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Ooni-designate begins 21-day confinement

More Reps reject House committees headship

...may be installed Nov 19 BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

Ogunwusi

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oni-designate, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, yesterday began 21 days confinement

Friday, October 30, 2015

in Ilofi, Ile Ife, Osun State. Ilofi is where newly designated Ooni is prepared CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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PDP senators walk out as Amaechi is confirmed

...say we won’t be part of corrupt process

OBIORA IFOH AND GEORGE OJI

here was mild drama at the Senate yesterday as the Peoples

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Why FG is opposed to devaluation of naira –Osinbajo P.5

NAICOM to revive NITEL with $1.2bn investment President Muhammadu Buhari in an airport shuttle ride during his visit to India where he addressed the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit at the Indra Gandhi stadium complex in New Delhi.

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PDP senators walk out as Amaechi is confirmed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Democratic Party, PDP, senators staged a walkout, while their All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart confirmed the nomination of former governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and 17 others as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While the PDP senators wanted the confirmation of the former governor suspended as recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which investigated him over allegation of fraud and corruption, their APC counterparts, raised strong objections against the position. The committee had recommended in its report that the screening and confirmation of Amaechi should be put on hold in line with order 53(5) of the Senate standing rule, which provides that the Senate should stay clear of all matters pending before any competent law of

the federation. The PDP senators had also boycotted the screening of Amaechi last week, following the refusal of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to have the report of the committee debated before the screening. Senate Leader, Ali Ndume had argued that the Senate could carry on with the screening, while debate of the report can come up later before the confirmation of the candidate. But efforts by PDP senators to push for the discussion of the report before the confirmation of Amaechi was again frustrated yesterday by APC senators and the Senate President, prompting the opposition lawmakers to walk out en mass out of the chamber. The Senate had earlier in the day screened and confirmed the appointment of the new Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and five

other National Commissioners. Consequently, the lawmakers entered a closeddoor session that lasted for one hour and fifteen minutes, wherein, they discussed the issue of the procedure for the confirmation of the ministerial nominees. From what transpired on the floor of the Senate later, it was apparent that the senators were not able to resolve the issue of Amaechi amicably. Shortly before the confirmation exercise, Minority Leader, Goodswill Akpabio rising under personal explanation had reminded the senators of their previous agreement that petition against any nominee shall be raised before confirmation. Consequently, the Senate proceeded with the confirmation process. When it got to the turn of the Imo State nominee, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, the Minority Leader, rising under order 43 of the Senate standing or-

ders, said: “We agreed that even though a nominee may have been screened, when it comes to confirmation, we shall raise the issue of petition if there is one standing against the person.” Akpabio reminded the Senate that there were petitions written against Anwuka before the Petition Committee and moved that the issue be discussed. The Senator representing Imo North, Nneji Achonu quickly rose up to inform the Senate that the petitioners had withdrawn the petition against the nominee, following which the candidate was confirmed. When it got to the turn of Amaechi, Akpabio again stood to oppose the confirmation on the grounds that the report of the committee, which investigated the allegations against him, was yet to be discussed. Saraki invited the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) to read the report.

The report, which was signed by 7 out of the 11 members of the committee, recommended the suspension of the confirmation of Amaechi because the Senate rules bars the red chamber from doing so. Senate Leader, Ali Ndume rising under order 53(7), argued that since the Senate rules prohibited the Senate from confirming the nominee, the said rules should also bar the Senate from even discussing the report itself. “Since the report recommends that we should not proceed with the confirmation of the nominee, I suggest that we should also not proceed with the consideration of the report,” Ndume said. Opposing Ndume, the Minority Leader said: “The Senate should undertake proper discussion of the report presented before us first because the PDP had agreed on the day of the screening of the nominee that we can

100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted by the Nigerian Army.

Ooni-designate begins 21-day confinement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

for the task of monarchy. Located in Iremo Quarters, a journey of about 10 minutes trek from Ile Oodua, Ooni’s palace, the Ooni-elect will stay there for 21 days. Here, members of Isoro Cult to which he belongs, will perform installation rites.

Despite the influence of modernisation, Ilofi has been one of the best kept traditional sites and only members of Isoro and Ooni can enter the ancient building. Earlier yesterday, Ogunwusi received visitors in his residence and later held closed door meeting with some

palace chiefs. According to sources, Ooni-elect was led to Ilofi in a convoy at exactly 4:40pm and was escorted by Obadio, the head of all deities in Ile Ife and other members of Isoro cult. Sources disclosed full rites would begin today and should end

on Thursday, November 19, the day the monarch may be installed. The moment the rites begin in Ilofi, Oonielect, it was further learnt, will no longer receive visitors or see any other person, other than members of Isoro cult. Meanwhile, pre-installation rites for the

Ooni-elect had earlier taken place as Obadio of Ife, Oba Olajide Ifaloba said members of Isoro Cult have taken full charge of the rites. Speaking to newsmen on phone, Ifaloba said members of the cult had forged ahead with some rites that do not require the presence of an Ooni.

only speak when this report would be discussed.” Akpabio’s remarks attracted protestations from the majority senators, who erupted in uproar. Senator Babajide Omowurare explained that since the matter is in court the Senate should confirm Amaechi without delay. The lawmaker also argued that being the committee of the whole, which is the most important committee, the Senate can amend the report of any of its committees. He cited section 147(2), which authorises the Senate to screen and confirm ministerial nominees sent by the President and insisted that if any other legislation impedes the Senate from carrying out this constitutional responsibility, the constitution must take precedence over that other law. Senator George Thompson Sekibo informed the Senate of its supreme responsibility of legislating for the interest of Nigerians, noting that: “The Nigeria people we represent are in the majority, so we must not do anything that is against the interest of the majority of Nigerian.” He noted that the report on Amaechi was very weighty and bordered on corruption, sale of public property as well as abuse of public office. “There is a moral burden on all of us here and Nigerians are watching us. The President is riding on the crest of no corruption. “The minority will always have its say while the majority will eventually have its way. Our say is that we shall join the President to fight corruption,” he added. Attempts by Akpabio to respond further on the matter was frustrated by majority of the senators, who kept shouting that he should sit down to allow Senator Barnabas Gemade, who had been previously recognised by Saraki to take the floor. When the majority senators would not allow Akpabio speak, he looked backwards and signaled his PDP senators and they all subsequently left the chamber. Their departure provided the opportunity the APC senators were looking for to take over the remaining confirmation exercise. Once the PDP senators CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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L-R: Head, CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Chinda Manjor; President, PRCAN, John Ehiguse; Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Tony Ojobo; Media and Digital PR Manager, Erhumu Bayagbon and MD/CEO, CMC Connect, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, at the 4th PRCAN Breakfast meeting hosted by Airtel Nigeria in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, BTVA Media Limited, Mr. Rotimi Pedro; Executive Director, Abuja and North Regions, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Niyi Adeseun; Bank’s Company Secretary, Mrs. Oluwatomi Ojo and Group Head Product Division of Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Davidson Regha, at the official opening of BTVA Media Limited, a customer of the bank in Lagos yesterday.

L-R: Chairman on the occasion, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu; Commissioner for Information, Gombe State, Rev. Habu Dawaki, and the Author, Mr Zachariah Suleiman, at the launch of a book titled: Preparing for a Happy and Comfortable Life in Retirement, in Abuja yesterday.

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive, Financial Derivatives Company Limited , Mr Bismark Rewane; Partner and Head of Advisory Services, KPMG, Mr Kunle Elebute; Chairman, Eti Group, Mr Emmanuel Ikhazobor, and Chief Operating Officer, Computer Warehouse Group, Mr Philip Obioha, at the 19th Annual Stockbrokers Conference and Investiture of Fellows Induction of Associates, in Lagos, yesterday.

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More Reps reject House committees’ headship ...As Lasun stops move at plenary, Madaki stages walkout Ubong Ukpong Abuja

ttempt by some members of the House of Representatives to publicly reject their appointment as chairman or deputy chairman of standing committees was yesterday blocked by Deputy Speaker, Sulaiman Lasun, who presided over plenary. It would be recalled that Garba Dati at plenary on Tuesday openly rejected and withdrew his appointment as chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals Development. Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, had on Thursday last week announced the composition of 96 Standing Committees, with All Progressives Congress, APC, having 48, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 45, while All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Social Democratic Party, SDP, have

one each. At yesterday’s plenary, Hon. Sunday Adeyemi Adepoju, (APC Oyo), in an attempt to announce on the floor, his rejection of the appointment as deputy chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, raised a point of order seeking to enforce his privilege on the matter. Having been recognised by Lasun, Adepoju said the matter he came with bothered on headship of committees as announced last week by the Speaker. The presiding officer, realising what he was trying to cause on the floor, told Adepoju he was not protected by the House standing order that he was trying to cite. While Adepoju stated that the order allowed him to come to the floor with such complaint as a matter of privilege, the presiding officer told him it was belated.

Lasun ordered the legislator to read out all items on the order he was citing and when he patiently did, he was guided that the order recognised such matter only if it were urgent or was less than one week after the matter came up. Considering that the composition of the committees was presented one week ago, the deputy speaker said the privilege Adepoju could now enjoy was to put the matter in writing to the Speaker as the order required. He therefore, stopped him from further pressing to be protected under that order as a privilege to make his submission. The ruling was supported by most lawmakers, who were not in support of Adepoju’s move. But displeased, Aliyu Madaki (APC Kano) raised a point of order, seeking that Adepoju be listened to by the House. He said he had not fin-

ished what he had to say. Madaki urged members to listen to Adepoju, even if they didn’t like his person or what he had to say, but he was ruled out of order by Lasun, who said when a matter has been

disposed of by the House, it could not be brought up again. This did not go down well with Madaki, who decided to stage a walkout from the plenary. Our correspondent learnt that over five lawmakers from the Femi

Gbajabiamila camp, where Adepoju, Madaki and Garba Dati belongs, were lined up yesterday, ready to take turns, one after the other, to reject their membership and chairmanship of committees, if Adepoju had succeeded in his bid.

NATCOM to spend $1.2bn on NITEL’s revitalisation Isaiah Erhiawarien

ATCOM Development and Investment Limited, owners of defunct Nigeria Telecommunications Company, NITEL, has unveiled plans to invest additional $1.2bn to revitalise the moribund telecommunications company. Giving this hint yesterday at a media event where the new NITEL, known as ntel was unveiled, Chief Executive Officer of NATCOM, Mr. Kamar Abass, disclosed that the new telcom would be building a tier three data centre in Lagos that would allow for a downtime of not more than 24 minutes in year. This implies that the new

ntel double levels of redundancy on every component that service the data centre. According to him, as part of the technological infrastructure capacity building for the new ntel, it will also build a 4G network that can improve its service delivery due to the capacity of its spectrum, which surpasses what others have in the 4G space today. Specifically, Abass disclosed that the size of the spectrum that NATCOM had was capable of delivering data1 services at the speed of 300 megabyte per second. He explained further that ntel will address the broadband needs of Nigerians. According to him, the end

of the growth of 2G technology will likely leapfrog customers over 3G straight to 4G, pointing out that the expectation of the typical bandwidth consumed on 4G is going to rise to 650 megabyte monthly average from the 41 megabyte today. Abass assured that ntel had enough capacity through SAT 3 to give Nigerians all the bandwidth. He, however, projected that closing the gap may not only bring income to NATCOM but it will make every Nigerian richer “because everyone will be more productive, everyone will make more money and be able to spend more money because investment will flow in.”

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Why FG is opposed to devaluation of naira –Osinbajo ROTIMI FADEYI

ice President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, said devaluation of the naira was not an appropriate option in the current economic realities in the

country, stressing that it offers no solution as far as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was concerned. A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande

Reps to probe CBN’s unlawful implementation of over N400bn intervention projects CHID UGWU AND UBONG UKPONG

ouse of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the level of compliance by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, with relevant laws in its various intervention projects across the country running into over N400bn. It has therefore mandated its Standing Committee on Banking and Currency to probe the legality and propriety of the contractual transactions by the bank and other related matters, and report back to the House in four weeks for further legislative action. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Toby Okechukwu at plenary, calling for the investigation of CBN’s intervention projects as regards compliance with due process. Okechukwu had noted that CBN has executed and continues to execute various intervention projects and other contracts in the education and other sectors across the country, adding that the apex bank has however violated the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act as only three out of the 21 of such projects already contracted were properly certified. “CBN did not follow due process as provided in the laws in the engagement of consultants and contractors for the execution of these intervention projects. “CBN awarded the contracts without the involvement of the Bureau of Public Procurement as required in the Public Procurement Act, 2007, which runs contrary to the Federal Government’s policies and determination to curb economic waste, ensure accountability and strict adherence to the rule of law. “The source of funds for these intervention projects and whether the CBN is com-

plying with the provisions of Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2011 and the Federal Government’s directive regarding the Treasury Single Account,” he said. Meanwhile, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele said there is need for continuous interaction of fiscal and monetary authorities so as to jointly decide issues relating to policy design and implementation. He stated this in a keynote address at the Fiscal Liquidity Assessment Committee, FLAC, retreat in Abuja yesterday. The CBN boss asserted that without the foregoing, the overall policy framework will be voided of the requisite credibility following the long-term inconsistency of policy mixes and signals. “This ultimately undermines the effectiveness of monetary policy,” he said. He added that policy coordination ensures commitment to mutually agree upon objectives thus helping to circumvent the problem of time inconsistency that may arise with the design of policies. Emefiele also said such move would enhance policy credibility, anchors public expectations and ensures sustainability of fiscal and monetary policy thereby promoting macroeconomic stability. Stressing the importance of coordination, the CBN governor said monetary policy is adopted for short-run fine-tuning of prices and output trajectories, while fiscal policy affects the traverse of a broader range of economic and social variable for long-run macroeconomic stabilisation. He added that policy coordination provides the headroom for a symbiotic realisation of both the fiscal and monetary policy objectives in a coherent and efficient manner.

stated that Osinbajo spoke when he received the Italian Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Fulvio Rustico and the Canadian High Commissioner. Mr. Perry John Calderwood. Osinbajo said: “I don’t agree to devaluation and it is not that I am doctrinaire about it. “In the first place, it is not a solution. We are not exporting significantly and the way things are, devaluation will not help the local economy. “What we need to do is to start spending more on the economy and then things will ease up a bit.”

He observed that the issues around the economy are no sciences, stressing that it was important to be reasonably flexible in dealing with them. He outlined Federal Government’s plans to set up a $25bn Infrastructural Fund, which would be sourced from local and international agencies, Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, and Pension Fund among others. The Vice President disclosed that already other sovereign wealth funds have indicated interest in the fund, which would be used to address decaying road,

rail and power infrastructures. He maintained that the approach was to speed up the country’s infrastructural development. Osinbajo explained that the current foreign exchange restriction was a temporary measure to ensure that foreign exchange was not depleted substantially at a time when price of oil in the international market was dropping. He added that the restriction was also to bring some stability to the country’s foreign reserves without which Foreign Direct Investment,

FDI, might be affected. The Vice President said FDI was more forward looking than portfolio investments, which was being affected by the decision to manage foreign exchange resources of the country at this time. He disclosed that the Federal Government would work with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to ensure that legitimate businesses are not badly impacted by the current foreign exchange restrictions, especially those who have previous contracts and loan commitments.

L-R: Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Mr Ekpo Nta; President, Brekete Family, Mr Ahmad Isah; Eze Igbo of Idu-Gbagyi , Abuja, Dr Okey Ukatah and District Head of Ija-Gbagbi, Suleja Emirate, Alhaji Muhammad Abuja, at the Unveiling of Operational Guidelines and Training Manuals of the National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

PDP senators walk out as Amaechi is confirmed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

were out, Saraki continued with the confirmation. Expectedly, the APC senators confirmed the nomination of Amaechi with overwhelming yea vote. After the walkout, the PDP senators proceeded to hold a press briefing at the Senate hearing Room One, where they explained the reasons for the action they took. Akpabio, who spoke said: “We have a responsibility to explain to Nigerians the reason why we walked out of the confirmation. “We did not want to be part of that charade. What they did was total breach of Senate’s own rule. We had no option than to stage a walk out when it became clear to us that they were

bent on performing illegality.” Presidential Assistant on the Senate, Senator Eta Inang, who also addressed newsmen, commended the senators for confirming the nominees. He said the action of the lawmakers have confirmed that there is very harmonious, amicable and cooperative working relationship between the executive and legislature. He particularly commended APC senators for showing that when a party is in power, it has to exercise its majority. According to him, the PDP showed their opinion in the most descent and democratic manner. Meanwhile, APC yesterday said the confirmation of

all the ministerial nominees by the Senate, despite some misgivings by the opposition, has shown clearly that there is no longer any division within its fold. ‘”The cohesion and unity exhibited by the APC Senators on Thursday have shown that our legislators are ready to work with the executive and the party to ensure that the agenda of the party is implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians,” the party said in a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ‘”We commend all our members and leaders in the Senate and indeed the leadership of the APC for this show of unity,’” it added APC said democracy was clearly at work, despite the

decision of PDP senators to stage a walk out over the confirmation of Amaechi. ‘”It is part of democracy that while the minority can have their say, the majority will have their way. Therefore, the decision of the PDP senators to walk out is nothing but democracy in action,” the party said. It enjoined the National Assembly to continue to work with the executive arm of government for the overall interest of Nigeria and its people. ‘”With the stage now set for the federal cabinet to be in place, we implore all Nigerians, irrespective of their party affiliation, to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his onerous task of making Nigeria great again,” APC said.

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We didn’t single out MTN for sanction —NCC

David Audu

ational Communications Commission, NCC, has denied singling out telecommunication service provider, MTN Nigeria, for penalty for non-compliance with the deadline to deactivate all subscribers’ unregistered SIM cards on its network. The commission’s director of public affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, yesterday, in Lagos, said of all the service providers in the country, only MTN failed to comply with the directive and the commission was left with no option than to invoke the relevant provisions of law. Recall that the commission recently slammed MTN with a fine of N1.4 trillion for failing to disconnect 5.1 million subscribers on its network that failed to register properly. He said the commission had given ample time to all the service providers to comply with its directive but MTN failed in that regard. On why the fine appears

huge, he explained that it was because the lines not deactivated were much. “MTN had 5.1 million lines that were not deactivated, and the fine for each line not deactivated is N200,000; so, multiplied this by the number of lines in its network which it failed to deactivate. “It was not that we arbitrarily came to that figure as the fine. There was a process and we followed that process, and MTN is not disputing this,” he said. He added: “The question people should be asking is, why is it only MTN? But people are not asking that; instead they are saying the fine is huge. We didn’t just arrive at the fine overnight.” He said the accusation of singling out MTN as a foreign company to be dealt with is incorrect as it is not the only foreign telecom service provider operating in Nigeria. “Airtel is foreign, and it has complied; Etisalat complied as well as Glo. So, why not MTN? The propaganda is assuming international dimension such that people are thinking the commis-

sion was out to frustrate foreign investments. Is there any country you operate today that you do not comply with its existing laws?” he queried. He explained that the guidelines were clearly stated and that all the telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria today

Rotimi Fadeyi

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared in New Delhi, India, that Nigeria and other African countries must work harder to achieve greater political stability and security before they could enjoy the full benefits of partnership arrangements such as the India-Africa Forum. Addressing plenary session of the third summit of the forum, Buhari said to attract massive investment inflow, which they need to overcome the challenges of unemployment and wealth creation, Nigeria and other African countries must also establish policy environments that guarantee the

are party to it. Said he: “Before now, all the parties knew that the fine for each unregistered line that is not deactivated was N200,000. In August, we had a meeting, which all the parties attended, including the Department of State Security Services and these things were dis-

cussed, including the security implications. After that we had another meeting with the director of DSS and he was practically begging the operators to deactivate the unregistered lines. “The security report was that the lines used by kidnappers were MTN lines and these lines were not

registered and that the operators should deactivate them. Then, they were saying they didn’t want to do it at once but they would do it in phases. “When our enforcement team went on inspection, they discovered they had not even deactivated one line.”

How Nigeria, Africa can attract massive investments —Buhari sanctity of contracts on the basis of the rule of law. The president told the gathering that since its inception in May this year, his administration has been working with determination to establish these preconditions for rapid socio-economic development and re-focus governance on the real needs of ordinary Nigerians. “As a government, we have demonstrated our strong determination to change the direction and content of governance, including the management of our resources through accountability,

transparency and result-orientation in governance. “We are confident that India, as a tested friend and dependable partner, will always stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the discharge of the mandate entrusted to us by our people,” Buhari said. The President expressed hope that the India-Africa Forum would deepen, in practical terms, the South-South Cooperation that countries of the South have desired for so long. The President said although African countries have a number of partner-

ship arrangements with other countries of the world, the India-Africa Forum promises to be different, stressing that it was not only a partnership between friends but one that is between countries and peoples who have had similar historical experiences of colonial rule. He noted that the immense potential of the forum is already evident in the growing volume and improved terms of trade between Africa and India as well as the increasing presence of several Indian enterprises in Africa.

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P’Harcourt Airport’ll be completed in 2016 —FAAN Olusegun Koiki

ederal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has assured that a new terminal for Port Harcourt International Airport would be ready by 2016. The assurance followed a CNN Money report released by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports, which placed the airport as the “worst” in the world for the year 2015, Managing Director of the agency, Saleh Dunoma, gave this assurance in a statement by spokesman of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati. Dunoma said the Federal Government had embarked on an ambitious project of constructing five new international terminals at the nation’s five international airports, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu in 2013. Dunoma, while being conducted round the terminal agreed that the ongoing construction of the terminal had openly created some discomfort to the travelling public and other airport users, but assured that the situation was under control as FAAN was doing everything possible to proffer solution to the challenges faced by all airport users, within the shortest time possible. He appealed to the travelling public to bear with the agency while the construction works are going on, stressing that by 2014 a new ultramodern international

terminal and the remodelled old terminal would be presented to the public. He further explained that on completion, the project would increase both passenger and cargo capacities at the airport and ensure delivery of efficient services at world-class standards and best practice as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO. He added that FAAN would continue to upgrade facilities at the nation’s airports to ensure security, safety and comfort of all airport users. It would be recalled that the survey, which had qualifying responses from 26,297 well-travelled respondents, said the airport was riddled with unpleasant and unhelpful staff, corruption, a severe lack of seating, broken airconditioning, even as the arrivals hall is located inside a tent. The survey also placed Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport. NAA, Abuja among the worst on the continent despite the usage of the entire sum of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, in 2012 put at $74 million by the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah in the first phase of the 11 airports remodeling exercise and the collections of hundreds of millions of naira monthly from the aviation agencies for the same project.

Over 50% Nigerians live in abject poverty, says ActionAid Regina Otokpa

civil society organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, yesterday revealed that over 50 per cent of Nigerians still live in abject poverty. This was disclosed during a one-day national dialogue held in Abuja in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, with the theme, ‘Corruption and Poverty in Nigeria: Towards a Holistic Anti-Corruption Strategy.’ Lamenting the suffering of more than half of the total population of the citizenry, board chair, ActionAid Nigeria, Prof. Patricia Donli, said the nation was

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blessed with abundant natural endowment, but still suffers. “It is a matter of putting our priorities right; we are a country that is blessed, but we are also a country that is suffering in the midst of plenty. Here, we have so much, yet we get so little. I am an optimist, but it needs collective responsibility we need collective action to be able to end poverty; over 50 per cent of Nigerians live in abject poverty.” Donli proposed the need for advocacy where citizens would be empowered to hold government accountable by ensuring it put infrastructure in place, address unemployment and the education sector given the needed attention.

Navy adopts measures to check oil theft, piracy Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

igerian Navy said yesterday it had adopted a new training regime aimed at improving troops’ proficiency in internal security operations across the country. The Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Naval Training Command, NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, disclosed this during familiarisation tour of navy training schools in Onne, Rivers State. He visited the Nigerian Navy College and Ni-

gerian Navy Basic Training School, both at Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the state. Osinowo said the adoption of a new code of conduct in its training programmes was borne out of the navy`s commitment to drastically reduce oil theft and sea piracy in the nation’s maritime environment. He said, “Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ette Ibas, has come up with detailed strategic direction for the Nigerian Navy to improve its internal security operations.

“Currently, NAVTRAC is reviewing all our training curricula in all our professional schools to ensure highly motivated and proficient workforce to meet both current and anticipated security threats. “We have also developed a new code of conduct in training of our troops to produce personnel that would be highly disciplined, while providing unflinching service to the nation.” Osinowo said the new code had provided trainees with requisite skills, and had addressed their conduct and reaction

when deployed for illegal bunkering operations. The new training regime, Osinowo said, also presents a platform for troops to relate more cordially with the civilian public. “This training programme will make our troops more proficient in the discharge of their duties at both operational and tactical levels,” he assured. Osinowo said the navy was improving its training facilities nationwide to enable it effectively safeguard the nation’s territorial waters.

L-R: National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun; Chairman, APC Governors Forum, Governor Rochars Okorocha, and Gov. Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, during APC Governors Forum’s meeting at Yankari Game Reserve park in Bauchi, yesterday

Head of Service warns against corruption Omeiza Ajayi

cting Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Ekanem OyoIta, has warned civil servants against engaging in corrupt acts, pledging to restore integrity and dignity of the service. She said she would ensure that all civil servants were efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centered. Oyo-Ita disclosed this yesterday in her inaugural address in Abuja during an extraordinary service-wide meeting of Federal Permanent Secretaries. She said the civil ser-

vice must be innovative and proactive by devising strategies and action plans that would assist government in addressing the current challenges by rendering services in a most professional, efficient, timely and effective way. The acting head of service urged permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service to brace up for the new dawn, stressing that time had come for new innovations, better, efficient and proactive attitudes to ensure better service delivery to citizens of Nigeria. She further stated that it was a collective responsibility of all officers in the

service to protect its image, ensure public confidence and trust in the system, otherwise the service would be left out in the scheme of things. According to her, the new civil servant shall be called “The EPIC Civil Servant”. Signifying efficiency, productivity, incorruptibility and citizen-centered. This, she said, “shall be the ethos of the new Civil Service and on daily basis, the civil servant should be proud to make the following declarations: I am efficient, I am productive, I am incorruptible and I am citizen-centered.” On the expectation of the service under her leadership, the Acting

Head of Service noted: “Under my leadership, there is going to be more structured training because we need to develop capacity. If you are making demands from your staff, you have to give them the basic training and the tools to execute their duties. The service should also expect that there will be enhanced performance management and measurement and there shall be a definite structure for rewards and penalties. Those who are excelling must be rewarded with incentives to survive. Also, we are going to develop more in the area of succession planning,” she said.

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Boko Haram: Oyo to evacuate beggars KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo with Ooni designate, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during his visit to the Ooni at Ile-Ife, on Wednesday.

Appeal Court judgments worrisome, says don MATTHEW IRINOYE

law lecturer with the Lagos State University, LASU, Dr. Gbenga Ojo, yesterday said the judgments dished out by Court of Appeal judges are worrisome and condemnable. He therefore, suggested that a central portal be created for the appellate court judges to cross-exchange ideas. While delivering a lecture with the theme, ‘Effective Justice System as Panacea for Change’ at the 2015 National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, NAJUC, annual lecture, Ojo noted that the delay in administration of criminal justice has remained a major constraint in real time dispensation of justice across the country. According to him, “legal practitioners are not doing enough in ensuring effective justice system in the country. “There is therefore, need for continuous legal training for stakeholders in the Nigerian legal system. “The menace of corruption must be fought holistically if it must be eradicated. “There is the need to deploy massively, Information Communications Technology, ICT, in the practice of law in Nige-

ria. “Appeal Court judgments must be made consistent at all times.” In his contribution to the lecture, Executive Director, Access to Justice, Joseph Otteh, commended the media for its role in furthering the course of change in Nigeria. He added that effective justice system was needed to guarantee change, good governance and democracy. Otteh pointed out that the judiciary was the guardian of the constitution all over the world. “Judges behave the way they do because of the oversight in the accountability expected of them.” On his part, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Babatunde Fashanu, said effective justice delivery cannot be the only way the Nigerian problems could be solved. He said, “It is very important that we get our justice system right. There are very courageous judges, especially in the Lagos State judiciary. “Judges must be well paid for them to work well.” Another SAN, Sylva Ogwemoh, argued that it takes a lazy judge to condone a lazy lawyer. He subsequently suggested that judges’ salaries should be based on the volume of cases deliv-

ered on. Earlier in his keynote address, the occasion’s chairman, Chief Lai Babatunde (SAN), represented by the chairman, Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Yinka Farounbi, noted that the lecture was fundamental to the existence of Nigeria. Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, maintained that journalism has over the years made impactful contributions to sustainable growth and human development in the society. The CJ, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Legal), Mrs A.O. Okunnuga said, “The theme of this year’s lecture, ‘Effective Jus-

tice System as a panacea for change’ is apt and in tandem with our programmes and desire for growth and transformation in the state judiciary. “Our various reforms and innovative programmes are geared towards advancing the course of justice and to ensure quick and effective dispensation of justice.” In his welcome address, Ikeja branch chairman of NAJUC, Akinwale Akintunde, noted that this year’s lecture series is designed towards providing “avenue for us all to take a critical look at the state of affairs of this nation, especially the judiciary and in the process identify those things which have the capacity about the desired change.”

n order to arrest the influx of Boko Haram members in Oyo State and check activities of criminals, who may be hiding under the pretense of being beggars, the state government has concluded arrangement to evacuate beggars in all major streets in Ibadan, the state capital, and other towns to check the menace of crime and other social problems. This was the resolution of the state Inter-Religious/Inter Ethnic Committee held yesterday and presided over by deputy governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo. The meeting, which had in attendance representatives of various ethnic groups and religions, including Alhaji Kunle Sanni (Muslim), Bishop Kehinde Stephen (Christian), Chief Fayemi Fakayode (Indigenous Faith) and Muktar Lukman (Hausa) resolved that “beggars should be taken off the streets of major cities as that violates

Ekiti won’t allow capital flight again –BPP ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

irector-General of Ekiti State Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, Segun Akinwumi, has said the era of awarding contracts to people who will not contribute to the state’s finances was over. Akinwumi said: “Ekiti won’t allow capital flight

Kidnappers demand N35m ransom for matron OJO O YEWAMIDE AKURE

bductors of the matron of Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited clinic, Mrs. Eralkhuemen Unulkiere, have demanded N35 million ransom for her release. Eralkhuemen was kidnapped 12 days ago by unknown gunmen at Araromi Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The woman was reportedly abducted on

her way to church on Sunday, October 18, at Alaye-Araromi road. It was gathered that the kidnappers had contacted management of the company and the victim’s demanding N35m to secure her release. Managing Director of the company, Eric Hocepied, yesterday decried the rising cases of kidnap in the state, while confirming the abductors/ demand. Hocepied, stressing that Nigeria was like

the accepted norms and religious beliefs in the society.” Reading the communiqué on behalf of his colleagues at the Executive Chamber, he said having understood that begging contradicts the teachings of Islam, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, had banned street begging, which he said had resulted in the influx of beggars into Oyo. The communiqué stated further, “Proactive measures should be taken on the issue of Fulani Bororo and should not be limited to farmers/Fulani Bororo in the state. “The committee views with great concern the rising incidence of rape and kidnapping in the state; even as we stand by the government in whatever measure taken to check the crises. “A multi-dimensional approach should be applied by the government, looking at the relevant sociological perspectives to analyse the menace of beggars in Nigerian cities.”

home to him, lamented that anybody could be kidnapped in Nigeria today. He, however, disclosed that all efforts were in place to secure the release of the staff. Ondo State police spokesman, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, adding, however, that a team of detectives were already on the trail of the kidnappers. He said all efforts were being made to ensure the victim was rescued unhurt.

again. That is the position of the law. It is enshrined in the Public Procurement Law”. He spoke at Ikogosi Ekiti yesterday during the opening of a two-day workshop organised for staff and members of the House of Assembly by the State’s Public Sector Governance Reform and Development Project, under supervision of the World Bank. The BPP boss lamented that, “During the last administration, contracts for renovation of 157 schools were awarded to only four contractors, who were all from Lagos State. They all got the money and went back to Lagos. That is capital flight. We must put a stop to it.” While charging the lawmakers on their roles in that regard, Akinwunmi said: “Governance starts from the House of Assembly,” adding that the process of funding activities of government begins and ends in the Assembly.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, October 30, 2015

Perm Sec cautions institutional heads on corruption SAIDAT ALAUSA

cting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Hindatu Abdullai, has said in order to rekindle the past glory of the education sector, value re-orientation must be upheld. According to her, zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices must be maintained by institutional heads in line with the change mantra of the present administration. She said this at the convocation ceremony of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, yesterday. The permanent secretary, who was represented by Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Dr. Mas’udu Kazaure, also said strict adherence to the provisions of laws, rules and regulations must be emphasised, while leaders are to

lead by example and good precepts. She, however, said institutions should put in place an incentive system that would motivate staff through reward for exemplary behaviour and sanction for poor or untoward performance. In his speech, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by a Director in Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Semasa Sutton, said despite the establishment of institutions like YABATECH, which is turning out graduates with diverse skills and competencies in different disciplines, including ones that are technology based, the country still has a lot to do to develop national technological capacity. Earlier in her speech, Rector of the institution, Dr. Margret Ladipo, said the college has continued to encourage and support staff development.

Ambode charges cabinet, PS, HODs on efficiency FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday tasked members of his cabinet on efficiency and commitment, even as he urged Lagosians to be vigilant during the ember months. The governor stated this while declaring open the first executive retreat of his administration held at FESTAC area of the state. The three-day retreat is meant to serve as a forum to set and agree on the goals of the government, charging his cabinet members to provide quality leadership that would bring about the much touted improvement and change in the state. He said his government had already hit the ground running, adding that he was well-acquainted and concerned with feedbacks from Lagosians and that his administration was already working assiduously to put permanent end to their suffering. He said: “Lagosians are sending feedback to me and the issues ranged

from security, traffic gridlock and the environment. We are already looking at the immediate solutions to them; there are medium term solutions that Lagosians will see in the next few weeks.” Ambode affirmed that the vision of his administration to make Lagos Africa’s model megacity and a globally competitive, global economic and financial hub that is safe, clean, functional, productive and prosperous is non-negotiable. He said, “This government has said it will provide continuity, but continuity with improvement. The improvement will come with change. We will have to make some changes to improve on what was done before.

L-R: Vice-Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Lagos State, Alhaji Kayode Agunbiade; Chairman of PCRC and Aladi Onijanikin, Oba Momodu Asafa, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command (Onikan), Mr Bala Hazzan, at the 2015 Seminar on Community Policing, in Lagos, Yesterday.

Embezzle fund, go to jail, Amosun warns cabinet members ...swears-in 19 Perm Secs FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday warned new members of his cabinet, particularly commissioners to abstain from all forms of financial impropriety or be ready to be jailed. The governor gave the warning during the swearing-in of the 41-member State Executive Council, SEC, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the

state capital. Amosun, who noted that the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has percolated the nooks and crannies of the country, also emphasised that the eagle eyes of anti-graft agencies are already monitoring the finances of every arm of government. The governor charged the cabinet members, comprising 18 commissioners, 18 special advisers and five senior special consultants to be conscious of their

to prove their mettle “as we jointly forge ahead in the mission to rebuild our dear state.” Amosun had earlier sworn-in 19 new permanent secretaries with a warning not to play to the gallery in the discharge of their duties. Rather, he said, they should cooperate with all political appointees that would be deployed to their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, for successful implementation of government policies and initiatives.

Ijaw youths decry politicisation of amnesty programme O JO O YEWAMIDE AKURE

g roup, Inte g rity Youth Association of Ijaw Kingdom, in Ondo and Bayelsa states, yesterday raised the alar m over alle ged plan to reduce the number of ex-militants benefiting from the Presidential Amnesty Prog ramme.

The group alleged that since Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh was appointed as coordinator for the programme, he had only been paying selected beneficiaries the monthly stipend. A statement signed by Akinyemi Iroju and made available to reporters in Akure, Ondo State capital, also accused the immediate past coordinator of the

RCCG Bethel zone holds 3-day revival edeemed Christian Church of God, Bethel zone, Lagos Province 50, will hold a three-day life-changing and power-packed revival programme, commencing today, October 30. The programme with the theme, ‘From LoDebar To The Palace’ (2

dealings and to avoid all forms of “financial profligacy or impropriety.” Amosun also warned the political appointees against perceiving their new status as a weapon of revenge against either perceived or real rivals. He further stated that the new commissioners were chosen for their wealth of experience and other positive attributes, which they are expected to bring into governance of the state, adding that they should use the opportunity of their appointments

Samuel 9:1-13), will hold at the Church Auditorium at 20, Ifesowapo Street, Off Oju Oluwa Bus-stop, KoyeOke, Lambe, Ogun State. The programme will commence on Friday, October 30, with a vigil at 10pm, then other events on Saturday and Sunday. Pastor-in-charge of

the zone, Pastor Yomi Ijietemi, while appealing to the public not to miss the event for any reason, declared that God was set to deliver into individuals’ hands their hearts desires including salvation, deliverance, breakthroughs, healing and victory over enemies.

programme, Kingsley Kuku, of failure to make proper documentation of beneficiaries before leaving office. It noted that its members, numbering about 1,000 received the May and June allowances but were shocked when they were not alerted by their banks for July, August and September allowances. The g roup confir med that other exmilitants benefiting from the scheme had been paid for the three months. The group said a protest letter had already been written to Boroh but it is yet to see any positive response from government. The statement said: “We like to make it known to the whole

world that there is going to be total uprising again in the Niger-Delta region if the thousands of people benefiting from the scheme are not paid. “So many people fought the Ijaw struggle on the intellectual front, while so many others were also enlisted into the Presidential Amnesty Prog ramme because they are from the af fected areas. “We deem it fit to say that we expect the present coordinator of the Amnesty programme to carry out proper documentation instead of wanting to throw people into the already congested labour market and further make youths go back to acts of criminality.”

North

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Plateau guber candidate, Pwajok, dies in hospital …PDP expresses shock OBIORA IFOH, AND JAMES ABRAHAM

overnorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Plateau State in the April 11 general election, Senator Gyang Pwajok is dead. Fondly called GNS by friends, Pwajok died yes-

terday in an Indian hospital at the age of 48 years after a protracted liver disease. Many of his political associates in the state were in sorrowful mood as soon as news of his death filtered into town. It was learnt that the paramount ruler of his Berom ethnic nation, the Gbong gwon Jos, Gyang

Kogi guber: INEC releases names of candidates WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the names of 22 governorship candidates and their running mates for the November 21 election in Kogi State. Some of the prominent candidates include the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and the All Progressives Congress flag-bearer and ex-governor of the state. The list also comprises the immediate past Kogi deputy governor, Dr. Philip Salawu of Labour Party; Isah Yakubu Kamadeen -AA, Dickson Fred- Accord Party; Ukwenya Musa – ACD; Michael Abdullahi –

AD; Usman Zainab –ADC; Odufu Cosmos Friday –APA; Akwu Umar Goodman – APGA; Yinka Cherry Oloruntoba – CPP; Philip Ezekiel Koleola - DPC; Abubarka Ibrahim – DPP; Ibrahim Adejoh – ID; and Raji Ogrima - KOWA. Other governorship flag bearers are Mohammed Ibrahim Dangana – NCP; Abdul Hussein – NNPP; Emmanuel Daikwo – PDC; Emmanuel Enesi Ozigi – PPA; Dr. Oju Hussein – PPN; Enema Paul – SPD; and Saadu Mukailu of UDP. The electoral body also affirmed that arrangements are in top gear for the conduct of the governorship in the state. It only recently released the software copy of the voter register to all registered political parties in the state.

Reps move to revoke FCT undeveloped plots UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

ouse of Representatives has commenced action to revoke undeveloped allotted plots in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The House at its plenary yesterday mandated its Committee on FCT to conduct an investigative hearing to determine the status of undeveloped plots in the territory and their owners. The committee is also to recommend measures to ensure the enforcement of the terms, conditions and covenants contained in the Rights of Occupancy and or Certificates of Occupancy given to each allotted land in FCT, particularly in areas where full infrastructure had been provided by government,

such as Guzape, Maitama, Asokoro, and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action. This resolution followed a motion brought by Emmanuel Ekon and Uzoma Abonta on the urgent need to establish the status of undeveloped allotted plots in the FCT and to take measures geared towards enforcing the terms and conditions for such grant and allotment and establish the identity and ownership of properties in the highbrow areas of FCT, Abuja. The legislators said they were aware that the C-of-O usually contained terms and conditions stating, inter alia, specific time when the allottee is expected to develop such land or risk forfeiting the land as provided in the Land Use Act.

Buba, immediately summoned a meeting of traditional rulers in his palace upon hearing the news. Pwajok took ill in May and was therefore unable to join his colleagues in the valedictory session of the 7th Assembly. He was flown out immediately to a London hospital, and subsequently transferred to India for better medical care, where he eventually passed on. A source from his family, who disclosed the

news to National Mirror, said he died of a cancerrelated illness (cancer of the liver). He said arrangements are in top gear to return his remains to the country. An amiable and extremely intelligent young man, Pwajok will be remembered for his immense contribution to the successes recorded by the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Jonah Jang. Meanwhile, acting

National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday expressed shock over the sudden death of Pwajok. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said, “We are indeed shocked by the news of the loss of this strong, committed and outstanding party man, especially coming at a time he was still pursuing justice on his deprived victory at the April 11 governorship election.

“Senator Pwajok was a patriotic citizen and brilliant lawmaker who gave his all and discharged his responsibilities with unequaled forthrightness, loyalty and commitment to the development of his state and our dear fatherland in general. “The PDP family nationwide joins the immediate family of Senator Pwajok and our fold in Plateau in mourning and praying God to grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

A cross-section of pregnant women clutching their ‘dignity kits’ supplied by the UNFPA during their antenatal clinic at Mala Kachallah Hospital, in Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Pensioners give Al-Makura ultimatum over entitlement IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

ensioners in Nasarawa State have given Governor Umaru

Tanko Al-Makura a sevenday ultimatum to pay their outstanding benefits with the bailout fund, else they will take to the streets and other appropriate quarters

10 years after, NUC begins accreditation in Plateau varsity JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

early 10 years after the Plateau State University was established, the Nigerian University Commission, NUC, has finally begun accreditation of courses run by the institution. The Professor Joseph Charles-led NUC team was at the institution yesterday to assess facilities at the faculty of Social Sciences for onward accreditation. Charles, who presented their report to the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Doknan Sheni, after their assessment expressed satisfaction with the progress the institution is making to ensure full accreditation. Another team is expected to arrive the institution for further assessment of facilities and programmes in other faculties in the institution. Since the varsity was established in 2005, none of its courses have been accredited, a development that had prevented graduates of the institution from embarking on the one-year mandatory National Youth Corps service.

to enforce their fundamental rights. This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a congress meeting of the Nasarawa chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, which was signed by comrades Umaru Adoga and Ibrahim Usman, chairman and secretary respectively, and issued to journalists in Lafia, the state capital. The communiqué noted with dissatisfaction the decision by the state government to misapply the bailout fund for the construction of an airport in the state which according to it “is not a priority of the common man in Nasarawa State.” The communiqué reads: “The meeting noted the procedural error of allocating bailout fund to Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON and the delay in payment of the

pension and payment in percentage, especially to local government pensioners, must stop. “We request that the status quo-ante be revisited regarding the operation of the pension bureau and demand the total overhaul of the state pension bureau to make it accountable on its activities in the last four years, especially on the payment of gratuity to local government retirees.” The communiqué viewed with all sense of concern the non-payment of gratuity in the state, especially to local government retirees for the past four months and the non-implementation of 33 percent minimum pension to both state and local government pensioners since 2010, and the 12.5 percent to state pensioners since 2003, despite federal government’s approval and directive to that effect.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Friday, October 30, 2015

C’River, CAN at loggerheads

…over suspension of prayers in schools Richard Ndoma Calabar

hristian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday rejected the directive by Cross River State government, urging both primary and secondary schools to stop morning devotion in the state, stressing that such directive was unacceptable to the Christian body. According to a release made available to National Mirror on Wednesday in Calabar and signed by CAN’s state chairman, Archbishop Joseph Edra Ukpo, the body charged the state government to immediately withdraw the directive. CAN chairman stated that the directive negates freedom of worship hitherto practiced in the state. “Sequel to the letter from the Ministry of Education with reference No MOE/ S132/VOL.1, by the permanent secretary dated 21st October, directing public and private primary/secondary schools across the state to suspend all assemblies (morning and afternoon)

till further notice, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter, hereby says such a directive was totally unacceptable.” The umbrella association of Christians in the state added that the directive was a negation of freedom of speech, worship and therefore unacceptable to Christians across the state. “This directive will negatively affect the moral upbringing of our children, who are the future leaders of this country,” CAN stated. Mrs. Anne Odey of the state’s Ministry of Education had last week written a letter to all schools in the state, both primary and secondary, ordering the suspension of morning and afternoon devotions. But a telephone call put across to Mrs. Odey confirmed that the directive came from the Commissioner of Police due to security challenges, which necessitated the order and suspension of the age-long practice in the state that was introduced by missionaries who established most of the schools.

Wike: Market women protest tribunal’s judgement Dennis Naku

Port Harcourt

undreds of market women took to the streets of Port Harcourt yesterday protesting the nullification of Governor Nyesom Wike’s election by the Rivers State election petitions tribunal in Abuja. The women insisted that elections took place under a peaceful atmosphere in the state on April 11, 2011, describing the tribunal’s judgement as biased. The women, numbering over 200 matched with placards from the popular UTC junction on Azikiwe Road, through Isaac Boro Park and terminated at the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, located on Aba Road, to register their protest. Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: ‘Wike is the peoples’ choice’, ‘Wike completed most projects he started’, ‘Rivers people have seen their man’, ‘Come rain, come shine, we will stand by Wike’ and ‘We want peace in Rivers State’, among others. Speaking with newsmen at

the PDP secretariat, organising secretary of the market women, Madam Julie Omie, described nullification of the election that brought Wike to power as sad, adding that “everyone knows that election took place in Rivers.” Omie expressed surprised that in some parts of the North East, election results were declared without cancellation, despite the killings and violence being perpetrated by members of the Boko Haram, unlike Rivers State, she said, where elections were conducted peacefully. Also speaking, a woman leader, Mrs. Evelyn Nweke, said within three months in office, Wike offset the salary arrears of civil servants, including teachers, footballers and ‎cleared the backlog of pension dues owed pensioners. She stated that Wike’s recent statement that by his training he would not insult the judiciary and that he would appeal the judgement of the tribunal shows that he (the governor) is a man of peace.

L-R: Commandant, Nigerian Navy College, Commodore Emmanual Israel; Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo and The Commandant, Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Commodore Peter Onaji, during the FOC’s familiarization tour of Navy Training Schools in Onne, Rivers State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

BYSIEC releases timetable for LG election Osahon Julius Yenagoa

ayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, has released final timetable for local government election in the state. The timetable containing schedule of electoral activities for the local government areas is expected to take place in October 2015 through February 2016. Chairman of the commission, Chief Blessing Izagara, unveiled the new timetable during a stakeholders’ forum in Yenagoa, yesterday. Izagara said the new timetable was the authentic one as the previous one published in some sections

of the media did not receive approval of the commission. He also said the new timetable has been thoroughly vetted, corrected and approved by BYSIEC. Izagara explained that the timetable took into consideration the litigations that might occur after the election as well as the handover date of the current government. He said: “We call this meeting to carry everybody along on the issue of change in the date of election earlier published. “It is important that we take cognisance of election litigations before the handover and that is what we have done.” He added that the pe-

riod between February 10 and April 17, 2016, was sufficient to conclude election litigations. During the meeting, state chairman of Accord Party, Mr. A.O. Victor, pleaded with the commission to ensure that the new timetable was not changed again. He also urged the commission to ensure a levelplaying field for all political parties in the election. Responding to Victor’s plea, Izagara promised free, fair and better election. He, however, advised all political parties to ensure that their agents were wellbehaved during the election. The chairman said: “While government has

promised to provide security and an enabling environment to guarantee credible election, the political parties should prepare their agents well for the elections, because some agents get involved in antiparty activities, including selling out the party they claim to represent.” In his remark, BYSIEC Commissioner for Publicity, Mr. Tari Bolou, advised political parties to conduct transparent primaries. He also urged the parties to invite the commission to observe their primaries because it was part of the statutory functions of the state electoral umpire to monitor activities of political parties, especially primary elections.

Police arrest 5 child-trafficking suspects in C`River Richard Ndoma Calabar

ross River State Police Command yesterday paraded five persons for allegedly attempting to purchase and sell a two-week-old baby boy. Speaking while parading the suspects, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP John Eluu, stated that on October 27 this year, a team of detectives from the Federal Housing Police Station received information that one Maria Ekanem, who resides at 33, Ikot Enebong Crescent, 8th Mile, Calabar, gave birth two weeks ago and that efforts were being made to sell the baby. The police spokesman

said negotiation for sale of the baby was ongoing with Mrs. Sunday Eno Enang, matron of Sedatoe Maternity Clinic of 2, Umon Street, Off Ekpo Abasi Street, Calabar South Local Government Area of the state. Eluu disclosed that the shady deal was being undertaken by one Reuben Eno and Dr. Okokon Offiong Okoho, who runs Evangelical Clinic, located at 55, Atu Street, Calabar. He said the suspect were nabbed when they tried selling the baby for an undisclosed amount, adding that the bubble burst when mother of the baby and the buyers agreed to meet at Inyang Street, by Fuller Street, Calabar, where on her arriv-

al she was given N20,000 as part-payment for the transaction. The PPRO said on receiving information about the shady transaction, detectives swung into action, leading to the arrest of the five suspects, and both the baby and a white Toyota RAVA Jeep marked JP493ABC used for the operation were recovered and taken to the police station. In another development, police also paraded three male suspected Indian hemp (marijuana) sellers, Richmond Bassey, Effiong Effiom and Ishie Offiong. The PPRO said the suspects were arrested at Joseph Mkpang Street on October 28, 2015, with large

quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, in a tray. Eluu said the three suspects were still being interrogated, stressing that they would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

Arase, IGP

North

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Plateau guber candidate, Pwajok, dies in hospital …PDP expresses shock OBIORA IFOH, AND JAMES ABRAHAM

overnorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Plateau State in the April 11 general election, Senator Gyang Pwajok is dead. Fondly called GNS by friends, Pwajok died yes-

Kogi guber: INEC releases names of candidates WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

Reps move to revoke FCT undeveloped plots UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

A cross-section of pregnant women clutching their ‘dignity kits’ supplied by the UNFPA during their antenatal clinic at Mala Kachallah Hospital, in Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Pensioners give Al-Makura ultimatum over entitlement IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

ensioners in Nasarawa State have given Governor Umaru

Tanko Al-Makura a sevenday ultimatum to pay their outstanding benefits with the bailout fund, else they will take to the streets and other appropriate quarters

10 years after, NUC begins accreditation in Plateau varsity JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

Friday, October 30, 2015

Wale Ibrahim, LOKOJA

he reinstatement of the 21 local government council chairmen by an Abuja appellate court may have boost the chances of the incumbent governor of Kogi state, Captain Idris Wada who is seeking second term in office . The sack order by a Koton -karfe High Court came as surprise, leaving political pundits to ponder as to why the state government has allowed this to happen at a crucial period of preparation for governorship election in Kogi in particular and Nigeria in general. But the council chairmen however took their destiny in their own hands and appealed the judgment of Koton Karfe High Court at Court of Appeal, following inability of the state government to appeal the judgment sacking the 21 councils chairmen in the state. The All Progressive Congress, APC had dragged Kogi state government to court alleging that Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, KOSIEC was wrongly constituted by bringing on board cardcarrying members of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In a judgment delivered at Koton Karfe High Court by Justice Alaba Omolaye Ajileye , the court ruled that the composition of the KOSIEC was null, void and inconsistent with section 100(1) of Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended) and as such the composition of KOSIEC was not recognised by law It was on the basis of non- existence of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission legally that subsequently 0led to the sack of the 21 local government chairmen in the state The trial Judge Justice Ajileye noted among others that Section 200(1) of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended forms the fulcrum of the case, stressing that the case of claimant is that KOSIEC was not properly composed in accordance with 1999 Constitution as amended. Be that as it may, the Abuja Appeal Court has however put smile in their faces as it gave consequential order to state government to immediately reinstate the 21 council chairmen and all the councillors who have been replaced by the 3 Senior Advisers in all the 21 local governments. The Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Kogi State chapter, Aloysius Okino has commended the judiciary for living up to their responsibility, stressing that it has continue to remain the last hope of the common man. Okino who was reacting to the Appeal Court judgment Abuja division which reinstated all the 21 council chairmen in Kogi state, which were removed last year by the state government, on the strength of a high court judgment. He also commended the resilience of the 21 council chairmen and the PDP leadership for having faith in the laws of the land, saying that their victory is a boost to the PDP in the state. The Appeal Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate reinstatement of the 21 Local government chairmen While delivering his judgment, Justice Mustapha Muhammed of Court of Appeal Abuja declared that the dissolution of the elected council Chairmen was not only illegal but unconstitutional and unlawful. The appellant court held that the State Independent Electoral commission, SIEC which conducted the said election which brought the chairmen to office was properly constituted. The court also held that since the council chairmen were not party to the suit there is no how the judgment could have affected them. The Appellant court also held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case since the case was not instituted within three months as required by law, and therefore set aside the judgment of the lower court and

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Politics

Reinstatement of council chairmen and Wada’s second term bid

Wada

ordered that the chairmen be reinstated with immediate effect. However, opinion are divided as to whether the state government will reinstate the Council chairmen in 21 local government councils in the state or not because of the present special arrangement by the government who had earlier appointed Senior Special Advisers I,II and III to over look the affairs of 21 local government areas after being sacked by High Court. A Chieftain of ruling Peoples Democratic Party who preferred anonymity stated that Captain Idris Wada is a law abiding governor who will be willing to obey the rule of law. According to him, the governor is still studying the judgment. At appropriate time the governor will ordered the Local government Chairmen and 239 councillors back to office. Meanwhile, the newly reinstated chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas in Kogi state, who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, have restated their commitment to work very hard for the re-election of Captain Idris Wada for another term of four years. In a chat with Journalists during the PDP campaign rally in Okpo the headquarters of Olamoboro Local Government Area, the chairman of Ajaokuta, and chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria in Kogi state

The governor has been able to lay a very solid foundation for the steady growth of the state, saying, that a

second term will enable him to consolidate on the gains of his first term

chapter, Mr. Aloysius Okino stated that the governor has performed well in his first term to deserve a second time. “The governor has been able to lay a very solid foundation for the steady growth of the state, saying, that a second term will enable him to consolidate on the gains of his first term”, he stressed. The ALGON boss noted it takes a man of honour, Integrity and vision to consider the completion of the projects initiated by his predecessor, saying that such an action has saved the state billions of naira which would have wasted if the projects are abandoned. He listed some of the projects of the governor to include, rural electrification and water, projects across the state, the ongoing road projects in the state capital and all other rural feeder roads across the state, the establishment of the college of Medicine Anyigba among others. He stressed that as a governor who is building for the future, the ongoing works at the Kogi house Abuja and the remodeling of the Kogi hotels when completed will improve the internally generated revenue of the state. Okino called on their teeming supporters across the state to keep faith with the administration of Capt. Idris Wada, noting that the steps taking so far by him is an indication of a man that is focus and determined to create a better future for the people. He urged the electorates to shun any divisive tendencies and vote massively for the governor to ensure sustainable growth of the state. Source told National Mirror that despite the reinstatement by the appellate Court, some of the Council bosses may not work for the governor’s bid to return to Lugard House come November 2015 governorship election. One of the reinstated Local government bosses and Chairman of Idah Local council, Dr. Mutalib Major led several groups, individuals and serving secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party to defect to All Progressive Congress, APC at a well attended campaign rally in Idah last Sunday. Dr. Major who spoke on behalf thousands of PDP defectors to APC stated that the people of Idah local government should expect a major change under APC. At lest over 20 interest groups and several thousands of supporters of Peoples Democratic Party have dumped the party and defected to APC ahead of November 21st, 2015 governorship election in the state. While receiving the PDP defectors in Idah yesterday, the APC governorship candidate, Price Abubarka Audu assured the people of Idah that the APC government will be fair to the defectors. Audu stated that all the township roads are in bad shape, noting that if voted to power in November 21st gubernatorial election in the state. He urged the people of the area to vote en masse for the APC candidate in the Governorship election come November 21. He state that a vote for APC is a vote for change in Kogi state, stating that the mandate of the people will transform the state . Speaking further the Chairman of Idah Local government Area of the state who was reinstated by the Court, said that he and other several members of PDP have dumped PDP because lack of internal democracy. Dr. Major stated that the people of the area should expect major in the local government area, adding that they will work for APC and deliver hundred percent for Audu come November 21st gubernatorial election in the state.

Politics

Friday, October 30, 2015

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Group tasks Ambode on security Robert Awokuse

alvage Group, a body of Nigerian professionals from all walks of life has called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to put a stop to the return of street urchins and terrible traffic jams all over the state . In a release issued and signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Peter Ajayi, the group said the return of street urchins and traffic jam on the streets of Lagos state are becoming unbearable for the residents of the state. “Examples of these repulsive situations abound on daily basis in the past four months. Rather than being mitigated, they are becoming exacerbated.

We have been watching the current developments in Lagos State with committed interest”, the group said. “It is in view of this disturbing situation that this Group became duty bound to call on your excellency, being governor of the state and your cabinet to please come to our aid by critically addressing these security threatening situations without any further delay. Our confidence in the ability of your government is unshaken. Hence, this Save Our Souls call”, the group further said. Salvage group said it is prepared to lend helpful hands, if called upon, “in ensuring that Lagos State remains the pride of our nation as the Centre of Excellence’.

Kwara PDP commends Speaker on call for LG autonomy Wole Adedeji, ILORIN

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Kwara State has commended the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad for having the courage to call for the autonomy of Local Government financial accounts in the state. Chairman of the party in Kwara, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo and his Publicity Secretary, Chief Rex Olawoye while speaking on a weekly radio programme; ‘PDP Gb’ode’ monitored by the National Mirror on Radio Nigeria Harmony FM, Idofian, Kwara State said it was gratifying that the speaker was reported to have publicly announced his support for Local Government autonomy. According to the PDP chieftains, that Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad, was able to boldly declare that the legislative house that he leads would see to it that Local Governments in the State enjoy autonomy particularly their finances was highly commendable. They argued that joint-accounts system which the council areas were being forced to operate had not been of any good to the people at the grassroot levels who should be the direct first hand beneficiaries of

governance at the council areas. Oyedepo argued that governors, irrespective of their parties, “either PDP or APC derived pleasures in controlling the finances of the local governments in their states because that provided them with a golden opportunity to freely tamper with the funds meant for governance at the third tier level. Both the chairman and Olawoye jointly commended the Kwara State government for paying salaries to a good section of workers and pleaded that the government should in the same spirit, pay other workers in the Local Government areas, the pensioners, lecturers in tertiary institutions and the State Water Board workers. They also implored the state government to make good use of the state monthly allocations which they argued could still pay workers’ salaries without necessarily wait for a bail out. Similarly, the party officials asked that the allocations coming to State Universal Education Board, SUBEB were directly disbursed from the National Primary Education Commission, NPEC which should not be tampered with by the state government to the detriment of the purpose for which they were meant.

L-R: Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon Sarkin Adar, and Hon. Sani Zorro briefing journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Bayelsa Poll: Dickson tasks security agencies on peaceful exercise Robert Awokuse

s activities for the December 5 governorship poll in Bayelsa gather momentum, Governor Seriake Dickson has urged security agencies to intensify efforts at keeping the state safe before, during and after the election. Granting audience to the new Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apoehi Suleiman, in Yenagoa on Wednesday, Governor Dickson restated his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Navy to effectively police the waterways in the state. He expressed concern

over the resurgence of kidnapping in the state, stressing that government’s efforts to secure the Bayelsa environment for business and other social activities would yield little result if the command fails in its mandate. While congratulating the new Flag Officer on his posting, Dickson commended officers and men of the Command for their dedication to duty, which he noted, has resulted in an increase in crude oil production in the state. He also used the opportunity to laud the immediate past Flag Officer Commanding of the Central Naval Command for the leadership he provided as well as working tirelessly with other security agen-

cies to keep the state safe and urged the new FOC to do same. The governor also assured the Federal Government that his administration would spare no effort in its partnership with security agencies to sustain the war against oil theft and piracy as well as protecting the state from being used as a launching pad for insurgency. His words: “We expect no less from you. And at a time that our state is gearing up for general election, we are counting so much from the Navy and other related services to ensure that violence along the waterways does not discredit or mar the poll. “Bayelsa cannot be safe until the Navy plays its own

role because of our maritime nature. The security of even the upland areas depend so much on the security of the creeks and waterways. And those are areas of your expertise and responsibilities that come with your office and that of your officers and men. “We had addressed the issue of kidnapping before, but in the last couple of months, we are beginning to get cases of kidnapping. It is not peculiar to Bayelsa, but even one kidnap incident is bad enough. So, I like to use this opportunity not just to point out these issues but also to commend your men because I’m aware that with a renewed determination and zeal, your officers and men are doing so well.”

happening, the last time it was a bloody fight between indigenes of this area and Hausa indigenes, they destroyed a lot of things and that was the reason an armoured car was brought here by the police and since then there was sanity and peace, however this okada riders are becoming unruly again.” He called on motorcycle and tricycle operators from Ejigbo and Ajao area plying the road to make use of the parks assigned to them and make sure they obey all Lagos State traffic rules. “If motorcycle and tricycle operators from Ejigbo and Ajao area will make use of the parks assigned to them, picking and dropping passengers

at the parks meant for them, we won’t be having these issues. There is no problem with them working here but they must make sure they obey traffic rules. We want peace here and I have before this time called their leaders to try and control them but it’s unfortunate. You can see what happened yesterday, even the armoured car that was here was burnt,” he said. While pleading with all those concerned to let peace reign, the lawmaker called on the government to allow security operatives remain until there is sanity in the area. “I’m also using this medium to call on all okada riders especially those in Lagos, to be law abiding.

We want them to do their work very well, apply necessary traffic rules, use the roads they are allowed to apply and desist from the ones they are restricted from applying. “We want them to do their business peacefully, they have families to maintain, that is a way of helping them because when they have source of income it reduces the issue of armed robbery.” Reacting, Comrade Azeez Shola, chairman Ejigbo Tricycle Riders Association blamed the recurring problems on the road on motorcycle riders from the northern part of the country who he said, do not really understand English and are provoked at a slightest offence.

Lagos lawmaker sues for peace as okada riders burn police armoured car

Ebere Ndukwu

agos State House of Assembly member, representing Oshodi Isolo constituency 11, Sir Jude Emeka Idimogu, has called on motorcycle (okada) and tricycle (keke) operators on Ejigbo-Ajao Estate road to embrace peace and stop formenting trouble in the area. The lawmaker made this call yesterday while addressing newsmen after a police armoured car positioned in the area was allegedly burnt by okada riders, calling on government to allow security men remain in the area until sanity returns. He said: “This is not the first time this thing is

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Politics

Friday, October 30, 2015

Sylva, Dickson campaign team at dagger-drawn over N88bn loan Osahon Julius, YENAGOA

he Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organization and the Dickson/ Jonah campaign organizations are at dagger drawn over an alleged diverting of N88 billion loans which Sylva campaign team is accusing the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, of diverting to prosecute the forthcoming governorship election in the state. While the government in a swift reaction to the allegations said they were wild, unfortunate and baseless and urged the APC to stop unnecessary propaganda and embrace issues based campaigns. Based on the Sylva team allegations, the loans represented N45bn for airport projects, N25bn taken to complete ongoing projects, 60m (about N16bn) from Poland for Maritime Academy, Okpoama and N2.1bn

recently accessed to clear outstanding salaries of council workers. Addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, Director, Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, accuses Dickson of trying to take fresh loan, ostensibly to be used by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for Dickson campaigns in the December 5 governorship poll. Egba said, “The initial information we had was N12.5bn the government was trying to structure through the state House of Assembly. But the government has admitted they are targeting about N45bn instead. “Their claim is that this is an already approved loan, but what they did not tell Bayelsa people and indeed the whole world is that they have tampered with the original terms of the contract to pave the way for them to draw down on the

loan. “Dickson, who claims to be frugal, committed Bayelsa State to this whopping N45bn for the airport project on the condition that the contractor will draw down on the presentation of milestone certificate. “However, as everybody in Bayelsa knows, not only has the project come to a halt but the site of the airport has been submerged by flood waters. Consequently, there cannot be milestone certificate to be presented for the contractor to draw from the loan to enable Dickson and his party to fund their election expenses.” The media director alleged that the government got together with the contractor to alter the terms of the contract by removing

the clause that stipulated milestone certificate as a condition to draw the loan. He claimed the manipulation had given them the opportunity to “freely draw from the loan unhindered”, with the claim that they intended to pay the contractors, noting that in actual fact, the money would be used to begin their campaign. He said the APC was fully aware of all that the Dickson government was doing and was tracking the whole fraud step by step. Egba threatened that the party would furnish the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC and other relevant agencies with all the information at their disposal if they still went ahead with the transaction.

He added, “Let me use this opportunity to re-echo the question the people have been asking lately: What has been done with all the other loans earlier taken by Dickson - N25bn to complete ongoing projects, 60m from Poland for Maritime Academy, Okpoama of which they have managed to construct signpost in front of the site and N2.1bn to help clear outstanding salaries of council workers. “So much for a government that claims it has come to restore the state to some imaginary glory, whereas indeed, it is a huge scam.” But in a swift reaction, the Director of the Bayelsa State Media Campaign Team, Mr. Esueme Dan-Kikile, who is also the state’s Information Com-

missioner, said the Airport projects had started several years ago and that the funds had been granted the government long time ago. He said the state government had been accessing the funds in tranches, stressing that the airport project was 60 per cent completed. Dan-Kikile stated, “The government does not need the fund from airport projects to fund its campaign. We do not need it and we will not use it. The airport project is one of the flagships of this government which we believe will provide economic empowerment for Bayelsans.” He said the APC is a party founded on continuous propaganda, advising the party against making unsubstantiated claims.

Kogi PDP confident of winning guber poll Wale Ibrahim, LOKOJA

ogi State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has disclosed that it is sure of a resounding victory at the November 21 governorship election in Kogi State. This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Communication Manager to Governor Idris Wada, Phrank Shuaibu, copy of which was made available to Journalists in Lokoja yesterday. Shauibu stated that unlike the All Progressives Congress, APC which he claimed was relying solely on the popularity of President Muhammed Buhari to secure its victory, PDP was working for a deserved victory. He explained that the PDP has already taken measures to address those issues that denied the party its victory in the past and is wooing back aggrieved members. “The last electoral loss by the Kogi PDP has awaken its leaders to the fact that politics of today is no longer business as usual. “What the PDP seems to be doing is to halt their membership decline, endear its displeased members back to its fold and work towards winning. “On the other side, what the APC hopes for, is to use

the popularity of President Buhari of the APC, the ruling national party to supplant the PDP but this may no longer be an easy task especially with the recent cracks in the membership of the Kogi APC. “The PDP has a candidate with little or no blemish, thus it has gone ahead to focus on building its capacity which witnessed gross decline in the recent general elections that President Buhari’s influence had a bandwagon effect in favour of the APC”, he stressed.

Women mourning at the residence of the PDP governorship candidate in the April 11 general elections for Plateau State, Sen. Gyang Pwajok, in Jos, who died at an indian hospital.

APC accuses AP chieftains of ploy to mislead judiciary Kemi Olaitan, IBADAN

yo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Thursday, accused five chieftains of the opposition Accord party members of hatching vicious ploys to mislead the judiciary and members of the public in their alleged surreptitious plans to unseat Senator Monsurat Sunmonu who defeated their candidate, Mr. Oyebisi Ilaka, in the last general election. It will be recalled that five persons had in a suit number FHC/ABJ/ CS/760/2015 filed last month at a Federal High Court, Abuja claimed to

have been misled into casting their respective votes for Sen. Sunmonu of the APC against other contestants and having discovered that “she is a British Citizen”, they prayed the court to remove the Senator who is representing Oyo Central Senatorial district at the Upper Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly. The five plaintiffs in the suit are; Mr. Abiodun Wahab Azeez, Alhaji Bola Akinyemi, Hon. Chief Emmanuel Oladeji, Chief Samuel Adebayo Elegbede and Chief Thomas Ajao. But in a statement issued in Ibadan by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Olawale Sadare, the

APC described the five men as bare-faced liars who are chieftains of the Accord Party seeking another furtive means to blackmail a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who had defeated their own candidate (Bisi Ilaka) at the poll on March 28, 2015. He said, “The ground on which they just approached the Federal High Court, Abuja to blackmail Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu formed the nucleus of their earlier petition before the tribunal which was dismissed for lacking in merit and we are aware they have again headed for the Court of Appeal to upturn the sound judgment.

“Interestingly, the same characters who played significant roles, as cardcarrying members and chieftains of the Accord Party, in the build-up to the general election and subsequent challenge of the victory of the APC candidates at various tribunals are now disguising as either non-partisan voters or APC sympathizers with a view to misleading the court and the general public. “For the avoidance of doubt, Alhaji Bola Akinyemi is the Administrative Secretary of the Accord Party in Oyo State and he was to be included as a principal witness in the Ladoja vs Ajimobi governorship election petition

before the tribunal declined on account of a procedural error by the Petitioners’ lawyers. On the other hand, Abiodun Wahab and Emmanuel Oladeji are leaders of the Accord in Oluyole and Oyo East local government areas respectively. “Apart from the fact that these Bisi Ilaka footsoldiers are chasing mere shadows, it is obvious that these unscrupulous and desperate politicians are up to a game of treachery not minding the legal implications of tissues of lies they have again sworn to on oath. We, therefore, urge them to retrace their steps or be made to face the wrath of the law”, APC said.

Editorial

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

NASS and pay-cut controversy

overeignty belongs to the people in all constitutional democracies. Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as altered) not only provides in Section 2 (a) and (b) that “Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria”, but that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government…”. This, however, has not been the case since the dawn of democracy in 1999. Public officers’ observe these portions of the Constitution in utter breach. They appropriate to themselves the lion share of state resources and agencies that can enhance the welfare and security of citizens. Looting and bare-faced frauds against the state, among other official vices, are now having negative spiral effects on other sectors. Provision of power and general infrastructure; and the maintenance of old stock, now pose a herculean task. Schools, hospitals, roads and basic social amenities are rapidly going down and crying for attention. In addition, despite the grave threats to the security of citizens accompanying Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and other violent robberies and crimes, a sizeable number of security operatives – soldiers, police and paramilitary – are still attached to some serving or retired public officers and the business elite, to the detriment of an insecure and under-policed larger

society. At the slightest national calamity or economic downturn, however, citizens are forced by the authorities to make sacrifices, no matter what pains and penury they already bore. Sacrifice for public office holders is mere lip service, as the pay-cut controversy in the National Assembly has indicated. The country parades 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives. Latest reports say a Nigerian Senator earns an annual basic salary of N2,026,400; and a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives N1,985,212. 50. With sundry allowances, however, a senator’s annual pay comes to N12, 902, 360; and a Rep N9,525,985.50. For the four-year tenure which the lawmakers stay in the NASS, therefore, Nigeria spends a total of N1, 406,357,240 as basic salary on 109 Senators and N3,428,994,780 on 360 members of the House of Representatives. Victor Ndoma-Egba of the 6th and 7th NASS and ex- Senate Leader, did claim in 2013 that his take-home pay after tax was between N900,000 and N600,000. He said the budget of the NASS was “only N150 billion or three percent of the country’s annual budget (now reduced to N120 billion)”; and dismissed the castigation of NASS members’ perceivable flamboyant lifestyle at the expense

AT THE SLIGHTEST NATIONAL CALAMITY OR ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, HOWEVER, CITIZENS

ARE FORCED BY THE AUTHORITIES TO MAKE SACRIFICES of Nigerians as “sensationalism, tokenism, scapegoatism and diversionary…”. Presently out of the NASS, he insisted a couple of days ago: “If you compare the pay of a Senator, a Minister and a Supreme Court Justice, they are at par. So how comes that of a NASS member is referred to as jumbo and those others are not? I think the issue to look at is the cost of governance; and I agree that the cost of governance in Nigeria is very high. Besides, the debate about cost of governance did not start today. I was a commissioner 30 years ago, and even at that time, the issue of cost of governance was very topical”. Then you ask: if Ndoma-Egba had been at home with all these truths, in what way, other than defending the indefensible, did he contribute to pruning down the cost of governance for the roughly 16 years he held court as a prominent NASS member? If NASS, the representative

ON THIS DAY October 30, 1974 The ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman took place in Kinshasa, Zaire. The exercise was an historic boxing event that pitted the then World Heavyweight Champion, Foreman, against former world champion and challenger, Ali. Ali won the battle by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round. The event was one of Don King’s first ventures as a professional boxing promoter.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

October 30, 2013 About 45 people died after a bus fuel tank caught fire in the Indian city of Mahbubnagar. The accident occurred when a private Volvo bus on the way from Bangalore to Hyderabad caught fire after hitting a culvert while overtaking a car, killing 45 people and injuring another seven people. The accident took place at Palem village, Mahbubnagar district, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh at 5.30 AM, local time.

of the people, as purported, is so allergic to pay-cut and couldn’t champion it by example, in a country that burns over 75 percent of her annual budgets on recurrent expenditure, leaving mere pittance for capital needs that should benefit Nigerians, who would? Of this year’s N4.493 trillion budget, N2.616 trillion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N634 billion for capital expenditure for the nation’s entire 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, for example. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in his early days in office, gave the impression that his leadership would review downward the contentious bogus salaries and allowances of senators. But some senators vehemently kicked against the idea. Nonetheless, the 8th Senate, according to Senator Umaru Ibrahim Kurf, lately, has agreed to a 50 percent cut in the pay of its members. The nation wants this done; and quickly too. The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), may have aided the bloated cost of governance in the country. But it is hopeless crying over spilled milk. The beneficiaries of RMAFC’s recklessness should help it correct itself. The journey of a thousand miles commences with only one step. The NASS should be patriotic enough to take that step.

x October 30, 2014 Sweden became the first European Union memberstate to officially recognize the State of Palestine. Global recognition has been the objective of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) since the Palestinian Declaration of Independence proclaimed the establishment of the State of Palestine on November 15, 1988 in Algiers, Algeria, at an extraordinary session in exile of the Palestinian National Council.

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Friday, October 30, 2015

Boko Haram: Obstacles of warning and response Counter-terrorism Tips With

Ethelbert Oney ethelbertoney@zissltd.com, 08029929121 (sms only)

ur experience since the raging Boko Haram-induced insurgency began has shown that our law enforcement workforce has seen the problem of early warning as absolute rather than as a matter of degree. But the truth is that any security warning without response is useless. This is because warning is evidence filtered through perception, while response is action designed to counter attacks. The connection between both is accurate evaluation and sound judgment. The palpable lack this is the source of our continued struggle to contain the sect. In a counterterrorism situation, a great analyst of surprise attack must distinguish between intelligence, warning and response. The issue in most of the attacks carried out by Boko Haram is not a yes or no question of whether there was warning or response, rather the issues are how much warning and how soon are the responses. The shock of constant suicide bombing by this sect has made surprise attacks seem something that comes without warning, and it is pretty clear that obtaining warning should have helped to avert the

threat. However, only if communications were instantaneous and judgements not intervened between information and action would this be a reality. Warning derived from intelligence gathering should be a continuum. Depending on strategy, efficiency and speed of preparation, if any, BH may still attack at many points successfully. Only high quality intelligence gathering, mobilisation and deployment to defensive positions can prevent them from successful suicide attacks. Most times, it is not the lack of intelligence that leads to failure; rather it is deployment that lacks enough flexibility to respond to short warnings. Some of the obstacles to warning occur in the course of detecting evidence of threat through reconnaissance and interception; this is the only prerequisites for warning. The amount and sequence of presenting data do much to determine how information is appreciated. Some of the attitudes we have got to eliminate in this war include dismissal of some indicators of warning as false or meaningless without verification. Second is is assessment based on previous judgement without carrying forward the uncertainties. Third is our law enforcement workforce and JTFs basing judgements on excessive uncertainties. These attitudes need urgent review because the process of relaying intelligence can distort its meaning, although content may be altered unconsciously in transmission. But for the record, possession of information does not guarantee better warning per se. The lower the level of authority,

THERE IS NO WISDOM LIKE EXPERIENCE BECAUSE HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF FROM TIME TO TIME the more limited is the access, the higher the level, the more coordinated is the evaluation in normal circumstances. In response to warning, success can be distinguishable from failure. If our JTF crew recognises warning attack prediction and respond in time with defensive preparation, then the BH may cancel operation. The foreseeable issue here is that if success in prediction does not nullify itself, it can induce complacency because the actual occurrence of a predicted attack does not offer the best ground in which to evaluate the quality of warning. The Nigeria security and intelligence agencies did not correctly assess the warning that came from Mohammed Yusuf ’s father many years ago that a jihad movement would come into being with devastating damages. Similarly, Mohammed himself also preached and acknowledged his father’s message with radicalisation and incitement of violence before his sudden death in custody. His vengeance, we still suffer to date as the sect members swore to avenge his death, and they have kept to their promise. Yet, nothing was done in form of preparation, precaution and response whatsoever. When the sect began their violence against

Nigerians, some enemies of the nation were defensive of their activities. Key players in the BH’s existence were still protecting and providing for them till they were out of control. What began as thugs for northern politicians for the past six years turned to Nigerians’ nightmare; and to date there is neither sign of surrender nor vanquish by the group, although our offensive approach never helped matters one bit. There is no wisdom like experience because history repeats itself from time to time. Historical context is, of course, a necessary and valuable grounding for strategic assessment in counterterrorism situation. What our law enforcement workforce did not realise was that mathematical probability theory is no help in predicting event when there are a small number of cases to use as the base. Prediction of threat is a chain of separate estimates about probability while prediction about conditions, events or decisions that are the prerequisite to BH attacks, corrects estimate of the probabilities in the chain as an intellectual feat. Honestly speaking, great success in predicting enemy behaviour under normal condition of stress does not help prediction, but the simple norm of respond when in doubt remains an option. Few defence strategies designed to deter BH are invulnerable because a determined inventive BH can often discover a way to avoid the strength of our defence posture and exploit its weakness. However, good intelligence, timely response to prediction and warning diminish surprises.

Claude Ake on underdevelopment in Africa

OLALEKAN WAHEED ADIGUN

he 1970s and 80s were decades of the third world countries. This was a period when the cold war reached its climax and the new words found themselves into the diction of the so-called developing countries. Words like ‘neo-colonialism’ feature prominently during this period, just like African scholars were never tired of churning out great intellectual works. Several dozens of books have been published concerning the developmental challenges of the so-called third world and containing possible solutions to them. We have read of the works of Latin American scholars like Theotonio Dos Santos, Ferdinando H. Cardoso, Gunilla Andre (Development of Underdevelopment); Patrick Wilmot; Walter Rodney (Rodney’s How Europe Underdeveloped Africa), etc. We equally had the inspired works of Africans like Sesay; Frantz Fanon (The Wretched of the Earth); Ali Mazrui; Kwame Nkurumah; Julius Nyerere (Ujamaa: Essays on Socialism); Abdulrahman M. Babu, just to name but a few. These works were Marxists responses to seeming arrogant treatises of the West like Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations and Walt Whitman Rostow’s Stages of Economic Growth. With all these great minds, we can boldly include Professor Claude Ake’s A Political Economy of Africa. Right from the introduction of the book, the author does not hide his Marxist inclination in selecting his method of

THE PRIMACY OF WORK…IS THE

COROLLARY OF THE PRIMACY OF ECONOMIC NEED analyses. He places much emphasis on historicity and dialectic materialism, both which are fundamental to every Marxian analysis. In Chapter 1, the author writes, “Just as economic need is the primary need, so economic activity is man’s primary activity. The primacy of work, that is economic productivity, is the corollary of the primacy of economic need. Man is first and foremost a worker or a producer”. True, economy as a substructure determines the superstructure, in this case the social relations, culture, religion, tourism and the likes. The author also argues that the substructure, in this case the economy or mode of production, serves as the basis of class stratification. The distinction between the bourgeoisies, borrowing a more clinical Marxist concept, and the proletariat or workers, is based on mode of production. Like most “nationalistic” Marxists, the author, took to defend the dependency theorists, in their traditional arguments placing the blame of the underdevelopment of Africa on colonialism and neo-colonialism. But unlike other dependency theorist, Professor Ake noted that for development to come, African underdevelopment “…cannot be overcome without a profound transformation of eco-

nomic, social and political structures”. Will Marxists ever spare capitalism? Like most Marxist scholars, Ake took his time out to do some analyses of capitalism in his book. One really cannot understand Marxism without a diagnosis of capitalism and its contradictions. Ake added his voice to the long list of those scholars who place the blame of Africa underdevelopment on capitalist Europe and the West, which gave rise to Imperialism, colonialism, exploitation and unequal exchange all of which ultimately favour the West! In Chapter 2, the author looks at the western misadventures for imperialism, colonialism and trade in Africa, all of which were not in Africa’s interest. On monetisation of African economies, he argues, “Monetisation of African economy does not simply mean the presence of money as a means of exchange. To conceive the term this way is to trivialise it to the extent of rendering it analytically useless. More fundamentally, monetisation implies the pervasiveness of money as a medium of exchange in the economy at large…” He goes further to say that “…the pre-colonial economy is marginally monetised. The monetary sector was very small, limited to those who traded with Europeans. Large sectors of the economy still depended on barter in some form or another and there was hardly any wage labour.” In Chapter 3, the author dwelt largely on the colonial economy, arguing that the colonial misadventures of western Imperialists are just largely to prevent the effects of over accumulation of capital resulting from

internal contradictions within the system from implosion. “The colonial economy was characterised by market imperfections and monopolies. This characteristic of colonial capitalism is an important element in the link between colonisation and underdevelopment”, he argued. The trades were done only to protect the interests of the Europeans and imperialists. While we agree with Ake to a large extent, if he were to be alive today he would have realised how theoretical he had been in his analyses. The fact that the book was written few years before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991 shows how “weak” and delusional the Marxian methods are. The last of what is left of the stranglehold of Marxism is Fidel Castro of Cuba, the only hope of a Marxist world today. Even the mainstream Marxists doubt if he still holds strongly his Marxism-Leninist views given his country’s recent “friendship” with its capitalist and “bitter” neighbour, United States of America. Adigun, a Lagos-based political risk analyst and strategist, wrote via olalekan@olalekanadigun.com and can be followed on twitter @adgorwell 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.

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Friday, October 30, 2015

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HID Awolowo and the future of Yoruba unity

Let Benue elders leave Abubakar Tsav alone

ecently, I was going through Nigerian Pilot newspaper when my I saw a story that explained how and why Benue Elders disowned Alhaji Abubakar Tsav. After reading the story in question, I asked rhetorically who these Benue Elders were. Alhaji Tsav was a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police and currently a Commissioner in the Public Complaints Commission. Tsav is one of the few persons in Nigeria that can speak the truth fearlessly even if his life is at risk. His constant attacks on political officeholders with regards to their dishonest actions towards the poor are really moderating the hostile and unsympathetic decisions of these leaders upon the masses. Therefore, for some persons to emanate from somewhere, presented themselves as Benue Elders and disowned Alhaji Tsav simply because he criticized Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, show these persons must be looking for recognition in Ortom administration. These are the same elders who sought for recognition under the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam. Indeed, they were acknowledged, used and finally dumped. The so-called elders were aware of Suswam’s inability to pay the salaries and allowances of public servants in the state but never uttered a word against it. Today, Governor Ortom is battling with debts left behind by Suswam. What kind of elders are they? However, elders should not present themselves only when they want to disown somebody for their selfish interest; elders should not surface only when they want to receive money and support the ambition of some big politicians; elders should not reveal themselves only when they want to be recognized or acknowledged by the state governor or other political officeholders in the country. We need elders that can give good advice to our leaders? Can we have elders that can call a political officeholder to order when he or she is going astray? Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja.

Letters to the Editor

Yeye Oodua and the wife of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former premier of the old Western Region, Chief Mrs. H.I.D Awolowo transited to eternity few weeks ago. Expectedly, her death made the Awo’s Ikenne Remo home a Mecca of sort for where who is who in Nigeria for the customary tributes paying. There is no doubt that the late Yeye Oodua distinguished herself in all facets of life, in her almost a century earthly sojourn. She was a devoted wife to her late husband, mother not only to her biological

children, but to humanity. She was an activist in her own right and a politician. She was a devoted Christian and her life exemplified Christian love. Beyond these, however, she was a nation builder. Her illustrious background as a princess of Remo on both paternal and maternal lines and the influence of her illustrious husband who was himself a nation builder, were contributory factors to her attainment in life. Yeye Odua’s love for her fatherland, which was not in doubt was exemplified by her role as a coun-

Porters waiting for goods at Oyingbo in Lagos, yesterday.

selor and political consultant to legion of political office holders, top civil servants, captains of industry, traditional rulers, religious leaders etc who thronged her residence in hundreds. Besides, H.I.D. Awolowo’s passion for the Yoruba nation was great, and as a matter of fact, her twilight, particularly since the death of her husband, was devoted to the cause of Yoruba unity and the sustenance of the legacies bequeathed humanity by her late husband. Her roles in the settlement of Ife and Modakeke war, and schism

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Kudos to Wale Emosun

ale Emosu, a senior deputy editor of the Nigerian Tribune, recently won the prestigious CNN/ Multichoice African Best Journalist Award 2015, in the culture category, at a ceremony held in Kenya, on Saturday October 10, 2015. With the award, Emosu has brought honor to Nigeria, the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, his family, and most importantly some of us, his colleagues in his university days. Therefore, when Emosu, on his facebook, dedicated the award, as should be expected, to the Almighty God, his family including his late father, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, I wrote a comment reminding him of Hall F3, Room 31 at the University of Ilorin, where he, as a 300 Level student, shared room with about 12 400 level students including this writer. The room was 12ft by 14ft apartment, with two bun-

kers meant for four students. With love, patience and endurance, the 13 of us lived in the room for a year. As a matter of fact, whether you have food or not, one would find something to eat, the first four students to arrive the room early slept on the bunkers. That was a tough time anyone could hardly forget. I equally reminded Emosu of his lecturers, who made life “difficult” for him then, but who invariably were setting his feet along the paths of greatness. Aside Ilorin, my paths crossed with Emosu’s at the premier university, the University of Ibadan in 1998, when I went for my Master’s degree. Emosu as a student carried himself with dignity and suavity befitting a prince he is. He was hard working and creative. His world view is cosmopolitan, likeable, a lover of team work and an extrovert. These qualities, which made

him a sought after guy in our university days he carried to the Nigerian Tribune, which he joined in 1999 as a sports reporter. With hard work and dedication, he became a senior deputy editor today. Emosu was in Brazil to cover the 2014 World Cup. His dedication to work forced him to venture into Salvador, one of the centers for the 2014 world cup, in spite of the difficulties involved. Remarkably, it was while in Salvador that he saw the resemblance of socio-cultural life in Bahia and Africa, which formed the basis of his award winning feature story. Emosu has indeed made us proud. His award is evidence that his night candles were not burnt in vain. I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of greatness for him in his chosen career. Adewuyi Adegbite sent this piece via Ayekooto05@ gmail.com

amongst Afenifere hierarchs were remarkable. In actual fact, Yoruba Unity Forum ably led by her and the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, was a platform through which she attempted to bring all Yoruba of different socio political affiliations together to serve the greater interest of the Yoruba nation. Her passion for unity among Yoruba could be understood from her experience in the struggle to preserve Yoruba’s enviable and leadership position in Nigeria since the 1950s. Not only that, she witnessed how disunity amongst Yoruba politicians in that era turned Yoruba land into theatre of warfare, the scars which hunt Yoruba till date. I was at Ikenne for the Yoruba Unity Forum meeting in 2013 and 2014. As old as Mama’s was, her speech on the two occasions centred on how disunity amongst Yoruba politicians led to the marginalization of the Yorubas under the immediate past administration. As a matter of fact, a committee was set up to take the case of the Yoruba to the then President Goodluck Jonathan. The result was the appointment of Chief Seinde Arogbofa as the Chief of Staff to the President among other measures taken by the former President to remedy the situation. It is worthwhile to say that Mama was ably assisted in achieving this with the support of the late Oba Sijuwade and Papa Archbishop Gbonigi, amongst others. One could only imagine how Mama would feel if the caliber of people rushing to Awolowo’s residence after her demise attended the last meeting of the Yoruba Unity Forum. Mama Awolowo has returned to her creator, so also is the late Ooni, the two champion of Yoruba’s cause. Therefore, her lots should be preserved wherever she found herself. In a multi-ethnic state like Nigeria, each nation has to protect its interest. However, this could only be possible where there is unity of purpose amongst the various stakeholders. This was what Mama Awolowo called for amongst Yoruba till death. The question is can Yoruba leaders of different tendencies sustain the comradeship exhibited when they met at Awolowo’s residence to promote unity of purpose amongst Yoruba or they would go away to further their individual parochial interests, a major cause of Yoruba backwardness? Only time shall tell. Adewuyi Adegbite wrote via Ayekooto05@gmail.com

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Flavour

Friday, October 30, 2015

ria and beyond. The works on display were aesthetically executed in a variety of media from print, oil, pastel, acrylic and charcoal on canvas, paper and board, mixed media, plastocast, fibre glass to metal and wood sculptures. The art works exhibited are a micro-representation of the trajectory of Nigeria art. Master strokes of brush, chisel and knife of veteran Nigerian artists were showcased alongside those of the

younger generations whose works have matched the dexterity of modern artists in the world. They presented themes that deal with the vagaries of everyday life politics, culture, mythology and history. The highlight of the event was China’s appearance on the show which marked their first participation in the art event with twenty five art works that included Chinese Ceramic art works which can be traced back to the dynasty period. China is without doubt, the home of

Master strokes of brush, chisel and knife of veteran Nigerian artists were showcased alongside those of the younger generations whose works have matched the dexterity of modern artists in the world.

WEEKEND STARTERS

African Futures Festival

he Lagos edition of African Futures Festival will see a programme incorporating an interactive exhibition, lectures, music, film screenings, dance performances and a digital storytelling workshop and features writer Temitayo Amogunla; digital artist Segun Samson; a special edition of the speculative fiction magazine Omenana published by the duo Mazi Nwonwu and Chinelo Onwualu; performance artists Jelili Atiku and Segun Adefila; cinematographer and digital artist Mathaias Aragbada; electronic music artist Gboyega ‘Afrologic’ Oyedele; iMagineering Lagos, the creative technology and futurism collective; graphic designer and animator Ibrahim Ganiyu; poet and copywriter Jumoke Verissimo; graphic artist and animator John Adesanya, and science fiction writer Geoff Ryman on Wednesday, 28 October 2015 at 10AM at Federal Government Printing Press, 9 Broad Street, Lagos. Attendance is free.

Altine’s Wrath on stage

oin Thespian Family Theatre and Productions for an exciting 70 minutes at the theatre as they perform Femi Osofisan’s Altine’s Wrath. Starring in the play is: Muyiwa Osinnaike, Zara Udofia, Omowunmi Dada, Shaffy Akinrimisi and a host of brilliant stage icons on Sunday 11th October 2015 at 2:00pm & 4:00pm. Venue: National Theatre, Iganmu. The play is directed by Nissi George.

Arty

n spite of the difference in our humanity, and peoples of the world, there is no doubt that art speaks universal language, appeals to all humanity and irrespective of source; serves as a catalyst for unity among people of different races and cultural background. Many countries around the globe have begun to realize the importance of promoting unity in the world through art works as showcased in the third edition of art of friendship exhibition which was adjudged by art even critics as grand with the convergence of Africa, Europe, Asia in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory of the most populous nation in the continent of Africa to celebrate this year’s edition in a grand style. Art of Friendship exhibition was purely anchored on the unity of thematic content of the artists, with a keen interest on the stylistic, cultural and symbolic diversity of the art works. Initiated in 2012 as a platform for Nigerian artists to cross-fertilize ideas with their counterparts around the world, the exhibition is now growing from strengths to strengths and living up to its billings as the melting point of cross cultural art as platter of rich art work from Nigeria, China, Germany, Czech Republic and Republic of South Korea met at Abuja’s International Conference Center (ICC). Also, the beauty and aesthetic appeal of the works on display in this edition was seen in the strength of cultural diversity; the variety of the media in which the art pieces were executed and the dexterousness of the artists. This year’s edition featured over 85 works of art, comprising paintings, mixed-media, drawing, sculpture and printmaking from the five participating countries. The exhibition opened with works of art from Nigeria. The art works, which were taken from a collection of National art and gallery, featured the works of some of Nigeria’s prolific and renowned artist whose works are in public and private collections in Nige-

the very exquisite Ceramics crafted under strict conditions with painstaking attention to detail and sensitivity to materials. The exquisite, delicate and pristine beauty of these art pieces was a sight for sore eyes. Czech Republic, a two time participant in the art of Friendship exhibition, exhibited eleven Lithographs by a famous Oldrich and accomplished Czech painter and illustrator. Germany came with eleven woodcut prints, painted upside down; an unconventional style of anamorphic painting that shocked the audience and provoked reflection. South Korea has been part of Art of Friendship from inception and featured 15 Korean traditional folk painting by fifteen contemporary artists in this year’s exhibition. The vibrant watercolors explored themes that range from landscape and animal’s everyday life and living, purity and beauty to the surrealistic world of mythology. While speaking at opening ceremony of the Third edition of the Art of friendship 111 an exhibition of art from Asia, Europe and Nigeria, the Director General of National Gallery of Art NGR, Abdullahi Maku noted the agency is excited to be part of this collaborative effort which aims at capturing and promoting the divergent creative spirits from three continents He said the “exhibition will have positive impact toward promoting unity and sustainable development among the nations around the world. The cross fertilization of ideas encapsulated in these works of art will further deepen cross cultural creative expression and equip emerging artists with a new visual language.” On his own, the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria; Mr. Noh Kyu-Duk, solicited for more participating nation’s that would enhance robust and mutual cooperative relations further. According to him, it is through the magic of art that people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds can get together and feel same emotion via artistic media.

Inside FCT P. 24-25

Isiguzo Destiny And Joel Ajayi

Critics P. 22-23

Arts: Africa, Europe, Asia meet in Abuja

News p. 32, 33

16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND

Book reading at Terra

fter four years of working at Landmark bank, Damian Vongcir was at the height of his career. He was pleased with his job and his life, believing it was taking the path that was meant for it until a single event changed the picture. A banking relationship he had introduced had been used to defraud the government. The bank moved to protect its own reputation and he was to take the fall. All of his past glory and good deeds no longer mattered. He was the villain. While he waited for his fate, his marriage which had been overshadowed by his timeless devotion to his work was nearing the precipice. At that point he began to harbour doubts about the career path he has chosen. Find at what happened to Damian Vongcir on October in an event organised by 31 Lanre Ajayi at 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Terrakulture.

Mirror Mongers P. 26

Artman In The House

Friday, October 30, 2015

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It’s easier to get into Nollywood The history of Nollywood will obviously be incomplete without the contributions of Madu C Chikwendu, who started out as a scriptwriter, before graduating to a producer. He is actively involved in the organisation of the film industry into guilds, and during the last elections, Chikwendu, ventured into politics, which resulted in his election as the publicity secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Abia State. He talks about his life, politics, works and experiences with NGOZI EMEDOLIBE. Excerpts.

Madu Chikwendu

ow has politics been? It is what I will call the good, the bad and the ugly. But I was drawn to politics by the need to rescue my people of Abia State. And I could not resist that when I learnt of the ambition of the APGA candidate at the gubernatorial polls, Sir Alex Otti, who means well for Abia people. The truth is that my life has been a life of service even while in the movie industry. That is why I have taken part in the formation of the major guilds in the industry. It appears the movie industry is not doing as great as the music industry? I don’t think the music industry is necessarily doing better than the movie industry. That would be a matter of perception. Even if it is doing better, you need to also examine some factors. Save from the big bands, which are fast fading away in the country, (you could count Femi and Seun Kuti as the ones still thriving) music is individually-centred. You have one single figure who commands attention which makes it easier to promote. Apart from this, music is cheaper to produce. I just launched a music label, and I can tell you that the cost of producing two artistes is less than one-fifth of an average Nollywood film. People do music and movies interchangeably? I am looking at it at the level of Biology. Really creative genes are creative genes. Perhaps at the Molecular Biology level, one could further break it down to the fact that the gene you have is for music or for movies. But I think it runs across all genres of the creative endeavours expect perhaps in drawing or sculpting. Basically most guys who can write very well, would have the tendency to act and direct well. The difference may be in terms of skills, not talent. Talent is the most ba-

sic ingredient, but the next element after this is the skill. The point I am trying to make here is that most people would draw towards music because it is just cheap to produce music with digital technology. For music, you need to book a few sessions in the studio then set aside some money for promotion, and the musician is all over the place. It is not like this in the movie industry. If you want to make a traditional Nollywood movie, you will be looking at something close to N5m. But movies in the new Nollywood order come in the range of N15m for cinemas releases and this money used for one movie can produce a long list of music artistes. It is far cheaper in music. It seems corporate sponsors prefers musicians? In recent times, the music industry has witnessed what I would call more corporate intervention than the movie industry. Take for instance, 2face Idibia, working with Now Music and getting corporate sponsorship. It is not like what happens in the movies, where most of the interventions are centred on the stars. And these stars are not the owners of the businesses. They are just employees. Most of them do not own anything in the industry aside their faces. Take for instance the Glo Ambassador thing happening in Nollywood; the money goes to the stars who are not the real business owners in Nollywood. The implication is that Glo only made millionaires out of the stars and that money has not in any way translated into growth for the movie

industry. Those investments by these corporate bodies for the movie stars end up in boutiques on items like Brazilian hair, shoes and handbags. But the interventions in the music industry come to those who are in the position to use the money to improve the industry. Why can’t the guild heads attract this kind of intervention in the movie industry? I do not want to sound like the typical Nigerian who would tell you that since he left office, things have fallen apart. But I left guild leadership in Nollywood in 2007. But your name keeps coming up as a stakeholder? Yes, I will explain it this way. I am one of those who have said in the past that the crisis in the industry is not an issue but at some point it is also an issue. There are some issues that can only be tackled by the industry speaking with one voice. As far as filmmaking in Nigeria is concerned, there are different roles for different people. There are roles for the individuals. There is a role for the association. There is a role for the government. In terms of attracting corporate intervention, that is the role of the guild heads. The guild heads can challenge Glo to stop giving money to individuals because that sounds exploitative. In my time as a guild head, there was so much cohesion and then you could use threats to make everyone including the big stars to stay in line. These people only present themselves as the ambassadors of Nollywood when in the real sense they are just ambassadors of themselves and their families. The industry has so far become disintegrated that you now have different camps. This has been worse since the crisis that rocked the producers. When you say crisis that rocked the producers, what do you mean? I mean the crisis that started with Paul Obazele to make sure that he was reelected. It affected the industry so much. It was at that point that the crisis started. That was the source of the disintegration amongst producers.

That was when Association of Nollywood Core Producers, ANCOP took off ? Yes, a lot of producers who felt bad about the situation decided to leave the Association of Movie Producers, AMP. At that point, I was invited to join the board of ANCOP, and I did. A producer is actually very important in the movie making chain. The production starts and ends with him. He is in the works from the beginning to the end. But there is really no end to the film making process. In London, there is a renewed interest in films made in the 1930s currently. Those films must have producers, who would also be involved in what is going on now. The producers bear the brunt. Recently a group met me and asked me to get them a star that would feature in their Christian drama presentation. I got one of the female stars, and she collected money and vanished. They stared calling me. Who is this female star? Please do not ask me the name of the person. If you won’t mention her name, may I ask why such characters are not punished in the industry? That is because there is no mechanism to effect this control anymore. It was there before. The dictionary meaning of a professional involves not only the training but also the code of ethics of that profession. People must begin to see professionalism from a perspective

Perhaps at the Molecular Biology level, one could further break it down to the fact that the gene you have is for music or for movies.

But I think it runs across all genres of the

creative endeavours expect perhaps in drawing or sculpting.

At Cannes with Ejike Asiegbu

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Artman In The House

Friday, October 30, 2015

as technical hand –Chikwendu

At a Lagos event

higher than only training. May be this is because Nollywood admits everyone? I have often said it that we must even throw the gates open to admit more people. It is not because people come into the industry. It is more of a function of getting the people who come in to abide by the rules. If you are a prostitute and come in, you must abide by the rules. It is similar to the issue of corruption in Nigeria. There is corruption everywhere but the difference is that in Nigeria you get away with brazen corruption. In the western world you would spend a long time in jail. Can any part of these woeful attributes be blamed on government agencies? Let the truth be told. We have come up with a draft of what should have been the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria law, MOPPICON. I was the secretary of the steering committee that packaged this law, and it was handed over to the government yet nothing has happened. It is not a matter of regulation. The only place where you see slight regulation still in place is in France. In the USA, which is the biggest film indus-

try, there is no such thing as regulation. The strength of the industry is not determined by the number of films made but by the value of films. I still see the rating of Nollywood as the second largest film industry as mockery. When I go to Cannes or Berlin festivals can I stand beside a producer from a poorly rated Holland and compete with him? What is the size of my pocket? Let me tell you that the internal politics amongst Nolywood people has also affected the fruition of the MOPICON act. People are scheming on how to become the director general and chairman of the body. Investors are really scared of some Nollywood producers because of certain the bitter experiences in the past? Yes, so many of them have been duped. I know some instances where investors put the money down and the first thing the producer would do is to buy a new car, marry a new wife and change apartments. Some of them went unpunished but consider the implication for the genuine producers. From your submissions, Committee of Nollywood Guild Associations, CONGA is ineffective, right? I don’t know about CONGA. To me CONGA is a misfit; it is a product of mischief; it is an effort by a few elements to aggrandise power. It is absolutely unnecessary. You cannot gather two of your friends in a beer parlour in Sururlere and call yourself CONGA and claim to be representing Nollyoowd. For prospective investors would you say that movie-making is still profitable? Of course, but I have conducted a research and have found out that for wouldbe investors necessary factors need to be taken into consideration. All these investments are a result of cronyism, and they tend to lose the investments at the end of the day. My advice to investors is to invite experts to draw up a chart, which will show how these things will flow. MTN can support the industry by calling for scripts that would support their brand, and call experts to help analyse and pick the script they would bankroll. That is how it is done all over the world. It is not by meeting the managing director of MTN at a PTA meeting and begging him. Is the television industry faring better? It is still the same song. They will tell you how they cope with the TV stations that have turned themselves to vendors of air time. They will tell you how they pay bribes to advertising agencies after which the money will be exhausted. It is the same vicious cycle. What is happening to Igbo language home videos? The truth is that the producers felt there is need to reach a wider audience, but certain statistics in the Yoruba home video sector is proving this wrong, because the producers there are surviving. I was at a workshop in Cannes where this question was posed to the experts. The panel wanted to know what language is most suitable for film production and

Fidelis Duker, Fathia Balogun, Madu Chikwendu

they arrived at the conclusion that it is you native language: shoot in your language and thereafter you can subtitle in any language of your choice. Since then I have become a convert. But to be honest with you a lot of Igbo films are being

Being honoured

made now. My next film is going to be in Igbo language. How did this journey into the movies start? I am not one of those who would tell you they started from their mother’s womb. My parents were popular teachers. My father studied literature and at an early age I started reading his books. I was a very stubborn child. That got me punishments most times. Out of boredom, I was reading. There were cinemas, but my background did not really permit me to be going to cinemas. My own inspiration was from the novels I read. What theatrical figures were your ro9le models as a child? I did not have. But I really liked Peter Igho’s Cock Crow at Dawn. During my national service, I wrote a script which I wanted to adapt to television, so I brought it to NTA. That was how I got involved in the industry. I started writing for Third Eye, New Masquerade and Tales by the Moonlight. At the early years of the home video thing I collaborated with Nkem Owoh and Obi Rapu the director of Living in Bondage to do some scripts. What is the situation of things at Lagos Film Institute? We collaborate and train actors. It gives me the opportunity to tell the younger ones how to get into the industry. I often tell them that it is easier and better to enter the industry as a sound or lighting man because they are not enough in the industry. The whole industry is littered with frustrated actors. Most of the comedians are frustrated actors; that is why they always make jest of the industry. John Okafor, Mr Ibu started as a production manager. He was never an actor.

During my national service, I wrote a script which I wanted to adapt to television, so I brought it to NTA. That was how I got involved in the industry. I started writing for Third Eye, New Masquerade and Tales by the Moonlight.

Critics

Friday, October 30, 2015

MUSIC

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Mixed story of grass to grace

The ‘saving grace’ song of the Ayo album is more of an Afrobeat tune; thus, a videotaped performance of dancers and vivid visual images of the Ojuelegba city would have done it.

izkid finally dropped the video of his smashing ‘Ojuelegba’ song, and quite frankly, the three minute flick should have been better. Simply put, only half of the video is not a representation of the song. The remaining half of the video is just out of point. Clarence Peters and the Ojuelegba boy should have borrowed a leaf from DJ Tee’s directing acumen. When one takes a close look at music video classics like Stylee by DJ Jimmy Jat and street hop songs by the defunct Thoroughbreds group which comprised of Obiwon, Elajoe and Illbliss, it is obvious that he surely knows what it truly means to illustrate a streethop song in a video. Though ‘Ojuelegba’ is not a street hop as it is embedded with a more ‘emotionally conscious’ tune but the Legendury beatz inspired song surely have lyrics that should make the video begin and end on the street. After the release the Ayo album in

FILM

‘Ojuelegba’ simply neutralized every major critic with its timeless and well written lyrics. Thus, it has been touted as the ‘saving grace’ of the album. The other half of the music video is like watching Dammy Crane’s King Wasiu Ayinde copy-copy hit song, Amin. It’s

telling a story all together but it doesn’t just gel together with especially with Wizkid’s movement from ‘Ojuelegba’ to a studio. The song’s lyrics itself doesn’t really depict a grass to grace story; therefore, it should have just started and end-

of the actors. Fortunately, everyone did their task excellently. Nse was outstanding and Barbara soky delivered the role of ‘THE MOTHER- IN- LAW well and the counsellor, Mrs Brown (ChiomaNwosu) was so impressive and this is one of Joseph Benjamin’s strongest performanceThe part where Kenneth Abah (Joseph Benjamin) brought his lover home and the way Susan acted; it will take only God to act that way. Cook for your husband’s lover? Hmm. Anyway that part is intriguing to me, I wonder if that can happen in real life,

‘I will soak you, I will wash you, and I will dry you and iron you and then you will not know the way to LESOTHO’ my best phrase in the movie One of the main question this movie raised for me was: Can I jump ahead that far, and handle it well, like Susan did and get same result? If you like movies that give you insight on how to deal with your relationship and to have an idea of how to handle your partner when they misbehave, you’ll probably enjoy “Mr & Mrs” The movie was written and produced by Chinwe Egwuagu and directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka.

Mr. & Mrs.

Joseph Benjamin, Nse Ikpe Etim, Barbara Soky, Thelma Okodua bring good acting to bear Jackie Opara

September 2014, and mixed reviews have accompanied it as people expressed both joy and disappointment at the basic pop concept of the album, citing a lack of lyrical depth and creativity especially with songs like ‘In my Bed’, but the song,

s far as I am concerned Mr & Mrs is one of the best Nigerian movies I have seen in recent times. Particularly because I got to watch it over and over again, that is a rare phenomenon for me. Truly speaking Nigerian movies offend me especially with unreal acting and the abrupt ending that gets me wondering why they are always in such a hurry to launch out a movie The basic frame is as follows: Kenneth Abah (Joseph Benjamin) is the rich son of the petroleum minister, married to Susan Abah (Nse Ikpe Etim). Kenneth’s father got lucky and was made the petroleum minister which totally turned their lives around and made Kenneth so arrogant, he never fails to remind his wife of his status, he treated his wife so shabbily that one can almost say she’s his maid, talks to her anyhow and practically calls her family poor. And one day after a very harsh exchange of words Kenneth decides that divorce is the answer to Susan’s problem since he feels she’s no longer happy being his wife. Kenneth with his Mother (Barbara soky) and Susan goes to the Counsellor to get a confidential divorce which

Susan embraced wholesomely (she no longer finds life with him fulfilling, so she decides that a drastic shake-up is needed. Thus, she decided to do the crazy) to her husband’s surprise. He’s main aim was actually not to divorce her but to make her beg.! He got another thing coming. Linda (Thelma okodua) on the other played the part of a successful career woman who seemingly has a perfect husband and a perfect marriage. This part was so predictable; no man will take the rubbish Linda displayed, leaves everything for the maid. She won’t cook for him, she won’t sleep with him till she’s ready, and everything is according her schedule. She always tells the maid to take care of the home and her husband and she indeed took care of the husband in every way without fail! The movie relied on the performance

If you like movies that give you insight on how to deal with your relationship and to have an idea of how to handle your partner when they misbehave,

you’ll probably enjoy

“Mr & Mrs

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Critics

Friday, October 30, 2015

One can argue that shooting a scene at

the real Ojuelegba would have been quite an uphill task to

manage, but with the right set-creation, you can have an

‘Ojuelegba’ created even in London ed on the streets. Everyone is quite aware of Clarence Peters directional creativity but the award winning director should didn’t get it all right this time. The Nigerian music industry has gone beyond just having great vivid images but it should be accompanied by compelling stories of clear plots, interpreting the lyrics. The song is more of an Afrobeat tune; thus, a videotaped performance of dancers and vivid visual images of the Ojuelegba city would have done it. Wizkid starts the video on a good note. There was a bus with a conductor calling out to passengers to board his vehicle to Ojuelgeba. Wizkid boards it and proceeds to go on a ride. Many would expect a drop at the popular Ojulegba ‘under bridge’ scene to make an appearance. But no, only a B-roll, of some street signages such as the famous Ayilara and Itire road made the cut. The video devolved (yes, devolved, and degenerated) into a joke. The Ojuelegba video ended at the 1:25 minutes mark. The moment shooting left the street, the video went on a downward spiral in quality to a dark room with scenes that lack inspiration, or if inspired, were executed wrongly. A cheap-looking studio would have done justice in interpreting the show. No. Not for Wizkid and creative team. An abstract scene with highlights that were an attempt to show symbolism failed in translating effort into effect. Wizkid and Clarence Peters threw in a dining scene at the 2:50 minutes mark, which would have been great at a local restaurant or ‘Buka’, but in that room, it lacked spirit. That scene cued in another equally below-par one of him conveying wealth and success at another dining table. Simply put, Wizkid lost a good chance here to make a classic visual to accompany a timeless song. One can argue that shooting a scene at the real Ojuelegba would have been quite an uphill task to manage, but with the right set-creation, you can have an ‘Ojuelegba’ created even in London. Biyi Bandele’s ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun’ with all its tricky and emotional scenes was shot in Cross Rivers state, Mavins’ ‘Adaobi’ video with its Eastern Nigerian flavour was shot in a village in Epe, Lagos State. Funding is no excuse. A video is a reasonable investment for an artiste, and the funds for this wouldn’t be a huge inconvenience for Wizkid. The main underlying reason for this isn’t incompetence, neither is it linked to the material resources or a dearth in creativity. It is simply lack of paying attention to details. We hope he does it better next time.

BOOK

Oluikpe’s images of Nigeria As a Briton, who grew up in Nigeria, I am delighted when I see works which depict Nigeria with vivid imagination and accuracy. John Clarke

aul Oluikpe’s novel, Dead on Arrival (2013), published by Warwick Publishing classically exemplifies and richly amplifies the twists, turns and paradoxes underlying Nigeria during the civil war. In many ways, it is different from all other novels that mirror this much written about but grossly misunderstood war. Using the Nigerian-Biafra civil war, he does not dwell on ideology and histrionics, but carries the reader on eagle’s wings to the grassroots of the war, where policies, propaganda and diplomacy translate directly into the everyday lives of the citizens whose country is at war. Dead on Arrival is a story about four characters in one family: Ochomma, a village legend, Chibuike his son, Iroegbulam and army officer and Sochi, ‘a prodigal son’. These are all entwined in the story of the war, sometimes separately but ultimately together, offering a bigger picture of how the war impacts lives. At the onset, Iroegbulam is shown, being ferried to prison as a coup-participant, although why he was arrested as a coupist was not elucidated; again, this shows the paradox of Nigeria’s society, where, after a major incident, scapegoats are not in scarce supply, because it is customary to ‘hang something on someone’s neck’ to satisfy the ‘oga’s at the top’. Ochomma, Iroegbulam’s relative, who is by no means a man of mean stature, towers above his mates in stature and achievements. He had taken for himself, Ekweredi, a Catechist’s daughter as wife, to bolster his credentials in the village; an archetype of the larger society where marriage and titles are status-oriented and directed. Ochomma saves Onyekereke, a thief, from certain death in the hands of unruly youth in the village. The writer then offers glimpses of Ochomma’s heroic past, to buttress the point about his fame and legend. His fame was achieved on the back of a bitter inter-tribal war between Umuejia and Ohafia, triggered by the kill-

The novel is not perfect. It left some questions

unanswered.

For

example, how did

Iroegbulam get implicated in a coup he did not participate in?

ing of a school teacher from Ohafia, who had gone to ask the hand of a girl in marriage in Umuejia. He was kidnapped by a group of cannibals, led by Onyeije, and was never heard of again. The ensuing war was fought and won on Ochomma’s leadership of the youth and his individual skill in the use of the knife in battle. Fast-forward to the present, Ochomma, faced with the rising number of refugees returning to the village following disturbances in the northern and western parts of Nigeria, had to offer shelter to quite a number of returnees. This included Icheku, an orphan, before whose very eyes, his master was slaughtered in the north. Sochi, Ochomma’s own brother, had to be baited-back to the East, using the pretense that their mother was dead. When Sochi arrived back, he met a village that had changed much. Ochomma had always regarded Sochi as good-for-nothing and often gave him the cold shoulder, because since after graduation from school, he migrated to Kano and only knew how to play ‘perm three from five’. One night, after a moon-night event, everyone retired to bed and in the morning, Sochi suddenly went missing (he was killed in the night by Ochomma, who accidentally, mistook him for a thief). Ochomma preserved the mystery behind his disappearance, to save their mother pain and more ostentatiously to avoid seven-year banishment from the clan. Suddenly, negotiations between the East and the rest of Nigeria break down and war begins. Iroegbulam re-enlists in the army to fight. The village was bombed shortly after, and later on Biafran soldiers make an unsuccessful attempt to conscript Chibuike into the army. His mother finally dies of heartbreak over Sochi, and Ochomma sets out in search of his maternal relatives to perform the burial rites. After a fruitless search, he returns and buries her. Then the news of Iroegbulam’s death in war, makes him send off his family to the refugee camp, against his initial inclination. The next morning, he disappears, later to be discovered in Ehihie, the stagnant pond, where he had committed suicide. This novel is allegorical in many ways. Everything you read happening in

the small village, has some parallel with the larger society. The self-righteousness of some of the worshippers in the village church often railed against by the catechist, the stabbing in the market over a woman, the quarrels over plots of land, and the moral decadence of the youth are archetypal to the society of today. The rich barrister’s barricade of himself and isolation from community is typical of the individualism pervading our current Nigeria. The novel is not perfect. It left some questions unanswered. For example, how did Iroegbulam get implicated in a coup he did not participate in? The writer should have explored this, but again, Nigeria, my second country, appears to be a society of ‘no explanations’. The arrest and parading of innocent persons, by the police after crimes, is rife and so, it is not strange what the author was writing about. Secondly, the narrative did not explore or capture how Iroegbulam died in battle. I think this should have been done, rather than showing when the message of his death came to his kinsmen. Again, this borders on literary and narrative choice. This novelist has a rich literary and narrative style that stands out. He quickly pulls you into the story with an air of suspense that is sustained throughout the story. You get the impression that something is about to happen and want to know more. That is the essence of a good story. Paul Oluikpe is a writer we will hear more about, now and in the future. ‘Dead on Arrival’ can be purchased {Here} on Amazon.com

Inside FCT

Friday, October 30, 2015

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Residents bemoan poor state of power facilities Blessing Ukaegbu

he need for regular power supply cannot be over-emphasised. Constant power enables people to engage in productive activities in their homes and offices. Small and medium scale enterprises also depend on constant power supply to conduct their businesses at affordable costs. Despite the recent reform in the power sector and the gains recorded in power generation, supply, distribution, and consumption across the country so far, the yearning for constant power has continued to be a wild goose chase for Nigerian electricity consumers, especially those living in the FCT. Underlying the poor state of affairs in the power supply and distribution value chain are human negligence, abuse and neglect of power infrastructure. A case in point is the state of electric power lines along the Olusegun Obasanjo Way which by and large are now, ticking time bombs. The extent of neglect of the electric power lines by relevant authorities is mind-boggling, particularly along the section that lies between the Wuse Zone 2 branch of Keystone Bank and the GSM Market. Not only that the power lines are overshot by tree branches, some are in their various stages of dilapidation. Many of the wooden bars supporting high tension cables on top of the cement poles have broken down, allowing the high tension cables to precariously hang low around pedestrian walk ways thereby exposing the public to potential harm in the event of heavy rainfall or windstorm. That testifies to the extent to which poor maintenance culture has dogged Nigeria’s quest to meet its targets in power generation and distribution. It also demonstrates the levity with which public institutions treat public property which have been placed in their care in this part of the world. Some sections of the power lines are contending with thick jungles and trees. Questions that anyone who witnesses these neglects might raise include: What has gone wrong with the right of way which is usually accorded electricity lines, petroleum pipelines and express ways in Nigeria? Whose charge is it to clear the roadside jungles which now contend with electric power lines in the FCT? Is the government at the centre not aware of this situation which can hamper its efforts toward achieving its power distribution targets? The Olusegun Obasanjo Way is one of the busiest of roads in the FCT. It connects the Finance Junction, Wuse and the FCT Art and Culture Complex, Area 10, Garki. Besides, the offices of important public and private establishments are located along the road. They include the headquarters of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), NNPC service station, the Ministry of Defence Complex (the Ship House), Bolingo Hotel, office of the Keystone Bank, NAFDAC office, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) office, the popular GSM Market, Nigeria Postal Service, among others. As a result, heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic

Electric cables amidst trees

is witnessed along the road at any time of the day. Therefore, one cannot see the reason this looming danger has not been noticed, reported and promptly addressed by the relevant bodies or some concerned citizens Quite similarly, the electric power lines situated along Micheal Okpara Street are also overshot by trees. The sections of the power lines which lie opposite Dee Awwal Plaza, Wuse Zone 4, contend overhead with the branches of trees which have clearly overshadowed them. But these are not isolated cases. The neglect of power infrastructure by relevant agencies is well known, and has become legendary. Faulty transformers are not repaired promptly. Fallen concrete poles are not quickly put back in place. Electric power lines that are burnt due to sudden power surges are not immediately replaced. Most electricity consumers in the FCT could tell the level of neglect, abuse and decay that most power infrastructure has been subjected to. The implications of these neglects on the safety and wellbeing of electricity consumers, road users, and the general public can only be imagined. And if the situation is this bad within the FCT, what then would be the state of power

infrastructure in the remotest parts of the country? What would also be the fate of electricity consumers in remote towns and villages like Mba in Abia State or Ogbomosho or Potiskum? Little wonder, many communities have repeatedly resorted to self-help to ensure they have access to public power supply by raising money to buy new transformers or replace burnt-out cables or brokendown concrete poles. Speaking to Inside FCT, a resident of the Wuse Zone 2 who spoke on condition of anonymity questioned the distribution company that oversees the above section of Wuse District. He insisted that staff of the power holding company are only seen distributing monthly bills or disconnecting the electric lines of electricity consumers in the area, insisting that their plea that the bushes and trees that overshoot the electric lines be cut down have fallen on deaf ears. He also wanted to know why the distribution company had

Joel Ajayi

year’s Global Hand Washing in Abuja, Country Director of Africare Nigeria, Dr. Orode Doherty noted that the groups were out to ensure they stayed healthy. She noted that, lack of access to clean water, combined with poor sanitation and hygiene facilities had puts IDPs at increased risk of disease. Doherty also took her time to teach and demonstrate to the IDPs how to

found it difficult to liaise with Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to ensure that the bushes and trees around the electricity lines are cleared as and when due. Another respondent, Sunday, a gardener in Wuse District, Abuja, was of the opinion that the distribution company has been monitoring the electric power lines. He suggested that the distribution company should provide telephone helplines such that it can be reached in event of fallen poles or unforeseen emergencies. According to him “electricity consumers suffer intermittent power outage for lack of prompt attention of the power distribution company in the event of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms which affect power lines.” Louis, a business man in Wuse District of the FCT, was of the opinion that electric cables should be piped underground, similar to how it was done in Idea Douala, Cameroun. He said that adequate greenland is needed in the FCT, and that trees and gardens should be located 50 meters off the power lines for safety purposes. “We need constant power supply and so, we cannot afford to have intermittent breakdown of power supply due to trees which branches overshoot the power lines and throw the entire area into darkness. We also need to deploy solar power. Unfortunately, the only thing that brings the personnel of the power distribution companies to this area is disconnection or reconnection of lines.” He would also wantto ask the distribution companies if it was impossible to have power supply whenever it rained. The efforts of the Inside FCT correspondent to reach the Utako District Office of the distribution company which oversees the affected areas of Wuse District however proved abortive.

Another respondent, Sunday, a gardener suggested that the distribution company should provide telephone help-lines so that it can be reached in event of unforeseen emergencies

Africare visits Abuja IDPs

isturbed by the deplorable condition of no less than 1,539 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camped at Durumi the Federal Capital Territory, Africare in collaboration with Power Forward and ExxonMobil has offered several items of relief materials as part of the community service. Not only that, the groups also sensitized them on the importance of hand washing, environment sanitation and nutrition amongst others. However, Africare, a non-profit driven organization has impacted many Nigerian through projects like water, sanitation and Hygiene; women’s/youth empowerment; and health. Speaking with Inside FCT at this

We here today to increase awareness on the importance of hand washing, clean environment Africare visits IDPs

Friday, October 30, 2015 16 Muharram 1437AH

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Call to Worship

On the authority of Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of Allah, the prophet said: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” RELATED BY BUKHARI AND MUSLIM

Appointment of trustworthy officials

he most important condition for a governor is that he should appoint for the care of state affairs such persons who have seriousness, truth and honesty. The appointment should be based on piety not on emotion. The basis of government and the fundamental prerequisite for any office is not to appoint a person who seeks and covets the appointment. Al-Bukkari told in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash ari that he (Abu Musa) said “I came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace, with a man. When we saluted him y friend said: O Messenger of Allah appoint me to an office. Whereupon the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said: “We do not appoint for our office those who seek them.” Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say: “none should look after the affairs of men but one who is of sound mind, abundant knowledge, little conceit, great zeal, strong without excess, lenient without weakness, generous but not a squanderer, fearing no blame of any person in the cause of Allah”. He also said: a governor must have such a strength that the killing of a man in the cause of truth would be to him like the killing of a swallow; and should have of mildness, kindness, care, and mercy that which make him fear to kill a bird without justice”. The leader must also be kept informed about the affairs of his people, and examine its true situation through honest individuals. In this category are questions such as condition of the affairs of his prisoners and the guardians of the orphans, or the incapable. He has to restrict the freedom of the incapable, such as an orphan and a fools, in the use of their money lest they lose it. He shall give orders to be notified of any similar case. Such are also matters connected with absent or dead people, the treasury, and the allowances to be given to the employees and the weak.

Condition of employment First, appointment to office on the basis of favoritism is unlawful. In this connection Umar b. Khattab is reported to have said, “If a caliph appointed an emir or a judge to office on the basis of favoritism, he would share the burden of the

Re-Radical “disIslamisation”, “criminals have stolen my religion” 28, 29

sins committed by the emir or the judge. But if he made him an emir or a judge in the interest of the Muslims, he would have a share in the reward for what he (the emir or the judge) did in the

way of obedience to Allah the Most High; but he (the caliph) would be blameless for whatever sins the emir or the judge might have committed.” Ibn Farhun then said, “let the caliph select to office a man of religion, virtue, piety and knowledge as Abubakar did in selecting Umar, may Allah be please with both of them, as his successor”.

Lagos to make subsequent hajj stressfree 30

Second, Ibn Farhun mentioned in al-Tabsira that Ibn al-Amin had said that the appointment of any person to office could not be valid except on three conditions. First, the employer should make sure that the prospective employee has the necessary qualification for the post to which he is being appointed. If he knows nothing about his qualification, the appointment is illegal. If, however, the person was appointed without such knowledge and then his qualification became known to the employer, he should then re-appoint him. Second, the nature of the duties for which the employee is employed, e.g. judgeship, governorship or tax collection, must be mentioned so that he may know for what purpose he is assigned to the office. If the employee is not aware of his function the employment is not valid. Third, the place of the officer’s jurisdiction should be named, so that the officer may distinguish it from others. Third… if a person is appointed by the leader to take charge of an area and there is no restriction attached to his authority, the obvious thing to do is to generalize his control to cover all matters within the area. Fourth, if an agent is appointed to take charge of revenue collection alone and is not authorized to spend it for the prescribed purpose, he may not then engage in anything connection with expenditure. Nobody may accept anything from the revenue given to him by such agent.

Quoted from: Principles of Leadership According to the Founding Fathers of the Sokoto Caliphate Collated and edited by Hamid Bobboyi with the Compliments of His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar mni, CFR, LLD, Sultan of Sokoto

World leaders must condemn Israel’s killing spree 30

Call to Worship

16 Muharram 1437AH Friday, October 30, 2015

Likeness of those who spend... M any people see wealth as theirs when it actually belongs to almighty Allah. While many feels their wealth will reduce, Allah, the Most-High, assures us in Qur’an 2 verse 261 that: “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah increases in manifold to…” Also, in Qur’an 47 verse 38: Allah SWT says; “Beware! When you are called upon to spend in the way of Allah, some among you hoard. But he who hoards does so for himself: Allah is above need, and it is you who are the needy. If you turn away, then Allah will bring other people in your place who will not be like you.” In order for us to be truly at

peace with our Creator, we must spend our money, time, effort, resources and knowledge in the way of Allah. Going through Qur’an 57:18, it will gladden our heart to read that; “Lo! Those who give alms, both men and women, and lend to Allah a goodly loan, it will be doubled for them, and theirs will be a rich reward.” To be truly beneficial, we must give the loan for the love of Allah and not as a favour. By so doing, Allah will forgive us our sins and grant us paradise among other rewards. Come to think of it, Allah is not in need of our help, we are only helping ourselves. May Allah grant us the means and love to give all we have generously on His path, Aamin. One of those worthy organ-

isation to spend on in Nigeria is The Muslim Congress. This issue was of top priority during The Patrons’ Family Gettogether, PAFGET, organised by TMC, Lagos Chapter recently, where TMC expressed deep apprreciation to patrons, philantropists, well-wishers and sponsors who believe, support and share in the ideals, vision and mission of The Congress. As a trusted and worthy organisation, TMC is focused on the provision of multi-faceted services, for both the young and the aged, in the areas of education, sprititual development, vocational training, economic empowerment, healthcare support, physcial training, welfarism and re-orientation. These among others are achieved through all-year round programmes and activities in various communities.

Give women fair, equal opportunities –NAWOJ

igerian governments at all levels have been urged to appoint more women of virtues to serve and contribute their quota to the development of the country and fair, equal opportunities for women with dual indigenous rights by marriage. This appeal was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, held recently in Lafia, Nasarawa State and signed by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu, Victoria Uloko and Khadijat Saidu The meeting, presided over

by NAWOJ’s national president, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, commended Nasarawa State Government for restoring peace to the state and President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, FCA, as Acting Head of the Civil Service. “Federal Government should also subsidize the cost of cervical cancer vaccines just like HIV/ AIDS Anti Retroviral Therapy, to make the vaccines accessible to all women and reduce the rate of maternal deaths from cervical cancer.” The group bemoaned the deplorable condition of roads

across the country and called on the Federal Government to reconstruct federal roads to reduce the rate of accidents and related carnage on the roads while urging Nigerians to support security operatives with relevant information and be security-conscious. In addition, NAWOJ called for increased sensitization on the ills of rising cases of rape, by relevant stakeholders, as well as appealed for stiffer punishment for perpetrators. High points of the day include session on breast cancer awareness, screening of members, talks on health insurance as well as tips on business opportunities for members.

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THE PLATFORM with

Sekinah Lawal t: 08055102994 e: sakinah207@yahoo.com

Come to think of it, Allah is not in need of our help, we are only helping ourselves. May Allah grant us the means and love to give all we have generously on

Aamin

According to the Wali, it is, however, sad to note that, in spite of all their selfless contributions to the promotion of Islam and its aim for virtuous and upstanding society, Muslims have lost grasp of, unarguably, the most effective tool to facilitate this uphill task, the Media.

His path,

To support the TMC’s media project, kindly pay into The Muslim Congress GTBank Account No: 0014795878. Many dignitaries including my humble self were honoured at the occasion. May Allah preserve our lives for the service of Islam and humanity, Aamin.

L-R: Lagos TMC Waali, Alhaji Mansour Adebayo; Special Guest of honour, Alhaji Abdul-Wasiu Sowami, while Ustaz Abdul Ganiy Atitebi did the presentation of award to another dignitary, recently.

President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, addressing NAWOJIANS at the opening of the five day Capacity Building Workshop on Gender and Leadership for Women Journalists which took place in Lafia, Nasarawa State. She canvassed for more women in governance and urged NAWOJIANS to report and support women in their reportage. President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, addressing NAWOJIANS at the opening of the five day Capacity Building Workshop on Gender and Leadership for Women Journalists which took place in Lafia, Nasarawa State. She canvassed for more women in governance and urged NAWOJIANS to report and support women in their reportage.

HADITH Abû Ayyûb al-Ansârî relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) says: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted the year through.” [Sahîh Muslim (1163)]

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Friday, October 30, 2015 16 Muharram 1437AH

Call to Worship

Early marriage, girl-child rights and modern hypocrisy-dissecting the issues Safiyyah Abdur Rasaq

he uproar that trailed the recent marriage of the Emir of Kano, the vibrant Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to an eighteen-year-old Princess Sa’adatu Barkindo-Musdafah was though, surprising, but unusually pushed to the backstage of public discuss within a very brief period. But despite this, what is known to many Nigerians is that the is-

sue may only be waiting to be reignited when next a similar event happens, just as it did happen in the case of Senator Ahmed Sanni Yerima. As these events came and went with the attendant media hypes, calculated to elicit public reactions in a pre-mediated way, one vital issue that could not be denied is the deceitful nature of our world today- typical of a policy of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT), the official United States policy on gays, bisexuals, and lesbians

in the military which prohibited personnel from discriminating against or harassing unprofessed homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, even as gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons were officially (overtly) barred from military service; thereby ‘hypocritically’ relaxing legal restrictions on service by gays and lesbians in the armed forces. One of the definitions of Encarta Dictionary of the word “early” is doing something without delay or before long. Accord-

ing to many online search of the word, “Early Marriage” is synonymous and rather used interchangeably with “Child Marriage.” A child is seen as a young person between birth and puberty or somebody under a legally specified age who isn’t considered legally responsible for his or her actions; while marriage is a legally recognised relationship established by a religious or civil society, between two people who intend to live together. A perfect blend of the above explanations puts the definition of Early Marriage as “a legallyrecognised relationship between two people and which is done without delay”. So what you get of a Child Marriage is “a legallyrecognised relationship between two people who are under a legally specified age and not considered legally responsible for their actions.”

From these definitions therefore, it is crystal clear without any inference that early marriage is different from child marriage. When a person gets married at eighteen in a country that has eighteen as its legal age of consent, it is a not ‘child marriage’ but ‘early marriage’. If a person gets married at age 14 in a country that has eighteen as its legal age of consent, it can be called Child Marriage. While taking this into consideration, it is important to note that every region has different developmental and maturity rate. A girl in the Asian continent develops faster than her counterparts in the Americas, Europe, just as a girl in Europe and the Americas develops faster than her age mate in Africa. TO BE CONTINUED NEXTWEEK

L-R: Captain Wakil; Alhaji Mumuni Alao; Engr. Abdul Ganiy Atitebi; Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Mukadas Fujah and Ustaz Sherifdeen Ibraheem as The Muslim Congress, TMC, Lagos Branch honoured her patrons and well-wishers, recently.

‘TMC is focused on multi-faceted services’

t was indeed a day of honour and appreciation as The Muslim Congress, Lagos Branch honoured her patrons and wellwishers. The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Mukadas Fujah, urged Muslims to be united and be ready to spend in Allah’s cause for the progress of the Ummah generally. Also speaking, the Special Guest of honour, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Sowami, commended TMC for her numerous worthy projects and called on the whole Muslim Ummah to give the needed support to Allah’s cause irrespective of the Islamic society they belong to. Present at the programme were past and present leaders of The Congress. According to the Lagos TMC Waali, Alhaji Mansour Adebayo, the Patrons’ Family Gettogether, PAFGET, was meant to celebrate the well wishers of The Congress, not only to fraternise but also generate ideas and resources to enhance and consolidate the society oriented mission of The Muslim Congress in a collaborative move reminiscent of the Ansar-Muhajirun exploits of the prophetic era. Alhaji Adebayo expressed deep appreciation to all the patrons, philantropists, well-wishers and sponsors who believe, support and share in the ideals, vision and mission of The Congress.

“TMC is focused on the provision of multi-faceted services, for both the young and the aged, in the areas of education, sprititual development, vocational training, economic empowerment, healthcare support, physcial training, welfarism and re-orientation. These among others are achieved through all-year round programmes and activities in as many communities. Therefore, the Patron’s Forum has been like a lever, helping to cushion the challenges often associated with these extensive society-oriented programmes and activities of TMC.” “It is, however, sad to note that in spite of all our selfless contributions to the promotion of Islam and it aims for virtuous and upstanding society, we have lost grasp of, unarguably, the most effective tool to facilitate this uphill task, the Media. Today, we are neither on TV nor Radio, not even on the social media like our counterpart.” He therefore enjoined all to support TMC on overcoming the gargantuan challenge of salvaging the media presence. He also used the occasion to pray for the eternal repose of one of the brightest mind our nation has ever produced, Prof. AbdulHakeem Mobolaji who died in a ghastly motor accident on Sunday 20th of September while in service of Islam. “This bring to

mind a very serious challenge facing the Muslim Community, especially here in Lagos, with regards to having a befitting Maqbarah (Cemetery) exclusively for the departing souls of our beloved Muslim brothers and sisters. It is very disheartening the abominable circumstances in which our loved ones are committed to mother earth.” Finally, as the nation celebrates 55th year of nationhood, he urged all well-meaning Nigerians to be patient and give total support to the government of the day. “Without mincing words, this new dispensation has obviously offered Nigerians a renewed hope in a greater and better Nigeria for all. It therefore, behoves the citizens to put all hands on deck to make our beloved country work again,” he concluded. Those honoured include Ustadh Dhikrullah Shafii, Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations, CIO, Sister Sekinah Lawal of National Mirror Newspaper, Alhaji Mumuni Alao of Complete Football, Dr. Lukman Abdur-Raheem, Amir, TMC, Ustadh Abdur-Razaq Abdur-Salam, Special Assistant to DG,VON, Alhaji Yekini Bakare, Baba Adini, Eti-Osa among other dignitaries. To support the TMC’s media project, kindly pay into The Muslim Congress GTBank Account No: 0014795878.

Dr. AbdulLateef addressing the guests at special prayer and reception in honour of Dr. AbdulLateef on his appointment as the Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State and completion of his PhD in Law, organised by Committee of Friends at Ostral Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.

L-R: S. B. Ibikunle; Head, Arabic Unit, Voice of Nigeria, Imam Tajudeen Adebayo; Chief Imam GIC, Alhaji Isiaq Ambali during GIC’s Annual Career Day, at the Ansar-ud-deen Grammar School, Lagos, recently.

Dignitaries at special prayer and reception in honour of Dr. AbdulLateef on his appointment as the Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State and completion of his PhD in Law, organised by Committee of Friends at Ostral Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.

Call to Worship

16 Muharram 1437AH Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Re-Radical ‘dis-Islamisation’, ‘criminals hav

istinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to have been invited to chair this book presentation by Chief Joop Berkhout, OON, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Safari Books Limited, the publishers of not a few notable titles that are increasingly documenting for posterity, the historic developments in Nigeria’s public space. Their last offering at which I was present, was Governor Nasir El Rufai’s “The Accidental Public Servant” which was not only revealing but extremely well received. Today, we gather to receive another offering from Safari Books; and while I expect that the book reviewer will take us through its well researched contents, I will now share with you my own source of delight. A few weeks ago, a report broke on Cable News Network (CNN) that North Korea was threatening war on South Korea. This was not the first time. What struck me particularly was that within minutes, a Professor from one of America’s universities was already on the set, providing insights into the mindset of the Korean leader, its government and its people as a way of assisting the public, and I am sure the American Government understand and anticipate what was likely to happen. Happily, nothing terrible has happened till date. But that incident left me recalling how many times I had seen this kind of thing. One intellectual or the other in America or Britian, specializing solely in the history, culture, diversity and people of one country or the other and providing resources and intelligence to their national government and people, which often forms the basis of national security and economic decisions. They have experts on Syria, Israel, Palestine, the whole Middle East, Asia, Africa etc. Whether the experts get it right or not, I have always asked myself a simple question: Who and where are our university dons who are experts on Mali, Chad, Niger, Ghana and our other West African neighbours to start with? Who are the experts on all the nations that make up the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)? How do we use our knowledge of the politics and culture of OPEC countries to influence and shape OPEC policies? Will such people not be a veritable source of information (or intelligence if you prefer that word) to our national security and by extension our government, in anticipating political and economic developments in the ECOWAS sub-region and helping us take better informed decisions; about the political and economic issues arising in the ECOWAS sub-region in a leadership capacity? These were my thoughts and I was thinking about what could be done about promoting the interest of professors and intellectuals in Nigerian universities to take up research about each West African state and better still go and live there for a period, study them, develop papers and reports about them for onward transmission to the relevant department of our

Babatunde Raji Fashola’s comments on ‘Radical Islam’ at the public presentation of Dr. Yinka Olomojobi

Buhari

Fashola

In my view, they reveal an

ignorance of Islam at the best, or a

deliberate stereotype of terror in

Islamic States

government for useful engagement with those states and to serve national security and economic purposes. Perhaps if this was the case before now, we would have had better information for our security services to assist them deal with the terror problems we are currently facing. Ladies and gentlemen, I am not suggesting that nothing is being done, but I know only what is obvious. Enter Dr. Yinka Olomojobi of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, in Ogun State of Nigeria and his “Frontiers of Jihad, Radical Islam in Africa” and you will understand why I said “I am delighted to be here”. At the time I was writing this address, I had not finished reading the book in detail, but the much I have read compels me

A religion whose foundation is

PEACE cannot be the foundation or excuse for acts of murder, rape,

savagery, pillaging and terror

to make some comments, and in doing so, I will do my best not to pre-empt the review. I only wish to express an opinion about the linkages being made between acts of terror and criminality, with what is now gaining global definition as ‘Radical Islam” as being the cause. I have observed that this is largely a work of research and this might explain this definition of “Radical Islam” because the references that support the research of Dr. Olomojobi noted on pages 40-47,69-72, 108-111, 142-144, 175-178, 232234,293-295,334-336 and 341 are dominated by materials from western authors and commentators. In my view, they reveal an ignorance of Islam at the best, or a deliberate stereotype of terror in Islamic States. I say this because, as I have said earlier, ‘experts’ are not necessarily always right and we have proof of this in the intelligence gathering upon which an unnecessary war was launched against Iraq. Furthermore, it seems to me that a religion whose foundation is PEACE cannot be the foundation or excuse for acts of murder, rape, savagery, pillaging and terror. It may well be that the perpetrators claim that they act in pursuit of some type of Islam but I think the sensible thing to do, if we must understand their intention, and defeat their purpose is to refuse to accept that reason. It is sheer propaganda to fool the general public and to deceive gullible people in the name of a faith whose tenets they themselves breach and violate. The biggest risk of succumbing to this propaganda is to put a religion on trial while expecting its adherents to join the fight against criminals. Put differently, is it “Radical Christianity” when Adolf Hitler pursued his anti-Semitic agenda against the Jews? It was described as mass murder. It became known as Holocaust. It is also not “Radical Christianity” when a preacher in Los Angeles who lat-

Sultan

It is also not “Radical Christianity” when a preacher in

Los Angeles who

later relocated to

Guyana in South America asked his followers to

commit mass suicide on

November 18, 1977?

er relocated to Guyana in South America asked his followers to commit mass suicide on November 18, 1977? It was mindless crime, even though there was a religious undertone. As Dr. Olowojobi himself reproduced President Buhari’s comments along these

Put differently, is it “Radical Christianity” when Adolf Hitler pursued his anti-Semitic agenda against the

Jews? It

was described as mass murder. It

became known as

Holocaust

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Call to Worship

Friday, October 30, 2015 16 Muharram 1437AH

ve stolen my religion’

i’s Book: “Frontiers of Jihad, Radical Islam in Africa” recently.

It is sheer propaganda to fool the general public and to deceive gullible people in the name of a faith whose tenets

The Big Conspiracy

he Big Conspiracy written by Mrs. Folasade Odutola exposed a lot of things about Nigerian aviation sector. In “The Big Conspiracy: The Travails of a Progressive Safety Regulator in a Not-So-Progressive Aviation Industry”, readers are taken behind the shroud that the aviation industry has cloaked itself in and given the opportunity to see what it is really like. Pulling from her long history in the aviation world, Odutola brings her experience as a “non-hypocritical safety regulator in a challenging environment” to readers. She takes readers into the political environment of the aviation world

they themselves breach and violate

lines in the book when he said; “You cannot go and kill innocent people and say Allah Akbar! It is either you do not believe it or you do not know what you are saying. So it has nothing to do with religion; they are just terrorists and Nigeria will mobilize against all of them” I agree with this position entirely. I commend Dr. Olomojobi for intellectualizing the discourse, and I hope there will be other participants in our quest to rid our land of common criminals who masquerade as promoters of faith. The word “radical” in its ordinary meaning is said to “concern the most basic and important parts of something”; which is “thorough and complete” according to the Oxford Advanced Dictionary, 7th Edition at page 1196. This definition supports my argument because murder, rape, kidnapping and bombing are not the “basic” or “important” parts of Islam and they do not make Islam “complete”. The simple truth is we have allowed the voices of a few criminals to rise above that of billions of law abiding global citizens. There is no such thing as ‘Radical Islam’; it is a definition we must depart from quickly. If there is such a word I would say it is ‘Radical Dis-Islamization’. What we are dealing with is a new wave of crime, by criminals who seem to have an edge because of the need for a new global legal order and the gaps created by globalization. Guns alone will not defeat them, neither will nuclear armaments. It is our collective understanding and our collective agreement that this has nothing to do with religion, it is our development of the appropriate countermessaging, it is our collective resolve to stop helping to promote their brand, by calling their names, that will expose them for what and who they are, and help us to defeat them. Let me conclude now by sharing with you one of the most profound statements I have heard on this matter. It was made by a Muslim American, when the New York City refused to grant a permit for the construction of a mosque

International civil aviation activities. According to her, in Nigeria, the aviation institution’s structure and policies like many other sectors never got to be implemented. Our nation being one of the 191 countries that participated in the convention back in 1944, waited till 1988 before the Nigerian Minister of Aviation held a seminar for a National Aviation policy, which originated a parastatal authority of the Federal Ministry of Aviation known as FCAA (Federal Civil Aviation Authority). Folasade Odutola became the first female m e m ber of t h e FCAA i n 1999, then

a n d

Sultan

The simple truth is we have allowed the voices of a few criminals to rise above that of billions of law abiding global

citizens.

There is

no such thing as

‘Radical Islam’;

it is a definition we must depart

from quickly. If there is such a

I would say it is ‘Radical DisIslamization’ word

around the Ground Zero area where the Twin Towers were bombed, during the redevelopment efforts. Although I do not now remember his name those words he spoke as he wept openly will remain with me for a long while. They were to these effects “criminals have stolen my religion”. They capture my position that this is not about Islam. They support my view for a departure from accepting any definition, concept or excuse of “Radical Islam”, and it is only in this way that the majority of about 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide can be mobilized with Christians and other faiths to join in the fight against criminals. Thank you for indulging me with your time.

shows h o w these polit i c s p l a y i n t o safety regulation. “This book is meant to show the human angle,” says Odutola. “It shows the ugly face of office politics and power play and their detrimental effects on those at the receiving end – the passengers and employees.” An excerpt from “The Big Conspiracy”: “Every time an aircraft accident occurs, the relevant arms of government run up and down, pre-occupying themselves with the search for scapegoats. Some of them play to the gallery and most of them play the ostrich as they neglect the reality that the essential ingredient in assuring operational safety is to allow the regulator to regulate without let or hindrance. It is most important that dedicated, hardworking, law-abiding public servants are assured of security of employment and are provided with the kind of environment that enables them to contribute to what is in the best interests of the country and, consequently, its citizenry.” She dwells on the origins of the new set of rules for the International aircraft operations in 1944, now known as The Chicago Convention. These rules, as explained in the book, are what set the foundation of the standards for the

known as the NCAA (Nigeria Civil Aviation Civil Authority). During the 11 years between 1988 and 1999, the FCAA went through numerous transformations as government kept redefining the institution’s structure and policies; policies which never got to be implemented throughout that time. Being an engineer of repute and experience, she held the position of director of airworthiness from 1999-2001on the NCCA. In this book, she recounts her experiences and struggles as she tried to implement the safety policies in place only on paper. Odutola definitely has an amazing story to tell. This very revealing book is an account that will interest readers who enjoy learning about true political and historical facts from Third World countries, but it is also for women in general as Odutola is definitely an inspiring role model as she stands determined to fight for Nigeria’s policy integrity and the safety of its people. Although quite a big book, it is filled with pages all worth reading, it is a must-read for all!

Call to Worship

16 Muharram 1437AH Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos to make subsequent hajj stress-free Stories by Sekinah L awal

he Lagos State Government has said that The Commissioner however said that the state government has begun arrangements to make subsequent hajj exercise stress free for the state pilgrims, especially in the transportation area. it would train traffic personnel to guide and enlighten pilgrims in Mecca for the 2016 Hajj to avert tragedies resulting from

stampede and lack of knowledge of the terrain. The government said in addition to engaging more clerics to educate the pilgrims on the hajj rites including the symbolic throwing of pebbles, Lagos would continue to do its best to ensure safety of the pilgrims. Speaking at a reception held in his honour recently, the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef said that state is going to embark on mass deployment of many straight

forward clerics who are forthright, adding that traffic officers would be trained. He added that the trained personnel would go on previsit and understand the routes to Jamarat before guiding the pilgrims. He said:”If you look at the stampede for instance, the Saudi authority has own share of the blame. People who embark on pilgrimage need to be educated so that they will understand that if you say I have read a book which says I can only throw pebbles after sunrise or in

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef; representative of Chief Imam Epe, Alhaji Marufdeen Shitu and representative of Chief Imam of Ikorodu, Alhaji Bashir Maja at special prayer and reception in honour of Dr. AbdulLateef on his appointment as the Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State and completion of his PhD in Law, organised by Committee of Friends at Ostral Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.

the afternoon. You have also not read the part of the Qur’an that says “obey those in authority “. There were no Muslims in millions during the time of the Prophet. The essence of pilgrimage is not to go an kill people; it is to preserve life. If the government can allocate specific time for specific nation to educate them that throwing of pebbles, as fundamental as it is among the hajj rights is not as fundamental as the Arafat.” Emphasizing the need for people to be guided and enlightened when embarking

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on hajj, AbdulLateef said hajj has to do with human traffic, hence, conscious efforts must be made on the part of the state government to guide against possible stampede and death. According to him, “If throwing of pebbles will lead to death, we must look at ways of mitigating it and preventing a situation whereby people go to throw pebbles and die even in the life of the prophet, when they experience extreme weather condition like stormy weather, instead

of calling people for solat (prayer), he would ask them to pray in their houses. That tells you that Islam is not in support of situation where you will deliberately commit suicide. Saudi Arabia has a peculiar task of making hajj stress free.” “Our forms will be out by 2nd November and by 30th we will be through with selling of forms. We will ensure that there are no fraudulent acts in selling the forms. We will begin enlightenment by December”, he said.

Give urgent attention to deplorable roads –NMiD tells Buhari Sekinah L awal

group, Nigerian Muslims in Diaspora, NMiD, recently called on President Muhammad Buhari to give urgent attention to deplorable roads in Nigeria. The UK-based group said this in a letter written to the president following the death of a Professor of Economics, AbdulHakeem Ishola Mobolaji along with his son, Muhammad and many others on Ibadan-Lagos road. Prof. Mobolaji was until his death, the acting ViceChancellor of Fountain

University, Osogbo; a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin and the Board Chairman of Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank. Mobolaji earned Bachelor and Master Degree in Economics at the University of Ibadan; Master degree in Islamic Banking, Finance and Management at the Loughborough University and Doctorate degree at University of Leicester. The letter signed by Idris Shofolahan and 21 others noted that the number of lives that have been lost on this very important national road is just too many to count.

World leaders must condemn Israel’s killing spree –TMC

he Muslim Congress, TMC, has expressed shock, anger and disbelief at the silence and inaction of world leaders over the killing spree embarked upon by rouge state of Israel since violence broke out three weeks ago over its invasion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem. In a release signed Amir of TMC, Dr. Luqman AbdurRaheem, TMC drew the attention of world leaders and Nigerian government to the satanic design by Israel to cleanse the people of Palestine off the land they have lived in since the dawn of time and appealed to the conscience of the citizens of major Western powers especially Americans, upon whose skin the lecherous Zionist state of Israel feeds, to pressure their governments into action against this morbid penchant for killing that has become for

Israel pathological “We are angry and saddened about how the world leaders have kept mute and unperturbed at the calculated killings of Palestinians protesting the occupation of their lands. Stone throwing kids have been fired at with steel bullets with devastating effect on their lives. These innocent teenagers, male and female, have been mowed down on suspicion of wanting to stab ‘settlers’ who are illegal settlers in all respect, as the lands upon which they are settled have been declared as illegally occupied by all known international laws, norms and conventions.” “It is unfortunate that the world has again decided to bury its head in the sand like the ostrich, as if the killing of Palestinians resisting the occupation of their lands, and the theft of their existence amounts to

mutual belligerence. NO, Israel is the aggressor who after having a piece of land would not allow Palestinians to have their peace.” According to the release, the cause of the current round of violence was Israel’s invasion of the compound of the Al-Aqsa mosque in another grand design, typical of past patterns to confiscate large swath of Palestinian lands. For quite some time the mosque has been under lock and key by Israeli forces and is been gradually turned into a tourist center from whence it would eventually be undermined and destroyed so that the third Temple of Solomon preached in Jewish religious indoctrination as heralding the arrival of the messiah can be built upon it. This is a case of perverted religious teaching meant to be actualized upon the systematic destruction of another people.

To blame Palestinians for not allowing this ‘design’ to happen through resistance is the ‘logic’ of only the demented. TMC also called on the Federal Government and the leadership of the National Assembly to start considering tough actions such as severance of diplomatic ties with intransigent Israel. “We draw the attention of the government of Nigeria and indeed the world to the fact that the recipe of ‘a piece of land (for Israel), for peace (for Palestinians living on their lands)’ long advocated by scholars has been completely edged out of the table by Israel, who after having the piece of land embarked upon antics (carried out through bloody campaigns) to steal the portions designated as Palestine. This day light robbery

by Israel is at the root of the violence that has become cyclical. The justification of systematic genocide and cleansing of a people such as Israel does to Palestinians upon the claim of maintaining security is the most insane, morbid and illogical assertion ever flaunted in the face of the world To be sure there is no known international law, norms or conventions that Israel has not violated in its long bloody occupation, and there is no known international body whose judgments and/or persuasions Israel has not disobeyed or disregarded, whether it is the United Nations and its Security Council, the ICJ, Amnesty International, the Red Cross, Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, ILO and/ or the IAEA and its NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty on nuclear arm) and a

whole lot of others “We draw the attention of the world to the fact that the twin evil of extremism and terrorism which plague the world today is in a major way fed by the mother of all extremisms and terrorisms that the Israeli occupation has become and also urge our compatriots to research into this crisis; divorce themselves of prejudice and stand up for justice for the oppressed. And the first place to begin is to erase the idea that a certain people exist who are chosen (by God?) to kill, maim and trample upon the rights of others. This insanity can be nipped in the bud through appropriate tough actions. Therefore it is high time that Nigeria and indeed all well meaning nations distanced themselves from this racist and xenophobic state called Israel and treat it like the pariah that it is.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Call to Worship

Friday, October 30, 2015 16 Muharram 1437AH

‘Knowledge of Arabic is a must for Muslims’

Stories by Sekinah L awal

uslim students have been advised to ensure adequate knowledge of Arabic even if they will not be specialists. This advice was given as part of measures to encourage them towards career development and bridge the gap of unemployment in the country as the Glorious Islamic Centre, GIC, recently organized its 4th

edition of her annual Career Day lectures for Muslim secondary schools in Lagos. According to GIC President, Engr. Akin Laguda, this year’s edition is set to fulfill part of the centre’s missions. Speaking to National Mirror, some of the students who participated in the program said they were able to acquired positive knowledge and experience in the areas of choosing career and vocational studies. Engr. Laguda said the

centre caters for social, moral and spiritual need of all persons and promote education with scholarship adding that, the centre has contributed immensely in various areas in providing the extensive library with a lot of reference books in Arabic and English. “Our centre is a place for research and information which has transformed and aided the exposure of many students in terms of moral attitude and the quality education standard”. One of the guest speak-

L-R: Surveyor AbdulRasaq Kasim; Chairman, Central Working Committee, Glorious Islamic Centre, GIC, Alhaji Moshood Ligali; former Commissioner, Alhaji Hashim Oyekan; President, GIC, Engr. Akin Laguda; S. B. Ibikunle during GIC’s Annual Career Day, at the Ansar-ud-deen Grammar School, Lagos, recently.

‘Amend policy on Hijab in Lagos public schools’

he Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, has advised the new commissioners in Lagos State to make good governance and youth empowerment their utmost goal as well as improve on some policies and amend the policy banning Hijab in public schools. MSSN Lagos made this known in a release signed

by the Amir, Saheed Ashafa, and highlighted no fewer than seven yardsticks of development. Among the areas of priorities listed are religious freedom and equality; education; youth empowerment, security; economy; health; science and technology. “They must be committed to service and not be far from masses. All the new commission-

ers should know clearly that accountability, commitment and transparency are the souls of good governance. They should know that a huge task lie ahead of them and success is what we all expect.” “We suggest that the new commissioners only initiate policies that will not worsen the religious, economic and social situation of Lagos residents and citizens.

Ahmadiyya tasks new Lagos commissioners

he Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria, has called on the new Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Abdul Kareem and others to hit the ground running and ensure that Lagos residents feel their impact in terms of laudable programmes and policies to be embarked upon by the various ministries. The group commended his appointment as the Commissioner in charge of Home Affairs and chal-

lenged him to improve on the standards of record of performance in the ministry while appreciating the gesture of the state government for putting a round peg in a round hole. The Jamaat applauded his choice sequel to the remarkable performance of Dr. Abdul Lateef as part of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. According to some members of the Jamaat who have performed Hajj through Lagos State, there has been

remarkable improvement in the entire hajj operations in the state with the leading role of the new Commissioner for Home Affairs. “We urge the new public office holders to live above board, shun corruption and be transparent in the discharge of their duties. We will assist the government in propagating its policies among members and in fervent prayers in the deliverance of public good for the people of the state.”

ers of the occasion, Sabitiu Ibikunle who spoke about the Career, said that, “every student must choose a career that will not make them leaves a stress life”. He gave the advice that, it is good for every student to have a vocation for the reason that not every one that will end up making a living from the career chosen early in life. He said that choose a career capable of transforming you into a better person. GIC organizes the annual

Career Day for Secondary School Students from Muslims Schools all over Lagos State as part of ways of fulfilling her vision of creating peace, tolerance and goodness in the light of Islam. According to GIC’s President, Engr. Akin Laguda, the aims and objectives of the centre include to educate Muslims and NonMuslims alike in the light of Islam, cater for social, moral and spiritual needs of all persons, co-operate with lawful organizations for the proper understand-

ing for Islam, promote education and scholarship through study, symposia, debates, conference, filmstrips, reference libraries and other lawful means and be a place for research and information sharing among others. The Centre also runs Arabic and Quranic Classes for adults and children who want to acquire Arabic, Quranic and Islamic Knowledge. Monday – Thursday: 4:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am-12noon.

Cross section of students during GIC’s Annual Career Day, at the Ansar-ud-deen Grammar School, Lagos, recently.

At the graduation of students trained at the NASFAT’s vocational training school in Lagos, recently.

Call to Worship

16 Muharram 1437AH Friday, October 30, 2015

Every Friday

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with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya

Proclaim the bounties of Allah: Tour of Holland and Germany 2015

fter greeting everyone with “Assalamo-Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” - peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah - and bearing witness to the absolute Unity of Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger and Servant, and seeking the protection of Allah against Satan, Huzur Aqdas (may Allah strengthen him with His Mighty Help) recited Sura Al-Fatiha, and then said that: It is Allah’s Favour upon us that in all tours Allah, the Exalted, shows Signs of His Help and Power. Sometimes one worries that certain Jama’ats don’t have the required experience to organize certain types of events and sometimes make such programs as are not the Jama’ats own programs but are carried out jointly with others. Such programs obviously need to be advertised in the manner that the others participating in the program are accustomed to do. And this raises the fear that opponents may try to display their enmity and thus possibly create unpleasantness in the program. There is also the concern that such programs must live up to the highest standard. Nevertheless, we can never be grateful enough to Allah, the Exalted, for continuing to show such signs & such support which leaves us in awe. Every time, Allah, the Exalted, show new ways in which He fulfills the promises that He had made with the Promised Messiah (as). Indeed, sometimes guests heap such amazing praise on the event that it leaves those who were involved in organizing the event whether it really was something had put together. The praise that we are given is not superficial. It seems that praise from the guests is actually pouring from their hearts. Their eyes, their faces reflect their words. When one witnesses such scenes, one is left praising God from the very bottom of one’s heart. That Allah, the Exalted, covered up our faults and shortcomings, and the program was successful. In the past few days I journeyed to Holland and Germany. German Jama’at is quite large and well organized and their members have very solid relationships with every sector of the society. The German media is well aware of German Jama’at and knows it well and gives their activities extensive coverage. Some newspapers and other media, seeing the progress of the Jama’at also write negative reports about the Jama’at. Some politicians also try to oppose Jama’at from time to time and run campaigns every now and then. But overall government officials and German individuals who are aware of the Jama’at hold positive feelings. Due to this, they are receiving the true picture of Islam. This is also a way to present the picture

of Islam to the Germans that the members of the Jama’at in Germany are utilising. In Holland, however, the Jama’at is quite small and they also haven’t struggled to the same extent which would make Ahmadiyyat and true Islam known to the people through the media. The Jama’at in Holland also does not have the extensive relations with diplomats or government officials or the intelligentsia by which means such people could have knowledge about the Jama’at and recognize us as being the representatives of Islam. Nevertheless, Allah, the Exalted, enabled a Member of Parliament from Nunspeet, Holland where our center is, to organize an event in Parliament of Holland. The Jama’at had been introduced to him a few years back and he has met me also in one of the Jalsas in Holland. This gentleman is also the Chairman or Acting Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Dutch Parliament. Through his efforts this event was organized and held in one of the halls of the Parliament building under the auspices of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Ameer Sahib Holland wrote to tell me this is being arranged and invited me to come and so I went. I had thought only a few individuals would attend as the Jama’at is not that well known in the country and so the people would not come and also the Jama’at does not have experience of organizing these types of events. But, by the Grace of Allah, the Exalted, keeping in mind the condition of the Holland Jama’at, their event went off very well. 89 prominent Government officials were present in this event. These included Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, and other government representatives from Holland, Spain, Ireland, Sweden, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, India, Philippines, Denmark and Cyprus. As I have said, the German Jama’at has extensive relations but they have not yet been able to organize an event of this level. It is true that their representatives and dignitaries come to our functions and praise our works and our service and they opine on seeing the true picture of Islam. But no such program has taken place in Germany till now. Perhaps the reasoning for this is that Germany is a large country and Holland, in comparison, is significantly smaller. Nevertheless this step that the Holland Jama’at has taken and these contacts and relationships that they have established, and reached out to the newspapers and media I am hopeful that the Holland Jama’at will continue trying to make further progress in these matters and the success they have achieved with this event they will not consider it to the maximum that they can do.

L-R: Spiritual Head of The Muslim Congress, Sheikh Dikrulahi Shafi; Chairman, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef and Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf, a Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Bus. Admin UNILAG

L-R: Senior Lecturer, Mass Communication UNILAG, Dr. Ismail Ibraheem; Principal Lecturer, Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr. Nurudeen Olaleye and CEO, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Imam Abdullah Shuaib.

Lagos Muslim Students Society leaders giving Dr. AbdulLateef an award.

Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef Abdulquadr, Amirah Al-Muminat Organisation; Amirah FOMWAN Lagos, Dr. Ashiru Ajoke Sariyu, and Amirah, MSSN Lagos, Hajia Hafsa Badru and others.

Alfa Lookman Shekoni and Hajia Rukayat during their Nikkah ceremony, recently.

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Inside FCT

Friday, October 30, 2015

Apprehension as VIOs renew crackdown on offenders Chidi Ugwu

or the average Abuja driver, the Vehicle Inspections Officers (VIOs) are everywhere within the metropolis nowadays. They can be found in the most hidden and unexpected corner of the roads. The renewed crackdown by the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, popularly called VIO, on every vehicle without valid roadworthy documents, is one that is creating apprehension among motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). An average motorist in the nation’s capital trembles at the sight of VIOs. Many would tell you that the fear of the VIOs is the beginning of wisdom. The vehicle inspectors, who are normally identified with their white and black uniform, are often dead serious on duty and do not take pleas. Probably, that is why motorists who have an axe to grind with them always dread the officers, and in many cases, curse them. Some say the officer will first pretend to be friendly but once he observes one expired document no amount of plea would make him not impound the vehicles involved. These officials go tough on defaulters such as unlicensed drivers. Possessing incomplete or expired vehicle documents and driving unregistered vehicles make defaulters a ready prey in the hands of the vehicle inspectors. The drivers who use banned unpainted taxis also always have unpleasant stories to tell about the VIOs. The only friends the VIOs seem to have are those that meet all regulations guiding road-use in the territory. Investigation on why the drivers fear the officers so much revealed that it is due to the stiff punishment the mete on defaulters. According to a commercial driver, “VIO would not want to hear, oga sorry. They will delay you if your papers are not complete or you do not paint your car, or your licence has expired. If you don’t have at all, your case is even worse. In fact, it is a double offence. Any

VIO

small mistake and they arrest you, no sorry.” It was a consensus that the officers do good job by going after those driving for commercial purpose and with their vehicles unpainted in Abuja colour. This is because there were reported cases of how unsuspecting passengers were either robbed, kidnapped or killed by the dare devils. A taxi driver with unpainted vehicle explained why he preferred doing business without painting his vehicle. According to him, there are so many limitations in using painted taxis. He

said they were not allowed access into some places in the FCT like the National Assembly, State House and major hotels, adding that the limitations had deterred many from painting their taxis. He stated that having one’s vehicle painted as taxi also had a way of reducing one’s status in the society as it exposed one’s source of living and attracted insults and lack of respect to one. He said: “Well my sister, you see why I didn’t paint my motor. Where you are going, no painted taxis is allowed entrance. We are not allowed. But with my unpainted car, I can go to the National As-

The drivers who use banned unpainted taxis always have unpleasant stories to tell about the VIOs

wash hand properly while she added that hand-washing is the best way to prevent many types of infections amongst IDPs. According to her, our focus is mainly to provide service to humanity to displaced persons and show that we care for them. She explained: “We here today to increase awareness on the importance of hand washing, clean environment, we are here to teach them how to protect their children from diseases as well as maintaining their nutrition in a safe manner” Africare Country Director, however, decried the deplorable conditions of people in the IDPs camps arising from the insurgents’ activities in the NorthEast. “This is not our first time in this camp, we have been here before, we have a very good idea about the facili-

ties that is in this camp; we know that there is no running water, at some level they are practicing open defecating and these are some of the thing we are trying to reduce by coming here to sensitize them to the important of safe and clean environment, nutrition to increased women and children wellbeing. “We need a running water source, we need a clean toilet, the toilet that they can be thought how to use, they have been here at least a year, if all these are provided it will make a huge different. So, I want to use this medium to call on relevant authorities on humanitarian for urgent intervention.” She added that: “the need to counsel the pregnant women on the important of baby breast feeding as well as the need for them to focus on the first 1000 days of their baby lives was one of the reasons the groups visit the camp to

sembly, State House or any of such places. “My friends that painted their vehicles cannot go like me. If I paint my motor, my movement will be restricted. Everyone in this city will know I am a taxi driver. But work goes on whether we paint or not,” he said. Another driver of a painted taxi, Kunle Omoniyi, stated that even when one had satisfactorily met the demands of the VIOs, there would always be some mistakes to pay for. The challenge has always been how to identify civil servants who, on their way home during peak periods, often convey passengers going their ways. However, the Director, FCT Vehicle Inspection Office, Mr Danjuma Garba, said his officers carry out their duties professionally, stressing that all activities of his men are in the interest of the drivers, other road users and the society. educate them of what they need to do.” The project manager of Power Forward, Mr. Tefar Akpoyibo explained that the groups donated the materials to help the IDPs. “We are here to see them and know how they are doing, now we have come here we have seen them and we feel their pains. That is why we took our time to clean their environment to make sure they did not contact sickness through unclean environment “What we brought is not something that we took from government coffers but voluntary donations from Africare, power forward and ExxonMobil the non-governmental organisation.” Speaking on behalf of IDPs, the Chairman of the Durumi IDPs camp, Muhammad Gowza commended the gesture of the Foundation, saying this would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the people.

Arty News

Friday, October 30, 2015

Agila Carnival targets unity in Idoma nation Regina Otokpa

he Agila Social and Economic Carnival 2015 (also known as Idoma National Carnival) is fast becoming an annual platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Idoma people of Benue state, north central Nigeria. This is aimed at exposing the world to the rich potentials of the Idoma culture and its positive effect on business investment and tourism as it rallies a gathering of traditionally distinguished carnival revellers from all over the world similar to the fame of Rio de Janeiro, and recently Calabar and Abuja carnival. In a statement by Prince Edwin Ochai, President Agila Carnival, he said they do this by providing a forum for participants and investors to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Idoma land, identify broad policy options and develop strategies for mobilizing capital and investment that will help unlock the vast resources and potentials of the land.

“Our major activities include: Cultural Carnival/Concert, Cultural Exhibition/Music Concert, Face of Idoma beauty pageant, Novelty Football Match, Friends Of Idoma Award, Children Carnival e.t.c “These festivities fundamentally drives the attention of the world to Idoma land, to make it conspicuous as the hub of social, economic and cultural activity in the middle belt of Nigeria. The drive of the carnival is to reinvigorate the rather latent heritage of the Idoma people and create a platform for economic negotiations, mobilizing capitals, and initiating investments by identifying business potentials and resources of the zone. The Agila Carnival family will also identify outstanding sons of Idoma land who have impacted on the development of the Idoma nation and other worthy individuals to honour with the friends of Idoma special recognition award,”. Ochai added. Besides the rich instrumentality of music, dance, masquerades, cultural parades, and pageantry, the carnival also hopes to engender youth empowerment and economic revival.

Film stars clash as BON holds December 12 Ngozi Emedolibe

Best supporting Actress (English) Omowunmi DadainOjuju Mary Njoku in StolenWater Uche Jombo in Folly Funke Akindele in One Fine Day Liz Benson in Dry

he stage is set for stiff competition on the different categories of Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards 2015. The names on the list have defied pundits who are at crossroads over who to tip for the different award categories due to a stellar performance of some of these actors during the period under consideration. The list of nominees which was unveiled in Akure earlier in the week, aptly suggests so with the caliber of practicners and the depth of the works which will be on display at the event which is

Most Promising Actor

scheduled to hold at the newly constrceted Events Centre in Akure. Here is what the nominees’ list looks like.

Best Actor in Leading Role (English) Mike Omoregbee in Invasion 1897, SadiqDaba in October 1 I.K Ogbonna in My Rich Boyfriend Gabriel Afolayan in Ojuju Okey Uzoechina TheDate

Best Actress in Leading Role (English) NseIkpeEtimin Stolen Water Stephanie Linus inDry Ini EdoinWhileYouSlept Hilda Dokubo in Stigma IyaboOjo in Beyond Disability

Asiwaju of Iresiland presentss autobiography Regina Otokpa

here was an array of royalty and political gig watts at the Yar’Adua centre in Abuja, when the Asiwaju of Iresiland, Chief Oluwole Oludaisi Aina launched his book ‘Manoeuvring through the Bunkers of Life: An Autobiography’. The book chronicles the life of the author capturing the impact of his mother’s prayers and his ability to attain success despite the betrayal of his father, the desperate efforts of his step mother

and the envy of his friends. According to the author, the book is a means of educating the youths on the importance and benefits of perseverance, sincerity, hard work and determination regardless the adverse circumstances surrounding their lives. He said “There are several lessons to learnt particularly for the youths that are growing up, circumstances of birth or experiences of childhood is not a determinant of who you become in life every one born, created by God has a potential, it is only the discovery that is a challenge. “I had several challenges in life

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it never determined who I am today, one of the greatest factors of life no matter the challenge you go through, is the determination to go on even when you find it difficult.” According to the book reviewer, Dr. Olusegun Falope, the book exposes the consequences of parental action on children, gives hope to youths discouraged by the effects of a corrupt system, preaches the reward of hard work, innovation and integrity for businessmen and also serves as a testament for drifters still struggling to discover their purpose in life.

Best Actress in Leading Role (Yoruba) Fathia Balogun inTorera Tayo Sobolain Bella Oyinkan Elebuibon in Story Like Mine Olaitan Ogungbile in Fimidara Ire Aisha Lawal inShadow

Mustapha Solagbadein Trust Olumide Oworu inStolen Water Kunle Rhemmy in The Date Ademola Adedoyin in October 1 OsasIyamu in Diary of the Triplets

Most Promising Actress Bukunmi Oluwashina Ayo Mi TayoSobola in Bella OwumiUgbeye in Stolen Lives Roseanne Marcel in One Minute Man Omowunmi Dada inPublic Property

Movie of the Year October 1 Dry Invasion 1897 Stigma Torera

Director of the Year Kunle Afolayan Lancelot Imaseun Stephanie Linus Dagogo Diminas Abey Lanre

Best supporting Actor (English Alex Ekubo in My Rich Boyfriend Kelechi Udegbein Ojuju KaluIkeagwu in Bad Drop Seun Akindele in MissTaken Blossom Chukwujekwu in Stolen Water

Genevieve Nnaji debuts as film producer Ngozi Emedolibe

Genevieve

inally, star actress Genevieve Nnaji has become a film producer. The film, Road to Yesterday will be released in all Nigerian cinemas on Friday, the 27th of November 2015. Directed by Ishaya Bako, Road to Yesterday introduces Nigerian-British actor, Oris Erhuerho and stars Majid Michel, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah and veteran Ebele Okaro lead the supporting

cast. Set in Lagos Nigeria, Road to Yesterday is an epic love story, about a couple desperate to mend its marriage on a road trip to a relative’s funeral. However when memories and secrets from the past are revealed, a lot more is at stake than their relationship. Road to Yesterday is set to resonate with movie-goers nationwide. Genevieve Nnaji, stars as ‘Victoria Izu’ the conflicted wife and mother. Ms. Nnaji is the Quintessential Nol-

lywood Star, with a stellar resume that includes both national and global accolades. With past credits such as ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’, ‘Tango With Me’ & “Ije”, Ms. Nnaji returns to the screen with her first feature film in over two years. The original screenplay was written and directed by Ishaya Bako, a London Film School Alumni, and creator of a series of highly acclaimed festival favourites including the award winning “Braids on a Bald

Head” - Best Short Film at the 2012 AMAA Awards. Road to Yesterday is Bako’s feature directorial debut. Road to Yesterday was shot in various locations across Lagos. Its proudly Nigerian cast and crew celebrate the depth of local talent. With the support of AfricaMagic, the technical quality of the Film demonstrates that it is possible to make a high quality production in Nigeria with the appropriate budget and technical input.

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Arty News

Friday, October 30, 2015

Children your age usually recite short poems only at school or in church but you have taken a step further to do the direct opposite. How has it been? I feel happy because when I am done with my recitation, I have this air of confidence that I know how to recite them without reading a paper or book. When did you discover you could recite this well? I discovered it towards the end of last year

I write most of my poems –Yandel Eight year old Yandel Damisa, a.k.a Yandel the African Child, comes from a supportive family of four. This young poet inspired by ill happenings, alongside her parents unveiled the genesis and possible future of her journey in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA. Excerpts:

How do you write your poems? I write most of my poems based on what goes on around me and sometimes my parents or my manager helps out. I study them and recite afterwards. How do you manage to study and recite the poems off hand, they are lengthy? My mum helps me, she tells me to recite them after am done with my homework from school. I recite them every day until I master them.

Do you enjoy it whenever you recite poems or play the keyboard? Yes I do enjoy it a lot Do you see yourself still doing them when you grow much older? (Thinking…) I can’t say. What do you intend to become when you grow up? I want to become a teacher or a lecturer. You have school work, recitation of poems, keyboard lessons and your siblings to play with, don’t you feel any pressure at all? Sometimes I do but I try to manage my time by making sure I do the most important things first but I always make sure i play with my sisters. Do you believe every child has a talent? Yes every child has a talent but it needs to be discovered. I am glad my parents have helped me to discover mine. What advice do you have for children your age who are yet to discover their talent? They should be obedient, make their parents proud so they can help them discover the talents in them, give them something specials they can be able to do something far better than just reciting poems. What are your hobbies? I love to cook, I also love fashion. Levin Tanimola (Yandel’s dad) Yandel said something interesting, you write some of her poems? Rarely, sometimes when I edit and type to her I did the writing but she does too, but we are trying to groom her more for her to write. Poem is more of inspiration and exposure. Since she loves it ours is to nurture

for us to model and guide her. Ours is to teach her the fear and principles of God and let her go because we can’t be with them every second. Once that principle is established and she knows that foundation, every other thing will follow so we don’t have any fear of her going into the performing art industry. With time it might change but if she grows up and sticks with it or opt out, we are good with it but for now this is her gift and we don’t want to shut her up, you can never tell where her potentials lay. What challenges has she as an individual and her parents been confronted with so far? Internet is a great challenge, in this dispensation if you want a child to excel in anything internet is key. We just acquired one in the house instead of making use of phones. The major challenge is balancing her academics with her talents so that it does not interfere with her academics, we are working on that challenge already and by the grace of God she is very good, she is gifted, she grab things very easily and that is why school work is not a problem. That is the area we have to work on to see that her studies does not stop her at the expense of this.

How many poems have you recited so far? About four What else do you do outside poetry? I play musical instruments such as the keyboard, the guitar is next and am a ballerina. For now I only play the keyboard at home but my dad once told me that I can play the keyboard while reciting my poems If I know how and that is what I am working towards achieving.

Yes, every child has a talent but it needs to be discovered

her and see that the talent blossoms. She is just starting and we are hoping to see her on a bigger stage. We just encourage her, we don’t want to discourage her we just want to give her an opening, give her a vent for her to develop her gifts in her area of strength. And you don’t sense any pressure on her at all? We try not to put so much pressure on her because her primary purpose now is academics so we try not to give her so much pressure but she is a strong girl I must say, she copes very fine. How did Yandel find herself active in poetry at age eight? I became interested sometime last year when her school gave her a poem of about eight stanzas to memorize, I was mad, I said it was too much but in retrospect I was underestimating her potential but after three days, my wife told me she had gone far with the poem. Eventually she recited the eight and I found out there was something more and if we guide her right she would be able to do more. She is building up, she has done some works in the studio which we are hoping to assemble more so that it can be in a disc. She seems interested in a whole lot of

things but as a father, which do see her coming out more strongly? Though they are still very small now but I believe if you build them up, when they discover themselves they will grow in that line. For now Yandel is more into the performing art and I see her also having flair for teaching. Most times when I go to her room I see her teaching her teddy bears, they have different names for them. I see her growing and going into the academics line but with children it is too early to say. You seem to study her so well, do you have an idea where she draws her inspirations from? Environment, watching the television and sometimes reading newspapers. When she watches TV and sees a lot of children suffering, war, deprivation, it gets her thinking and I try not to interfere with her thinking process. Sometimes I just leave it for her to use the power of her imagination which is already nurturing gradually. As a medical doctor, are you comfortable having a child with an inclination for the performing arts? I don’t harass them with medical things, I believe there are different platforms but it is all about improving the lives of people. Once she discovers herself and she runs with the vision, it is okay with us, it’s just

Why the name ‘Yandel the African Child’? June 16th is celebrated as the day of the African child and that was the day her mother was born. The idea behind it is ambassador for African children, a voice for African children, children who are deprived. Children have this power of innocence, it’s a great strength. We are hoping she would be the voice of the African child to let the voice of the children in Africa be heard on a wider platform. Doreen Tanimola (Yandel’s Mum) God used someone to discover the talent in Yandel and as parents we were able to give our consent to this vision and so far so good we have no regret having made her discover who she really is. Mostly when it comes to reciting her poems and reversing them, I made sure I put on a whole lot of pressure on her and she was initially seeing it like mum is punishing me and as time went on, she discovered it was something when needed to do and over time it has become a part of her. I am glad we have been there for her and our advice to her has really helped her. What advice do you have for parents who are yet to discover the talents in their children? Mothers should come down from their high horse and try to give a listening ear to their children, take a closer look at what they do. If you don’t, you cannot discover the talent in them. If you come down to their level they are free to tell you anything even when anyone is bothering them in school in one way or the other, they have a whole lot going on inside of them. As parents, my husband and I have tried to study our children and we have been able to notice all their different traits.

Friday, October 30, 2015

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Naira devaluation accounts for hike in Toyota price –Elizade

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Elizade Motors has identified government policies and massive devaluation of the naira as the primary cause of the recent sharp rise in Toyota vehicle prices. Adejuwon Osunnuyi reports

ith the prices of Toyota brand of vehicles hitting the roof top in recent time, the Managing Director of Elizade Nigeria Limited, dealers in Toyota brand of vehicles, Mr. Ademola Ade-Ojo, has attributed the sharp rise in prices of the vehicles to government policies and massive devaluation of the naira. Ade-Ojo disclosed this during a customers’ forum organised by the company for fleet managers in Lagos. While explaining that the Nigerian economic terrain in the last 18 months had been quite challenging as the political, economic and legal framework, which formed the bedrock for their business, had generated a lot of socio-economic disruptions in the automotive sector of the economy, Ade-Ojo however assured the customers that very shortly, the tide would turn in their favour. Commending the customers

for standing by the company over the years through thick and thin, the Elizade boss said, “We crave your indulgence and ask for more of your trust, loyalty and commitment going forward.” He noted that despite the stormy economic weather, Elizade would continue to remain a force to be reckoned with as a world-class indigenous corporate entity with the customers as its pillar of support. To this end, he disclosed that the company has embarked on construction of more 3S facilities and upgrading of existing facilities across the country, aimed at improving service provision to the customers. Apart from two 3S in Lagos, he disclosed that Ibadan facility had been upgraded while Likki and Akure 3S facilities are undergoing improvement and enlargement. Also, in the South-East axis, he explained that Uyo ultra modern 3S facility is almost ready for commissioning, while Enugu fa-

cility would be ready next year. The Managing Director, who further pointed out that the company was expanding and strengthening its branch facilities to meet customers need, added that arrangement had been made for quick service for customers at selected filling stations in Lagos, where preventive maintenance service can be accessed, while a state of the art 3S facility was being planned to complement Abuja facility in the North. Meanwhile, the managing director further disclosed that the complete metamorphosis of the Lekki facility into a seven-star 3S facility in West Africa was in the offing. “Our overall vision is to have 3S facilities of world class all over Nigeria in line with Toyota corporation blueprint,” he said, adding that three of their branches had already earned highest certification by Toyota Corporation while additional two branches will be joining this category. These include Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, while Uyo and Akure facilities would be joining in 2016. To support these facilities, the managing director said that Elizade takes the issue of staff training very seriously. Accord-

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ing to him, three of their technicians who were champions at the Toyota organised national skill contest just came back from Japan where they represented Nigeria at the world conference of champions. For this achievement, he said, “we are proud to announce that we have the highest number of Diagnostic Master Technicians in the Toyota family.” With all these in place Ade-Ojo urged the customers to take advantage of Elizades five star service delivery and other incentives to improve the life span of their Toyota cars. One of the new incentive is the discount voucher reward system for cash paying customers.

Ade-Ojo

He said “We wish to state that as fleet managers, your company and staff can access our products and services in all our locations nationwide with the same level of customer service quality assurance and at reasonably reduced cost. We have just packaged our incentive for cash paying customers, aimed at ensuring that customers keep maintaining and enjoying their vehicles while they access Elizade Discount Voucher incentive system.” This scheme, he said, allows a cashpaying customer to enjoy some discount on both spare parts and labour at every preventive maintenance service for their vehicles.

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Friday, October 30, 2015

CIG Motors showcases GA3 and GS5 car models at Lagos Airport

or the delight of auto lovers, CIG Motors, distributors of GAC vehicles in the country, is displaying the GA3 and GS5 car models at the departure hall of the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos. The two models, which are strategically placed at the departure hall of the airport, are already attracting many enquiries from prospective buyers. The Chairman of CIG Motors, Diana Chen, said many prospects are delighted with the captivating designs of the sporty GA3 and the compact GS5. She noted that the decision to display the vehicles at the airport was to bring them to the notice of travellers so they can fully appreciate the trendy, safest and aerodynamic features of the cars.

Diana Chen said: “The airport is a place our targeted customers pass through all the time, and GAC vehicles will certainly catch their attention, as they pass through the airport. We are confident of what we are offering Nigerians because they are cars for people who want to stand out, no matter the crowd.” According to her, the GAC brand of vehicles are highly rated in China because it is the official car in China, and used by government officials. “It represents the government image anywhere and a symbol of Chinese brand and quality worldwide,” she said. In building the GS5, the manufacturer fused both European and Japanese technology, even as the vehicle which was designed in Italy has a top-notch Europe-

an high performance SUV chassis, ultra-precision four-wheel independent suspension system among other features. The GS5 is available in 2.0L DCVVT engine and comes in automatic and manual transmission. The GA3 comes with a 1.6 litre engine capacity, offering uncommon features in its category. The powerful shape and high-end sense are illustrated by the dynamic front face, fluid car body and the design of Z shape lines. The GAC brand was the foremost Chinese model to be exhibited at the North American Auto show early this year. This, no doubt, shows the confidence the

car maker has in competing with the very best in the world, even the American market.

Boulos, power-bike riders take CSR to motherless babies

n a way to show that, its interest goes beyond assembling and selling automobiles, Boulos Enterprises has extended its hands of fellowship to the less-privileged in areas where it is doing business. Last Saturday, it was a carnival-like as the firm got the support of a section of its customers, powerbike riders to hold a rally for the motherless babies. While presenting some gift items to members of the Red Cross Society Motherless Babies Home, Yaba, Lagos, the General Sales and Marketing Manager, Boulos, Mr. Stanley Evans said each member of the Boulos Family- Boulos Enterprises, Belimpex Limited and Boulos Foods & Beverages – was represented at the event as a demonstration of the commitment of the group and to encourage others to identify with the course. The Ride Easy Motor Cycling Club, whose members accompanied the Boulos family to the orphanage home, also donated gift items to the children. “We are committed to the future of Nigerian children at Boulos; we are proud to support them.” Evans said. His wife, Devion, who came with their five-month old baby, said, “It is a wonderful place to be; the children are well cared for.

The Marketing Manager of Belimpex Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Bidemi Oladoye, said that caring for motherless children should be something all Nigerians should do regularly. It is a course for all.” She was also of the opinion that in as much as the children must be protected, they should be allowed to go to school outside their compound so that they could socialise better with other children. She called on government to align with one of the major goals of the Millenium Development Goals by doing more in the area of children’s education. One of the motorcycle riders, Mr. Korede Balogun, said, “Coming here will make the children happy, by giving them hope and encouragement even when they don’t know their parents.” The Assistant Matron of the home, Mrs. Taiwo Idowu, while appreciating Boulos family, called on other well-meaning Nigerians, and non-governmental organisations to key into any of the projects of the orphanage home such as the completion of the construction of classrooms, purchase of

school bus, installation of the CCTV cameras and the fixing of Interlocking stones in order to avert flood during rainy season.

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi, megacrown1@yahoo.com (08025237926)

Coscharis thrills Jaguar Landrover customers at “Ride and Drive” show

L-R: Mr & Mrs Cosmas Maduka Jr., Executive Director, Coscharis Motors; Neil Wilson, Landrover Experience Instructor, SA; Kelvin Orifa of MTN Nigeria and General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Motors Abiona Babarinde; during the recent Ride and Drive event in partnership with MTN, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Access Bank in Lagos

oscharis Motors, sole owners of the Jaguar Landrover (JLR) franchise in Nigeria, in partnership with MTN Nigeria created a truly experiential platform for their customers through a Ride and Drive event held in Lagos recently. The ‘Ride and Drive’, which has become an annual event in the calendar of Jaguar Land Rover in Nigeria was attended by Jaguar Land Rover customers, the motoring press and prospective customers of the brand. The event offered their existing and potential Jaguar Landrover customers a unique driving experience on the untapped capabilities and luxury features of the JLR brands. According to the General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Ser-

vices, Coscharis Motors, Abiona Babarinde, some of the owners of the JLR variants are underutilizing these vehicles given what they actually offer in terms of on-road and off-road capabilities and luxuries. He added that, “The lack of expert knowledge in handling these vehicles sometimes results in mechanical and electrical challenges.” Consequently, Coscharis Motors invited the Land Rover Experience instructors from South Africa and UK who facilitated the Ride and Drive event in Nigeria. Speaking on the partnership, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, said, “MTN is delighted to partner with Coscharis Motors to provide this automobile experiential platform for our customers.

New turbo Lexus targets BMW’s 330i

exus has jumped on the downsizing bandwagon by dropping the two-litre turbo petrol four recently introduced in the NX200t compact SUV into its sports sedan shell to create the IS200t. It wasn’t that simple, of course; the engine had to be turned 90 degrees to line up with the sedan’s rear-wheel drive architecture - but that gave the Lexus whitecoats the opportunity to revise the exhaust plumbing and engine management system, liberating an extra five kilowatts to bring it up to a claimed 180kW at 5800rpm. Peak torque, meanwhile, is unchanged at 350Nm, on tap from 1650-4400rpm. BMW’s refreshed and re-engined sixth-generation 3 Series, launched to the world media amid considerable fanfare less than three months ago in Austria, has

now been more quietly released in South Africa. Munich’s ultra-logical motorheads have settled on a cylinder size of just under half a litre for all their new engines, so the smallest is the 318i, a 1499cc petrol three (a first for a 3 Series) rated for 100kW from 4500-6000rpm and 220Nm from 1250-4300rpm, taking it from 0-100 in 8.9 seconds and on to 210km/h flat out. That’s followed followed by a two-litre diesel four, delivering 140kW at 4000 revs and 400Nm from 1750-2500rpm; that’s sufficient for 0-100 in 7.2second and a terminal velocity of 235km/h. The two-litre turbopetrol will be available in two levels of tune - the 320i at 135kW from 50006500spm and 290Nm from 13504600rpm and the 330i, rated for 185kW from 5200-6500 and 350Nm from 5200-6500rpm.

Cocktail

Friday, October 30, 2015

‘Homeless’ officer arrests erring drivers

Maryland police officer, Cpl. Patrick Robinson, went undercover yesterday morning dressed as a homeless man to catch people who were using their phones while driving. Robinson went undercover equipped with a police radio and a body camera and held a sign that read, “I am not homeless. I am a Montgomery County police officer looking for cell phone texting viola-

tions.” Montgomery County police Sergeant, Phillip Chapin, and about eight other officers issued a total of 56 tickets county-wide that day, including 31 tickets and nine warnings to people caught using their phones without hands-free devices. Chapin said authorities had seen more distracteddriver-related deaths as a result of people using their phones while behind the wheel.

Oddities Oddities

Halloween doll falls short of deception

ashington State troopers have seen drivers use all kinds of tricks to get access to carpool lanes. But during yesterday’s morning commute,

a trooper pulled over a man who tried to use a creepy Halloween doll to gain access to the carpool lane of Interstate 5 in Tacoma. The trooper found the male driver and the doll

buckled up in the passenger seat in the car, violating the rule that requires two or more people in carpool lanes. The doll, dressed in a pink outfit with a black hat, sported a creepy red

Police adopts ‘Bruce Lee tactics’

ergeant Casey Day was skeptical. The chief of his rural Northern California police department wanted him to find out if an ancient martial arts weapon made famous in 1970s Bruce Lee movies could be used to subdue unruly suspects. But it only took a few days of training with nunchucks to win over Day. The weapontwo solid sticks of plastic attached by a foot-long nylon cord-was recently added to the Anderson Police Department’s arsenal. The department of 20 sworn officers about 200 miles north of San Fran-

cisco joined several other U.S. law enforcement agencies that use nunchucks as “less than lethal” weapons 20 years after their popularity peaked. Day said the weapons had the impact of traditional night sticks but also allow trained officers to quickly bind wrists or ankles to control a suspect without violence. “It’s a two-for-one weapon,” Day said, adding, “It’s also easier to carry than a long night stick.” Law enforcement agencies were moving to adopt nunchucks in the 1980s, including police departments

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in San Diego and Los Angeles that used them to help break up chaotic protests at abortion clinics. But the weapons started to fall out of favor after the LAPD agreed in 1991 to stop using them during abortion protests to settle a lawsuit. Three years later, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a similar lawsuit by San Diego abortion protesters, but departments were beginning to embrace high-technology, nonlethal gadgets by then-or returned to the trusty police baton-to control crowds and suspects without using guns.

Halloween doll buckled up in the passenger seat

skeletal face. Trooper Guy Gill said on Twitter that the driver got a $136 ticket for the carpool lane violation but joked that the agency “gave him a break for not having a car seat.”

Friday, October 30, 2015

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Business Maritime

Enhancing speedy cargo delivery through deployment of scanners Recent indications by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) that the new management would urgently revisit the issue of broken down scanners at the ports, no doubt is a right step in the right direction. Stakeholders believe this is desirable, especially given the implications for efficiency in cargo delivery at the ports, reports FRANCIS EZEM.

t is a known fact to stakeholders in the maritime industry and possibly the public that the scanners inherited by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, from the four service providers under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer, BOOT, of the Destination Inspection DI regime had completely broken down for some time now. Under the seven-year BOOT contract, the service providers comprising Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, SGS and Global Scansystems Limited installed both mobile and fixed scanners at the airports, seaports and major land borders. It is probably not new also that the service has resorted to 100 per cent physical examination of cargo, which takes a lot of time with the attendant payment of additional rent and demurrage charges. What might be new is that the service is in the process of revisiting the issue of the broken down scanners, which is expected to breed new life into government’s efforts at enhancing efficient cargo release, which comes with reduced cost of clearing. It was probably in response to this high cost and other challenges associated physical cargo examination that the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents NCMDLCA petitioned President Muhammandu Buhari over what it called total collapse of the scanners. In the protest letter dated July 28, 2015, and signed by president of the association, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, the group decried the collapse of all the scanners about one year after they were handed over to the service. “The scanners handed over to Customs have all collapsed, as a result, all processes relating to scanning in the ports are now done physically, bringing us back to complete manual era with

lengthy, cumbersome and costly processes at the ports”, the group had said in the letter. The group had also argued that in addition to cumbersome processes with the associated cost implications, the collapse of the scanners frustrate trade facilitation and risk assessment systems, thus posing a security threat to the nation’s seaports. It was gathered that following the collapse of both the mobile and fixed scanners installed at the air, seaports and land borders, the service has resorted to manual inspection of imported cargo, which in addition to posing a great risk to national security, wastes a lot of time For instance, it takes an average of five minutes to scan a 40-foot container and takes another 10 minutes to analyse the image while it takes over six hours to carry out a physical inspection of the same size of container. However recent disclosure by the new Customs CG that the management would de-emphasise manual cargo inspection processes indicates that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The CG, who fielded questions from newsmen during a media briefing to round off his fiveday working visit to the seaports and Customs formations in Lagos, said one of the reasons was to see the scanners himself with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problem. It was also gathered that the new management of the service is adopting a holistic approach to the issue. “We will take a holistic look at the issue, we will repair the ones we can and buy some new ones depending on the availability of funds. The reforms I have come to carry out in Customs is not just to see but to make things work and also enhance the performance of officers and men of the service”, he said emphatically. He also said that the new management is currently overhauling the entire service and fine tuning

its operations and processes to bring about efficiency and productivity in the long run. Investigations showed that the CG might engage some of the service providers, especially Cotecna to manage the scanners after the old ones have been repaired and new ones installed. The CG, who confirmed this new development said:“I met with officials of Cotecna and they told me that they want to take over the scanners and my intention was to find out when I visit the scanner sites whether Cotecna managed the scanners well while their contract lasted”, But stakeholders have said that the new management should ensure that the scanners are made operational and put into effective use in order to address the current cumbersome clearing processes, promote efficiency and make Nigeria’s seaports competitive with their peers within the sub-region. A stakeholder, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, be-

lieves that an average Customs officer, especially those on the field would prefer physical examination, which brings about person-person contact and therefore promotes corruption. “You can agree with me that when the service providers were in charge, less than 30 per cent of the consignments were channeled through the scanners because it was the prerogative of the service to determine which consignment goes for scanning and now that the service is fully in charge, you do not need any one to tell you that the service would resort to full physical cargo examination”, he argued. He also warned that as long as greater majority of the nation’s containerised cargo imports are subjected to 100 per cent physical examination, the dream of achieving fast and efficient cargo delivery will continue to be a mirage. On the way forward, he urged the CG to go on with the idea of fixing the bad scanners and acquiring new ones as the case may be with

the service providers were

in charge, less than 30 per cent of the consignments were channeled through the scanners because it was the prerogative of the service to determine which consignment goes for scanning

the urgency the matter requires, insisting that no port management or customs administration can achieve optimal efficiency and competitiveness without deploying modern equipment. He cited Ports of Antwerp, Belgium and Singapore Ports, which are known for their efficiency as among the seaports which also have one of the best cargo inspection and handling tools. The stakeholder therefore proposed the engagement of some service providers in the form or outsourcing to handle the scanners just like the infrastructure contract signed between the Federal Ministry of Finance with Webb Fontaine for the provision of infrastructure for the Automated System for Customs Data ASYCUDA, under the current DI scheme.. He also argued that the scanners are still good and efficient but regretted that they were abandoned by the service for too long and so just like any other machine, they went bad. It was however gathered that many of the scanners were down because of lack of adequate maintenance. For instance, the fixed scanner at the Apapa Port is the nine MEV dual vision model, which is the latest technology in port operations. In the light of this, the management of the service should consider the outsourcing option for the management and operation as well as maintenance of the scanners, given that they are fragile but expensive equipment.

Business Maritime

Friday, October 30, 2015

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Nigeria targets 100% ISPS Code compliance for port facilities STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, said it had commenced work on a scheme that would enable all port facilities and jetties in the country to fully comply with the requirements of the International Ships and Ports Facilities Security, ISPS, Code. Director General of the agency

and Nigeria’s Designated Authority for the enforcement of the code, Mr. Haruna Jauro, who gave the assurance, spoke against the background of recent security alerts at the seaports. According to him, more than 80 per cent of the port facilities in the country including private jetties have currently complied with the code fully. It was gathered that the country met only between seven and eight per cent compliance with the code,

a development that prompted the United States Coast Guard to give Nigeria a three-month deadline to have her port facilities or face a major international trade blockade. Under the sanctions spear headed by the US government, ships that call at the US ports and those of her trading partners in Europe and Asia would not be allowed to berth at any Nigeria’s ports. “Before NIMASA was appoint-

ed the DA, the level of compliance of Nigeria’s port facilities was between seven and eight per cent but the agency has been able to adopt measures that led to the achievement of over 80 per cent”, the DG said. He noted that in achieving 100 per cent compliance, the agency would also ensure that the facilities sustained such high compliance level, arguing that it was not just enough that the topmost compliance was achieved, it is also necessary that such achievement was sustained. To achieve this, the NIMASAboss disclosed that the agency would not only pay particular attention to port facilities but also ships that call at the nation’s various seaports. Port stakeholders have however urged the agency to work on the private jetty operators, some of which handle ocean going vessels with a view to ensuring that they are closely monitored and supervised. The stakeholders have also expressed concerns over the poor access control at the seaports, especially those in Lagos, as all manner of people gain access into the ports, which they argued makes the seaports vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the Port Facility Security Officers

FPSO Forum, Dr. Zeb Ikokide, who spoke in an interview, said that there was urgent need to streamline the security systems among the various security agencies at the ports. According to him, there was also need to review the mode of going in and out of the ports by the stakeholders including officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service. “The Police, officers and the NCS and even security operatives of the Nigerian Ports Authority should know who goes into the seaports, when and why”, he also said. Ikokide also frowned at the usual practice where Customs officer detain and delay articulated vehicles at the various exit port gates and also warned that the drivers of these vehicles are not allowed to come into the ports with their motor boys.. He noted that all documentations regarding cargo clearance must be concluded before the goods get to the exit gates to forestall delays. On the part of terminal operators, the security expert said that all terminal operators must ensure that their dock workers are

transported to and fro their terminals using official vehicles designated for that purpose.

LADOL wins Sub-Saharan African ING signs $1bn ship financing regional Free Zones awards, others deal with China Eximbank

he Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base, LADOL, has won a total of five awards for its efficiency in free zone operation in Sub-Saharan Africa and more than 50 per cent cost reduction for logistics support in Nigeria, among others. LADOL is a high value industrial village and Free Zone, built around a specialised port on an island at the point of entry into Lagos harbour. The company was crowned winner of the Sub-Saharan African regional free zones award and winner of the Large Tenants award for Africa, in fDi magazine’s Global Free Zones of the year 2015 as well as being highly commended as African Free Zone of the year. fDi’s Global Free Zones of the Year celebrates those zones that are best in class and which are reinvesting, expanding or upgrading. Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, who made the disclosure, said that in winning the Large Tenants award, the Ladol Free Zone was praised for

increasing some 37.5 capacity capacity between 2013 and 2014. It was gathered that due to the high specification infrastructure, round the clock operations and focus on delivering transparent reliable service to the deep offshore oil and gas market, LADOL has been able to reduce by over 50 per cent cost of logistics support in Nigeria, despite the fact that the facilities and equipment are all brand new. The ‘Commendation for selfsufficiency’, and ‘Commendation for infrastructure improvements’ awards, which are first of its kind, were given in recognition of the company’s improvements such as the ongoing development of its new 24 MW power plant, due to come online in the last quarter of 2017. “The fDi awards review free zones from across the world, and for Ladol to receive these awards and be recognised in this way is a testament to the great work that the local team has done in putting our free zone on par with the world’s best” Dr Jadesimi, who re-

ceived the awards said: The visibly excited Managing Director also said that LADOL is proud to be one of many significant infrastructure projects in the region that is changing the dynamic of the Nigerian economy, and facilitating business domestically and attracting business from international markets. The $500 million LADOL Free Zone, a newly developed village, to which access is strictly controlled, the infrastructure in the zone ranks amongst the most robust and secure in West Africa, thus making it an ideal environment for industrial activities that could not be done in West Africa before now. These activities cover offshore oil and gas mega-fabrication and vessel integration, pipe coating, engineering and agricultural processing, among several others Investigations showed that LADOL remains the only Free Zone that truly runs 24 hours daily seven days of the week, ensuring that tenants can maximise their efficiency and output.

he Dutch multinational banking and financial services corporation, ING Group, has signed a $1 billion Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Export-Import Bank of China. As agreed in the MoU, ING and Eximbank expressed interests in cooperating on future Chinese ship financing transactions, including Chinese built vessels and offshore transactions. The deal was signed within the framework of one of the largest Dutch trade mission to China which is part of the state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. Almost 150 Dutch companies went to China to either start new relationships and explore opportunities or to expand their current business in what has become the second largest economy in the world. Wilfred Nagel, Chief Risk of ING Group, who during his career headed ING’s commercial bank in the Asian

region for several years, joined the mission and visited clients of ING’s branch in Beijing. Commenting on the recent developments in China, Nagel said that he doesn’t expect a ´hard landing´ for the Chinese economy. “Yes, there is a slowdown, but we have to realize that China is in transition, and it is only natural that this creates some volatility, noise and unrest. We were part of the enormous growth and now we have to realize we are also part of the transition and everything that comes with it,” he adds. “China is one of the leading nations in the shipbuilding industry and many of our clients own Chinese built ships. Both the Eximbank of China and ING Bank have a long history in financing such vessels and by teaming up we will be in a stronger position to serve our clients,“ said Stephen Fewster, Global Head of Shipping Finance ING Bank, com-

menting on the deal.

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Business News

Friday, October 30, 2015

NITDA issues local content compliance final notice to ICT firms Tola Akinmutimi

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has issued a final notice for companies to comply with the local content guidelines which came into effect on 3 December 2013. The guidelines require multinational companies (MNCs) to register their entities with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and carry on value adding services that promote local content value creation. In addition, the regulatory instructions also mandate all multinational companies to submit details of their Nigeria content programs from the inception of the rules not later than the middle of next month. The NITDA introduced guidelines on local content requirements for companies operating in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector with a commencement date of 3 December 2013. The guidelines are intended to help restructure and develop a strong indigenous ICT industry by addressing three core areas of driving indigenous innovation; establishing intellectual property regulation and protection standards and developing the local ICT industry. To achieve this, a final public

notice has been issued mandating entities in the ICT sector to comply with the guidelines introduced in 2013. The guidelines provide for all companies operating within the ICT sector to have and submit a local content development plan to the NITDA/NCC for job creation, development of human capital, recruitment of local engineers and value creation. While the notice seeks to confirm and enforce compliance with this provision, MNCs (in hardware, software and services) have been requested to submit details of their Nigeria local content programs carried on since the introduction of the guidelines with a deadline to do so before the 16th of next month According to NITDA, the programme should cover the period from the introduction of the guidelines to 16 October 2015, that is, 3 December 2013 to 16 October 2015 In addition, the report should highlight among other details; number of indigenous engineering jobs created, details of production processes carried on incountry, local capacity building and ICT skills programs. Companies may apply electronically for an extension of time with regard to any provisions of the guidelines to the office for Nigerian Content. The agency listed organisa-

Arik Air increases flights on Lagos, Douala routes Olusegun Koiki

rik Airline has increased the frequency of flights on the Lagos -Douala via Cotonou route from four frequencies weekly to six. The airline stated that the new schedule, which commenced on October 11, 2015 was aimed at further enhancing connectivity in the West Coast. A statement by the spokesman of the airline, Mr. Ola Adebanji hinted that the flights from Lagos to Douala via Cotonou and back would operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. He added that outbound flights from Lagos would depart at 11:15am, arrive Cotonou at 11:45am, depart Cotonou at 12:30pm and arrive Douala at 2:00pmwhile inbound flights

would depart Douala at 2:45pm, arrive Cotonou at 4:15pm, leave Cotonou at 5:00pm and arrive Lagos at 5:30pm. Adebanji stated that the new schedule allowed passengers to conveniently connect to these destinations with the advantage Arik Air’s extensive domestic and regional network provides, adding that it also provides convenient connections to some of the airline’s international destinations such as New York. Commenting on the new schedule, Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue said, “Nigeria and Cameroun share a lot in common as good neighbours and Arik Air is always happy to provide connections needed to foster closer relationships and promote trade. “Arik Air is the only airline flying six times a week from Lagos to Douala via Cotonou and vice versa.”

tions required to comply with or enforce the rules as Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and procuring entities; ICT Service providers and Network Companies; ICT Multinational Companies (MNCs); and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in ICT. Appraising the regulatory

stance of the NITDA, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, PwC, a global consulting and advisory services agency, noted that while there are still questions regarding the legal basis for the NITDA rules, it is clear that the agency is keen to enforce compliance. It also noted that the Guidelines state that a breach shall

be construed as a breach of the principal legislation, adding that Sections 17 and 18 of the NITDA Act impose stiff penalties for any acts of noncompliance with the Act. The consulting outfit anticipated that some push-back from companies in the sector on any requirements of the guidelines that may be considered illegitimate.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa; Deputy Governor, Cross River State, Professor Ivara Esu; Paramount Ruler, Calabar Municipality, HRM Ndidem Patrick Inok and Executive Director Small and Medium Enterprises, Waheed Olagunju during the commissioning of Calabar office of Bank of Industry in Calabar recently.

Nigerian industrialist tasks African leaders on entrepreneurship Tunbosun Ogundare

Nigerian industrialist, Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, has advised African leaders and governments to empower entrepreneurs with a view to facilitating intra-trade relations among countries capable of growing the economies of the continent appreciably. He gave the advice while presenting a paper, titled: “Intra-Africa trade: The key to unlocking Africa’s trade potentialities,” at the 2015 UKUganda Trade and Investment Convention held in London recently. The event, jointly organised by the Ugandan Convention and Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), was said to be the largest Ugandan-focused trade and investment forum in Europe, attracting many African investors in the Diaspora as well as government officials especially from Uganda and

United Kingdom. Ibe, a lone West African businessman who presented a paper at the forum is the President and CEO of Baywood Group of companies. He said it was only strong socio-economic and fiscal policies that could help African entrepreneurs competing favourably with their counterparts from other continents. According to him, African governments would need to establish attractive tax regimes, eliminate barriers to inflow and outflow of African-owned investment, develop requisite manpower as well as review import policies to favour local businesses, among other investment imperatives. “They should also create accessible pool of funds dedicated to African entrepreneurs for their business start-ups and expansion locally,” he said. While noting that Africa has human and material resources that are capable to sustain the world economy, Ibe

stressed that about 60 per cent of world’s resources lies on the continent and pointed out that African had become a desirable destination for all manner of multi-national corporations to do business in virtually all sectors of the economy. He clarified: “We must therefore as Africans arise and take our destinies in our own hands as President Barak Obama of US had pointed out recently during his visit to Kenya that African development lies on the continent. “So, we have to encourage regional trade, construct panAfrica highways, remove restrictions that hinder intra-African trade, promote peace and harmony for the economies of various countries on the continent to flourish”, Ibe added. In his remarks, the Chairman of the convention, Mr. Willy Mutenza, commended Ibe’s presentation while describing him as “an iconic entrepreneur with an accomplished track record of excellence in Africa”.

Business News

Friday, October 30, 2015

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BVN registered customers now 40m –CBN CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA

entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesteday put the number of customers that registered in the bank verification numbers, BVN at 40 million. The apex bank in a statement disclosed that there had

been less pressure in banking halls across the country among those seeking to do the registration and goes to show that the response in the exercise is encouraging. It however stated that statistics from the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System Plc NIBSS showed that 20,833,635 bank customers had enrolled

as at last Sunday. Following the huge turnout for the exercise, the apex bank asserted that a greater percentage of account holders had been enrolled in the mandatory registration, noting that despite the success, the remaining account holders must ensure that their accounts are linked to BVN.

“Given the tradition of multiple accounts holding by an average Nigerian, which could be conservatively estimated at about 2 or 3 per an account holder, therefore, it could be safely assumed that over 40 million accounts might have been enrolled to BVN”, it stated. The regulatory financial institution also hinted that Nigerian banks’ customers in the Diaspora had taken advantage of more facilities provided for enrollment in more locations abroad while debunking insinuations that 32 million accounts hadbeen unable to do the registration. “The point needs to be stressed here is that it is not enough to just enroll for BVN. The process is duly concluded only when all accounts owned by a bank customer are linked to his or her BVN. “From the foregoing, it becomes clear that the insinu-

ation of about 32 million accounts holders yet to enroll was simply a misrepresentation that fails to take into consideration the multiple accounts holding habit of most Nigerians.” The apex bank also declared that if anyone has not enrolled for BVN, it cannot be attributed to lack of facilities, but out of his/her individual volition and that by all indications, it can be safely said that the BNV exercise by the Bankers’ Committee in collaboration with the CBN has proved rather successful. CBN in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee introduced the BVN on February 14, 2014. This initiative of the Bankers’ Committee is aimed at ensuring unique identity for all bank customers and other users of financial services in the country by the use of the customers’ biometrics as means of identification.

T-Mobile targets 2.3 mil ion new customers

L-R: Special celebrity presenter, Folarin Falana (Falz the bahd guy); winner of a brand new Hyundai Elantra salon car in the on-going Gulder Ultimate Promo, Edede Ndubuisi and Gulder Brand Ambassador, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, at the prize presentation ceremony held at Nigerian Breweries headquarters, Iganmu-Lagos on Wednesday.

7-UP, SCOA, Indomie, others support SPANFEST 2015 David Audu

o show support for historical diversity and encourage cultural integration among youths, top patrons and sponsors like 7UP, SCOA Motors and Indomie partnered the Society for the Preforming Arts in Nigeria, SPAN,to organize this year SPANFEST. The 15 days bi-annual community festival tagged ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ and scheduled for November and will showcase memorable Music, Dance and Drama events in Lagos. SPANFEST kicks-off with 10 days of intensive performing art workshops alongside international professors who will unveil the new voice in Nigerian artists using the mediums of dance, music and drama. This will be followed by four performance nights to reveal the diversity, richcultural heritage of the people and a grand finale with 200 dancers, musicians and actors on one stage.

Founder of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, who expressed faith in this year’s event, projected that it “will also rekindle in our community a desire to invest in performing art education and performances to sustain a vibrant and healthy environment in our Lagos – the city we cherish. Only then will Lagosians live and experience the full potential for which they were created and find purpose as well as a sense of significance in their city.” Other activities lined up as part of SPANfest 2015 are the Movement in Moments, A Musical Adventure, Hear Word, Performing Arts Management and Motivational Talks, The Era (Era of Legends) and the Voice of the Voiceless - a performing art piece of music, dance and drama. The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) has the vision to build a performing arts Centre in Nigeria where young people are educated, empowered and presented as performing artists with their God given art. Over the last decade, SPAN has acquired

considerable expertise in the performing arts through the presentation of several shows, empowering more than 500 artists and over 10,000 children in its community.

-Mobile’s “Un-carrier” strategy continues to lure new customers but revenues at the nation’s third largest wireless carrier fell short of analyst expectations. The company gained 2.3 million customers during the third quarter of the year, the tenth quarter in a row that it has added more than 1 million customers. T-Mobile’s branded “postpaid” net customer additions during the period were 1.1 million, the fifth quarter in a row where it gained more than 1 million of these customers.

Equatorial Guinea to prioritise new offshore exploration in 2016

quatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy will launch a new bidding round for all remaining deep and ultra-deepwater blocks in 2016, but will not extend ExxonMobil Zafiro PSC license upon expiration

A statement by the Ministry also indicated that sale of Hess assets to foreign bidders and Noble Energy Carla and Diega developments will not be approved by Government The planned launch followed the success of its 2012 and 2014 bidding rounds. It disclosed that two operators had already confirmed that they would further explore prospects in Equatorial Guinea in 2016: RoyalGate Energy will drill

Block Z and Brazil’s G3 Oleo e Gas will drill Block EG-01. The Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima said: “In a sustained environment of low oil prices, Equatorial Guinea continues to be attractive for deepwater exploration. The start of two more exploration drilling campaigns in 2016 reinforces the fact that our contract terms are competitive and appealing to international explorers.” The Minister also stated that the production sharing contract for the Zafiro field, operated by ExxonMobil, will not be extended. ExxonMobil has been active in Equatorial Guinea since 1995 as operator of offshore Block B, which contains the producing Zafiro field.

Such folks, those who pay their bills at the end of the month, represent the most valuable segment of the market. For the quarter, T-Mobile reported a net income of $138 million or 15 cents-a-share, compared to a $94 million or 12cent loss during the same period a year ago. In the previous quarter, T-Mobile earned $361 million. While T-Mobile’s racked up $7.8 billion in revenues during this latest quarter, analysts were expecting about $8.29 billion according to Yahoo Finance. “That performance is not what investors expected,” says tech analyst Jeff Kagan. “This is the first real disappointment from T-Mobile in a while. Ten years ago every wireless carrier tried to win every customer. Today T-Mobile seems to be focused on slices rather than the whole pie.” T-Mobile CEO John Legere said in a statement: “Our momentum is strong and our incredible customer growth is translating directly into solid financial growth which makes it crystal clear that putting customers first is just good business. Under Legere’s in-your-face leadership, T-Mobile has been a disruptive force in the industry, doing away with

restrictive contracts, removing hidden fees, and ribbing rivals AT&T, Verizon

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, October 30, 2015

NAICOM tasks MDAs on establishment LCCI appoints Alabi Corporate Communications Manager of Insurance Desks Tola Akinmutimi

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has advised Ministries, Departments and Agencies at all levels of government in the country to set up insurance desks or units in their various offices in accordance with the provisions of extant laws in all their insurance activities. A statement issued by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the Commission, Mr ‘Rasaaq ‘Salami, quoted the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, as making the call during a meeting with the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) on Wednesdayin Abuja. The NAICOM boss specifically

advised the MDAs to ensure the insurance desks or units were managed by qualified insurance professionals to handle the insurances of their assets. Kari pointed out that advising the government and all its agencies on insurance matters was in furtherance of the Commission’s statutory mandate, adding that NAICOM is prepared to offer this service to ensure adequate insurance and protection of all government assets. He also told Comptroller General of Customs that the Commission was the adviser to government on all insurance related matters by virtue of the provision of Section 7(F) of the NAICOM Act 1997. He also urged the Custom Service boss to explore the window

of opportunity by ensuring that the NCS complies with the provisions of the law in all its insurance activities, promising the Commission’s full support to NCS in the insurances of its assets and liabilities. The risk underwriting expert also stressed the need to link the NCS database with the insurance industry database for authentication and identification of genuine insurance policies especially marine and air freight insurances. In his remarks, the Customs boss assured the readiness of the service to collaborate with NAICOM in all insurance activities of the Custom Service, noting that setting up of a joint committee between the two agencies to evolve a working relationship between them.

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the premier Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, has appointed Mr. Segun Alabi as its new Corporate Communications Manager. A statement by the Chamber’s Director General, Mr. Muda Yusuf, indicated that the appointee had been a talented Corporate Communications professional with diverse cognate experience in the Pay T.V, Manufacturing, Financial and Real Estate sectors. Muda stated that he will be an added value and a real asset to the Chamber, as we continue to support, promote and represent the opinion of the business community, as well as contributing to the growth of our economy.” Until recently, Alabi served as Head of Corporate Affairs at Forthright Group of Companies, overseeing all public relations and communications functions of the organisation. He has focused on media rela-

tions, image architecture, internal communication, perception management and social media management at various levels. He is also a consummate corporate communications professional, who possesses the qualities of a communication connoisseur, with a canny ability to manage and disseminate information to a competitive advantage. Reacting to his new appointment, Alabi said that he was “excited about joining the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry during this crucial period of entrenching positive change in all facets of our economy. The task ahead is not only to make the image but also to sustain the already made image of the chamber, as well as improving on it.” He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Lagos, specialising in Language Use and Communication.

Ghana: NIC to enforce risk-based solvency framework

G L-R: Director, NTA-Star TV Network, Maxwell Loko; former Super Eagles Players/ Super Stars Face of Star Time, Jonathan Akpoborire, Kanu Nwankwo and Managing Director/CEO, Jack Liu, at the unveiling of Jonathan and Kanu in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

AfDB approves $285m for infrastructure, SMEs’ projects SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

he Board of Directors of the Africa Development Bank Group, AfDB, has approved a combined funding of $284.97 million in road infrastructure projects in Tunisia as well as Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, development projects in Kenya and youth employment programmes in Togo. Tunisia’s Road Infrastructure Modernization Project, PMIR, seeks to rehabilitate 719 kilometres of classified roads in the hinterlands. The Bank’s support comprises €144-million AfDB loan, €46.12 million loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund and $1.68 million Middle Income Countries Technical As-

sistance Fund grant. The project will also undertake periodic maintenance of 2,500 kilometres of classified roads, upgraded under previous road projects funded by the Bank, the Tunisian Government and other donors over the past decades. In line with Tunisia’s PMIR, it is expected to improve user mobility on the classified road network by reducing transport constraints, resulting from the narrowness and structure of carriageways. It will also help to protect the existing road network while fostering intra- and inter-regional trades and reducing regional social disparities. Finally, it will reduce accidents and improve road infrastructure resilience to the effects of climate change.

Kenya’s Chase Bank Limited is expected to support the line of credit for the growth of Chase Bank’s multi-sector SME loan portfolio in the country. Chase Bank’s focus on SMEs is expected to produce significant development outcomes for the proposed line of credit, given the importance of SMEs to Kenya’s economic growth. This includes the creation of an estimated 500 jobs for subprojects funded as a result of the loan as well as additional government revenues from taxes paid by SMEs. The line of credit will also support efforts by the Bank to improve Kenya’s SMEs access to financing and complement support extended to the country’s SMEs by the AfDB and other development partners.

hana’s Commissioner of Insurance, Ms Lydia Lariba Bawa, has announced that the National Insurance Commission (NIC) would be enforcing a RiskBased Solvency Framework effective January next year, to ensure consumer protection. She hinted at opening of the third National Life Insurance conference which was organised by the Ghana Insurers Association (GIA) in Accra that the action was to ensure that insurance companies keep adequate capital and make technical provisions to meet their liabilities, and also improve their service delivery. Bawa said that the initiative would help in the drive towards achievement of the key objectives of the life insurance agenda on the national platform. She said NIC took seriously the issue of consumer protection and had recently issued and published Claims Payment Guidelines to help claimants know what to expect when it comes to making claims. The industry regulator explained that the Commission had embarked on sundry to improve the capacity and efficiency of particularly the life Insurance industry to play its expected role in the economy.

According to her, the NIC also operates a Complaints and settlement Bureau to afford the insuring public effective avenues of redress for their complaints, and the Commission intends to scale-up its public education in order to ensure that buyers of insurance products have reasonable understanding of the products they buy and also know what to do or where to go if they encounter problems. Bawa said the NIC would strive to do more in this direction, to maintain trust, security and stability in the industry, and further increase insurance penetration which currently is very low and stands at less than two per cent. The conference which was on the theme: “Group Life Insurance: A relevant tool for income security for the family, Industrial Harmony and socio-economic development of Ghana,” highlights Group life insurance as a solution to Ghana’s economic mishaps, by ensuring sustainable income for employees in times of trouble. The Ghanaian insurance market is growing with huge potentials for expansion and thus an urgent need for policy makers to perceive insurance as part of the solutions to stabilise Ghana’s economic challenges.

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sub-Saharan Africa poor, as farming remains economies’ mainstay –FAO ….says $329bn committed to social protection globally in five years

urban poverty divide: rural households were more likely than urban households to receive social assistance and within rural areas poorer households were more likely to receive social assistance than higher-income households. The FAO findings showed that overall, $329 billion was spent globally on social protection between 2010 and 2014

This is even as the organization noted that the share of people living in extreme poverty had fallen substantially, but that progress had been uneven, with little or no progress made in subSaharan Africa. It would be recalled that more than one-third (about two billion) of the population in low and middle-income countries have been reported to be poor, defined as living on less than $2 per day. One in six (about one billion) is said to be extremely poor, living on less than $1.25 per day, while nearly 800 million people globally still suffer from chronic hunger. The report stated that about 78 per cent of the extremely poor lived in rural areas. The poor derived an important share of their income from on-farm activities where Namibia served as a good example with some 73 per cent of the population being dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Similarly, the report findings indicated that at least 2.1 billion people, about one-third of the population, received some form of social protection, but the poorest were often not reached. Coverage varies among regions, and was lowest in regions where poverty incidence was highest. FAO also found that many programmes did not target the poor, and only about one-third of the extreme poor received social protection. It noted that social protection programmes prevented about 150 million people worldwide from falling into extreme poverty in 2013. According to the global agricultural organisation, social assistance programmes provided the most common form of social protection in most regions, and globally, social assistance programmes reached at least 24 per cent of the extremely poor - more than other types of social protection (social insurance and labour market programmes reached about three per cent each). The available evidence showed that social assistance reflected the rural-

Agricultural produce

ABOLAJI ADEBAYO he latest State of Food and Agriculture Report of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, FAO, has indicated that Sub Saharan Africa remained poor still by socioeconomic indices, with subsistence farming predominating economic activities in the continent.

“in aggregate this is twice the amount needed to close the poverty gap for those living with less than $1.25 per day.” “At the regional level, the cost of eliminating the poverty gap over the 2016-2030 period is, on average, less than 0.1 per cent of GDP each year in East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, and 1.6

per cent in South Asia. “In sub-Saharan Africa, the cost is 5.3 per cent of GDP and in 14 countries of this region, including Nigeria; the cost would exceed 10 per cent of GDP. “On average, spending on social assistance constitutes 1.6 per cent of GDP for middle-income countries and 1.5 per cent for low-income countries,” the report stated.

Cotton leaders honoured for Research, Promotion initiatives

otton Incorporated recently announced the 2015 class of the Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame. The program, now in its second year, recognizes U.S. cotton industry leaders that have made significant contributions to the Program or to the cotton industry in general. “The vision of cotton industry leaders in the 1950s and 1960s created The Cotton Research and Promotion Program at a time in history when there was a need to join together and form a movement to battle synthetic competitors and re-establish markets for cotton. These leaders and the public/private partnership they created gave the cotton industry a second life,” said Bill Gillon, President and CEO of the Cotton Board. “The Hall of Fame Honorees helped im-

plement that vision by making significant contributions to cotton’s competitiveness.” The honourees are, Dr. Fred Bourland (Arkansas) who was acknowledged for his extensive contributions to U.S. cotton plant breeding. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Bourland developed valuable plant measurements and techniques that aided the release of more than 80 cotton lines (germplasm and cultivars) for the Mid-South region. Also recognized was David Burns (North Carolina) who served as Cotton Board Chairman during the integration of importers to the Board. In this role, Burns facilitated the easy assimilation of the importer constituency to the Program, and kept growers and importers focused on common goals. Jim Hansen (California) was recognized

for provideing outstanding leadership to the Cotton Research and Promotion Program in a variety of roles. He is the only person to serve as both Chairman of the Cotton Incorporated Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Cotton Board. Mr. Hansen also has served as Chairman of Supima and is a long-time board member of California Cotton Growers and Ginners Association. Dr. Preston E. Sasser (North Carolina) is widely regarded as one of the cotton industry’s leading research experts. During his tenure as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Cotton Incorporated’s Research Division, Dr. Sasser led research that addressed health issues in cotton textile processing, and oversaw the development and implementation of cotton-testing technology.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, October 30, 2015

Equities up 0.17% on financial sector’s virility A

fter close to three days of bearish performance, the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) and the Market Capitalization increased by 0.17 per cent yesterday at the close of market trading. The Year-to-Date return stood at -15.03 per cent. According to official trading statistics published by the NSE on the market trend, the ASI closed at 29,446.95 as against the previous close

of 29,396.31 while Market Capitalization closed at N10.120 trillion compared with the previous day’s close of N10.103 trillion. Despite the slight increase in the two major indices, the volume traded decreased by 33.29 per cent from 386.280 million recorded on Wednesday to 257.693 million. However, the total value of stock traded increased by 47.65 per cent from N1.913 billion the previous day to N2.825

billion in 2,882 deals. The Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 211.502 million shares exchanged for N0.725 billion followed by Consumer Goods with 21.835 million shares traded for N1.588 billion. Conglomerates, Services, Industrial Goods sectors followed in that order on the activity chart. The most active stocks by volume was led by Guinea Insurance followed by Diamond Bank,

First Bank of Nigeria Holdings, Access Bank and United Bank for Africa in that order. On the gainers’ chart, Nigeria Breweries topped the chart followed by Dangote Sugar, Fidson Pharmeceautical, African Prudential and Stanbic IBTC. On the flip side, comprising the top losers were UAC Nigeria Plc, Oando, UAC Properties, Transcorp and NAHCO.

Shell’s $7.4bn loss raises stakes for CEO’s takeover

oyal Dutch Shell Plc’s worst loss in at least 16 years has further stoked concerns about the wisdom of buying BG Group Plc. For now at least, investors are still giving Chief Executive Officer Ben Van Beurden the benefit of the doubt. Europe’s biggest oil company said it will press ahead with its largest-ever acquisition even as the worsening outlook for energy prices contributed to asset writedowns of almost $8 billion. Van Beurden said in July that BG Group’s assets including Australian natural gas plants

and Brazilian oil fields would add to Shell’s cash flow with crude at $67 a barrel in 2016, a position he declined to repeat Thursday. “He’s walking a thin line -- a lot of investors believe the BG deal would be dilutive for Shell at these oil prices rather than accretive,” Philip Lawlor, a strategist at Smith & Williamson Investment Management LLP in London, which oversees about $24 billion of investments. “Investors are willing to give the CEO the benefit of the doubt for the time being, but how many quarters of pain are they willing to toler-

ate?” Shell’s CEO, 57, is staking his reputation on the BG deal, worth $70 billion when it was announced in April. The purchase will add to Shell’s natural gas assets around the world, extend its access to oil resources in Brazil and help it replace reserves that dropped in three of the last four years. Still, slumping oil prices -about 11 percent lower now than when the takeover was announced -are starting to erode the foundations of the deal. Van Beurden, a 35year veteran at Shell, took over as CEO in January last year, hav-

ing led the company’s refining, marketing and chemicals unit previously. Six months into his tenure, oil prices started to collapse as supply outstripped demand. Shell’s market value has dropped to $166 billion from $230 billion in the beginning of 2014. “The oil price assumption is the key here,” said William Hares, a London-based analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. “With a lower oil price outlook, the accretiveness of the BG deal will be pushed back from original estimates.” (Source – Bloomberg)

Goldman predicts dollar rise to parity with Euro by year end

oldman Sachs Group Inc. sees its long-standing call for the dollar to reach parity with the euro coming true as soon as December as the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank move toward divergent monetary-policy actions. The U.S. central bank emphasized on Wednesday it’ll consider raising interest rates on Dec. 16, a week after the ECB hinted additional stimulus may arrive as soon as its Dec. 3 policy meeting. That’s bringing euro-dollar parity back into focus after the dollar’s ascent stalled at a 12-year high in March. “After the painful period since March, it will take time for markets to trust this message once

again,” Robin Brooks, Goldman Sachs’s New York-based chief currency strategist, wrote in a report. “But we think they will, which should take euro-dollar down to $1.05 ahead of Dec. 3, and we picture ending the year at parity.” The dollar slipped 0.4 percent to $1.0968 Thursday in New York, after rallying 1.2 percent on Wednesday. It rallied to $1.0458 on March 16 after beginning the year at $1.2109. Goldman Sachs’s official three-month dollar projection is $1.02 per euro, the most bullish when compared with year-end currency forecasts compiled by Bloomberg. For much of past year until March, the diverg-

ing paths of the U.S. and the rest of the world prompted strategists to call for a multi-year dollar appreciation cycle. Then it became increasingly clear that even the biggest economy couldn’t escape the ripple effects of the slowdown around it. The lack of followthrough in the dollar’s rally caused most banks to lower their forecasts. In a sign that the bullish consensus is fading, no other bank is now calling for the dollar to rally to parity with the euro by yearend, compared with 14 at the start of the quarter, according to Bloomberg data. While Goldman Sachs stuck with its bullish calls it first made in January, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America

Corp. and Citigroup Inc. are among banks that have lowered their dollar forecasts against the euro during the past two months. (Source – Bloomberg) Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 29,446.95 points Market capitalisation 10.12trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

135.03

144.16

9.13

6.76

DANGSUGAR

6.50

6.92

0.42

6.46

FIDSON

3.10

3.25

0.15

4.84

AFRIPRUD

2.56

2.68

0.12

4.69

STANBIC

19.20

19.87

0.67

3.49

FLOURMILL

21.06

21.78

0.72

3.42

ETI

18.13

18.60

0.47

2.59

STERLNBANK

2.00

2.03

0.03

1.50

24.71

25.00

0.29

1.17

WEMABANK

0.98

0.99

0.01

1.02

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

UACN

29.00

26.22

-2.78

-9.59

OANDO

7.35

6.65

-0.70

-9.52

UAC-PROP

7.75

7.03

-0.72

-9.29

TRANSCORP

1.94

1.81

-0.13

-6.70

UBA

3.60

3.42

-0.18

-5.00

NAHCO

4.20

3.99

-0.21

-5.00

BERGER

9.79

9.31

-0.48

-4.90

AIRSERVICE

1.90

1.81

-0.09

-4.74

ETERNA

1.69

1.61

-0.08

-4.73

SKYEBANK

1.99

1.90

-0.09

-4.52

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.57

100.25

14.89

100.40

14.78

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.75

102.68

15.01

102.98

14.91

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.37

101.48

15.05

101.78

14.95

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.33

105.26

15.05

105.56

14.98

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.45

95.67

15.12

95.97

15.05

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.81 68.00

15.59

68.30

15.51

Closing Market Prices of September 30, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

24-Dec-15

10.54

10.81

WAUA

270

USD

197

31-Mar-16

12.71

13.57

EURO

214

01-Sep-16

12.55

14.19

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

5.8333

POUNDS STERLING

293

14.1909

15.5455

SDR

273

16.6173

NIBOR

The Fixings of September 30, 2015

Capital Market

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015

Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal Bond Name 14.20% FGN MAR 2024 Federal Totals

Symbol FG112024S1

DEBT Board Totals

Equities as at October 29, 2015 No. of Deals 1 1

Bond Activity Totals

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Quantity Traded 400 400

Value Traded 423,765.35 423,765.35

400

423,765.35

400

423,765.35

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 30 13 43

Current Price 28.00 30.50

Quantity Traded 202,236 84,338 286,574

Value Traded 5,869,161.25 2,671,226.76 8,540,388.01

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.60

Quantity Traded 72,580 72,580

Value Traded 112,632.40 112,632.40

359,154

8,653,020.41

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Totals

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

Symbol TRANSCORP Symbol UACN

No. of Deals 141 No. of Deals 49 190

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.81 Current Price 26.22

190

Quantity Traded 10,704,470 Quantity Traded 824,418 Page 11,528,888

Value Traded 19,630,131.71 Value Traded 21,662,444.62 12 1 of 41,292,576.33

11,528,888

41,292,576.33

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 56,750 56,750

Value Traded 28,375.00 28,375.00

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 38.81

Quantity Traded 289,084 289,084

Value Traded 11,222,611.20 11,222,611.20

Real Estate Development

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 7.03

Quantity Traded 456,829 456,829

Value Traded 3,228,608.54 3,228,608.54

802,663

14,479,594.74

UACN as PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Daily Summary of 29/10/2015

Real Estate Development Totals Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Activity Summary onPLC Board EQTY GUINNESS NIG INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. CONSUMER GOODS NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Totals © Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC U T C as NIG. Daily Summary ofPLC. 29/10/2015 Food Products Totals Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB Symbol

No. of Deals 7 111 9 151 No. of Deals 278

Current Price 4.35 125.05 16.00 144.16 Current Price

Quantity Traded 509,680 278,673 310,918 7,715,918 Quantity Traded 8,815,189 Page

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 196.00

Quantity Traded 4,072 4,072

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Activity Summary on Board EQTY AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 Other Financial Institutions Totals Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045

Current Price 2.55 6.92 21.78 2.58 7.00 0.50

Quantity Traded 45,189 7,727,354 3,503,488 60,000 792,150 10 12,128,191

Value Traded 113,284.67 52,401,305.26 75,437,106.48 156,570.00 5,566,887.66 5.00 133,675,159.07

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE Daily Summary

No. of Deals 24 52 (Equities) 76

Current Price 20.15 836.00

Quantity Traded 109,490 419,915 529,405

Value Traded 2,197,564.14 348,768,495.41 350,966,059.55

Symbol VITAFOAM Symbol PZ UNILEVER

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 108 35 59 26 200 74 58 203 47 8 7 (Equities) 825

Current Price 4.75 2.55 18.60 1.38 23.07 1.90 2.03 3.42 5.60 1.43 0.99

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) AIICO 11 0.85 CONTINSURE 3 1.00 GUINEAINS 4 0.50 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price LASACO 1 0.50 LINKASSURE 2 0.50 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price MANSARD 4 2.65 NEM 4 0.71 29

Quantity Traded 115,150 115,150 Quantity Traded 241,343 1,754 243,097 Page

Value Traded 583,810.50 583,810.50 Value Traded 5,969,281.39 67,844.72 6,037,126.11 3 of 12

21,835,104

1,588,359,656.85

Quantity Traded 13,995,809 30,155,763 3,471,511 918,396 6,660,672 4,733,621 1,334,027 11,445,119 2,267,567 279,672 358,140 75,620,297

Value Traded 66,236,669.75 76,849,545.98 64,311,933.70 1,240,009.78 153,691,700.49 9,153,545.35 2,572,849.95 39,256,087.07 12,683,631.38 402,283.52 342,287.00 426,740,543.97

Quantity Traded 244,666 40,000 100,001,800 Quantity Traded 100 Page 135,753

Value Traded 208,479.42 38,214.00 50,000,900.00 Value Traded 50.00 12 4 of 67,876.50

Quantity Traded 49,500 19,000 100,490,819

Value Traded 126,225.00 13,483.75 50,455,228.67

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.23

Quantity Traded 390 390

Value Traded 1,938.30 1,938.30

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 46 8 28 57 57 196

Current Price 2.68 4.06 1.97 19.87 1.26

Quantity Traded 4,284,921 209,046 3,029,660 1,322,984 3,291,714 12,138,325

Value Traded 11,395,293.54 848,926.76 5,973,430.20 25,054,233.34 4,138,181.27 47,410,065.11

188,249,831

524,607,776.05

1,051

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH Symbol

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © HEALTHCARE Totals

4 0.56 5 3.25 9 38.20 5 1.22 1.03 No. of Deals1 Current Price 24 24

Symbol TRIPPLEG

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

No. of Deals Current Price 9 5.33 9 No. of Deals Current Price 21 25.00 3 40.71 24 602

Pharmaceuticals Totals

ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Value Traded 778,755.09 778,755.09

No. of Deals 11 75 98 4 20 1 209

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE Activity Summary on BoardPLC EQTY GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. HEALTHCARE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals

Value Traded 2,125,632.00 34,718,885.68 4,974,688.00 1,054,499,540.85 Value Traded 1,096,318,746.53 12 2 of

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING PLC. Daily Summary as ofBANK 29/10/2015 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 UNITY BANK PLC Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals

Sector Company name Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.69

No Of Deals

9,660.00

INDUSTRIAL GOODS HEALTHCARE Totals Building Materials ICT ASHAKA CEM PLC IT BERGER Services PAINTS PLC TRIPPLE CAP PLC GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT CEMENT Services Totals CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. ICT Totals Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products Building Materials CUTIX PLC. ASHAKA CEM PLC Electronic and Electrical Products Totals BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 CEMENT CO. CO OF NORTH.NIG. PLC BETA GLASS PLC. Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Current Price 23.00 9.31 38.00 7.93 95.80

Quantity Traded 54,592 179,900 102,634 252,770 1,555,504 2,145,400

Value Traded 1,214,769.02 1,674,869.00 3,900,092.00 2,004,835.10 149,016,389.11 157,810,954.23

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.68

Quantity Traded 43,000 43,000

Value Traded 68,800.00 68,800.00

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC.

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 46.20

Quantity Traded 100

Value Traded 4,700.00

Page

Symbol

Symbol ASHAKACEM Symbol BERGER TRIPPLEG CAP CCNN WAPCO

Symbol Symbol CUTIX ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP Symbol CCNN BETAGLAS WAPCO

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 1 24

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

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA INDUSTRIAL GOODS PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Packaging/Containers GREIF NIGERIA PLC Exploration and Production Packaging/Containers Totals SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL OIL AND AND GAS GAS Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 FORTE OIL PLC. Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Activity Summary Board EQTY Exploration and on Production Totals SERVICES OIL AND GAS Totals Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045Totals Printing/Publishing

Current Price

Current Price 23.00 Current Price 9.31 1.69 38.00 7.93 95.80

41 1 72 No. of Deals No. of Deals 2 6 2 10 3 No. of Deals 12 1 41 72

Current Price Current Price 1.68 23.00 9.31 Current 38.00 Price 7.93 46.20 95.80

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

2 2

Symbol BETAGLAS Symbol VANLEER

1.68

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 701,849

Value Traded 2,287,696.32

701,849

2,287,696.32

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000 Quantity Traded 6,000 701,849

Value Traded 9,660.00 9,660.00 Value Traded 9,660.00 2,287,696.32

701,849 Quantity Traded 54,592 Quantity179,900 Traded 6,000 102,634 6,000 252,770

2,287,696.32 Value Traded 1,214,769.02 Value Traded 1,674,869.00 9,660.00 3,900,092.00 9,660.00 2,004,835.10

1,555,504 6,000 2,145,400

149,016,389.11 9,660.00 157,810,954.23

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 43,000 54,592 43,000 179,900 Quantity102,634 Traded 252,770 100 1,555,504 Page 2,145,400 Quantity Traded 43,000 43,000

Value Traded Value Traded 68,800.00 1,214,769.02 68,800.00 1,674,869.00 3,900,092.00 Value Traded 2,004,835.10 4,700.00 149,016,389.11 7 of 12 157,810,954.23 Value Traded 68,800.00 68,800.00

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 1 46.20 100 No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 2 9.37 50,000 Page 3 50,100

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 OANDO PLC Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Current Price 1.69

24 No. of Deals 6 No. of Deals 10 1 3 1 12

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 4,700.00 Value Traded 445,550.00 7 of 12 450,250.00

2,238,500

158,330,004.23

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 73 73

Current Price 6.65

Quantity Traded 861,724 861,724

Value Traded 5,731,144.60 5,731,144.60

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 5 54 3 23 86 No. of Deals

Current Price 27.41 1.61 290.00 154.00 150.01

Quantity Traded 49 220,800 104,548 759 34,100 Quantity 360,256 Traded

Value Traded 1,275.96 358,418.49 29,935,442.32 111,041.70 5,163,315.42 35,569,493.89 Value Traded

50,000 Quantity Traded 50,100 774,525 774,525 2,238,500

445,550.00 Value Traded 450,250.00 184,333,952.00 184,333,952.00 158,330,004.23

CONOIL Daily Summary (Equities) ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

Symbol VANLEER Symbol SEPLAT

2 No. of Deals 3 17 17 77

Current Price 9.37 Current Price 238.00

176 Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 73 73

Current Price 6.65

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

No. of Deals 1 5 54 3 23 86

Current Price 27.41 1.61 290.00 154.00 150.01

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 17 17 176 No. of Deals 11 11

Symbol RTBRISCOE

Current Price 238.00

Current Price 0.51

1,996,505

225,634,590.49

Quantity Traded 861,724 861,724

Value Traded 5,731,144.60 5,731,144.60

Page Quantity Traded 49 220,800 104,548 759 34,100 360,256

8 of 12 Value Traded 1,275.96 358,418.49 29,935,442.32 111,041.70 5,163,315.42 35,569,493.89

Quantity Traded 774,525 774,525

Value Traded 184,333,952.00 184,333,952.00

1,996,505 Quantity Traded 343,185 343,185

225,634,590.49 Value Traded 175,192.25 175,192.25

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 1 3 4

Current Price 4.30 1.14

Page Quantity Traded 35,000 268,250 303,250

12 8Value Traded of 150,500.00 305,805.00 456,305.00

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 4,100,000 4,100,000

Value Traded 2,050,000.00 2,050,000.00

Symbol LEARNAFRCA STUDPRESS UPL

No. of Deals 9 1 1 11

Current Price 0.68 2.30 5.73

Quantity Traded 1,116,971 600 14,400 1,131,971

Value Traded 760,540.28 1,314.00 78,480.00 840,334.28

Symbol AIRSERVICE

No. of Deals 2 22 24

Current Price 1.81 3.99

Quantity Traded 100,369 407,453 507,822

Value Traded 181,682.65 1,632,787.27 1,814,469.92

NAHCO Daily Summary (Equities)

6,386,228

5,336,301.45

2,269

234,104,722

2,568,990,876.87

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 Banking14:32:45.045 Printed 29/10/2015 ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 181 181

Current Price 17.04

Quantity Traded 6,993,698 6,993,698

Value Traded 118,839,855.19 118,839,855.19

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

Quantity Traded 16,258,275 16,258,275

Value Traded 81,629,475.49 81,629,475.49

FBNH

382 382

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Building Materials Totals

5.10

563 Symbol DANGCEM Symbol

No. of Deals 50 No. of Deals 50

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Current Price Current164.06 Price

23,251,973

200,469,330.68

Quantity Traded Quantity 336,578 Traded 336,578

Value Traded 55,212,348.72 Value Traded 55,212,348.72

336,578

55,212,348.72

PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

Symbol TRIPPLEG

Quantity Traded

Current Price

Daily Summary (Equities)

ICT IT Services Activity Summary on Board EQTY TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. HEALTHCARE IT Services Totals Pharmaceuticals ICTPharmaceuticals Totals Totals

2,287,696.32 12 6 of 2,287,696.32

6,000

Quotation(N) No. of Deals 24

EQTY Board Totals

701,849 Page 701,849

Value Traded 9,660.00 9,660.00

Symbol

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Totals

Value Traded 235,478.80 750,023.16 1,289,640.40 10,593.96 12 5 of Value1,960.00 Traded

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000

HEALTHCARE Totals

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Quantity Traded 420,230 235,756 34,730 9,133 Page 2,000 Quantity Traded

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN WAPCO

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY

HEALTHCARE Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 Crop Production Totals Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Current Price 104.03

613

23,588,551

255,681,679.40

2,882

257,693,273

2,824,672,556.27

Daily Summary (ETP)

Page

Exchange Traded Fund Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF Daily Summary as of 29/10/2015 VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Printed 29/10/2015 14:32:45.045 VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals 12

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETBANK VETGOODS VETGRIF30 VETINDETF

No. of Deals 2 1 1 1 2 1 8

Daily Summary (ETP) 8

Current Price 9.51 2,214.00 3.05 7.49 13.31 21.07

Quantity Traded 20 35 10 10 110 10 195

Value Traded 190.00 77,490.00 30.50 74.90 1,478.10 210.70 79,474.20

195

79,474.20

195 Page

79,474.20 11

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror

Whendoes the come , come to come Our state does not owe salaries, not owe pensions. But everybody will sit up in this Ministry. Rev. Chris Okotie, speaking the recent downturn in the economy has slowed us down in on the state of the nation theHON execution of some of our life changing MADUEKE projects. MINISTER FOR PETROLEUM RESOURCES,ALIISON

–GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE, SERIAKE DICKSON

Police parade 7 suspected cable thieves Osahon Julius, YENAGOA

ayelsa State Police Command’s new Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Oki, yesterday made a breakthrough in his determination to curb criminal activities in the state with the arrest of seven suspected electric cable thieves paraded at the state police headquarters.

Also paraded was one Mr. Sule Abu, who was arrested after he had allegedly snatched a commercial tricycle popularly called ‘Keke’ in Yenagoa metropolis. The cable suspected thieves were arrested, according to the Commissioner, who briefed newsmen at the command headquarters, after they had vandalized the electricity cables at the abandoned multi-million

naira 500-bed hospital built by former governor of the state, the late Chief Alamieyesiegha, but has since been abandoned by the present administration. According to the Police Commissioner, the suspects were arrested together with some other persons who connived with them to steal the cables at the premises of the 500-bed hospital. He said, “Just this

morning also, another person who engaged in the stealing of tricycles was arrested and this is two of the major crimes we busted since my arrival and this will serve as a warning to kidnappers and other criminals that they should steer clear of Bayelsa State, because we will not allow them to operate and go scot-free. “My men are outside, we believe in visibility policing and we equally

believe in community policing because we believe the community will help and we expect the people to give us useful information in the fight against criminals.” While calling on the public to be security conscious always, he warned

Butchers urge Ambode to provide storage facilities Dare Akogun

agos State Butchers Association has urged Goveror Ambode of Lagos State to build storage facilities in major markets in the State for members to keep their meat. The chairman of the association Alhji Bamidele Kaseem told news men in Lagos that the call became necessary to promote hygiene and ensure the meat eaten by Lagosians is safe. He stated that the lack of storage facilities in the markets for butchers to keep unsold meat is allowing butchers to sell at loss. He lamented that most of the private storage facilities used by its mem-

His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele, Sogun 111 of Ilogbo, Asowo, Ogun State (R), Chief Adesina Adegoke (M), his wife Bolaji after he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ajiroba of Ilogbo Asowo recently.

Gani Adams congratulates new Ooni Ayo Esan

ational Coordinator, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, and worldwide convener of Oodua Progressive Union, OPU, Otunba Gani Adams, has congratulated the new Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, for ascending the throne of the cradle of Yoruba land peacefully and legally. Otunba Adams described the selection of the new Ooni of Ife as the divine anointment of

another enigmatic Oba whose reign will enhance the glory of Yoruba race. Otunba Adams in a press release made available to the media, congratulated the new Ooni “for ascending the throne of Oduduwa at the time appointed by the ancestral founders of Yoruba race when his aura would not only rub off on the ancient city of Ife, but the Yoruba race in particular and the Yoruba people in Diaspora and will shine to all corners of the world where Yoruba culture flourishes and blossoms.” Otunba Adams pointed

out that “It gladdens the hearts and pleases owners of the four walls of the Earth that the Ife kingmakers have done it the way it was supposed to be done and that is why things will be how it ought to be throughout the reign of Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi.” He said “the selection of Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi and the popular acceptance it received by the people of Ife and Yoruba race showcased the import of applying traditional processes when it is proper, apt and necessary.”

Otunba Adams called on the new Oonirisa not only to build and sustain the traditional structures and networking his forefathers have built and opened but to embark on cultural irredentism of the Yoruba values and pristine heritage, which is under heavy threat of foreign influences. He commended the people of Ife for “the popular acceptance of the Ooni and shaming those outsiders or intruders who had been expecting a worse situation when the announcement was made.”

the people not to allow their old ones to walk alone unattended as they are targets of kidnappers, just as he equally asked teenage girls, who are prone to rape, not to walk alone in dark alleys especially at night and roads that are not busy.

ber’s charges high rates that could not be afforded by the meat sellers. He also stated that butchers more air-conditioned vehicles to carry meat from abattoirs to the various markets. Meanwhile the chairman hailed the governor for appointing Oluwatoyin Suarau as the commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Gbolahan lawal as Commissioner for Housing, Special Adviser on Civic Duties, Seye Kehinde Joseph and Head of Service Bashir Kayode respectively. He described their appointments as a merited one and optimistic that they would contribute their quota towards the development of the state.

Adventist Church holds confab

agos Mainland Conference of Seventh day Adventist c hurch in Nigeria will hold her second Annual Family Camp meeting from Thursday, October 29 to November 1, 2015 at Bethview International School, Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos. In statement by the President of Lagos Mainland Conference, Pastor Emmanuel Adeniyi, the Theme of the Family Camp Meeting is “ENCOUNTERING GOD’S GRACE.” The Pastor of Babcock University, llishan-Remo, Ogun State, Dr. Tunde Ojewole will be the Guest Speaker while the District

Pastor of Ketu Disrict, Pastor Joseph Olayemi will be lead the devotions. According to Pastor Adeniyi, the camp meeting which will commence on Thursday, October. 29, 2015 with arrival and registration of members from various Districts in the conference will afford members and guests opportunity to interact with one another and also more importantly to have special moment with God. Speaking further on the annual camp meeting, he said that the event will feature inspiring music, spirit filled messages, health talk and free health check, life changing prayers, special gifts among others.

Transition

Friday, October 30, 2015

Ayoola Fadoju L

Edward Brooke

ate Pa Lawrence Ayoola Fadoju Fadoju, aged 80 died in his h ome during a brief illness. A successful farmer, Pa Fadoju, during his life coordinated the Late Pa A. Akindiose’s various cocoa, palm oil and kolanut farms, besides his personal farms. His contribution to the growth of the Catholic Church at Lafia village, where he grew through

the ranks of laity and became the secretary, vice chairman and chairman of the Parish Council till his death. His son, Dr. Andrew Fadoju, an associate professor of education in the University of Ibadan took after him in religion. Today, the professor is the chairman, Parish Finance Council of St. Agnes’ Catholic Church, Apete in Ibadan.

Pa Fadoju was a selfless community leader. He was the secretary of 56 amalgamated communities that comprise Ojuoluwa, near Bolorunduro, Sasere, Toibo, Lafiaji, Gberedu, Ladapo and Obado among others. He played politics at Ward level. Fadoju was the secretary and chairman in succession of the defunct Social Democratic Party,

(SDP) at different time at Ward 12 of the Old Ondo Local Government area. Richard Fadoju, one of his sons benefited from Pa fadoju’s political activities and later became a supervisory councilor for health in Ondo East Local Council. The Late Fadoju was a rallying point for members of his extended family and a mentor that was highly respected.

She was an American politician, model and television actress who was

crowned Miss America in 1945. She became a city commissioner in 1969, be-

ginning a prominent New York political career. In the late 1980s, her career ended amid personal and professional scandal. At the time of her death, Myerson was the only Jewish Miss America. She won the Miss America beauty pageant at a time when World War II had just ended. Her winning the title took on heightened significance in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, and was seen as an affirmation of the Jewish place in American life. At the time, she was seen as a hero to the Jewish community.

Bess Myerson

ess Myerson was born in The Bronx, New York to Jewish parents Louis Myerson and Bella (née Podell), who were immigrants from Russia. Myerson’s father worked as a housepainter, handyman, and carpenter. After Myerson’s birth, the family moved from the South Bronx to Shalom Aleichem Houses, a cooperative apartment complex in the northern Bronx. She had three siblings: a younger sister, Helen, an older sister, Sylvia, and a brother, Joseph, who died at the age of three before Myerson was born.

Myerson

News

Journalist cries for help L over murder attempt

Ebere Ndukwu

Dare Akogun

journalist working with Independent Communications Network Limited publishers of PM News newspapers Dedeigbo Ayodeji has cried out for help over an attempt made on his life recently. He noted that he was kidnapped some unidentified men along Agege motor road on his way from the Muritala International Airport Ikeja on the 15th of October 2015 where he was driven to an unknown location. According to him “On my way from the Airport right in front of Total filling station

Ikeja along waiting for a bus to convey home around 6:30 pm , I just noticed a black Cherokee Jeep parked in front of me and two hefty men came down and ordered me to enter the vehicle at gun point. “I was taken to an uncompleted building in Mushin area of Lagos State, where I was kept in a room and they made a call to the person who allegedly sent them simply referred to as Jendor. “After about three hours they slept, I was able to hatch an escape plan by squeezing myself through the window and ran for my dear life,” he narrated. Ayodeji pointed that the attempt on his life

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

might not be unconnected to a story he did about some land grabbers in Ikorodu area of Lagos, and he has not know peace since then as he has been receiving series of threatening phone calls. He recalled that last year he was pointed a gun at by some unknown men in Fadeyi area of Lagos because of the same story. He noted he already reported the latest incident to the Lagos State police command. He therefore urged the police hierarchy to look into the matter and carry out a thorough investigation as he daily lives in constant fear of his precious life.

agos House of Assembly member, Hon. Jude Idimogu has distanced self from text messages being circulated on his email, facebook and other social accounts asking people to pay money to a certain doctor’s bank account or send a credit card to his email, saying it was the hand work of mischief makers and scammers. According to the lawmaker, scammers recently hacked his email address and facebook sending messages to his friends that “I made a trip to Addis Abba and unfortunately my niece had a fatal accident yesterday night and needs to undergo surgery which needs N85, 000 to start her treatment.”

dward William Brooke III was born on October 26, 1919, in Washington, D.C., to Edward William Brooke, Jr. and Helen (Seldon) Brooke. He was the second of three children; He was raised in a middle-class section of the city, and attended Dunbar High School, then one of the most prestigious academic high schools for African Americans. After graduating in 1936, he enrolled in Howard University, where he first considered medicine, but ended up studying social studies and political science. Brooke graduated in 1941, and enlisted in the United States Army immediately after the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor. Given his college degree, Brooke was commissioned as an officer, serving five years in the Army, and seeing combat in Italy during World War II as a member of the segregated 366th Infantry Regiment, earning a Bronze Star. In Italy Brooke met his future wife Remigia FerrariScacco, with whom he had two daughters, Remi and Edwina after their marriage. Following his discharge, Brooke graduated from the Boston Univer-

Brooke sity School of Law in 1948. In 1966, he became the first African American popularly elected to the United States Senate. No other senator of African heritage was elected until Democrat Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois in 1993. Brooke was also the last Black Republican to serve in the United States Senate until the 2012 appointment of Tim Scott in South Carolina. As of 2014 Brooke was the only African-American Senator to serve multiple terms. He was elected to the Senate as a Republican from Massachusetts, defeating former Massachusetts governor Democrat Endicott Peabody in a landslide. He served for two terms, and was defeated by Paul Tsongas in the 1978 senate election.

Lagos lawmaker distances self from message soliciting for help Jude said he has gone to the said bank and confirmed that the account number where the scammer wanted the money played is active. He said another version of the message on his facebook was that a relation of his needs serious medical attention but because he (Jude) was in a meeting, they should send credit card, that as soon as he was done with the meeting he will refund the money. Regretting why anybody would want to dent his reputation, Idimogu did not say that he did not travel to any Addis Ababa, did he solicit for money from anybody nor has any niece that is admitted in any hospital, calling

on those who received the unfortunate message to disregard it. The lawmaker also frowned at the recent publication in social media saying that he is not happy with the use of native language in the House. He said, “How can anybody say that to the extent that somebody mentioned it on a TV programme? Yes I’m not from Yoruba but I married a Yoruba woman, schooled in Lagos, have been living in Lagos, have all my investments in Lagos, understand Yoruba, in fact I’m an adopted son of Yoruba, so I’m in support of the use of native language whether in the House, my constituency and everywhere in Yoruba land.”

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

“I would hate to wake up on the first Wednesday of November in 2016 to the news that Hillary Clinton has been elected president of the United States” ”–Florida Senator, Marco Rubio”

Magufuli emerges new Tanzanian president

overning CCM party candidate, John Magufuli, has won the presidential election with 58 per cent of the vote, the electoral commission said yesterday. But his main rival, Edward Lowassa of the Ukawa coalition, has rejected the official results that gave him 40 per cent of the ballots cast, claiming he won with 62 per cent. In Zanzibar, elections for the semi-autonomous archipelago’s parliament and president were annulled on Wednesday as election chief, Jecha Salum Jecha, said the poll had been marred by gross irregularities, including rigging and physical fights between rival election commissioners. President Jakaya Kikwete, who is standing down after two terms in office, retweeted a CCM photo of Mr Magufuli and the accompanying words:

CHANGE OF NAME IDOGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as PHARM MISS IDOGWU EDITH CHIDIMMA, now wish to be known and addressed as PHARM MRS EZE EDITH CHIDIMMA. All former documents remain valid. Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and general public should please take note. LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

This is inform the general public that the certified True Copies in respect of instrument 82/82/470, 96/96/523 and 34/34/1235 belonging to Late Alphonsus Jideofor Okwuchi are lost. Ministry of Lands Enugu take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okafor Esther Ozioma now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KAlU ESTHER OZIOMA. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

India makes Africa pledge

Tanzanian president-elect John Magufuli (middle) celebrating his poll victory in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

“Our next Commander-inChief, Dr John Pombe Magufuli, the President-elect of The United Republic of Tanzania.” Meanwhile, Vice President of Chadema, one of the four opposition parties that make up Ukama, Abdallah Safari,

said Tanzanians had been robbed of their victory. European Union observers said that the elections were “generally well organised” but “with insufficient efforts at transparency from the election administrations”.

Teams from the African Union and southern African regional body SADC said that the vote had largely been “free and fair”, despite all groups raising concerns over the subsequent annulment of Zanzibar’s local elections.

Mugabe in India, demands ‘UN action’ for Africa imbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, yesterday said that India and Africa have remained underdogs in the United Nations. Mugabe, who spoke at the IndiaAfrica Forum Summit in Delhi, in his capacity as the African Union chairperson, called for Africa to have greater representation on the Security Council, which he described as defective. “We are saying that we demand equality,” Mugabe said.

AFRICA BULLETIN

“We are saying, let’s amend the charter of the UN,” he added. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Mod, who spoke earlier at the summit, said that India and Africa must join forces to call for reform of the United Nations to reflect the growing power of emerging nations on the global stage. “The world is undergoing political, economic, technological and security transition on a scale and speed rarely seen in recent history,” Modi CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR ABIGAIl NNEDIMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGIDI ABIGAIl NNEDIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. LOSS OF DOCUMENTS This is to inform the general public that the documents belonging to Mr. Gerlad Amechi Amazu of Plot situate at 35/5 Riverside Housing Estate Enugu dated 3/5/1970 are lost the said documents are: (a) Deed of Release Reg. as 71/71/1500 (b) Deed of Lease Reg. as 9/9/1028 and Len: 17378. Ministry of Lands take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Eze Juliet Kaodichukwunma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Eche Ndidi Amaka. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

said in his wide-ranging speech. “Yet our global institutions reflect the circumstances of the century that we left behind, not the one we are in today unless they adjust to the changing world, they risk becoming irrelevant,” the Indian PM added.

India and Africa are together home to a third of the world’s population, but neither India nor any African country has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which is made up of China, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

Rwanda debates Kagame third term

evisions to Rwanda’s constitution that would allow President Paul Kagame to seek a third CHANGE OF NAME ONWUNZO: I, formerly known s e v e n - y e a r and addressed as MISS ONWUNZO term appeared CHIDIMMA OGOCHUKWU, now parliawish to be known and addressed on as MRS ONAH CHIDIMMA ment’s agenda OGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General y e s t e r d a y, public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agwu Ihudiya Agbai now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Florence Ihudiya Ukwa Umazi. All former documents remain valid general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify that Chukwudi Kennedy Nwafor and Chukwudi John-Kingsley Nwafor refer as one person but now known as Chukwudu Kennedy Nwafor. General public take note.

with the Lower House of the Kagame-controlled body expected to vote later. In July, Rwanda’s parliament backed a motion to let Kagame extend his mandate, and last month the country’s highest court ruled the constitution could be changed to extend the two-term limit. The constituCHANGE OF NAME ODO: I, formerly known tional changes and addressed as MISS ODO still face a popuROSEMARY NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS lar referendum, UGWUOTI ROSEMARY NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. although there is NYSC, and general public should little chance they please take note. will fail. Kagame CHANGE OF NAME controls the RwanFormerly known and addressed as Miss Ngozi Nwogu now wish to da media, and he is be known and addressed as Mrs personally popular Ngozi Jachike Anyaumunna. All as a nation-builder former documents remains valid ministry of local govt and general after Rwanda’s 1994 public take note. genocidal conflict.

ndian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has announced $600m (£393m) in assistance for development projects in Africa at a major summit in Delhi. More than 50 African leaders attended the India-Africa Forum Summit, unprecedented in scale, in the Indian capital. Although India’s trade with Africa has more than doubled to $72bn since 2007, it is still comparatively small. The meeting is being seen as an attempt by India to improve ties with Africa. A record number of African leaders, including South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, President Sisi of Egypt and Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir are attending the summit-part of India’s big push to increase its presence in Africa. Reports said the summit represents the highest number of foreign dignitaries to descend on India since 1983 and is thought to be the biggest ever overseas gathering of African leaders. “The hearts of 1.25 billion Indians and 1.25 billion Africans are in rhythm. We are united by youthtwo thirds of India and Africa are below 35,” Modi said, adding, “If the future belongs to the youth, then this century is ours to shape and build.”

Zim newspaper shuts down

he Zimbabwean newspaper has shut down as donor fatigue takes its toll on most of the regime change projects in the country, including political parties. Other regime change projects facing financial distress include the civic society and the MDC formations in their various guises. The Zimbabwean, which was launched in 2005 to aid MDC-T’s regime change agenda, was not grounded in the local market as it relied on donor funding to remain afloat. The paper was printing outside the country and donors were generous with their purse after being convinced that it would offer an alternative voice that could sway people from ZANU-PF. However, donors dumped the paper recently after discovering that it was a spent force with no strategy to succeed in its mission.

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNKORODE SEUN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as KORODE SEUN. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

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

I formerly known as MISS OLUFUNKE GRACE AMOGBON, now to be addressed as MRS. OLUFUNKE GRACE AFOLAYAN. All former documents remain valid, The Redeemed Christian Church of God and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWAEZE PETER, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOSU PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEGBOYEGA IDOWU ADEBIMPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FANIRAN IDOWU ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS VICTORIA OZIOHU JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. VICTORIA OZIOHU JACOB. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as ANTHONIA DAYO FASHINA, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOLABAKE JIBEWA DAYO OSAYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EKIMINI SAMPSON ENO, now wish to be known and addressed as OKECHUKWU CHIMA OBI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ODUKOYA OLUWADARE MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAYI OLUWADARE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAWEPO LATIFAT OLAJUMOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KAMORUDEEN LATIFAT OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADELEYE MONSURAT OMOWUMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AFOLABI MONSURAT OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS SIMILEOLUWA MARYAM SONEYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SIMILEOLUWA MARYAM LAWAL. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as MR. EMMANUEL FRIDAY OGUCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. EMMANUEL FRIDAY JUDE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGIDI EMMANUEL CHIDOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as GABRIEL CHUKWUEMEKA CHIDOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ONYEKE THOMAS, now wish to be known and addressed as AGADA GABRIEL OHIEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ABUDU OLEKAN OLATUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAKANYE OLAWANDE OLALEKAN OLATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to confirm to the general public that I am one and same person bearing LYDIA SULE, and AJUMA IBRAHIM as obtained in some of my documents. All former documents reflecting any of the above stated names remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ABUDU OLEKAN OLATUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAKANYE OLAWANDE OLALEKAN OLATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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OLAPELU I formerly known and addressed as MR. OLAPELU OLAWANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OJO RASHEED OLAWANLE. All former documents remain valid. Eco bank and General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AINA BUKOLA SANDRA, now wish to be known and addressed as OYEFESO BUKOLA SANDRA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKPOSIEGBE PATRICK, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOHOWO SOLOMON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Osunde Abosede Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss. Joseph Abosede Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Dada Olusola Deborah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adele Olusola Deborah. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OKPAME LUCKY AGADAIGHO, now wish to be known and addressed as OJEFIA PIUS EDEWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MISS. VIVIAN UCHENNA OMALAKWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. VIVIAN UCHENNA UWAKWE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Christian Adesanya Gabriel, now wishes to be known and addressed as Adesanya Olukayode Oduala. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Jennifer Adanma Nwachukwu, now wishes to be known and addressed as Jennifer Adanma Oduala. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note

I formerly known and addressed as ADERINOLA ADEFUNKE AISHAT, now wishes to be known and addressed as OJEKUNLE AJASA ADEFUNKE AISHAT. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note

EGBOSIUBA: I formerly known and addressed as EGBOSIUBA CELESTINA LINUS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DIKE CELESTINA CHINONYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known as MISS ABODUNRIN ELIZABETH FUNBI, now to be known as MRS RICHARD ELIZABETH FUNBI. All former documents remain valid. Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo and general public take note.

Formerly known as Miss Olagundoye Moromoke, now wish to be known as Mrs. Aderele Moromoke Gladys. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ACHI - I formerly known and addressed as MISS ACHI NDIDI TESSY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MGBONYE NDIDI TESSY. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please note .

I WAS formerly AUGUSTHER OSAMHENTI OJIEMHENKE, now AUGUSTA OSARETIN CHUKWUJEKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please note .

HILTER: formerly known and addressed as HILTER HENRY, now wish to be known and addressed as EBIS ITILA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Abiodun Tolulope Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adenaike Tolulope Opeyemi all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikuyinminu Adeyemi Anuoluwapo, Theresa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bello Anuoluwapo Theresa. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ayoola Musibau Ishola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Musibau Ayoola Elegbeji. All former documents remain valid and general public take note .

Bamidele Olusegun and Babatunde Musa Sowole, is the same and one person now wish to be known and addressed as Olusegun Babatunde Bamidele Sowole all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME Oreke Chibueze Samson Okeh is one and same person as Oreke Chebueze Samson, Chibueze Samson Okeh, Oreke Chibueze Samson. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Oreke Chibueze Samson. All former documents bearing those names remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EGBUNA: formerly known and addressed as EGBUNA MARYGRACE CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MADUABUM MARYGRACE CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TALABI: I formerly known and addressed as OPEYEMI BILIKISU TALABI now wish to be known and addressed as OPEYEMI BILIKISU ADEFALA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public take note

I formerly Known and addressed as OMOJOLA AGNES GBEMISOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AJUDE AGNES GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly Miss OKON AUGUSTINA PETER, now wish to be called and addressed as MRS. JOHN AUGUSTINA GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MR. STEPHEN ISAAC, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. ISTIFANUS ISHAKU. INEC, Skyle Bank Plc and First Bank Plc to please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS CECILIA DUNIYA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CECILIA ELIAS AUDU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NDUBUEZE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADAOHA BELINDA NDUBUEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADAOHA BELINDA UZOMA. All documents, records and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ADULE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS JANET NGUYIMAN ADULE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JANET NGUYIMAN IORCHIVIR. All former documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C and General public should take note.

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USMAN: Formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR USMAN BASHIR, now wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKAR BASHIR MUHD. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ANDREW: Formerly known and addressed as SALAMI VICTOR NONSO ANDREW, now wish to be known and addressed as VICTOR OSAMOYE SALAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKOYE : Formerly known as Miss Chikaodili Francisca Okoye now wish to be known and address as Mrs Christian Okoye Chinyere Francisca. All former documents remains valid. General public should please take note.

ABALIHI: Formerly known as Abalihi Damian Ntomchukwu, now wish to be known and address as Abba Damian Ntomchukwu. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Soyoye Adijat Nike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Arawona Adijat Nike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesina Tosin Jumoke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kehinde - Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adejumoke. All former documents remain valid. Ogun Subeb, Odeda LGEA and General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADESINA MORENIKEJI KAWTHAR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEWUMI MORENIKEJI KAWTHAR. All former documents remain valid; National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), general public please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Shittu Nafisat Adebola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Idowu Nafisat Adebola. All former documents remain valid. Nysc and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Rojaye Oluranti Amope Adeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rojaye Oluranti Amope. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Adegun Muinat Iyabode now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adegun Olayinka Muinat Iyabode. All former documents remain valid. Ogun state IRS and General public take note.

Ajoku: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kelechukwu Dorathy Ajoku now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kelechukwu Dorathy Onyia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly called and addressed at Access Bank as ADAMU USMAN and at GT Bank as SAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;IDU DAUDA. Now wish to be Known and addressed as MOHAMMED SULEIMAN. All former Documents remain valid. Access Bank, GT Bank, Diamond Bank and general public should take note.

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CLEMENT: I formerly known and addressed as MISS CLEMENT FRANCISCA NDIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IMO FRANCISCA NDIDI. All former documents remain valid. General please public take note.

NWAFOR: I formerly known and addressed as MISS NWAFOR IFEYINWA JANE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHIKA IFEAYINWA JANE. All former documents remain valid. General please public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEPOJU MOROMOKE RACHEAL, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AJANI RACHEAL MOROMOKE. Former documents remain valid. Osun SUBEB & General public to take note.

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Formerly known as Gregory Nnanna Ifeoma now wish to be known and addressed as Oboh Ifeoma Veronica. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEJEGBU IJEOMA GLADYS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDOKA IJEOMA GLADYS. All documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME EZECHUKWU: I formerly known and addressed as MISS EZECHUKWU AMARACHI CHINWENDU ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IBENEME AMARACHI CHINWENDU ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General please public take note.

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NKEMJIKA: I formerly known and addressed as MISS NKEMJIKA EGO ROSE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EGO-EMMA ROSE. All former documents remain valid general please public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Otitoju Imole Mercy. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atobajaye Imole Mercy. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Hospital Management Board and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ESONWANNE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ESONWANNE PEACE CHIAZOKAM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKAFOR PEACE CHIAZOKAM. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public please take note.

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NWOHA: I, formerly known and addressed as NWOHA C. BLESSING, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ASUZU CONCILIA C. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss. Akinyemi Bamidele Mary. Now Mrs. Ekundayo Bamidele Mary. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti, National Association of Health Information Management, Health Records Management Board of Nigeria and general public take note.

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Formerly known as MISS KAYODE BOLA MARY, now wish to be known as MRS. OWAGBEMI BOLA MARY. All former documents remain Valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take

Formerly known as MISS AKINDOYO CHRISTIANAH OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known as MRS. OJAOMO CHRISTIANAH. All former documents remain Valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNBANWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNBANWO MARY IYABO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MARY BANWO EWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

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RAIMI: I, formerly known and addressed as RAIMI ISIAKA ISHOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLAFENWA ISIAKA ISHOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, BOLA BENJAMIN HUSSEIN is one and the same person that is known with these names as it appears on some of my documents as BOLA BENJAMIN HUSSEIN, on others as ISA BOLA HUSSEIN BENJAMIN and ISA BOLA HUSSEIN. All documents with these names remain valid. General public and Authorities concerned take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday, October 30, 2015

Wada sets up N1.2bn agric equipment for rural dwellers WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

ogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada (rtd), has inaugurated N1.2bn earthmoving and agricultural equipment to assist the state government in repairing rural roads. At the inauguration of the equipment in Lokoja, Wada stated that his administration was committed to developing rural communities in the state. He explained that the state government was determined to boost agricultural sector in the state, noting that this was part of efforts to provide good rural roads to enable farmers transport their produce to various markets. “We ventured into purchasing this equipment to assist our people at the grassroots in opening up roads and in the area of agriculture. Those that have been hiring the equipment will know how costly they are. But the government has to assist our farmers and rural communities,” he said.

He advised the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure good use and maintenance of the equipment for the benefit of the people at the grassroots. Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair, Alhaji Abubakar Sodiq Ainoko, had stated that for the first time, this number of earth-moving agricultural equipment were being provided for the local government areas of the state, adding that the equipment included bulldozers, graders, tractors and tippers. “The equipment were consciously selected to meet the urgent demands of our rural populace, which include opening up and maintenance of rural roads as well as mechanisation of agriculture to make it more attractive to young ones,” the commissioner stated. Ainoko expressed optimism that agricultural production would not only receive a boost, but the produce would also be easily transported to the market.

Goje’s trial adjourned as youths protest alleged stolen fund WILLIAMS ATTAH GOMBE

rial of Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, immediate past governor of Gombe State, for conspiracy and money laundering yesterday came to an abrupt stop following a protest by youths outside the Federal High Court, Gombe. Senator Goje and four others were dragged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The trial has been on for the past three years. The youths, who carried placards reading, “Bring back our money”, “Senator Goje must go to jail”, “We support President Buhari’s anti-corruption fight,” and “Goje used us for Kalare activities,” among others, were noticed inside the courtroom by the presiding judge, Justice Babatunde Quadri. However, during court proceedings the previous day, three witnesses were called by the prosecution,

Clerk of Gombe State House of Assembly, Shehu Mohammed Atiku, as prosecution witness (PW3). Others were PW1, Solomon Okotie and the state’s solicitor-general, PW2, who was represented by a senior official in his office.

INUSA N DAHI MAIDUGURI

ife of Borno State governor and founder of Support for Women, Orphans and Tsangaya (SWOT) Foundation, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, yesterday distributed kits for prevention and detection of cancer at early stage to wives of 27 local government caretaker chairmen for onward delivery to targeted beneficiaries in the state. Presenting the kits at a one-day cancer awareness and enlightenment campaign for stakeholders held at the MultiPurpose Hall, Government House, Maiduguri,

Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam (first right) with new commissioners during the oath swearing House, Damaturu, yesterday.

ceremony at Government

Katsina to rehabilitate schools, hospitals by 2016 JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

bout 40 per cent of governmentowned primary and secondary schools in Katsina State are to be rehabilitated by December next year. Similarly, the state hopes to rehabilitate same percentage of existing primary and secondary health institutions before lapse of 2016. Governor Aminu Bello Masari stated this when he made a surprise inspection visit to the Family Support Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools in the state. Masari said his admin-

istration “would pull out all the stops to ensure” that the rehabilitation work is “comprehensively completed” within the stipulated time period. He also assured that his administration has no plan to discontinue payment of examination fees for students sitting for JAMB, NECO, NABTEB and other related examinations. He said education and health were among key areas of intervention his All Progressives Congress, APC government promised to look into, adding that along with agriculture, livestock and water supply, the two sectors would drive his admin-

istration’s total thinking and commitment so that the state “regains its place of pride in the nation.” Masari said work on the comprehensive rehabilitation of three premier hospitals in Katsina, Daura and Funtua has commenced, and that by end of December this year, 12 primary schools would have been fully rehabilitated. He, however, said to stem the tide of failure in examinations, the state government would reintroduce mock examination for final year secondary school students to prepare them fully for the West African Examination Council, WAEC, and

the National Examinations Council, NECO. He added that only students who passed the mock examination would enjoy the benefit of examination fees. Masari called on stakeholders, including parents/ teachers’ associations, corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to complement government’s effort and where desirable, partner with government to move the state forward in education and health, among other sectors of the economy. He assured that the state government would give necessary encouragement to those ready to partner with it.

Borno first lady presents cancer kits to women Hajiya Nana said the advent of cancer, which has became deadly, especially among the women-folk in the state, was worrisome; hence the need for government at all levels to contribute their quota towards its prevention and eradication from the society. She said her office as Borno State first lady was very concerned about the health status of women, orphans, the girl-child and the lessprivileged; hence the need to take the campaign against preventable diseases such as breast cancer to the peo-

ple at the grassroots. Nana noted that October of every year was set aside to commemorate Cancer Day globally, and that her office uses such a day to enlighten the general public on how best to prevent breast cancer and other related ailments that have become rampant among women and the less-privileged in the society. Guest speaker at the event, Dr. Babagana Usman, of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, in his brief remarks, thanked Hajiya Nana for organising the programme.

He said some women are more vulnerable to cancer in the state because of deprivation of their rights by their husbands, who were misled by certain norms and values of their religion, culture and tradition, and therefore urged participants to take the awareness campaign against the scourge to the nooks and crannies of the state. He noted that other factors causing cancer include the type of diet consumed as well as having multiple sex partners. He, however, advised the utilisation

of the breast self-examination kits, stressing that another good option for prevention of breast cancer was the use of mamography test for early detection, and reporting of such to health institutions. Also contributing, former Commissioner for Health and now director, projects, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Salma Anas-Kolo, said the Federal Government was fully committed to the fight against cancer and promised to support each state towards prevention and eradication of the disease.

Friday, October 30, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME EBULISON: I, formerly known and addressed as EBULISON P. ELIZABETH ONOSOBANA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. IRUMHESON ELIZABETH ONOSOBANA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OLADAYO: I, formerly known and addressed as OLADAYO KAYODE BISI-OLUWOLE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ZAID OLADAYO BISIRIYU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

From my Primary School, my name has been erroneously shortened, as akinyemi basith sijuade that my full name is AKINYEMI-ESHILOKUN ABDULBASITH SIJUADE. That i am the owner of all the documents and certificate issued as AKINYEMI BASITH SIJUADE.

OZONWANJI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OZONWANJI MARIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ODOH MARIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODINKEMMA ONU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWOYE STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ANYI: I, formerly known as MISS. ANYI ELIZABETH CHIDIEBERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OBIALOR ELIZABETH CHIDIEBERE. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Health Enugu State and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AGUNTA: I, formerly known as AGUNTA SYLVANUS N., now wish to be known and addressed as AGU SYLVANUS N. All former documents remain valid. First Bank 9th Mile Corner, Pension Board Enugu and general public please take note.

ENEH: I, formerly known as SIMON ENEH, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUDI JIOKE. All former documents remain valid. ECO Bank and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKPANI: I, formerly known as MISS. OKPANI NKECHI CATHERINE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ISRAEL-IMO NKECHI CATHERINE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBODO: I, formerly known as, MISS. OGBODO AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AMUH AMARACHI MAUREEN VERA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SPACE FOR SALE PUBLIC NOTICE

Messrs TRITON AVIATION This is to inform the general public that Messrs TRITON AVIATION has applied to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for grant of Airline Operating Permit (AOP) to operate non-scheduled air transport operations within and outside Nigeria. Any person or organization that has objection or representation as regards to this application should do so within 28 days from the date of this application. Such objection or representation should be forwarded to: The Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Aviation House, P.M.B. 21029 Ikeja, Ikeja, Lagos. Signed: Management

SPACE FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE

JESUS MY POWER AND KEY MINISTRY OF GOD

COMPUTER MEGA CITY INFOTECH DEALERS ASSOCIATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Uju Oliver - Chairman 2. Ilo Jude - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To prepare people of God for work of service. 2. Bible studies, theological education teaching of Christian faith. 3. Christian seminars and symposium convention and crusade. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, pls 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Trustees

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) IFEANYI EZEAMAMA (2) MOSES IGWE (3) NNAMDI OKONKWO (4) GBEMISOLA OLAWOLA (5) AMAECHI CHINEDU MARTINS THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To promote, project and protect the economic welfare of members 2. To create a forum for mutual exchange of ideas amongst members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED BY:- Chinago Anita Abengowe (Mrs)

PUBLIC NOTICE

AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION SAVIOUR’S APOSTOLIC CHURCH INC. This is to inform the General Public that the above named church is applying for Amendment of their constitution under part C of the companies and Allied Matters. No 1 of 1990. The Article under the Board of Trustees of the Church in page (7) of the constitution be altered to reflect: That the Church must have eight (8) Trustees and each trustee must be nominated and voted for separately at a General Meeting of the Church. Any objection to this application for alteration of Amendment should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporation Affairs Commission, 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

CHRIST THE WAY APOSTOLIC CREED MINISTRY

This is to notify the general public that the above named church / organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja for registration under the part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters of 2004. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Pastor Michael Oladunjoye Ayeye 2. Deaconess Elizabeth Olubunmi Ayeye 3. Pastor Samson Adetuwo Ogungbemi 4. Evangelist Akintimehin Akinfolarin 5. Miss Bosede Ireti Jegede AIM AND OBJECTIVE: (I) To propagate the Gospel of Christ to the unsaved world. (i) To preach the Gospel in order to advance God’s Kingdom and depopulate the kingdom of darkness. Any objection to this registration should be forward to the Register General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse zone 5, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED : Tosin Omotayo Esq For: Sola Ebiseni & Associate L.A 2 off Hospital Rd. Akure Ondo States.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE INCARNATE WORD DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Ministry has applied for registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.) Dr. OGUNNUBI, Olatunji Olayemi 2.) Miss OLAWUYI, Eyitayo Oluwadamilola 3.) Miss AYODELE, Toyosi Omowumi THE VISION OF THE MINISTRY IS Raising ambassadors for Christ, who are grounded in God’s word and are impacting the world by maximally fulfilling divine purpose. – [Ephesians 4:11-13] THE MISSION (AIMS AND OBJECTIVES) ARE 1.To be a model of light and source of illumination in this dark world (Isaiah 60:1-3, Ezra 7:10, Acts 1:1, Matt. 5:14-16). 2.To engage in and organize various discipleship, mentoring and training programmes, and other spiritual programmes and activities, aimed at building believers in accordance to the pursuit of the above vision (John 21:15-17, Eph. 4:11-13, 2 Tim. 2:2). 3.To engage in and organize various capacity building programmes and empowerment activities, in pursuit of the above vision (Dan. 1:3-4, Prov. 22:29). 4.To extend the love of Christ and the hand of love through welfare to the less privileged and needy physically, materially, financially, health-wise, etc. (Psalm 41:1, Prov. 19:17, Matt. 5:7, Matt. 25:31-40). 5.To own and maintain such properties, equipment and buildings as may be required to carry out the above stated mission (Mark 11:1-9, Luke 5:1-3). Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigirs Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED MANAGEMENT

CHANGE OF NAME /AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION/REARRANGEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ NAMES.

ALHERI EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE INTERNATIONAL

Amen and Amen Ministry wishes to change its name to Amen and Amen Ministry International, amend its Constitutional provisions as follows and rearrange the names of its Trustees: ARTICLES (1) Name, (3) Logo, (4) Aims and objectives, (5) Membership, (6) Officers of the Ministry, (7) Duties of the elected officers, (8) Trustees of the Ministry, (9) Sources of income, (11) Methods of election, (12)Tenure of Office of other officers, (13) Fellowship days, (15) Governing council, (16) Evangelism, (17) Welfare and addition of a new article to introduce our mission and vision statements. Trustees’ names rearranged as follows: 1. Amaraegbu Joshua Chinyereugo - Secretary 2. Amaraegbu Julia Victoria Uloma - General Overseer Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P. M. B 198, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Pastor (Mrs.) Amaraegbu Julia Victoria Uloma (General Overseer)

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Yakubu Mallum Akaya 2. Chief Attah Bala Alidzi 3. Godwin Nana Ekot 4. Mrs. Esther Vou Dalyop 5. Joseph Chollom Dung 6. Dr. Mrs. Lar Patricia Manko 7. Akpan Mary Moses 8. Umoren Ofonsediana 9. Milaham Helen Nantok 10. Ema A. J.U Ema AIMS AND OBJECTIVE ARE: 1.To give knowledge for service of humanity development in the society 2.To create a platform of skills empowerment Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: Godwin Nana Ekot

PUBLIC NOTICE

PLATEAU WOMEN PEACE INITIATIVE

PRAISE REVIVAL INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY BETHEL GOD IN A PLACE

GOODFRIENDS UNITED SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Amanze Nnamdi 2. Ndukwe George Boniface 3. Okoye Nnamdi Ifeanyi 4. Chinemerem Igboanusi 5. Ndubuisi Ikechwukwu A. 6. Peter Kenneth Oduru AIMS AND OBJECTIVE ARE: 1.To come together and unite for the progress of community 2. To foster peace amongst members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: Mr. Amanze Nnamdi

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Stella Wuyep 2. Sakina Saleh Adamu 3. Alhassan Zainab Ahmed 4. Alhassan Zuhuriyya 5. Ahmed Alhassan Zainab 6. Zainab Vincent Shemu AIMS AND OBJECTIVE ARE: 1.Improve the moral and intellectual development of women, Youth and Children in our local government area 2.To empower Women, Youth and Children through skills acquisition and other financial and material support and trading for sustainable development Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: Secretary

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Charles M. Opara 2. Olabode Mayor Solomon 3. Engr Charles Onyekwere AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world 2.To bring deliverance and restoration to the broken hearted through the teachings of the word of God 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: Secretary

Friday, October 30, 2015

Afterthought: Oliseh makes Iheanacho 24th invitee

Mourinho to be in dugout for Liverpool match

W/Cup qualifier:

Sport

–Manchester United legend, Gary Neville

Martins

I think Manchester City are back on track to chase the title once again. They have started well already

Oliseh recalls Martins to battle Swaziland

ith a firm assent on current form and ability, Coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 23 players, including USA-based Obafemi Martins and six home-based professionals, for the Super Eagles’ 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Swaziland. The two-legged fixture will take place over four days next month, with the first leg in Lobamba on November 13 and the return at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on November 17. Martins, who has not featured for the Super Eagles in two years, has been in great form for Seattle Sounders in the Major League Soccer (MLS), and his invitation shows clearly that FIFA Technical Study Group member, Oliseh, has an open mind to all Nigerian players across the globe.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The invitation is also a sweet birthday present to Martins, who celebrated his 31st birthday last Wednesday. He scored for Nigeria on his debut in a friendly match against Republic of Ireland in London in May 2005. Six home -based players, who all played notable roles in Nigeria’s qualification for the 4th African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the expense of Burkina Faso, are in the 23-man mix. Oliseh has directed all the players to arrive at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, November 8 as training commences same day by 7pm. The Full List Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars), Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal) Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao

da Madeira, Portugal), Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers), Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Chima Akas (Sharks FC), Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors) Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia) Attackers: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA).

helsea manager Jose Mourinho is expected to be in the dugout for tomorrow’s game with Liverpool, despite facing a misconduct charge. According to BBC Sport, the Blues boss faces disciplinary action after being sent off during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat by West Ham. But those matters are not expected to be dealt with before the 12:45 GMT kick-off at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho, 52, has also lodged an appeal with the Football Association against a separate suspended stadium ban. Chelsea and West Ham were charged with failing to control their players and have until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to respond. Mourinho was sent to the stands after going to speak to referee Jon Moss in his room at halftime and he watched the second half from the directors’ box at Upton Park. He also refused to take part in the post-match news conference.

Mourinho

Sports

Friday, October 30, 2015

Chile 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Golden Eaglets’ players in victory run after thrashing Australia 6-0 on Wednesday, in Chile

Pinnick salutes Eaglets, wants focus on trophy

...as Brazil dares Nigeria on Sunday P resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, has applauded the six-star performance of the Golden Eaglets in routing Australia to reach the FIFA U-17 World Cup quarter-finals. Eaglets saw off the Aussies in a dominant performance early yesterday morning, with Victor Osimhen scoring the first hattrick of the ongoing Chile 2015 to see him stand alone as the outright top goalscorer in the competition so far with seven goals. According to FIFA, Nigeria’s 6-0 victory over Australia is the joint-biggest win in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup knockout stages, level with Japan’s 6-0 win against their antipodean neighbours, New Zealand in 2011, which also come in the Round of 16. The Eaglets take on Brazil for a place in the semi-finals at the now-familiar Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar (where they pounded host Chile 5-1 and victimised Australia 6-0) on Sunday (starting 8pm Nigeria time). In a statement yesterday, Pinnick said, “I must start by pouring encomiums on the players and officials of the Golden Eaglets, not

just for the victory over Australia that has taken us closer to the objective of retaining the trophy, but also for their general comportment and discipline which has been acknowledged by all at the World Cup in Chile. “They have been doing the nation proud. The victories over USA, host Chile and now Australia were well-deserved, because they toiled and invented and never let up, even when leading the opposition. Even when they lost to Croatia, they played with their hearts. The NFF is very proud of Coach Emmanuel Amuneke and the players.” Before the players departed for Argentina for their final

training camp, Pinnick met with Coach Amuneke and the players and charged them to do everything they could to retain the trophy, won for an unprecedented fourth time for Nigeria by the Manu Garba-led Class of 2013. The NFF boss reminded the players and coaches that President Muhammadu Buhari was the first Nigerian leader to receive the FIFA Cadet World Cup, in his first coming as a military Head of State in 1985. That year, Nduka Ugbade led the squad that won the inaugural tournament in China. “I assure you that President Buhari will also be waiting to

receive the trophy again this time, and you all would be the first group of footballers to be hosted specially by the President,” said Pinnick. On the eve of their first match against USA in Santiago, the players and coaches received an even heftier charge from Buhari himself, telling them to go for the trophy. “The NFF is happy with the progress the team has been making, but I want them to focus hard on the challenges ahead and know that the trophy is the ultimate. They are so close to glory but they must be focused and have strong mental attitude on the field of play.”

keep their composure and concentration as they prepare for the quarterfinal encounter. Nigeria trounced Australia 6-0 early Thursday morning with a hat trick from the tournament’s leading scorer, Victor Osimhen, while a penalty kick by skipper of the side, Kelechi Nwakali, and two more goals from Samuel Chukwueze and Edidibong Es-

sien completed the rout in the second half. “These Eaglets are indeed golden in their performances. The cup is not far from you. Go ahead and trounce Brazil which might pose a major hurdle and the rest shall be history,” Globacom said in the statement expressing confidence that the Eaglets will return with the cup.

Ranieri fulfils pizza promise to players

eicester manager Claudio Ranieri is delivering on his promise to treat his players to pizzas after an early season incentive. The Italian had vowed to treat the high-flying Premier League squad to pizzas if they kept a clean sheet. And last weekend they finally managed the feat at the 12th time of asking when they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at the King Power Stadium. True to his word, Ranieri picked the bill at a city centre restaurant yesterday. “Yes, I pay,” said the former Chelsea, Valencia, Juventus and Monaco boss. “I pay. They deserve this pizza and today we will eat. “It was a very tough match against Crystal Palace and this could help us make a very good spirit.”

…Glo urges team to keep flag flying

he Golden Eaglets have been commended for qualifying for the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Next Generation Network and sponsor of the national teams, Globacom, in a statement released yesterday in Lagos, commended the Eaglets for making Nigeria and Africa proud, while urging them to

Ranieri

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday, October 30, 2015

Afterthought: Oliseh makes Iheanacho 24th invitee

MANDATE

THE

Sylvester Ikuejamoye

mopheys13@gmail.com 0805-407-1194 (SMS only)

Poorly managed, programmed to fail I Iheanacho

s an afterthought, Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has included Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, on a 24-man squad for next month’s World Cup eliminator against Swaziland, according to africanfootball.com. Iheanacho, 18, was originally not on the squad earlier released yesterday, but the NFF has now announced he has been included by Oliseh. On Wednesday night, Iheanacho justified his first competitive start for Manchester City with a goal and two assists against Crystal Palace to set up a League

Cup quarterfinal against Hull City. Before then, he has made six appearances totalling less than 45 minutes of action in the English Premier League on his debut season. Last year, he trained with the 2014 CHAN-bound Eagles before he opted to finalise his transfer to England. According to the official Twitter handle of the NFF, Oliseh has invited Iheanacho to make his squad 24 players. The MVP of the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup could play as a striker or in midfield.

NFF queries Siasia over ‘media outburst’

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has fired U23 coach Samson Siasia a query over what it described as his “media outburst” on Wednesday. Siasia went public to accuse his employers of abandoning his team with a month to Rio Olympics qualifying tournament in Senegal. He said players of the team are owed match bonuses, allowances and he himself has not been paid for three months. He, therefore, declared he should not be held responsible should the country fail to qualify for the Olympics football event. It has now been specially gathered that the NFF was “highly embarrassed” by the statements of the coach particularly after he was briefed by a top-ranking executive committee member about the financial predicament of the federation after the single treasury account adopted by the Federal Government came into force. The query has demanded why

sanctions should not be imposed on him for his “media outburst”. The African U23 Nations Cup will be staged in Senegal from November 28 and it will serve as a qualifier for next year’s Olympics in Rio. Siasia’s U-23 team is scheduled to train in Morocco and Gambia prior to the championship, where they are drawn against Egypt, Algeria and Mali.

Siasia

t was pretty difficult to situate or rationalise reason for the failure of Nigeria Football Federation and Chief Segun Odegbami to meet up with the FIFA’s Tuesday, October 27 deadline for the submission of forms for the presidential election of the world football body billed for February next year. I am yet to come to terms with what may have caused Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu to withdraw from the race at the eleventh hour. However, without much sweat, I can hazard a possible reason for his sudden action, despite the assurances of support from the suspended FIFA president, Sepp Blatter. Tongues are already wagging as to the motives behind such a questionable lacklustre attitude of the NFF right from the onset. Readers of this column will bear me witness that I have consistently called on the NFF to act fast and wisely. It is not only bitter to imagine but curious to note that the NFF does not have the capacity to convince just five countries in Africa to support NFF’s candidate. This, to me, is a monumental disaster brought upon Nigeria by the current NFF leadership. It is laughable and ridiculous listening to the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, trying to exonerate the NFF from the self-inflicted blunder. It is absolutely nonsensical for Pinnick to tell wellinformed Nigerians that he believed Odegbami had made the necessary contacts with other countries in Africa to give him the required endorsement. He went further

to say that all the NFF had to do was only to endorse while Odegbami should seek five other countries to give him further endorsement. That this absurdity came from the NFF president is a pity and shows clearly the calibre of those we have been running o u r c o u n -

Pinnick

try’s football. In another clime, Pinnick would have by now been booted out by the NFF board. Most well-informed Nigerians would no doubt agree that the NFF postulation is fraught with many holes. It cannot stand the simple test of logic. How on earth would Pinnick tell any intelligent and sound minded person that the NFF was not aware of Odegbami’s inability to secure the required endorsement from five countries before the close of the submission forms for the election. I don’t think that the NFF needs to be told that the moment an agency of government nominates any candidate for election into any office globally, that nominee automatically becomes the candidate of that country with all efforts mustered for

the candidate’s success e in order to avoid any negative backlash. Two notable Nigerians were in the race for the FIFA election. They are Dr. Uzor Orji Kalu and Chief Segun Odegbami. My position on who should be supported is well known. My support for Kalu has been explained here repeatedly with facts and figure. The main reason while Odegbami failed to submit his form was as a result of comprehensive analysis on the two of them. I have advised the NFF to do a thorough examination on the two candidates to be sure they that the name of our dear country will not be ridiculed. I have raised three posers for Nigerians and particularly, the NFF to consider and resolve. First, who had the upper hand in terms of relevant international connection and contacts among the two? Second, who could afford the required funding for the magnitude of the FIFA election? Who will the FIFA electorate prefer among the two? Just as I had said severally in the past, I have no hesitation in resolving all the above posers in favour of Kalu. The NFF should have known better. Many people may be wondering why Kalu withdrew from the race at the last minute even after an open support for him by the suspended FIFA president, Sepp Blatter. My take is that this is where the NFF got it deadly wrong. Great efforts should have been made to know who is more acceptable to the international stakeholders among the two. A little more intelligent effort would have helped the NFF. While there is allegation of conspiracy theory against the NFF role in the entire shameful drama, this and the likely reason why Kalu withdrew at the eleventh hour will be treated next week. Until next week Friday, stay out of trouble and God bless Nigeria. Email: mopheys13@gmail. com or +234 805 407 1194 (SMS) only

WORLD RECORD

Highest fall survived without parachute

Vol. 05 No. 1234

Friday, October 30, 2015

Vesna Vulovic (Yugoslavia) was 23 working as a Jugoslavenski Aerotransport hostess when she survived a fall from 10,160 m (33,333 ft) over Srbsk, Kamenice, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), on 26 January 1972

N150

On corruption: Dedicated to Adewale Kupoluyi

dewale Kupoluyi, by the way, is supposed to be a staff of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. A very good thinker and writer, one believes he is. But this writer never imagined he would one day join the novitiates that pretend not to understand the root or foundation of corruption in Nigeria. He aptly and practically captured various dimensions of the scourge in his recent mail to a national newspaper (not National Mirror). But Adewale’s of-the-mark buck passing, which suggests that ordinary Nigerians are fanning the embers of endemic and festering corruption in the land, is unacceptable. He should call himself to order or be helped to do so. “People generally think it is all about embezzlement, fraud and theft of funds by only those in the public service. There is a need for a change in mindset by realising that

t’s a match! Serena Williams is dating Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian. “They met at a lunch,” a source reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly. “It’s new.” Although Williams, 34, was recently linked to Drake, a second source

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) impunity and corrupt practices are not limited to government officials, but all facets of our social life”, he says. He then poured out his heart: “… How many working class individuals and small scale entrepreneurs have ever been sanctioned for fraud? How do we describe the impunity and corruption that take place when a parent arranges a ‘mercenary’ to write examinations for his/ her child or ward? How do we describe a scenario where a taxi driver mistakenly gives N200 to a passenger as change instead of N100, while the passenger keeps quiet and never refunds the over-payment? Are these corrupt practices by government officials? Is it the leader or the follower that is guilty when we decide to beat the traffic light simply because nobody is watching? Or, how do we call someone who tells his/her child to lie to a visitor that he/she is not at home when he/she is actually relaxing in the living room? “Why do we blame political office holders that engage in corrupt practices when, as inlaws, friends, colleagues, religious leaders, traditional rulers, family (both nuclear and extended), neighbours, and so on, saddle them with litany of demands? Do we blame politicians for a teacher that offers marksfor-sex; or the female student that seduces her lecturer with the intention to obtain free marks? Why do we still blame government officials for being corrupt when we too cheat other people in our own little ways? What moral right does a man that sells fake and

BAD LEADERS, WITH A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY MARGIN, BEGET IRRESPONSIBLE FOLLOWERS, THE SAME WAY BAD PARENTS END UP WITH WAYWARD CHILDREN adulterated drugs to his fellow being have to say a politician is corrupt when he/she is equally guilty of dishonesty? What do we say about a fuel marketer that hoards fuel products…; is it the politician or the poor fellow that prefers to hoard and resell at exorbitant cost to others; or the worker that resumes at 9.45am but tries to manipulate his/her resumption time to 7.45am while signing the attendance register?” It is not clear which corrupt class Adewale stuck out his neck to defend, between government officials and politicians. Indeed, beyond Adewale’s anatomy of low profile corruption are other angles some ministerial nominees posited during their ministerial screening lately. In fairness to him, however, Adewale called to attention the sundry vintage of corruption. But it is high time discussions on corruption in the land are not based on the divide one finds himself (public or private life), sen-

timents, emotions or just the love of writing. Public opinion should not represent a colourfully coated sepulchre, it doesn’t matter that facts are sacred and opinion is free and cheap. For, opinion lacking in facts soon loses its salt and worth. It becomes chaff in the end. Adewale should find time to read the works of the likes of Grimot Nane, which rightly bought his idea that corruption is unsatisfactorily defined as the misuse of public office for private gain, because it suggests corruption only happens in the public sector. Nane was, however, charitable and thoughtful enough to admit that the power of high public office is the starting point for corruption. “Corruption is characteristically a topdown, not bottom-up phenomenon. I often read and hear some people say corruption in a nation is the problem of followers or every nation deserves the leadership it gets. Such statements demonstrate an incomplete or unfair understanding of corruption; and may be power-supporting sophistry. How can lawmakers, law interpreters and law executors, the legislators, judges and presidents, respectively, of a nation and their clients be exempt from the blame or be the least culpable for corruption?”, Nane wonders. Without in any way suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari should rule the nation with iron fists the way he did when he seized power through a coup in 1983, who in Nigeria did not sit up morally and otherwise on reading the body language of Buhari and his late deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, before they were ousted in 1985 by the Babangida boys? Adewale must realise that there is basically no difference between leaders and parents; and between followers and children, in that order. Bad leaders, with a very high probability margin, beget irresponsible followers, the same way bad parents end up with wayward children. If the headship of the three arms of government stand firmly against corruption, and the judiciary, especially, firmly punishes culprits, no rocket science would be needed to curb corrupt practices in all facets of Nigeria’s life, public or private; and in record time.

Sport Extra

Serena Williams finds new love says it was simply a “flirty friendship.” Now, the tennis pro is making love part of her routine, bringing her new guy, 32, to her workout at the Los Angeles School of Gymnastics last Saturday, Oc-

tober 24. Said an onlooker, “He called her babe and they held hands.” Ohanian has even been getting into her sport of choice. The source added, “He said he’d never been

into tennis until they started dating!” Williams lost her bid for the first Grand Slam in tennis in 27 years on Friday, September 11, to Roberta Vinci. The tennis star’s fans were quick

to take to the Internet to point fingers at her then-rumoured boyfriend, Drake, 29, for her defeat. The rapper had been rooting for Williams from the stands.

Serena

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