anything I do, I stood for what I believed in not because of financial gain. This election showed true democracy and I am proud of
THE PRESIDENT-ELECT SHOULD EXPLORE THE MASSIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES HIDDEN IN THE ENTERTAINMENT SECTOR
the man that I supported. He is a hero, he conceded graciously and that is the trait of a true leader”. With Buhari warming up to re-assume power only this time as the next democratic president, stakeholders in the industry have continued to call on the president-elect to explore the massive employment opportunities hidden within the entertainment sector to bridge the widening gap of unemployment. Statistics have shown clearly that as at 2014, Nollywood alone was worth about N853.9 billion ahead of 2013 when it was rated as the third most valuable film industry in the world behind India and the United States after generating total revenue of N1.72 trillion. This means that aside creating employment, the nation’s economy enjoys billions of naira churned in by the entertainment industry annually. Although some persons have advised Buhari against opening his doors too wide to entertainers as witnessed within the last six years, it is expected that this is one avenue the incoming administration should not relegate to the background for whatsoever reason. Nigerian cinema is Africa’s largest movie industry in terms of value and the number of movies produced per year, this is an important fact no development minded leader should miss. With the wind of change getting ready to blow seamlessly in a few weeks, we expect to see machineries in place that would strengthen weak points, fight piracy to a standstill and carry all the different units of the entertainment industry along in order to propel the Industry to much greater heights.
24
Arts Lounge
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
VOICES
The curator as culture broker ENWEZOR’S
OKWUNODU OGBECHIE
INTERPRETATION
T
he location of contemporary African art within a global discourse of art confronts a central problem of cultural practice in the era of globalization: what is the value of Africa as a site of globalization, as a place with its own history of development of specific visual languages and strategies of visual representation? Enwezor’s emergence as a global curator of note directed attention to Africa through exhibitions in which he argued for the relevance of contemporary African art in general. However, his curatorial practice is devoted to radical notions of contemporaneity built mainly on the idea that Diaspora Africans best represent the continent and that the postcolonial African exists as an autonomous subject whose cultural history is not relevant to our understanding of his or her own contemporaneity. These two impulses correctly identify transnationalism as a primary framework for global culture but incorrectly assume that globalization is a neutral context of transnational movements. While it may appear as if globalization invalidates erstwhile modernist notions of center and periphery, it is possible to argue that it actually reinforces these binaries since it essentially incorporates the periphery (Africa in this instance) within the hegemonic narratives of the center (the West) only insofar as African art conforms to Western prescriptions. This explains the monotony of much contemporary art in terms of its hegemony of styles (conceptual art/installations) curatorial and critical practices, and even spheres of exhibition and display. The ability of African artists to participate in this global context is dependent on political forces largely outside their control, and they remain peripheral to its unfolding ethos. Besides, no one lives in global space: we live in Cotonou, Katmandu and Copenhagen. The ideal of a transnational global culture assumes a free flow of people across borders in a context where Western countries (who
OF CONTEMPORARY
AFRICAN ART RENDERS AFRICA REDUNDANT AS A
LOCATION FOR THE UNFOLDING OF A GLOBAL ETHOS
control an outsized portion of global wealth) work furiously to limit the international mobility of Africans. Globalisation has become a one-way flow that enforces locality on African artists by narrating their contemporary practice as a moribund context of cultural engagements while validating Western contemporary art as a universal rather than local context of production. It also participates in a relocation of African cultural patrimony to Western ownership by enhancing Western authority in defining the value of African cultural production. In my review of Enwezor’s directorship of Documenta XI (see “Ordering the Universe”, 2004), I suggested that future evaluation of his role as a global curator of African ancestry might commend him for centering contemporary African art within the global discourse of art, or condemn him for delivering contemporary African art to capitalism’s voracious appetite for new commodities. Nearly a decade later, it is obvious that Enwezor’s valorisation of a contemporary African art largely defined through the work
of artists of African Diaspora artists has had the paradoxical result of validating a form of contemporary African art that negates critical engagement with the history and development of modern and contemporary art in Africa itself, or with indigenous forms of African art whose contemporaneity remains to be theorized. His curatorial work thus produces ahistorical interpretations of contemporary African art in general and advances a self-referential narrative of contemporary practice using limited number of artists recycled in closed-loop exhibitions. Douglas Hofstadter suggests that the recursiveness inherent in this activity produces “strange loops” which feels like “an upwards movement in a hierarchy, and yet somehow the successive “upward” shifts turn out to give rise to a closed cycle. That is, despite one’s sense of departing ever further from one’s origin, one winds up, to one’s shock, exactly where one had started out.”4 Given that Enwezor’s emergence was due in main part to efforts to open the closed-loop of art history’s focus on the West as center, his own regression into a closed-loop protocol of curatorial practice highlights the irony of a global art world situation in which things “change” while essentially remaining the same. The criticism of Enwezor’s framing of contemporary African art as a context of essentially Western replications emerged early in his career. For example, his interrogation of the possibility of avant-garde
Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? I have grown to love many authors in my life. Some are local, while some are international. I love Chinua Achebe because through his books, like ‘Things Fall Apart’, and ‘A Man of the People’, I was able to see my society in the south east. But while growing up as a school girl, I started loving romance novels, especially the ones published by Mills and Boon. What book have you read made the greatest impact on you? I will say it is the Bible. It is a unique literature. It is a unique mo-
Chioma Toplis
Actress
tivational work. It is a great book of short stories, and that is why it has been changing lives for centuries. Do you have a budget for books? I do not have. I just buy when I need to buy. I have been reading biographies lately. Yes, I also read a lot of newspapers and magazines. If Chioma Toplis decides to write a book what would be her theme? My theme will be children and may be fashion. I will love to talk about styles and how every woman can uphold hers.
action in Documenta XI was criticised as a very conservative and institutional interpretation of contemporary culture, one that emphasizes precisely the occidental paradigms that DocumentaX1 supposedly targeted in its counter-narrative. Massimiliano Gioni identified this as the essential quality of Western hegemony while noting that “the industry of art has reached such a level of complexity and sophistication that it can easily transform itself, only to confirm its own status and integrity: everything must change, in order to leave everything as it was.” But given the obvious fact that Enwezor’s interventions have increased the visibility of his particular interpretation of contemporary African art, surely he deserves credit for the pioneering nature of his work. One does not argue otherwise. The issue is that Enwezor’s interpretation of contemporary African art renders Africa redundant as a location for the unfolding of a global ethos. You can see the limits of this protocol in Enwezor’s recent publication “Contemporary African Art since 1980” (produced in collaboration with Chika Okeke-Agulu). The publisher’s blurb states that “[t]o address contemporary African art is necessarily to address the African Diaspora and its attendant thorny issues of postcolonial and identity politics: what is contemporary African art, and who qualifies for its rubric?” (italics mine). 5 That questions of definition should be important to this book after decades of significant work directed at defining African contemporary art shows how a cavalier ideal of perpetual rediscovery of Africa contributes to its marginalization. I am however more interested in the book’s analysis of contemporary African art that centers the African Diaspora as the prime subject of Africanness. While it may allow the curator to engage the disparate locations of African contemporary art, the assumption that the African Diaspora is pivotal renders the subject problematic. This attempt to shift the study of Africa away from the continent can be traced back to Paul Gilroy’s seminal but flawed publication, “The Black Atlantic” and it is now reaching a critical phase.
• Ogbechie, is a professor of African Art at the University of California, USA.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Arts Lounge
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
25
ARTISTE UNCENSORED
I see story ideas in everything –Uzoma Uponi Writing W Wr iting makes Uzoma U Uponi whole. So dedicated has sshe sh e become that on one of her works eneded on the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize final list in 2011. NGOZI EMEDOL MEDOLIBE
W
ith two books, ‘Colour Blind’ (which ended on the final list of the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Africa) and ‘Whispers from Yesteryears’, Uzoma Uzom Uponi has proven that her stories are studded with plo plots and characters that inspire her growing army of readers, which span the different corners of the read globe. “I love reading about how the average person strugre gles with relationship issues and how he or she is able re to overcome by staying through to his or her spiritual convictions. One of the reasons I write is to encourage and inspire readers. I write to provide insights into the dynamics of contemporary African society. Media portrayal of Africa concentrates on our poverty, politics, A crimes and diseases. Many people don’t know that life goes go on in Africa the same way it goes on in the West. W We s Young people fall in love, get married, have children, and send the children to school, exc hi perience conflict with their spouses and their pe teenagers. People go to colleges, experience te unemployment upon graduation, eventually u find work, buy and drive cars, build houses, f use the ATM, have parties. But this is hardly t h e narrative of Africa that is out there in the media. I can provide awareness about ‘the other side’ of Africa through my writings because I am
from Africa. I write to help the younger generation of Africans gain meaningful insights into the core values of their motherland, and to give the older generation pride in their heritage.” Education must have played a critical role in her blossoming writing career. After her secondary education, at the Federal Government Girls’, College Kazaure, in Jigawa State, Uzoma proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she studied Mass Communication, before earning an MBA, which prepared her for a job at Shell Petroleum, from where she relocated to Canada. Like most writers, she tries to relive her experiences in her works. “I get my experiences from everywhere, from listening to people talk, from books that I have read, from movies that I have watched, from my experience, from stories people tell me about their own experiences, I see story ideas in everything. When I am writing, I keep my eyes and my ears wide open to the dynamics of the life that is going on around me.” In her book, ‘Colour Blind’, Uponi masterfully weaves the fabrics of the Nigerian culture and tradition into a colourful story of timeless wisdom and biblical truths; contrasted against a backdrop of suspicion, hurt, painful secrets and deception. The book is a plot that movies are made of as each page threads one closer and closer to unraveling the conflict, only to find a new twist on the next. Her second book, ‘Whispers From Yesteryears’, follows the same trend. It is the story of love and tragedy. In it, Okolie’s daughter has run away from home. Suspicion that she may have been a casualty in a fatal vehicle accident is confirmed when her body is located, identified and buried. The tragedy of the painful loss continues to trouble a mother’s heart. Eleven year later, the family receives an email from a stranger who claims to have been in recent contact with the deceased girl. Family secrets begin to surface and bitter accusations start to swirl, ultimately leading to the disintegration of the Okolie family. For a mother of four boys, writing can seem a Herculean task, but Uzoma says she manages to juggle her roles albeit effectively. “Reading and writing have been my hobbies since I learned how to do both. My family knows this and everyone encourages and cooperates with me whenever I sit in front of my laptop, mostly on weekend.” At every point in her life, ideas are brimming in her head, and these soon culminate to books and more books. “The lesson in it for me is to never announce the title of any manuscript I am working on until it is done and ready for printing”.
READING AND WRITING HAVE BEEN MY HOBBIES SINCE I LEARNED HOW TO DO BOTH. MY FAMILY KNOWS THIS AND EVERYONE ENCOURAGES AND COOPERATES WITH ME
WHENEVER I SIT IN FRONT OF MY LAPTOP, MOSTLY ON WEEKEND
MIDWEEK JUMP
Open Mic Night with Lolo
L
olo is the host of the Open Mic Night where lyricists, poets, rappers, and those well versed in spoken word perform to a live audience. Come experience and listen to great minds interpret the society, lay path to a better way for Nigeria or just talk about love in a heart wrenching way. The event begins by 7pm on Thursday, 7th May, 2015 at Bogobiri, Ikoyi, Lagos State. Admission is free.
The Jaja Band at Bogobiri
J
oin Jaja and his band today, at the beautiful Bogobiri. A good way to relax after work or indulge in a weekly event during the week. They have a choice range of drinks and small chops to enjoy while listening to the live band. The event begins by 7pm today, 6th May, 2015 at Bogobiri, 9, Maitama Sule Street off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State. Admission is Free.
26
Arts Lounge
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
FAR AND NEAR
Teecoks’ award for young Nigerian writers W hen outlets for creative ingenuity and developments are not created, people are left with huge hunks of mediocrity. It is in this light that Teecoks Literary Initiative which aims at impacting its environment through literature is organising its 2nd Young Writers Award ceremony and competition on Thursday May 7, 2015 at the Memorable Gathering, Alausa. According to Towunmi, “Nigeria is known for producing wonderful writers and intelligent story tellers and we want to maintain this and even achieve more. The target population is secondary schools because we intend to catch them young. Also, because, this is the moulding age where dreams aspiration, talents and passion can be encouraged and promoted. We started with Lagos State for now, we have no idea what tomorrow holds but we do hope in the nearest future it would span outside Lagos. It is
At the maiden edition of Teecoks’ writing
intended to be a yearly event.” The initiative organises writing competitions for secondary school students in Lagos State in order to promote the reading and writing culture in the society. By imbuing in the teens and youth the love of books, literature and
the art of writing, it is the hope of the initiative that a superior generation will emerge from these young ones; a generation of thinkers and extraordinary minds. The top ten get awarded for their participation, as well as the winning school. All partici-
pating schools are given a certificate of participation. The top three winners get Ipads, novels, pencil cases, notebooks, school bags and many more prizes. The overall winner goes home with a cash prize of N100, 000 in addition to these gifts, while the 4th to
10th get notebooks; novels, school bags, pencil cases, and other consolation prizes depending on the position. The initiative, a truly laudable one is geared toward encouraging young writers and introducing them to the world of endless wonder the literary world is. With the advent of technology, writing can benefit, hence the inclusion of tablets as prizes to further improve reading and writing skills. Other activities of the Initiative include stage plays and publishing literary works. The initiative recently staged a play, ‘Promise of the Future’ written as a novel. Teecoks Literary Initiative, founded by Towunmi Coker, is driven towards promoting our own culture, reading and writing culture in our environment. The initiative began with Teecoks writing competition among secondary school students in Lagos State in 2013 which was the maiden edition.
Piracy: AVRS hosts stakeholders in Asaba
T
he recent public outcry against movie piracy may have triggered a resurgence of interest in the protection of intellectual property among film makers across the country who turned out in exceptionally large numbers at the stakeholders’ sensitisation fora recently organised by Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) respectively in Asaba, Delta State capital, and the ancient city of Benin, Edo State. Chosen for their reputation as active movie production hubs in the South East and South-South axis, the Asaba Forum attracted film makers from Enugu, Onitsha, Owerri, Umuahia and Aba, while Benin had participants from Agbor, Warri, Ekpoma and Port Harcourt in attendance. Addressing the Forum at the prestigious Orchid Hotel, Asaba, Chairman of AVRS, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun traced the long and painstaking process of the formation of AVRS and various activities leading to its approval on November 20, 2014 by the Nigerian Copyright Commission. The Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Richard Mofe Damijo who graced the event, expressed happiness that despite the initial delays in registration and approval, AVRS had finally commenced operations. He described the Society as “an idea whose time has come and the beginning of a new journey towards a greater tomorrow in the audio-visual industry”.
A director of AVRS and erstwhile president of Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Mr. Emmanuel Isikaku bemoaned the disposition of some stakeholders towards embracing new ideas. He made it clear that AVRS had become, in its short period of operations, the rallying point for stakeholders in the fight against movie piracy, and enjoined everyone to support the Society to achieve her objectives. In his own remarks, Onitsha-
RMD speaking at the AVRS Asaba stakeholders meeting
based film producer and marketer and director of AVRS, Chief Osita Okeke (Ossy Afasson) reminded his colleagues from the South-East that their failure over the years to come out and participate fully in the activities of the movie industry had given their counterparts in Lagos an edge, making the industry appear more like a Lagos affair. He appealed to them to have a change of attitude or lose their benefits, as their laid-back posture would not stop initiatives like AVRS from thriving. Other directors of AVRS who spoke in similar manner were Mr. Andy Amenechi and Mr. Patrick Doyle who anchored the event. General Manager of AVRS, Eme Akiba-Eyo, stressed the need for stakeholders to become registered members and assignees of the Society. Displaying samples of the AVRS membership application form, work declaration form and deed of assignment, she made it clear that ownership of audio-visual content or rights did not confer automatic membership of AVRS on any stakeholder.
Cross Section of stakeholders at the Asaba AVRS meeting
Ekombi Dance Troupe performing
Ekombi, Etighi come on stage in Calabar
T
he rich cultural heritage of the Efik people took the spotlight as the Legend Extra Stout ‘Taste and Tell’ activation berthed in Calabar, capital of Cross River State. The event, which was held at the Municipal Garden in Calabar, saw the Ekombi Dance Troupe entertain revelers with deft traditional Efik dance steps. Named after the popular Ekombi dance, a traditional Efik dance routine, the cultural troupe gave a flawless performance of the Ekombiand Etighi traditional dance to the admiration of the merrymakers who urged them on. But the night did not belong to cultural troupe alone. Four years ago, Hip Hop star, Iyanya popularised the Etighi dance step with his hit song, Kukere. Etighi came alive again as the fun seekers were afforded the opportunity to show
off their dexterity in a special dance competition. The people that emerged winners of the competition were each awarded free cartons of Legend Extra Stout for their efforts The event also featured the Legend ‘Taste and Tell’ contest where consumers of Legend were put through a blind taste contest. The three winners, Gabriel Emmanuel, a media Consultant, Peter Sunday Akpan, a civil engineer and Udeme Efrede, the owner of a furniture company all went home with a brand new LED television, a brand new refrigerator and a power generating set respectively. In addition to the traditional dancers, the event also featured live music as Lagos-based live band, Platinum Blazers thrilled the crowd with a medley of old school and contemporary music.
Business
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Open Sky policy ‘ll hamper domestic airlines’ competitiveness, survival –Med-View boss 28
Life Beer boosts entrepreneurship with N12.5m
32
Investors eye Nigeria’s oil industry as OTC kicks off
ITF boss seeks disbursement of N220bn to SMEs SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE
T
he Director General, Industrial Training Funds, ITF, Dr Juliet CkuuasOnaeko, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to fasttrack the disbursement of the N220 billion intervention funds to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs. This, she said, will en able the enterprises to create jobs and contribute more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Products, GDP. The Federal Government had approved the funds to encourage operators in the sector to shoreup their capacities and contribute to the development of the nation’s economy. Ckuuas-Onaeko, who made the appeal while interacting with journalists in Lagos, explained that the MSMEs sub-sector had been contributing to the growth of the country’s GDP. According to her, in the last few years, the nation’s GDP grew from 4 percent to the current 6 percent, adding that the country should turn the quantity (population) advantage into productive advantage. She said that the GDP would grow more, if the small and medium scale enterprises were empowered substantially to create more jobs with the basic skills
offered by the ITF through local and foreign trainings, designed to improve the technical competence of the private and public sectors of the nation’s economy. While noting that the policy and financial interventions of the Federal Government would improve the fortunes of the small enterprises, she also noted that the nation’s industrial revolution plans launched by the Federal Government in 2013 would fully industrialise the country. ‘’Public and private sectors should assist in job creations
and also lay foundation for inclusive growths in all sectors of the nation’s economy’’, she stated. It would be recalled that the 2010 National MSME Survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in collaboration with the Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria was conducted to determine the level of contributions of the sector to the GDP. This is in addition to its contributions to employment opportunities while determining the number of MSMEs in Nige-
ria on geo-political and sectoral basis. The survey however listed weak infrastructure, lack of access to finance as well as inconsistent government policies as major challenges, affecting the MSMEs. MSMEs are major employers of labour in the country, as the sector contributes about 50 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP growths. The survey equally showed that 98 percent of the companies in the country fall under the MSME category.
T
he Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service has said that it seized a total of 482 different contraband items between January and March, 2015. Statistics for the operational activities of the enforcement arm of the service show that the 482 contraband items are valued at N228.9 million with a payable duty of N65.5 million, even as 36 suspects are being prosecuted by the unit in connection with the seizures.
33
AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES 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
General Manager, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University Olawale Anifowose; Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission, Austin Chuks Odo; Head, Regional Sales, South-South, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Enekwachi Aja; and Specialist, SME Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Olufemi Oguntimehin at the 12th edition of Etisalat-Sponsored Market Access which held at The Dome Hall, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, 29th April 2015.
Customs FOU Lagos seizes N229m contrabands in Q1 FRANCIS EZEM
27
Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Deputy Comptroller Aminu Turaki, who spoke at the weekend, said a breakdown of the seizures include 8,584 units of 50kg bags of parboiled rice totaling 8,584 with a duty paid value of N55.8 million. Others include a total of 74 different seizures of smuggled frozen poultry products totaling 11,647 cartons with a DPV of N62.9 million Also seized within the review period include 86 units of assorted fairly used vehicles valued at N108.6 million. The FOU-boss also disclosed that a total of 189 different seizures, which consist of general
goods such as new and used textile materials, new and used foot wear, vegetable oil, Mosquito insecticides, foreign wines, various types of soaps, foreign made Spagethei with a total DPV of N67.2 million. He however said that these seizures comparatively represent over 45 per cent increase in the seizures made in the first quarter of 2014 both in terms of quality and quantity. “We are confident that our renewed zeal and optimism will provide a catalyst for optimal performance in the months to come. The war against smuggling, no doubt, is a herculean task, because
of the natural tendency for a smuggler to fight back each time their goods are seized”, he said. He however assured that officers and men of the unit would remain undeterred as they strongly believe that they individually and collectively have a responsibility to secure the Nigerian nation against the influx of prohibited goods. He also said: “We will not abdicate this responsibility for whatever reason. We call on all Nigerians to support the service through the provision of genuine information that could assist in tracking these economic saboteurs called smugglers and their routes”.
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
Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00
28
Executive Discourse
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Open Sky policy ‘ll hamper domestic airlines’ Med-View Airline is one of the fastest growing, customerfriendly and safety-conscious carriers in the Nigerian aviation industry. Since December 2012 when the airline commenced operations with two Boeing 737 aircraft, its fleet has increased to five even as there are plans by the management to acquire more aircraft and expand its routes to international points before the year runs out. In this interview with Aviation Correspondent, OLUSEGUN KOIKI, the Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, speaks on the airline’s operations, challenges and prospects of Nigeria’s aviation industry. Excerpts: Sir, we know Med-View commenced as a travel agency before it changed into an airline operating company. How has been the journey so far? We started as a hajj carrier and as a General Sales Agent, GSA, to Saudi Airlines. We are one of the major players licensed by the Saudi authorities for hajj and Umrah. We get visas for people and we run cargo business on a daily basis with Saudi Airlines and at the same time, we have been licensed as a regional and international carrier. We are today in the centre of aviation in totality. What others are doing as you see from the outside is just a domestic carrier or a cargo carrier, charter operator or Umrah or whatever, but we are in all. I was in Nigeria Airways for 30 years, grew up there and worked as a cadet officer in commercial department. What that entails is that it gives me a wider scope of knowing all sectors of the industry. So, when you run that training for three to four years, it goes beyond seeing yourself as a commercial officer because you will reach a stage of being appointed a country manager in any part of the world, a position which eventually I got to. And by then, you must know operations in general; you must know all the aspects of aviation, which include cargo; dangerous goods, all the documentations, you must know all the aspects of ground operations, marketing aspect, which is ticketing and you must also know the management. All these made it easier for me as at today sitting down here and working in this company. From the small world, I got to the peak of my carrier in 1998-1999. I was abandoned at this airport for seven years; I was the Marketing Manager for the international airport in Lagos and we ran about 36 flights daily in the domestic scene and on the international side, we
were operating New York three times a week, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and others. It was quite a busy time for this country and we had close to 30 aircraft in Nigeria Airways as at then. It was a nice time for the country, but the all things came down under the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. When Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo decided to liquidate Nigeria Airways, it was a sad experience and the beginning of the end of aviation industry. As at the time of liquidation of the airline, this country had over 60 Bilateral Air Services Agreements, BASA. What it entails is that we had 60 countries sharing the bilateral aviation policies with Nigeria and it means none of these countries can go alone. But now, they are coming and we call it Open Sky policy and they are going free.
In those days, it was a commercial agreement where we would agree on frequencies. Emirates then was begging for three frequencies weekly. In Saudi Arabia, we had three to four frequencies, which means if you have such frequencies, any other frequencies you want to get, you must pay us for such frequency and where our airline is not flying to those countries, we must get some benefits. So, all those ones are dead. I met him former President Obasanjo recently on Ethiopian Airlines and I told him one-on-one that liquidation of Nigeria Airways was a mistaken policy. When we got liquidated, we were stranded overseas. So, I decided to think on what to do. At the same time, 80 to 90 per cent of Nigerians that fly to Saudi Arabia realized that there was nothing in
I THINK IF ANY AIRLINE RUNS THE KIND OF FLIGHTS THAT WE RAN BEFORE WE GOT THE
AIR OPERATOR’S CERTIFICATE, AOC, I THINK IT WOULD BE A SAFER SKY FOR AL
Saudi Arabia or the Arab world. So, they were abandoned there and they turned to deportees. So, you will find Nigerians littering everywhere in Saudi Arabia and I feel sad. In the cause of this, I thought of setting up a travel agency so that the Saudi authorities can grant us a license, which would enable us to get the visa right and start taking people in a normal way. This is the beginning of the story. That was why we set up Med-View International Travels and Cargo doing Umrah. Later, we created another outfit, which we called Med-View Travel and Consults. What this entails is that we became a consultancy to those people who want to set up some things in aviation industry either airline, travel agency, tour or a cargo outfits. We have been doing Hajj since 2007 till date, which is what most people don’t like doing. We applied with National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, which regulates hajj operations. We have been involved since then. We have taken about 250,000 Nigerians and some African countries in and out of Saudi Arabia. It has been a quiet business. In 2011, my colleagues and I, decided to try our hands in the scheduled operations and started the domestic operations
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Executive Discourse
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
29
competitiveness, survival –Med-View boss in November 2012 with two dry lease aircraft. I am not boasting about it, I think if any airline runs the kind of flights that we ran before we got the Air Operator’s Certificate, AOC, I think it would be a safer sky for all. We flew for a mandatory 50 hours without a commercial benefit to know the competence of our equipment and crew. Today, we have five aircraft from two and another bigger one that would be used for a long haul would be arriving soon. By God’s grace, as at today, we have carried 968,000 passengers, which is close to one million passengers. We are now going to Accra, which is daily and if the Ebola issue cleans up from other African countries, which is very close, we might be dovetailing into Conakry and Dakar. That’s our next line. On the international line, we are close. Dubai has given us four frequencies; we have established there with our personnel, we are in Jeddah. So, the future is what we are looking forward to. As at the last quarter of last year, we decided to launch the airline into the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The consultancy is working on this. So, in the next couple of weeks or months, you will see us there. What would you want to see as the roadmap for the sector from the incoming administration? The President-elect, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, has made statements that it is sad for a country as big as Nigeria with 170 million population without a national airline, which I want to support him on because having a national carrier is a selling point for a country. If your nationals are based in the United States now, you fly to any destinations there, definitely, you will encourage those nationals to bring in something to sell from the money they made. But here, they are not there. Flying Delta Air Lines from there to here, the patriotism is not there.
xxxxx
FOR ANY NIGERIAN BANK, THEY WANT A SHORT TERM LOAN, WHICH IS NOT THE BUSINESS FOR AVIATION. AVIATION REQUIRES A LONG TERM LOAN AND FOR BANKS, THEY WANT TO RECOUP THEIR INTEREST AHEAD OF THE MONEY So, we need to rethink. My advice here is that whosoever that is going to be Minister of Aviation should be a technocrat. We need someone who knows the terrain and understands the business. Politicians have no business to be here at all. Aviation is not just administration, but technical. You must understand the drive and what it entails because the people you are going to talk to in other parts of the world are not politicians like you. So, whatever you are speaking should be the language that the two of you can communicate with. The other one is to revive the industry. Basic elements are the ones killing the industry such as aviation fuel. With what we are blessed with in oil and gas, do we need to import fuel into this country? We need to bring back our refineries to life. Also, how can we as an airline in Nigeria be paying charges in our own country? Flying between Lagos and Abuja, we are paying over-flight permit, we are paying costs and by landing, we are paying costs. This is a country that belongs to us and the business belongs to Nigeria. That is why what we are charging is not the right price because the dollar is above N200 and we are charging N14 to N15, 000 to Abuja, which is less than $100. We pay taxes to Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,
NCAA, which collects five per cent and several other charges. They are not necessary. Also, the NCAA should be given the power of autonomy because any country you go to outside this country, you are going to discuss with the Civil Aviation Authorities, CAAs. That is the only window you have. We are looking at the situation where we should belong to those areas. Are you comfortable with the interest rate regime for businesses in the country, especially for those in aviation industry? The interest rate is killing and I will tell you we have issues with banks, which is the only financial institution we can discuss with today in this country, but the business is not good for aviation. For any Nigerian bank, they want a short term loan, which is not the business for aviation. Aviation requires a long term loan and for banks, they want to recoup their interest ahead of the money. They go up to 22 to 24 per cent and this is two digits and in other climes, the interest is less than 0.5 per cent. That is why Med-View is going to the market; to get more money and get more people onboard to run the company because it’s a project we have a passion for and we don’t want it to die. The Cape Town Convention gives window for operators to have access to new air-
craft, what is happening with the convention in Nigeria? I am privileged to have information with the outgoing administration. Remember, the government gave out some subventions recently. And the government in the recent time again had about N100bn intervention fund when Mallam Lamido Sanusi was the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor. The concept is that rather than giving the airlines to have access to that money, they were to discuss with the aircraft manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, Embraer and CRJ to partner with one or two of them to bring in aircraft while the government would bankroll the payment. What Nigeria needed to do was to set up a leasing company where individual airline can access, but what went wrong along the line, I don’t know, it never materialised. That is what we need. It is not how new the aircraft is that matters. Newer aircraft is just like buying a new car, which doesn’t mean that it won’t give you a problem. Newer aircraft are made by men and these are human elements. Most crashes we have seen all over the world are with newer aircraft. The four basic things you will know about an aircraft you are flying are engines, airframes, avionics components and the landing gears. If these things are not there, the aircraft won’t be in the air. There are no finances to buy new aircraft in this country. So, for me to appreciate the incoming government, it should create a platform with sincere and committed operators in the system. We know each other so well. We pray for government to bring in finance. The former CBN Governor, Sanusi told us he had the money locked up. Maybe, by now they should help us tell the incoming government that there is money somewhere for us to access. Flight delays and cancellations are common among Nigerian carriers. At what point do you cancel flights and why? For the sake of this opportunity offered me, I will tell you two or three reasons why we cancel flights; one, aircraft serviceability, which is known as airworthiness. When the aircraft gets to a particular period, it goes for checks, which passengers are not privilege to. Maintenance of aircraft is number one. Secondly, we have weather issue, which we call destination weather. It happens regularly. That is the risk of the game. When we go from Lagos, we call it contingency fuel, which is to take you back to your departure point in case the weather in Abuja is not favourable. We calculate the fuel, in the event that you cannot land in Abuja, what is the alternate airport to Abuja? It is Kaduna, Ilorin or others. We are not in control of the weather. It happened in Yola with the bad weather and the military bombardment of Boko Haram. Thirdly, it might be in the commercial side of it. For instance, we have Abuja at 12 and 2pm. The passengers to Abuja at 12 noon are 17 and the Abuja at 2pm is 80 and the capacity you have is 150. Why do you want to go to Abuja empty and waste your fuel? Those are the elements you have to work with daily.
30
Business News
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NAMA, SITA sign agreement on CPDLC OLUSEGUN KOIKI
T
he Federal Government, through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, has signed an agreement with the Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques, SITA, on the provision of ControllerPilot Data Link Communication, CPDLC, for the provision of facilities that would enhance communications between plots and controllers. The Managing Director, NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam disclosed this in a chat with aviation correspondents in Lagos. Abdulsalam further explained that the equipment, which is expected to commence operations in June would also improve safety in the Nigerian airspace. He maintained that the equipment was another alternative to voice communication between the Air Traffic Controllers, ATCs, and pilots, stressing that it would tackle issues where voice network was
126,000 Sierra Leoneans to benefit from UNICEF grants SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE
A
bout 126,000 people, including children, Ebola survivors and other vulnerable people in Sierra Leon are expected to benefit from the World Bank’s cash grants in collaboration with the UNICEF. The cash grants would enable families to buy foods, educate children and protect assets such as livestock. Basically, the programme is expected to provide regular cash transfers to 21,000 extremely poor households in the country. Chief of Staff, Office of the World Bank President, Saidu Conton Sesay said, the core objective of the programme, is to achieve middle-income status by the year 2035 by reducing the number of Sierra Leoneans below the poverty line. According to him, the programme would also strengthen coordination and implementation of social protection programmes, aimed at improving nutrition services, and access to education to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty in Africa.
not too good in the country. He said the equipment would also cover the oceanic region like Lagos and Niger-Delta. The NAMA chief also disclosed that surface movement and ground control was established in Lagos recently while the one for Abuja would come into effect from May 28, adding that the installation of the equipment follow various processes. He revealed that the agency
was also in the advance stage of deploying multilateration in the Gulf of Guinea after survey and discussion, noting that it was awaiting its approval for deployment for a safer operation. He added, “A lot of new routes have been established to reduce flying time and also reduce fuel consumption for airlines. In collaboration with Agency for the Safety of Aerial Navigation in Africa, ASECNA, part of what
we want to do is to establish an ATC centre communication link. “The Kano Safe Tower Project has been on for a while and others like Lagos, Abuja have been concluded. When the one for Kano is completed, Kano Station facilities would move to another control tower.” Abdulsalam also emphasised that the Federal Government has approved installation of new navigational aids in six air-
ports across the country. He insisted that the installation of the equipment would boost operations in the country and create better, improved and safety of airspace. Abdusalam explained that NAMA after replacing the navigational aids in these six airports, the ones which were there and are in working condition would be installed in other airports to enhance the system.
Importers, exporters back FG on Common External Tariff FRANCIS EZEM
I
mporters and exporters (shippers) under the aegis of Shippers Association of Lagos State, have thrown their weight behind the decision of the Federal Government to kick off the implementation of the Common External Tariff CET 2015-2019, which covers the 16 member nations of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS. President of the association, Rev Jonathan Nicol, who spoke in an exclusive interview, noted that the importers and exporters would be the greatest beneficiaries of the new tariff regime, which covers the entire region. According to him, the new tariff structure would among other benefits brig about control and regulation in the imposition of tariffs by the different Customs Administration and other government agencies in the imposition of tariffs on importers and exporters. “When countries meet under a system where there is control and a common tariff structure, members would be careful not to violate but where there is no such arrangement, many of them would impose all manners
of tariffs, which would not be in the best interest of the cargo owners, the shippers”, Nicol, said. According to him, in addition to facilitating the enthronement of a measure of control, the unified tariff structure within the West African Community would also reduce the cost of doing business, which the shippers have clamoured for over the years. He argued that the greatest challenge faced by most importers and exporters especially in
Africa remains the very high cost of doing business in the shipping and maritime environment, which does not promote business, as it eats deep into profitability. “Ncol also said: “One other benefits of the common tariff within the West African Community is that member-nations are under obligation to honour and enforce the CET, which is also good for the shippers because this will bring about a level of certainty in making projections
in terms of cost doing business”, he also said. He however debunked rumours that the Nigerian importers and exporters would pay more under the new tariff structure, which he described as unfounded, insisting that the issue is not with Nigerian importers and exporters alone, rather those within the member states of the ECOWAS, which will not operate a uniform tariff structure whether they are in Nigeria or Ghana, among others.
L-R: Managing Director, British American Tobacco (BAT), Mr. Chris McAllister and President Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, during a courtesy visit of the chamber to BAT’s office in Lagos, yesterday.
Airtel, Oando sign retail partnership agreement ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN
A
irtel Nigeria and Oando Marketing have sealed a strategic retail partnership agreement to bring retail services close to its customers. The partnership is expected to deepen retail footprints for both companies as well as bring its innovative mobile telecoms services and solutions closer to telecoms consumers using the over 300 fuel dispensing outlet of Oando spread across the country. According to the partners,
the agreement will provide an opportunity for Airtel customers to access telecommunications solutions and services at over 300 Oando’ s retail outlets across the country. Speaking during the MOU signing ceremony, Chief Sales Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Godfrey Efeurhobo, said the partnership with Oando will enrich and empower the lives of millions of telecoms consumers. According to him, Airtel’s strategic alliance with Oando is proof of its unwavering commitment to bring innovative, relevant and affordable tele-
coms packages to the doorsteps of millions of Nigerians. He noted that the partnership will further empower Nigerians with real-time mobile solutions be it voice or mobile internet to help them fulfill their communication potentials. “Airtel Nigeria is committed to enriching lives, touching lives and building connected communities of empowered Nigerians. We are also delighted that Oando has bought into our vision of ubiquitous retail presence”, he said. Efeurhobo said further that the partnership is special since
it involves two leaders, Airtel and Oando adding that “Oando is a force to be reckoned with in the oil and gas sector with over 300 retail presence across Nigeria. They saw value in us and through this mutual relationship have agreed to expand the values we both share.” Chief Operations Officer, Oando Marketing, Mrs. Olaposi Williams, said, “We are elated about this partnership as it is the coming together of two great brands. We are glad that Airtel chose to partner with us, and we see this as the beginning of great things”.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business News
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
31
Poverty, inequality account for Nigeria’s malnutrition rate –CISLAC, others ABOLAJI ADEBAYO
T
he Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, and other stakeholders committed to socio-economic emancipation of the vulnerable groups in the country have identified poverty as one of the major causes of malnutrition in the country. Other factors linked to the menace and its negative impacts on the well being of the vulnerable groups, particularly women and children are health status, social norms, poverty, ignorance, social inequality and unemployment. Giving this verdict at the end of the One-day Civil Society Workshop on Legislative and Policy Advocacy on Agriculture, Nutrition and Health in Nigeria organized by CISLAC in Lagos, participants maintained that malnutrition always resulted in impaired physical and mental growth, higher maternal mortality, and low weight gain. In a communiqué issued at the end of the Workshop and signed by Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani); representative of Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, Balogun Justina; and SERAP representative, Ugochi Okpe, the experts blamed
poor coordination for interThey lamented that the 2011 women between 15 to 45 years to “Women empowerment, gender vention, lack of political will, global figure revealed that promote appropriate reproduc- inclusion, adequate access to lack of budgetary allocation, 101million children under the tive health, adding that appropri- water and sanitation to enhance poor multi-sectorial approach age of five were underweight; ate healthy and complimentary nutrition level; and maternity to address malnutrition, among and 165 million children under food for children should be up- leave for women to encourage other factors discouraging effec- age of five were stunted, over 10.5 held to enhance adequate growth appropriate breast feeding for tive nutrition level in the coun- million children in Nigeria were and development. children. Adequate advocacy by try. In addition, they further rec- civil society groups to the incomreportedly stunted. This is despite the fact that nuTotackle the problem of mal- ommended evidence-based ad- ing political administration for trition remained essential to gal- nutrition and its negative impact vocacy by civil society groups to deliberate political intervention vanise human growth and devel- on young children and women generate accurate data and can- with increased curiosity for comopment, and accelerate progress in the country, the participants vass for effective nutrition level munity engagement and public on key economic development. sensitization to improve nutrirecommended the need to focus in Nigeria. According to them, despite on nutritional intervention on The communiqué stated: tion level.” enormous resources allocated to the health sector, health programmes and policies are yet to make meaningful impact in lives of common Nigerians. The participants also stated that corruption and lack of proactive intervention to replenish exhausted health facilities resulted in poor accessibility to healthcare services, while lack of domestication and implementation of both local and international ratified conventions on health slows effort at ensuring compliance with global standard. Other challenges listed as constraining healthy growth of the citizens, particularly women and children include, identified inadequate coverage by existing programmes and policies on health for citizens’ needs as serious L-R: Product Manager, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. David Otukpe; winner, Diamondextra, fifty thousand Naira category, Mr. challenge to achieving effective Onyeka Nnaji and Customer Experience Partner, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Odili Ogwu, during the draw in Lagos, recently. health service delivery.
BVN to check forex arbitrage –Sterling Bank ED UDO ONYEKA
T
he Bank Verification Number ,BVN, initiative, when fully implemented, will help to curb arbitrage in the foreign exchange market, Executive Director at Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, has said. Suleiman, who disclosed this at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos, explained that with the BVN, each bank customer will have a unique identification, which will make it easy to prevent people from flouting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ,CBN, recent policy on the use of naira denominated debit cards for transactions abroad. The policy reduced the spending limit on the usage of the naira denominated debit cards for transactions abroad, from $150,000 per person annually, to $50,000 per person annually. The daily cash withdrawal limit on the card was also fixed at $300 per person. According to the Managing
Director/Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, who first revealed that the Bankers’ Committee had agreed to reduce the limit on the usage of naira debit cards abroad, the decision was taken because of some cases of card abuse abroad which was impacting exchange rate stability. The Union Bank boss had explained, “We did find that in a number of cases people were using the cards in a manner that they were not expected to use them and there have been cases of arbitrage. So in order to sustain stability, what was agreed by the committee was that the limit for the use of the naira debit cards would be reduced.” However, despite the reduction in the spending limit on the usage of the naira denominated debit cards for transactions abroad, from $150,000 per person annually, to $50,000 per person annually, industry watchers argue that bank customers some could attempt to circumvent this policy by opening several bank
accounts and using the naira debit cards they will be given to make withdrawals above the limit. But according to Mr. Suleiman, this will not be feasible when the BVN initiative is fully implemented, as each bank customer will have a BVN that will give him/ her a unique identity that will be known to every player in the financial sector. Thus, when such a customer has reached the limit of his naira debit card spending abroad, he will not be able to use another card as the system will immediately recognize him. The BVN, which is an initiative of the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee, was launched on February 14, 2014. It is a unique identifier for each bank customer across the financial industry, making it possible to build and track customer financial history and activity. This will allow banks access to more reliable information that could inform decisions on customer loan and credit applications and other complex transactions.
The initiative is expected to boost financial inclusion as those who have typically stayed away from mainstream banking due to low literacy levels will be able to open and access their bank accounts using their biometric information rather than traditional identification methods. As part of efforts to encourage enrolment for the BVN, the CBN had directed banks to only honour transactions over N100million from customers with BVN from March 2015. Such transactions, according to the central bank, include but not limited to, money transfers, loans, and contingencies, among others. The CBN also urged all bank customers to register for their BVN by June 2015, warning that any bank customer without a BVN would be deemed to have inadequate Know-Your-Customers by that date. The Managing Director, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc ,NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi, disclosed recently that bank custom-
ers who have done the mandatory biometric registration at any bank branch will soon start collecting their BVN cards as the cards were already with the banks awaiting collection by customers. Shonubi stated that bank customers would not be charged for the cards. The NIBSS boss said, “We are giving the BVN cards out for free. The cost is borne by the Bankers’ Committee, which considers the whole biometric project very important. They have been bearing the cost; the cost of the cards, cost of almost everything else that has to do with the BVN. “I have got my BVN card. I would encourage bank customers to talk to their banks as well. They have been printing them and sending them to the banks to distribute to the branches where you have enrolled, you would be sent an SMS. For those that have given email address, it would be sent to their emails.” Indeed, investigations reveal that some banks have started giving the cards to their customers.
32
Business News
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Life Beer boosts entrepreneurship with N12.5m DAVID AUDU
L
ife Continental Lager Beer, a brand of beverage from the stable of Nigerian Breweries, has initiated an entrepreneur empowerment scheme of N12.5 million for budding and talented businessmen and women within the SouthEast. The innovative talent hunt and mentoring programme is dubbed ‘Progress Booster’. Speaking to distributors and representatives of different market associations at the launch of the project in Onitsha recently, Marketing Manager, Lager & Stout, Emma Agu, stated that the project is a radio reality project meant to re-launch and reinvigorate Life Continental Lager Beer in the South East market where it pioneered regional brewing and has maintained leadership of the region’s booming market. Agu noted that the programme was meant to empower 50 budding entrepreneurs that have submitted sound and workable business proposals to the brands outlets in the South-East. He stated that a winner,
whose proposal must have been approved by business experts, would be given N250,000 to startup his or her business idea that won him the money while being supervised by business experts for the next three months. He explained that while being supervised for three months if the business of the budding entrepreneur is still doing well, he would be given another N250,000 added to the initial seed capital. Agu said that the winner would be announced each week via a weekly radio programmes on the scheme in four regional radio stations in Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri and Aba. The manager noted that the business proposal could be on trading, handicraft, small scale manufacturing and provision of social services, which must have ways of yielding money and pulling the recipients of the cash grant out of poverty to being employer of labour later on. He explained that the criteria for participating included: participants must be above 18 years; must come from the South-East and must reside within the South-East.
“The empowerment project tagged, Progress Booster is a radio reality project designed in the manner of global entrepreneurial reality series like The Executive, The Entrepreneur etc. “Where young and aspiring entrepreneurs conceive and present business ideas and projects in a competitive atmosphere to panel of experts, business executives and professionals who will guide them to realise their dreams. “Progress Booster will see young and aspiring entrepreneurs especially from the South East competing with each other for various prizes as the project will challenge them to draw on their Igbo heritage of doggedness, industry, enterprise and progress as a people, to conceive, package and present business ideas to a carefully selected panel of judges made up of successful business owners and entrepreneurs, accomplished professionals and academics, especially of Igbo extraction. “Winners will emerge at the State levels in each of the five South-East states where the
L-R : President, Nigeria Information and Communication Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) Emma Okonji; Public relations manager, Etisalat Nigeria Chineze Amanfo; Chairman, Zinox Group Leo-Stan Ekeh, and Vice President NITRA, Mr. Stan Okenwa, during the NITRA quarterly seminar series in Lagos, recently.
Stakeholders rally to explore Africa’s $80bn aviation market JOHNSON OKALANWON
W
orld’s leading airlines, ministers and authorities including IATA, Rwandair, CAA Ghana, will meet next week to discuss untapped aviation opportunities. The meeting, which takes place in Dubai, will underscore the immense potential of the African aviation market. The two-day event, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, President of Dubai’s Depart-
ment of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Airline, has been established to forge a crucial dialogue among the aviation industry’s leading stakeholders on the social, economic and political benefits to be gained from wide-ranging improvements to the infrastructure in Africa. “If you look at the sheer potential of just a handful of African airlines, routes and airports, you realise just how enormous an impact Africa can have on the future of aviation, and moreover you can clearly see just how
beneficial a progressive aviation industry can be for the socio-economic future of the continent,” says Alan Peaford MBE, event organiser and summit Chairman. “Geographically, it’s ideally located right next to well-established hubs in the Gulf, and is able to capitalise on the passenger and cargo traffic already streaming through the region. “Aviation Africa 2015 will fill a void in the aviation calendar and give Africa a real chance to progress quickly, effectively and safely,” he adds.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
CWG wins Oracle Partner of the Year Award ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN
P
an-African ICT Company, Computer Warehouse Group Plc., CWG, has been named the Oracle partner of the year 2015. This follows an award presentation to CWG at the Oracle ‘Spread the Red’ Event held in Lagos to celebrate outstanding partners in the country. The Oracle Specialised Partner of the Year Award is given to Oracle partners in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) in commemoration of their outstanding performance in identified areas. This includes specialisation in Oracle products sales, excellent customer service delivery and innovative value added services. According to Oracle, the Partner of the year award winners
were adjudged by a panel of executives from Oracle EMEA Alliances and Channels. They are also considered as the regions nomination for the Oracle Global Award. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Oracle Nigeria Country Manager, Mr. Bayo Sanni, expressed satisfaction with CWG’s commitment to the both companies’ partnership drive. He observed that “CWG has been a dependable partner in the Nigerian market space overtime. And, this special award represents our appreciation of their contributions to our business and indeed the entire industry in the out-gone year. “It is also an assurance of our commitment to continue to work closely with you on driving the Oracle business in the bid to actualize our mutual business priorities in 2015”, he added.
Lumia 640 XL enters Nigerian market ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN
M
icrosoft latest device, the Lumia 640 XL currently making wave in Europe and Americas has entered the Nigerian market. The device joins the Lumia portfolio to offer more personal computing and increased productivity through seamlessly integrated Microsoft Office experiences, OneDrive storage and fast 4G connectivity. The Lumia 640 XL was upgrade to and benefit from Windows 10 as it becomes available later this year. The new Lumia offers smooth and quickly access to your favourite websites, documents, apps and games, thanks to the onboard 1GB of memory and powerful quad core Qualcomm Snap-
dragon processor. The device sports a 13MP rear camera with LED flash as well as a 5MP front facing camera which capture amazingly detailed images and videos. Also impressive is its 5.7’ HD display designed to enhance your viewing experience. Talk time is also quite remarkable thanks to the long lasting 3000mAh Battery, offering almost 24 hours talk time. Adopters of the new Lumia 640XL will enjoy the latest version of Windows Phone 8.1 and the Lumia Denim update, complete with one-swipe Action Centre, Word Flow and Live Folders as well as the ability to Keep up-to-date with the best features through regular updates to Windows, including all the benefits of Windows 10 service as it becomes available later this year.
China reports climate change threat to major projects
C
hina has disclosed that climate change is threatening most important infrastructural projects in the country, saying the country’s rate of warming was higher than the global average. Head, China’s Meteorological Administration, Zheng Guoguang said the recent weather disasters such as floods, typhoons, droughts and heat waves have big connections to climate change. Such catastrophes, he said, were threat to-ticket schemes such as the Three Gorges Dam and high-altitude railway to Tibet.
“Against the backdrop of the global warming, the risks faced by our large engineering projects have increased,” Zheng stated. According to his statement, “Global warming affects the safety and stability of these big projects, as well as their operations and economic effectiveness, technological standards and engineering methods. ‘’China’s rate of warming was “at an obviously higher rate” than the global average, with the north of the country warming faster than the south and winters faster than the summer, Zheng also said.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
EnergyWeek Blame low oil price on speculation –Cartel 35
Access Bank to fund new energy project in 2015 37
33
NERC defends electricity tariff hike 38
Investors eye Nigeria’s oil industry as OTC kicks off As a result of major problems, including uncertainty over elections, low crude oil prices and lack of adequate legislation, the nation’s oil and gas industry has not been able to attract many local and foreign investments. UDEME AKPAN however reports that investors have started showing serious interest in the industry.
Oil vessel
W
ith some internal challenges, especially uncertainty over the just concluded elections, Nigeria’s economy was temporarily shut to local and foreign investments. In other words, the investors and others such financiers and services prodders were unwilling or reluctant to stake resources in the nation at least for a reason. They doubted the possibility of recovering such investments in the nation. While this lasted, the industry recorded sharp decline in many areas. For instance, the nation’s oil reserves dropped
THE INTEGRATED DATA SERVICES NIGERIA
LIMITED, IDSL, THE SUBSIDIARY OF THE NNPC HAS COMMENCED SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION IN THE
CHAD BASIN
from about 37 billion to 31.81 billion barrels. This development confirmed the fears by experts who predicted much ear-
lier that the country’s crude oil reserves may soon dry up due to low investment in exploration.
But the picture seems to be changing for good. Investigations showed that unlike in the past, many investors have started to demonstrate serious interest in the nation’s economy, even ahead of formal handover of the government to General Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Take the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC as an example. The nation’s apex oil Corporation indicated over the weekend that it has concluded CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
34
Energy Week
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Investors rekindle interest in Nigeria’s oil, gas industry as OTC opens CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 plans to resume oil and gas exploration in the Chad Basin following improved security situation in the North East of the nation. The Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Joseph T. Dawha maintained that the Integrated Data Services Nigeria Limited, IDSL, the subsidiary of the NNPC has commenced seismic data acquisition in the Chad Basin. He described the security situation in the northeast that led the corporation to suspend oil exploration activities in the Chad Basin as ‘unfortunate’ while commending the security forces on their recent success in the fight against the insurgents. The GMD remarked that in spite of the challenge of funding as a result of the fall in crude oil prices, the company’s performance is encouraging as it recorded a thirty two percent revenue growth. Managing Director of the company, Engr. Victor Briggs remarked that IDSL is expanding its operations beyond the shores of Nigeria to neighbouring West African countries and other emerging oil producing countries in Africa. IDSL was incorporated in 1988. Its services include provision of seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation as well as petroleum and reservoir engineering data evaluation, computer and other ancillary services. The NNPC is not alone. Already, over 50 companies, including International Oil Companies, IOCs, indigenous operators and service providers have left the shores of Nigeria to participate in the Offshore Technology Conference which opens in Houston, Texas, United States on Monday, this week. The companies featuring as participants and exhibitors are bent on showcasing investment opportunities in the nation’s oil and gas industry. They are also there to forge partnering and alliancing with stakeholders in the global community. The quest for investment is also championed by some professional associations. For instance, the Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, Engr. Emeka Ene emphasised that, “PETAN has been promoting the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria through the organization and participation of Nigerian Entrepreneurs in conferences, seminars, workshops, and creating opportunities for Nigerian companies to project themselves in the competitive industry. Since 2005, PETAN has been solely responsible for organizing the Nigerian Pavilion and the exhibition of Nigerian companies at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), which holds in Houston, Texas every year.” “PETAN is the initiator of local content in Nigeria and have been championing the quest for increased local participation in the Nigerian oil and Gas industry. PETAN has been giving opportunities to Nigerian companies to showcase themselves in international conferences and exhibitions such as the OTC, GPS, Offshore Europe, NOG, OWA etc. PETAN, companies and their contractors employ over 20000 Nigerians of which over 60 per cent are graduates. This has a beneficial “domino” effect on economy through use of Local-Inputs, growth of local expertise and know-how.
Jonathan
Alison-Madueke
PETAN IS THE INITIATOR OF LOCAL CONTENT IN
NIGERIA AND HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONING THE QUEST FOR INCREASED LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN
NIGERIAN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY THE
Dawha
(Reduce costs and maintain standards). PETAN companies are competent Nigerian companies and have proven to be good corporate citizens,” he emphasised. He maintained that, “PETAN is conscious of her role in reviving the Nigerian economy as a techno-economic group, using the local content drive as the hub of the association’s strategies. Local content means the quantum of composite value added to, or created in the Nigeria economy through a deliberate utilization of Nigeria human and material resources and services in the upstream and downstream sectors of the Nigeria Petroleum Industry, which includes all activities connected with the exploration, development, exploitation, processing, transportation and sales of Nigerian crude oil and gas resources, without compromising quality, health, safety and environmental standards.” From all indications, foreign investors would likely found PETAN members, many of whom have put in many years in the services of the IOCs before setting up their businesses. They would also found investing in the nation’s oil and gas environment very rewarding for a reason. Feasible and viable opportunities abound in many sectors. For instance, potential investors with sufficient funds could go
into exploration and production of crude oil, natural gas and condensates for local utilisation and export while small scale investors could invest in marginal fields. The downstream sector involving refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products, by-products and derivatives is another goldmine. Interested investors could also construct depots, filling stations and procure tankers for storage retailing and distribution of products. Investors can take a look at the gas sub-sector where many opportunities exist for the production of various products, including liquefied petroleum gas. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is another segment that should be exploited. This involves the use of tube trailers to deliver gas to consumers who are not close to existing gas facilities. Investors are further needed to invest in the popularization of gas as automobile fuel. This calls for the establishment of filling stations and conversion workshops to convert automobile engines from petrol and diesel to CNG. Statistics have it that this usage date to 1989 when NGC initiated a pilot scheme to illustrate its functionality. Since then, only about 43 vehicles have been converted because of high cost of investment, which seems to scare investors. The experience of Argentina which has
not only converted over 400,000 vehicles but has established more than 800 refueling stations in the past 10 years shows that the project could be successful in Nigeria, provided adequate policies, legislation, state support, infrastructure, funds, fiscal incentive and proper pricing mechanism are put in place. Others who have no interest in direct investment could establish outfits to provide specialised services to core operators. Services with high demand include surveying and civil works which have to do with geodetic control establishment, mapping and site surveys, drilling locations preparation, construction of access roads and mud piles and supplies of cement, chemicals, gravels, iron rods, timber and labour. This does not mean that all is completely well in the industry. Indeed, it has some challenges, including the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB into law. The PIB has been on the drawing board for almost a decade without passage. Consequently, the nation has not been able to realize the objective of the bill. Evidence abounds to show that foreign investments that would have come to Nigeria have gone to other nations, especially Ghana and Angola. But hope is not lost as the renewed interest in the nation is coming at a time that crude oil prices are trying to rebound in the international market. The prolonged low crude oil prices have been attributed to speculation and over estimation of the capacity of United States and others to flood to the volatile market. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC maintained that oil supply and demand don’t fully justify the 60 percent drop in prices between June and January, this year. It also disclosed that prices would start to rise from the second quarter of 2015. This is good news for many investors. But the Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr, Diran Fawibe said the nation should not expect much to take place without the PIB. Fawibe who noted that there is a great need to pass the PIB into law without further delay maintained that the increased investment would go a long way to increasing the nation’s oil reserves from the present 36 billion barrels to 40 billion barrels in 2020.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Energy Week
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
35
Blame low oil prices on speculation – Cartel STORIES: UDEME AKPAN
T
he prolonged low crude oil prices have been attributed to speculation and over estimation of the capacity of United States and others to flood to the volatile market. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC maintained that oil supply and demand don’t fully justify the 60 percent drop in prices between June and January, this year. A rise in supply from outside the OPEC at a time when demand for oil was weak was the main reason for the drop, OPEC said in its monthly bulletin on Monday. Brent oil, benchmark for more than half
El-Badri
of the world’s crude, tumbled from mid-June to a six-year low in January as U.S. output climbed to the highest level in more than four decades and OPEC members pumped more barrels. “There was one other important factor that contributed to the downturn, especially as the price decline gained momentum,” OPEC said. “That was speculation.” Brent for June delivery rose 0.8 percent to $66.96 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe in Dubai on Monday. Prices have rebounded from the low of $45.19 in January. The premium that speculators add to oil prices ranges from $10 to $30 a barrel, OPEC said. The 12-member OPEC left its production target unchanged at a November meeting, prompting speculation that it would let crude slide low enough to curb shale development in the U.S. OPEC’s interest is different from that of traders in the market as hedge funds and speculators need prices to fluctuate to make profits, OPEC said. “The stability that OPEC and other energy stakeholders seek is of no help to them and severely limits their scope for gain,” OPEC said. OPEC oil production was little changed in April near the highest level since November 2012 as Saudi Arabia pumped 10 million barrels a day, according to a Bloomberg survey of oil companies, producers and analysts. The survey showed that production by OPEC slipped 1,000 barrels to 31.295 million a day during the period.
However, the Secretary General of OPEC, Dr. Abdalla S. El-Badri indicated that for producers, it may be useful to use the situation of lower oil prices to create incentives to use energy more efficiently and implement sustainable policies that could lay the groundwork for more diversified and less energy-dependent economies. “The reason we need to keep our eyes on the longer term is because energy demand is expected to increase by 60 per cent by 2040, with fossils fuels remaining central to the energy mix. The world will need more oil investments and the MENA region will be central to this,” he said. He said, “In OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2014, oil-related investment requirements are estimated to be around $10 trillion between now and 2040. And oil demand is seen increasing by around 21 million barrels a day to 111 million barrels a day by 2040, with Asia accounting for almost three-quarters of this growth. The MENA region is clearly perfectly-positioned to supply Asia’s ever-expanding demand for oil and gas.” “There is no doubt that the market and its stakeholders will have to evolve to ever-changing circumstances and challenges in the years ahead. Alongside the current market situation, these include uncertainties that we can call ‘known’ uncertainties. These include the potential impact of UN climate change negotiations; the role of financial markets and oil market speculation; energy policies in some consuming countries; manpower bottlenecks; advances in technology; and rising costs,” he added.
Total explores alternative energy, floats solar solutions
T
otal Nigeria Plc has expressed commitment to explore alternative energy solutions in a bid to bring respite to homes and help the nation solve the electricity supply crises. Specifically, the oil major has commenced a new Solar Home Solutions to be implemented in pilot phases for households throughout the federation. This innovation compliments the recent introduction of solar rechargeable lamps and solar powered filling stations. The Managing Director, Total Nigeria Plc, Alexis Vovk, on the occasion of the 7th Lagos State Summit for Climate Change, remarked that with the global climate change and increasing carbon emission becoming one of the most serious threats facing humanity, Total Nigeria Plc sees the need for alternative energy technologies and solutions; as part of the company’s “efforts to lead the campaign for a greener tomorrow, we have taken bold steps to venture into a more environmental friendly energy solutions”. He lamented the huge gap in electricity supply and demand in the country, making reference to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Africa Energy Outlook, which stated that about 93 million out of Nigeria’s 170 million population (55 per cent of the population), lack
access to electricity. He also noted that Nigeria’s current electricity generation of 5,500MW (according to the Minister of Power) is not sufficient to meet the demand of the entire country which is estimated at 200,000 Mega Watts (MW); the result of which is resort to the use of costly alternative sources of energy that are fossil fuel based and which contribute to the already high carbon emission level in Nigeria. “The level of CO2 emission from gaseous fuel consumption in Nigeria as at 2011 was estimated to be at 23.58M MT (World Development Indicators). Hence, the need for development of alternative energy sources with lower carbon footprint cannot be over emphasized,” he said. Mr. Vovk re-emphasized that energy is essential for national development; consequently no developing country can achieve economic sustainability without adequate energy supplies to meet her global need. “Today, I am happy to announce that TOTAL Nigeria is introducing different scopes of solar energy solutions to the Nigerian market, for domestic, industrial and commercial use. This is with the aim of improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and making energy available to all.
“However, l will like to emphasize that though we have only just introduced the commercial offer of the solar solutions; it is a project that has long been developed. Our solar solutions include the Hybrid energy solutions for industries, the Solar Home Solution for families and homes and our portable, mobile Awango Total Solar lamps,” he said. Furthermore, the Total boss noted that the benefits of the products not only include clean energy but also huge cost savings on electricity bills. “Last year, TOTAL commissioned the first solar-powered service station in West AfricaTotal service station, Onigbagbo; we have also concluded a second solar powered station in our Wuse 6 service station, Abuja. We intend to roll out more solar powered stations this year. This Solar Hybrid solution is ready to be offered to organizations who intend to use clean energy and remarkably reduce their cost of fuel. “Also, we have commenced our pilot phase for the Solar Home Solutions with installations in six homes. Before the end of the year we shall be rolling out full solar solutions to homes, on a commercial scale. “In September 2013, TOTAL Nigeria launched its range of solar rechargeable lamps with the brand name “AWANGO BY TOTAL”. These
Commodity
Units
Price
Change
% Change
Time(ET)
Crude Oil (WTI)
USD/bbl.
58.64
-0.51
-0.86%
10:33:21
Crude Oil (Brent)
USD/bbl.
66.15
-0.31
-0.47%
10:33:44
TOCOM Crude Oil
JPY/kl
49,810.00
+200.00
+0.40%
14:59:31
NYMEX Natural Gas
USD/MMBtu
2.76
-0.02
-0.54%
10:33:42
Source: Bloomberg as at May 4, 2015
lamps are safe and healthy alternate source of energy for the BOP market that earn less than $5-$10 a day and use dangerous alternatives like candles. Today, as a group we have sold over 700,000 lamps in Africa and over 130,000 in Nigeria,” he stated. The Total boss revealed further that SunPower Corporation, a leading global Solar panel manufacturer in America and a subsidiary of Total designs, manufactures high-efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and solar panels which make it possible for Total Nigeria Plc to provide quality solar products for Nigerian market. “Our ultimate vision is to pursue the integration of solar energy into the nation’s energy mix. Total as a Group is committed to continually supporting the government in their efforts to provide a sustainable energy and environment. “However, a lot is still expected from the government, by way of support for these projects, in the areas of reduction of duties / tariffs for small and medium enterprises that generate less than 1MW I and also the need for a clear policy covering renewable energy especially in solar that will help create a good enabling environment,” he said.
36
Energy Week
OTC announces Open Access Day
T
he Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources, announced today that it will offer complimentary registration during Open Access Day on Thursday, 7 May. Attendees will be able to take advantage of the complimentary registration to build valuable relationships, increase industry knowledge and sharpen their skills with professional development programming. The first session at 1 p.m. focuses on “How to Start Your Own Business.” J. Roger Hite, founder and principal of Inwood Solutions, will walk attendees through how to develop an effective business plan. “Networking Effectively to Build Beneficial Relationships,” at 2 p.m. will help attendees learn how to grow their networking skills to build collaborative relationships, facilitate career changes, find new roles or jobs or establish new careers. Susan Howes, Reservoir Management Consultant at Chevron; Peggy Rijken, Team Leader, Productivity Enhancement Team at Chevron; and J. Roger Hite are the presenters of this session. “OTC offers unprecedented networking and knowledge in the fields of offshore drilling, exploration, production and environmental protection,” said OTC 2015 Chairman Ed Stokes. “During Open Access Day, we are excited to share these benefits and help equip oil and gas professionals with powerful tools for accelerating and sustaining successful careers.” The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. Founded in 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually in Houston. OTC has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil, and OTC Asia. The OTC has also announced 17 technologies that will receive the prestigious Spotlight on New Technology SM Award. The 2015 awards will be presented at 1600 hours, 4 May, in the NRG Center Rotunda Lobby. The Spotlight on New Technology Awards—a program for OTC exhibitors—showcase the latest and most advanced hardware and software technologies that are leading the industry into the future. In support and recognition of innovative technologies being developed by small businesses, OTC has created a new Spotlight on New Technology Small Business Award in 2015. The small business applications were evaluated using the same five criteria above, but also were required to have less than 300 employees.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Electricity supply drops to 3,000mw UDEME AKPAN
T
he nation’s electricity supply has dropped from 3,400 megawatts, mw to 3,000mw as a result of a decrease of generation. The low generation which culminated in low transmission and distribution is said to be a function of a gross reduction of gas supply to power plants. An authoritative Federal Government data released over the weekend have it that all power plants generated a total of 3,135.43mw of which 3,073.05mw was distributed while the balance was conserved to stabilise the system. Investigations showed that the low supply has compelled many Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs to embark on load shedding of electricity to consumers, whose population continues to rise nationwide. For instance, electricity consumers in Lagos and its environs have been projected to rise from 1.7 million to 2.2 million in 2018. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission,
NERC disclosed that the 581,032 consumers under Eko Electricity Distribution Company in 2014 would rise to 760,781 in 2018. The Commission maintained that consumers under Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company would rise from 1,128,010 in 2014 to 1,493,631 in 2018. It maintained that the estimated rise in consumer population would amount to 2.2 million in 2018, thus making Lagos and its environs second to Ibadan that is estimated to have over 2.3 million consumer population during the period. The Commission maintained that power would be supplied to Electricity Distribution Companies; DISCOs based on estimated demand projections. According to NERC figures Yola Electricity Distribution Company would likely get the least as it consumer population is estimated to rise from only 344,868 to 447,882 between 2014 and 2018. Meanwhile, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by Section 76 (6) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Nigerian electricity Regulatory Commission
adopted the Multi-year tariff Order (MYTO) methodology for electricity pricing in Nigeria, which sets out the basis and pricing principles and procedures for affecting minor and major review. The Commission maintained that in the light of the above, section 6.3 of the MYTO Methodology, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN has applied to the NERC to review its tariff up-ward. “TCN claims that a number of significant changes have taken place or are expected in 2015/16 since MYTO-2 were determined 3 years ago,” NERC said. It disclosed that TCN requests for the review of its cost components in three separate but interdependent departments – Transmission Service Provider (TSP), System Operations (SO) and the Market Operations (MO) in the areas Network/capital expenditure component; operation expenditures; and transmission losses. The Commission has it that in line with existing tariff review Regulations, the Commission has developed and published a Consultation Paper to guide the process.
Nebo
It maintained that the Consultation Paper presents TCN request and will be open for comments for 28 days (4weeks) starting Friday, 10th April to Friday, 8th May 2015. “Accordingly, the Commission now undertakes this review of the TCN tariff application in line with extant tariff regulations and wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the said application by TCN, more particularly detailed in TCN’s formal application and its various supporting documents,” it added.
Operators to invest $10 trn in oil, gas by 2020 – Report UDEME AKPAN
O
perators in the oil and gas industry need to invest $10 trillion between now and 2020 in order to meet present and future demand. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC maintained in its report that oil-related investment requirements are estimated to be around $10 trillion between now and 2040. “And oil demand is seen increasing by around 21 million barrels a day to 111 million bar-
Oil rig
rels a day by 2040, with Asia accounting for almost threequarters of this growth. The MENA region is clearly perfectly-positioned to supply Asia’s ever-expanding demand for oil and gas,” it disclosed. It disclosed that, “However, as we all know, no-one can make precise predictions about the future. History tells us that things rarely stay the same. The past nine months have demonstrated this. There is no doubt that the market and its stakeholders will have to evolve to ever-changing cir-
cumstances and challenges in the years ahead.” The report indicated that alongside the current market situation, these include uncertainties that we can call ‘known’ uncertainties. It maintained that these include the potential impact of UN climate change negotiations; the role of financial markets and oil market speculation; energy policies in some consuming countries; manpower bottlenecks; advances in technology; and rising costs. The report has it that it is important to stress that the oil business has been dealing with change and uncertainty since its very early days. “We cannot avoid cyclical events, when prices rise and fall, and we cannot avoid challenges. It is the nature of the market. But there are clearly tremendous opportunities too. Despite the recent volatility and current uncertainties, there is no doubt that the industry has a healthy long-term future.” “Over the years, the global oil and gas industry has gone through a number of cycles and changes that have required the industry to adapt and evolve. There is no doubt that the last nine months has been one of
those intermittent periods of volatility, after several years of stability,” it noted. It maintained that there have been rising supplies from nonOPEC producers. In fact, since 2008 non-OPEC supply has risen by almost 6 million barrels a day. “In contrast, OPEC’s production has been fairly steady at around 30 million barrels a day. Oil demand in 2014 was weaker than originally projected at the beginning of that year, although we do expect higher growth this year. In 2014, oil demand growth was just below 1 million barrels a day, while this year it is expected to rise to around 1.2 million barrels a day,” it disclosed. “It means that the supply and demand balance in the first half of 2015 points to an oversupply of around 2 million barrels a day, although the market should return to balance during the second half of the year. I should stress, however, we do not believe that actual market fundamentals warranted the almost 60 per cent drop in prices that the market saw between June 2014 and January 2015. It is clear that speculators also played a role in this fall,” it added.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Energy Week
37
Access Bank to finance new energy projects in 2015 Access Bank, an indigenous financial institution with a strong focus on energy financing has concluded plans to finance many projects in the energy industry this year. UDEME AKPAN reports that the Bank places more emphasis on good governance and other corporate values in leveraging its growing competitiveness in the banking sector.
A
ccess Bank has concluded plans to finance more projects in the nation’s oil and gas, power and other sectors of the economy this year. The resolve is based the desire of the financial institutions to assist in stimulating the sustainable development of these and other sectors. A top official of the Bank said, “As a leading financial institution, we are committed to funding feasible and viable projects and programmes in the energy and other sectors of the nation’s economy. We have already funded major projects and would continue to do so in the coming years because of our firm believe in the economy and the nation,” he said. Specifically, the official maintained that, “Access Bank’s oil and gas group covers corporate customers in the downstream, midstream, and upstream segments of the Oil and Gas industry. The Bank has been very instrumental to the development of the Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.” As he puts it, “We offer funding and advisory support to key indigenous and multinational Oil and Gas companies in Nigeria. Access Bank is amongst the pioneer banks in Shell $5billion contract financing scheme and Mobil $1billion contract financing schemes aimed at enhancing Nigerian content.” The Executive Director (OIL&GAS), Access Bank Plc Mr. Elias Igbinakenzua who provided much insight into the operations of the financial institution said only companies with good corporate governance would attract such funds. “As you know, Oil and Gas is our mainstay in Nigeria. It contributes over 90 per cent foreign exchange to our National revenue annually and it employs the bulk of our people. Any Bank that wants to encourage the industry, and add value to the economy must support Oil and Gas. So, as a bank we have been there for years from inception. We have encouraged players locally as well as the International Oil Companies (IOCs). It cuts across all the chains of Oil and Gas companies in the downstream, midstream and upstream,” he remarked. Igbinakenzua said Access Bank is one of the well capitalised Nigerian banks that have the wherewithal to support the Nigerian oil and gas industry. “In terms of governance; we have the right framework to access the risks, dimension them and know the extent to go. We have also been able to help our players to understand the risks and
Oil men at work
ACCESS BANK’S OIL AND GAS GROUP COVERS CORPORATE CUSTOMERS IN THE DOWNSTREAM, MIDSTREAM, AND UPSTREAM SEGMENTS OF THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY. THE BANK HAS BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIGERIAN CONTENT IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY know how to perch against them. So, we are a core player and we think that as a key Nigerian stakeholder, we must play big in the Oil and Gas industry,” he maintained. He remarked that Access Bank Plc recognises that good corporate governance is fundamental to earning and retaining the confidence and trust of its stakeholders. Igbinakenzua said, “It provides the structure through which the objectives of the Bank are set and the means of attaining those objectives. The Codes of Corporate Governance for Banks in Nigeria Post Consolidation issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Code of Best Practice and Access Bank’s Principles of Corporate Governance collectively provide the basis for promoting sound corporate governance in the Bank. “A player cannot attract the bank’s attention if he does not have a structure that is observed and examined as transparent as well as operating in line with global best governance. So, we think that for our local players that want to grow big, they must embrace good governance. We have done that
for a number of players. We have actually tried to make them to understand the need for governance. We have also called external parties to assist them to put the right structure in place and have good governance. This form of assistance by Access Bank has encouraged a good number of indigenous players. It is not about coming to borrow, but when they come to us, we help put to their companies to follow good steps as a player for the long run,” he added. Igbinakenzua who expressed concerns about oil theft and other issues said, “Today, we have inefficiencies in the system and we can’t live and be okay with that. We want to identify what is making our production less efficient and see how we can team up and reduce inefficiencies. When we say oil is costing $15 per barrel to produce, we are talking about removing the associated costs responsible for the inefficiency such as the militancy in the Niger-Delta, the issue of down times and all that.” He said, “If you look at the cost issue, Saudi Arabia is producing for less than $10 per barrel. Even Ghana here,
the cost of production per barrel is not as high as the cost production of oil in Nigeria. So, a lot can be done. I am not blaming the oil company for what we have today but I am saying as a system we are still inefficient and we must work together to minimize inefficiency so that we can have a going concern that is sustainable.” Recognising that the CBN dad during the last quarter of 2014 issued a circular that Banks total loans for the oil and gas sector should not exceed 20per cent of their portfolio, Igbinakenzua said, “Before then, the policy was that a bank could finance 20per cent downstream, 20per cent midstream and 20per cent upstream. And because the circular was issued towards the end of the year, virtually all the banks could not comply with that policy.” “The CBN had to suspend the policy for now. As a bank, you can lend 20per cent downstream, 20 per cent midstream and 20per cent upstream. The limited factor today is the bank’s single obligor limit. That is to say a bank cannot lend to one obligor, 3 per cent of the shareholder’s fund. And today! We have banks that have up to N500billion insured in the shareholders funds. So, they can lend up to a N100 billion if a particular bank so desire to lend to one obligor. That is why I am saying the banks have the capacity. The CBN two weeks ago said, Nigerian banks are well capitalized, that shows that Nigerian banks are actually strong enough to support the sector. We are ready, provided there is good governance,’ he emphasised.
Access Bank MD, Herbert Wigwe
38
Energy Week
Agency laments lack of consumer advocacy
O
ne of the observable gaps in the emergent electricity market in Nigeria is the absence of knowledgeable, credible and broad based advocacy for electricity consumers.” This disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, at an interactive session with members of civil society organisations, representatives of industrial, commercial and residential electricity consumers to consider a concept note on consumer advocacy network in Abuja on Monday, April 27, 2015. Amadi noted that information asymmetry was not in the interest of electricity market even as he recommends that geographical or occupational clusters of knowledgeable consumer advocates need to be galvanised to promote accessibility and reliability of service in the market. He, however, cautioned that efforts at establishing a virile consumer advocacy groups should be based on rational economic decisions rather than an attempt at instigating the consumers against the operators. According to him, “there is a noticeable under-representation of consumer voice, with superficial and adversarial tendency that lacks impact. “This is in sharp contrast to the powerful position of the service providers, who though few in number, have the fund and negotiating power to push their demands, thus, a deficit in the democracy of the electricity market.” ‘’A deficit occurs when the ordinary processes of governance of an institution creates and reinforces disempowerment of critical stakeholders of an institution. In this case, the system is the Nigerian electricity market and the critical stakeholder that is disempowered is the consumer’’ Amadi said. The concept note on the formation of an advocacy network is to be fine tuned by a 15-man committee of the various advocacy groups present at the interactive session and would be presented to a reconvened session at a later date. The network will be expected to develop and implement a robust work plan to educate electricity consumers on their rights and privileges about critical electricity issues, conduct regular studies aimed at market issues on a sustainable basis. Meanwhile, the Commission said it believed in the sanctity of privatization of the power sector by the government. Amadi said, “For me, it is not about privatisation because it is not the problem. We are in a new modern economic world where we think about the straight-jacket and one of the new straight-jackets is privatisation or public-private-partnership depending on how you choose to call it and which explains that government may not be the sole producers of public goods and services.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NERC defends electricity tariff hike UDEME AKPAN
T
he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has explained that the increase in its tariff was meant to enable operators achieve full and efficient cost recovery. The Commission maintained that, “All businesses to remain in business and grow must cover their costs and provide a reasonable return. Without a cost-reflective tariff, no utility provider will enter any market, however large the market.” “The absence of a cost-reflective tariff is a key reason for the failure of the power sector to serve Nigerians for the past three decades,” it added. It explained that the wrong projections in MYTO1, especially load projections also necessitated the need for tariff review. The Commission indicated that the increase was also based on the need to meet rising cost in natural gas supply and transport. It maintained that the increase was also based on the inclusion of Feed-in Tariffs (Wind, Solar, Biomass and Small Hydro), inclusion of tariff or coal-fired generation, increasing inflation rates and depreciation of Naira, need to provide added incentives to attract private sector, need to reduce unnecessary consumptions
and wastages and need to have more prepayment meters to discourage estimated billing. The Commission maintained that the introduction MYTO would be beneficial to consumers in many ways. For instance, it maintained that MYTO would assist to attain certain degree of metering as a Condition Precedent for the Implementation of MYTO by the Discos. It stated, “Existing Customers that have not paid for meters do not need to pay as the cost of the meters have been included in MYTO. New customers will only pay standard connection fee with no additional charges for the meter.” “Meter Maintenance fees have been abolished since December 2011. Lifeline customers (R1) will enjoy special benefit of paying no fixed charge on their electricity,” it added. The Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi had said that industrial, commercial and high end residential electricity customers (R3) are those whose tariff would be reduced as from end of March, 2015. Amadi gave this clarification at a meeting with a delegation of the Electricity Consumer Association of Nigeria (ECAN) who were at the Commission to register their support for the steps taken by NERC to
save the industrial sector through the reduction of tariff to these classes of electricity consumers. ‘’We have always tried to listen to complaints from consumers and operators alike and we carry out tariff reviews when necessary. We are a responsive and accountable regulator,’’ Amadi said. He explained that the reduction in tariff was a decision reached in line with the Commission’s Business Rules after consideration was given to protests from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Sam Amadi the implication of January 1, 2015 increase in tariff on their businesses. its action regarding the recent tariff “Majority of the residential cus- reduction for some classes of electrictomers- R2 and R1 categories did not ity consumers. ‘’We have been very critical of experience the January 1, 2015 inNERC to see that consumers enjoy crease in tariff. They will not also see power supply , but it will be bad to see any reversal or reduction in tariff as that a government agency has done the industrial, commercial, and high something right and we fail to comend residential consumers whose mend it openly ,’’ Chijioke said. tariff were increased”, he explained. He said that ECAN needs the sup‘’It was a reduction based on the port of agencies like NERC and Conimpact collection loss had on the tarsumer Protection Council amongst iff,’’ Amadi said, stressing that NERC took the action because it saw that others to enlighten consumers on the there was merit in the argument put dangers of patronizing sellers of fake forward by MAN that the January 1, electrical equipment as well as the need to imbibe energy conservation 2015 would impact their businesses. The leader of the delegation and practices. He said that consumers President of ECAN, Barrister Chi- expect improvement in response rate jioke James said that the group was to complaints from the service providat the Commission to endorse it for ers.
Electricity: NEMSA Bill scales 3rd reading CHIDI UGWU ABUJA
B
arring any last minutes development, the bill seeking to give it a legislative backing to the Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL) may get presidential assent as it has scaled through third reading at the National Assembly. Recall that the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority (NEMSA) bill was debated upon at the lower house fearing it may create a double regulation in the power sector as it exists alongside the Nigerian
Transformer
Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). However, such doubts were harmonized by many stakeholders saying it was to carryout technical inspection in the large private-led industry to monitor operators of Distribution companies (Discos) and Generation companies (Gencos) against using fake and substandard electricity equipment. A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Uche Aneke said ‘recently the National Assembly passed for the third time a bill for the establishment of the NEMSA. The bill, when assented to by the President, replaces and
assumes the duties and functions of EMSL.’ The statement also said the Managing Director, Engr. Peter Ewesor led his team to the Senate President, David Mark last week on a courtesy call where Mr. Mark challenged entrepreneurs to rise up to the challenge of establishing manufacturing plants that will specifically specialize in producing electric cables and meters that are of international standards. ‘This is to ensure stability of power supply and to avert importation of substandard materials and equipment like cables, meters, etc. Reminding EMSL of the task ahead, he said: “You have an uphill task. Let there be no excuse of why this cannot work. You are bound to step on toes of people while trying to stop people from bringing in substandard electrical materials and equipment into the country.” Ewesor however commended the NASS for passing a bill to ensure that EMSL conduct its activities unhindered noting that it will not let the sector down in ensuring technical standards to drastically reduce accident rates on electricity. It is recalled that a re-modeled National Meter Test Station (NMTS) and the Technical Inspec-
torate Services Field Office, was recently launched by the agency at Oshodi, Lagos. The Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil who unveiled the edifice said: “All categories of electricity installations, power system and networks must be properly planned, designed and executed before use. Gone are those days of sub-standard equipment and installations, which compromised safety of Nigerians. “More pointedly, manufacturers of fake power equipment are hereby put on notice. The long arm of law shall catch up with those endangering lives of innocent citizens. Nigerians do not only want adequate power supply, they also need safety and reliability,” he said. The importance of safety and quality control informed the establishment of the Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL), to provide technical support services of enforcement of technical standards, safety and specifications in the sector. These technical supports have saved stakeholders millions of naira arising from frequent replacement of bad and faulty meters, electrical materials and equipment.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Industry & SMEs
39
N300bn RSSF: Stakeholders seek review of minimum loan criteria
The release of guidelines by the Central Bank of Nigeria early this year on the N300 billion Real Sector Support Facility, RSSF, should naturally have excited Small and Medium Entrepreneurs being a channel of fund for them. However, few months after, the potential beneficiaries of the facility are seeking a downward review of the minimum credit criteria as well as timely disbursement to applicants. ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.
E
arly this year, the Federal Government inaugurated the N300 billion Real Sector Support Facility, RSSF, to support enterprises’ expansion needs. To facilitate access to the facility, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN released the guidelines but none of the entrepreneurs has hitherto been able to access the fund due to some factors. In its guidelines, the apex bank stated that the beneficiaries of the fund, who must be engaged in manufacturing, agricultural value chain and selected service sub-sectors, could apply through participating banks for minimum of N500 million and a maximum of N10 billion for a single obligor, while request for an amount above N10 billion requires the special approval of the fund’s management. However, the target beneficiaries of the Fund are lamenting over what they termed almost impossible criteria set for accessing the funds and calling on the monetary authorities for a reduction of the minimum credit from N500 million given the fact that the amount is too much for SMEs.. According to the Director of Membership and Public Relations, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Nerus Ekezie, the N300 billion RSSF has been domiciled with the CBN for onwards disbursement to would be beneficiaries by the participating Financial Institutions, PFIs, but there has not been any known beneficiary in the MSME Sector since the introduction early this year. He said the reason for the delay of the fund by CBN might probably be because it
SME logo
Jonathan
CBN Gov, Godwin Emefiele
BUT WE HAVE ARGUED THAT THE MINIMUM AMOUNT TO WOULD BE BENEFICIARIES SHOULD BE REDUCED SINCE MOST SMES DO NOT NEED UP TO N500 MILLION TO START OR EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS, WHICH IS THE MINIMUM YOU CAN APPLY FOR THROUGH THE PFIS is a new facility with key actors still awaiting further clarifications despite the fact that the guidelines have been released. Ekezie, who pointed out that the facility would have impacted positively on the economy if implemented as proposed, said it did not make any sense to set a minimum requirement which SMEs do not require for their businesses. He said: “But we have argued that the minimum amount to would be beneficiaries should be reduced since most SMEs
do not need up to N500 million to start or expand their business, which is the minimum you can apply for through the PFIs.” An entrepreneur and member of NASME, Mr. Sunday Agada, said the minimum loan for SMEs should be pegged at N5 million. He explained what most SME operators need is working capital to keep the business running, adding that part of the fund should have been used on infrastructure to make the business environment conducive for SMEs to thrive. The Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said the fund has not been released for disbursement as none of the members of the Chamber has been able to access the fund despite the fact that the guideline for accessing it has been released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. He added that the bank through which the fund would be disbursed is not yet known. He was however optimistic that the fund would have greater impact on the economic development of the country if released, although he was happy with the perpetual delay attitude of government to most of its policies and projects. The LCCI boss noted that most of such intervention funds were being delayed to be released to banks after the announcement by the government, while the banks also delayed in the disbursement of the funds to the beneficiaries. According to the CBN, the facility, being part of government’s efforts to unlock the potential of the real sector to engender output growth, value-added productivity
and job creation, was to be administered at an all-inclusive interest rate of nine per cent per annum, payable on quarterly basis. Specifically, the apex bank stated that for the loan with a maximum tenor of 15 years, depending on the complexity of the project, the CBN shall be entitled to earn three per cent as interest and the banks, a six per cent spread, while repayments shall be amortised. The CBN has set December 31, 2030 the termination of the loan, but the tenor of each project would be determined in relation to its cash flow and life of the underlying collateral; working capital facility of one year with provision of roll over for a maximum of three years even as the facility allows for moratorium of one year in the loan repayment schedule. According to the guideline released by CBN, Development Finance Department, DFD, at the CBN, the facility was aimed at improving the access by Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, to funding for fast-tracking the development of the manufacturing, agricultural value chain and services sub-sectors of the Nigerian economy. It is also to raise “output, generate employment, diversify the revenue base, increase foreign exchange earnings and provide inputs for the industrial sector on a sustainable basis. Other beneficiaries include those that fabricate or deploy plants, machinery or equipment to deliver goods or provide infrastructure to facilitate economic activity in the real sector. Such an entity, which “must not be involved in the financial services industry,” may also be a Small and Medium Scale Enterprise, SME, “defined as an entities with an asset base (excluding land) of between N5 million and N500 million and with labour force of between 11 and 300.” It may also be one engaged in the agricultural value chain (non-primary production). The facility does not however accommodate entities engaged in services like trading activities. To be eligible to benefit from the facility, the guideline required that a borrower must be an SME and/or manufacturer; wholly-owned and managed Nigerian private limited company registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. It may also be a legal business operated as a sole proprietorship, which must be a member of relevant Organised Private Sector Associations such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, National Association of Small and Medium scale Enterprises, NASME, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, and the National Association of Small Scale Industries, NASSI, among others.
40
Cocktail
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Skeptical Italian man hung up on Pope Francis twice
A
skeptical Italian man said he was “speechless” when he discovered the apparent prank caller he had hung up on twice was actually Pope Francis. Franco Rabuffi said he was less than amused Monday when someone called his house twice claiming to be the pontiff, so he hung up on the caller both times. However, on the third call, it became clear Rabuffi was speaking to the actual Pope Francis, who is known to make
phone calls to fans who write to him. Francis called Rabuffi to offer his well-wishes after finding out the man was ill. “I was speechless, but Francis came to my rescue, saying that what had happened was funny,” Rabuffi told the print edition of Vatican newspaper l’Osservatore Romano. Rabuffi said he and his wife attended the Vatican’s general audience Wednesday to apologize in person for hanging up on the pope.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Oddities
Shirtless, hammer-wielding man rescued from basketball hoop
S
eattle police said emergency responders rescued a shirtless man found holding a hammer and hanging from a basketball hoop by his foot. The man, whose name was not released, was found about 6:30 p.m. Friday hanging from the hoop in Cal Anderson
Park by his foot, which was stuck in the netting. Police said the man, who was shirtless and holding a hammer, was thrashing around in an attempt to free himself before firefighters were
able to remove the netting and free the man’s foot. It was unclear how the man ended up in his predicament. Police said the man was taken into custody
Man sues hospital for throwing amputated leg in garbage
A
man is suing a South Florida hospital for improperly disposing of his amputated leg by throwing it in the garbage, according to a report. John Timiriasieff, 56, filed a lawsuit against Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, Fla., on Wednesday, the Miami Herald reports. The lawsuit says Timiriasieff suffered emotional distress after the hospital threw
his amputated right leg into the garbage instead of incinerating it per usual policy. After Timiriasieff underwent the amputation in October, homicide detectives found his leg in a waste management facility. The limb still had a tag with Timiriasieff’s name on it, and the officers notified the Key Largo native. Timiriasieff contacted Doctors Hospital for an ex-
planation but to no avail. “When we contacted the hospital, they claimed they could not give us any explanation for why or how this happened,” Clay Roberts, Timiriasieff’s attorney, told the Herald. The lawsuit says Timiriasieff suffered emotional distress, an invasion of privacy, embarrassment and humiliation due to the incident.
Police rescuing the shirtless man caught in basketball hoop
and could face charges. “Shirtless man removed from Cal Anderson basketball hoop. He may be arrested for property destruction, or at least goal-tending,” Seattle police tweeted.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Civil Service 41
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Marketers to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products –Official T
he Major Oil Markers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has assured the public of adequate supply of the Premium Motor Spirit to reduce queues witnessed in fuel stations in the country. Mr Femi Olawore, Executive Secretary of the association, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja after a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
``You all recall that there were some issues about movement of products to the retail outlets, following the release of the last payment. ``The owners of the trucks have agreed to allow their trucks to start loading. As we speak, there have been loading. ``Those of you can call your friends in Lagos; they will all confirm that Lagos is getting better by the hour but because of the dis-
tance between Lagos and Abuja, it will take sometimes before Abuja gets to the normal position,’’ he said. According to him, in a couple of days, Abuja will also have the relief of the situation. He said that the marketers had discussed with the minister and resolved some issues and would continue to talk with government. On the outstanding payment, he said marketers
always calculated up to date as business people, attributing it to difference in the figures between marketers and government. Responding, OkonjoIweala said that government had appealed to the group and it had agreed that following the payment of the N154 billion, the members would make the products available. ``We really welcomed the news that has been an-
Leaders of Pardoned War Veterans Social Association, after a meeting calling on Federal Government to pay their approved pension arrears in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
FG to prosecute national symbol abusers REGINA OTOKPA ABUJA
T
he national orientation agency, (NOA) has disclosed that abusers of the national symbols would be duly prosecuted.The Director General, Mike Omeri, made the disclosure during the official launch of HIYA, an indigenous language sensitisation programme on the proper use and interpretation of the national symbols by the citizenry in Abuja. The DG decried the misuse of the national symbols by public officers and the general public, adding that the programme would afford all citizens of the country an opportunity to fly the
correct flags both in offices and on the streets.While clarifying that only the flag of the president was designed to have the coat of arms imposed at the centre, he maintained that any other flag outside the office of the president which was flying the national flag with the coat of arms imposed on it, would be prosecuted in accordance with the law backing the misuse of the national symbols. “We hope that the knowledge of the colours of the national flag will be deeply brought into focus especially that we see our national flag on the streets today with the coat of arm in the centre and even some of us public officers using the flag with the coat of arms as symbols of authority
wrongly.“The correct flag of Nigeria is green white and green without the coat of arms imposed in the centre. The coat of arms as so used is the symbol of authority given only to the head of state, president of the country and so any other public official who uses the coat of arms does that in variation of the provisions of the act and the specification of the colours of the country’s flag of green white green. “We are still in the process of sensitisation time will come when we will begin to prosecute the wrong use of flags but we encourage citizens to fly the right colours” the DG advised.Omeri further noted that the agency was working towards review-
ing the existing laws and punishment to allow for proper prosecution of offenders across the country. “The provisions, the punishment are old and outdated we still have offence that is charging five naira and three kobo, these are the things we need to review and our media department and other relevant partners are working on that”. He added that the HIYA programme would commence from July 2015 within the span of seven months but had stressed that there would be a test of efficacy as we approach democracy and inauguration day to ensure that more people are sensitised to fly the national flag correctly.
nounced by the marketers and we thank them, especially with the discussion that makes the truck owners to move the products. ``On our own side, we are looking at issues they have on the table; government is a continuum and I think that you found that whatever the issues are, it would be resolved so that Nigerians will not suffer,’’ she said. The minister corrected that N154 billion had already been paid, instead of the N156 billion early reported. ``When the amount paid is actually looked at, it comes to actually N154 billion; so its N2 billion down; it is still within the calculation of the standard deviation,’’ she added. Commenting on the outstanding payments, she said ``what I want you to understand is that this is a rolling business and that is what we actually discussed toady. ``There is no one definite figure; even as we speak, by the time we leave, the executive of PPPRA may
have cleared some more Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN) and the figures will change.’’ She added that as at last week when N154 billion was paid, N98 billion was outstanding but presently, more SDN had been cleared. According to her, the amount to be paid as outstanding is never a fixed sum for the total year. The minister said that government throughout the year had been paying, including the ones in the years before. She said that there would not be need to be fixed on the argument of whether the outstanding was N98 billion or N200 billion. ``As long as they continue to supply fuel to Nigerians, there will always be something to be paid. ``When this administration took over, monies were owed and we paid; this will continue and it rolls on everyday and you clear the money as you go. ``Like we said, government is a continuum and the marketers have accepted that,’’ she said.
Wheat farmers benefit from FG’s fertilizer in Kano
W
heat farmers who are about 11,500 in kano state have benefitted from the Federal Government’s fertilizer distributed under the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) programme during this year’s dry season farming. The Kano state chairman, Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), Alhaji Faruk Rabi’u on Tuesday told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that each farmer was given two bags of fertilizer and 50kgs of wheat seeds at the subsidised rate of N6, 500 only. He said the Federal government also distributed water pumps with their assorsories to 100 members of the association at the cost of N20, 000 each, as part of renewed effort to boost wheat production in the state. ‘’The government has also distributed 200 sprayers
at the cost of N3, 000 each in addition to two threshing machines. ‘’All these were given to our members in the state at subsidised cost to encourage more farmers to go into wheat production. ‘’As at last year (2014) we have no less than 75, 000 registered members and more are still being registered’’, Rabiu said. He, however, called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of wheat farmers in the state by providing them with small milling machines to enable them process the surplus of the commodity for sale locally. ‘’Government should assist our members with small milling machines so that if companies do not buy the commodity, we can process it ourselves and sell the finished product locally’’, Rabiu said.
42
Civil Service
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NULGE tasks staff on dedication BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO
N
igeria Union of Local Government Employee, NULGE, Osun state chapter, has urged members to re-dedicate themselves to duties and abhor unethical practises. Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the state President of NULGE, Comrade Adekomi Jacob, said the regardless of economic situation in the country, local government workers must adhere strictly to “general order”. He explained that delay in remittance of sala-
L-R: Consultant Neurologist, Dr Mayowa Owolabi; University College Hospital (UCH),Chief Medical Director, Prof. Temitope Alonge and a survivor of Ode Irele saga, Mr Olorunwa Jero, at a news conference by Management of UCH Ibadan on the five patients that survived Ode Irele neurotoxicity in Ibadan.
NSC DG pledges improved staff welfare
NAFDAC warns against hawking F of unauthorised herbal medicine T he National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it will collaborate with the police to check hawking of unauthorised herbal medicine. Coordinator of the agency in Anambra, Dr Christiana Esenwah, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha, Anambra, on Monday. She said that the activities of the hawkers constituted noise pollution to the residents of the state and embarrassment to the agency. Esenwah said that the hawkers had remained un-
daunted even after many of them were arrested, sanctioned and fined by the agency. She also said that the recent upward review of the administrative charges and tariffs for operating herbal medicine outlets had not deterred them. ``We have observed that most of their activities have been reduced to afterhours (after office hours), that is after 4 o’clock (p.m.), that is when you see them really on the move. ``They know that between the hours 8 and 4, we are active; so by the time we are closing at about 5 or 6, you see them coming out
in (their) numbers.``Even in my home, when you come out; unfortunately I can’t work when I have closed; when I am resting in my home that is when you hear the loudest noise. ``You see them in their buses and all that; as if to say: ok the masters have gone in, lets us come and have our field’s day. ``It is so annoying; and we feel we need to get security agents; we need to go a step further, there are people who operate shifts; I mean the security agents who operate shifts. ``I think we can work in collaboration with them; since these people have
seen that once we close from work, it is time for them to operate; we too should go a step further to see that we can get these people.’’ Esenwah stated that the agency would increase its monitoring of the state, by expanding the scope of NAFDAC Consumer Safety Clubs (NCSC) in secondary schools from 42 to 52 before the end of the year. According to her, the establishment of the clubs in schools is to create awareness and to educate the students on the dangers of using counterfeit drugs at an early age.
ew days after being appointed as the new Acting Director General of National Sports Commission, NSC Alhaji Al Hasan Yakmut addressed entire staff of the commission with a promise to stand by them and seek their improved welfare. Yakmut who took over one week ago from Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye was said to have succumbed to pressure from most Workers from the commission who demanded an official meeting with him. National Mirror was reliably informed that the meeting which lasted for about two hours inside one of the halls located within the Abuja National Stadium on Thursday availed staffers the opportunity to bear their minds
on topical issues. While responding, NSC New Acting DG said “I was once at the other side of the table before my appointment. I can confidently say that I understand the challenges you are facing. I call upon you to give me your support and together we will create a better working environment for all of us.” “I will run an open door policy just as I will ensure that rules, regulations and procedures would be strictly adhered to in order to reduce unpleasant practices that had characterized activities in the past.” He added that training of Staff was critical and essential to high performance which hinges on core values necessary for effective service delivery.
glican Communion), who is also the Chairman of the commission, said that the process would encourage transparency and ensure that the best hands for the job emerged. Okoh expressed optimism that whoever emerged the winner of the bid would have the competence to handle the transportation and ground handling for the pilgrimage. He thanked God that in spite of many predictions against the existence of Nigeria beyond the general election, peace had prevailed because of the
prayers offered by the people.The primate also thanked God that Nigerian pilgrims had always enjoyed God’s protection. In his remark, Rev. Zion Ibenye, the NCPC Federal Commissioner representing the South-East, urged the bidders to be expectant, assuring them that every one of them would have something to contribute to the pilgrimage. Ibenye added that the fairness of the process would guarantee equal opportunity as most of them had been of service in pilgrimage operations in the past.
NCPC boss assures bidders of level playing ground
M
r John-Kennedy Opara, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), on Tuesday assured bidders for the ground handling and transportation for the 2015 pilgrimage of level playing ground. Opara gave the assurance during the opening of bids for ground handlers and air carriers for 2015 Pilgrimage at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He stated that the process must remain transparent and showcase integrity as well as adhering strictly
to international best practice and in line with the Public Procurement Act of 2007. According to him, the commission is set provide all the necessary tools and conducive environment to ensure fairness, equity and justice. ``As we open the bids, I want to assure all of us that there is no preferential treatment for any bidder. ``I always say that success is not a destination but a journey and on this journey, we must ensure a level playing ground for all. ``One thing I have always promised Nigerians is transparency and we have
opened the bids, the technical committee is going to go into evaluating them after which the financial opening will follow. ``It is only the bidders that meet the technical requirement that will be qualified for financial opening.’’ Opera said the bid opening was part of the commission’s effort to create avenue for stakeholders to interact with Nigerians and to strengthen the understanding of Nigeria’s culture. He added that it was the commission’s determination to leave an enduring
legacy of excellent services to Nigerian Pilgrims through transparent process for selecting grand handlers and air carriers. The executive secretary urged the bidders to ensure that proper procedures and processes were followed for the welfare of the pilgrims.``We may have battled fiercely to ensure sanity, but it is only because we love our country deeply and we care so strongly about its future,’’ Opara said. Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, (An-
ries of members to their individual accounts was caused by slow pace of processing by Osogbo branch of Zenith Bank. He added: “It is becoming recurrent now for our members to experience delay whenever salary is paid. We have now discovered that the delay is from Zenith bank Osogbo branch. “This is insensitive. State government’s efforts is being being sabotaged with the delay in releasing our salaries to us. For instance, payment of January workers’ salary was delayed for one week after it was signed by the government”.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Politics
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
43
PDP’S rough road to success in Gombe
I
n the build up to the last general elections, especially the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections, it was all but clear that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would not have it easy, particularly in the Northern states of the country, following the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential polls. The PDP-led government of Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo in Gombe State had the daunting challenges of wooing the electorate for a second tenure in office since the APC had worn the presidential election and presented a cloudy situation for the PDP. The results of the presidential elections in most of the Northern states could best be described as a hurricane that swept the PDP away and in his bid to return to the Gombe Government House for the second time and under that very difficult circumstances, Governor Dankwambo was making headline news, especially as regards his anti-party activities at the peak of the electioneering campaigns. A case in point was when a top PDP chieftain in the country and staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Edwin Clerk, a former Minister of Information, described Governor Dankwambo as a coward for his “behind the door” support for Buhari even as a PDP governor. While Governor Dankwambo had all it takes to return as governor after the elections considering his remarkable achievements in the areas of executing masses oriented projects and the incumbency factor, his opponent in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, was gaining popularity by the day, especially after the success of the APC presidential standard-bearer, General Buhari. Results og the presidential election also exposed the dwindling popularity of the PDP in the entire North and if Dankwambo had lost the election, the situation
As the legal battle kicks off at the 2015 election petition tribunal sitting in Gombe, WILLIAMS ATTAH takes a look at how the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, rode to victory in the just concluded general election.
Dankwambo
Yahaya
Only time will tell where the pendulum of victory will swing; will Dankwabo continue in office for a second term or will the tribunal order a re-run
would have been like that of “throwing the baby away with the bath water,” because the generality of the people of the state had the conviction that the governor had performed. However, considering the difficult situation, Dankwambo in a desperate move to retain his seat was alleged to have set up a high powered committee to go round the state and plead with the people to support and vote for him after which he will decamp to the APC. That allegation had already been de-
bunked, as one of his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Junaidu Usman, described it as mere rumours aimed at tarnishing the reputable image of the governor. According to him, Dankwambo never campaigned in that way and had never even thought of doing such a thing. He said: “I have been part of the campaign team that went round all the state and nothing like that ever happened.” Among those who allegedly made it looked impossible for Dankwambo to re-
turn to office for a second term was one of the founding members of the APC in the state and the immediate past governor and a second term senator in the waiting, Muhammad Danjuma Goje, who described the alleged manoeuvrings of Dankwambo into the APC as a waste of time which would never be welcomed. Goje, who equally had a large followership and was in a bitter rivalry with Dankwambo had always maintained during APC campaigns that there should be no compromise in voting APC from top to bottom. He said since they have succeeded at the top, they must finish what they had started by voting APC “sak” (meaning, “all” in Hausa). The situation got terribly worse for the PDP when a large number of very prominent personalities from its fold defected to the APC at the eleventh hour on the eve of the gubernatorial election. They include the state deputy chairman of the PDP, Nasiru Aliyu, some Special Advisers to the governor, top notchers of the PDP from Gombe South, the strongest hold of the PDP and some contractors loyal to the PDP. However, in a twist of fate and after a very rigorous campaign put up by the PDP campaign team, Dankwambo got the day, defeating his opponent in the APC, Alhaji Yahaya by 205,369 votes to 205,132 votes. With the die now cast, as Yahaya has approached the Election Petitions Tribunal, where is challenging the outcome of the gubernatorial election, all attention will be shifted to the tribunal in the next couple of weeks as the court determine whether Dankwambo will continue as governor or if Yahaya would be able to prove that he actually won the election. Only time will tell where the pendulum of victory will swing; will Dankwabo continue in office for a second term or will the tribunal order a re-run or will it declare Yahaya the duly elected governor?
Ekiti APC group mobilizes to unseat PDP Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI
A
group in Ekiti State All Progressives Congress, APC, the Ekiti APC Restoration Group, EARG, has expressed commitment to ensuring that the party reclaims the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2018 gubernatorial poll. EARG said that the need to urgently mobilise resources towards strengthening the party and motivating stakeholders with a view to reactivating its election winning machinery in the state could not be over-emphasised. In a statement signed by four House of Rep-
resentatives members Hons Bamidele Faparusi, Bimbo Daramola, Ife Arowosoge and Oyetunde Ojo, EARG expressed concern over the state of affairs in Ekiti under “the poor leadership of Governor Ayo Fayose administration.” Reaffrming its determination and commitment to
work with all stakeholders to address once and for all, all contending issues within the party, so that it could bounce back to reckoning in the state, EARG also condemned the instigation of seven members of the state House of Assembly “to illegally usurp the Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria under the watch of Governor Fayose.” It, however, hailed the 19 APC lawmakers for their “doggedness, steadfastness and sacrifice’’ in protecting the sanctity of the Constitution as well as the image of Ekiti people.” The statement added:
“We strongly condemn the present PDP administration in Ekiti State for its nonchalant attitude towards the continued and prolonged strike of judiciary workers and the politicisation of organised labour in the state, as well as indiscriminate politically motivated detention
of opposition party members. Praising Nigerians for making it difficult for the PDP to rig the March 28 presidential election won by the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, the group also praised the national leadership and all members of APC members for the successes recorded at the just concluded general elections.
Delta Assembly workers lock out Speaker, members over welfare Amour Udemude ASABA
D
elta State House of Assembly workers under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, yesterday locked out the Speaker of the state legislature, Peter Onwusanya and other members of the House over their
welfare. The Assembly workers had around 8am yesterday morning staged a mass protest against the House over what they called failure of the Assembly leadership to implement the terms of the January 19 Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed by the workers and the leadership of the Assembly concerning their
welfare and other matters. The protest which also disrupted all activities of the Assembly almost resulted to a bloody clash between the workers and over six truck loads of stern looking mobile police men stationed at the entrance of the Assembly complex preventing workers from gaining entry into the complex. The placards carrying
protesters however, vowed to continue with their protest pending when the issues at stake are resolved amicably. All effort by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Baba Usman and the state factional chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, David Ofoeyeno, to broker peace between the workers and the leader-
ship of the House did not yield any result. Speaking to journalists, the Speaker stated that the House has fulfilled all the terms of the January 19 MoU, saying that the latest grievances of the workers were unknown adding that their action amounted to nothing but labour intimidation.
44
Politics
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Ekiti APCAG condemns kidnap attempt on Senator Ojudu Olajide Omojolomoju
E
kiti State All Progresives Congress, APC, Action Group, AG, has condemned the attempt to kidnap the senator representing Ekiti Central senatorial district, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, which was allegedly masterminded by Governor Ayo Fayose and his media goon, Lere Olayinka. It was reported that a look-alike of Senator Ojudu was allegedly kidnapped last week and
asked by the kidnapers why he wanted to impeach Governor Ayodele Fayose, only to be released after ensuring that he was not the real Ojudu that they wanted to put away. In a release signed by its spokesperson, Segun Dipe, the APCG said it was sheer madness that would make anyone to want to kidnap and put a person of Senator Ojudu’s political stature away for personal political gain. While calling on the police and other security agencies to investigate the matter and call Gov-
ernor Fayose and Olayinka to order, the group called on all well-meaning Ekiti sons and daughters to speak out against Fayose’s renewed manhunt for Ojudu, recalling that it was exactly what happened during Fayose’s first term in office, when he saw Dr Ayo Daramola as a threat and eventually caused him to be murdered. It said: “Ojudu has consistently been the voice of the voiceless, which cannot be gagged by any agent of retrogression. He cannot be denied his
fundamental human right of speaking his mind on contentious issues both in his state, Ekiti, and his country, Nigeria. He is the spokesperson for the APC senators in the upper chamber and has fought many political battles towards ensuring that democracy is well rooted in the country. “Ojudu’s position that Governor Fayose should allow the rule of law to work in Ekiti State is neither strange nor different from that of any well-meaning Ekiti son and daughter. As a son of
the soil, he is also a victim of the bad reputation that Fayose’s words and deeds have been ga∆rnering for us all. Why then is he being singled out for attack by Fayose and Olayinka? Will he by any means be the beneficiary of Fayose’s impeachment?” It added that it was putting Fayose and Olayinka on notice that nothing untoward should happen to Senator Ojudu and any member of his family, adding that “these two are the ones causing crisis in Ekiti and are noticeably impolite in their
thoughts, speeches and actions. Yet, they keep presenting such impolite attitude to the whole world as the stand of the entire Ekiti people.” “When emotions rule, the true purpose is likely to be ignored. But we will not ignore the true purpose of their actions this time, which is to put Senator Ojudu out of circulation by any means, believing that would be the solution to the impeachment hanging over Fayose’s head, and we are bringing it to the attention of the whole world.”
Mu’azu chides Jonathan, others over woeful poll performance Adeleke Adesanya
P
eoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, has said people’s perceptions of President Goodluck Jonathan and others who have been blaming him for the woeful performance of the party in the recently concluded election are low. The embattled National Chairman, who has being under serious pressure from party loyalists to resign since it lost to All Progressives Congress, APC, on his twitter page yesterday afternoon, added that he is not ready to leave the party despite the insults he has received from all after the presidential election. He said: “Those who insinuate that I did not do my best for our great party and Mr. President during election are being economical with the truth. In the face of abuse, insult and open ridicule by our friends and brothers, we supported our leader, President Jonathan faithfully. “I gave my best and all to the campaign of Mr. President and the party. We went to every state in Nigeria to campaign. “The perception of President Jonathan and our party in the North was at an all time low because of the lies they were told by politicians. “Those who blame us for not delivering maximum votes to the president in the North seem to have forgotten that it’s the people who vote. I have always
preached against ethnicity and tribalism and the voting pattern in the election was a concern to me personally.” Muazu however, stated that he will support President Jonathan if he signifies interest to return to office again, saying: “The unity of Nigeria to me is greater than sectional or ethnic interests. I can never regret supporting our leader President Jonathan. “If I had my way, everyone in my state, Bauchi, would have voted for President Jonathan but it’s the people that vote not me. If we must reform our party then we must begin by finding real solutions. Those who are pointing accusing fingers will not help us. Some even ridicule and insult us that we betrayed President Jonathan. How can one betray himself ?” Saying that he was committed to repositioning the PDP and provide able leadership to her by restoring her glory, Mu’azu told those wishing that he will either decamp or resign, to “kindly stop wishful thinking,” saying: “We have a party to lead. Some who are singing “change the entire NWC” were the same ones who brought us to this level with their insincerity and praise singing. The APC has nothing to offer someone like me. I am too principled to betray my party. I have been here since 1999.” He called on Nigerians to partner with the PDP, saying that he was ready to work with all PDP members and organs to begin begin a new journey of trust and sincerity.
Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Bauchi State, Prof. Hamman Tukur (left), presenting Certificate-of-Return to a member of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Fanta, in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Bayelsa: Assembly members-elect receive CoR from •24 Plateau Assembly members-elect get CoR JAMES ABRAHAM AND OSAHON JULIUS ABUJA
N
ewly elected members of Bayelsa House of Assembly yesterday received Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Barritor Kpagih, calling on them to be good ambassadors of their various constituencies.
This was just as 24 members-elect of the Plateau State House of Assembly also received their Certificate of Return from INEC yesterday. The members, which consists of 13 Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP and 11 All progressives Congress, APC lawmakers were all present during the presentation ceremony which took place at the Conference Hall of Hill Station Hotel in Jos, the state capital. The REC, who presented the certificates to the winners in Yenagoa, charged them to be good representatives of the people who elected them, adding: “While you receive the certificate, I urge you to be good ambassadors of your constituencies. “However, it is sad to say that Bayelsa is the only state in the country that is still having outstanding election in
two out of its 24 constituencies. “I also urge you to keep preaching the gospel of peace, especially in the two areas that the election was still inconclusive.” Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mr Konbowei Benson, currently, Speaker, Bayelsa House of Assembly, who was re-elected, extolled INEC on peaceful conduct of the general elections. Benson, who represents Southern-Ijaw constituency 4 said that the newly elected members would work in oneness for betterment of Bayelsa. In Jos, the state RRC, Godwin Kwanga, ap-
pealed to winners to be magnanimous in victory by extending their hands of fellowship to losers in the election, urging them to provide good governance by tackling developmental challenges confronting the people to justify the confidence reposed in them. Speaking on behalf of the newly elected lawmakers, Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Danıel Dem, representing Riyom constituency, promised that his colleagues would do their best to move the state to greater heights through robust and quality legislation.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Capital Market
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
45
FG to sell N60bn in bonds next week
...Equities shed 0.14% JOHNSON OKANLAWON
F
ederal Government plans to sell N60 billion of 5, 10 and 20-year sovereign bonds on May 13, its fifth debt auction of the year. Data obtained from the Debt Management Office, DMO, said it would sell N20 billion each of the papers, due to mature in 2020, 2024 and 2034 respectively. According to DMO, the papers are re-openings of previous issues and the results of the auction will be published the following day.
The country issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. Meanwhile, losses recorded mostly in the share prices of Nestle Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigerian Breweries, FBN Holdings and Zenith Bank dragged down the benchmark index of equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday. The All Share Index depreciated 0.14 per cent to close at 34,600.42 points, compared to
the decline of 0.17 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 34,649.38 points. Caverton Plc led the gainers’ table with 30 kobo or 10 per cent to close at N3.30 per share, followed by Vitafoam Plc with 53 kobo or 9.96 per cent to close at N5.85 per share. Red Star Express Plc added 41 kobo or 9..88 per cent to close at N4.56 per share, while Continental Insurance Plc appreciated eight kobo or 8.51 per cent to close at N1.02 per share. Conoil Plc rose N1.81 or five per cent to close at N38.02 per share.
On the flip side, Unity Bank Plc depreciated 33 kobo or 9.38 per cent to close at N3.19 per share, while Royal Exchange Plc dropped three kobo or 5.66 per cent to close at 50 kobo per share. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc shed 58 kobo or 5.01 per cent to close at N11.00 per share, while Academy Press Plc lost five kobo or 4.72 per cent to close at N1.01 per share. Cutix Plc fell eight kobo or 4.60 per cent to close at N1.66 per share. A total of 247.4 million shares valued at N4.25 billion were exchanged in 4,848 deals
Nigerian Breweries revenue rises to N266bn on new products JOHNSON OKANLAWON
N
igerian Breweries yesterday said innovation contributes 16 per cent of its revenue for the financial year ended December 31, 2014. Speaking at the company pre-Annual General Meeting in Lagos yesterday, the Managing Director, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, the company increased its portfolio of brands in 2014 with the addition of Ace Passion in addition to two line extension of the Star brand-Star Lite and Star Radler. “Also in 2014 as a result with merger with Consolidated Breweries, 33 Export lager beer, William dark ale, Turbo King dark ale, more larger beer and two malt drinks, Maltex and Hi Malt together with Breezer, a blend of rum
and fruits became part of the company’s products,” he said. Theough the company recorded low growth in the 2014 financial year, it gained overall market share in Extra Larger Stout and Malt. He said, “We were successful in the year due to large portifolio of stout and malt. We removed unnecessary costs, reducing logistics cost and achieved cost leadership.” Vervelde, who attributed the marginal decline in profit to the socio economic impacts, explained that for decades, the company has been sourcing its raw materials locally. He said that there are over 250,000 Nigerian farmers that are developing sorghum varieties, which indirectly and directly generates employments.
According to him, the company, in conjunction with Heineken supply chain B.V. of Netherlands and other Heineken companies, is involved in activities aimed at development of new hybrid sorghum varieties with the potential of increasing the yield/output for sorghum farmers as well as improving the quality of sorghum malt, which is a major raw material input. He noted that two yielding hybrid sorghum varieties have been developed and registered by the company and the process of commercialising theri production is on- going. He also added that the company has a subsisting consultancy agreement with a Nigerian Professor on the development of sorghum seeds. “The company has entered
into supply agreements with local cassava starch processors whose activities have impacted positively in the communities where they operate. “We have offtake arrangements with a multinational company that has huge investment in sugarcane value chain. This is aimed at replacing imported sugar in our recipe with a local substitute,” he said. For the year under review, the company declared a profit after tax of N42.5 billion, a drop of 1.3 per cent when compared to N43.08 billion recorded in the same period of 2013. The company’s revenue stood at N266.4 billion, from N268.6 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013.
US Treasury yields peak, stocks, dollar slide
L
ong-term United States Treasury yields hit their highest level of 2015 yesterday, as investors reassessed the chances of a September interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve, while global stock prices fell on uneasiness about U.S. and Asian growth. The stand-off between Greece and its creditors also curbed appetite for equities. “Greece is not going to get sorted out any time soon. At the moment, I’m more bearish than bullish and I would sell on any stock market rally,” said Terry Torrison, managing director at Monaco-based McLaren Securities. The dollar fell as data showed the United States posted its biggest monthly trade gap in nearly 6-1/2 years in March, raising bets the Federal Reserve might not hike in-
terest rates in 2015. The news was mitigated by a surprise improvement in a private gauge on the services sector in April. Oil prices reached fresh 2015 highs as protests disrupted exports to an eastern Libyan port, while gold gained on safety bids stemming from anxiety in other markets. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 101.3 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 17,969.1, the S&P 500 was down 16.99 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 2,097.5 and the Nasdaq Composite declined 64.48 points, or 1.29 per cent, to 4,952.44. The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 45 nations, fell 2.78 points or 0.63 per cent, to 436.25. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 equity index fell 1.4 per cent at 1,557.70, erasing an earlier gain spurred by an
almost seven per cent jump in UBS shares. Tokyo’s Nikkei eked out a 0.06 gain despite data from China, Taiwan and Japan which showed factory activity contracting. While worries intensified about Asia’s biggest economies, the European Commission said euro zone economic growth would be stronger than previously expected this year. Prices of major government bonds declined in an ongoing market pullback stemming from less pessimism about Europe. Safe haven German Bunds’ 10-year yields touched 0.535 per cent, the highest since January. This has also led investors to dump US Treasuries, sending 30-year bond yield to 2.934 per cent, the highest in five months.
In the currency market, the mixed US data spurred selling in the dollar, especially against the euro. The single currency was up 0.45 per cent against the greenback at $1.1190. Rate (%) Inflation
8.2
MPR
13
Crude oil price
$58.96
Source: NSE
Inter-Bank Rate Naira
US Dollar
$1
N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 34,600.42 points Market capitalisation 11.75trn
Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY
OPENING
CLOSING
CHANGE
% CHANGE
CAVERTON
3.00
3.30
0.30
10.00
VITAFOAM
5.32
5.85
0.53
9.96
REDSTAREX
4.15
4.56
0.41
9.88
CONTINSURE
0.94
1.02
0.08
8.51
CONOIL
36.21
38.02
1.81
5.00
ETI
21.22
22.28
1.06
5.00
UPL
5.07
5.32
0.25
4.93
TOTAL
150.33
157.40
7.07
4.70
WEMABANK
0.95
0.99
0.04
4.21
CUSTODYINS
4.21
4.38
0.17
4.04
CHANGE
% CHANGE
LOSERS COMPANY
OPENING
CLOSING
UNITYBNK
3.52
3.19
-0.33
-9.38
ROYALEX
0.53
0.50
-0.03
-5.66
CCNN
11.58
11.00
-0.58
-5.01
ACADEMY
1.06
1.01
-0.05
-4.72
CUTIX
1.74
1.66
-0.08
-4.60
AIRSERVICE
2.20
2.10
-0.10
-4.55
STERLNBANK
2.18
2.09
-0.09
-4.13
FBNH
9.50
9.12
-0.38
-4.00
ASHAKACEM
19.95
19.50
-0.45
-2.26
FIDSON
3.17
3.10
-0.07
-2.21
FGN Bonds
Offer
Bid
Description
Price
Yield
Price
Yield
13.05 16-AUG-2016
1.28
99.03
13.85
99.18
13.72
15.10 27-APR-2017
1.98
101.95
13.93
102.10
13.84
16.00 29-JUN-2019
4.15
106.62
13.83
106.92
13.74
16.39 27-JAN-2022
6.73
110.71
13.87
111.01
13.81
14.20 14-MAR-2024
8.86
101.52
13.89
101.82
13.83
10.00 23-JUL-2030
15.22 68.07
15.51
68.37
15.44
Closing Market Prices of May 5, 2015
Treasury Bills Maturity Date
Bid
Offer
Exchange
Rates (N)
06-Aug-15
10.03
10.30
WAUA
270
15-Oct-15
11.40
12.01
USD
197
21-Apr-16
13.02
14.89
EURO
214
CFA
0.32
YEN
1.64
Tenor
Rate (%)
SWISS FRANC
202
O/N
9.1000
1M
12.3428
POUNDS STERLING
293
3M
13.3458
SDR
273
6M
14.7194
NIBOR
The Fixings of May 5, 2015
46
Capital Market
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at May 5, 2015 1st Tier Securities
1st Tier Securities Sector
Company name
No Of Deals
Quotation(N)
Quantity Traded
Value of Shares(N)
Sector
Company name
No Of Deals
Quotation(N)
Quantity Traded
Value of Shares(N)
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
47
Community Mirror Omotosho building demolished for safety reason –Ekiti community
The Federal government needs to reposition the nation’s education system to make it efficient, effective and competitive.
48
Governor of Sokoto State –Aliyu Wamakko
Father blames presidency over daughter’s death DARE AKOGUN
F
ather of the woman killed in the clash between members of Donyx Global Concepts Limited, a security outfit, and pipeline vandals in Arepo
The late Damilola
…Wants probe panel instituted by Amosun community, Ogun State, has accused the presidency of culpability in her death. The deceased, Oluwadamilola Fajana, a 26-year-old law graduate of the Ekiti State University, was killed by a stray bullet during crossfire between the security outfit owned by Otunba Gani Adams, one of the companies contracted by the Federal Government to protect pipelines in the South western part of Nigeria and oil bunkerers on April 29, 2015. Damilola who was married and was 6 months pregnant, was on her way back from work when she drove into the crossfire and was killed by a stray
bullet. In a statement released on Monday May 4th, Mr. Ojo Babafemi, accused President Jonathan of being an accomplice in the death of his daughter, saying if he had not empowered OPC members and given their leaders such as Gani Adams pipeline protection contract, his daughter and his unborn grandchild wouldn’t have been killed. According to him, “The outgoing president, Goodluck Jonathan, has, by the virtue of his empowering miscreants who go by the name Odua People’s Congress (OPC), sent me and my family into a deep mourning since last Wednesday.
“President Jonathan is linked to her death by the reason of his patronage of people who have no basic training in arms and weaponry in the business of pipeline protection, which is a very dangerous security enterprise supposed to fall under the purview of the trained Nigerian security agencies. “President Goodluck Jonathan is culpable in the death of Damilola Fajana and that of others by virtue of his morbid desperation for political power, which led him to awarding this senseless contract of his to OPC in return for political support in Lagos state”, he lamented. He further reiterated that, “It
is my hope that the incoming General Buahari administration will revoke this obnoxious and misplaced pipeline contract, and restore peace and normalcy back to Arepo and its environment. “This can only be done by returning the Nigerian security agencies back to the area, by this the death of my pregnant daughter and that of others will not go unsung. It is my hope also that the Ogun state government, will institute a probe panel into this notorious and inhuman killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians resident in Ogun state all in the name of protecting petrol pipe lines,” he added.
Police arraign Lagos socialite, 21 others for assault WALE IGBINTADE
A
Lagos socialite, Suraju Olukayode and twentyone others have been arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly assaulting residents of Igando Orudu, Foli Village in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State. The defendants were alleged to have caused terror and forcefully took possession of a land belonging to one Agbaje Elesho family. In a seven count criminal charge number S/10/2015 filed by the police it was alleged that Suraju Olukayode and others namely Wasiu Owotutu, Balogun Surajudeen, Bashiru Ayotayo, Giwa Ganiyu, Ajani wasiu, Basiratu Balogun, Badmus Adeola, Habib Olojo, Abdurasaq Olatunji, Jejelayaiye Agunrege, Gbenga Adesany and Kayode Azeez, now at large on April 26, 2015 at Igando Orudu,Abule Foli Village area of Ibeju Lekki in Lagos State conspired together and forcefully took possession of Agbaje and Elesho family land without a claim of right from court. Other accused persons are Babatunde Oyebanji, Segun Taiwo, Rasheed Okulaja, Jimoh
Isiakwu, others are Tajudeen Adekoya, Hassan Latifu, Muyideen Agunrege, Adeleke Odole, Monsuru Odumade respectively. Police prosecutor, Corporal Richard Tinochit, it was alleged that the accused persons were found in possession of an unregistered single barrel gun. According to him, the defendants allegedly stole N7, 000 from one Waidi Agbaje in the process of demanding property with menace. The offences alleged to have been committed by the accused persons are contrary to and punishable under sections 51, 52, 53, 409, 328, 285, of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty, consequently the presiding Magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety each in like sum. The matter has been adjourned till June 10, 2015 for the trial of the accused persons.
Aderanti
A Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency worker getting rid of posters on a pillar under Oshodi bridge in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI
Youths condemn renewed cult killings in Delta AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA
A
s the incessant cult killings at Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government area of Delta State remains unabated, OgwashiUku Youth Development Association, OYDA, have joined other meaningful Deltans and indigenes of the community to condemn in strong terms what they described as renewed wave of secret cult killings in the community. Our correspondent reliably
gathered that no fewer than three persons were killed and several others suffered bullet injuries in a renewed cult war between rival gangs in Ogwashi-Uku community last week. Speaking with Journalists on the development, the President of the OYDA, Port Harcourt branch, Mr. Jude Osume stated in Ogwashi-Uku yesterday that the renewed wave of cult-related killings was worrisome to the youths of the community. “The crime of secret cult killings is an evil wind that blows everybody no good. As a com-
munity, time has come for us to take our destiny in our hands and stamp out this criminality. “Only last year, we came together as youths of Ogwashi-Uku and held a rally round the entire community in protest of the helplessness of our people in the face of cult-killings and rampant cases of kidnapping. “But regrettably, the perpetrators of these evil crimes have refused to give peace a chance. As youths of the community, we have also resolved not to give up, until our community is cleansed of these crimes,” he said.
48
Community Mirror
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Omotosho building demolished for safety reason –Ekiti community ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI
T
he Afao Ekiti community in Ekiti State has said that the decrepit building belonging to the late Pa Omotoso was demolished in the interest of safety of lives of the people especially pupils of the two nearby primary schools. The Alafao in Council, led by Oba Joseph Ademilua, said yesterday that the one-storey building was pulled down by the Ekiti State government on the community’s request that it constituted threat to lives of residents and school children and had as well turned to hideout for criminals.
The Public Relations Officer of the Afao Development Council (ADC), Mr. Tope Anjorin, who spoke on behalf of the Alafaoin-Council, told journalists that as parts of the building were already falling off due to old age and lack of attention by children of the late owner, the community and ADC urged the state government to demolish it. Anjorin, who denied political undertone in the demolition, said appeals made to the family members of the late Omotoso since 2005 when the roof of the house was blown off and the consequent falling off of its parts had not yielded any result hence the recourse to the government
to save the community from the “death trap”. The community leaders in Afao Ekiti, the country home of Governor Ayodele Fayose, exonerated the governor of perpetrating illegal demolition in the town, as a form of victimisation against members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). The community spoke in reaction to the allegation in a publication by one Mr. David Omotoso, the Secretary of APC in Amuwo/ Odofin Local Government of Lagos State, that Fayose demolished his late father’s house because of his membership of APC. Omotoso had also alleged that the building was demolished for
the development of the palace of the Alafao, adding that the remains of family members buried in the compound were also taken away. But the community, which said there was no political coloration in the demolition, insisted that the building was pulled down by the government to avert calamity. Anjorin said: “Mrs Florence Aduloju, the first daughter of the late owner of the building, was the Woman Leader of the PDP for two consecutive terms in Afao Ekiti while one of his sons, Pastor Sunday Olowoyo, is the present Caretaker Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government under Fayose. “Can these people allow their family to be victimized by the same party they belong to?” he queried.
Anjorin added that: “We had tried to reach out to the family on the need to demolish the building, but Mr David Omotoso, being one of the sons, made the arrangement difficult. State Emergency Management Agency had presented relief materials to the family twice to rebuild the family house, but nothing was done. We want to make it abundantly clear that Fayose has nothing to do with this demolition”. The community also denied the allegation that the house was pulled down for expansion of the new palace project, saying the family was free to rebuild the house, “all that was done was to pull down the structure which constituted threat. Nobody exhumed any remains of dead body from there”.
Katsina: 150 towns connected to national grid DANJUMA KATSINA
M An overloaded car with firewood at Hill Station Hotel round-about in Jos, yesterday.
PHOTO: NAN
500 women to benefit from commercial agriculture in Kano
N
o fewer than 500 women would benefit from World Bank-assisted Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) in Kano, the project’s Task Team Leader, Elhadj Adama Toure, said. Toure made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy visit to the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Yusuf Gawuna, on Monday in Kano. The team leader said women and youth would be trained in agribusiness with support for take-off grants, with phase one of the exercise consisting 170 persons to be empowered in a couple of months. This was in addition to the targeted 10,000 small and mediumscale commercial farmers along three value chains of rice, maize and dairy, he added. He explained that the CADP was recently restructured by World Bank, where women and youth component were added to enhance speedy implementation and prompt disbursement to proj-
ect beneficiaries so as to enhance performance and reduce youth unemployment in the country. The task team leader commended the Kano State Government for approving the request of the commissioner of agriculture to continue the CADP implementation in the state, which was temporarily suspended for over 16 months. Responding, the commissioner expressed delight over the state government’s approval for the continuation of the project in the state. He said ``government decided to continue with the implementation of the project after considering the laudable activities placed in the restructured project and the status of Kano State in Nigeria’s agricultural position.” Gawuna, however, informed the visiting World Bank team that Kano State would take advantage of the restructured project, especially the women and youths programme for employment generation and the small and medi-
um-scale entrepreneurs. He said the initiative was in line with the state government’s policy, as the present administration had remained consistent in supporting the development of agriculture in the state over the last four years. This, he said, had manifested by the establishment of seven agriculture based institutes where women and youths received agro-entrepreneur training and grants to become gainfully employed. The commissioner then appealed to the World Bank to approve the implementation of second phase roads under the project in order to close the infrastructure gap for enhanced agricultural commercialisation. He also urged the Bank to assist the state to strengthen the dairy sector, through mass demonstration of artificial insemination technology to transform local breeds of cattle for increased milk production.
ore than 150 towns and villages have been connected to the National Grid from 2007 to date in Katsina State. The general manager of the State Rural Electrification Board, Abdullahi Tanwa stated this yesterday in an interview with newsmen. Tanwa said the state also enjoyed provision of over 100 transformers, with extension work carried out to enhance power supply cross the state.
He said benefiting towns and villages cut across state’s three senatorial zones. He added that various power projects were initiated by the present state administration to ensure present and future availability of power. Tanwa said such schemes included ongoing wind mill project as well as a proposed solar energy plant in which work would soon commence at site. He said when completed, the plants would generate sufficient energy for consumption in the state and beyond.
Bus conductor docked over theft
A
20-year-old bus conductor, Taiye Taiwo, was on Monday arraigned at a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly robbing a female motorist of N12, 000 cash and her mobile phone. Taiwo, whose address was not provided, is being tried for conspiracy and stealing. He, however, denied the charges. The prosecutor, Insp Livinus Okeke told the court that the bus conductor committed the offences with others still at large on April 20 at UBA Roundabout, Marina on Lagos Island. He said the accused robbed a motorist, Mrs Vera Denedo, while she was in the traffic. ``The accused and his accomplices took advantage of the traffic to steal from the complainant, who came to Lagos Island for a business transaction. ``Her LG mobile phone worth
N6, 000 and N12, 000 was stolen by Taiwo and others,” he said. ``Taiwo, however, ran out of luck when a few days later the complainant who was driving on the road spotted the accused loitering in the area. ``At 7.30 a.m. on April 27, the complainant spotted the accused at the same area she was robbed. ``She immediately alerted the police who apprehended the accused.” The offences, Okeke noted, contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused may be sentenced to three years imprisonment if convicted. In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr L.A. Owolabi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10, 000 with a surety in like sum. Owolabi adjourned the case to May 5 for mention.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
49
World News
Epoca is deliberately trying to mislead its readers.
Indonesia to stop sending workers to Middle-East –Reports
50
–Former Brazilian President , Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Burundian court clears president to run again, angers protesters PAUL ARHEWE
WITH AGENCY REPORTS
B
urundi’s constitutional court yesterday cleared the way for President Pierre Nkurunziza to bid for a third term in office, angering protesters on the streets of the capital who are demanding he back down. Police fired shots in the air and tear gas to disperse a group of about 75 demonstrators approaching the U.S. embassy, an embassy statement said, noting that it had not asked for help. The opposition says Nkurunziza’s plan to stand in a June election violates the constitution and a peace deal that ended a 1993-2005 war between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. More than a week of protests have plunged the African nation into its worst crisis since that conflict. Civil society groups say a dozen people have been killed, while more than 30,000 have fled to neighbouring states fearing more ethnic violence. “The renewal of the presidential term through direct universal suffrage for five years is not against the constitution of Burundi,” a court statement said. The government urged protesters to accept the ruling and stop “illegal” protests. But opposition parties and protesters have denounced it. “The first term we accepted. The second term we accepted. We will never accept the third term,” the demonstrators shouted outside a hotel where ministers met opposition leaders, civil society groups and diplomats. Police soon pushed them away. The constitution and Arusha peace deal limit the president to two terms. But the court, in a seven-page statement, included the point that the president’s first term in which he was not elected by popular vote was transitional so should not count. “We don’t care about the constitutional court decision because we know this court is manipulated,” said Jean Minani, leader of Frodebu-Nyakuri party, part of one coalition behind the protests. He said rallies would not stop until the president backed down. Nkurunziza, a former Hutu
A protester holding a placard as they demonstrate against the ruling CNDD-FDD party’s decision to allow Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third five-year term in office, in Bujumbura, on Monday
rebel leader, says the demonstrations are an “insurrectional movement”. Civil society groups say at least 12 people have been killed so far in clashes in which police have fired tear gas, water cannon and, say protesters, live rounds at demonstrators.
Police, who put the toll at six, including three members of the security forces, say protesters have hurled grenades. The flare-ups in Burundi threaten wider repercussions in a region with a history of ethnic conflict and where other presidents are also facing term-limit
deadlines soon. Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said she was concerned about the unrest in Burundi, which shares the same ethnic mix as Rwanda where 1994 genocide killed 800,000 people, most of them Tutsis as well as moderate Hutus.
‘40 die as migrant boat sinks in Mediterranean’
D
ozens of migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean after a boat carrying an estimated 137 people sank south of Sicily, Save the Children said. The aid group said survivors reported up to 40 people fell into the sea as a rescue vessel was approaching. Those rescued arrived in the Sicilian port city of Catania yesterday. At least 1,829 people have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean, a 20-fold increase on the same period in 2014.
Giovanna di Benedetto, Save the Children’s representative in Catania, said the latest sinking was thought to have happened on Sunday, but the exact toll was not known. “They [survivors] said there were 137 people aboard an inflatable boat that deflated or exploded - it wasn’t clear - and that some of them fell overboard,” Ms di Benedetto told a news agency. “Some said ‘very many’ died, others said ‘around 40’,” she added. The survivors were picked up by a Maltese merchant ship and
Survivors say dozens of people fell into the sea and drowned because they could not swim
five bodies were also recovered. Dramatic footage of the rescue, obtained by The Associated Press (AP), shows migrants desperately jumping off a deflating dinghy, and trying to climb up ropes and a rope ladder to the merchant ship. One of the migrants, Astoy Fall Dia from Senegal, told AP she managed to survive because she knew how to swim and stayed close to the dinghy. She described hearing the “boom” of an explosion, before the merchant ship came to the rescue. “There was the big ship there and they threw down ropes, someone grabbed on to the rope, all the other people started pushing to try to save themselves but then people started falling in the water.” About 100 people were found on a second boat, with no deaths reported, the aid agency added. The number of migrants attempting to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean has risen in recent weeks as smugglers take advantage of fair weather.
WORLD BULLETIN
Senegal pledges 2,100 soldiers for coalition against Yemeni rebels Senegal said it would send 2,100 soldiers to Saudi Arabia to join Riyadh’s military coalition battling rebels in Yemen, at the request of Saudi King Salman. Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye made the announcement in a speech to the National Assembly, according to a copy of the remarks obtained by a news agency. He did not specify when the troops would be deployed, and officials did not immediately provide further details. Ndiaye said Riyadh originally asked Dakar to contribute to the Saudi-led coalition at the beginning of April. Senegalese President Micky Sall “decided to respond favourably to this request by deploying a contingent of 2,100 men to the holy land of Saudi Arabia”.
Congolese army kills 16 Ugandan rebels, loses four soldiers The army of Democratic Republic of Congo killed 16 Ugandan Islamist rebels over the weekend in fierce fighting, a military spokesman said yesterday, part of a campaign to drive the militants from the country’s volatile eastern region. Congolese forces launched Operation Sukola I early last year against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), who are accused of massacring some 300 villagers near the town of Beni in North Kivu province between October and December. Four Congolese government soldiers were also killed in Sunday’s fighting, which took place in Kokola, about 40 km (25 miles) north of Beni, according to Major Victor Masandi, an army spokesman for the operation.
Kerry in unannounced visit to Somali capital The US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday arrived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on an unannounced visit. He is the first American Secretary of State to visit the city. In a meeting with Somalia’s president under tight security at the airport, he said: “Next time I come, we have to be able to just walk downtown”. The US backs the Somali government in its fight against Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which still controls many rural parts of southern Somalia.
50
World News
WORLD BULLETIN
‘EU seeking closer security cooperation with China’ Europe aims to improve security and defence cooperation with China, especially in the Middle East and in the fight against human trafficking, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Tuesday following high-level talks in Beijing. Federica Mogherini’s two-day visit comes as Beijing launches a diplomatic offensive to move Sino-European relations beyond trade and raise China’s international profile, buoyed by its success winning European participation in a new Asian bank. Trade is still at the core of the relationship, worth 467 billion euros ($519 billion) last year, but China’s bid to deepen cooperation on world affairs resonates with the EU as it seeks to forge a more unified foreign policy among its 28 member countries. Mogherini told reporters during a joint appearance with China’s top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, that the two discussed “concrete possibilities” of strengthening security and defense ties, pointing to the example of successful anti-piracy cooperation in the Gulf of Aden. “We also discussed the situation in Iraq and Syria and briefly in Libya, where the European Union and China share common interests and where our joint efforts could make a real difference,” Mogherini said. She said both sides had reiterated that the conflict in Ukraine can only be solved diplomatically with “full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty”.
Moldova seeks to solve riddle of missing $1 billion Moldova will step up an investigation into the disappearance of more than $1 billion from three banks, the head of the central bank told Reuters yesterday, after around 10,000 people protested over the scandal at the weekend. Last year Moldova placed Banca de Economii, Banca Sociala and Unibank under central bank administration after a series of nonperforming loans bankrupted the lenders, which together account for up to 20 percent of the tiny former Soviet republic’s banking system in terms of assets. Central bank head Dorin Dragutanu said foreign investigators would be appointed by the end of May in the second phase of a probe into the loss of the money, which is equivalent to around an eighth of Moldova’s gross domestic product. Thousands of people joined a protest rally on Sunday in the Moldovan capital Chisinau and organisers vowed to continue the demonstrations until the money is returned.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Indonesia to stop sending workers to Middle-East –Reports I ndonesia will stop sending new domestic workers to 21 Middle Eastern countries, reports said yesterday, after the recent execution of two Indonesian women in Saudi Arabia angered Jakarta. The ban affects countries including Saudi Arabia -- a major destination for Indonesian maids -- United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt, and will come into effect in three months’ time, Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri was cited as saying in local media. Jakarta, which has long complained about the treatment of Indonesian maids in the Middle East, had already placed a moratorium on sending new helpers to Saudi Arabia in 2011 following the beheading of a worker. The new move is meant to be permanent. Maids already working in the affected countries will be allowed to stay and continue in their positions. Indonesia’s anger at the executions of its citizens abroad comes despite the fact that Jakarta last week executed seven foreign drug convicts, drawing a storm of international protest. “According to the law, the government has the right to stop the placement of migrant workers in particular countries if it is believed that their
A family member of beheaded Indonesian maid Siti Zainab holding a poster bearing her portrait, in Bangkalan, East Java province, recently.
employment degrades human values and the dignity of the nation,” Dhakiri was quoted as saying by state-run news agency Antara. He said there were “many problems” with Indonesians working abroad related to “labour norms and human rights violations”. Dhakiri cited the execution of Indonesian domestic workers Siti Zainab and Karni binti Medi Tarsim, who were both put to death for murder just days apart in April.
The foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador to Indonesia after both executions, complaining Jakarta had not been informed beforehand. Drug trafficking, rape, murder, apostasy and armed robbery are all punishable by death under the kingdom’s strict version of Islamic sharia law. Dhakiri also said Indonesia will tighten placement of helpers to countries in the Asia-Pacific through measures such as auditing training centres and blacklisting rogue agencies.
Iranian president denounces boasting over arms deals
I
ran’s president denounced western countries for taking pride in arms sales yesterday, after France signed a warplanes deal with Qatar, saying weapons agreements add to Middle East instability. Although he did not name France, Hassan Rouhani’s comments came after it agreed a 6.3-billion-euro ($7-billion) contract with Qatari defence officials in Doha. French President Francois Hollande was at the signing ceremony prior to a Gulf Cooperation Council leaders’ meeting in Riyadh, the
first time a western head of state has attended a GCC summit. “Good choice,” Hollande said on Monday as the deal, which includes an order for 24 Rafale fighter jets with an option on a further 12, was signed. However Rouhani, in a speech carried live on state television, said that given the turmoil wracking the region, large military equipment or arms deals would not help the situation. “The world should not smile at the problem of our region. Some
Hassan Rouhani visits the Tehran International Book Fair, yesterday
American or European nation should not be proud of selling more weapons to this or that country,” he said. “They create insecurity in the region and unjustly make regional countries scared of each other, preparing the ground for a weapons market.” The France-Qatar deal involves the French aerospace firm Dassault. Having struggled for years to sell any Rafales abroad, Dassault has recently scored lucrative high-profile contracts with Egypt, India, and now Qatar. However, Rouhani, again not naming France or Hollande, criticised arms deals involving foreign countries that will end up being used in conflicts elsewhere. “They come to the region and are proud of having sold billions of dollars or euros of weapons to these countries,” he said. “Is this the way to create employment in western countries? For someone to be employed in an arms factory while people are killed in Baghdad, Damascus or Sanaa?”
German coalition working very well despite spying row –Merkel
C
hancellor Angela Merkel tried to reassure Germans yesterday that the government was working smoothly despite a spat between her conservatives and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners over the activities of the BND intelligence agency. The political bickering erupted following allegations that the BND helped the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to spy on European firms and officials, putting strain on Merkel’s right-left coalition which has run Europe’s largest economy relatively harmoniously for the past 18 months. The dispute could hamper policymaking, for example over a trade deal between the European Union and the United States. SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel has spoken of a “secret services scandal” and said he had pressed Merkel on whether there were further cases of industrial espionage still to be revealed. Merkel told Germany’s Radio Bremen she would be prepared to answer questions in a German parliamentary inquiry investigating the NSA, but insisted the issue posed no threat to the unity of the coalition, which still has two and a half years to run. “I will testify and answer questions where necessary and that would be in the parliamentary inquiry if desired - I’m happy to do that,” she said. “Apart from that we’re working very, very well together in the coalition. You don’t need to worry about that,” she added.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
North
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
51
Niger Assembly Speaker impeached …My impeachment, warning signal -Usman
PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA
N
iger State House of Assembly yesterday impeached its Speaker, Alhaji Adamu Usman, and elected Alhaji Isa Kawu as new Speaker. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that this followed the barring of members from accessing the complex on Tuesday morning by a combined team of security personnel from the Police, SSS and Civil Defence Corps. Eighteen members of 27 voted for Usman’s impeach-
ment;\ the motion was moved by Mr Jacob Maaji (Lavun constituency) and seconded by Mr Ibrahim Dama (Katcha constituency). Other newly elected officials included Alhaji Bello Agwara, Deputy Speaker; Hajiya Sa’adatu Kolo (Mashegu constituency), Chief Whip, and Alhaji Yusuf Kure as Majority Leader. After his swearing in by the Clerk of the House, Kawu pledged to ensure a harmonious working relationship in the legislature within the short period remaining.
‘’We will ensure that our legislative duty continued as usual and our oversight functions will be strengthened for better results to the people,’’ he said. Reacting to his removal outside the Assembly complex, Usman told newsmen that the impeachment was null and void, insisting that he remains the speaker. He said that the Chief Judge of the state has given an order restraining the House, the Clerk and security agencies from recognising the new officials. Usman added that no allegation was levelled against him that could war-
rant his removal. Meanwhile, Usman said his alleged impeachment is a warning sign for the state Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu to sit up, just as he insisted he is still Speaker. But, the new Speaker, Kawu, said the impeachment process was not targetted at the governor, saying: “ I am right now, begining to even see him.” Usman at a press conference in Minna, said the sacking of the leadership of the house by the 19 members is null and void and of no effect, arguing that, he is still the speaker of the
house. “I am alerting the governor that he should be aware. He should be aware that whatever befalls me will befall him too. He should be prepared.” He expressed joy that the action of the lawmakers was not due to financial mismanagement, saying:” Since January 2015, we have never received overhead cost because of problems associated with federation account. Everybody is aware. I do not control finance, as it comes I disburse. So, the impeachment beats my imagination. The embattled Speaker explained that already, an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants (lawmakers) jointly and sererally from setting in motion any process of
impeachment pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice signed by Justice Fati Abubakar has been served to them. “Whatever you see today is illegal because the Mace is under my custody. So, whatever decision they took today (Tuesday) is illegal.” “Myself, the Speaker, my deputy, Chief Whip and the Majority Leader are still in charge. There are grudges that government had not done anything to them as expected. We are making efforts to see what we can do about it. But we are hearing they carried out an impeachment without any offence. Kawu insisted that the decision taken by the 19 lawmakers was in conformity with the rules of the game.
Yuguda dissolves boards of agencies, sacks 33 D-Gs
G
Some members-elect, Bauchi State House of Assembly, displaying their certificates of return presented by Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Hamman Tukur, in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Emulate Awolowo’s zeal for education, VC tasks Buhari WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN
T
he incoming administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari has been charged to put in place the kind of solid education policy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which till date put South West Nigeria ahead of others in the country. Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, who made the call in Ilorin yesterday, said as a challenge, the incoming Federal Government should emulate the vision by giving education top priority, irrespective of tribe or religion. Speaking during the annual Back-to-School Pro-
gramme of the Nigerian Universities Education Students’ Association, NUESA, of the University of Ilorin, in honour of Chief Obafemi Awolowo on Tuesday, the vice chancellor said for any nation to be great its citizens must be well-educated. Ambali, who was represented at the event by Dean, Faculty of Education, Professor Alfred Akinbo Adegoke, said Chief Awolowo stood for the provision of education opportunity for all Nigerians and not for the old Western region alone, if he had gotten the opportunity. He lamented the neglect of public elementary and secondary schools in the country by successive governments, pointing out that private schools have taken
over, which now calls for a revived public elementary and secondary school education. Speaking on the theme; “Connecting the Past with the Present for a Rewarding Future in Nigerian Edu-
cation System”, the vice chancellor said the Back to School programme of the university faculty was aimed at bringing to the fore, the importance of education in national development and fortunes.
overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State on Tuesday dissolved the boards of 20 parastatals, agencies and equally disengaged 33 directors-general, a statement said. According to the statement, the affected establishments include the state’s Muslim and Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Sharia Consultative Council, Bauchi Radio Corporation, Bauchi State Television and Bauchi State Water Board. Also on the list are Bauchi Development Board, Bauchi State Library Board, Bauchi State Agricultural Supply Company, Bauchi State Tourism Board, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency and Bauchi State Hotels Board. Others are Yankari Transport Corporation,
Bauchi State Sports Council, Poverty Alleviation Agency, Bauchi Fertiliser Company, Bauchi Meat Factory and Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi. The rest are College of Education, Azare, and A.D. Rufa’i College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Misau, Interim Supervisory Council and management committee of the Yankari Game Reserve. “Consequently, the governor has ordered that the management of the Yankari Game Reserve be reverted to the state’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture,’’ the statement added. It will be recalled that the governor, on April 28, terminated the appointments of all special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants.
Workers strike paralyses activities in Plateau JAMES ABRAHAM JOS
C
ıvıl servants ın Plateau State yesterday deserted their offices in compliance with the industrial action called by the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, thereby paralysing government activities in the state. The state NLC Chairman, Jubril Bancir, had said
the strike would commence yesterday. Our correspondent, who visited most government owned establishments observed that activities came to a standstill as workers did not turn up. A visit to the state secretariat revealed that the gates were all under lock and key with a few security guards manning the gates. Also at the Jos North Council Secretariat located
near Old Bukuru Park, security operatives used their vehicles to block the entrance. Some workers who came to observe the level of compliance were turned back. The state chapter of the NLC had earlier directed all its affiliate unions and workers to commence mobilisation for a strike at expiration of its ultimatum to the state government which expired on Monday. Jibrin Bancir, the NLC
state chairman during an interview with National Mirror said the strike was indefinite because according to him, labour had negotiated for a long time with the state government for the peaceful resolution of their disputes, but without success. Bancir said workers had several issues that had consistently lingered over the past years in spite of our struggles.
52
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
CHANGE OF NAME
FAPETU: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Fapetu Olasunmbo Olayinka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bababunmi Olasunbo Olayinka. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
BANKOLE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Hamudat Temitope Bankole, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Hamudat Temitope Dada. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Rashidat Titilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rashidat Titilola Rosemary Hassan. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
ARIT: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Arit Amanam now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aigbekhai Arit Grace. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OSOBA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Osoba Damilola Tosin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Omale Damilola Tosin. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Gandonu Omowunmi Mausi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Solaja Omowunmi Mausi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that Azeez Maryam is the same one person as Azeez Mariam Oluwadamilola, that henceforth wish to be called amd addressed as Azeez Mariam Oluwadamilola. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public shoild please take note.
This is to confirm that Ayebameru Oluwabukola F, and Ayebameru Olubukola is the same one person as Ayebameru Bukola Folasade, that henceforth wish to be addressed and called as Ayebameru Bukola Folasade. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Adesile Ebenezer Olawale is the same one person as Adesile Ebenezer Ojo, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Adesile Ebenezer Ojo. All Former documents remain valid,NECO and general public should please take note.
This is to confirm that Ifelaja Daniel Ireti is the same one person as Ifelaja Daniel Iretioluwa, that henceforth wish to be addressed and called as Ifelaja Daniel Iretioluwa. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly Known and Addressed as Jacob Chukwunenye Nwosu, Now wish to be Known and Addressed as Jacob Chukwunonyerem Nwachukwu. All former documents remain valid general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly Known and Addressed as Miss Egwuatu Judith Nkeiru, Now wish to be Known and Addressed as Mrs Udemezue Judith Nkeiru. All former documents remain valid Anambra State University, Igariam and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akin-Adewunmi Adeyemi Fatimat, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Adelusi Adeyemi Fatimat. All former documents remain valid. University Of Ibadan and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
UKWUEZE : Formerly known as Miss Ukwueze Juliet Ifeoma now wish to be known and adress as Mrs Ugochukwu Juliet Ifeoma. All former documents remains valid. Public note.
CHANGE OF NAME
REJOICE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Rejoice Chinatu Anumudu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rejoice Idorenyin Samuel Etim. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
B ALOGUN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mariam Shola Balogun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mariam Shola Ozovehe . All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I am the one and same person bearing Agatha Chioma James and Okezie Agatha Chioma. That all former documents bearing these names remain valid. General public should please take note.
OLADEINDE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladeinde Motolani Adebola, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Shodipe Motolani Adebola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ADETULA: I, formerly known, called and addressed as Adetula Busola Adetoun, due to my marital status now wish to be known, called and addressed as KayodeAdetula Busola Adetoun. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities concerned should please take note.
LOSS OF DOCUMENT
This is to notify the public that the original copy of an irrevocable Power of Attorney belonging to Mr. Aguka Princewill Onwudike, dated 14/03/2011 with Reg No. 7/7/1635 got lost on transit. If found contact Ministry of Lands Enugu.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
UDEOZOR: I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Udeozor Angela Ebele, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Mbanugo Angela Ebele. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OKWOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okwor Grace Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Orji Grace Ogochukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
FAITH AND PRAYER EVANGELICAL INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY The general public is hereby notified that the above name Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1 of 2004.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Prophet Olusoji Samson. A. 2) Mrs Olusoji Susan. A. 3) Evangelist Okpala Edwin 4) Mrs Tijani Lydia 5) Mr David Ogundele
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1) To Preach the goodnews of Jesus Christ 2)To embark on life Transforming Programs 3)To plant and establish church where necessary 4)To carry the gospel to the whole world especially the unreached regions people Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED:PROPHET OLUSOJI. S. A 08038181984
CHANGE OF NAME
KOLAWOLE: I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Kolawole Oluwaseun Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olasehinde Oluwaseun Titilayo. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note
CHANGE OF NAME
AJAYI: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Tinuke Idowu now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ogunlade Tinuke Idowu. All former documents remain valid, SUBEB Ekiti state and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
ODETOYE: I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Odetoye Tawakalitu Bolatito, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Shonekan Tawakalitu Bolatito. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
NGOZI: I formerly known and addressed as Miss.Ngozi Perpetual Acha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ngozi Perpetual Ayala. All existing documents remain remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Asake Oluwakemi Bimbo, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Afe Oluwakemi Bimbo. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that Oyeniyi Gbenga, is the same one person as Oyeniyi Gbenga Amos, that henceforth wish to be addressed and called as Oyeniyi Gbenga Amos.All former documents remain valid. WAEC and general public should please take note.
This is to confirm that Oyelayo Christianah and Oyelayo Christiana Jumoke is the same one person as Oyelayo Christianah Jumoke, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Oyelayo Christianah Jumoke. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note .
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known as Ogundoro Malomo Abel Idowu, now wish to be known and addressed as Oludoro Abel Idowu Olajide. All Former Documents Remain Valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
EKENE : Formerly known as Miss Ekene Gloria Ifeoma, now wish to be known and address Mrs Ekene Gloria Ebelechukwu. All former documents remains valid. Public note.
CHANGE OF NAME
IHUNDE: Formerly known and addressed as Ihunde Jennifer Charity, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Ihunde Jennifer Omoye. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OBIJE: I formerly known as Miss Obije Ify Rophina now wish to be known as Mrs Odili Ify Rophina ..All former documents remain valid. NYSC and The general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHUKWUMA: I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Chukwuma Dorathy Obiageli now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Umezuruike Dorathy Obiageli. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
UGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwu Nnenna Ezinne, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwu Nnenna Ezinne. All former documents remain valid. Federal Dental School Enugu and general public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that Olawoyin Emmanuel is the same one person as Olawoyin Emmanuel Seun, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Olawoyin Emmanuel Seun. All Former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezo Ulo Ujiro, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Irorobeje Ulo Ujiro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OKAFOR : Formerly known as Miss Okafor Chinelo Joy, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Ojiyi Chinelo Joy. All former documents remains valid. Public note.
CHANGE OF NAME
MOMOH: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Momoh Kudirat now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Emmanuella Kudirat Momoh Agbude. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ONWUMBIKO: I formerly known as Onwumbiko Esther Chinwe now wish to be known as Onwumbiko Jennifer Chinwe ..All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
NDUBUKA: I, formerly known, called and addressed as Mis Ndubuka Chika Glory now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Ekemezie Chika Gloria. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
NWOBODO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwobodo Helen Chinelo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nnaemezie Helen Chinelo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE GOLDEN FEET CHARITY INITIATIVE This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied for registration with the Corporate affairs commission under part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE:
1. Iyke Kaluche 2. Precious Pamela Iyke 3. Bob Godswill Awa 4. Miracle Oluchi Nnanna 5. Ndidiamaka Ochi 6. Emmanuel Kelechi
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1. To provide School Shoes for Children 2. To provide reading material for Children. 3. To assist kids education by giving scholarships. Any objection to the application should be forwarded within 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi St. Maitama, Abuja
SIGNED: TRUSTEES.
CHANGE OF NAME
REMIGIOUS: I formerly known and addressed as Miss.Remigious Evelyn Ene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nsagwaram Evelyn Ene. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adenola Oluwayemisi Khadijat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olomide Oluwayemisi Khadijat. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note
This is to confirm that Aroiwolo Kehinde is the same one person as Arowolo Kehinde, that henceforth wish to be called amd addressed as Arowolo Kehinde. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public shoild please take note.
LASISI: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Lasisi Sadiat Abayomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Owoeye Olawale Sadiat. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note.
FLORENCE: I formerly known and addressed as Miss.Florence Ifeoma Olise, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Florence Ifeoma Isibor. All existing documents remain valid. General public take note.
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesanya Oluwatoyin Abisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oduwole Oluwatoyin Abisola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note This is to confirm that Kayode Tomide Gabriel is the same one person as Kayode Ayotomide Gabriel, that henceforth wish to be known and addressedas Kayode Ayotomide Gabriel. All former documents remain valid. WAEC and general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
BRIDGET: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bridget Imhonsili, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bridget Salami. All existing documents remain valid. General public please take note
AYENI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayeni Taiwo Temitope, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Osanyinlusi Taiwo Temitope. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwo Rukayat Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyegbami Rukayat Olajumoke. All former documents remain valid.The general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoye Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obianika Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. DELSU and general public take note.
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Falope Tolulope Olayide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olufemi Tolulope Olayide. All former document remain valid. The general public should take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and adressed as Miss Catherine Chinenye Madu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uche Catherine Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Anaba Salome Nwanyiezi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salome Nwanyiezi Chidiebere. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
COMFIRMATION OF NAME
OHAMARA : This is to confirm that Revd David Okoye Ohamara is the same person as David Okoye Sunday Ohamara. All former documents remains vaid. Public note.
IHEANACHO : Formerly known as Miss Iheanacho Maria Coletti Sandra Uchenna, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Amadi Iheanacho Uchenna Maria Coletti Sandra. All former documents remains valid. Public note.
LOSS OF DOCUMENT
COMFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to confirm that Ajibode Shakiru A, is the same one person as Ajibode Shakiru Alao. That henceforth wich to be addressed and called as Ajibode Shakiru Alao. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.
This is to notify the general public that the Original Deed Of Conveyance with Registered No.19 at Page 19 in Volume 1823 dated on 27th day of April,1981 at Land Registry Alausa, Ikeja of property lying and being Isheri Road, Agidingbi Village in Ikeja Division, Lagos State. The general public and Lands Bureau, Alausa please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
EKPRI: Formerly Known And Addressed As Doris Omamakpoacha Ekpri now wish to be known And Addressed As Doris Omamakpoacha Igbintade. All Former Documents Remain valid. General Public Take Note
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adodo Rebecca Ige, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agoi Rebecca Ige. All former documents remain valid . General public should take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
ANIH:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ani Eberechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ani Ebere Nnenna. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Nigeria Plc and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OKORO :Formerly Known And Addressed As Miss Sonia Chisom Okoro Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As Mrs Sonia Chisom Taiwo. All Former Documents Remain valid. General Public Take Note
CHANGE OF NAME
I formerly known and addressed as Iyabode Abosede Lawal,now wish to be known and addressed Iyabode Abosede Damola Gbela. All former documents remain valid Union Bank and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Oghenekevwe Idama now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sandra Oghenekevwe Augustine. All former documents remain valid general public should take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE HILL OF THE LORD POWER AND DELIVERANCE INT’L PRAYER OUTREACH
The general public is hereby notified that the above name outreach has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs Ayorinde Funmilayo 2. Mrs Oyebode Oluyemisi 3. Miss Adegoke Adebola Omokeji 4. Mr Oguntade Elisha Kola 5. Mr Adebisi Kayode Segun 6. Mr Awodire Kehinde Francis 7. Mrs Oderinde Rashidat 8. Mr Babatunde Lawrence Olufemi 9. Mr Ige Moronkola 10. Akintemi Akinbolarin Victor
- President - Treasurer - Secretary
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
1. To help humanity to realize that there is salvation, deliverance and hope in Christ Jesus 2. To carry out evangelism through the church, preach and propagate the gospel of Christ. 3. To seek and save the lost through evangelism, outreach programs planting of churches, engage in educative program and projects Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, District Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED:TRUSTEES
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
53
Sport
I really don’t want to be drawn into the speculations linking me away from this very special club –Manchester United midfielder, Angel Di Maria
It’s anybody’s game –Messi
54
Sharks of Port Harcourt and FRSC team will clash in Ibadan
CAF Cup fixtures AC Leopards (Congo)
vs Warri Wolves (Nigeria
Esperance (Tunisia)
vs Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
R. Casablanca (Morocco)
vs Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
AS Kaloum Star (Guinea)
vs Orlando Pirates (S/Africa)
Sanga Balenda (DG Congo) vs Zamalek (Egypt)
Confed Cup:
Stade Bamako (Mali)
vs AS Vita (DR Congo)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
vs Club African (Tunisia)
CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
vs ASEC Mimosas (Coted’Ivoire)
Wolves face Leopards
N
igeria’s Warri Wolves FC will clash with AC Leopards of CongoBrazzaville in the play-off round of the CAF Confederation Cup, following the draw conducted in Egypt yesterday. The Dolisie-based club, eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Smouha FC of Egypt, will host the first leg on the weekend of 15-17 May, with Wolves, who stunned MC Etancheite from the other Congo (DR Congo) to reach this stage, entertaining the Leopards in Warri on June 7. Yesterday’s draw combined the successful teams from the Confederation Cup with the eight losers from the CAF Champions League, with the
losers hosting first leg matches of fixtures that will see winners going into a group stage. There are two interesting all-North African duels, with Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, eliminated from the Champions League by holders Entente Setif on penalties, taking on Tunisaia’s Etoile du Sahel, while
Tunisia’s Club Africain visit eight-time African champions Al Ahly of Egypt. CS Sfaxien of Tunisia host ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire, reigning African vice-champions AS Vita of DR Congo visit Stade Malien in Bamako and Sanga Balende of DR Congo, thrown out of the premier com-
petition by Al Hilal of Sudan, taking of Zamalek of Egypt. Orlando Pirates of South Africa are away to AS Kaloum Star of Guinea in the first leg, while Esperance of Tunisia, eliminated by Al Merreikh, are to play Ghana’s Hearts of Oak. In the CAF Champions League, all three Algerian clubs
that made history (holders Entente Setif, USM Alger and MC El Eulma) are entrenched in Group B, alongside Al Merreikh of Sudan, while Smouha of Egypt, Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco, TP Mazembe of DR Congo and Al Hilal of Sudan play in Group A.
Fed Cup: Oshogbo hosts Enyimba, Nasarawa clash
T
he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday made known the venues for all 32 matches of the Round of 64 of this year’s Men’s Federation Cup competition, as well as the two first round matches of the women’s competition, with Enyimba beginning defence of their title in Oshogbo.
The matches will be played on May 13 and 14. A release signed by Head of Federation Cup, Ruth David, showed that Moje Queens of Ilorin will play Golden Babes of Abakaliki in Warri, while Oginni Queens of Osogbo will tackle Rising Queens of Akure in Ilorin. Both matches come up on Thurs-
day, May 14. In the men’s event, the Enyimba Stadium, Aba will host the clash between eight-time winners Shooting Stars of Ibadan and onetime champions Plateau United of Jos, and one-time winners Kaduna United and five-time champions Enugu Rangers will trade tackles
in Lokoja. The all-Bayelsa clash between Nembe City and Bayelsa United will play out at Neros Stadium, Anambra, and Giwa FC will lock horns with Kukuruku Dragons of Benin in Minna while FC Abuja and Wikki Tourists are up for battle in Katsina.
54
Sports
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
UEFA Champions League…
It’s anybody’s game
Today’s fixtures
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
–Messi
B
arcelona forward, Lionel Messi, insists there is no favourite ahead of his side’s clash against Bayern Munich at Camp Nou today. The two sides square off in their Champions League semi-final first leg encounter as Barcelona prepares to come up against former coach Pep Guardiola. “We had a great time when Pep was here. We won a lot of titles and I grew a lot while Guardiola was here,” Messi said yesterday as the team rounded off training. “Guardiola knows us well. He gave a lot to the club and he is from here, but I think the fans will support the club and want us to win the game,” the Argentina interna-
tional added. Barca was thrashed 7-0 on aggregate in the very same stage of the competition two years ago by the current Bayern, but Messi insists this tie is completely different. “It is an important game for everything that it represents and it’s a semi-final. “We remember the game two years ago of course, but both sides now have great players that are used to playing these games. Of course, it’s important to get a good result at home. We always play to win and we want to go into the return leg with a good result.” The 27-year-old said the Spanish side would rely on fellow forwards Luis Suarez and Neymar, who
Messi
have combined to score a total of 108 goals between them in all competitions this season. “I have been lucky enough to play with some great players,” he said. “I enjoy the players I’m playing with today, but I can’t say if it’s the best front three. We understand ach other well on and off the pitch, each but ut I have had great team-mates alongside longside me in attack in other forward lines as I have today. “When you have players of the characteristics haracteristics of Neymar and Luis, that makes things a lot easir. We have a good relationship on er. nd off the pitch. Luis adapted reand lly quickly to the dressing room ally nd that has helped things work and ut well for us.” out
Drogba gets Terry backing
Neuer
C
helsea captain, John Terry, has spoken highly of his teammate Didier Drogba and believes he should be given a new contract come end of the season. The Ivorian superstar has had to be content with being a bit-part player since his return to Stamford Bridge in the close season, thanks largely to the form of Spanish star Diego Costa in his first campaign in England. “Didier’s experience is beneficial and the way he speaks before the games and after defeats when you’re down and you need an old head to help,” Terry said yesterday. “When you hear that from someone like him, everyone takes it on board,” the former England captain added. “Let’s hope Didier’s in the camp next season. He’s got a massive part to play on and off the field and has shown that on the field, but off the field he really has got a massive part to play,” he further said.
Neuer eyes ‘Messi caging’
B Drogba
ayern Munich goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, is confident his side will stop Barcelona star Lionel Messi ahead of their Champions League showdown tomorrow evening. “I have a lot of respect for Messi and for everything that he has achieved,” Neuer said yesterday. “But it’s crucial to show authority when we meet on the pitch and show him who’s boss. I did the same in the World Cup final and this worked out pretty well. “We have to make good use of our physical presence, our character and show ruthlessness.” Memories of Bayern’s 7-0 humbling of Barca at the same stage of the competition two years ago is still fresh in the mind of all the players, yet Neuer insists that is in the past as his side targets a final berth in Berlin. “The game against Barcelona is a final before the final. Our goal is to make it to the showpiece in Berlin,” Neuer said. “We dominated Barcelona in both legs in the semi-finals two years ago, but the situation has changed. “We know that we face a tough task, but I am confident we will get our chances.”
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sports
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
55
Guinean officials for Falcons, Mali MERCY JACOB
C
onfederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Mrs. Maniyela Edu Okomo from Equatorial Guinea as Referee for the Olympic 2016 Women Football Qualifier between Nigeria and Mali scheduled for Saturday in Abuja. Okomo’s compatriots Mar-
garita Engono Abang and Juliana Onva Okomo will serve as 1st and 2nd Assistant Referees, while Mrs. Fatou Seye Ndeye from Senegal will serve as Reserve Referee while Mrs. Delly Mankou Elise from Congo Brazzaville will be the Match Commissioner. The match has been brought forward by two weeks as a result of a special appeal by the
Nigeria Football Federation whose reason was to enable the African champions to depart for a training camp in Toronto, Canada on May 19 ahead the 7th FIFA World Cup finals starting on June 6. Meanwhile the Super Falcons has assured Nigerians of victory against Mali, even as they promised not to underrate their opponents.
NPL: 3SC upbeat for Pillars PAUL EREWUBA
S
hooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) will today host reigning League champions Kano Pillars at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan as officials and fans of the home team beat victory drums. The match, which is Glo NPFL Match Day 3 rescheduled fixture, will see both teams jostling for the three maximum points to shore up their points and climb the league ladder.
3SC are 19th on the log with four points to show for their not too impressive runs, after playing five games. Pillars have equally played five games with nine points which sits them on the 8th position. The Oluyole Warriors who are already inside the relegation zone have vowed to ‘fight’ Pillars with all their strength to ensure they corner the three points at stake. “We are focused and it is still the beginning of the league,” Coach Franklyn Harward said
Okpekpe 2015:
Septuagenarian plans for race AFOLABI GAMBARI Irabor
yesterday. “I am confident that we will come out of the battle unscathed, but we are not taking the match lying low because we know that our opponents are equally a good side,” he added.
My plan to buy Arsenal intact –Dangote
R
Alhaji Aliko Dangote
eports yesterday indicated that billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is still keen on buying Premier League club Arsenal, despite his offer being rejected five years ago. The 58-year-old, who is the richest man in Africa, had made an offer to buy the Gunners in 2010 but was denied, yet insists he will take over the club in future. “I still hope, one day at the right price, that I’ll buy the team,” Dangote told Bloomberg Business yesterday. “I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.” The wealthy business, who made
his fortune in various ventures including cement manufacturing, sugar supply and oil investments, has not revealed exactly when he aims to make another offer. “We have $16bn-worth (14bn) of investments in the next few years,” he added, stressing, “Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe an offer will follow.” It is reported that Dangote’s current worth of approximately 13.5 billion is more than that of current Arsenal majority shareholders Stan Kroenke and Uzbek Billionaire Alisher Usmanov, yet the duo are not keen on selling anytime soon.
Basketball, catalyst for poverty alleviation–Danagogo PAUL EREWUBA
S
ports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has said that basketball is capable of alleviating poverty and eradicating vices among the youths, if adequately developed in the country. Danagogo, who commended
the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Mr. Tijani Umar, for adopting modern scientific ways in the development of basketball, also thanked Zenith Bank Plc for sponsoring the sport. The minister, who was represented by Acting Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, at the closing ceremony
Super Falcons
of the 11th Nigerian Women Basketball League sponsored by Zenith Bank, said the sport had acquired unrivalled recognition in recent times. “I wish to express the Commission’s gratitude to the NBBF President for dissipating a lot of energy in ensuring that Nigeria defends the cup won by Nigeria last year,” Danagogo said.
A
72-year-old palace chief of Onwueweko-in-Council, the Ofeweshi of Okpekpe, Chief John Dakwogi, yesterday announced that he will participate in the Okpekpe 10 Kilometer Road Race of May 16. Dakwogi, however, said he was yet to register for the competition. According to him, “If Governor Adams Oshiomhole could participate in the VIP category, I believe I am still strong enough at 72 to participate in the same category,” the elderly man said. “I know that I can still breast the tape. But I have not been reg-
istered because I don’t know how to go about it before May 16,” Meanwhile, Headmaster of Oduba Primary School, EbelleOkpekpe, Mr. Stanley Etsenumhe, has said that the annual event wil be yet another festival for pupils in the Edo North Senatorial District. “Pupils from Etsako, Owan and others participated in the previous tournaments, especially in the 2014 Super Sports in Otsele Primary School Okpekpe,” Etsenumbe reminisced, even as a pensioner in the kingdom, Mr. Jacob Egwame said since Okpekpe is synonymous with the road race, with people from far and near associating the community with the event.
…Supporters Club storms venue IFEANYI EDUZOR
A
50-man band members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club will be in Edo State for the Okpepke International Marathon billed for May 16. President General of the club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, told National Mirror yesterday that the NFSC would be partner in progress while showcasing Nigeria’s cultural heritage to the international community. “We are available to give support to any event that will improve the image of the country,” Ladipo said. “I can assure Nigerians that with our presence, there will be no dull moment throughout the duration of the race.” Ladipo commended the race organizers led by Mike Itemuag-
bor and the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole for their foresight which he said had received commendation from various parts of the world. “The support from the duo has not only boosted Nigeria’s image, but has also helped in developing long distance race in Nigeria,” Ladipo further said.
Ladipo
WORLD RECORD
Longest-running laboratory experiment Vol. 05 No. 1106
N150
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The Pitch Drop Experiment has been running since 1927 at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Some thought starters for the President-elect
T
he problem created by the PDP government in the last 16 years cannot be solved in four years”. The above is a statement General Muhammadu Buhari was reported to have made at a recent interview he granted the BBC, Hausa Service. After the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, the PDP-led government had a proclivity for making such statements, albeit in a different manner each time their stewardship was called to question by Nigerians. We often heard things like ”the problem which successive military administrations in Nigeria created in the past 30 years cannot be solved in four years etc”. Thus, it has become a practice for newly elected political officeholders to start on the premise of reeling out excuses why the electorate should not ex-
Guest Columnist
Fred
Onyia
pect much from their administrations. This is one trap I would not like General Buhari to fall into. Since government is a continuum, each successive administration should continue from where its predecessor stopped. To this end, what I expect is that General Buhari should articulate specific problems he will address, with timelines within the four years he will be in office. It is not enough to say that he will tackle corruption and insecurity. He has to demonstrate in concrete terms how he intends to do that and present a picture of success that will translate to benefits for the ordinary Nigerian. Rather than have a wish list, Buhari should focus on a few key challenges that Nigerians are most passionate about. The guiding principle should be: less is more. During the electioneering that has now ushered him in as the Nigeria’s next president, the campaign mantra of his party was CHANGE. In all the political rallies held across the country, the word CHANGE reverberated. Aside from the fact that the party was seeking a replacement of the PDP-led Federal Government, which would translate to a change of baton between Jonathan and Buhari, the content of the CHANGE APC would bring about was hardly known, leaving Nigerians to their conjectures. Two messages stood out in all his campaign: fighting corruption and fighting insecurity. Fighting corruption has become a cliché in Nigeria’s political lexicon as successive governments over the
HOW MANY HOURS OF UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY PER DAY IS HE
PROMISING NIGERIANS, AND BY WHAT DATE?
years have continued to mention corruption as a social malaise that they would give utmost attention to. If we rewind to 1966, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu mentioned corruption as one of the reasons he and his colleagues truncated the First Republic. In the Buhari-led coup of December 31, 1983, corruption and ineptitude on the part of Alhaji Shehu Shagari government was also mentioned in the coup speech by the late General Sani Abacha. When Abacha took over in 1993, he also promised to fight corruption. Ditto for successive leaders after him. The second issue that featured prominently in Buhari’s campaign was the pledge to tackle insecurity. Insecurity was not in the front burner in previous elections, but as a result of the insurgency unleashed on the country by Boko Haram, Buhari found it expedient to make it a campaign issue. Now that General Buhari has won the election, it is time for him to release a roadmap of his administration for the next four years. Nigerians will not make the choice for him; he is at liberty to choose his own Key Performance Areas. Thereafter, he will inform Nigerians, so
that we will have things to measure him on. But I have here just some thought starters he could consider. First, when will the refineries start working and by extension, when are we going to stop importing refined petroleum products, which has been going on since the Abacha days? Nigerians believe that it is because of corruption that the refineries are not working even after previous governments have spent huge sums of money on phantom turn around maintenance. If he is able to make the refineries work, and move a step further from exporting crude oil to exporting refined petroleum products, that will be CHANGE and this will resonate with Nigerians. Second, how many hours of uninterrupted power supply per day is he promising Nigerians, and by what date? We are not expecting 24/7 power supply from Day 1; he could start from 10 hours a day and gradually build up to 15, 20 and 24 hours. He should not tell us about megawatts; the average Nigerian does not understand megawatts. What he understands is that he has light in his house/office/shop or he does not have. At the end of the day, the megawatts are broken down into how many hours of electricity supply per day. If he is able to achieve this, Nigerians will recognize that CHANGE has taken place and can relate with it. Third, by what date is he going to end importation of some food items like rice, palm oil etc, and what is the plan to build up production capacity in those areas? If Buhari is able to move us from a position of net importers of food to one of selfsufficiency and much later net exporters of food, that will be real CHANGE and Nigerians will not only see it, but feel it. I advised that Buhari adopt the principle of less is more, so, I am restricting myself to the above listed three issues as a guide. Onyia wrote from Ikjea, Lagos via Fred.onyia@gmail.com
Sport Extra
Development: CAF, Qatari FA set to sign pact
C
onfederation of African Football (CAF) and the Qatari Football Association (QFA) will sign a cooperation agreement today. The signing ceremony is scheduled for the CAF
headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Reports said the agreement would run for an initial period of five years and could be renewed. It will also regulate both organizations’ collabo-
ration and cooperation, whose focus will include exchanges of experiences and capacity building of their respective affiliates in areas as varied as sports medicine, refereeing, administration, de-
velopment, training, management, infrastructure, women’s football and futsal. The new cooperation agreement with the Qatari Federation, which added to the existing partnerships
linking CAF with FIFA, UEFA, CONCACAF and the English Football Association, is another milestone by Africa’s governing body aimed at fostering overall football development strategies for the continent.
Hayatou
Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Office: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Port-Harcourt Office: Suite 115, NICON Hotel, 6, Benjamin Opara Street, Off Olusegun Obasanjo Rd, GRA Phaze 3, Phone: 07032323254 Email: mail@nationalmirroronline.net. Editor: SEYI FASUGBA. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos. Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Akure. ISSN 0794-232X.