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FG reverses Jonathan, sacks NPA boss Bayero

Goodnight Ooni, Iku Baba Yeye

...reinstates Abdullahi

ABUJA Bayero

Vol. 5 N0. 1178

Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sacked the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Al-

n a clear case of reversal of one of the last-minute actions of his predecessor, President

OMEIZA AJAYI

Friday, August 14, 2015

P.3

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

National Mirror Online

N150

@NationalMirror

Buhari to Service Chiefs:

Defeat Boko Haram in three months ...warns against rights violation Air Force deploys more fighter jets in N’East

OMEIZA AJAYI AND UBONG UKPONG

resident Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the newlydecorated Service Chiefs to evolve a well-coordinated plan to end the Boko Haram menace within three months. Such an articulated plan must also see to the elimination of militancy, banditry, kidnapping and any other form of violent crime. The president, however, warned them against any CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

APC warns against truncating anticorruption P.7 war

L-R: Chief of Air Staff, Air-Marshal Sadique Abubarkar; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, after the decoration of Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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Bodies of Pilot, Co-Pilot of crashed helicopter recovered P.5

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News

Friday, August 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Defeat Boko Haram in three months CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

resort to human rights violation, saying Nigeria’s military operations must be anchored within the framework of international rule of engagement. Buhari’s order came barely 24 hours after the Chadian president, Idris Derby, expressed optimism that his troops alongside those of the Multinational Joint-Taskforce MNJTF would rein in the terrorists before December.

Security analysts believe that the sect has been sufficiently weakened, with Mr. Derby confirming the earlier stance of Nigeria’s security agencies that the sect’s spiritual leader, Abubakar Shekau, had been taken out. Swearing in the Service Chiefs, Buhari said they must work in close collaboration with all stakeholders to achieve the set mandate. The decorated Service

Chiefs are General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt-General T.Y. Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff. Appointed on July 13, they were all confirmed by the Senate on August 4. “The activities of these misguided groups and individuals have resulted

in wanton destruction of lives and properties of our citizens as a disruption of socio-economic lives of millions of Nigerians. “You need to brace up and continue to team up with other stakeholders to come up with a well coordinated joint effort which will bring a desired end to these insurgencies within three months,” Buhari who was assisted by his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, said. Charging them to en-

sure commitment to the welfare of troops, he said they would at all times be held accountable for both men and equipment placed under their command while the operation lasts. He however promised to avail the security forces all necessary support or resources. “Your troops’ welfare must be uppermost in your mind; take care of them and make available what is due to them,” he said.

Local divers recovering the last two bodies of victims of Wednesday’s helicopter crash inside the lagoon at Oworonsoki in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

FG reverses Jonathan, sacks NPA boss Bayero CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

haji Sanusi Ado Bayero, replacing him with his erstwhile predecessor, Habibu Abdullahi. His sack came just less than four months after he

was appointed into that office. Former President Goodluck Jonathan had on April 29, exactly one month before his exit, approved the appointment of Bayero as Managing

Director of the authority, following the sack of Abdullahi. Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, who confirmed the sack of Bayero in a statement said

the action is with immediate effect. “He is to hand over the management of the NPA and all government property in his possession to Mr. Habibu Abdullahi who has been re-

instated as Managing Director of the NPA by President Buhari,” Adesina stated. He added that President Buhari “wishes Alhaji Bayero well in his future endeavours.”

‘Anti-corruption war’ll fail if fuel subsidy continues’ TOLA AKINMUTIMI

mir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, yesterday rose stoutly in defence of complete removal of fuel subsidy, describing the regime as the biggest challenge to the nation’s sustainable development. Sanusi advised the present administration to tackle headlong the fiscal discrepancies the fuel subsidy regime had created in public finance over the years by not providing for it in national

budgets forthwith. The former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s, Governor lamented that the regime was the most unfortunate thing to happen to the nation’s public finance system, as it constituted the easiest way to defraud government through phony importation of fuel and siphoning of millions of dollars from the public vault by fraudsters on daily basis . The Emir, who made these remarks at the One-day Symposium on 2015 Budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria, organised by the Institute of Chartered Ac-

countants of Nigeria, ICAN, in Lagos, painted in lurid details how empty vessels were being brought to Nigerian shores by supposed importers and billions of dollars were paid on monthly basis from the Federation Account for such frauds He said that stopping subsidy was the first step to sanitising the country’s economy and ensuring structural reform in public sector even as he slammed the governments on their penchant to resort borrowing to finance budget deficits. Sanusi said: “One of the

major challenges of the country over the years, in spite of its abundant resources, has been over-dependence on oil revenue and lack of structural reforms. “This is caused by irregular budget cycle, fiscal indiscipline, huge cost of governance, poor budgeting ethics, implementation processes and weak structures and these have continued to contribute to poor economic performance. “We spend so much and generate little revenues. We can begin to restructure our economy by fixing the revenue chain and blocking the

leakages. And one way of doing that is by stopping subsidy because it gives room for corruption in our country.” On the level of abuses that characterised fuel subsidy regime over the years, the seasoned finance expert pointed out that Nigeria was losing as much as $140m monthly on kerosene subsidy. This is even as he flawed the 445,000 litres allocated to NNPC for refining locally and several other components of the fuel lifting and processing activities, including the granting of pioCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

The president also charged them to ensure strict adherence to military rules, saying discipline and professionalism must be maintained constantly. He said: “You should also ensure that they abide with the newly enforced rules and relations of international standards while carrying out their assigned tasks. “In particular, you must protect innocent civilians and respect the rights of combatants. This, no doubt will earn the support of local communities and the respect of our allies and support of international community.” He said they must get back to work and make Nigerians proud. Since the insurgency began in 1999, over 19, 000 people, including women and children, have been reportedly killed. Meanwhile, Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has deployed additional combat aircrafts to the North East, in support of the ongoing counterinsurgency operation. A statement from the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, through its Director of Public Relations and Information, DOPRI, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said that the deployment was in a renewed drive to crush the fighting will of the terrorist group. The new deployment came on the heel of the recent visit of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, to the operational areas. “The newly deployed platforms include the F-7Ni fighter aircraft, Mi-24/35 attack helicopters, Agusta 109 LUH, Supa Puma Combat Support helicopter and ATR-42 surveillance aircraft which hitherto had been away for scheduled maintenance,” Alonge said. He added that the provision of additional platforms in the North-East was in line with President Buhari’s mandate to bring an end to insurgency in the NorthEast. “The new deployment is aimed at boosting existing military efforts to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists. It is also expected to enhance the capability of the Nigerian Armed Forces to fight in a more proactive and efficient manner,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Transition

Friday, August 14, 2015

GOODNIGHT OONI, Iku Baba Yeye Dare akogun

oday, in the ancient city of Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba nation, the remains of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, will be laid to rest. Dignitaries from all walks of life will converge on the palace to pay their last respect to the departed monarch. The Federal Government, National Assembly lawmakers and state governments representatives will throng the city as a mark of tribute to the man, who has been described as bridge builder and a detrabalised Nigerian. The late Sijuwade died in a London hospital recently at 85 years and seven months, having been born on January 1, 1930. Since then, the chiefs in Ife had embarked on several rites of passage even with the stunt denial that the Kabiyesi was still alive. But the cat was finally let out of the bag on Wednesday with the announcement by Osun State government and the family. Oba Sijuwade ascended the throne in December 1980 when he became the 50th ruler of the ancient kingdom of Ife, popularly referred to as the cradle and source of the Yoruba. Initially crowned as Alayeluwa Olubuse II, the late Ooni dropped “Alayeluwa” from his name a few years back, saying only God is fit to be called “Alayeluwa”. The flamboyant traditional ruler was crowned king on December 6, 1980, in a colourful ceremony attended by prominent traditional rulers like the Emir of Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanabo of Opobo and the Olu of Warri, as well as representatives of the Queen of England. Sijuwade was born to the Ogboru ruling house and was a grandson of the Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I. The late Oba studied at the Abeokuta Grammar School and Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife. He worked for three years in his father’s business and later did a twoyear stint with the Nigerian Tribune, before attending the Northampton College in the United Kingdom to study Business Management. At the young age of 30, he became a

manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate. In 1963, he became the Sales Director of the state-owned National Motors in Lagos. After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union, he formed a company to distribute Sovietbuilt vehicles and equipment i n

In 1967, the crisis had been resolved when the late Yoruba sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was chosen as leader of the Yoruba. In 1976, Governor of Oyo State, General David Jemibewon, had decreed that the Ooni of Ife would be the permanent chairman of the State’s Council of Obas and Chiefs. Oth-

Nigeria. e r The Late Ooni This later Obas led became the by the Alaaf Alaafnucleus of his widewide in of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, said the spread business empire. He also invested in real estate in his position should rotate. The dispute calmed down when home town of Ile-Ife and by the time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in 1980, Osun State was carved out of Oyo State he had become a wealthy man, whose in August 1991, but still persisted and in January 2009, Sijuwade was quoted fame and connection was global. When Sijuwade became the Ooni, as saying that Oba Adeyemi was rulhe inherited an ongoing dispute over ing a dead empire (the Oyo Empire, supremacy between the Obas of Yor- which collapsed in 1793). Adeyemi responded by citing “abubaland.

surdities” in Sijuwade’s statements and saying the Ooni “is not in tune with his own history”. In February 2009, Sijuwade helped mediate in a dispute over land ownership between the communities of Ife and Modakeke, resolved in part through the elevation of the Ogunsua of Modakeke as an Oba. Senator Salami from Osun State says: “Ooni Sijuwade was a repository deof Yoruba tradition and history; he de ployed his wisdom and royalty in the interest of the Yoruba nation.” SijuSalaam attested that Ooni Siju wade was a great traditional ruler whose imperial royalty was not rein contest, saying it is on re cord that the late monarch exuded the unique heriheri tage of Yoruba ancestors. Describing the late Nigeking as one of Nige tradiria’s foremost tradi Presitional rulers, Presi dent Muhammadu conBuhari in his con dolences to the famlate Ooni’s fam ily, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the gover nment and people of Osun State on the departure of the First Class Monarch said: “Oba Sijuwade’s place in posterity has already been assured by his long and worthy service to his people and country as well conas his notable con tributions to the development of his community, state and country as a leading adminisbusinessman, adminis trator and inspirational traditional ruler.” SiThe president said Oba Si juade will be long remembered serand celebrated for his worthy ser vice, over more than three decades, as the Chief Custodian of traditions conof the Yoruba and his invaluable con tributions to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of his people within and outside Nigeria. Presi“As they mourn his passing, Presi dent Buhari urges the Ooni’s family, friends, associates and subjects to be consoled by the knowledge that he lived a fulfilled life, and has left worthy legacies for his successors to build upon. While the race for his successor had begun in earnest, Nigerians cannot but pray that God Almighty will bring forth a worthy successor to take his place on the ancient throne of Ile-Ife.

Photo News

Friday, August 14, 2015

L-R: NAWOJ President, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Mr Nnamdi Njemanze; National President of NUJ, Mr Abdulwaheed Odusile; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina and Communications and Reporting Advisor, UNDP, Ms Toyin Adewale-Gabriel, at the Public Presentation of Reportage of 2015 Elections: A Monitoring Scorecard of Print and Online Media, in Abuja, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; Assistant Director, Monitoring, NBC Lagos Zone, Ijeoma Theo-Obodo; Chima Igwe, and General Manager, Details Nigeria Limited, Chris Obasi, during the launch of MultiChoice Certified Installers in Lagos.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON; one of the 60 newly inducted Authorized Dealing Clerks from Futureview Limited, Mrs. Amaechi Vanessa Ijeoma and her Principal, Mr. Alex Odiachi, at the Induction Ceremony for Newly Authorized Dealing Clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, yesterday.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Curve Communications, Mr Adeola Odunowo; CEO, Beez Ideaz, Abiodun Adegoke; Head Coordinator, Women Empowerment and Enlightenment Campaign, Mr Kayode Odukoya and CEO, Ocean 27, Lovetta Iwelu, during a press briefing for WEEC Creative Essay Competition 2015 in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Senate honours Ooni, sends 4-man burial team

• Fear over alleged satellite capturing of passage rites GeorGe oji and Boladale BamiGBola

enate yesterday paid special respect to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, as lawmakers took turns to pour encomiums on the royal father, whose death was reported about a fortnight ago. Senators also observed a one minute silence in honour of the late Oba. Senator representing Osun East, Senator Babajide Omoworare, brought the attention of the death of the Oba to the Senate via a motion pursuant to order 42 and 52 of the Senate standing order on matters of urgent national importance. The lawmaker took time to reel out the resume of the life and times of the late Oba. He said: “Oba Sijuwade was a great family man and highly revered in Diaspora, especially in Cuba,

Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago. He received many national and international awards and decorations in honour and recognition of his various achievements.” Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in a special condolence message described the passing on to glory of Oba Sijuade, as the end of an era in Yorubaland. Saraki said he was particularly saddened by the fact that Ooni departed at a time when the country is in dire need of his wise counsel, respected interventions and patriotic stand on issues of national significance. While describing the transition of Oba Sijuwade as a national loss, the Senate President commiserated with members of the Olubuse royal family, people of Ile Ife, the government and people of Osun State and the entire Yorubaland over the demise of a “king who represents the best of Yoruba traditions and customs.”

Saraki described the late Ooni as a royal father who will remain dear to his heart for a long time due to his deliberate efforts to promote Yoruba culture and tradition. He noted that as a way of promoting national unity, the Ooni gave chieftaincy titles to many Nigerians from other parts of the country. The senate set up a fourmember special delegation led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa East) to lead the team that would attend the burial of the late Oba. Other members of the burial delegation are Senator Biodun Olujimi, Godswill Akpabio and Gbolahun Dada. Meanwhile, there was palpable fear in Ile-Ife, yesterday over reports that satellite images of secret traditional rites being performed for the departed Ooni may have been captured. The development elicited hostile reception from many

indigenes of the town to newsmen that had thronged Ile-Oodua, Ooni’s palace to cover events preceding internment of the monarch. It was learnt that the appearance of pictures of procession of Oro worshippers during the rites held in the town on Thursday fueled the suspicion. A member of Oranmiyan family, the group in charge of security of the palace, who did not want to be named, told National Mirror that appearance of pictures purportedly showing activities during Oro procession held on Thursday, was a major cause of worry for the chiefs and members of late Ooni’s family. As part of measures to prevent further capturing of the images of the rites that are being done in private, all palace staff, including guards, it was learnt had been sent away. Oranmiyan family, apparently acting on the instruction, prevented news-

men and guests that had wanted to go into the palace from doing so and restricted people to about 200 metres away from the palace gate. “We are in fear because of intelligence report that satellite images of the rites that are being done on the remains of Oba Sijuade are being captured. “Everyone is agitated because we consider this as efforts to expose our tradition to ridicule because the personality involved is not an ordinary person. “He was the symbol of Yoruba culture and did his best to preserve it with all his strength while alive. Why will anyone attempt capturing satellite images of rites of passage for Ooni?” a member of Oranmiyan family queried. The gate of Ile Oodua was firmly shut, as only a handful of the Oranmiyan family, were seen going into the palace but other guests were not allowed in. The Royal Traditional

Council, RTC, yesterday declared seven-day mourning period in honour of the departed monarch. During the period, there will be restriction of movement, as people will only be allowed to move from 8am and 4pm. The remains of the monarch are expected to be interred after an interdenominational service to be held inside the palace, today. In a related development, palace messengers yesterday chased many traders out of many markets in the town. The traders in disregard for an order to close all markets across Ile Ife, had displayed wares at Iremo, Obalufon, Odo-Ogbe, London Street, among other places. But palace messengers, as early as 8a.m, went round to chase away the traders, beating gong to announce immediate closure of the markets and those around were told to leave within an hour.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Friday, August 14, 2015

Bodies of Pilot, Co-Pilot of crashed helicopter recovered OLUSEGUN KOIKI AND FRANKA OSAKWE

odies of the remaining two persons missing from Wednesday’s Bristow helicopter crash in Lagos have been recovered by the search and rescue team. Our correspondent, who was at the crash site at the back of Oworonsoki Police Station, reports that the bodies, recovered at about 10.25 a.m. yesterday were that of a white man and a black. The bodies were brought to the shore of the lagoon at 10.45 a.m. Sources said the white man was the helicopter’s pilot, while the black man was the co-pilot. The bodies had been taken to the Mainland Hospital by Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit. It was observed that while the search team was still looking for the two persons, some relations of the victims besieged the scene looking for their loved ones. General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele, who briefed the media jointly with Dr Onimode Bamdele, South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said the rescue and search mission had been concluded. Akindele said that though the bodies had been recovered, they could not give names of the victims because they had yet to have the manifest. He commended local divers, Marine Police, Lagos State Waterways Authority; the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and others for a job well done. Akindele said the second phase of the operation would be handled by the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, of the Federal Ministry of Aviation. He said the agency would determine how the remains of the helicopter would be evacuated from the water. Senior Investigator, Air Safety of AIB, Mr. Clement Onyeyiri, said as at now, all they knew was that there was an accident and that its nature was yet unknown. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello, who

was also at the scene, said they were waiting for the AIB report. One of the divers, Friday Ukpon, who claimed to be a fisherman, said it took them about four hours to find the bodies. Ukpon said they saw the helicopter crashed into the Lagoon while they were fishing in the area. “We entered the water at 7 a.m. and recovered the bodies at about 10.30 a.m,” he said. The corpses were taken out of Oworonsoki Police Station at 11.45 a.m. Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, Patricia Amadin, had on Wednesday, confirmed that after the crash, six persons were rescued alive and four dead. The police also confirmed that the ill-fated helicopter was carrying 12 passengers when the accident occurred at about 3.10 p.m. In a related development, six survivors of the crash have all stabilised and are said to be in good condition. However, investigations by our correspondent showed that the six survivors have left the Trauma & Burns Unit at the General Hospital, Gbagada and the Folabi Medical Centre along Oworonshoki Road, Lagos where first aid was initially administered on them, for St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, for further treatment. A source at the St. Nicholas Hospital confirmed that the six victims were receiving treatment at the hospital. According to the official, the victims are being monitored should any complication arise from the injuries they sustained from the crash. However, security operatives were seen at the major units of the hospital yesterday, restricting movement around the facility. One of the doctors who managed two of the survivors when they were at Gbagada General Hospital told our correspondent that the management of the airline and a medical doctor from the oil company had requested that the victims be transferred to St. Nicholas hospital on Wednesday night. He said: “We initially refused to grant them the referral to a private hospital because we had been instructed not to as it is now a

matter of the state. But after we stabilised them, the patients insisted and asked to be discharged to the private hospital.” Meanwhile, management of Bristow Helicopters has said that the two pilots of its crashed chopper were qualified and experienced. This is as AIB said the two black boxes; Flight Data Recorder, FDR, and Cockpit Voice Recorder, CVR, were yet to be found by the search and rescue team. The airline said it would cooperate fully with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and AIB in their investigation to unravel the cause of the crash. The two pilots of the illfated aircraft were Captain Joseph “Jay” Wyatt of Oklahoma, U.S., and First Officer Peter Bello of Nigeria. Regional Director, Africa, Bristow Helicopters, Mr. Duncan Moore said the

crashed aircraft with the registration number 5NBGD was in full compliance with the regulatory directives issued for its aircraft. Moore insisted that the management followed to the letter, the special maintenance and monitoring programmes developed by the aircraft and engine manufacturers, stressing that the helicopter operators and the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA/CAA in recent years had ensured all its aircraft were maintained to optimum standards. Moore explained that the chopper, a Sikorsky S76C+ was still being flown in several countries of the world, including the Gulf of Mexico, GOM, and said the company didn’t have any “reason at this point to suspend operations. It is a sound aircraft with a strong safety record. The engine was Turbomeca Arriel.”

He explained that as at the time the aircraft crashed, the weather was daylight with good visibility and declined to confirm if there was a mayday call from the crew before it went down. “It would be premature to comment on mayday call pending investigation by authorities,” he said. He however said the company had suspended all forms of operations as a result of the crash and promised to make decisions made to the public on the crash daily. The aircraft with 12 souls onboard was returning from a drilling rig offshore before it crashed at the Lagos Lagoon within the Oworonshoki Area of the Third Mainland Bridge. Addressing journalists at its headquarters, the Commissioner of AIB, Dr. Felix Abali said the agency had

commenced investigations into the probable cause of the accident. Abali said search and rescue had been concluded with six survivors and six fatalities, while the main part of the helicopter had been recovered, but without the black boxes. He informed that the construction giant, Julius Berger would today recommence search for the black boxes and promised that the preliminary report of the accident would be released in-line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO annexes. He however declined to release the manifest to the public, but confirmed that AIB was already in charge of the document. He informed further that the crashed aircraft was coming from the offshore oil platform belonging to Sedco.

L-R: Chairman on the occasion, Felix Bajumo; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Emir of Kano/ Royal Father of the day, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and 51st ICAN President, Ismaila Zakari, during the ICAN 2015 Federal Government of Nigeria Budget symposium with theme; Come Back Nigeria —The Nation’s Fiscal Challenges and Way Forward for the New Administration, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

‘Anti-corruption war‘ll fail if fuel subsidy continues’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

neer status to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, all of which compounded the opacity of the downstream operations. He expatiated: “If I go to a shipping company and asked them to bring a vessel to Nigeria that is empty for 30,000 metric tons of fuel, I will collect subsidy if I can get somebody to sign the Bill of Lading and other documents and it has happened. “We have seen people who have produced documents and collected subsidy for claiming to have brought in fuel on even vessels that had retired. This is how it happens, it is funny. “We find it funny that in

this country, somebody could come totally with forged documents and take N1.5bn of taxpayers’ money for claiming to import 20,000mt of fuel and they did not bring it and this is what we do in Nigeria and we are surprised that we have social problems, that we have Boko Haram and that we have high rate of infant mortality, and there are more children in Nigeria outside the school than anywhere in the world. “And let us go to kerosene. Do you know that 30,000mt of kerosene is imported at the cost of $30m; you received money paid as subsidy on kerosene. Do you how much that kerosene is sold for even with kerosene subsidy?

$10m” Sanusi lamented. He urged state governments to be creative and strengthen their internal revenue generation drives to meet the demands of their people. On efforts by the new administration to instill discipline in all facets of national life, the former CBN Governor said as it may sound bitter, there was no way the government can do much with the current budget structure in which over 80 per cent of it will be committed to personnel payroll and other overheads. He therefore canvassed the need for downsizing of the public service as well as continued exploration of all revenue sources, particularly taxes as a means

of improving savings and by so doing making more funds available for social services provisions for the citizenry. In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode said the nation was going through a critical period that called for decisive reforms to reverse the direction in which the economy was heading. Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, explained that the objective of a budget was to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people and that the yardstick for measuring a well designed and implemented budget is not its size but the improvement it has brought into people’s lives.

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C’ttee headships: Reps move to clampdown on dissenting members TordUe Salem ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday considered a report for a new Code of Conduct prepared by its ad-hoc committee to checkmate dissenting members. The new code of behaviour for lawmakers, National Mirror learnt yesterday, is to forestall any undue protest and commotion that may arise after the announcement of Heads of Committees in September. The ad-hoc committee

was set up by Honourable Yakubu Dogara two weeks after he emerged as Speaker on June 9, this year. Though Dogara had few days ago, declared that not all members should expect to be appointed chairmen or deputy chairmen of committees in the yet-to-be reconstituted committees of the House. The House adjourned for recess this week to resume next month before heads of it’s over 90 committees would be announced. In a loyalty visit to the Speaker in his office yester-

Power: We’ve sustained 4,600mw –FG ederal Government yesterday said that unlike in the past when power generation sank to the lowest ebb due to frequent system collapse, the sector has sustained 4,600mw in the last two months. This is coming at a time South Africa with about 49 million population has boosted power to over 40,000mw. Permanent Secretary

in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, made this known at the presentation of Nigeria’s national renewable Energy Action Plan, NREAP, and National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, the Sustainable Energy for All, SEE4ALL, Action Agenda held in Abuja. He restated government’s resolve to sustain the tempo and also take electricity to the hinterlands, stressing that the need to provide electricity for rural dwellers cannot be over-emphasised.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ALELADIA FRANCIS ESTHER and ITELE OBERI ESTHER now wish to be known and addressed as Aleladia Oberi Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ede Nwanneka Peace, now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogbobe Nwanneka Peace. all former documents remain valid, general public take note.

Chidi UgwU ABUJA

CHANGE OF NAME I Formerly known and addressed as miss Ogbonna Chinenye now wished To be known and Addressed as Mrs Anyadiegwu Chinenye Judith. All former documents Remain Valid, General Public Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Udo Sylvia Utah, now wish to be known and addressed as Udo Sylvia Azubuike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to inform the general public that Messrs Jet Leasing Support Services Ltd, has applied to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for grant of Air Transport Licence (ATL) to operate scheduled and nonscheduled passenger and cargo services 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, Lagos. SIGNED: MANAGEMENT CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss okolosi ogheneruona, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebayo Hope Ogheneruona. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

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Formerly known as Evelyn Ngozi Achu, now wish to be known and address as Evelyn Ngozi Umeohanu. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Fed Poly Oko and general public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME We, Formerly known as OGBUSU family now wish to be known and address EZEH family. Mmasichukwu Ezeh, David Ezeh, Miracle Ezeh and Confidence Ezeh. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as ADEYANJU FESTUS ODUWALE, now wish to be known and addressed as ODUWALE OLUWASANMI FESTUS. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

day, the Rivers State Caucus of members led by Honourable Betty Appiafi begged the Speaker to consider members of the caucus for positions as chairmen of committees. They also pledged their complete loyalty to Dogara. “I want you to remember

that even in your election, we gave you 100 percent of our votes, because we believe you were the best among other contestants for the seat of Speaker and you have the capacity to lead the House,” she said. In his response to their plea, the Speaker assured the

lawmakers that the leadership will be fair to all, in the allocation of committees’ chairmen and deputies. According to him, every state and every zone will be adequately represented in the exercise. The Speaker however, reminded members that

not every member can be made committee chairmen or deputy, because there are approximately 180 positions which cannot go round all the members. He however assured that every region will be represented in the sharing of positions.

…to probe killings, rights abuses by soldiers •Bars NIMC from issuing national identity cards

ouse of Representatives has set up an enquiry into alleged killings and human rights violations by soldiers and personnel of Special Task Force in Langtang, Wase, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State. The motion sponsored by Hon Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau) and 15 others was passed and referred to Committees on Defence and Army (when constituted) for enquiries. Raising the motion, Lar regretted that personnel of the Special Task Force were being accused of

molesting, harassing, torturing, looting and even burning down properties, raping women and killing helpless, unarmed civilians they were supposed to protect, as evidenced by reports published in many newspapers.” The sponsors said they were “disturbed that the impunity with which men of the Special Task Force carry out their acts of reckless abuse of power on defenseless communities in Langtang, Wase, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas, is alarming and deplorable.” Sponsors of the motion regretted that the STF was alleged to have been involved in the killing of over 4,000 persons and destroyed properties worth

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Bello Bilikisu Adenike, now wish to be known addressed as Mrs. Ajijola Bilikisu Adenike. ALL former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police, Emmanuel College of Education and general public take note.

Formerly known as Miss Alade Oluwaseun Oluwaseyi, now wish to be known addressed as Mrs. Emmanuel Oluwaseun Oluwaseyi. All former documents bearing Alade Oluwaseun Oluwaseyi, Sodeke Oluwaseun Oluwaseyi remain valid. General public take note.

TordUe Salem and Ubong Ukpong

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Sodeke Olusoji Oladimeji, now wish to be known addressed as Emmanuel Olusoji Oladimeji. All former documents bearing Sodeke Olusoji Oladimeji remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Francis Kikelomo Angela, now wish to be known and addressed as Ahandjinou Kikelomo Angela. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agu Lovina Obiageli and ITELE OBERI ESTHER now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Kanife Lovina Obiageli . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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for high rate of failure at the Bar final examinations and report back to the House within four weeks. The motions were summarily passed for enquiries, with Speaker Yakubu Dogara presiding. However, investigations are to be carried out in September when the House is expected to reconvene from recess and committees set up. The House also yesterday, asked the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, to stay action on implementation of its September 1, 2015 deadline for completion of issuance of National Identity Card pending passage of the Personal Information and Data Protection Bill.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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Formerly known as Miss Fadeyi Mosunmola Deborah, now wish to be known addressed as Mrs. Olayanju Omowonuola Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Eco Bank Limited and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as MR ADEBOWALE MATHEW OLUSEUN, nOW wish to be known and addressed as MR. AKANO MATHEW OLUSEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

millions of naira belonging to innocent civilians in Wase, Plateau State. They warned that if nothing was done to address excesses of the STF, the communities may be wiped out. The sponsors also raised concern on the swelling number of internally displaced persons in the state, as they also urged National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to, as a matter of urgency, visit the affected local governments to assess damages done to the people and rehabilitate them. The House also mandated its yet-to-be constituted Committee on Justice, to assess the conditions of the Nigerian Law Schools to determine the reason

BRANCH OF THE VINE MISSION INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Dr. Ngwanma Nkem Dandam Miss Nanbyen Deborah Dandam Mr. Nannim David Dandam Archy Nora

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To raise Godly Churches for the kingdom 2. To preach the gospel of the kingdom through books, television, radio, internet and other media. 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

PUBLIC NOTICE TRANSFORMATION AND EXCELLENCE THROUGH SELF - DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part ‘ C ‘ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 The Trustees are: 1. MRS. YETUNDE OLUFUNKE OLUFUNMILAYO KAMSON 2. MRS. ESTHER TITILOLA OLUSANYA 3. MR. OLUGBENGA OLUROTIMI KAMSON 4. MRS. MODUPE PATRICIA TAIWO Aims and Objectives : 1. To provide development capacity and facilitate initiatives in poor rural and urban communities. 2. To promote health awareness through Health Workshops & Seminars. 3. To empower illiterate members through Basic Literacy Training. 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 28 days of this publication. Signed: Trustees

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Sodeke Olusoji Oladimeji, now wish to be known addressed as Emmanuel Olusoji Oladimeji. All former documents bearing Sodeke Olusoji Oludimeji remain valid. General public take note

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Reps probe non-execution of capital allocations in budget UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday at its plenary raised a nine-man ad-hoc committee to probe non-implementation of capital allocations in the 2015 budget. The committee, headed by Representative Ahmed Aliyu Pategi of Kwara APC, followed a motion brought under privilege by Patrick Asadu (Enugu PDP), seeking to investi-

gate the extent of budget implementation and its effects on the nation’s economy. The motion was titled, “Non-Implementation of Capital Projects as Contained in the 2015 Appropriation Act; Federal Government Budget and Serial Breach of the Fiscal Responsibility Act by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Threats to Effective Representation of my Constituency.’ Asadu noted that the

1999 Constitution, sections 80-83 clearly stipulate how monies belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria could be kept and spent and clearly vests in the National Assembly the powers to appropriate monies for expenditure by government. Controversy ensued when House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) rose to oppose the motion via a point of order, citing section 83 of the Fiscal Responsibil-

ity Act, which allowed the President a grace of at least three months before information on budget implementation and performance can be sought. He urged the House to suspend the motion and allow the President such grace. His point of order was again challenged by Minority Leader, Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta), who alleged a procedural error by the House Leader, saying he should have allowed the mover

L-R: Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos and Mallam Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

Nine private varsities get operational licence MARCUS FATUNMOLE AND JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

ational University Commission, NUC, yesterday granted permanent Operational Licence to nine private universities. The commission said the licence followed the institutions’ full compliance with regulatory and accreditation guidelines. This is even as NUC denied 11 private universities full operational licence due to inability to meet accreditation requirements. The universities that received full licence include Caleb University, Salem University, Veritas University, Afe Babalola University, Godfrey Okoye University, Adeleke University and Western Delta University. Also, Wesley University of Science, Landmark University, Rhema University, Samuel Adegboyega University, Paul Univer-

sity, Oduduwa University, Tanzania University, Baze University, Obong University, Achievers University and Well Spring University were among those given two years extension. At a colourful ceremony yesterday in Abuja, NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, presented the licences to the successful institutions’ vice-chancellors. Okojie noted that NUC denied 11 private universities full operational licence due to their inability to meet accreditation requirements. “The commission has given the 11 universities extension of two years to re-assess its staff strength to student ratio and its facilities in order to get full accreditation for all their programmes. While answering question raised by Registrar of Rhema University, Dr Emmanuel Doughdough, on education fund and establishment of Education

Development Bank, Okojie said: “The establishment act of university Cap. E3 2004: Federal Government encourages private sector in

establishment of universities and this law empowered the NUC to find out if there will be sustenance of fund for aspiring institution.”

RMAFC undeterred by NASS’ disagreement over salary cuts

evenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, said the National Assembly’s disagreement over downward review of salaries and allowances of political office holders will not deter its mandate. Public Relations Officer of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, stated this yesterday in an interview in Abuja. Mohammed said only the commission had the constitutional right to determine salaries of political office holders. “Currently, the commission is reviewing salaries and allowances of all political office holders. When

we are done, it will be submitted to the National Assembly for approval. “However, the legislators cannot change whatever we set for them as salaries and allowances. The law does not allow them to do so. “They can only make input into whatever we propose for the president and others. So, their disagreement will not stop us,’’ he said. It would be recalled that an ad hoc committee was constituted by Senate President Bukola Saraki to slash legislators’ takehome pay following the controversy that trailed the National Assembly’s N150bn budget for the year.

of the motion to advance his argument before seeking leave of the Speaker, who would now allot time for arguments for and against. Ogor’s point of order was sustained by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who before then calculated the period between the pas-

sage of the Budget on May 6 and August 13 to be exactly three months and seven days. He therefore, submitted that the motion was in order and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act as cited by the House Leader and consequently ruled him out of order.

Police lose 12,000 men in 2 years –Commission

olice Service Commission, PSC, yesterday in Abuja revealed that the Nigeria Police lost 12,000 officers between 2013 and 2015 due to deaths, dismissal, desertion and/or retirement. Chairman of the commission, Mr Mike Okiro, who disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said in spite of this, there had not been recruitment into the force during the period. “In the last two years, the police lost 12,000 personnel as at the last count,’’ he said. He contended that internal security would be adversely affected by 2016 if there was no recruitment into the police. “By this time next year, if we don’t recruit, the possibility of police providing adequate internal security will be called to question,’’ he said. Okiro said that on assumption of office as chairman of the commission, his request to gov-

ernment to recruit men into the force was turned down. “In June 2013 when I assumed office, I wrote a memo to government that we needed to recruit police officers, especially as election was coming up in 2015, but it was turned down. “In that memo, I recommended 1,000 officers from every state and 500 from the FCT making it 36,500. The number of police personnel is dwindling daily in terms of strength,’’ he said. Okiro warned that if no recruitment was carried out in the next six months or one year, all constables would have been promoted to the rank of corporal. He said that Nigeria, with a population of about 160 million people, was far behind the United Nations’ standard of one police officer to 400 persons. “With a population of about 160 million, the Nigeria police personnel is about 300,000,” he said.

APC warns against truncating anti-corruption war OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has warned against any attempt to truncate the ongoing fight against corruption under any guise, even as it also expressed total support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to end corruption in the country. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, APC appealed to all Nigerians, especially opinion leaders, to ensure that their actions and utterances do not give comfort to those who have looted

the nation’s commonwealth. Mohammed said: “Our party promised Nigerians change, but the change that we promised and which Nigerians desire so much cannot be achieved if we allow the resources that belong to all Nigerians to be appropriated by a few. “How do we upgrade our decayed infrastructure and provide jobs for our people when the money meant for that has been squireled away by a few?” The APC said the President’s sincerity of purpose can be seen from his statement that any of his party members found to be corrupt would not escape justice.

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Friday, August 14, 2015

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Ondo PDP faults INEC on Ilaje polls OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

L-R: Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Olabomi; Akirun of Ikirunland, HRM Oba Rauf Olawale Adedeji; Chairman on the occasion/ APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and an awardee, Senator Shehu Sani, during the reception in honour of some eminent Nigerians in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

Lagos police debunk car bomb rumour ...warn against storing petrol at homes DARE AKOGUN AND PATIENCE OGBO

agos State Police Command on Thursday said the story that a car bomb was planted at a bank in Anthony Village if the metropolis was untrue. The command’s spokeswoman, DSP Patricia Amadin, said in a statement that the command was informed of the incident on Wednesday at about 7am. “The Lagos State Police Command refutes news of an intention to bomb a bank in Anthony area of Lagos. “On Wednesday at about 0700 hours, the command was awakened by the story of a vehicle laden with Improvised Explosive Device, IED, suspiciously parked within the premises of GTBank, An-

thony Village branch. “Upon receipt of the distress call, the police swung into action. The vehicle and the premises were scanned by the Police Bomb Disposal Unit. “Thereafter, the vehicle was towed to Anthony Village police station. “The vehicle owner, one Mrs. Ronke Dawodu, later surfaced and stated that she was driving home in her car with her children when the car developed mechanical fault,” the statement said. It advised the public to continue to report suspicious movements and developments around them to assist the police in ridding the state of crime. The statement, however, did not disclose if the car had been released to the owner.

In a related development, the police command has warned residents of the state and motorists to be careful in handling petroleum products and desist from storing petrol in their homes. The advice was contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Amadin, on Thursday in Lagos. The warning is coming against the backdrop of what the command said was high rate of fire incidents in the state. According to the statement, “these incidents arise from carelessness and mishandling of petroleum products through black market racketeering, and mass storage at homes. “On Wednesday, August 12, at about 20:30hrs, along Maidan Street, by Ajiliti area of Mile 12, a motorcycle

conveying a woman with a gallon of petrol stacked in a polythene bag collided with another motorcycle. “In the process, the content spilled on the road and caught fire. The fire engulfed both motorcycles and four others close by. “The rider, the passenger and two others suffered severe burns and have been admitted at a nearby hospital for treatment,” the statement said. “The command therefore, appeals to members of the public to be mindful of how they handle petroleum products and stop mass storage of the product in their homes. “Motorists, especially tanker drivers are equally admonished to observe traffic rules and speed limits to avoid such occurrences,” Amadin added.

JSC queries Oloyede over petition against Aregbesola •Judge’s petition against Assembly suffers setback in court BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

sun State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, has issued a query to Justice Folahanmi Oloyede in regard of her petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola. This was disclosed by Oloyede’s counsel, Mr. Lukman Ogunsetan, yesterday during a chat with newsmen. He added that the judge was expected to respond within seven days to the

query, ending next week Monday. Also, an Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, yesterday failed to hear application filed before it by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede. Oloyede was in court to challenge dismissal of her petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola by Osun State House of Assembly. Justice Oloyede’s counsel, Mr. Lukman Ogunsetan, had on Monday filed a motion ex parte supported by an affidavit of urgen-

cy, sought an order of the court to file an application for an order of Certiorari to quash the recommendations of the Osun Assembly’s ad-hoc committee that dismissed her petition. However, the application that was supposed to be heard by the vacation judge, did not get a mention, as the presiding judge, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, after the day’s proceedings, only announced that his next sitting would be next week Thursday. Speaking with news-

men after proceedings, Ogunsetan said when he approached the judge, he was told that the file had not been read. He added that Aderibigbe also told him that he could not give a definite date for hearing of the application yet. Ogunsetan further explained that hearing of the motion and granting of the order to file the substantive application of Certiorari would have put a temporary stop to issues connected with and to the case pending the final determination of the issues thereon.

ndo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday flayed the statement credited to Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Amina Zakari, on the last House of Assembly election in Ilaje constituencies 1and 2. Zakari had on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo State capital, said the commission was not satisfied with the conduct of the election, admitting it was not credible. But PDP, which described the statement as prejudicial, alleged that it was calculated to affect the proceedings and outcome of pending cases concerning the constituencies, adding that it amounted to contempt of court process. The party, at a press conference addressed by its Publicity Secretary, Banji Okunomo, demanded the resignation of Zakari as INEC Chairman since she has displayed partisanship and no longer independentminded. Okunomo also called on the Chief Justice of the Federation, CJN, to take proper cognisance of the attitude of the INEC boss to compromise the judiciary. He said: “We therefore, declare that Mrs. Amina Zakari is not competent and worthy of the position she currently holds and therefore, must be fired im-

mediately or else, we will not repose any confidence in an INEC she heads. ”We are amazed that the INEC chairman could make such a comment on this matter at this crucial period and therefore, believe very firmly that it is calculated to achieve a purpose detrimental to the interest of our party. “Irrespective of her intent, we also feel duty bound to let the general public know the issues that characterised the election. The election was conducted on April 11, 2015, as it happened across the nation, to elect members of the House of Assembly. “The peculiar issue about Ilaje I and II was that the result were collated peacefully and results declared by the Returning Officers of the two constituencies only for these same officers to surface in Akure and declare most dishonestly that they were forced to declare the results against their wish. “This claim, we believe, was made after APC chieftains in the local government area, who needed a face-saving grace after it had been trounced by the PDP in the election. “The law is, however, clear that once a result is delivered, the Returning Officer cannot reserve himself and INEC too does not possess the power to discard the result and the only option open to whoever is aggrieved is to go to court.

Ekiti gov tasked on N8.5bn allocations ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State yesterday charged the state government to spend the fresh N8.5 billion that accrued to the state for the development of the state. APC state Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said it was no longer fashionable for the governor to continue to lament about shortage of funds “as the June allocation of a whopping N8.5 billion distributed in July is enough to put the state on a firm financial footing.” Olatunbosun said in a statement in Ado Ekiti

yesterday that the state received N2.1 billion bailout fund, N2.6 billion statutory allocation, VAT allocation cash of 598.8 milion, totalling N5.4 billion in June. “In the same month, the governor received N3.1 billion for the 16 local governments, making N8.5 billion as total cash coming to the state. “After all deductions, the state was still left with N7.9 billion.” He said. The APC spokesman said the party had expected the governor to tell Ekiti people that he had received such a colossal amount in June alone as he always boasts that he will not collect that kind of money without letting the people know about it.

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South-West

Friday, Augusst 14, 2015

Ibadan paralysed as students block roads Kemi olAitAn, IBADAN

or the second day running yesterday, hundreds of workers and travellers passing through Ibadan-Abeokuta road were stranded for several hours as aggrieved students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, in Oyo State capital, blocked the highway, protesting against the knocking down of one of their colleagues by a hit-and-run driver. The angry students trooped to the road from where they staged a peaceful protest march to Office of the Governor at Agodi, demanding urgent construction of speed breakers on the ever-busy highway in front of the college to prevent recurrence of the ugly incident. They lamented that the spot had taken the lives of many of their colleagues in the past. According to sources close to the Students Union Government, SUG, in the school, the latest victim, Aminu Kola, an ND2 Agricultural Technology student, escaped death by the whiskers. He is currently bed-ridden in a private hospital in Ibadan where doctors are battling to save his life. It would be recalled that the student was reportedly knocked down by a speeding vehicle in front of the school on Wednesday and

was rushed to a nearby hospital. He was instantly referred to a specialist hospital that demanded a whopping N1.5 million from the SUG before any treatment was given. An SUG member in charge of transportation, Gbadamosi Damilare, told journalists yesterday that the union was able to mobilise N500,000, which was deposited for the treatment in addition to N42,000 paid for x-ray of the victim’s head where he suffered severe injury, as well as N30,000 for consultancy. He said, “We were then assured that the operation would be carried out, and when we got there this morning (Thursday) we saw that the operation was successful. We called the guy by his name and he responded positively.” At the state’s Secretariat Complex, Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo, who addressed the protesting students, assigned a government official to follow them to the private hospital for on-the-spot assessment of his condition, while also promising that government would take over the hospital bills. He also assured that the state’s Ministry of Works would mobilise its personnel without further delay to effect construction of speed breakers on the road to guard against future accidents.

Candidates writing Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination of the University of Lagos, yesterday

Ex-NURTW boss’ murder suit adjourned Abiodun nejo, ADO-EKITI

n Ado-Ekiti High Court has adjourned hearing in the murder suit of former Ekiti State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Omolafe Aderiye, till September 28 and 29. Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye also ordered that summons be issued to witnesses to give evidence at the court. At the hearing atter yesterday, seven persons were arraigned in court on a twocount charge of conspiracy to murder and the murder of former NURTW boss. The accused persons, Bayo Aderiye (1st), Niyi

Adedipe (2nd), Sola Durodola (3rd), Kayode Ajayi (4th), Oso Farotimi (5th), Sola Adenijo (6th) and Rotimi Olanbiwonnu (7th), all pleaded not guilty to the charge. Justice Ogunmoye assured of speedy trial if the lawyers cooperate. Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Adeniyi Familoni, appeared for the state, which charged the suspects to court. Familoni had earlier moved an application pursuant to Section 154 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Ekiti State and Section 153 (3) of the same law. He told the court that the prosecution had listed eight witnesses as proof

of evidence and would be applying for witness summons to bring them to the court. Familoni said the application sought to amend the information filed on November 27, 2014, and the proof of evidence accompanying it. He explained that the application sought to include two additional defendants (Adenijo) and Olanbiwonnu in the charge sheet. Counsel to 2nd accused person, Nathaniel Oke (SAN), had urged the court to give the case accelerated hearing on account of long incarceration of his client and other co-accused in prison custody. Oke told the court that Adedipe had spent almost

a year in detaintion since September last year and was recently denied the privilege of participating in his father’s burial. He said some of the accused persons were suffering from one ailment or the other, which would necessitate bail applications to be moved for them. The senior advocate hinged his plea on the forthcoming vacation of the judiciary, which is expected to take about oneand-a-half months. While adjourning the matter, the judge said: “My desire is that this matter be given accelerated hearing. I want this matter to be disposed of as soon as possible if you (lawyers) are ready to cooperate with me.”

Cashew nut export contributes N50bn to economy –NCAN

ational Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN, yesterday said export of cashew nuts from the 2015 planting season had contributed about N50 billion to the economy. The association’s spokesman, Mr Sotonye Anga, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the sub-sector hitherto, contributed about N24 billion in 2013 and 2014. Anga said the significant growth was because farmers did not compromise on the quality of cashew nuts, resulting in increased demand for the produce. “For 2015, because of the

significant growth in pricing and increased demand for Nigeria’s cashew, what the cashew sector contributed to the Nigerian economy is about N50 billion. “That is an improvement in the export of raw cashew, whereas in 2013 and 2014, the sub-sector contributed about N24bn. “This year, having made the N50 billion mark the global expectation for the next season is going to increase. “This figure could be more, but because of export through our porous borders, we could not account for those ones,” he said.

The price of raw cashew nut per metric tonne also recorded an increase, selling at N170,000 during the 2015 season. The spokesman said with the increase, farmers are ready to comply with high degree quality control procedure. “With the increased pricing that farmers recorded during the 2015 season, they are right now more ready to comply with high degree quality control procedure. “Farmers’ compliance level has also increased. We want the market to remain sustainable, viable and strong,’’ he added.

Anga said preparations were underway for the 2016 cashew season, noting that cashew tree pruning and training was in progress across all cashew producing states. “The cashew sector is preparing for the next cashew season to commence within the next five months. “What we are doing now is sensitising our members across the country on quality control to enable them to enhance their product quality. “Pruning of cashew trees is ongoing. We hope that with all of these, we will have an increased an-

nual production by at least an additional 30 to 40 per cent. “We are working aggressively nationwide to have the best quality. Currently, we stand at 140 metric tonnes per annum,’’ he said. Anga said cashew seeds were presently doing very well and more cashew plantations were being commissioned, especially in Kuje area of Abuja. He told NAN that buyers from India, Brazil, Vietnam and others were assured to have the best of cashew nut come next season. According to him, Brazil is currently having a

huge crop shortage which means that Nigeria cannot compromise its cashew quality. He said the association was calling on government to provide additional support, adding that it was expensive to train and revamp old plantations. “We need more of government involvement, especially in subsidising jute bags to maintain the quality and to eradicate the use of polythene bags and uphold the quality of our cashew. “So, together, we will be able to boost production across the 27 cashew producing states,’’ he said.

South-East

Friday, Augusst 14, 2015

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Owerri: FAAN nabs suspected child traffickers Olusegun KOiKi

viation Security, AVSEC, a department of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said it has arrested several suspected child traffickers in 2015 at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri. The agency, in a statement by its spokesman, Yakubu Dati, attributed the spate of arrests to increased surveillance and strict profiling of passengers at the airport. Dati said suspected

child traffickers were arrested on January 25, June 10, July 8 and July 9, respectively. He assured that FAAN would not relent in its effort to provide a secure airport environment for all passengers and other users within the country. He also warned all child traffickers and other unscrupulous elements in the society to keep away from the airports “because they would not be allowed to perpetrate such nefarious activities through our airports.”

I’ll fortify APC in S’East –Okorocha Chris njOKu, OWERRI

mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday in Owerri reassured leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state that he would stop at nothing to make the party very strong in the entire South East. He also said APC would not only remain strong but also stay in power in the state for the next 24 years. The governor said the long postponed local government elections would be conducted as soon as court cases are over, adding that until that is done his government would continue to appoint transition committees to run the councils. He also said his government would clear all outstanding salaries and sustain actions taken to sanitise the system, with workshops organised for party officials at all levels in the state to update them on what their role should be in the policy thrust of the administration. On the issue of political appointments,

the governor said commissioners would soon be appointed and assured that the next four years of his administration would be worthy of celebration in the life of the state. “The Community Government Council, CGC, is to be re-structured to make it functional and more effective. We are also going to review the performances of the party in the booths at all levels during the last elections. “A committee would also be set up to look into cases or reports of party members or leaders who erred in one way or the other, especially during the elections. The party will look into the case of erring members,” he said. Deputy Chairman of the party in the state, Ugochukwu Nzekwe, told journalists at the end of the meeting that the party would work in tandem with the governor and the APC government in general to make progress, adding that the party would sustain the tempo it generated during the elections.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Arc. Sonny Echono and President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Alhaji Sani Dangote and NABG Coordinator, Emmanuel Ijewere, during 1st Annual General Meeting of NABG in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Umahi suspends 3 accountants over salary vouchers AliunA gOdwin, ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, yesterday, suspended three zonal accountants for failing to prepare vouchers for payment of June salaries to workers in the state. The governor disclosed this in Abakaliki through Commissioner for Information and state Orientation, Dr. Emmanuel Onwe, in a joint press conference with his Agriculture counterpart, Uchenna Orji. He said the suspension followed the delay in preparation of vouchers by the accountants to enable the state pay workers salaries. Onwe stated that the council directed the Head of Service, Dr. Chamberlin Nwele, to issue three months suspension without pay to the three zonal accountants of the Secondary Education Board for failing to prepare vouchers for payment of June salaries of secondary

school teachers as directed by the government. Commissioner for Information restated the commitment of the council to the urban renewal programme of the state government just as he said the council received report on the international market and agreed to hasten completion of the stalls to enable traders move in soonest. He added that the council approved N100m to enable the state’s Ministry of Power continue with ongoing urban streetlights project. According to him, the council’s decision is that the streetlights project be handled systematically, with the ongoing rehabilitation of 200 kilometres of urban street roads by the Ministry of Works. This idea, according to him, would “ensure that each road reconstructed will be accompanied with streetlights, water and environmental sanitation facilities.”

The commissioner also disclosed that the council approved the sum of N60m for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Meat Market abattoir and provision of a coldroom. He, however, directed on behalf of the council that traders staying on the roadside to transact businesses at the meat market and around Abakpa market should relocate to a better place. Onwe told the press that the council received report on the purchase of vehicles for council members, but decided to step it down for now, as a result of the poor financial status of the state. On his part, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Uchenna Orji, said preparedness of the state government to embark on intensive training of farmers in the state on modern mechanised agriculture was to enable the government enhance food production in the state. He said the state government had engaged

the services of some “expatriates to train the farmers on the use of the mechanised agricultural equipment procured by the government.” Orji said that five hectares of land had been acquired and cleared at the permanent site of the state university for the exercise, adding that registered farmers and farmers’ cooperative societies would benefit from the training. He noted that “parboiling machines would soon be installed at the three modern rice mills owned by the state government to get them fully utilised.” The commissioner announced readiness of the government to enhance the ecstatic beauty of Abakaliki to make it a standard state capital to reckon with, saying that the Executive Council had directed the State Ministry of Environment to ensure that illegal structures were removed just as he added that the ministry is also to plant ornamental trees by the streets.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Friday, August 14, 2015

Senate approves $75m World Bank loan for Edo S enate on Thursday approved a $75 million World Bank loan for Edo State’s Development Policy Operation, DPO, as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari. The approval followed the consideration of a single-prayer report of the ad-hoc Committee on Local and Foreign Debt presented by Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South). The committee in its report urged the Senate to approve the loan, stating that the World Bank had already considered the state ready for it.

Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), in his contributions, said Edo State had qualified for this loan, because the state had met the conditions set by the World Bank. Aliero said the loan would help increase the internally generated revenue of the state and therefore, urged the Senate to approve it. He also called on other states that have the capacity to borrow to go ahead and take such loans, as long as they could utilise such judiciously. Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, while supporting the

motion for approval of the loan, encouraged other states with genuine needs to take advantage of such low interest loans, rather than the patronising commercial banks. “The first tranche of this borrowing plan had already been approved by the Senate and the World Bank has strict borrowing conditions, which the state has met. “I therefore, move that we approve this loan,” he said. However, Senator Matthew Urhoghide (PDP, Edo South) while supporting approval of the loan, expressed misgivings of the

people of the state about it. He said on the day the Senate received the letter from Mr President, he got over 2,000 text messages and emails; “out rightly, the people have said they do not want the loan.’’ Urhoghide argued that although the loans would bring about more gains for people of the state, there was need to accede to the yearnings of Edo people and verify the misgivings expressed. The senator said the first tranche of the loan was used for projects that were not visible, and urged that the second tranche should be judiciously utilised to

clear the doubts of the people. “This loan was premised on certain things that the state government said it was going to do, it was meant to enhance good governance, it was not meant to be used on things that were tangible or visible. “It was to enhance private sector development, improve facilities for increased IGR in the state and increase private investment and employment opportunities. “I am not standing to oppose what has been granted by Mr President or the desire of the state government; I am here to

look at some of the views expressed by the people on the things that have been done with the first tranche. “We need to verify some of the claims that have been made, we need to look at the report that has been given by the World Bank if they are satisfactory,” he said. The senate, however, approved the loan though with a tangible number of dissenting voices. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the 75 million dollars loan is the second tranche of a $225 million Development Policy Operation loan approved for the state by the World Bank.

Reps task FG on N’Delta development Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

ouse of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (when constituted), to ensure immediate commencement of the long-awaited reintegration and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta area as guaranteed in the Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government. This followed a motion brought by Representative Sodaguwo Festus Omoni and six others on Federal Government’s obligation on the matter. Representatives Henry Ofungo, Agbedi Frederick, Boma Goodhead, Asabe Vilita Bashir, Leo Ogor and Douye Duri had alongside Omoni, noted that the Federal Government had reneged on its promise to reintegrate and develop the area in spite of the fact that the ex-militants have kept their own side of the bargain. They noted that the exmilitants have kept their words as part of the amnesty condition by disarming and further subjecting themselves to rehabilitation, thus leaving the Federal Government to perfect its part in the amnesty programme, “to embark on a comprehensive reintegration and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region,” which

were the last two aspects of the four items in the programme initiated by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, for exmilitants that commenced on August 6, 2009. It was also noted that some students, who were placed on scholarships, had since graduated from various schools as pilots, welders, mechanics and in many other technical fields, but have not yet obtained job placements. They had informed the House that a chunk sum of N11billion was available in the coffers of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, which was linked directly with the Amnesty Programme.

L-R: Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James F. Entwistle and Mr. Gambo Gujungu at the conversation for Perspective on Countering Radical Narratives in Nigeria, organised by United States Embassy, in Abuja, recently.

Why Wike gave N600m to judiciary, legislators —Aide Dennis nakU

PORT HARCOURT

ivers State Governor Nyesom Wike said he gave N300 million to the state judiciary to enable them renovate courts and administrative complexes in the state. H said the amount was from the N30 billion loan the state recently collected from a bank after approval of the House of Assembly, adding that the sum of N300 million was given to the House of Assembly to effect repairs of the complex. “Remember that both the courts and Assembly were shut for over a year due to political crisis

that rocked the state.” Wike, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, said those alleging that the governor was out to fritter away the state’s resources should have a rethink. The statement reads: “Don’t forget that the previous administration left a huge debt for the present government. Again, just recently Governor Wike paid over N500 million to offset the fees of Rivers State students on scholarship abroad. “These students were on the verge of being sent packing from their various uni-

versities abroad because the administration of Rotimi Amaechi refused to pay the fees. What we are saying is that the loan Wike collected is being judiciously used and I think he should be commended,” it said. On whether the governor was concerned about the possibility of Amaechi getting a federal appointment, Wike said he was rather concerned about how the resources of the state would be spent. “The talk about whether Amaechi should be appointed into President Mohammadu Buhari’s cabinet is just the feeling from Rivers people and not the governor himself. He (Wike) has

never discussed the issue of whether Amaechi should be appointed by Mr. President or not. “The governor is more interested in how the funds of Rivers State were spent; whether they were judiciously spent or they were just frittered away. That is the interest because it is annoying that we take over only to meet an empty treasury. “The same persons who are responsible for emptying the state treasury will turn around to accuse you of taking N30 billion loan. They forgot that you are supposed to pay salaries; you are supposed to open the judiciary. “The governor gave the

judiciary N300 million as take-off grant and he also had to pay some of the students abroad who were owed allowances. Civil servants, pensioners and footballer, who were owed salaries, were paid,” the statement said.

Wike

North

Friday, August 14, 2015

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Niger Assembly directs gov to probe predecessor Priscilla Dennis MINNA

iger State House of Assembly has directed Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to constitute a commission of inquiry to probe alleged fraudulent activities of the former administration led by Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu for eight years. This was the position adopted by members of the Assembly during its sitting yesterday. Similar position was taken by Aliyu barely months after assuming leadership of the state in 2007 as he investigated his predecessor, Abdullahi Abdulkadir Kure, over alleged corruption after leaving behind an empty treasury in his eight years rule.

The motion, which was moved by a member representing Bida II constituency, Mohammed Haruna, listed 22 activities of the past administration due for investigation. Areas to be investigated are the operation of Local Government Joint Account, Ward Development Projects, bonds, the Three Arms Zone project, Minna Airport City Project, the sale of government property to commissioners, members of the House of Assembly and other politicians. The 10km local government projects, Minna City center projects and the alleged N2.6 billion shared among public officers on the eve of the ouster of the administration. Others include the IBB University, Lapai, former

College of Education now turned into University of Education, SUBEB, SUREP projects, MDG Projects, the Pension Board, Minna Building material market, Five Star hotel, the rent paid by government for the former Governor’s House, among others. Moving the motion, Haruna told the House that the present administration inherited an empty treasury due to the financial recklessness of the past administration. He said activities of the past government almost bankrupted Niger State, thereby delaying the speedy progress it ought to have witnessed. “The past administration ruined the economy of the state leaving teachers and local government workers salaries accumulated for four months. The

people of the state expect us to take appropriate steps to (remedy) the situation. “And, if there are relevant provisions of our laws that empower us to check and correct the defects and not allow business as usual, refusal to exercise such powers may be tantamount to compromising our cardinal responsibilities as representatives of our various constituencies.” Giving support to the motion, when thrown open for deliberation, Abdullahi Mamagi, representing Gbako consittuency, decried the manner Governor Bello was handling probe of Aliyu’s administration, describing it as unsatisfactory to Nigerlites. He therefore demanded that a proper commis-

sion of inquiry be set up with mandate to call and query everyone involved. He especially asked for the probe of rent taken from the former governor on his former house when the Government House was there for him to live in. “This is a new administration and we do not want to have an old wine in a new bottle. We have to shout out against the anomalies which the previous administration took delight in doing. Everyone found wanting should be investigated and charged to court. “We are not trying to witch-hunt anyone; the issue at stake is that the resources of over four million people in Niger State have been pilfered. The resource

Pensioners rally support for Buhari Priscilla Dennis MINNA

Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu (right), welcoming the Prime Minister of Benin Republic, Lionel Zinson, during inspection of Border Settlement at Illo in Kebbi State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

FCT team impounds 56 bags of drugs Omeiza ajayi ABUJA

pecial Task Team on City Management in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said it has made a major breakthrough in its fight against criminal activities in the territory with the confiscation of 56 bags of assorted hard drugs. Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, stated this yesterday after meeting with members of the Task Team in his office.

According to him, the team discovered the hard drugs in a depot during its covert operation at TuraBura, behind Apo Roundabout. Deputy Director, Press, Muhammad Hazat Sule, quoted the permanent secretary as disclosing that the cannabis and sundry hard drugs were surreptitiously kept in a bunker by the suspects, which were uncovered due to the vigilance of members of the Task Team. “The FCT Administration is gladdened by the proactive activity of the Task Team for this major

discovery, which would go a long way in reducing crime in all ramifications in Abuja and environs. “These 56 bags of cannabis and sundry hard drugs seized by the FCT Task Team will surely have positive multiplier effects on the fight against criminal activities in Abuja because most crimes are committed under the influence of hard drugs,” Chukwu stated. While commending the members, he however challenged the team to rededicate itself to the onerous task of riding

Abuja of all environmental nuisances and criminal activities. He called for cooperation and understanding of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory in the Administration’s bid to make Abuja crimefree. The Permanent Secretary also enjoined residents to always assist security agents by providing information about criminal hideouts and of suspicious persons or movements to the appropriate authorities in order to check their nefarious activities.

is not meant for them; they should refund it,” he added. Deputy Speaker of the House representing Agaie constituency, Husseni Ibrahim, noted that though the executive appeared to have constituted a committee to look into the N2.6 billion shared among public officers on the eve of the administration’s ouster, the committee seemed not to be on the same page with the aspiration and desires of Nigerlites. Ibrahim explained that the committee of inquiry to be set up by the state governor should take its duty seriously, and ensure that the alleged money looted by the previous administration is returned to the coffers of the state.

ederal Civil Service Pensioners, FCSP chapter, of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has expressed satisfaction with the pace of progress by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The union called on Nigerians to give his government more time to renew the country’s foundation for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Nigeria. This was contained in a communiqué signed by the Interim National chairman, Comrade J. S. Nmadu, and Interim National Secretary, Comrade Eddie Mene-Ejegi at the end of a National Executive Council meeting of the branch in Minna, Niger State, yesterday. The pensioners, however, urged the president to remember his election promises to pensioners and release funds to relevant pension payment departments to clear the several years of pension backlog, so as to bring relief to Nigerian pensioners soonest. “NEC is satisfied with the performance and progress of Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) since its inception. It urges PTAD to stop omission of names from

pension payroll, restore omitted names of genuine Federal pensioners and quickly pay those retired but deprived of pension benefits for several years. “The NEC affirms the FCSP branch National executive’s readiness to partner PTAD to make the upcoming Federal Civil Service Pension Nationwide Verification exercise a collective tremendous success. “NEC pledges FCSP branch’s support for all its proposed good programmes for Nigerian pensioners.” The federal pensioners further pledged their continued solidarity to the Buhari administration in its avowed determination to take Nigeria to a higher level. The council resolved that all the 32 states branches executive of the FCSP and the Interim National Executive remain one and indivisible and passed a vote of confidence in its Interim Executive, urging it to fast-track the ongoing internal dispute resolution process with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners. But, it directed the FCSP branch Interim Executive to commence full civil legal action against NUP should the union remain recalcitrant after its final complaint letter.

Friday, August 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

OSAHON JULIUS writes that as the All Progressives Congress, APC, continues to swell in rank, courtesy of defectors from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, it also must watch out for the enemy within.

APC set for booming rally as PDP tethers to gradual doom in Bayelsa

ome Saturday, August 15, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bayelsa State, will again witness another mass exodus, as hundreds of its former members will join the “newest bride in town” the All Progressives Congress, APC, in what has been described as ‘mother of all rallies’ in Yenagoa, the state capital. For the APC in Bayelsa State, this may be the beginning of boom for a party which could hardly boast of an elective position in the state prior to the last general election and perhaps for the PDP, it may well the beginning of a gradual doom in Bayelsa. The defection of members of the PDP to the APC started immediately after the March 28 presidential election and the subsequent defeat of the then most populated and most popular party in the country and self-styled largest party in Africa, at the poll by the APC. The PDP, though paraded the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ogbia man from Bayelsa State, members of the party and his kinsmen could not even wait for him to disengage from serving his country before they dump him and the party he represents and from which they discovered their fortunes. First to start the gale of defection currently sweeping across the PDP were federal lawmakers that were denied return tickets by the PDP in their respective constituencies, a close ally of the former President and a former Chief of Staff to the state government under the incumbent governor of the state, Seriake Dickson. The federal lawmakers who first officially announced their defection from the PDP alongside their supporters at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, included Senator Clever Ikisikpo, Bayelsa East senatorial district; Mr. Nadu Karibo, Ogbia federal constituency; and member Bayelsa State House of Assembly, representing Ogbia state constituency, Azibola Omekwe. The entire first set of defectors then were from the former President’s constituency. A week later, Chief Ikiogha, a former Chief of Staff to the Bayelsa Government House, Yenagoa and its liaison office in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Chief Ikiogha, led hundreds of his supporters to the APC at a mass rally in Yenagoa. Just as the PDP was coming to terms with Chief Ikiogha’s outburst, two former acting governors, two time members

Buhari

Jonathan

FOR THE APC IN BAYELSA STATE, THIS MAY BE THE BEGINNING OF BOOM FOR A PARTY WHICH COULD HARDLY BOAST OF AN ELECTIVE POSITION IN THE STATE PRIOR TO THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION of the House of Representatives, former members of the state House of Assembly, former chairmen of local government areas, Special Assistants, SAs and other prominent members of the PDP, dumped the party for the APC, at yet another mass rally in Yenagoa. The defectors included former acting governors of Bayelsa State, Nestor Ibinabo and Werinipre Seibariju; two time members of the House Representatives, who represented Kolokuma/Opokuma/ Yenagoa federal constituency, Warman Ogoriba and his followers; former leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Ayiba Ajuba, former chairman of the PDP in the state, Barrister Jacksons, among others, which included former aides to Governor Dickson. And this was just days after the honorary Special Adviser, SA, to the governor and chairman of the Bayelsa Peoples Consultative Assembly, BPCA, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, resigned his appointment and announced his readiness to lead other prominent Bayelsans, including members of the state Assembly to join the APC, in

Odigie-Oyegun

another mass rally to be attended by national leaders of the party in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state soon. As the gale of defections continues to hit the ruling PDP and with efforts to bring the crisis in the state PDP to an end proving difficult to handle, one of the governor’s loyalist and General Manager of the state-owned Bayelsa State Transport Company, Prince Ebitemi Amgbare, also resignd from the company and announced he will be joining the APC soon. Amgbare, who is rumored to be gunning for the governorship of the state under the APC, was a former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and he is said to be a close ally of the national leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tomorrow’s defection, if it goes according to plan, may be likened to a political tsunami, that will probably spell doom for the PDP and the beginning of the end of the road for the state governor, Dickson, whose popularity is waning by the day, no thanks to the polarisation of the ruling

party and his hard stance to insist that some PDP members, who he probably feels were inimical to his second term ambition, must be suspended or expelled from the party, for what is termed anti-party activities during the last general election. In the rally expected to take Bayelsa by storm tomorrow, no fewer than 70 heavyweights and over 10, 000 of their followers are expected to dump the PDP for the ‘ravaging’ new bride in the state - the APC. The defectors are expected to be received by the Vice-President, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, five APC states governors, former Governor Timipre Sylva and top stalwarts of the party, including the Bayelsa State Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe. In a list obtained by National Mirror from the arrowhead of the defection, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, a former Honorary Adviser to Governor Dickson, on Sunday, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDCC, and former Special Adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe; Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; former acting governors Binabo and Seibarugu, are leading the pack of defectors to the APC. Others are former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Peremobowei Ebebi, Senator John Brambaifa, Senator Clever Ikisipo, Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio, former House of Representatives member, Dr. Stella Dorgu, former chairman of the NDDC, Prof. Tarila Tebepah and Rear Admiral FBI Porbeni, rtd. Also, former members of the House of Representatives, Christopher Enai, Warman Ogoriba, Bonus Indiamaowei, Nelson Belief, Nadu Karibo, former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Gideon Ekeowe and former Deputy Speaker, Fini Angaye, are also among those that will jump the PDP ship to the APC ship on tomorrow. Furthermore, Ekiotenne said apart from himself, former commissioners in the state such as Lionel Jonathan-Omo, Charity Vedalago, Sylvanus Abila, Chief Abeke Ebikake, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, Godknows Powell, Capt. Matthew Karim (retd.), Chief Nathan Egba, Topido Amananagha, Ebitimi Amgbare, Frank Oputu, would be among the defectors. He said the defectors also comprised Chief Hings Dumbo, Selebina Saboh, Prince Abeki, Mrs. Tonye Apreala, Miebi Biribina (philanthropist), and many former special advisers and governor’s representatives, among others. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Politics

Friday, August 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kogi guber aspirant decries backwardness of Igalaland OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

gubernatorial aspirant for the Kogi State gubernatorial election, coming up in November, under the platform of the All Ptrogressives Congress, APC, Barr James Ocholi, SAN, has decried the high rate of poverty among the Igalas despite the ethnic group producing the three governors that have governed the state since its creation more than 20 years ago. Barr Ocholi, who is seeking nomination to fly APC’s flag in its primaries coming up on August 29, told party’s delegates who

will represent Omalla Local Government Area of Kogi State at primaries on Wednesday that these leaders’ greed and pursuit of personal and narrow agenda were responsible for the under-devopment of the Igala-speaking area of the state. Accusing past leaders of the state of pauperising their people with the diversion of the commonwealth and execution of white elephant projects, which have little or no bearing on the welfare of the people, Ocholi said: “I am at pains over the backwardness of my people. This part of the state cannot boast of a viable

industry, it has no hotel of national and international repute; or any visible development one can point at. “Rather these sons of Igala extraction who have ruled the state have houses in Europe, America and elsewhere. This is no doubt a great waste. How many days are they going to stay in these houses?” He promised to give attention to programmes and projects that will

uplift the welfare and standard of living of the Igalas and other ethnic groups in the state, adding that though he had risen to top of his profession by becoming a SAN, he was not born with a silver spoon. He said: “I have tasted poverty in the real sense of the word. I lost my father when I just finished my secondary school at 18. The task of fending for the family made of my

mother and six siblings fell on me and my mother who is now deceased. It was not an easy experience as I hard to work tooth and nail to overcome poverty.” He added that having experienced poverty in its crudest form, the last thing he would ever do is to betray the trust of his people with their resources if he is given the mandate to govern the state. APC chairman in Oma-

la local council, Mr Danjuma Baba thanked Barr Ocholi and his team for taking time to visit the area, praying that God Almighty will crown his efforts to become the next executive governor of the state. Baba described Ocholi as epitomizing the new face of change, assuring that his people will give him the required support to realise his dream of governing the state.

Oyo tribunal admits more exhibits KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ot less than 24 more documents were yesterday admitted as exhibits at the ongoing full hearing of the petition filed by Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the Accord Party gubernatorial candidate in the April 11 election in Oyo State. Ladoja is challenging the victory of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was declared the winner of the election. Yesterday marked the third day of the 10 days allotted to his counsel, Chief Richard Ogunwole, SAN, to call his witnesses and present his evidence. After the petitioner’s 10 days, the respondents, which include Ajimobi, APC, the Independent ational Electoral Commis-

OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

gubernatorial aspirant for the December 5 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State under the banner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Romeo Bekeyei, had attributed gale of defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state to the APC to the non-performance of the present administration of Governor Seriake Dickson.

sion, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Ambr Rufus Akeju and the commission, as first, second, third and fourth respondents respectively will also take their turns to present their own evidences. The over 24 exhibits admitted were materials used in Ibarapa North, Ibadan South West and Ibadan North West local government areas. The documents were tendered and admitted as exhibits after they were confirmed by the lead witness of the petitioner, Mr. Bimbo Adepoju, who also led the team of his party to inspect the election materials at the INEC office. However counsel to the respondents again raised objections to the tendering of the documents and were granted leave to include such in their final addresses.

L-R: Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and Amiru-Haji of Osun, Alhaji Sikiru Hassan, during the farewell ceremony of the 2015 Osun Hajj Pilgrims, at Bola Ige House, state secretariat, Abere, yesterday.

Ooni: Fayemi condoles with Sijuwade family, Osun govt DEBORAH DIDI

mmediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with the Sijuwade family, Ile-Ife people and the government of Osun State over the passage of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, which formal announcement was made on Wednesday. Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode,

described the late Oba Sijuwade as a highly respected traditional ruler who had and demonstrated immeasurable love for his subjects as well as citizens within and outside his domain. Recalling his encounters with the late first class ruler, who he described a “great traditional ruler well endowed with wisdom, both in and out of office, Fayemi said: “Kabiyesi had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Yoruba tradition and history and had an amazing

way of relating with both the low and mighty.” He said Oba Sijuwade lived a glorious life, adding that the late monarch would be remembered for his patriotism, generosity and the rare manner he combined royalty with service and glamour, adding: “He would surely be missed for his exemplary service to humanity as a bridge builder and great custodian of the Yoruba cultural heritage.” Fayemi urged the children and the entire family of the late Oba

Sijuwade to be consoled by the fact that the late monarch lived a good life, impacted lives and left legacies of good name and honour. He said: “For Oba Sijuwade, it is celebration of a life well spent in the service of humanity. I urge the children, family and the entire people of IleIfe not to mourn but rather celebrate the passage and legacies of this great monarch who gave his very best and a touch of class and royalty to every assignment he handled.”

Why aggrieved PDP members defect to APC in Bayelsa –Bekeyei Bekeyei said though the Dickson administration had done what it could in terms of infrastructural development, the people of the state and the numerous aggrieved PDP members have adjudged Dickson’s performance as lacking experience and understanding of the complex issues of development and human capital development. Bekeyei, and industri-

alist-turned politician, who hails from Odi community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, disclosed this in statement made available to newsmen in Yenegoa, saying recent gale of defection that hit the PDP was due to the unfriendly and unpatriotic disposition of Governor Dickson to PDP leaders in view of the circumstances surrounding his emergence

as governor in February, 2012. He said: “Governor Dickson has failed to deliver on his mandate to the people of the state. Though he has done his best, he lacks the needed understanding of the complex issues of infrastructural development in the state.” Bekeyei said the decision to contest was based on his conviction that the state deserves better in terms of

governance and proper development. He said after 19 years of existence and 16 years of democratic rule, Bayelsa State can neither boast of any infrastructural development, nor new job opportunities, aside government patronage. He said: “I am worried that Dickson’s administration has no concrete plans or viable initiatives to address

the situation. “I, as an international businessman, industrialists, politician and philanthropist with interests in diverse sectors of Bayelsa and Nigerian economy at large, particularly energy ventures, manufacturing, agriculture, banking, tourism, will turn around the fate of our people and re-direct the state along the vision of our founding fathers.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, August 14, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE13

All the defectors, according to Ekiotenne, will formally declare for the APC at the mega rally on Saturday, August 15. Sequel to the mass exodus currently hitting the PDP, the party has not been the same as things has continue to fall apart and the centre could no longer hold, since it conducted the last primary elections for the state and National Assembly polls in the state. Alleged imposition of unpopular candidates during that infamous primaries had polarised the party, resulting in divisions, infighting, suspensions, expulsions and defections of members of the party. Also, efforts by former President Jonathan, the party’s acting chairman of Board of Trustees, BoT, Mohammed Haliry Bello, and critical stakeholders to resolve the crisis in the Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP had yet to achieve the desired results. Last week attempts by the acting chairman of the PDP BoT, and former President Jonathan to resolve the impasse failed woefully to achieve the desired results as both warring faction has failed to yield ground. While one of the factions agreed that those suspended be reabsorbed back to the party as brokered by the acting chairman of BoT, Bello, the faction loyal to Governor Dickson are still kicking against the order, insisting that they will still have to go through the state working committee, SWC, ratification. Though the mood in the state PDP seems calm and quiet, but like the lizard and other reptiles who craw on their stomach where it will be difficult to identify the animal that has stomach ache, so is the quietness and calmness that is heralding

APC set for booming rally as PDP tethers to gradual doom in Bayelsa

Dickson

Silva

tomorrow’s event in the state. The calmness is not unconnected with moves to dislodge the incumbent governor, Hon. Dickson, from the Government House and stop him from returning to the office and the fears that their plot if it fails may spell doom for many politicians in the state, as a very vindictive Dickson will go for their jugular, if he wins the ticket to rerun and eventually wins at the poll Though the APC may be looking forward to dance to the familiar songs of victory, all may not go well for the party as its expelled and suspended members from the state are spoiling for a fight. Just on Monday, the faction controlled

by Chief Richard Kpodo, a renegade former aide to former Governor Sylva, dragged the APC before the High Court of Bayelsa State over alleged violation of their rights as members of the party. The plaintiffs are Chief Perekeme Kpodoh, Mr. Sunday Oputu, Chief Linus Opuakpa, Mr. Koripamo Enoch, Mr. Christopher Abariowei, Mr. Harrow Zuokumo, Mrs. Rosemary Okia and Fred Akamu. Others are Godwin Sidi, Enabuna Timidi, Kingsley Wire, Daniel Oweizidei, Moses Dennis, Prince Awini and Emmanuel Vector Weke. The claimants/plaintiffs, in Suit No YHC/127/2015, filed on July 27, by their

counsel, Funlayefa Seibokuro of Faith Dimensions Chamber, Yenagoa, sued the party and its National Chairman, Chief JOdigie-Oyegun, representing National Executive Committee, NEC, of APC, as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively. They also sued the state APC chairman, Chief Orunimighe; his deputy, Eddy Julius; state Secretary, Marlin Daniel and member, APC BoT, Peres Peretu, as 3rd 6th defendants respectively to court. The plaintiffs, in the fresh suit before the State High Court in Yenagoa, are seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants, their agents, servants and/or privies from recognising/dealing with the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants as state Chairman, deputy, Secretary and member of BoT of APC respectively pending the determination of the suit. They also sought an order restraining the APC, Odigie-Oyegun, their agents, servants and/or privies, howsoever described, from recognising/dealing with or continuing to recognise/deal with Orunimighe, Julius, Daniel and Peretu as state Chairman, deputy, Secretary and BoT member respectively pending the determination of the suit. Despite that the APC continues to swell in ranks almost every day, failure on its part and its leadership to resolve all internal wrangling may end up being its undoing in Bayelsa State as the November 21 gubernatorial election draws nearer.

Rivers guber: Why we can’t hear APC’s petition –Tribunal ISE-OLUWA IGE

ivers State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja yesterday expressed frustration over its inability to commence hearing, on its merit, the petition

instituted by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its gubernatorial candidate, Hon Dakuku Peterside, challenging the emergence of Governor Nyesom Wike as the state chief executive in the last gubernatorial poll held in the state. The tribunal, which was

ready to kick-start hearing in the case, yesterday, said it was impossible to open the case because the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its gubernatorial candidate, Wike had yet to file their responses to the petition. Tribunal chairman, Justice Muazu Pindinga, yes-

terday said the only option available to them was to adjourn the matter to allow the PDP and Wike to respond. The case was consequently adjourned till today. The race for time in the determination of the case is informed by the statutory limitation for parties

to present their cases and the courts to decide the matters on their merits within 180 days commencing from when the election results are announced. Dakuku, himself, said Wednesday that he was getting frustrated following the refusal of Independent

Emerhor commends Odigie-Oyegun’s patriotic landmarks at 76 OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

ational Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has been described as a true nationalist, who over the years exhibited genuine love for Nigeria through his struggles for the enthronement of democracy, good governance and socio-economic development. APC gubernatorial candidate in the April 11 poll in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, in a statement by his Chief Pub-

licist, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, who said this, further posited that the APC helmsman, despite several direct and indirect invitations, refused to join the band wagon of politicians who joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the mere quest for political power at a time the progressives were still pushing forward to take over national government. Commending OdigieOyegun’s inestimable love for his country, Emerhor urged Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to emulate the superb quali-

ties of the APC National Chairman by assisting President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC leadership to facilitate the on-going fight against corruption and socioeconomic remodeling of Nigeria. Emerhor congratulated the APC National Chairman who clocked 76 years on August 12, adding that Chief Odigie-Oyegun had solid track record as a super federal permanent secretary during his years in civil service and crowned it as the first democratically elected executive governor of Edo

State. He said the finger of God upon his life made it possible for him to see the APC through to becoming the first political party to defeat an incumbent President in the history of the nation’s electioneering process. Emerhor said that Odigie-Oyegun has been discharging his functions as APC National Chairman without blemish, such that the Buhari administration has positioned itself for effective leadership and delivery of genuine dividends of democracy to the envy of

the opposition, ensuring a clear cut agenda for efficient human, material and financial resources management for the good of all Nigerians. He said: “Chief OdigieOyegun is a worthy leader and patriotic citizen who for the love of his country dedicated a greater part of his life to serve Nigeria and humanity and this is why the Delta APC family will continue to pledge our absolute loyalty to his leadership and wish him greater wisdom, God’s blessings and many more years as he celebrate his 76th birthday.”

National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Rivers State to obey a valid subsisting order of the tribunal to allow him and his party inspect vital election materials used for the poll to enable them make progress with the case. He had led protesters to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, Wednesday, to protest the disobedience to court order and alleged plot to frustrate conclusion of hearing in the case within the 180 days stipulated by law. Specifically, counsel to the PDP, Goddy Uche informed the tribunal that they needed time to file their responses. Yesterday, National Mirror however sighted the respondents at the tribunal registry trying to file their processes. Wike and PDP had earlier challenged the decision of the tribunal to sit in Abuja while describing as lame, the excuse of insecurity which the President of the Court of Appeal relied upon to locate the tribunal in Abuja.

Editorial

Friday, August 14, 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 ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Alleged forgery of court judgement

he grave allegation by a lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, lately, that Chief Registrar of the Kebbi State High Court, Abubakar Siddiq Bello, concocted a fraudulent order of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto State, with the intention of swinging the course of justice, is pathetic for the image of the nation’s judiciary still battling with the odium of public confidence erosion. The aggrieved lawyer, Afolabi, was representing the Conference of Secondary School Teachers (COSST), Kebbi State chapter, in a case with Suit No. KB/HC/ M86/2006 (Faluyi O. Charles & others Vs NUT Kebbi State). On May 19, this year, according to reports, the Sokoto State Appeal Court set aside the judgement of the Kebbi High Court on the payment of all check-off dues of secondary school teachers in Kebbi State and awarded N30,000 cost in favour of COSST. But Abubakar Siddiq Bello allegedly went behind and forged a judgement that was not the product of the Court of Appeal in Sokoto, and through it reversed the original appellate court’s ruling. “Now therefore, in compliance with the judgement of the Court of Appeal Sokoto Division, it is hereby ordered as follows: That henceforth, all check-off dues of secondary school teachers in Kebbi State be paid directly

into the bank account of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Kebbi State, with effect from June 2015; that all check-off dues from the salaries of secondary school teachers deducted and kept in the custody of Nigeria Labour Congress, Kebbi State and Trade Union Congress, Kebbi State i.e. Joint Negotiating Council, Kebbi State, be remitted to the Registry of this honourable court with immediate effect”, Bello’s purported counter order read. Reports indicated that based on the counter-directive, the Chief Registrar received a draft cheque of N29 million as remittance to his Registry before it was quickly retrieved by the Kebbi State authorities following the revelation by the presiding justice of the Court of Appeal in Sokoto that Bello’s order was ‘a counterdirective’ since there was no such judgement in the first place. Former and serving Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJNs), including the incumbent CJN, Mahmud Mohammed, have repeatedly drawn public attention to the preeminence in the Nigerian Bench of fraudulent and corrupt officers, a development that conveys an impression of the endemic nature of unethical behaviours and misconducts among judges and other judicial officers in the land. A former CJN, Justice Muhammadu Uwais, for instance,

IT HAS BECOME AN ADDITIONAL PROOF THAT THE

NIGERIAN

SOCIETY HAS LOST ITS

MORALS, AND FATALLY, TOO was credited as saying few years ago that Nigeria inherited a strong judiciary from the colonial masters, but that corruption had, however, crippled that arm of government. Indeed, the immediate past CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, shortly before she left office, had stated as follows at one of her public outings: “Now more than ever, the public has become more critical of the conduct of the judicial staff, perhaps buoyed by public outcry against unwholesome conduct of the judicial staff, like leakage of judgements before delivery, demanding bribes before the preparation of records of appeal, acting as gobetween for some overzealous litigants and some corrupt judicial officers, ostentatious lifestyles beyond legitimate earnings, and a host of other activities”. Perhaps, needful of special emphasis is the fact that judicial corruption transcends the perversion of justice through compromised rulings by judges. The leprous

ON THIS DAY August 14, 2007 The 2007 Yazidi communities bombings: The 2007 Yazidi communities bombings occurred at around 8pm local time on August 14, 2007, when four co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks detonated in the Yazidi towns of Qahtaniya and Jazeera (Siba Sheikh Khidir), near Mosul in Iraq. According to the Iraq-based Red Crescent’s estimates, the bombs killed 796 people and wounded about 1,562 others.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

August 14, 2010 The first-ever Youth Olympic Games were held in Singapore. The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport event. It first held in Singapore from August 14 to 26, 2010. The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format. The age limitation of the athletes is 14 to 18. The idea was introduced by Johann Rosenzopf from Austria in 1998.

gammon has infected the entire fabric of the nation’s Bench. Bello, however, remains innocent of any crime in the eyes of the law until he is formally arraigned and his alleged offences proven beyond any reasonable doubt, as is the lawful tradition. But there is no shrugging off the import of the fraud allegation against him. It has become an additional proof that the Nigerian society has lost its morals, and fatally, too. The decay seems pervasive and unquantifiable even in the corridors of justice. Otherwise, how can the very person entrusted with safeguarding and facilitating the dispensation of justice, turn around 360 degrees to emerge a chief suspect in the very crime he was appointed and specially equipped and paid to eliminate? Afolabi was said to have despatched four separate petitions to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, on the matter in which he called for the investigation, sanctioning and prosecution of Bello. This case must not be swept under the rug. Tales like Bello’s if confirmed, call for a more radical surgery in the country’s garbled judicial system.

x August 14, 2013 Egypt declared a state of emergency following the killing by security forces of hundreds of demonstrators supporting former president Mohamed Morsi. Egyptian security forces raided two camps of protesters in Cairo: one at al-Nahda Square and a larger one at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square. The two sites had been occupied by supporters of ousted President Morsi. The state of emergency affected governance in the country.

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Friday, August 14 2015

Under reaction effects on Boko Haram terrorism Counter-terrorism Tips With

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

ounterterrorism operations in today’s Nigeria are being carried out on an unprecedented scale. A key element of counterterrorism operations should be the detention and persecution of suspected Boko Haram members. Although, we have engaged other countries whose cooperation maybe essential to meet this threat, we must, therefore, ensure that new terrorist recruits do not come to take the place of Boko Haram members. In order to achieve our long-term objectives, we must go beyond narrow counterterrorism policies designed to restore our freedom, peace and respect without undermining the rule of law. An effective counterterrorism policy must go beyond uncompromising efforts to thwart Boko Haram. We are fighting a group of people, not one person, not a religious war and in fact we must realise that the war is not about BH, rather we are fighting terrorism. This war is not about winning this dreaded terrorist group; we are instead fighting for our fundamental democratic values and way of life, which this group took away from us. The policies pursued by the last administration were counterproductive and

self-defeating. With the offensive strategy, they undermined the values and principles that made us a model for the world, dismayed our friends around the world and jeopardized their cooperation with us. Some of the nations that are supposed to provide ammunitions for us instead provided for Boko Haram. We need to demonstrate that the model of liberty, freedom, peace and tolerance is the best hope for safety and better life for citizens anywhere in the country. We must pursue an integrated set of policies on non-radicalisation and recruitment of terrorists in the land. Nigerian people can be safe and prosperous only if other countries will share in these beliefs based on the way we settle the sect’s violence. This current administration must be based on a strong commitment to our values by building structures of international cooperation needed not only to fight terrorism, but also to meet other key challenges of our time, such as corruption, nepotism and ethnic segregation. The BH sect can be said to have negatively merited a special status in our history because it is only the organization with the ambition and the capability to inflict catastrophic damages on our economy, way of life, and dragging our name to the mud as a terrorist-infested nation, whereever we go. The activities of BH can provisionally be defined as attacks that claim casualties in the four digits or higher. This group is also deadly because it carries out repeated attacks that paralyze our lives and institutions. The good news is that every ‘war’

THE LAST ADMINISTRATION FUNDAMENTALLY MISUNDERSTOOD THE NATURE OF THE

BH GROUP AND THIS MADE THE THREAT CONSIDERABLY WORSE comes to an end one day; therefore the BH existence must end like any other asymmetrical wars as far as the appropriate measures are taken. For instance, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), ETA of Spain, Red Brigade of Italy, to mention but just a few ended after many years of terrorising their respective countries; definitely BH will also become history one day. However, the above mentioned countries ended their violence through non-offensive approach, because they devised mechanisms suitable to their situations and thus ended their domestic conflicts. Can we not follow their footsteps? In earnest, the last administration fundamentally misunderstood the nature of the BH group and this made the threat considerably worse. The administration, over a period of time, treated the threats level with under reaction syndrome and subordinated virtually all of our security policy into the global war on terror. It has relied on the wrong tools - principally the military offensive - and vastly

overemphasized tactics at the expense of strategy; the freedom agenda backfired completely. Perhaps, our most critical step should be to put aside the issue of offensive operations, which have been our only recognised strategy, for obvious reasons. Setting matters straight at the strategic level will require a significant departure from current policy. Some grievances are legitimate, while many are not. What counts now are not words but deeds, because election campaign was long gone. What we have lacked in the past six years has been a viable concept of strategic counterterrorism that would guide our actions and change the environment the sect inhabits into increasingly a non-permissive environment. Deterrence, as most agree, is not working well against the BH insurgents that are prepared to sacrifice their lives. But it is possible to inhibit some terrorist actions if the operatives find their world increasingly hostile and the likelihood that they will be turned in to the authorities. To achieve this goal requires creating facts that contradict the BH’s accounts and effectively jamming their narratives. The facts remain that if we can understand this sects’ challenge as one of narrative, it is not difficult to imagine what our counter-narrative should be. The offensive counterterrorism yields desired result in the first year of the group’s formation before they multiply, gain ground and/or turn certain areas into no go areas.

On United States’ presidential election OLALEKAN WAHEED ADIGUN

n one of my articles titled, ‘Hillary for America and the limits of propaganda’, I concluded among other things that: “It is true that the GOP is on course to win the 2016 election as a result of its recent success in the mid-term elections, though this is not in any way watertight. Failing to win the presidential election will be its greatest undoing. The tactless use of propaganda by its handlers to which Hillary Clinton, if her strategists are working properly, can take advantage of to become the first woman president of the United States…” One of the reasons for my conclusion is the uncoordinated activities of the Republican Party’s presidential aspirants themselves. Just recently the Republican National Committee (RNC) had to take on one of its candidates, Donald Trump, over his unguarded, clumsy and infantile attacks against the Mexicans (Hispanics) some days after his decision to run for President. In fact the drama surrounding his declaration will pass for an Academy Award in Hollywood! While it looks almost certain that the Democrats are enjoying a rare in-house unity, with former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, looking set to fly the party’s flag in the 2016 election, the GOP appeared to be in disarray. Just recently, Trump has come down heavy on GOP’s for-

WHILE IT LOOKS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE ENJOYING A RARE INHOUSE UNITY…THE

GOP APPEARED TO BE IN DISARRAY mer presidential flag bearer, Senator John McCain, questioning his status as a war hero; a below-the-belt statement if you ask me. How divided can a party be with even the White House coming, some say its maverick, to the defence of the war veteran. McCain is no friend of the Democrats, though. As far as some of us are concerned, real estate mogul, Trump, is a self-promoting reality show or a showbiz celebrity competitor. No one, except his most fanatical supporters or “Trumpees”, think he stands any chance as far as the US Presidency is concerned. The best he can do is the recent poll (monitored by Washington Post), which puts him in “commanding lead” for the GOP’s ticket! If there is anything I know about the US presidential election, it is almost like a case of “lose the poll and win the election”. If the experience of John Dewey and Harry Truman (1948) or the 1936 Literary Digest di-

saster seems remote, (except for those born recently), perhaps few remember the cases of Al Gore and Bush (2000) or those pollsters that made Mitt Romney thought he was closed to the defeating President Obama in 2012. Polls are won by showbiz artists, models, or celebrities; elections are won by politicians. Poll winners nearly always do one thing at best: to always be second best! Trump is not only an embarrassment to his party and his fellow contenders; the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had to distance itself from him for his ranting, sadism and tactless utterances, which it considers unbefitting of a presidential hopeful. If you think Trump is a self-promoting waste of time, check out Jeb Bush. His only credentials apart from being elected Florida governor in 1998, is his association with the Bush family. Like Trump built a strong opposition support bloc for himself among the Hispanics, Bush will be coming up against American single mothers whom he said should be subject to “public humiliation and shame” for their “irresponsibility”. In any case, this appears to be Bush’s main mission. His support for his brother’s (George Walker) policy in Iraq, he still largely supports. He is presently doing his best to make the traditional GOP supporters believe he is a self-made man. Just as Trump is a self-promoting waste of time, so is Bush a self-made failure. No more, no less! Surprisingly, Scott Walker, Donald

Trump and Jeb Bush are the three leading GOP candidates, as the race for the White House is in top gear. It is not all bad for the Republican camp, as the party is in control of both House in the US Congress. The result of the mid-term election is still much savoured by its leaders. With the Congress, it could still “block” the passage of the Iranian nuclear deal, which the Obama administration, and the Democrats, is hoping willing to cash-in on as the campaigns heat up. Politically speaking, the Republican Party will be coming up against not only the most conservative among its supporters - Walker, Trump and Bush - but also the single mothers, welfare recipients, Hispanics and other “non-status” American citizens, in addition to supporters of “marriage rights”. The GOP will hope to make up for its “loss” in these areas by hoping to appeal to the baser instincts of the “red staters” for the votes to have any realistic hopes of producing the next White House occupant! Adigun, a political analyst and strategist, wrote from Lagos via olalelkan@ 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.

Mail Mirror

Friday, August 14, 2015

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Governor Ortom and forgiveness

I Another approach to holy pilgrimage

was not happy after reading an article in one of the national dailies, where it was reported that the executive governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom has forgiven the former governor of the state, Mr. Gabriel Suswan, who has ruined the bright future of

the state by non-payment of the salaries and allowances of workers for many months. Former Governor Suswam’s lackadaisical attitude sent sent many people to their early graves as they were not able to withstand the hardship, due to the non-payment of their sala-

ries and allowances. The people of the state will take a long time to recover from the trauma Suswam inflicted on them. Nobody actually knows when Benue State would bounce back to life and reclaim its position of problem free state, where there would be no strike; where

ilgrimage to Jerusalem has always been for religious purposes, but recently in a bid to maximise the benefits of the exercise, the National Christians Pilgrims Commission entered into a partnership with the Israeli government to establish an exchange programme that will focus on robust agricultural production and farm practices. The activities of the Ogun State Pilgrims Welfare Board in capitalising on this partnership is worthy of commendation. The board has included a week empowerment training for youths in the July 2015 pilgrimage programme. The empowerment programme for the youth will include intense training on Agriculture, Agro -Allied management and other relevant skills. At the end of training they will be issued a training certificate by the Hebrews University which will conduct the training. Aside the primary benefits of moral and spiritual benefits which the pilgrimage offers , this exercise will make the youths self-reliant, economically independent and empower them to contribute their own quota to the diversification and improvement of the economic base of Ogun state and Nigeria as a whole. I will like to crave the indulgence of well spirited individuals and organisation to support the Board by sponsoring more youths to this pilgrimage as a means of contributing their quota to the development of the state. Temidayo Oluwatosin, Laderin Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Self Employed,

Corruption, a fight for all

t is really disconcerting the way the EFCC is being castigated from every angle by some politically exposed persons and members of the public. One would ordinarily think that the activities of the anti-corruption agency would be applauded by all and sundry, considering their doggedness in the fight against corruption that has eaten deep into the nation’s fabric. The agency has returned confidence to Nigerians and the international community that Nigeria can be free of graft. Recently, monies were being recovered and returned to both Nigerians and foreigners by the EFCC, therefore salvaging our nation’s reputation. A study on one of the EFCC’s publication titled, ”Landmark achievement in the fight against economic and financial crimes, shows the number of

NFF, save Nigerian football, hire foreign coaches

et me use your widely read newspaper to express my feelings on how all the nation’s football teams, male and female, are steadily and rapidly going down every day without finding their winning magic. This is sad, particularly for a football loving nation like ours. The Nigeria Football Federation should stop listening to pseudo-patriotic Nigerians and

Letters to the Editor

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

go for foreign coaches before we finally go into extinction as a football power. We cannot continue to rely on luck, when hard work and modern coaching techniques are what make success possible. This is why we need foreign coaches for all our soccer teams. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State (07084644222)

cases filed in courts and the convictions secured. Between 2011 and 2014, the agency filed a total of 1792 cases and secured 397 convictions. Transparency International in 2014 rated Nigeria the 39th most corrupt country in the world; contrast with the 25th ranking in 2013. The EFCC also through its enlightenment campaigns have educated people on how to identify fraudulent businesses and transactions hereby cutting down drastically on the number of those who fall prey to “419”. This is even enough to win our hearts. As a Nigerian student, I have observed the agency’s activities and come to the conclusion that the EFCC, amongst all other antigraft agencies, needs our support. On the other hand, the government should improve our judicial

system to fast track prosecution anti-graft cases. I would also like to add that the Federal Government should also adequately fund the nation’s anti graft agencies because a “hungry man is prey to all manner of temptations”. They should be made comfortable so that they cannot be enticed by these criminal elements. In conclusion, the EFCC needs our support and we should appreciate its efforts. They may not be who we expect them to be now, but I believe they will get there. They may not be as effective as the FBI, or Interpol, but let us not forget that “little by little, a bird makes its nest”. Let us always remember that the fight against corruption may not be won without the support of all of us. Rosenina U, Abiriba, Abia State

FG, don’t kill our textile, furniture industries

he only explanation the Nigeria Customs Service has given for the Federal Government’s planned lifting of the ban on fabrics and furniture imports is that “textile and furniture have become dutiable as both commodities have been removed from the Import Prohibition list”. The Assistant Comptroller General representing Zone

A, Victor Gbemudu, reportedly said this. What the ACG did not say is why the Common External Tariff (CET) had to be removed in the face of the dwindling fortunes of our textile industries. Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Benin City, Edo State

there would be prompt payment of workers’ salaries and allowances; where there would be no political killings; where there would be accessible roads; where there would be healthcare delivery facilities; where there would be employment; and where there would be no kidnapping and so on. For the first time in the history of Benue State, people were routinely kidnapped under the Suswam administration and nothing reasonable was done to bring those kidnappers to book. It is true that we need to forgive, but it is also right that somebody who has committed an offence should first of all realize that he or she has done something wrong after which such a person can willingly seek for forgiveness before he or she can be forgiven. Suawam has never realized that he was a pest that destroyed the state, not to talk of asking for forgiveness. Therefore, how and why would you forgive someone, who claimed he never committed an offence and should, therefore, not ask for forgiveness? There are so many people in Makurdi’s prison, who have committed less offence than what Suswam had done; some of them do not even commit any offence, but they were pushed there innocently. Therefore, I plead with the executive governor of the state, Dr. Ortom, to extend his hand of forgiveness to those prisoners as well, whether they seek for reprieve or not. Many of these people went into prison due to the fact that the state funds that were to be used to create jobs for them through the establishment of companies in the state could not be used for that purpose due to the fact that the last administration misappropriated the funds. The result of this wicked and heartless action was that no jobs were created in the state and some people got engaged in activities that landed them in prison. So, if those who stole the state’s funds could be forgiven, those prisoners rotting away in Makurdi prison should also be forgiven. There should be balance and fairness in Governor Ortom’s forgiveness plan. Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja 08179289948

Send your letters The Editor reserves thethe right letters or or mails mailsto toPMB PMB10001, 10001,Ikoyi, Ikoyi,or orour our Email: Email:mirrorlagos@yahoo.com mirrorlagos@yahoo.comand andinfo@nationalmirroronline.net info@nationalmirroronline.netoror08056180209, 08054103275,07033375481 07033375481(SMS (SMSonly). only). The Editor reserves right to to edit and reject letters photographs. Psuedonyms may used, must clearly marked such. edit and reject letters or or photographs. Psuedonyms may bebe used, butbut must bebe clearly marked asas such.

Your

FRIDAY

Flavour

Friday, August 14, 2015

Alex Eyengho

Lari Williams

ment sector to grow the way it should,” he said. Reacting to the call by Lari Williams and other stakeholders for Buhari to probe the recipients of the scheme’s fund, Ibinabo Fiberesima, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in a phone interview asked “what is there to probe?” She defended the process of assessing fund from the scheme and was also of the view that the process is transparent and there is nothing fishy about the “Project Act Nollywood” scheme. For Ibinabo, “there is a time frame at which anybody who has assessed the fund must show what he/she has done with it. You cannot say nobody has done anything with it when the

Ibinabo Fiberesima

time has not elapsed. The process was transparent and professionally done. I don’t think the calls for probe is necessary”. Asked why stakeholders like Lari Williams are agitating for a probe, she said “I don’t think Lari understands the process. This thing was done by professionals and Lari doesn’t seem to understand the whole process” When she was pressed further to mention people who assessed and used the fund appropriately, she gave a list of some who produced movies with the loan and this was confirmed by Friday Flavour. She however said she cannot speak for everybody when asked to assess the entire process and also revealed she was not a beneficiary of the scheme.

Most of theM collected the grant

and went straight into new Marriages, purchasing new cars, renting new apartMents, servicing old debts

WEEKEND STARTERS

Arojah Theatre stages Childe International

rojah Royal Theatre will return to stage on Saturday August 15, at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja for their second outing of the 2015 theatre season with Wole Soyinka’s play; Childe International which will show at 3pm and 6pm. The Abuja outfit has made it a point of duty to join the rest of the world in celebrating the Nobel Laureate every July, since 2011 when it first held a play reading session in commemoration of WS’s 77th birthday. The production was earlier scheduled for July as the 2015 edition of our annual Wole Soyinka birthday commemoration but we had to reschedule because of an international engagement at the Plymouth University, United Kingdom where we participated in the INDRA Global Conference,” Arojah Soyinka Theatre said.

Friday Night at MVP Lounge

MISS UNILAG 2015

Mvp Lounge

Miss Unilag

very Friday night is always fun galore at the MVP Lounge. The evening starts with sensational ladies and boys that make the Friday night an unforgettable experience, MVP Lounge is located off Admiralty, Lekki Phase1. The Lounge opens for high rollers to enjoy at 10pm.

Inside FCT P. 24-25

Move Set

Critics P. 22-23

ith the ongoing fight against corruption by President Buhari and the revelation by Femi Adesina, Spokesperson to the President that looters during Jonathan’s administration will be brought to book; there are growing calls from stakeholders in the film industry for all the beneficiaries of “Project Act Nollywood” scheme to be probed. It will be recalled that former President, Goodluck Jonathan in November 2010 during the 30th anniversary of Silverbird Organisation announced N3billion grant to the entertainment industry to enable the growth and development of the industry to a global standard. According to Jonathan, the grant will be released to entertainment practitioners as loan to produce quality music and movies and also, further create jobs for people but according to some stakeholders, but it seems some of the recipients saw it as largesse or gift from the ex-president, for the support they gave him as stakeholders have alleged. Some of the stakeholders are yet to see the result of the scheme which was meant to energise and reposition the industry by solving the problems of distribution, capacity building and contents production. Speaking on the issue, Nollywood producer Alex Eyengho said the intention for the establishment of the scheme has been defeated. Alex said the core issue that relates to the issue distribution which for him is the crux of the challenges that has bedeviled the entertainment sector has been left unattended to while distributors have not been able to assess the fund. “As I speak, not a kobo has been disbursed to any distributor or aspiring distributor in the industry” Alex revealed in an interview. He

also alleged that virtually all the beneficiaries of the loan has neither done anything with the loan nor have paid back the loan. “Another development that was extremely nauseating and unbearably choking to me is the fact that handlers of the Project Act Nollywood dangled it as a carrot to get stakeholders in the industry to become clappers and dancers for former President Jonathan at his various political campaign rallies during his failed 2nd term project. Virtually all the beneficiaries of the capacity building and contents production legs of the tripod grant fall into this category. I dare to be contradicted on this score. However, let me sound this as an advice and indeed a note of warning to all the ex President Jonathan clappers and dancers in the industry who benefitted from the contents production grant to, in their own interest go to location and use the grant for what it is meant for. Most of them collected the grant and went straight into new marriages, purchasing new cars, renting new apartments, servicing old debts etc. I must make it manifestly clear to them that the grant is taxpayers money meant for a specific purpose”. Another stakeholder, a veteran movie actor, Lari Williams recently urged Buhari’s government to inquire into how the scheme was disbursed accusing some of his colleagues of fraud. According to Lari, “there was a cash grant for the development of arts in Nigeria disbursed to the sector by the immediate past president but the practitioners do not know how the grant is being disbursed”. He also claimed to be in the dark over how the money was disbursed and insisted on explanation. “We need to know how the fund given to the sector is being disbursed because the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry will be enhanced by such money if well utilized. Let’s restructure the industry to give a better foundation for the entertain-

niversity of Lagos presents MISS UNILAG 2015, the biggest campus beauty pageant in Nigeria. The event holds at University of Lagos, Mainland Lagos. UNILAG beauty contest holds every year, this year edition paves ways for fashion lovers, students, young people, fun lovers, organizstion, brand and individuals at the venue of the event. It holds on Friday August 14, 2015.

Mirror Mongers P. 26

IsIguzo DestIny

Arty

Furore over ‘Project Act Nollywood’

News P. 32, 33

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

Artman In The House

Friday, August 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Training materials challenging Nollywood

Teco Benson

Teco Benson shares his life and career in this interview with OLUWADAHUNSI OLAWALE

ake me through your background, family and education?

Well, I was born in a family of nine. From childhood my parents identified something about me. I was creative, adventurous, inquisitive, ambitious and restless. My father was able to train and discipline me tuning down the restless part of me. But the creative part fired on. I could draw, I could sing, I could repair, I could just watch and replicate. Well that was it. From initial plan to study medicine, I ended up with Public Health. Today, I am unapologetic filmmaker having spent 20 years in the industry, and to further sharpen my communication skills, I hold today a masters degree in communication studies. What made you go into the movie industry despite being Public Health personnel? Destiny! So many plans are in a man’s heart, but only the will of God prevails in the end. I knew I was cut out for all these, but there was no film industry in my growing up days. So the available jobs determined the courses we chose. For me, it was

medicine or nothing. But when JAMB cut off mark dealt a big blow to me, I ended up doing Public Health. The release of Living in Bondage in 1992 marked a turning point in my life. I was excited that Nigeria could make her own films. In 1994, I attended an audition, where I got an opportunity to play a lead role in a film that eventually did not see the light of the day, but it kick-started my journey and my career. In 1998, I killed my acting career to concentrate on propro ducing and directing which started in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Have you ever practiced the course you studied in school? Yes, I worked with the Health DeDe partment of the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency, before I was pulled out and made the Personal Assistant to the Sole Administrator of the establishment. What inspires your stories? The desire to effect change in the society. Entertainment and educative elements are infused, but my primary inspiration is change. I saw myself as a change agent from the inception, so I see every movie as an opportunity. Besides this, I’m inspired by intelligent, prophetic and uncommon stories. I am not attracted to stories that have been made into movies. I like to be original in every sense. What are the challenges you faced when you first started? When I started, my major challenge was the absence of books and training materials. Much as majority of the work were learnt practically in the field, I felt a strong push to study some basic theoretical frameworks of film making and storytelling. Eventually, this first challenge was overcome when I started travelling outside the country to receive training and invest in books/training materials. The second challenge was how to maintain the two jobs, film making and civil service. The salary from civil service, though never enough gives a kind of security and confidence unlike film making which means I have to be on my own. But in 1997, I overcame the fear and resigned, a decision I am so glad with till tomorrow. How is it like directing a Yoruba

kids

movie, even though you are not Yoruba? Very challenging and interesting. Yoruba is one language I’ve not been able to learn, but I love it. The good thing is that the script was in English, and I have a Yoruba assistant that monitors the dialogue for me. For acting, it has a universal language, so I was able to make a sound judgment and offer necessary direction and correction. I was able to give all the instructions in English, and pidgin as the case may be. The fact that I directed an Ibibio film called Mfana Ibagha and partly an Indian film in far away India gave me the necessary confidence. What is your relationship with Helen Ukpabio currently? Very cordial. Her film ministry has continued with the solid foundation we gave it, while mine has also progressed. Everybody has his own unique calling You were decorated with an MFR in 2012. What is the experience like to you? How did you feel hearing the news? My heart really jolted. It was really unexpected and it taught me a very big lesson about life. Whatever you find your hand to do, do it to the best of your ability. Somebody, somewhere is watching and one day your reward will come. Whether you are working for someone or a company, it doesn’t matter. Do it as if it is yours. It’s a good experience and it comes with a burden. You can’t afford to do things that will diminish the enormous honour thrust upon you and that include your professional and daily undertakings.

Work

vice years. The next building to mine was owned by my wife’s father and she was just a beautiful young girl in secondary school. I really was fascinated about everything about her. 2 years down the line I spoke to her and that was it. But something on my inside, told me, this is your wife. I moved to Lagos later and forgot everything about her until 2001 when I wanted to settle down. Do you have plans to go into politics like your other counterparts? Well, I will say yes. I have the intention, but currently strategizing on the right direction and the best approach Your come back movie Accident,

You produced Blood Diamonds in 2002 and Hollywood also did the same four years later. Did you give them permission to use the same title? And if not, did you sue them for it?

On the set of Blood in the Lagoon

No permission whatsoever. It was a case of intimidation. They chose the same topic, shot in the same country and used the same title. We contemplated suing, but my attorney felt that we may not go far since the movie was not copyrighted in the USA. Tell us how you met your wife I lived in Onitsha during my civil ser-

Receiving MFR honour from the President

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Much as Majority of the work were learnt practically in the field,

i felt

a strong push to study soMe basic theoretical fraMeworks of filM Making and storytelling garnered several awards and nominations. Did you envisage this when you were producing it? Well, I put in my best during the production. I think it is an honour well deserved. Like you know, film making is team work. We put in our best and I think we deserve what we got. I think the juries were also sincere enough, because we never canvassed for it. They are made up of renowned film scholars and critics. These people understand film. They understand film theory, film making and ingredients of a good film. So, if in their wisdom, they singled out Accident out of many other entries, who am I to question them? Accident emerged the best film made in Nigeria in 2014. In the best overall films, only Accident was featured. Other films were from other countries, only Accident was made in Nigeria. So, ideally, Accident became the best film in Nigeria. The film also won nomination in other categories like Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Editing …I’m happy. What’s next in line for you? I am planning to conclude work on Centrifugal Force which was cut short by the death of Justus Esiri. I need to get through with that before I take the next leap. What’s your advice to upcoming actors and directors? They should be focused, determined, patient and hardworking How do you relax? Browsing and researching, watching movies and playing with my wife and kids.

Artman In The House

Friday, August 14, 2015

Reggae has inspiring messages than hip-hop –Brig Brown Bread Some artistes can die for their beliefs. Brigadier Brown Bread’ is one of them. He shares his experiences as an artiste with NGOZI EMEDOLIBE Excerpts.

ow did you discover that you are cut out for music? My father was a trumpeter, with a band called ‘Adadama Brass Band’. It was a live band then. Before I got to the age of consciousness, I was told a man picked me up to be entertaining people at his restaurant. I would dance and people would give me money. I was told that it used to make my mother very angry then. That was how they branded me show promoter. What other arty things did you do then? In the secondary school, I continued to nurse the ambition. I used to like hanging out with friends who liked music. In fact, we formed an association called Reggae Club International at the secondary school. You must have branched off to reggae music because that was the genre of music in vogue then? Honestly, the musicians I was looking up to then were not strictly reggae artistes. I was into musicians like Randy Muller of ‘Brass Construction’, Lionel Richie and Curtis Blow. These artistes tilt towards funk and pop, you know. The truth is that as a child, I listened to these guys, and actually enjoyed their songs, but when we formed the club, I developed a taste for Jimmy Cliff. Rasta people say reggae is infectious. What in it makes it so? It is the philosophy. Once you get in, it becomes a religion. It means you have to fight injustice with your voice. That is why people like us have been in this for three decades now. What in your opinion ‘killed’ reggae music in Nigeria? It is just one factor. At the point when Nigerians were opening their eyes to accept reggae, the leading lights of reggae music, took off for greener pasture. Mandators, Edmund Spice, Ras Kimono, and Majek Fashek all left for the United States. At was at this point that hip-hop came in and struggled to take over. Hiphop was able to do this because of consistency. They forced Nigerians to reckon with it, when there was nothing else to listen to. Of course, reggae has more inspiring message than hip-hop where artistes glamourise frivolities. You have an album in the market? What is the reception like? It is doing well.. Like I said, reggae music is all about message. The album is a ten-tracker with songs like ‘Africa’, ‘Let’s Keep Praying’, ‘Obama and Mandela’, ‘Jehova’, ‘Psalm 23’, ‘We are all One Family’, ‘Sisiri-Sisiri’ and ‘They have Tried’, dedicated to leaders who have died in power. What message is there to pass about a dictator who died in power? The song is self-interpretative. If you

Brig

are a dictator, it shows that a force has placed responsibility on you. My idea about this is that God has a reason for putting you in the number one position in your country. Sometimes there are lessons to be learned in foolishness. What gave rise to the idea of PMAN Peace Initiative Committee? It started right inside this studio you are sitting down. Ras Murphy an erstwhile national president,(I will call him one of the illegal presidents), he came to me and told me he has problems with people who want him out of office. How effective has this initiative been so far? Peace Initiative is a child of circumstance. Many musicians fell in love with the idea. When it was conceived, we went to see Chris Mba, who has a relationship with Joseph Odebeatu of O’Jez to get a venue. Initially, he refused but when we told him the plans he went to Odebeatu who told us how bad things have been for PMAN. He even told us

how he gave money to one of our presidents for a generator and before the end of the day people were calling him to complain there was a problem with the sharing arrangement. In terms of being effective, the initiative is working. People levied themselves to fund this. It was along the line that people like Ateke Tom donated N200,000 for the cause. Most reggae musicians smoke Indian hemp, do you? Yes I do. I tried cigarettes and knew it would not work for me. But Indian hemp helps me focus. It is a spiritual affair. What inspires you as an artiste? Suffering! I have had a lot of bitter experiences. I see myself as a survivor, having survived the civil war, which gave me Kwashiorkor as a child. For people like me, who were victims of the civil war, I cannot but wonder what is going on when the people who afflicted our generation with that suffering are still walking about freely. Thank God that generation they wanted to exterminate in that region is doing well today.

i see Myself as a survivor, having survived the civil war, which gave Me kwashiorkor as a child. for people like Me, who were victiMs of the civil war, i cannot but wonder what is going on when the people who afflicted our generation with that suffering are still walking about freely

Critics

MUSIC

Friday, August 14, 2015

On the trail of 9Quest

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dancehall artiste, 9Quest, has so much to offer the dancehall genre of music in Nigeria. Ngozi emedolibe

or Ebuka Philip Chinweze, who goes by the stage name 9Quest, it is obvious that he would be counting on his understanding of the psyche of his audience. This is typical of his 11-track album. Sifting through the works making it in the Nigerian music scene, it is obvious that the lyrics must be recognisable (with sing-along refrains) and the rhythm must be laced with danceable beats; that is what 9Quest has done with this album that is titled, Shake it Down Low. As the title of the album suggests, it is positioned as a club hit that will keep audiences on their toes. Why does 9Quest feel this is what he needs to sway Nigerian music lovers at this time? It is likely going to be found in an in-depth research he has done about the music industry and his experience in India where he is being trained on media enterprise at the Institute of Television and Film Studies in New Delhi. The album, which is a dancehall flavor, interestingly has infusions of hip-hop, street rap, afro beats

Book

Inside The Fishermen

Chigozie Obioma’s book, The Fishermen has all the plots and prose of great fiction. Fiammetta Rocco

ne of the most remarkable literary -developments of the past decade has been the more or less simultaneous eruption onto the world stage, after a long fallow period, of nearly a dozen popular new novelists from Africa. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, No Violet Bulawayo, Teju Cole, Alain Mabanckou and Dinaw Mengestu are all young African writers who have worked in America. Many teach at or are graduates of creative writing schools, institutions that are sometimes scorned for being literary factories. Yet these writers’ voices, anything but undistinguished, are as distinct as the African countries they come from, whether Nigeria in the west, Zimbabwe in the south or Ethiopia in the east. And the flood shows no sign of slowing. Last fall, a first novel by a 33-year-old Cameroonian, Imbolo Mbue, reportedly sold at the Frankfurt Book Fair for a million dollars. That book, “The Longings of Jende Jonga,” will not be published before 2016. Meanwhile, this year’s most promising African newcomer may well prove to be Chigozie Obioma. An Ibo, like Nigeria’s best-known novelist, Chinua Achebe, Obioma was born in southwestern Nigeria and has recently joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska. He is still in his 20s. “The Fishermen” is a biblical parable set in the 1990s, when Nigeria was under the military dictatorship of Gen. Sani Abacha. Nine-year-old Benjamin, the narrator, is the youngest of four brothers. His father is a progressive man who works for the Central Bank of Nigeria. Education and professional

ambition, he believes, are the only antidotes to the canker of corruption that has spread into every corner of his country’s life. Benjamin’s father wants his children to “dip their hands into rivers, seas, oceans of this life and become successful: doctors, pilots, professors, lawyers.” Instead, when their father is transferred to another town, leaving their mother in charge not only of the four boys and their baby sister but of a food stall in the local market, the boys do what boys everywhere do when they realize they’re not supervised: They begin to play truant. Despite their mother’s every effort, within three months their father’s “long arm that often wielded the whip, the instrument of caution, snapped like a tired tree branch. Then we broke free.” The brothers fight with rival boys, smash the neighbors’ windows. And whenever possible they make for the Omi-Ala River, which runs through the town. Once pure, the Omi-Ala had supplied early settlers with fish and clean drinking water. As is true throughout Africa, the “Omi-Ala was once believed to be a god; people worshiped it.” Now, like so much else in Nigeria, it is more like a sewer. ¬Animal carcasses lie on its banks. The mutilated corpse of a woman has been found in the water, “her vital body parts ¬dismembered.” When the boys go there to fish, they catch more than they bargained for. Walking home one day, having hooked two big tilapia, they

The Fishermen is a biblical parable seT in The when

1990s,

nigeria was

under The miliTary dicTaTorship oF

gen. sani abacha.

come upon a man asleep under a mango tree. “He was robed from head to foot in filth. As he rose spryly to stand, some of the filth rose with him, while some was left in patches on the ground. He had a fresh scar on his face just ¬below his chin, and his back was caked with a dripping mess from some dead mango in a state of putrefaction.” He is Abulu, a madman known both for his soothsaying and for his unsavory habit of masturbating in public. When Abulu begins shouting at the boys, he calls the eldest, Ikenna, by name, although he has never met him and doesn’t know him. Ikenna, he prophesies, will die, killed by one of his own brothers. As the weight of the prophecy settles over the boys, Obioma intensifies his focus on the bad luck that afflicts their family. The boys’ mother, unhinged by grief, has a nervous breakdown and is hospitalized. Their father, gaunt and gray-bearded, is seen visibly to crumple from the inside as his eminence as head of the family is compromised by his inability to protect those he loves. And then there are the brothers. If the prophecy is true, which of them will prove to be the murderer? Guilt, grief and lies bind the boys even while forcing them apart. The political implications of “The Fishermen” are obvious, though never -overstated. Countries can take a wrong turn, Obioma suggests, just as people can. In six decades of independence, Nigeria has had no shortage of lies,

soothsayers and madmen. And no shortage of troubles. As things fall apart and the family’s center cannot hold, Obioma’s readers will ¬begin to recall another work of fiction from Africa, a book that, after more than half a century, has never been out of print. In his exploration of the mysterious and the murderous, of the terrors that can take hold of the human mind, of the colors of life in Africa, with its vibrant fabrics and its trees laden with fruit, and most of all in his ability to create dramatic tension in this most human of African stories, ¬Chigozie Obioma truly is the heir to ¬Chinua Achebe.

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Critics

Friday, August 14, 2015

Although 9Quest is from AnAmbrA stAte where igbo is spoken widely, his songs hAve infusions of mAny lAnguAges in

nigeriA

and even the Indian rhythm. With the waves Nigerian beats are making in Indian clubs, where the popular ‘Naija flavour’, is making inroads it is likely that 9Quest is also targeting the Indian market. Perhaps this has infor med why the music will be released in India, South Africa and Nigeria simultaneously. It also infor med the array of producers the artiste worked with in actualising this dream. For the entire album, listeners will hear inputs from Sound Steve, who produced Shake It Down Low with mixing by Evo. Big Mouth, a South African producer, produced the track DJ My Dealer. The song, Choice, which has deep Indian flavour was done by a group of producers and sound engineers at the Bayana Tree Productions studio. Another beautiful aspect of the new album is the mixture of languages both local and inter national brought to play in the songs. Although 9Quest is from Anambra State where Igbo is spoken widely, his songs have infusions of many languages in Nigeria. Shake it Down Low, has Yoruba, Edo and some Norther n dialects in it, which is a good appeal for the various ethnic linings in Nigeria. Songs like DJ My Dealer, not only has South African beats but also the language. While 9Quest has tried to have a collage of appealing attributes about his forthcoming album, one aspect he needs to work on is his voice. For someone who wants to leave memorable traits, he needs to have worked on his voice to leave the desired impact. But his attitude to this may be seen in the genre of music he is propagating-dancehall. He has so many examples to cite in consoling himself, which includes the Shaba Ranks and the Buju Bantons of this world. Bringing Shake it Down Low to the audience will however require an articulate visual interpretation, that will drive his message home. Working with Nollywood Network Services, a fledging production outfit will help in realising this. While so much have been put in place to receive this album, the ultimate decision on how successful it becomes lies with the audience.

FILM

Mum, Dad meet Sam

The movie evaluates the issue of racism, how people are rejected due to the colour of their skin. IsIguzo DestIny

um, Dad meet Sam is a movie starring Nollywood actor, Joseph Benjamin, produced by Segilola Ogidan and Edith Nwekenta and directed by TS Ukpo. Other stars in the movie are Joseph Benjamin, Daniella Down, A Dot Comedian, Edith Nwekenta, Helen Gold, Anthony Ofoegbu while Josiah Abiola was unveiled in Mum, Dad meet Sam a movie also known as MDMS”. The story is about a young man Joseph Benjamin who falls in love with a white woman (British actress Daniella Down) and takes her home to meet the family in Nigeria. What would have been a blissful experience becomes the main conflict in the movie as the white lady was rejected by her fiancé’s mother (Helen Gold), with so much antagonism coming from the man’s ex-girlfriend Morenike (Edith Nwekenta). The story line turned out to make a comedy with various awkward characterization and role interpretation that elicits humour and laughter. The subject matter of the movie is very relevant as it evaluates the issue of racism where people are rejected having been evaluated by their colour and tradition/culture alien to them. The movie through the script writer re-assesses our notion of humanity and alludes to one of Lucky Dube’s lyrics that “we must come together as one”. The role interpretation of Joseph, the main character is commendable as he was very true to his role. He sounds very convincing but nearly marred his achievement in the movie with juxtaposing accent which was different in Nigeria from the one he had in UK. It made him appear unreal and unconvincing in his verbalisation. Samantha (Daniella Down) is another commendable character with her very convincing role of a desperate daugh-

it is sheer cArelessness for Anyone to impose A locAtion on us And AssAult our sensibilities by giving us un-

existing locAtions like the cAr pArk At

muritAlA

muhAmmed Airport.

ter in-law to be. Samantha’s costume is also convincing as her clothes that look more appropriate for real Nigerian old women lays credence to the fact that she is a guest in an alien culture and is struggling to fit into the social system. It would have been surprising if she dressed in a way Nigerian brought up ladies would have dressed. She added to the quality of the comic movie with her temperate humour unlike the role of the dot comedian which was exaggerated. The quality of the production struggled at the beginning at some scenes with poor sound and picture quality. A good instance is the scene of the airport in Lagos; the quality is poor and was even fictitious. I don’t think that location is really in Lagos Airport though I stand to be corrected. The sound was also distant at the beginning though a fellow critic that saw the movie with me argued it was not bad at all. Though generally the quality of picture and sound is good, I still maintain it is not perfect in some scenes. There are other not so carefully shot scenes in the movie that betrayed the fact some scenes which were meant to be Lagos scenes were actually shot in UK. This is evident in the heater props one keeps

seeing in the Lagos scenes. Lagos has a considerable hot environment therefore; heaters are farfetched in Lagos homes. The producer and director should have done away with the over exaggerated character, Fola. For me, comedy must also be realistic unless it is a farce. In the case of MDMS, it is a serious comedy. Movies must also be true to their locations. It is sheer carelessness for anyone to impose a location on us and assault our sensibilities by giving us an un-existing location like the car park at Muritala Muhammed Airport. The movie for me is one I can recommend for Nigerian viewers. It is a topnotch movie generally in terms of cast, storyline etc. The cast showed evident synergy that makes their roles a harmonious whole. Nollywood is turning out chunks of high quality movies and movies like MDMS are marks of new dawn in the Nigerian film industry. MDMS may not have satisfied me in all ramifications but the issue of fund is something that limits good intention to fair trial. With accessible funds, Nollywood has enough talents to compete with her Hollywood counterpart.

Inside FCT

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Friday, August 14, 2015

NYSC members protest alleged extortion Joel AJAyi

ne of the mandates of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, when established 40 years ago is to inculcate the spirit of self-reliance in our young graduates. In an attempt to review the programme, NYSC management in its wisdom introduced initiatives called Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Development SAED into the camp to address the unemployment issue. In November 2011, NYSC got an approval from the Head of Service to establish some more departments for the NYSC one of which was the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development department in all 36 states of the federation, precisely on the 29th of March 2012, this department was inaugurated with the appointment of a director to head the unit. However, during the Orientation Programme in Camp, about 30 hours, of 10 days 3-hour per day is set aside for them to be trained different vocational occupation, the problem that is optional is not compulsory. The 10 days of the training includes a sensitization by the professional instructor to talk to youth corps members in the camp on the need to change their minds from looking for jobs and the needs to become entrepreneurs and exposes them to entrepreneurship development. The initiative is a clear testimony to effectiveness of the programme in Nigeria. But from all indications it seem as if all is not well with the corps members who happen to be the recipient of the initiatives as many alleged huge extortion as many described it as slave trade of the highest order. However, the alleged extortion from the corps members remains the cog wheel in the growth and development of the programme. Some Corps members in the Federal Capital Territory who spoke with

NYSC members

Inside FCT, recently, during a protest in Abuja described the extortion of certain amount of fees charged for the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Development (SAED) as wickedness to from state chapter of the National Youth Service Corps. The Corps members, who expressed surprise at the new development, said they were asked to pay fees ranging between N5, 000 and N10, 000 for different skills under the programme before they were cleared for their monthly allowance. One of the protesters simply identified as Emeka, said he could not understand why youth corps that are solely depend on little stipend from government would be subjected to pay as high as N10, 000 for a programme that is supposed to be optional, they forced the programme on us, not everybody will like the programme why are they forcing it on us. “I was surprised when I was asked to pay N10, 500 when I went

Kubwa Expressway of death ReginA otokpA

n the last few months, there have been constant re-occurrence of road crashes on the popular Kubwa Expressway, which has led to the untimely loss of many innocent lives. Prior to the reconstruction and dualization of the road, residents living within the Kubwa axis and beyond, had suffered hours of traffic gridlock every morning and evening, causing untold hardship to residents who spend hours on the road with possibility of getting to their destinations late, exhausted and for car owners, the risk of visiting mechanics often times than not. With the successful completion of the road came a relief and another form of

pain as no day goes by without coming across the physical evidence of a road crash or multiple road crashes along the same expressway. Inside FCT checks however, revealed that the rate of accidents on good roads is higher than the rate of occurrence witnessed on bad roads due to the level of excessive speed applied by most drivers who ply the roads with reckless abandon, distraction due to phone usage and drunkenness. Many wonder if having

for my monthly clearance. Why must we be asked to pay as much as that for a training that is supposed to be optional?” he queried. Another corps member, a lawyer, who said he had already paid, said he was among those who believe the training should not be made compulsory, as some of them may not need extra skills. “I think the SAED programme is meant for people who are not yet clear as to what they would do after the service year,” he said. When Inside FCT contacted, the FCT NYSC Coordinator, Olanipekun Alao, he said the fee was not charged

by the NYSC, but by the private trainers at the exercise for their services. “We get resource persons who would talk with them in three days and introduce them to entrepreneurship. We hired some consultant and are closely monitoring the programme to ensure the trainers follow strictly the guidelines, including the flexibility of the fees for easy and installment payment by the corps members. “I am not aware of that but I will surely get to the root of the matter” he assured.

when inside fct contacted, the fct nysc coordinator, olaniPekun alao, he said the fee was not charged by the nysc, but by the Private trainers at the exercise for their services.

a good road has become a blessing or a curse. Geoffrey Hakim works with a private firm in Maitama, he said “most of these accidents happen at night. When I am going home between the hours of eight and nine pm, I do not get to see any evidence of an accident but in the morning, driving to town one is sure to see a battered car stuck in the drainage or facing the wrong runway and you begin to wonder how come?

PeoPle drive anyhow, they sPeed as if there is a demon chasing them from hell, some of them do not obey or will i even say know driving rules. you see someone driving on toP sPeed and on the Phone at the same time

xAccident in Kubwa

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Inside FCT

Friday, August 14, 2015

Refuse dumps: Karu residents cry out Regina OtOkpa

oming across an unattended refuse wastes during the rainy season is not a very pleasant experience but for residents of Karu, they have been forced to gulp down the unpleasant smell oozing out of the growing dump around the popular St Mary’s Catholic Church. Time without number, members of the Abuja Environmental Protection agency had stormed the area to clear off the waste, but that relief only lasts a while as residents soon afterwards resume dumping of waste at same spot. Speaking to Inside FCT the residents especially those residing or having businesses close by, appealed to the government to ensure that drastic measures were put in place to ensure the authorities involved do not only carry out their duties in ensuring a clean and healthy environment, but plain officials should be put in place to arrest the perpetrators of the inhumane act. Complaining bitterly, one of the shop owners along the road leading to St Mary’s Catholic Church, Veronica Ojiekwe, noted that government needed to be more concerned about the health of the citizens by making adequate provisions to ensure components of ill health were dealt with. “The smell from this waste is not good at all. I can’t even breathe well in my shop. Gover nment should please tell those who dump dirt here to stop. They have just tur ned this place into something else which is not right. “Gover nment is trying at least with all the news stories over this dump, environmental has been sending their boys to clear off the dirt but before we know it, it has grown again. The people doing it are not even concerned about those of us who stay close here because the smell is not always too good. You know it is bad when people who are just passing by cannot do that conveniently without covering up their nostrils or squeez-

Refuse dumo in Abuja

ing their face.” Ismail Mohammed lives afar off close to the chief ’s palace but according to him, the stench from the refuse dump gets to his house at night. “Imagine the distance from my house to where the refuse dump is yet, the smell we perceive here is terrible especially at night. I always wonder

the pain people who live close to the main road are experiencing as a result of this,” he asked in spattered English Ignatius Tsav told Inside FCT that the refuse dump has heightened the traffic gridlock as most of the wastes have taken over the road worsening the once not too good situation. He advised government to pro-

The smell from This wasTe is noT good aT all. i can’T even breaThe well in my shop. governmenT should please Tell Those who dump dirT here To sTop. They have jusT Turned This place inTo someThing else which is noT righT “We have a lot of bad drivers and road users in Nigeria. Overtaking from the right is wrong yet people still do this every day knowing they are breaking the law which might lead to waste of their lives and the lives of others. “People should please learn to do the right things and also put into consideration the lives of others making use of the road.” According to Ikenna Kalu, a trader at Wuse market, most of the crashes occur as a result of c arlessness on the part of both the driver and the other occupants in the vehicle. “It pains me when I am going out in the morning and I come across an accident that occurred either that morning or the previous evening or night. If you ask me I will say it is carelessness because most drivers are too careless on the road, they drive anyhow as of the road belongs to them.

“I blame the occupants too, if a driver is careless instead of cautioning him they decide to keep quiet because it is not their vehicle. It is wrong because if anything happens, everybody will be affected. I do not have a car, I board private vehicles everyday but God knows I never keep quiet once I sense any form of carelessness.” Destiny Ezeugwu told Inside FCT, “this road was repaired for our good but we are turning it into our death sentence. Since they repaired it, the rate of accidents is getting out of hand. “People drive anyhow, they speed as if there is a demon chasing them from hell, some of them do not obey or will I even say know driving rules. You see someone driving on top speed and on phone trying to overtake another vehicle, isn’t that madness? “When we were experiencing seri-

vide a place where this waste can be dumped. They are causing more harm than good to our health. “Abuja Environmental Protection Board is not fulfilling its mandate at all. Instead of looking for ways to clean up the place of to ensure safe health, all they are after is chasing and cleaning up innocent people who are trying to make some money to take care of their family off the streets. “They really need to do more, think of how to apprehend all these defaulters who keeps making life unbearable for the general public. “They need to set their priorities straight, for how long do we want to continue like this? Something needs to be done and it needs to be done fast before we lose our narrow road to dirt,” Tsav added. ous hold up we were complaining, crying, they repaired the road our crying increased just because we have refused to do the right thing. “The painful part is that most times, it is the innocent patriotic ones who stick to the rules that get hurt. The defaulters will run into them and off they go spinning uncontrollably with an aftermath that is not always good to behold.” Shalom Anosike however lamented the attitude of people toward victims who need urgent medical attention “The social media has turned us all into beasts; everybody has become a journalist and wants to be the first to break the news. “Instead of tasking ourselves on how best to help the injured to access medical care as soon as possible, we busy ourselves taking and uploading pictures on various social media platforms.

Mirror Mongers

Friday, August 14, 2015

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‘Ganduje-nomics’ in Kano

Prostitutes in a club

President of Prostitutes

hose who think absolute power is not intoxicating might need some lessons from one of the unfamiliar territories. The annual elections of the National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (NANP) ended in violence last Sunday, August 9, 2015 as they gathered to elect a new president. MM gathered that the prostitutes resorted to fighting after the result of their presidential election was disputed by the prostitute who lost. “Trouble began when the association’s secretary, a lady named Jessica Elvis was declared winner after getting 300 votes

to defeat the incumbent, a lady named Madam Felix Efoyo, who got 153 votes. Their Nasarawa State coordinator, Tamar Tion, came third with 63 votes. After the results were announced, Madam Efoyo rejected it, claiming that the election was marred with irregularities and cheating and asked for a fresh election. This turned into serious fight. One of Madame Efoyo’s loyalists reportedly broke a bottle and stabbed another member during the fight,” was how an eye witness captured it. How many people knew there was an association like that?

Fashanu-Bakam story

Fashanu

efore now, the story of John Fashanu and Abigail Igwe, the mother of Adaeze Yobo was everywhere, detailing the romanceturned sour encounters of the twosome. Things are about to take a new shape from the buzz in town. MM gathered that Fashanu has found love again in the arms of TV gal, Rachel Bakam and the duo are practically inseparable. The lovebirds who both reside in Abuja are spotted in events together, have travelled extensively together and even anchor shows together now. The buzz is that: ‘’They are practically like Siamese twins and their affection for each other is like a glass wall.” The coast appears clear for the two as they are practically available. While Fashanu is embroiled in a bitter divorce case Rachel is divorced with a son. Will this last? Question for the two.

ONE-SECOND &

With

PATIENCE OZOKWOR

Gov. Ganduje

omeone is always tempted to believe that there are still some theories that are yet to be discovered in science, economics and arts. For resi-

dents of Kano, the Governor, Umar Ganduje may have invented one that is new, which is the reason MM prefers to call this, Ganduje-nomics. The buzz is that Ganduje is about spending N180m on the renovation (yes, renovation only) of the residence of the Deputy Governor of Kano State. Of course, this is leaving some sour taste in the state, considering the debt profile of Kano State Government, which has worsened with the falling oil prices in the international market. Now questions are being asked on why the Governor thinks this project is very necessary at this time. Aside that the same residence which is being ‘re-branded’ was the one Ganduje packed out of on May 29, 2015 after his tenure as the Deputy Governor under Senator Kwankwaso. Some people who think this may not make economic sense are easily reminded that it may make sense according to the doctrine of ‘Ganduje-nomics’.

Crusade for Ibori T here is a proverb about lofty expectations in African folklore where the Tortoise who had only a few minutes to spend inside a ditch where fell into was disturbing a rescue team helping him out to hurry up, despite that he had been there for days without help. Essentially this captures what is about to happen in Delta as regards the former Governor of the State, James Ibori, currently in jail in UK. At the moment a huge crusade is

being organised to help fast-track the release of the politician by his friends and associates. But this would leave one wondering why nothing has been done in this regard since and why the organisers are only remembering now that his ordeal is coming to an end. But it is not surprising though considering the fact that since he has been incarcerated, Ibori has frequently commented on several national issues. Back to the crusade: It is called ‘Enough is Enough’ and comes up on August 25.

How is life as a widow?

Widowhood can be a harrowing experience for most African women. Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor reacts to the issue:

because od has always been on my side we can g hin without Him there is not , mayage vill the in do. Again, I lived would gs thin , city the in be if I were living know will ody nob and me to be happening ple peo my And what I was passing through. loon ays alw am I in the village know that of t par tern eas the in er cation working eith when I But ja. Abu and os Lag or the country me in the comam not working you will see . I appreciate age vill fort of my home in the and peaceful love ir the my people for all ying. My husco-existence which I am enjo ch, even before band’s family loves me so mu

to attached we r e s o s e ll a w c ; r y il ta eas the fam in e I becam n o er. Every f me. each oth re fond o a y e th ; me Patia

Friday, August 14, 2015 29 Shawwal, 1436

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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

Sekinah L awaL

s Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, ZSF, rewarded some Nigerian youths that emerged as the best among their colleagues in the just-concluded competition with various cash prizes among others, the chairman of the 1st ZSF’s Business Plan Competition, BPC, held on Wednesday, at Westwood Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, Dr. Umaru Mutallab in his welcome address, called on Nigerian youths to look inward, create jobs instead of seeking for jobs. He revealed that the BPC is another product of the Foundation designed as Entrepreneurship Development Project, EDP, with the sole aim of promoting entrepreneurship skills amongst the Nigerian youths so that they can be self-reliant and become job creators instead of job-seekers. “In line with the philosophy of our Foundation, we are committed to providing opportuni-

ZSF holds 1st BPC … Urges youths to be creative, courageous ties for the teeming Nigerian youths endowed with various potentials but lacking the required seed capital or having difficulty with gaining access to grants to expand their small and medium size enterprises. In addition, ZSF is in partnership with Jaiz Bank Plc and Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank Limited to complement the efforts of governments in the area of job creation and employment opportunities for the future leaders of this great country.” Dr. Mutallab made it known that they have a win-win situation for all the remaining contestants because they will be appreciated by the Foundation in another way beyond this gathering. Also speaking, the Executive Director/CEO, ZSF, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, said that the BPC is aimed at bringing

together business-minded Nigerian youths to compete and show-case their creative ideas and business plans, empowering them with adequate seed capital, appreciating the role of the Nigerian youths in nation-building, celebrating the United Nations International Youth Day in a grand style as well as providing professional advice and mentoring to Nigerian youths across the country. “The window of opportunity for accomplishing the aforementioned aims is ZSF’s EDP designed with a view to tackling frontally the endemic problems of poverty, unemployment and hopelessness confronting Nigerian youths.” “In order to be objective, we outsourced this responsibility to a consultant who put together a panel of experts that executed

this project. A total of one hundred and twenty-eight (128) applications were received across the country in the two categories of the competition, namely the Idea Track and Growth Track.” “Guided by international best practice, the applications were screened using uniform criteria and the best twenty applicants emerged from both the Idea and Growth Tracks. In the second stage, the twenty applicants made physical presentation of their business ideas and models before a panel of experts from which the best four applicants from the Idea Track and the best four applicants from the Growth Track were shortlisted for final award.” The best four finalists in the Growth Track were rewarded with N1.5million, N1million, N750,000 and N500,000 for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions

L-R: Ambassador Adamu Babangida, DG/CEO, JAIZ Foundation also representing the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab, Chairman, JAIZ Bank and ZSF’s Advisory Board, ZSF’s CEO, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib; Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro presenting the cheque of N1.5m to the 1st winner of the competition at the 1st ZSF’s Business Plan Competition, BPC, held on Wednesday

‘Stop hate preaching’ 29

Sultan Foundation partners IIPC on peace

respectively while the best four finalists in the Idea Track were rewarded with N1million, N750,000, N500,000 and N250,000 for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions respectively. He urged the winners to judiciously utilise the seed capital given to them for the prosecution of their businesses. “Our Monitoring and Evaluation Officers will keep a tap on you from time to time and we implore you to furnish us with your progress report regularly. Be reminded that we shall render account, so will you on the day of judgement.” He gave the assurance of the sustainability of the project annually. The remaining twelve participants were given One Hundred Thousand Naira each to support their businesses. He thanked the duo of Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab and Alhaji Aliko Dangote for their continued support to the Foundation as well as Jaiz Bank Plc and Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank for their collaboration and sponsorship while calling on other philanthropists, corporate organizations to partner with the Foundation to support Nigerian youths. The consultant, Dr. Lukman Raimi enjoined the winners to keep in touch for continous monitoring. Also, the chairman, ZSF, Prince Sulayman Olagunju advised them to keep records of their businesses while the MD of Hajj Mabrur Ventures, Alhaji AbdulHamid Solate called on government at all levels to provide the enabling environments for the young entrepreneurs. Conclusively, Sheikh Tirmidhi Jamiu, advised all zakatable muslims to pay their zakat to worthy foundations like ZSF as prompt and adequate zakat payment will go a long way in alleviating poverty.

2015 Lagos Science Olympiad winner, Al-Hikmat College rewards excellence

Call to Worship

29 Shawwal, 1436 Friday, August 14, 2015

IDPs and why corrupt people must be prosecuted

visit to any of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs’ camp in the country will truly convince any doubting Thomas on the criminal nature of all who embezzle the nation’s wealth. As the number of these camps continued to increase, the miserable and unsafe living conditions in the camps, mostly young children, with a prevalence of high birth rate among the young women among other factors; are enough reason to prosecute past public officers. There should be no plea bargaining of any sort in other to serve as deterrent to others. We have many disturbing reports from the camps. Statistics and reports regarding their conditions and how they live are enough reasons among others why corrupt public officers must face the wrath of the law. Many of these children are traumatized already as they witnessed the killing of their parents and close relations. At a recent workshop organized by UNICEF, we experienced their pains and trials firsthand. The so-called Boko Haram members

were and are still busy shooting guns and throwing bombs while our military have not gotten new guns for years now despite the huge defence budget. With 24 official camps in Nigeria; 15 in Maiduguri, seven in Yola, 2 in Yobe and several unofficial camps around the country, the defence ministry and others must explain themselves. The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, recorded an additional 47,276 IDPs in Plateau, Nasarawa, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna bring-

Many of these children are trauMatized already as they witnessed the killing of their parents and close relations

Principal, Al-Hikmat College, Alhaji Misbaudeen Bishi and Alhaji Animashaun presenting gift to Hassan Animashaun at the 12th prize-giving / end of session ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos recently.

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THE PLATFORM with

Sekinah

Lawal

ing the total number of registered IDPs to 1,538,982 in E-mail: sakinah207@yahoo.com t: 08055102994 these northern states and of their defence needs to the extent of parts of the Middle Belt not exporting into other countries. Ours canto talk of the unregistered lots. When former President Jonathan said not be different. Spending a quarter of the annual budthey placed high premium on the develget on security without results do not opment of a strong and efficient Armed make sense when our health, education Forces, including sustaining efforts at and other sectors would have been taken equipment modernization and lifting the care of. morale and welfare of officers and solWhen we carefully consider the huge diers, we thought we were good to go, but budget that yearly goes into the Nigerian with the unfolding events, one could not Defence sector we would understand the help but wonder what they have been doreason why there is need for more transing with all the yearly budgets. parency and accountability. When the Billions of dollars were been squan2014 Budget was presented by the Minisdered without attending to the root cause ter of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, of the problem. she said out of a total budget of N4.962 And that is why we must commend our trillion, the allocation to the Nigeria’s new President for the idea of local proDefence sector took about 20 per cent, duction of military wares as obtained totalling N968.127 billion because of the in many other countries facing security growing insecurity situation in the counchallenges as we do, the best option is try, it is a very shocking revelation reto start developing our own domestic cently that it’s been years now that our defence industry. Many other countries have their own security manufacturing military got new equipment. Nigerians firms that supply substantial amount are eagerly awaiting their trials.

Alhaja Silifat Modupe Animasaun with her darling husband, Alhaji Muslim Kola Animasaun while Alhaja was marking her 75th birthday in Lagos last Friday.

Alhaja Aminah AbdulKareem presenting to 1st overall in JSS at the 12th prize-giving / end of session ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos recently. Dr. Sariyu Ashiru, Amirah, Lagos FOMWAN, assisted by Hajia Muslihah Ajala-Shuaib to present cheque to Risqat Olaiwon.

Alhaja Serifah Ajala with Sofiyyah Ajala and Mariam AbdulFattah as one of the overall best in JSS2 at the 12th prize-giving / end of session ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos recently.

Hajia Saidat Otiti supported by Hajia Mujeedah Abdul-Haleem-Olagunju to present cheque to Kareemah Oladipo.

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‘Stop hate preaching’ AdAm AbdullAhi

call has gone to all religious leaders to stop hate preaching. This was contained in a communique signed by Alhaji Mikail Babatunde Odukoya and Bashiruddin Towolawi, National President and National Secretary respectively, at the end of the 40th annual National Ijtema of Majlis

Call to Worship

Friday, August 14, 2015 29 Shawwal, 1436

Ansarullah Sil Sila ‘Aliya Ahmadiyya Nigeria, held at the Government Model College, Owutu, Ikorodu last weekend. Members of the Majlis Ansarullah (the Elders Forum of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at), Nigeria Branch, on the theme: Good Governance and Nation Building, commended government for curtailing the Ebola virus which prevented the holding of the

convention last year and urged health authorities not to be complacent as the virus has resurfaced in countries where it was previously contained. “Governments at all levels must imbibe the true elements of good governance.” They called for a robust attack on corruption at all the facets while calling on religious leaders to desist from hate-sermons but preach harmonious co-existence.

It implored the government to exploit and develop other revenue-earning sources like agriculture, instead of the overwhelming dependency on crude oil. “Adherents of all religions must pray fervently as we did in the last general elections, that God may put a stop to the insurgency and guide our political leaders to steer the ship of our nation’s to greater heights.”

DCP Muazu presenting cheque to Dr. AbdulHakeem Olorukooba assisted by Mallam Bala Mohammad Bello at the 1st ZSF’s Business Plan Competition, BPC, held on Wednesday.

Sultan Foundation partners IIPC on peace

he Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development and a US-based NGO, International Interfaith Peace Corps, IIPC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to strengthen ties between both parties in areas of education, health, conflict resolution, revitalization of Islamic schools, youth and women empowerment, interfaith dialogue, socio-economic development and the welfare of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The event which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, was chaired by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar mni. The roundtable condemned terrorist groups; expressed deep concern about the poor condition of the internally displaced persons in the North East and called on the Federal Government to establish the North East Development Commission without delay. Objectives of the Sultan Foundation includes the provision of relief for IDPs, the promotion of tolerance

and peaceful coexistence among the adherents of different religions in the country, the reduction of poverty through wealth creation and the development of the capacity of Islamic scholars to enable them understand and preach moderation in order to counter extremism and terrorism. As part of the cooperation between the two organizations, IIPC and its partners will host 21 Nigerian Muslim leaders from different Islamic organizations who will attend a 3-week Study Tour in the United States between August and September this year. The occasion had in attendance Ambassador Rashad Hussain, Special Envoy of President Barrack Obama, Imam Mohamed Magid and Dr. Imrana Umar, Chairman and Executive Director of the IIPC respectively. The MoU was signed by H. E. the Sultan and Imam Mohamed Magid on behalf of the two organizations. The coordinator of Sultan Foundation, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, was present at the event.

2015 Lagos Science Olympiad winner, Al-Hikmat College rewards excellence AdAm AbdullAhi

T Mallam Samaila Zubairu presenting cheque to Jamiu Jamiu at the 1st ZSF’s Business Plan Competition, BPC, held on Wednesday.

he 1st overall winner of the 2015 Lagos State Science Olympiad Competition, Al-Hikmat College last week rewarded some outstanding students, teachers and parents for their contributions to the growth of the school. In his welcome address at the 12th prize-giving/ end of session ceremony of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos recently, the school’s Principal, Alhaji Musbaudeen Bishi called

on parents to continue giving the College the needed support for the good of the students in general. He assured them of the readiness of the school to keep improving on the quality of trainings given their students both in academic and morals. Akinpelu AbdulQadir, AbdulFattah Rahmat and AbdurRasheed Bilaal emerged as overall best students, SS3 while many parents were given awards in appreciation of their contribution to the school’s develpment

2015 HAJJ: reconsider delegation NACOMYO to FG

N MD, Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank, Alhaji Tajudeen Sekoni presenting cheque to Maruf Yusuf at the 1st ZSF’s Business Plan Competition, BPC, held on Wednesday.

ational Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, NACOMYO, has implored the Presidency to reconsider its decision not to sponsor formal delegation to this year’s Hajj. In a statement signed by , NACOMYO noted that though FG’s economic condition is pathetic; it posited that the position of AmirulHajj and other spiritual

leaders in such a global Muslim gathering should not be undermined. The group noted that FG delegation plays a complimentary responsibility in ensuring smooth hajj operations by the Nigeria Hajj Commission. NACOMYO said that it will be meritorious to have a modest “FG delegation” than not having at all.

Call to Worship

29 Shawwal, 1436 Friday, August 14, 2015

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Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya

Love and reverence for Holy Qur’an (2)

azrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) related a popular story about a very cowardly man who assumed he was very brave. He went to a tattooist and asked him for a piercing of a lion. In olden days brave men liked to have decorative tattoos to demonstrate their bravery. The tattooist set about his work and when he pierced his needle the coward asked what he was going to make first. The tattooist said the tail of the lion. The man said a lion can be a lion without its tail, the tattooist said yes, so the man asked him to leave the tail. The tattooist pierced his needle again and the man again asked what he was going to draw. The tattooist said he was going to draw/pierce the right fore leg. The man said a lion can still be a lion without a right foreleg, the tattooist said yes. The man said, leave it then. This continued with the left foreleg, the right and left hind legs. Eventually the tattooist stopped and said there was nothing for him to draw. The state of Islam is also quite similar. Muslim leaders and scholars raise slogans but do nothing in practice. They too ask people to abandon everything; a practice which has nothing to do with Islam Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said his maternal grandfather used to say that he was very cheeky as a child. He would relate that in mango season when his parents and siblings sat down together to eat mangoes he would put aside sweet mangoes on the pretext that they were sour. When all mangoes would finish he would say, ah well, I am still hungry, so I will eat these sour ones as well. Once his older brother said he too was still hungry, so he also decided to eat the ‘sour’ mangoes put aside and found out that they were in fact sweet. Such is also the situation of the Muslim leaders who wish to enforce Shariah but know nothing about Islam. They put things aside for themselves deceptively. While Hazrat Musleh Maud’s maternal grandfather’s account was childlike, these leaders do wrong knowingly. And they are robbing Islam for their vested interests which is a great tragedy for Islam and it is because of these religious leaders that there are certain groups and organisations who are perpetrating barbarity. Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said if you instil righteousness and piety and inculcate the habit of prayer and remembrance of God, invoke Durood and offer Tahajjud, most certainly God will bless you with true dreams and visions and will speak to you. He said a living miracle is one which man experiences on a personal level. No doubt Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat Musa and Hazrat Isa (peace be on them) showed many miracles but only that miracle is great for a person which he ob-

L-R: Sadr, Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya; The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; representative of Speaker, Lagos State, Hon Olawale AbdulSobur and General Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Abbas Iromini, during the 40th Lagos 2015 Annual National Ijtema of Majlis Ansarullah at Ikorodu Lagos State.

MuslIM leaders and schOlars raIse slOgans but dO nOthIng In practIce

serves on a personal level. Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif Shaheed accepted Ahmadiyyat and then returned to his homeland Kabul from Qadian. The governor of Kabul asked him to repent. Sahibzada Sahib told him that before he left Qadian he had a dream in which he had handcuffs on. How would he possibly change his stance after God had told him that he would be handcuffed in God’s way! This firm belief of his stemmed from the fact that he had experienced it on a personal level in a dream. Hazrat Sufi Ahmad Jan Sahib was a very holy person. The Maharaja of Jammu asked him to visit Jammu to pray for him but he replied if you want me to pray for you, you have to come and visit me. Sufi Sahib had deep devotion for Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace). Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said we know that when Barahin e Ahmadiyya was published Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace) had hundreds of thousands of devotees. Sufi Sahib was one of them but he passed away before he made the claim to be the Promised Messiah. Sufi Sahib was a waliUllah (friend of God/saintly person) and could foresee that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was going to be the Messiah and before passing away he advised his family to accept him when he made his claim. Other aficionadas who although did not have Sufi Sahib’s insight used to say that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace) alone could save Islam. Yet when the Promised Messiah made his claim and dispensed the elixir all the prominent people repudiated him and said what they had thought to be gold had turned out to be copper. While once he had hundreds of thousands of devotees, only forty turned up at the first session of bai’at the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) took. Maulawi Sanaullah (who later became an opponent) wrote that he had walked to Qadian to meet the Promised Messiah after the publication of Barahin e Ahmadiyya and Maulawi Muhammad Hussain Batalwi (also became an opponent) wrote that no one had served Islam as much as the Promised Messiah in the past 1300 years!

L-R: Naib Sadr, Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Muyisi Idris; Missionary Rehanmalik Khan; Maulvi Naseem Ahmad-Butt; Qaid Ta’leem, Alhaji Dauda Raji and Maulvi Abdullateef Ilori, at the Ijtema.

Naib Amir Special Duties, Alhaji Alhassan Ahmed (left) presenting Ahmadiyya books to Chief Imam, Federal Local Government Ikorodu, Alhaji Shuaib Sulaiman, at the Ijtema.

L-R: Chief Bale Oke Ota Ibese, Chairman, JPC, Alhaji M. Bankole and General-Secretary, Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Bldr. Bashirudeen Towolawi, at the Ijtema.

Place your adverts here for optimal reach Zakat Is 2.5% Of YOur tOtal Wealth knOWn as nIsab after havIng fulfIlled all OblIgatIOns, paY YOur Zakat

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Friday, August 14, 2015

People In The Mirror

L-R: Minister Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, Ms. Kate Henshaw, Mrs. Helen Prest Ajayi, Pastor Femi Paul, Minister Evelyn Femi-Paul, Mrs. Yemisi Oyewole and Pastor Yomi Badejo-Okusanya at the inaugural service of Grace Assembly - The Island Church, Lagos.

L-R: Funmi Lawal, Ifeoma Odalonu, Chairman Sidmach Technologies Nig Ltd, Mr. and Mrs. Chijioke A. Eke (centre), Norbert Ofili and a guest during the presentation of Titans of Technology Merit Award to Mr. Eke

L-R: Executive Director, Tabitha Cumi Foundation, Arc. Tayo Erinle; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mrs Fatima Bamidele and Australia High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jonathan Richardson, during the unveiling and launch of Girls Safety Initiative Campaign in Abuja, at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Divisional Manager (East), Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Olugbenga Olayemi; MD/CEO Canez Healthcare Plc, Mrs. Tina Obiakor; Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo and Field Sales Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc. Mr. David Daniel, during Fidson Healthcare Plc Retail Reward Programme in Onitsha.

L-R: Senior Programme Officer, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Mr Kolawole Banwo; Convener, Say No Campaign, Mr Ezenwa Nwagu and CISLAC Executive Director, Mr Auwal Musa, during a press briefing on Development in the Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria in Abuja,.

L-R: Oral Care Consultant Colgate Palmolive, Dr Ogechukwu MacJohnson; Chairman Alliance for Cavity Free Future (ACFF), Dr Olabode Ijarogbe; Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof Arotiba Godwin Toyin and Director, Dentistry, Ministry of Health, Dr Bimpe Adebiyi, during Alliance for Cavity Free Future (ACFF) workshop in Abuja, at the weekend.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

A cross section of District 9110 entourage, Rotary International, during the District Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to Maryland Club, Ikeja, Lagos.

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Babajide Alo; HOD Finance Department, Prof. Ester Adegbite; Head, Discussion Planning Committee, Dr. Charles Onyeiwu and Prof. Rufus Olowe, during the Department of Finance Second Annual Policy Discussion and Analysis Forum in Lagos.

Arty News

Friday, August 14, 2015

Top acts for ‘Slide n Bounce for Glo’ concert c u s -

imOelayO Fatunase

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AMAA hosts sponsors, stakeholders

tomers

rtistes including P Square, WizKid, Flavour and D’banj are set to dazzle Nigerians across major cities in a stimulating concert organised by Globacom tagged ‘Slide and Bounce’. According to the company, other acts billed to perform at the concert are Wande Coal, Korede Bello, Di’ja, MI, Burna Boy, Bez and Edem from Nigeria while Kakee and Edem from Ghana and Sessime from Benin Republic will add international flavour to the event. DJ Xgee, DJ Neptune, DJ Tops and DJ Jimmy Jatt, will dish out delightful tunes from the wheel of steel. The Slide and Bounce concert will start on Saturday, August 29,2015 in Ibadan and hold in ten other locations across the country weekly on Saturdays. According to a statement issued by Globacom in Lagos on Monday,” the show is packaged for the delight of our teeming subscribers in all the selected locations and adjoining cities and towns in order t o give

our

loyal

t h e best enter tainment experience they can imagine.” The 11 locations that will host the reloaded Glo Slide and Bounce concert are Ikeja, Ikorodu, Surulere, Egbeda and Victoria Island in Lagos; Ibadan; Port Harcourt; Abeokuta; Ijebu Ode; Benin and Abuja, where the wave-making stars will entertain the audience to the fullest.” The statement further explained that the trio of Gbenga Adeyinka, Okey Bakassi and Jimmie De Hype will compere the shows. The company urged subscribers who are interested in attending the shows in any of the listed locations to use N2,000 and above within one month and send, “YES” and their preferred event location to a short code, 30188, for example, “YES IBADAN” to 30188. Globacom said the first 100 fun seekers to arrive at the various venues will get branded gifts and a photo session with some of Glo superstars such as Mama G, Funke Akindele, Odunlade Adekola, Mr. Ibu, Chiwetalu Agu and Ini Edo.

Ehiliz’s Gospel Live concert

Ehiliz

imOelayO Fatunase

igeria’s leading gospel singer, actress and Vivid View TV anchor, Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe popularly referred to Ehiliz by her fans has opened up on the Gospel Live music concert and why Vivid View is temporarily on hold. According to her, the Gospel Live is a platform to reach out to her numerous fans and offer praises and worship to God for His uncommon blessings The event

which is being organised by Steve Akpos of Nollyfans Entertainment will honour Pastor Dolly, Pat Uwaje Kings(Mid Night Crew ), Pastor Anosike, D Bling and host of others .The event is scheduled for the 22nd August ,2015 at Chapters Hotel & Hall, Aguda, Ogba, Lagos, at 3 :00 pm On the Vivid View suspension from TVC, Ehiliz said the management of TVC had an earlier agreement with the organisers of MTN Project Fame to use the same time with Vivid View (5:30 pm every Sunday) until the is concluded. “This agreement was made without the knowledge of Vivid View until the programme was suspended before they humbly explained everything to Vivid View. The management apologises to the crew of Vivid View as well as Nigerians in general. The programme will continue airing in September”, she said.

Peace Osigwe

isiguzO Destiny

rganisers of the continental African Movie Academy Awards on Saturday 8th August, 2015 hosted Corporate Nigeria and other business leaders to seek support for the award organisation that has promoted the film industry in Africa in the last 11 years. The event which took place at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos had in attendance business leaders and professionals in the entertainment industry covering the Nollywood, music, comedy and fashion. The founder of AMAA, Ms Peace Anyiam-Osigwe who is now the President of Africa

Film Academy took the guests on a historical excursion into the history of pan-African reward body and how it has served as a platform to showcase the best in the industry to the rest of the world. “We have invited you here to tell you about our plans for the future and seek your support to help us in our determination to make the creative industry a major contributor to African economy. We need the private sector and government to continue to support and invest in the creative industry and we are here this evening to let you know the way you can support us as the government of South Africa hosts this year’s AMAA

in Port Elizabeth, the home of the legends.’’ She used the evening to announce the partnership deal between Facebook and AMAA and how the working relationship with the social media business will boost creative enterprise, brand visibility for sponsors and increase revenue for content owners. The Facebook partnership with AMAA will drive digital impact in film and entertainment with over 1.4billion users, 120million of who are in Africa. “Facebook partnership with us is a commercial and cultural one leveraging our platform which covers film and the whole entertainment sector and the Facebook global platform. This will give an unprecedented opportunity for brands to engage with millions of African movie fans as well as Africa’s filmmaking community leveraging the digital reach of the world’s most pervasive social network,” said the AMAA founder. In the same vein, the organisation at the dinner unveiled the AfricaOne initiative targeted at bringing together all contributors to the African Creative industry, on the same platform. Fundamentally, the idea of AfricaOne is to create an avenue for the realisation of the PanAfrican dream using Africa’s creative industry according to Anyiam-Osigwe.

BOAN celebrates Efunroye Tinubu Regina OtOkpa

fter the earlier postponements of Belle of African Nations (BOAN) due to the 2015 General Elections, Platinum Entertainment Nigeria says preparations are heating up towards the hosting of the PanAfrican pageant. Tagged “Heroine In the Midst of Heroes”, the maiden edition of BOAN would be celebrating the uniqueness and heroism of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, a woman who soared and dominated territories that were the reserves of men. And in recognition of her bravery, the play “Madame Ti-

nubu” by Prof. Akinwunmi Isola would be staged, as the facilitators of BOAN unveil the different sides of a woman likened to the Gelede masquerade. “Aside from celebrating Madame Tinubu, we would also be honouring African heroines who were or are makers and shakers of their worlds -presenting them with the “Heroine in the midst of Heroes” awards”, Ms Olayinka Edu,MD/CEO, Platinum Entertainment, Nigeria explained. And stressing the importance of generational legacies, the organisers of BOAN are also celebrating a scion of the Tinubu dynasty, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in recognition of his brav-

ery, doggedness and passionate leadership. “Asiwaju, in whom the heroine, Madam Efunroye Tinubu is exemplified, would be presented with the Exceptional Distinction Award - E pluribus Unum (one amongst many). More so, BOAN is poised to rewrite history - taking us back to where the future was. From Lagos, Nigeria, we are projecting something uniquely different from the continent of Africa to the entire world in the history of pageantry. This edition of BOAN retells the story of a legendary female figure in Nigerian past who stood her ground and made her voice heard at a time when patriarchy reigned supreme. A woman who changed the course of history, Madam Tinubu stood her ground and made her voice heard at a time when patriarchy suppressed the voices of women in Europe and other spaces of the world.” The essence of retelling her story, according to Platinum Entertainment, Nigeria boss, is to challenge, inspire, motivate and impact the younger generation of people to stand out and affect their worlds.

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Arty News

Friday, August 14, 2015

My Nollywood experience –Ogechi Peters Before acting, what were you doing? Before I went into acting, I was into modeling, and later I continued as a modeling agent who was given girls ushering jobs. While I was doing that, I was in school as well. But I graduated in 2013. Why did you choose acting? I’ve always loved acting. I used to admire a couple of them, even as I told myself that I would end up going into it someday. So, when I developed the courage to do it, I went for it. And right now, I’m very much happy that I’m doing it. Can you give me list of movies you’ve done? Too many of them that I’ve done in the past, even now as you can see, I’m on another job. But so far, I can remember doing: A night with the governor, Lagos Men, School War, Faithful Sin, Helpless sisters, and so many others. What are you aiming in the nearest future? I’m aiming to be better than the best, to get to a level where I will be helping a lot of people, especially children who are in need of assistance through charitable means. You know why? I want those children to know when they grow that people like us were around, and that we never abandoned them in their time of need. Not just that, it will also encourage them to support other growing children in the society. Being in a position where I will be helping people to get empowered is what I’m aiming. What’s your Nollywood experience? I’ve been in Nollywood for about three years. Though it was off and on, but I’m h e r e on a full time now. For the experience, I will say it’s actually a good one. It’s never easy dealing with different kind of people at the same time, but now it’s different because I’ve learnt to accept people the way they are, and understand them, if not you would have issues with a lot of them, especially here in the industry. Do you believe that there is something like sexual harassment in this industry? Well, it’s the grace of God that is working on my behalf. I have heard of it severally. For it in the Nollywood industry, I can only say for myself, a s

She goes for what she wants. Rarely do you see her mourn about a life missed opportunity, as the one she couldn’t curtail is better described as a lesson learnt. After a successful graduation from school, she advanced her modeling career to acting, where she is today fulfilling her long time dream of thrilling her fans on the Nollywood’s big screen. Ogechi Peters shares her experiences in this interview with UGOCHUKWU FAVOUR MAYOR. Excerpts:

such issue never came close. Though I wouldn’t say as it wasn’t made possible by my might, no, it’s not my power but of God. What motivates you? I’m motivated by love. Love for the arts; love for my career; love for nature and the environment; the love of lovers; love for life and living; and love for the beautiful things of life. Seeing smiles on people’s face really motivates me. And I thank God for such gift. You have regrets? I have made mistakes which I have learnt from, and I thank God for the strength in facing them. I think we all shouldn’t have regrets because we always have something to learn from our past dealings. Learning from the past made me to get to where I am today, and the woman I have grown to be. Have you ever missed an opportunity in life? I don’t think I have missed any. I believe that every opportunity that comes my way is God’s way of advancing or saving me from something, be it missed or achieved. Can anything make you act nude on screen? I don’t think so. No reason! I don’t

Ogechi Peters

I don’t thInk I have mIssed any. I belIeve that every opportunIty that comes my way Is

God’s way

of advancInG or savInG

me from somethInG, be It mIssed or achIeved have to go nude to show the world the great woman that I am. What are your best moments like? My best moments? I have a lot of good moments, but I cherish them with my family. My best moments are with my family. Who is your greatest inspiration in life? When people ask me who has inspired me the most in life, I definitely tell them my mother. My mum is not just an awesome mum, but my best friend, and my greatest inspiration. Do you intend producing your own films soon? If God says yes, I will, but for now I don’t know yet.

Escape

Friday, August 14, 2015

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Jewel of Great Lakes region Naturally endowed with exotic flora and fauna population, Tanzania remains a delight for visitors. Imoelayo Fatunase

anzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa in the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The country’s eastern border is formed by the Indian Ocean. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in North-Eastern Tanzania. The country is divided into 30 administrative regions: five on the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar and 25 on the mainland in the former Tanganyika. The head of state is President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, elected in 2005. Since 1996, the official capital of Tanzania has been Dodoma, where the National Assembly and some government offices are located. Between independence and 1996, the main coastal city of Dares-Salaam served as the country’s political capital. It remains Tanzania’s principal commercial city and is the main location of most government institutions. It is also the principal port of the country. Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged on 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. On 29 October of the same year, the country was renamed United Republic of Tanzania. According to the 2012 census, the total population was 44,928,923. The under 15 age group represented 44.1% of the population

History It is believed that modern humans originate from the rift valley region of East Africa, and as well as fossilized hominid remains, archaeologists have uncovered Africa’s oldest human settlement in Tanzania. From around first Millennium CE the region was settled by Bantu speaking peoples who migrated from the west and north. The coastal port of Kilwa was established around 800 CE by Arab traders, and Persians similarly settled Pemba and Zanzibar. By 1200 CE the distinctive mix of Arabs, Persians and Africans had developed into Swahili culture. Vasco da Gama sailed up the

Mount Kilimanjaor coast in 1498, and the coastal zone soon fell under the control of Portuguese. By the early 1700s Zanzibar had become a center for the Omani Arab slave trade. In the mid 1880s, the German Carl Peters began exploring the region, and by 1891 the colony of German East Africa had been created. In 1890, following its campaign to end the slave trade in the region, Britain made Zanzibar a protectorate. German East Africa was made a British mandate after World War I, and renamed Tanganyika. The Tanganyika African National Union, TANU, came together to oppose British rule in 1954 -- they achieved internal selfgovernment in 1958, and independence on 9 December 1961. TANU’s leader Julius Nyerere became prime minister, and then, when a republic was proclaimed on 9 December 1962, he became president. Nyerere introducedujamma, a form of African socialism based on cooperative agriculture. Zanzibar won independence on 10 December 1963 and on 26 April 1964 merged with Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania. During Nyerere’s rule, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (Revolutionary State Party) was declared the only legal political party in Tanzania. Nyerere retired from the presidency in 1985, and in 1992 the constitution was amended to allow multi-party democracy.

Geography At 947,300 square kilometres (365,800 sq mi), Tanzania is the world’s 31st-largest country and

the 13th largest in Africa.Compared to other African countries, it is slightly smaller than Egypt and slightly larger than Nigeria. Tanzania lies mostly between latitudes 1° and 12°S and longitudes 30° and 40°E. Tanzania is mountainous in the northeast, where Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, is situated. Three ofAfrica’s Great Lakes are partly within Tanzania. To the north and west lie Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, andLake Tanganyika, the continent’s deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish. To the southwest lies Lake Nyasa. Central Tanzania is a large plateau, with plains and arable land. The eastern shore is hot and humid, with theZanzibar Archipelago just offshore.

Biodiversity The giraffe is the national animal. Tanzania has considerable wildlife habitat, including much of the Serengeti plain, where the white-bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi) and other bovids participate in a large-scale annual migration. Up to 250,000 wildebeest perish each year in the long and arduous movement to find forage in the dry season. Tanzania is also home to 130 amphibian and over 275 reptile species, many of them strictly endemic and included in the IUCN Red Lists of different countries

Climate Tanzania has a tropical climate. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20 °C (50 and

68 °F) during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20 °C (68 °F). The hottest period extends between November and February (25–31 °C or 77.0–87.8 °F) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15–20 °C or 59–68 °F). Annual temperature is 20 °C (68.0 °F). The climate is cool in high mountainous regions.

Economy The economy is heavily based on agriculture, which accounts for more than 25% of gross domestic product, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the workforce, 12.25% of the land is arable, but only 1.79% of the land is planted with permanent crops. Maize dominates much of the country, with cassava, rice, millet, sorghum and coffee also grown. In future, improved varieties of commercial sorghum may replace maize in areas where rainfall declines due to climate change. Tanzania

has vast amounts of minerals including gold, diamonds, coal, iron,uranium, nickel, chromium, tin, platinum, coltan, niobium, natural gas, and others. Commercial production of natural gas from the Songo Songo Island in the Indian Ocean off the Rufiji Delta commenced in 2004, with the gas being transported by pipeline to Dar es Salaam. It was announced in February 2012 that the collapsed volcano Mount Ngualla, approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) north of Mbeya, contained one of the largest rare earths oxide deposits in the world. In 2011, Tanzania was the fifteenth-largest producer of gold in the world and the third-largest in Africa after South Africa and Ghana and just ahead of Mali. The value of the gold produced in Tanzania in 2011 was over US$2.5 billion, representing 10.5% of the country’s gross domestic product. The country is also known forTanzanite, a type of precious gemstone that is found only in Tanzania.

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Escape

Friday, August 14, 2015 nantly grazing animals. The conservation area is administered by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, and its boundaries follow the boundary of the Ngorongoro Division of Ngorongoro District. It covers an area of 8,288 km (3,200 square miles).

Selous Game Reserve National Museum

Religion According to the CIA World Factbook, 35% of the population is Muslim, 30% is Christian and 35% practice traditional African religions. Majority of the Muslims are Sunni with most of the remaining being Shia and Ahmadiyya

Language Swahili and English are the official languages of Tanzania. However, the former is the national language. Swahili belongs to the Bantu branch of the NigerCongo family. English is still the language of higher courts.

Cuisine One of Tanzania’s and other parts of eastern Africa’s, most common cultural dishes is Ugali. It is usually composed of corn and is similar in consistency to a stiff paste or porridge, giving it its second name of corn meal porridge. Mixtures of cassava and millet flours are locally used for ugali. Rice and cooked green bananas are also important staples. Beef, goat meat, beans, yoghurt and a wide range of fish and green leafy vegetables all add nutrients to the dishes.

World Heritage Sites In Tanzania

Tanzania is a country which encompasses an extraordinary history and an abundance of natural wonders; therefore it is no surprise Tanzania has eight World Heritage Sites. These chosen sites are a fundamental reminder why interaction between people and nature must achieve a balance of preservation and conservation between the two.

Kilimanjaro National Park The Kilimanjaro National Park is located near Moshi, Tanzania. It is centred on the iconic and draLodge Tanzania

matic snow-clad slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, which covers an area of 753 km (291 square miles). In 1973, the mountain above the tree line was classified as a National Park and was opened to public access in 1977, but it wasn’t until 1987 UNESCO listed the park as a World Heritage Site.

Kondoa Rock Art Sites The Kondoa rock art site is a series of caves carved into the side of a hill looking out over the steppe. The cave site is nine kilometres off the main highway from Kondoa to Arusha, about 20 km north of Kondoa. The site has a spectacular collection of images from over 150 shelters depicting elongated people, animals, and hunting scenes. Today many of the shelters are still considered to have ritual associations with the people who live nearby, reflecting their beliefs, rituals and cosmological traditions.

Stone Town, Zanzibar Stone Town or Mji Mkongwe in Swahili meaning ancient town is the old part of Zanzibar City. The old town is built on a triangular peninsula of land on the western coast of the island and was awarded World Heritage Site status in 2000. Justification for the inscription, includes its rich cultural fusion and harmonization; its great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery; and the intense seaborne trading activity between Asia and Africa, which is illustrated today in the exceptional architecture and urban structure of the Stone Town.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) boasts the finest blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeological sites in Africa and is situated 180 km west of Arusha. The rich pasture and permanent water of the Crater floor supports a large resident population of wildlife of up to 25,000 predomi-

The Selous Game Reserve covers a total area of 54,600 km (21,081 square miles) and is one of the largest fauna reserves of the world, located in the south of Tanzania. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature. The reserve is home to typical savannah animals such as elephants, hippopotami, the rare African Wild Dog and crocodiles, which are all found in larger numbers compared to any other African park.

scape which at sunset descends into shades of various pastels.

leave striking white soda deposits in its wake.

Lake Manyara Situated inside Lake Manyara National Park, the lake is home to large numbers of flamingos, pelicans, storks and other plentiful bird life, as well as hippos that can be observed at close range. Hot springs trickle into the shallow waters and during the dry season the lakeshore retreats to

A soda lake at the base of the active Ol Donyo Lengai volcano, the area around Lake Natron is often described as having a desolate and almost lunar beauty. Walks around the lake and to the streams and waterfalls along the nearby escarpment make for a fantastic adventure off the beaten track.

Tanzania Zanzibar Island Beach

Serengeti National Park The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s oldest park, and one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges, hence its World Heritage Site status. It is most famous for its annual migration of over one million white bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 200,000 zebra. The park covers 14,763 km (5,700 square miles) of grassland plains and savannah as well as riverine forest and woodlands. The park lies in the north of the country, bordered to the north by the national Tanzania and Kenyan border, where it is contiguous with the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Slave statues at the UROA BAY Beach Resort

Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara The remains of two great East African ports admired by early European explorers are situated on two small islands near the coast. From the 13th to the 16th century, the merchants of Kilwa dealt in gold, silver, pearls, perfumes, Arabian crockery, Persian earthenware and Chinese porcelain; much of the trade in the Indian Ocean thus passed through their hands. Serious archaeological investigation began in the 1950s. In 1981 it was declared a World Heritage Site, and noted visitor sites are the Great Mosque, the Mkutini Palace and some remarkable ruins. However, the ruins are also on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The list constitutes a call to improve their safeguarding and is designed to rally national and international efforts for their preservation.

stone-age-sites-tanzania

National Lakes Lake Eyasi The lakes of Tanzania are as dramatic as they are varied. On soda lakes like Lake Manyara and Lake Natron, wildlife gathers on the desolate salt flats and shimmering views take on a lunar land-

Waterfall Tanzania

Friday, August 14, 2015

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Making rail transport system safe for cargo, travellers through technology Apparently worried by the increasing rate of train accidents in the country, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has unveiled a Safe Train Control System (STC), designed to enhance the operational efficiency and improving safety of railways lines in the country. Adejuwon Osunnuyi writes

Sijuwade

uncodinated movements, even the train drivers can actually reach us easily. “It is a system where we can sit here at ebute-metta, and visualise through screens, the movement of trains all over our railway network in nigeria”. according to him, besides greatly enhancing safety in nrc train operations by minimising the human factor, the system will avail the corporation access to monitoring and controlling train speed , so as to curb derailment and collision. the managing director said that the system would help drivers to adhere to journey time, minimise damage to infrastructure, improve comprehensive record of data for operational efficiency and accident investigation. he added that stc would enhance capacity to increase frequency of train movement, so as to increase the revenue base on the nrc. he described the equipment as “globally compliant and topof-the range,” adding that the roll-out will put an end to delays caused by communication breakdown between engineers and drivers.

the stc, installed and manned by a south african consortium, ansaldo gear group and a3&o ltd, according to sijuwade, will enhance safety in operations and minimise the “human error factor” which had often led to derailment and collision on the tracks. he said: “among other features, the equipment enables us to monitor and control train speed, to avoid derailment and collision, and also enhance fuel economy. It promotes efficiency and ensures adherence to journey time by drivers, minimises damages to tracks and other infrastructure. It has the capacity to increase frequency of train movement, with consequent increase in revenue.” according to him, the control system will also enable the corporation to stay ahead of the liberalisation agenda by making it possible for more operators to run trains on the same single narrow gauge network of the nrc. this is possible because the movement of each train on the track would be managed and controlled from the control room to prevent a collision, sijuwade said. he said the stc, which is the first phase of nrc’s modernisation agenda, would be operated on its western line (lagos-kano) first, and all gray areas sorted out before extending it to the eastern line (Port-harcourt-maiduguri) in the second phase.

‘

he said some nrc engineers were undergoing training on the operation and maintenance of the system, with a view to taking over from the team of expatriates manning it. on the stc, the managing director of gear/a3&o ltd., mr sameh abdelaziz, said his firm has appreciable presence on the african rail industry having executed similar projects in mozambique, kenya and south africa. he said the equipment, which transmits control signals through radio satellite communication, would transform the nigeria’s train system and enhance its efficiency and frequency. from the control room, abdelaziz said, the operators can monitor everything on the train, especially the speed, and control or stop any train if the driver refuses to heed signals transmitted from the control room to prevent any accident. “the system also has checks and balances to prevent the intersection of two train operating on the track at the same time, thus promoting safe train operation on the narrow gauge. the system enhances the capacity of the corporation to know where the trains are and be able to manage them effectively and increase the capacity to run more frequency efficiently within the system. this will bring optimisation of all the trains in the system.” he said the project, which took about three years to actu-

It Is a system where we can sIt

here at ebute-metta, and vIsualIse through screens, the movement of traIns all over our raIlway network In nIgerIa

‘

rain collision, train derailment as well as other forms of accidents involving trains might be a thing of the past as the modernisation of the operations of the nigeria railway corporation (nrc) seems to have gone several notches higher, with the unveiling of the safe train control system (stc) at its ebute-metta, lagos mainland headquarters. speaking at the trial run, the managing director of nrc, mr adeseyi sijuwade noted that on-board computers would be installed in all locomotives and diesel multiple units (dmu) for monitoring. unveiling the equipment recently, sijuwade said it was another feather on the transformation cap of the federal government. according to sijuwade, at the touch of a button in the control room, the corporation could monitor real-time movements of trains on the tracks, with the aid of the on board computers (obc) installed on its locomotives. describing the stc as the first in the history of the 115-yearold corporation, sijuwade said hitherto its engineers and technicians relied on telephones to communicate with train drivers. “before now, we relied on gsm phones to communicate with our drivers. If there is any breakdown or accident or any other challenge, our drivers communicated with the engineers via the phones. there’s no way we can monitor all our operations at a glance. this will stop with the deployment of this equipment,” sijuwade said. he said that the system would ensure operational efficiency and safety, adding that with the system, it would be almost impossible to have train collision. “It will totally eliminate all

alise, captures the entire system from Iddo (lagos) to Ijoko (ogun) on the metro train transit system (mtss), and from lagos to kano. “overall, the stc system will enhance operational efficiency and improve safety of the railways,” abdelaziz said. the Installation of end-oftrain (eot) device is to monitor trains’ integrity, a satellite component to link the trains to a central operations control centre (occ). It would be recalled that before now, there have been reported cases of train collision as well as trins derailing while on transit. recently, a section of a train returning from Ijoko in lagos state to its base at ebutte metta, lagos was reported to have derailed at agege, in an incident said to have been caused by defective tracks. an employee of the nrc had noted that the driver of the locomotive also shared the blame in the accident. “the rails were not aligned properly; there was a gap between them which ought not to be. It so happened that the driver who was driving the locomotive, was moving at a high speed. when he ran into the improperly laid rails, the locomotive was thrown off the rails. “although the driver was hurt, the injuries are not life threatening. the accident could have been avoide d though if he wasn’t speeding. both the driver and those responsible for laying the tracks, will be sanctioned,” he said. also, on monday, two people died after a trailer collided with a train on august 10,monday, in agege area of lago. according to reports, the accident happened around 8:45pm when the driver of the trailer wanted to drive through the rail line not paying attention to the horn of the train. two persons who were hanging on to the train were said to have fallen off and died immediately due to the sudden collision of the train with the trailer. also in kaduna, a passenger train that took off from kano and bound for lagos crashed into a faulty truck. sources said the truck involved in the accident was loaded with human waste, specifically excreta as the truck was reportedly stuck on the rail line when the lagos-bound passengers train rammed into it.

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Friday, August 14, 2015

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Kia Motors reports 230,227 sold vehicles globally in July

Motorcycle assembly line of Boulos Enterprise Limited in Lagos

Boulus chief lists benefits of motorcycles over cars

igerians have been advised to consider buying and riding more motorcycles as against driving cars as a result of its many advantages especially in an emerging economy like Nigeria. General Manager, Boulos Nigeria Enterprises, Julian Hardy, made this known at this year’s Motorcycle Dealers Conference held at the company’s premises in Lagos. While appreciating many of its motorcycle dealers that came from different parts of the country, Hardy said it is obvious that while motorcycle riders are safer as they don’t text on their phones while riding, most of the accidents that occur on our roads are caused by drivers whose attentions are taken away with texting, call making while on wheels. He noted that motorcycles are cost effective as well as cheaper to run, easier to repair and more flexible in traffic. According to him, motorcycles are noted to have lower CO2 emission of 59.5grams/ km as against cars which have 250grams/km. Hardy decried the over N10 billion being wasted by Lagos State government on traffic congestion caused by over dependent on cars. He noted that the waste can be reversed if powered two wheelers –motorcycles are considered. Speaking in an interview with journalists, Hardy, said it is very important to note that the company has been in Nigeria for about 40 years, hence it is automatically a Nigerian company. He noted that the company’s aim is to provide jobs for Nigerians, training for young Nigerians in the technical knowhow of as well. “Right now, we have trained many young Nigerians whom we

are giving skills. We are working very closely with ITF with a lot of trainings from them. If you go around the assembly plant, you will see many whom are being trained by lot of other engineers who have been with us for many years. While we are encouraging young Nigerians, we are also helping the economy because ultimately, we are producing locally. At the moment, we are already assembling most of the motorcycles as well as tricycles. We represent Haojue with the tricycles. We have three brands of tricycles. We have the green passenger carrying one using diesel, we have the yellow that’s using petrol and we have another type which is unique to Haojue. While we bring in the SKD, the bodies are locally manufactured. Clearly, the local content we have right now is the body. The aluminum is being produced here locally. In his keynote address, chairman, Boulos Enterprises Limited, Robert Ugbaja said technology has brought a lot of changes to motorcycles as the world has moved from 2 stroke engine to 4 stroke engine. “We used to have 2 stroke motorcycles. But technology has brought a lot of changes to motorcycles. Most mechanics who couldn’t change with the latest technology have been discovered to have lost their jobs. “The whole world has stopped the production of 2 stroke motorcycles. Change continues, as we now have the 4 stroke engines.” “Things have evolved with time. From 1990, the market changed. In the past, motorcycles were bought 100 per cent for personal use. But things changed when taxis are no longer available like before. People started buying the motorcycle for commercial purposes. Our customers profile thereby changed because of rise in sales. According to Ugbaja, as a result of the ban on Okada, the

number of people who are buying motorcycle for personal use has contined to increase while the use for commercial uses has been decreasing. He noted that for Boulos, its vision as a company or business is to look ahead and ask where it would be in the next 5 years. “We are looking forward to competing with other brands. We give you the opportunity of selling. Sparepart is very critical in our business. As a result of ban of 2 stoke engine in Nigeria especially Lagos, we responded by providing 4 stroke engine. We are the only manufacturer that has presence everywhere in Nigeria.” During the conference, guests were conducted round the factory to see the different stages of motorcycle assembly line including finished product testing platform as part of Boulos quality control measures. Participants at the conference used the opportunity to express some of the challenges that they are facing which includes spare parts availability and financing. They also commended Boulos management for maintaining high product standards since inception over four decades ago and pointed out the company’s commitment to high ethical standards has to a large extent separated them from other competitors. Boulos Enterprises Limited in partnership with Suzuki Motors Company Japan, Haojue (Dachangjiang Group ,China) and Piaggio Vehicle Company offer to Nigerians high quality motorcycles carefully designed to suit the Nigerian climatic conditions. On his part, Stanley Evans, general sales and marketing manager said that what distinguishes BEL from competitors are its exceptional range motorcycles designed to meet the demand of the market in terms of customer satisfaction, quality, technology and reliability.

ia Motors Corporation announced has announced its July 2015 global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 230,227 units sold. In July, Kia posted yearon-year sales increases in the domestic Korean market (13.9 per cent growth with 48,202 units sold) and North America (5.8 per cent growth with 62,013 units sold). Cumulatively, through the first seven months of 2015, Kia’s global sales totalled 1,667,575 units for a -0.9 per cent year-on-year decrease. Korea (290,784 units sold) and North America (408,750 units sold) have seen an 11.4 per cent and 4.0 per cent rise in sales, respectively, through July 2015. Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets during July 2015 was the B-segment Rio

(known as ‘K2’ in China) with 38,500 units sold. The Sportage compact CUV was the second best seller with 28,993 units sold, while the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ or ‘K3’ in some markets), Optima D-segment sedan and Soul urban crossover followed with 22,691, 20,325 and 18,760 units sold, respectively. Meanwhile, Kia kicked off official retail sales in Mexico in July with 1,499 units sold through its initial network of 21 dealerships. This figure is more than double the previous sales mark achieved by any other automaker in its first month of sales in the country, according to data from Urban Science, a company specializing in data analysis for the automotive sector. Kia plans to add an additional 25 dealerships in Mexico by the end of 2015 to bring the total number dealerships to 46.

Ford to commence pickup trucks assembly in Nigeria

ord Motor Company has announced its intention to start assembling its best-selling Ford Ranger pickup truck in Nigeria by the fourth quarter, as it expands in Africa and the Middle East. The Nigerian assembly plant, in partnership with Ford dealer Coscharis Motors Limited, is the first outside South Africa, where Ford produces the Ranger for 148 markets. “Nigeria is a priority market for us in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Jeff Nemeth, the president and CEO of Ford Motor Company’s business in sub-Saharan Africa. “Depending on how Nigeria develops over time ... we are po-

Nemeth

tentially looking at using our Nigerian plant to service West Africa,” he told Reuters. The auto market in Africa’s biggest economy has huge potential but retails only a small amount of new vehicles annually, Nemeth said. He said the sector is dominated by imported used vehicles, while limited financing for consumers to buy new vehicles and the absence of an industrial policy that would encourage suppliers to set up in Nigeria have stunted growth. The Ikeja plant near Lagos will assemble the Ford Ranger using parts and components imported from South Africa. The plant will have the capacity to assemble up to 5,000 units annually, which will be sold in Nigeria. Ford produces 85,000 units each year in South Africa, which are sold across 24 African countries. “It would take between 1 to 2 months to take an order, build it and deliver it within the country. If you order from overseas it would take between 4 to 6 months,” Nemeth said, noting that the benefit of the Nigerian plant was being close to its customers.

Cocktail

Friday, August 14, 2015

Woman takes limo to shoplift in Minnesota

olice say a 22-yearold woman accused of shoplifting arrived in style at a mall in southeastern Minnesota. Authorities say a limousine driver who took the woman to the Apache Mall in Rochester on Monday helped police to find her. Lt. Jim Evenson tells the Post-Bulletin that the woman stole about $300 in merchandise from a sporting goods store then

fought with security officers before running away. As police searched the area for the suspect, the limo driver stopped and asked officers who they were looking for. When he heard her description, he told police it might be the woman who had just called for a ride back to Kahler Grand Hotel. Evenson says officers followed the limo driver to the pickup spot and arrested the woman.

Oddities Oddities

McDonald’s sorry after French workers forbidden to feed vagrants

cDonald’s has apologized for an incident in which workers in one of the U.S. burger chain’s French franchises appeared to be threatened with the sack for feeding homeless people. A photograph circulating on social media showed a notice pinned up at the McDonald’s in Hyeres near Marseille in southern France,

Get married or go to jail, Judge tells man

20-year-old East Texas man jumped into a quickly arranged marriage after a judge told him last month he had a choice of getting hitched or spending 15 days in jail on an assault charge. According to court documents obtained on Friday, Smith County Judge Randall Rogers gave the option to Josten Bundy, of Tyler, Texas, who was arrested in March on a charge of assault causing bodily injury, a misdemeanor. Bundy had gotten into a fight with the ex-boyfriend of his

then girlfriend and now wife. The judge said he would grant probation if Bundy married his 19-year-old girlfriend, Elizabeth Jaynes, within 30 days, write Bible verses and attend counseling. If he declined, he would go to jail, according to a transcript of the proceedings obtained by Tyler TV broadcaster KLTV. “Is she worth it?” Rogers asked Bundy, according to the transcripts. The bride’s father was angry at the judge for pressuring the pair into marriage and was looking into

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whether this was judicial misconduct, he told KLTV. “He (the judge) can’t do this by court ordering somebody to be married,” the bride’s father, Kenneth Jaynes, said. The judge was not available for a comment. The couple, who had talked about eventually getting married but did not have immediate wedding plans, is happy that they have tied the knot. But did not appreciate being forced into it, they told the broadcaster. They were not immediately available for comment.

reading: “After an incident on July 25th, it is absolutely forbidden to provide food to vagrants, as a reminder, the team’s meals should be eaten on the premises. Meals for team members are a personal benefit and are to be enjoyed only by the worker in question.” The notice went on to say: “McDonald’s is not in the business of feeding all the hungry people in the land,” and concluded: “Any diversion from the procedure cited above will result in sanction that could lead to dismissal.”

A statement from McDonald’s France said the notice was put up after a “serious incident” involving two homeless people in front of the restaurant in question, and that it was aimed at keeping the premises safe for its customers. “The process and the formulation was clearly clumsy, the restaurant management quickly removed the notice,” the statement said. “McDonald’s and the restaurant apologize to all those who may have been shocked by this notice and state that

A McDonald’s restaurant logo in Chicago, Illinois, United States

the brand is dedicated to serving all its clients without discrimination,” the statement added. A spokeswoman declined to say what McDonald’s France’s policy was on giving away employee meals, and would not elaborate on the statement. McDonald’s has a mixture of directly-owned and franchised outlets in France, the first of which opened in 1979. It has more than 1,200 restaurants across the country employing over 69,000 people.

Friday, August 14, 2015

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Business Maritime

Customs Service: Hampering trade facilitation through physical examination Successive managements of the Nigeria Customs Service have over the years appeared to have been paying lip service to the 48-hour cargo clearance policy, despite their claims of promoting port efficiency and trade facilitation. The Service have abandoned the scanning machines it inherited from the service providers and resorted to 100 per cent physical examination opition which, stakeholders say, is defeating the overall objectives of the policy regime. FRANCIS EZEM reports.

lobally, most efficient business transactions, including port operations, are done using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and solutions. This is because the 21ist Century ICT explosion, which has collapsed economic boundaries, has also made business transactions easier and cheaper. This current reality, which is also prevalent in efficient port and cargo operations, accounts for why the most efficient seaports in the world such as those in Singapore, Antwerp, Belgium and Denmark, amongst others look like ghost towns, as more that 90 per cent of activities in these ports are ICT-driven, thus reducing human contacts. This global best practice is however not adopted in Nigeria. For instance, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, does 100 per cent physical examination on over 90 per cent of all containerised cargo imported into the country. Records show that during the eight years of the Destination Inspection scheme handled by the three service providers comprising Cotecna, SGS and Global Scansystem Limited, no fewer than 200 containers were scanned at every port terminal and border stations. This development, which brought a lot of efficiency is cargo delivery has since been discontinued following the takeover of the scheme on December 2, 2013. Comptroller General of the service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, while speaking at a town hall meeting with importers and freight forwarders in Lagos, had insisted that the service would continue to carry out 100 per cent physical examination on a larger chunk of the nation’s imports. According to him, most declarations by most importers operating in the country are fraudulent, as many of the importers indulge in wrong classification, under-invoicing, over-invoicing, concealment and falsification of import documents, among several others with a view to evading duty payment. “The Destination Inspection scheme thrives on integrity and honest declaration and most of the importers and agents are not compliant with trade requirements and this compels the officers to carry out physical examination on imported cargo”, the CG insisted. This contradicts claims by the service that it is committed to efficient release of cargo, which will in turn promote trade facilitation and cost reduction.

Fixed container scanning operation

This current position of the CG also negates principle behind the introduction of the Nigerian Trade Hub, also called the ‘Ruling Centre’. The trade hub is supposed an ICT – driven system, which according to the service is designed to facilitate trade. The then Deputy Comptroller General of service in charge of administration, Alhaji Garba Makarfi had told news men during a facility tour of the trade portal in Abuja, that with the development of the trade hub, processing of imported consignments would begin as soon as the vessel leaves the port of origin under the new Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR regime. He had also claimed that under the new system, it would take six hours to clear a consignment under the new ICT platform, a promise that has not been kept, as it takes over 21 days to release cargo at present with the attendant additional cost from demurrage and rent charges. It was against this background that the Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents NCMDLCA, petitioned the Federal Government over the total collapse of the multi-billion scanners inherited by the service from the three service providers under the DI scheme. In a protest letter dated July 28, 2015, addressed to President Muhammandu

It takes less than fIve mInutes to scan one 40foot contaIner whIle It takes a mInImum of eIght hours to do a

100 per cent physIcal examInatIon on the same sIze of contaIner IncludIng addItIonal cost assocIated wIth offloadIng and reloadIng the contaIner after the exercIse

Buhari and signed by president of the association, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, the group said that all the scanners have collapsed about one year after they were handed over to the service in line with the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer BOOT contract between the government and the service providers.

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, also impedes trade facilitation efforts of the government. The letter reads in part: “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 process at the ports”,. “All the components of Destination Inspection have collapsed, they include, the scanners for trade facilitation and security, the risk assessment system, which collapsed due to non-functioning of the scanners, PAAR, encumbered with various duplications, imposition of illegal procedure that negate trade processes and removal of all core dispute resolution mechanisms”, the letter also said. A stakeholder who pleaded anonymity, argued that it was not possible for the service to abandon the use of scanners and still expect to deliver consignments on time, arguing that physical examination of cargo takes longer time and brings about higher cost. “It takes less than five minutes to scan one 40-foot container while it takes a minimum of eight hours to do a 100 per cent physical examination on the same size of container including additional cost associated with offloading and reloading the container after the exercise”, he said. He argued that Nigeria’s international trade practice would have been taken to a very high level if the service decided to fully utilise the scanners, especially the fixed scanners, which are of high potency with 9,000 MEV, which is the latest model also used in most advanced seaport operations. Stakeholders however believe that at a time the ICT drives most business transactions including port operation, Nigeria cannot afford to continue with the primordial practice of carrying 100 per cent physical examination just for pecuniary reasons. This therefore is a clarion call on the incoming management of the service to adopt the ICT mode of carrying out the business of international trade including cargo inspection.

Business Maritime

Friday, August 14, 2015

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CTN: 80% cargo imports into Nigeria under-declared -NSC STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

he Nigerian Shippers Council NSC has said that its decision to reintroduce the Cargo Tracking Note CTN into Nigeria’s shipping was partly informed by the need to checkmate the growing underdeclaration of imported cargo, insisting that over 80 per cent of all imported cargo does not reflect the true volume and value. Meanwhile, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN, and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA have given provisional approval for the reintroduction of the system provided that it does not inflict additional cost on importers and exporters. Executive Secretary/CEO of the council, Mr. Hassan Bello, who spoke with news men in Lagos, said that the Federal Government loses huge sums of money due to deliberate underdeclaration of ship tonnage over the years. According to him, more often than not when ships coming to Nigeria declare 30, 000 Gross Tonnage GRT, the tonnage is usually higher because of the unspecific nature of the bill of laden, which is the only document that contains the ship information. “CTN will checkmate underdeclaration of the GRT of any ship because it will state in spe-

A container vessel cific terms the nature or type of the consignment and volume in terms of the tonnage while the bill of laden will just say: ‘said to contain’”, he said. He also said: “The CTN is a major step towards a national single window platform that would connect all the other government private agencies operating at the ports including the Nigeria Customs Service, The Nigerian Ports Authority and Standards Organisation of Nigeria etc”. Investigations showed that in most other climes, the national

single window is run by independent organisations not necessarily the customs administration or the port authority, as stakeholders have argued that the case must not be different. It was also gathered that the public outcry that trailed the introduction of the CTN by NPA was because it was tied to revenue generation, as importers alleged then that they were compelled to pay 150 Euros on every container they imported while the policy lasted. The NSC-boss noted that in addition to check revenue losses

Extortion, bad roads bane of efficient trucking in Nigeria, says AMATO

s the September 1, 20015 deadline for the commencement of Minimum Regulation for trucks operating in Nigeria, by the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO, have listed challenges to safe and efficient business in the country. Chairman of the association, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, who spoke in an interview, list the problem of bad roads, extortion and sometime willful destruction of their trucks by regulators and street urchins in Lagos. He also listed the issue of adulterated and fake spare parts, lubricants, direct fines by government agencies as well as stress and fatigue occasioned by the poor operating environment, which have killed many of their members. According to him, it is essential for members of AMATO to put their trucks in good condition to reduce the carnage on the

nation’s highways but have faced serious impediments due to the harsh operating conditions. “We beg the government and the media to kindly help us fight these canker worms and parasites that eat us deep. The more we try to maintain our trucks, the more they spoil and devour us”, he lamented. “Extortion of un-imaginable proportion, bad roads willful destruction of our mirrors and fittings by some regulators and government agencies, adulterated lubricants and fake spare parts and activities of street urchins also called ‘area boys’ have made it impossible for us to remain in business”, Ogungbemi also said. He therefore charged the relevant agencies of the government and regulators alike to help the truckers revamp the sector as the FRSC gears up for the commencement of the minimum standards regulations effective September 1, 2015. The AMATO-boss however

restated the commitment of the members of the association towards better trucking business in the entire of the maritime industry in particular and the nation’s economy in general. The Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Hygenius Oweche, while speaking at a recent media briefing, restated the commitment of the command to the September 1, deadline. He disclosed that as part of the build up to the new policy, the command embarked on inspection of trucks around the Old Toll Gate area of Lagos during which it impounded no fewer than 247 trucks that were poorly maintained. He said that the command at the end of the exercise could not release some of the trucks to their owners because they were too rickety, adding that most of the arrested trucks were operating with worn out and expired tyres.

to the government through the under=declaration of the GRT of the ships, the CTN would also boost Nigeria’s compliance with the International Ships and Ports facility Security ISPS Code. Following the plans to reintroduce the system, the NSC had commenced consultations with

relevant stakeholders including Customs, NPA, freight forwarders and more recently MAN and NACCIMA. President MAN, Mr. Frank Njemba- Jacobs, who played host to the NSC team during one of such sensitization visits, assured that his association would support the reintroduction of the CTN, which is expected to bring about advance cargo information system into the country. He however gave a caveat that the one and only condition on which members of the association, which is the biggest group for real sector operators was that it would not inflict additional cost on shippers. The MAN-boss said: “We are satisfied with all the explanations that the NSC has given to us but we think that the technical members of all the stakeholders should get together and further discuss it”. “But I think it is something that will help us, so we are going to support it at the end. We are hoping that it will not attract any additional cost to the manufacturers in view of the fact that we want to make sure that cost of doing business is reduced, Jacobs also said.

USCG searches for missing box ship crewmen

he U.S.Coast Guard is searching for a crew member of the Marshall Islands-flagged container ship Ibrahim Dede who was reported missing on August 11, while the ship was transiting from Bayonne, New Jersey to Ocean City, Maryland. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received notification at approximately 4:30 pm local time yesterday from the 600foot Ibrahim Dede of the missing crew member, suspected to have fallen overboard. The crew member was last reported on board after departing Bayonne, New Jersey. The crew discovered the man

was missing while the boxship was in transit to Ocean City. A Coast Guard Station New York 45-Foot Response Boat crew, a Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an Air Station Elizabeth City C-130 Hercules airplane crew have all launched in response to aid the search. The 2008-built Ibrahim Dede is continuing to Norfolk International Terminal to dock. The vessel is operated by the U.K.-based Turkon Line, and owned by Germany’s Kalkavan Shipmanagement Hamburg.

Scorpio Tankers repurchases $17.9m of shares

corpio Tankers has purchased 1,716,155 of its shares on the open market so far in August, at an average price of $10.48 per share. The company approved its $250m securities repurchase programme in May, but August’s transactions are the most significant to date.

A total of 1,986,504 common shares have been bought at an average of $10.42 since the programme’s start, as well as $1.5m face value of its 2019 convertible senior notes at an average price of $1,088.10 per $1,000. The latest purchases leaves $227.6m in the company’s share buyback programme.

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TOLa aKinMuTiMi

he Managing Director, Bank of Industry, BoI, Mr Olaoluwa, yesterday restated the bank’s commitment to continue to provide financial support to agribusiness entrepreneurs in the country as a strategic option of improving their productivity and ensuring their products can compete in the global market. Giving the assurance at the maiden Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, NASG, held in Lagos, the banking expert recalled that the bank had expanded the scope of its agricultural sector financing, adding that this initiative is aimed at positioning the bank at the vanguard of current efforts to diversify the nation’s economic base through financial access to genuine agro processors and exporters. Olaoluwa, who described the efforts of the NASG to bring all agribusiness owners together for the purposes of championing their common cause as

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BoI restates commitment to agric business financing laudable, urged the stakeholders to take time to study the processes of accessing credit from BoI and assured them of the bank’s readiness to treat their applications expeditiously. Describing the roles of agribusiness entrepreneurs in the various agricultural value chain as crucial to the trans-

formation of the sector and by implication, improve its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, he advocated the need for stakeholders in the agric business value chain to consistently pursue the value-addition option in commodities as recommended by the United Nations in its

2013 Report so as to improve returns on their investments. The BoI boss said: “Really, this agricbusiness will definitely promote the growth of the agro businesses sector. I am delighted that this is not about imports, this is agribusiness and we are looking at the entire value-chain from seeds,

to planting, to harvesting and storing then processing and marketing. “So, as remarked earlier today, it is from farm to fork. So, this is really significant in the development of our dear country. At BoI, agro processing is our number one sector”, he added.

NBC Universal invests $200 million in Vox DaviD auDu

BC Universal has invested $200 million into Vox Media, Re/ code report. Vox Media owns media properties including Vox.com, The Verge, SB Nation, Eater, and Re/code. NBC Universal invested in the media startup at an $850 million pre-money valuation, Re/code says.

In addition, Re/code reported that NBCUniversal also poured money — $200 million, specifically — into BuzzFeed at a $1.5 billion valuation. BuzzFeed is on track to do $250 million in revenue this year. Re/code previously reported that NBC Universal was trying to invest in both BuzzFeed and Vox to “tap into Millennial audiences,” cord cutters who may not be paying attention to NBC’s TV content anymore.

Last month, The Wall Street Journal that NBC Universal was in preliminary talks with Buzz Feed, among other media properties including Vice Media and Business Insider, to take equity in these companies or acquire them. “NBC Universal is the perfect strategic partner for Vox Media as we continue to rapidly grow our audience and business,” Vox Media CEO and Chairman Jim Bankoff said in a press release confirming the

investment. “NBCUniversal’s valuable family of properties align especially well with Vox Media’s authoritative, voice-driven brands which span sports, tech, news, fashion, food, and more. We are extraordinarily excited to collaborate in many areas including video programming, brand advertising, cross-promotion, and platform technology to grow existing properties and launch new franchises.”

OPEC predicts higher demand for oil in 2016 uDEME aKpan

L-R: Mr William Stranix (Region Director Medtronic PLC, Sub Sahara Africa) in handshake Mr. Peter Fuller (Vice President and General Manager Medtronic South Africa and SSA) middle and THE VICE PRESIDENT, Prof. Yemi Osibajo .... in Abuja recently

he world oil demand will grow at 1.3 million barrels per day, bpd in 2016, thus raising hope of improvement in the present lull that characterised the global market. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC that made the forecast in its latest oil market report indicated that total world consumption would hit 94.04 million bpd. “OECD will be in the positive registering 0.18mb/d, although the bulk of the growth will originate in the on-OECD with a forecast increase of 1.16mb/d.” “Non-OPEC oil supply is now expected to grow by 0.96 mb/d in

AfDB restates support for Nigeria’s economic projects SYLva EMEKa-OKEREKE

utgoing President of African Development Bank, AfDB, Donald Kaberuka has said the development finance institution would continue to support economic projects in Nigeria. Kaberuka dropped the hint during his last official visit to Nigeria ahead of his handover to Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, the newly elected Presi-

dent of the bank. During his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, the outgoing AfDB President expressed his assurance that the AfDB would continue to support the country in her effort to improve the nation’s economy. President Buhari had told the outgoing AfDB boss that with the shock of falling oil prices, lack of revenue as well as insecurity, the nation’s elite must provide guidance in their

communities while leading the economy on the right path. He however disclosed that his administration would welcome more support from the AfDB for projects in versatile sectors, such as agriculture that can easily be explored to create more jobs for unemployed Nigerians. Kaberuka also said financial institution leaders should work more closely with private and public sectors to ensure economic growths just as he ex-

pressed the need for increased investments in addressing hunger and malnutrition, including promoting sustainable agriculture. “The Millennium Development Goals have significantly addressed poverty reduction and social development. Now we must tackle the unfinished business of the MDGs, consolidate achievements and put our world on a more sustainable and equitable trajectory,” he stated.

2015, following an upward revision of 90 tb/d, due to higher-thanexpected output from non-OPEC producers mainly outside of North America.” “In 2016, non-OPEC oil supply is expected to increase by 0.27mb/d, a 40tb/d downward adjustment from the previous report,” it maintained. The cartel disclosed that OPEC NGLs are expected to grow by 0.19mb/d in 2015 and 0.17mb/d in 2016. It indicated that in July, OPEC crude production increased by 101tb/d to average 31.51mb/d, according to secondary sources. The organisation maintained that product markets in the Atlantic Basin continued to see support from strong gasoline demand in the US, which pushed gasoline crack spreads to levels not seen in two years. It disclosed that the positive performance at the top of the barrel offset the persistent weakening seen at the middle of the barrel, allowing refinery margins to remain healthy in the region. The cartel maintained that in Asia, margins narrowed due to the lower seasonal demand amid increasing supply pressure as the maintenance season comes to an end. It indicated that the OPEC Reference Basket averaged $54.19 /b in July, representing a decline of more than 10per cent from the previous month.

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FG sells N80bn worth of 2020, 2034 debt Johnson okanlawon

he Federal Government yesterday said it sold a total of N80.20 billion in bonds maturing in February 2020 and August 2034 at an auction the previous day with mixed yields. Data from Debt management Office’s ,DMO’s , website showed that total bids stood at N153.48 billion, more than the N119.53 billion at the previous

auction. A total of 40 billion naira of the February 2020 bond was sold at the auction, while additional 10.20 billion naira of same tenor paper was allotted on non-competitive basis. The 2020 paper fetched a yield of 15.38 per cent, compared with 15.28 per cent at the last auction. The Office disclosed that Nigeria’s total debt rose to N12.1 trillion as of March 2015, up

from N11.2 trillion at the end of December 2014. It also stated that foreign debt stood at $9.46 billion at the end of March, equivalent to about 15 percent of total debt and down from $9.71 billion at the end of 2014. Nigeria said in 2013 it wanted to increase the amount it borrowed overseas to 40 per cent of all debt over a three-tofive year period to tap into loose monetary policy in advanced

economies. But as oil prices plunged last year, government revenues slumped, leaving Abuja struggling to pay bills including state salaries. The currency has also come under intense pressure. Nigeria’s states are now in debt to the tune of 658 billion naira, the governor of Zamfara state said recently. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had in June said it plans to borrow about N872.96billion

in new Treasury bills issues between June 18 and September 3. Data released by the CBN had shown that it would auction N215.12billion worth of the three-month paper, N238.5billion in the six-month debt and N419.34billion worth in the one-year paper. The total debt proposed for the third quarter is 12.3 per cent short of the N995.5billion raised in the second quarter of the year.

Consumers pay N153 per litre in Bayelsa, highest in Nigeria UdEmE akpan

L-R: Director, Federal Ministry of Avation, (FMA) Dr. Ibrahim Idris; Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Mukhtar Usman ; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, and LASEMA official , during the visit of Federal ministry of Aviation team to the site of helicopter crashes in Oworonshoki, Lagos, yesterday.

espite its being an oil producing state, residents in Bayelsa State pay as much as N153 per liter of petrol the highest - in the nation. Residents in the State which have been paying the highest fuel price in the past seven months paid N110, N103, N101, N109, N109, N155 and N153 per litre in January, February, March, April, May, June and July, 2015 respectively. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS which indicated in its July, 2015 report did not provide reasons for the high fuel price. But investigations showed that despite its oil bearing status and proximity to two refineries in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, most consumers have no access to filling stations because of the

NCC lists conditions for reactivating blocked SIM cards IsaIah ErhIawarIEn

he Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has given conditions for the reactivation of all unregistered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards that were deactivated by the mobile network operators, MNO. The industry regulator, in a statement issued yesterday, hinted that it will reactivate the SIM card of subscribers who registered their SIM cards properly by following specified guidelines. According to the Commission, one of these is the physical presence of the subscriber at the approved centre of regis-

tration by the regulator and the MNO in order to capture clearly the face of the subscriber, personal data as well as biometric data. It stated that the clarification became necessary following the deluge of enquiries by affected subscribers. The Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo stated that the fact a SIM card had been deactivated due to improper registration does not imply that the SIN card is withdrawn permanently as some may have alluded. Ojobo explained further that the deactivation exercise and decision was a result of a meeting with the office of National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Service

(DSS), the NCC and operators after which the operators were given one-week to deactivate those unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards. “So the deactivation of these SIM cards is in line with that meeting. Subscribers who fail to register properly will have their lines deactivated but those who comply will have them reactivated. “Proper registration means a subscriber’s facial pictures, properly captured, biometrics/ finger prints, valid means of identification, address, among others,” he explained. He noted that the deactivation of the affected SIM cards were part of the security measures to check incessant cases

of crimes with the use of the telephone. “People hide under anonymity to commit crimes because their lines are not registered, but all that has to change as the network operators have been told what to do.” “The ultimatum to deactivate unregistered SIM card expired on Tuesday this week. But enquires as to the status of the SIM cards necessitated this statement. “The operators were told among others to ensure compliance of all registration with the Data Dictionary, Technical Specifications on finger prints and facial images and the business rules agreed by all stakeholders”.

‘riverine’ nature of the State. It was learnt that it is difficult for marketers and others to supply fuel to communities in coastal and swampy areas of the state. The Executive Secretary of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMA, Mr. Olufemi Adewole indicated that Bayelsa state does not have many filling stations like some other state capitals in the nation. The NBS maintained that Taraba is the second state with high fuel price, having sold N127, N114, N113, N133, N129, N118 and N130 per litre in January, February, March, April, May, June and July, 2015 respectively. The agency identified Yobe as the third state where fuel was sold at N122, N105, N123, N123, N133, N115 and N121 per litre respectively during the period. The NBS which ranked Kogi as the fourth state with high fuel price maintained that consumers paid N106, N92, N134, N114, N128 and N119 per litre in January, February, March, April, May, June and July respectively The agency also identified Cross River as the third state where fuel was sold at N114, N98, N118, N117, N124, N118 and N118 per litre between January and July, this year. The NBS indicated that in Enugu State fuel went for N106, N94, N103, N107, N120, N115 and N116 per litre between January and July, respectively It maintained that consumers paid N106, N89, N122, N125, N137, N116 and N115 per litre in Benue State during the period. The agency indicated that the product was sold at N108, N92, N114, N117, N123, N138 and N115 per litre in Benue State during the period. In Rivers State, it maintained that consumers bought fuel at N97, N90, N99, N99, N100, N111

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FG approves naira exchange rate for pilgrims Udo onyeka

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has announced a concessionary exchange rate of N160 per a dollar for all pilgrims in the 2015 Hajj operations. In a circular signed by Director, Trade and Exchange department, CBN, each pilgrim is entitled to purchase a minimum of $750 and a maximum of $1000 as Pilgrims Travelling Allowance, PTA. “The Federal Government has approved that intending

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Friday, August 14, 2015

pilgrims are to be sold the $750 at a concessionary exchange rate of N160 to the dollar. “For pilgrims buying above $1000 he difference shall be bought at the prevailing naira exchange rate to the dollar on the day of purchase”, it said. According to the CBN no commission shall be charged by the banks for the sale of PTA to intending pilgrims. The apex bank also said it shall sell the PTA to the designated banks in Lagos and Abuja and accounts of respective banks shall be debited as soon the funds are disbursed.

“Each designated bank is required to sell to the CBN the unutilised funds not later than two weeks from the date of the last inward flight to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia, while the accounts of the banks shall be credited promptly”, the circular said. The CBN further said the approved schedule showing the distribution of pilgrims expected to perform the 2015 Hajji and respective designated banks that will handle the sales of the PTA in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and states has been realised .

PwC report predicts bright outlook for African power sector

ower utility companies and stakeholders across Africa anticipate a brighter and different outlook for the sector in the decade ahead, a new report from PwC has indicated. At least, 51 senior power and utility sector executives from 15 African countries took part in PwC’s Africa Power & Utilities survey. They report continued concern about some of the immediate risks to the power system, but are also optimistic about the longer term prospects for electricity in Africa. According to the global company, two thirds or 67 per cent of those interviewed cited ageing or badly maintained infrastructure as a high or very high concern, though many felt this situation would improve, with only 39 per cent predicting that it would be a similarly high or very high concern in five years’ time. Looking ahead to 2025, the respondents anticipated definite step changes in a number of key issues. For instance, an overwhelming majority (96 per cent) say there is a medium or high probability that load shedding will be the exception rather than the norm by 2025 while nearly three quarters (72 per cent) are confi-

dent enough to rate that scenario as a high probability. In addition, 94 per cent say there is a medium or high probability that, by 2025, the challenge of finding a market design that can balance investment, affordability and access issues will have been largely solved just as 70 per cent expect cross border electricity flows to be significant by 2025, accounting for a third or more of electricity generated. Angeli Hoekstra, Africa Power & Utility Leader, PwC, said: “There is much to be optimistic about and the results point the way to improvements ahead. But security of electricity supply and cost reflective tariffs continue to be the number one challenges. Until they are resolved, power systems will remain stretched, as investments in the power sector will be limited. Addressing cost reflective tariffs while ensuring social equity is a key challenge.” The survey also highlighted the energy transformation that is taking place, as the market vision for the future will be a mixture of large scale centralised generation and local mini grid and off-grid distributed generation according to the fast majority of survey participants (83 per cent).

Free trade zone ‘ll boost Africa’s trade by 30%-Odumodu Sylva emeka-okereke

L – R: Mr. Kola Ajayi, Group Manager Finance, Berger Paint Plc; Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, e Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Peter Folikwe, Managing Director, Berger Paint Plc ; Mr. Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, and Kemi Oluwadara, Technical Manager, Berger Paint Plc at the Closing Gong Ceremony to celebrate the appointment of the Berger Paint New Managing Director at the Exchange on Tuesday

FCMB in Alaba International, harps on service quality

irst City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has relocated its Alaba 2 branch within Alaba International Market in Lagos. The newly constructed branch, which offers full-service banking services, now operates from S Line, Old Garage, Alaba Electrical Section, Alaba International Market, Lagos. The move, is part of the Bank’s strategy to streamline its operations and enhance service delivery. The branch at the Electrical Section of the renowned Alaba International Market is equipped with experienced financial experts, unique physical and technological infrastructure that ensures convenient banking and sundry financial services to en-

able customers experience comfort and relaxation while conducting business at the bank. In a statement, the Bank explained that the relocation of the Alaba 2 branch to a more strategic location brings its services closer to the mainstream, especially those who transact business or reside in the area and its environs. According to the Group Head, Branch Services and Channels Management of FCMB, Mr. Oluwakayode Adigun, ‘’this is part of our commitment to serve more Nigerians by getting closer to our customers and all segments of the society. We are focused on bridging the service gap. We are demonstrating our drive in the provision of simple, reliable and helpful banking services as an

inclusive lender’’. Mr. Adigun assured that FCMB will continue to raise the bar in the manner and environment in which customers are serviced to meet their respective lifestyles. He added that the Bank will sustain its ongoing expansion and service delivery initiatives across all touch points.Earlier in July, the bank opened an ultra-modern and full service branch in Lagos, which is strategically located at Plot 123, Amuwo Odofin Link Road by Amuwo Odofin residential scheme. The financial institution, which currently has about 220 branches spread nationwide, plans to strengthen its branch network and commission additional branches this year.

resident of African Organisation for Standardisation, ARSO, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, has reiterated the need for the establishment of Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area, CFTA, in view of its potential of boosting trade within the region by 30 percent. He recalled that the essence of the free trade area was to become one common market as obtained in European Union and Latin American markets. The ARSO chief pointed out that sub-regional countries required quality infrastructure such as accredited laboratories, metrology laboratories, effective quality policy, among others to compete favourably in the global economic system. Odumodu, who is also the Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, urged African leaders to devolve substantial part of their national budgets to support development of key quality infrastructure in the region. While recalling that African leaders had in 2012 in Addis-Aba-

ba, Ethiopia established the CFTA as a strategic initiative, he said that the initiative was aimed at ensuring Africa’s common trade market by the year 2017. He charged African governments through Ministries of Industrialization, Trade and Commerce to ensure they achieve the desired goals by 2017. ‘’Lack of proper funding and paucity of funds have greatly affected the campaign against dumping and counterfeiting. African Union, AU, has given a marching order to ARSO to use standards to improve trade through harmonization of standards across the continent while collapsing all boundaries, depending on the agreement of African Union Heads of State’’, he stated. Odumodu explained that the organization was committed to improving Africa’s economic sector, especially by making trade more profitable and globally competitive. According to him, agriculture and agricultural trade are major sources of income for African countries, stressing that “the expansion of agricultural trade has helped to provide greater quantity, wider variety.

Friday, August 14, 2015

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Agric committees chart road map to sector’s growth …revive campaign for Made-In-Nigeria goods’ patronage ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he four National Committees on the revitalization of the agricultural sector in Nigeria recently inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have submitted their reports on the guidelines to drive the development of the sector. They include, the committees on the Operationalization of Federal Government Storage and Agro Processing Facilities; Resuscitation of Cotton, Textile and Garments; Strategic Action Plan for the Development of Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes Nationwide; and Revitalization of Agricultural Extension Services in Nigeria. The committees made far reaching recommendations based on their terms of reference. For instance, they advised the present government to enforce patronage of madein-Nigeria products among various parastatals and the citizenry in order to grow the economy and grow the nation’s foreign reserves. The committee on the resuscitation of Cotton, Textile and Garments (CTG) called for the injection of N37.20 billion in the sector between 2016 and 2019 as well as the exploitation of the existing N100 billion CTG fund domiciled with the Bank of Industry, which has now been converted to equity. This, the committee reported, will support as working capital/retooling of operational textile mills and resuscitation of about 80 closed mills as well as 23 closed ginneries. It recommended that the proposed N37.20 billion should be used to support all sections of the cotton, textile and garments sector. The Committee emphasised the need for improvement of cotton production through financial support for the Institute for Agriculture Research of the Ahmadu Bello University to enable it upgrade its facilities and build the capacity of staff. It also sought the need for financial support for the National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, to enable it deploy Biotechnology (BT) Cotton at confined fields at trial level while the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Introgress BT Protein in existing varieties as well as produce of double haploid cotton. On Cotton seed multiplication and seed supply, the Committee recommended a virile and systematic breeder foundation and certified seed regeneration system, while mandating the National Agricultural Seed Council, NASC, to always certify and regulate the Cotton seed industry. Part of the recommendations of the committee on ginnery development was for operational ginneries to work with Nigeria In-

centive Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL, and Bank of Agriculture, BOA, through the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme, GES, to increase quantity and quality of seed cotton and lint. It further proposed that on seed cotton marketing, the Agriculture Ministry and Ministry of Trade and Investment should work closely to establish the Cotton Corporation of Nigeria, CCN, to revive Cotton Production and Competitiveness. The Committee advocated policy support in terms of Federal, State, Local Governments and Private sector patronage of made – in –Nigeria fabrics. The committee on Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes Nationwide, in its recommendations, having observed the enormous challenges including urbanization, lack of right to land, increased livestock production activities, which have limited the success envisaged from the various interventions, called for the establishment of a National

Programme on Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes development; strengthening of existing conflict resolution and prevention mechanisms. It recommended the establishment of a National Livestock Development Authority that would have the mandate for the implementation of a national livestock breeding policy, while also pushing for the development of grazing reserves and Stock Routes. It also canvassed the diversification of the Agricultural Sector with more attention and emphasis on the Livestock Sub-sector. The Committee on the Revitalization of Agricultural Extension Services urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to set up the necessary mechanism for the formulation of a National policy on Agricultural Extension and Advisory services as a matter of urgency, which must include a sustainable, knowledge-based, market-oriented and ICTdriven Value Chain extension system. It suggested the establishment of an ad-

equate and consistent source of fund for agricultural extension advisory service at all levels of government, backed by legislation, as well as stressed the need for the strengthening of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension to enable it formulate Policy, co-ordinate, regulate and supervise extension service delivery in Nigeria. Part of the recommendations of the committee was that state governments should re-activate and adequately fund their Agricultural Development Programs, ADP’s, to enable them perform effectively their statutorily roles at the grassroots. It proposed establishment at the National, State and Local Government levels, Agricultural Extension Implementation Steering Committees to perform over sight and co-ordinating functions. The committee on the Operationalization of Federal Government Storage and Agro Processing Facilities in its recommendations called on government to fast track the on-going silo concessioning to conclusion within the next six months and also consider the immediate leasing/ concessioning of the other structures to include Agro-Processing Centres, Farmers Market and Agro-Industrial Estates. It recommended that the Food and Strategic Reserve Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development be transformed and empowered to become a regulatory, supervisory and monitoring agency to ensure strict compliance by all grain storage operators, lessees and concessionaires with the terms of all applicable agreements, grain quality control including Codex Standards, grains stock monitoring, grain marketing operations and others. The Agency according to committees’ recommendation would also implement the Guaranteed Minimum Price, GMP, through the Buyer of Last Resort, BLR, and liaise closely with States to implement Buffer Stock Storage Programme for price stabilisation. It stated that the Agency, when established would work closely with both Research and Extension services to improve the On-Farm Storage Scheme for farmers.

Lagos empowers rice farmers with inputs, irrigation tools FrAncIs suBEru

agos State Government has declared to reduce dependence on rice importation, which costs the country about N365 billion annually by empowering the local producers with various agricultural inputs including land preparation, seeds, fertilizers, water pumps and other inputs to boost production. Speaking at Itoikin Rice field, where the agricultural inputs including small irrigation scheme equipment were distributed to the farmers, the Permanent Secretary, Dr.

Olajide Bashorun disclosed that the programme was aimed at boosting rice production in the state and as a way of contributing towards making the country a food self-sufficient. “The present administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode believes that governance should shift to the community hence the distribution of inputs support ranging from land preparation, seeds, fertilizer and water pumps; this will not only boost production but also bring about effective and efficient rice production thereby increasing the production of rice in the state,” he said. Bashorun noted that among the very prime value chains that Lagos State has

comparative and competitive advantage was rice value chain, stressing that the State Government placed premium on this value chain including others like vegetables, poultry and fisheries chains. The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the General Manager, Lagos State Agric Input Supply Authority, Mr. Bolaji Balogun, pointed out that the gesture was symbolic especially against the backdrop of farmers often depending on Rainfed Agriculture adding that since the State has an Ogun/ Oshun River basin authority, the need to maximise the water resource to aid all year round farming cannot be overemphasized.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Capital Market Market

Friday, August 14, 2015 Thursday, August 13, 2015

11% firmsbourses yet to submit NSE,ofother shares’ their 2014 results project - NSE for launch cross-listing According to the statement, during the last two are only written off specific Johnson okanlawon years, the NSE has grantindex-related securities that alllisted listed a he iscussions Nigerian are Stockcur-ed are on companies a stock exchange, month’s grace after their Exchange has said be- and this makes it possible to rently ongoing fil-of invest in aregulatory diverse range thattween 89 permarket cent ofpar-respective ing dates. theticipants active in listed compaNigeria, Kenya securities through a single exnotedtraded that product. the regulachange nies have filedAfrica their to auditand South launch It tory challenges adopt“The conceptof of cross listed the accounts for the year cross listing of Exchange ing the International ing an ETF is the same as ended December 31, 2014. Traded Funds, ETFs. Reporting Stancross listing a share, or listing are a collection of eq-Financial A ETFs statement from the dards by the listed comuities, commodities orper bonds it on more than one exchange. NSE yesterday said 11 and domestic socio-political It provides investors bundled in a fundpanies cent of the together quoted compauncertainties prewith access to that opportunities toare ensure investor risks nies yet that to fill in their from another market, ininthe vailed in the country are evenly spread across this results for the financial convenient and cost effective recent times. range of securities. year. form of an ETF. “The Exchange beThe listing will to improve It said that under List“By cross listing ETFs on lieves that the extended liquidity Africa’s exchangings Ruleson(Section 19.5 African exchanges, investors filing period was thereand will see increased to cross of esthe Amendments will be given and access to liquid adequate Issuers of ETF’s on thethe largerfore thelistings Listing Rules), company shares tracked exchanges on the continent. should have no reason forby Exchange is reminding indices such as the FTSE/ A statement from the Exfailing to file their auditthose companies again to Top 40; the NSE changes yesterday said thereed JSE financials as FTSE/ at when perform their obligation. is a concerted effort from ETF Kenya 15 Index; and the issuers in various markets MSCI/Nigeria. “ETFs are to cross list new and existing one of the fastest growing ETF’s on to other exchanges, asset-class categories in the and the exchanges them- world,” the statement said. The Director for Capital selves are working to ensure that the right frameworks are Markets at the JSE, Donna Unilevernoted Nigeria Plc Oosthuyse that by colin place too enable this. Johnson kanlawon led the gainers’ table with laborating with Africa’s largIt explained that ETFs N3.19 or 8.44 per cent to rading in equities close at N41.00 per share, extended to the followed by Total Nigeria third consecutive Plc with N7.50 or five per day as the benchmark in- cent to close at N157.50 per share. The President of Nigeria’s dex closed lower. Johnson okanlawon Portland PaintsassociaPlc bureaux de change The All Share Index deadded 19 kobo or 4.81 per tion, Aminu Gwadabe, told preciatedentral 1.13 per cent to Bank of Nigecent to close at N4.14 per Reuters that the CBN has close at ria, 30,752.63 points, CBN, yesterday share, while Honeywell started to sell dollars twice comparedsold to the decline of $80 million to buMills rose since 12 kobo weekly toPlc BDCs last 0.5 reaux per cent recorded the at Flour de change operators or week. 4.69 per cent to close at preceding day to close at N197, helping the local curper share. trading in eq31,107.11 points. on the paral- N2.68Meanwhile, rency strengthen uities continued on a negative Conversely , United Bank Market capitalization lel market, president of the ason the fornote Africa Plc Nigerian droppedStock 32 shed N122 billion to close sociation of forex dealers said. Exchange yesterday , as more kobo or 8.31 per cent to at N10.5 trillion, compared The naira was quoted at investors sold their close at N3.53 perholdings. share, to the depreciation of N55 N221 on the parallel market, All Share deprewhileThe Ikeja Hotel Index Plc shed billion recorded theafter precedup 1.36 per cent, dollar ciated 0.52 per cent to close at ingliquidity day to close N10.7said. tril- 19 kobo or 4.94 per cent to rose,at traders 31,107.11 points, compared at N3.66 [per share. lion. On the interbank market, close to the decline of 0.50 cent FBN Holdings Plcperlost the naira ended at the bank’s recorded the preceding day to pegged rate of N197 to the dol- close at 31,269.71 points. lar. Market capitalisation shed

Johnson okanlawon

released financials on our due,” it added. of The statement quoted, market,for as full unitsdetails in the ETF est stock exchanges, the cross website the compliance status of Head of Legal and Regulalisting of ETFs will expose are bought and sold. This listed companies before tion Division of the NSE, investors to a diverse range drives liquidity in the home Ms Awe, as say- making market. investment In addition todecithis, it of Tinuade top performing Nigerian, sions”. ing that late filing has the Kenyan and South African provides extra visibility on Sheshares stressed for potential to in adversely afthe on thatthat exchange companies a convenient failure to file audited fect the market and their to new investors who in all and cost effective way. timely , yet thetrade NSEon shareholders. likelihood don’t He said that the cross- reports sanctions range from She explained that late listings of ETFs will also im- that market,” he said. pento regulatory delist- , filling grounds for altiesThe Executive Director provecreates the liquidity of Africa’s ing of the securities from avoidable doubts regardBusiness Development, at the largest stock exchanges. the Daily Official List of ing Oosthuyse companies’ perforexplains that Nigerian Stock Exchange, Exchange. mances. She said, “The the Mr . Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the advantages for companies the collaboration included inisthe ETF indices, said “These penalties underacExchange monitoring scores to proand compliance for the exchanges from crue on commitment a weekly basis the status viding investors with a the wide come, are that and further deplete of whence these they companies very range of investment ETFs need ‘fully cov- bottom-line of the compaclosely and to is beengaging to help them realered’. earnings. These penthe affected companies ac- nies’products ize their goals. to “This. means that the asset alties arefinancial also expected cordingly According ETFs manager that is managing the be disclosed into thehim, annual “We encourage invesare becoming ETFtoportfolio to buy and reports of theattractive compa-to tors alwayshas check the manyshe investors offering them sell the underlying shares added. X-Compliance Report andon nies,” the home exchange, depend- portfolio diversification and ing on the activity of buying reduce cost of investing. We are proud once again to be and selling of the ETF. “If an ETF from Kenya or collaborating with reputable Nigeria for instance is listed exchanges in Africa to bring on the JSE, then the asset this new and exciting investmanager in Kenya or Nigeria ment opportunity to bolster N112 across billion,multiple from N98.6 33has kobo or 4.91 to attrade marto buy andper sellcent the conclose at shares N6.39 per share, kets. in 2014. stituent on the home billion The bank’s profit after while Fidelity Bank Plc fell seven kobo or 4.73 per cent margin stood at 23.2 per cent, from 25.7 per cent, to close at N1.41 per share. cost to income Meanwhile, the flip side,ration Skye N55 billion to close at Zenith N10.66 tri- whileOn 54.5 per cent, Bank announced Bank Plctodropped 12 kobo or lion,yesterday compared to the decrease reduced per cent in at 2014. a of profit taxrecorded of N53.2the from N54after billion 5.8056.5 per cent to close N1.95 Loanshare, to deposit ratio billion for day thetosix months preceding close at N10.71 per while Stanbic rose to 73 per cent, ended trillion.June 30, 2015, an however IBTC Plc depreciated N1.05 60.1 per cent in 2014, increase 12.1 per cent Evansof Medicals led the gain- from or five per cent to close at on average when compared to kobo N47 or bil-8.99 while ers’ table with eight N19.95return per share. dropped to 1.50Bank per lion inatthe sameper equity perrecorded cent to close 97 kobo NPF Microfinance period 2914. by Portland Ce- cent, from 1.59 per cent in share,of followed Plc dipped five kobo or five The Plc bank’s ment with gross 18 koboearnor 4.77 the six months of 2014. per cent to close at 95 kobo per rose cent to close N3.95toper Return on average equiings 24.2 peratcent per share, while Flour Mills share.billion, from N184 ty rose marginally to 10.24 N229 Plc shed N1.47 or 4.98 per cent Wema Bank Plc added four per cent from 9.98 per cent billion recorded in the corto close at N28.03 per share. kobo or 4.65period per cent close at recorded in the preceding responding ofto2014. Flour Plc de90According kobo per share, while Acad- year,Dangote while price earnings to the result clined 16 kobo or 4.97 per cent emy Pressto Plcthe added three kobo ratio stood at N4.75 per presented Nigerian to close at N3.06 per share. or 3.90 per cent to close at 80 Stock Exchange yesterday, share. A total of 434.2 million kobo per share. net interest income stood Forte Oil Plc rose N7.02 or shares valued at N1.69 bil3.42 per cent to close at N212.00 lion were exchanged in 3,015 per share. deals.

Equities shed 1.13% as Zenith announces N53bn half-year profit

T…equities shed 0.5% value

Naira firms on black market as CBN sells dollars

45 41

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 31,107.11 points Market capitalisation 10.66trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

EVANSMED

0.89

0.97

0.08

8.99

PORTPAINT

3.77

3.95

0.18

4.77

WEMABANK

0.86

0.90

0.04

4.65

ACADEMY

0.77

0.80

0.03

3.90

204.98

212.00

7.02

3.42

CUSTODYINS

4.10

4.20

0.10

2.44

ETERNA

2.02

2.06

0.04

1.98

TRANSCORP

2.43

2.44

0.01

0.41

126.00

126.50

0.50

0.40

DANGCEM

184.00

184.15

0.15

0.08

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

SKYEBANK

2.07

CLOSING 1.95

-0.12

-5.80

STANBIC

21.00

19.95

-1.05

-5.00

NPFMCRFBK

1.00

0.95

-0.05

-5.00

FLOURMILL

29.50

28.03

-1.47

-4.98

DANGFLOUR

3.22

3.06

-0.16

-4.97

MOBIL

165.00

156.80

-8.20

-4.97

MAYBAKER

1.43

1.36

-0.07

-4.90

UNITYBNK

2.05

1.95

-0.10

-4.88

REDSTAREX

4.16

3.96

-0.20

-4.81

RTBRISCOE

0.65

0.62

-0.03

-4.62

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.01

97.99

15.27

98.14

15.10

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.71

99.51

15.39

99.66

15.29

Q2: Fidson Healthcare pre-tax profit rises 4%

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.88

101.39

15.49

101.69

15.39

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.51

100.41

15.41

100.71

15.32

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.46

104.46

15.27

104.76

15.20

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.59

94.91

15.27

95.21

15.21

Amazon lures investors back from Alibaba

idson Healthcare million recorded in the corhas announced reresponding period of 2014. market capitalization is at hinafor is no longer sults the six in Earning per rosedown to about $180share billion, vogue with e-commonths ended June 30, 22 kobo from 21 kobo. merce investors, as more than 30 percent from 2015, reporting a quarterA statement by the compeak in November. money returns to the U.S. its on-quarter growth in revepany attributed the decline Alibaba reported earnand Amazon.com Inc. folnue of 128 per cent as sales in revenue to slowdown that lowing a brief fling with ings yesterday showing in returned to normal levels which was largely quarterly sales grew at their Alibaba Group Holding sales, post-elections. to the pace prolonged generslowest in three years, Ltd. and its 367 million cus- due al elections and transition The company recorded with transaction volume tomers. falling short of estimates. N4.034With billion revenue, a in market value period. viewed ItInvestors explained thatAlibaba after compared to N4.573 billion of more than $240 billion, as a profitable alternative the election, margins im-to recorded in the same peAmazon is once again the the free-spending ways over the first sixof riodworld’s of 2014.most valuable e- proved Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s chief commerce , a spot months and this was drivAccording company to the result officer. Now, conit lost after by the company’s cost presented to theAlibaba’s Nigerianre- enexecutive cerns are focused cord-setting $25 billion drive. on ChiStock Exchange, profitini- optimisation cooling economy and tial public offering Sep- na’s Further analysis before tax rose four inper slowerthat consumer tember. current operatingspendexcent to N477Alibaba’s million in the showed review period, from N456

penses dropped to 67 per

cent, from N150 million in the 2014 to ing,sixasmonths well asofAlibaba’s N49 million in 2015, with reluctance to aggressively selling and distribution pursue business in the expenses also decreasing U.S. Meanwhile, Amazon from N605 to N325 impressed million investors last million, decline of 46 pera month a when it reported cent. surprise second-quarter The company stated profit, thanks , to its that fastitgrowing will continue to gear up cloud-computing business and spending disfor the commissioning of cipline. her World Health Organ“YouGood can’t Manufacturoverlook the isation China slowdown,” said ing Practice, GMP, compliRJplant, Hottovy , an she analyst at ant where would Morningstar IV Inc.fluids in Chimanufacture in cago. “Chinese consumer addition to existing prodspending trends are in a uct offerings. slowdown.” “The new plant is scheduled to be operational be-

Rate (%) fore the end of 2015 and is Inflation 8.2 expected to broaden FidMPR son’s product base 13 and increase its capacity ,” it said. Crude oil price $58.96 The statement stressed that the company’s growth Exchange Rates (N) opportunities have also reWAUA 270 cently been enhanced by theUSD announcement of her 197 partnership with Immune EURO 214 Therapeutics Inc., a U.S. CFA company0.32 public to market YEN 1.64 LodonalTM in Nigeria. LodonalTM is202 a patentSWISS protected product that is FRANC indicated for the managePOUNDS 293 ment of patients with imSTERLING mune-compromise.

SDR

273

Description

Closing Market Prices of August 5, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

12-Nov-15

14.25

14.78

11-Feb-16

14.13

15.21

04-Aug-16

13.70

15.82

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

43.4583

16.3642

17.3582

17.9825 The Fixings of August 5, 2015

Friday, August 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday,August 14, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror

the come , come to come Unsuitable qualifications limitWhen our young people’s employment up in this Ministry. Rev. Chris Okotie, prospects speaking and potential toeverybody contributewill to sit national development. on the state of the nation

ayo esan

ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said it will not be dissuaded by activities of saboteurs who are trying to run down the agency in spite of its efforts in curtailing activities of drug traffickers in the country. The NDLEA in a release issued and signed by its Director-General, Mrs. Roli Bode-George, said the agency was not unmindful of the intentions of some political jobbers who are in collusion with some disgruntled staff and discredited former staff of the agency and possibly drug barons whose busi-

HON MINISTER FOR PETROLEUM RESOURCES,ALIISON MADUEKE PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

We’ll not be dissuaded by mischief makers –NDLEA DG nesses are under threat to rubbish the Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, and the entire management team of the Agency in spite of the good works done in the last 10 years. She said the NDLEA under the leadership of Ahmadu Giade can boast of a well trained and knowledgeable workforce capable of meeting the mandate of the agency. “These accounts for the impressive records of arrest, seizures and convictions in the last ten years to justify its effectiveness as a drug law enforcement Agency. As a result of these improved Agency’s

counter narcotic measures, most drug barons have relocated to our neighbouring countries. Reacting to a publication in a National Daily (not National Mirror) with a caption: ‘How Corruption, Leadership hamper NDLEA’s Drug War, the NDLEA DG/Secretary said the agency would not have dignified the said publication with any response if not for the present situation in the country where everybody sought to take advantage of the publicly declared anti corruption stand of the current administration. According to her, the

Agency has also over the years carried out resultoriented public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking within and outside the Country. She maintained that the bad eggs in the agency have long been shown the way out of the saying some of them were prosecuted where necessary. “The climax of this effort led to Nigeria’s re-admission into many international organizations in drug matters after several years of exclusion. Nigeria has also been certified by the US Government as an efficient and global rated

drug enforcement Agency since 2009. “The growing confidence of the international community on the integrity of the Agency has

resulted in increased international collaboration with a number of drug law enforcement organisations around the world,” she stated.

JTF enforces use of crash helmet in Anambra gloria anaeze ONITSHA

oint Security Taskforce (JTF), has commenced enforcement of making using of crash helmets for all motorcycle riders in Anambra State. The exercise, which was launched in Nnewi, tagged: ``Operation No Mercy’’, Community Mirror learnt, was led by the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), included the army, police, NSCDC, NDLEA, Man-OWar, Peace Corps and Boys Scout. FRSC Sector Commander, Anambra State, Mr Sunday Ajayi, said the exercise was ordered by Governor Willie Obiano. Ajayi noted that the enforcement of crash helmet use for everybody riding or being transited by a motor-

cycle was one of the measures the governor had put in place to check incidents and injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes. “Apart from restricting the motorcycles from the major roads in the state, the governor as well ordered that everybody on top of a motorcycle, whether commercial or private, must wear a crash helmet. “This is part of the governor’s commitment to make Anambra safe for all and government would not spend its limited resources on motorcycle accident victims’ emergency wards in most big hospitals and teaching hospitals in the state”. The FRSC boss advised all motorcycle riders and users to comply so that their bikes would not be impounded indefinitely.

Ogun lifts ban on transport union activities Femi oyeweso, ABEOKUTA Residents of Agege and environs with members of Youth Alliance for Better Nigeria, protesting irregular power supply and alleged extortion by Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, on Monday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Oil thief nabbed with 45 jerry cans of petrol Dare akogun

suspected pipeline vandal was arrested in Somolu area of Lagos State by policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa, yesterday. The suspect, identified as Olalowo Agboola, was arrested following a tip-off from residents of Somolu, who were concerned about their safety. The policemen also recovered 45 ‘50 litres of jerry cans and another two 25 litres of jerry cans, fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, popularly

known as petrol. It was learnt that the RRS teams, led by Olabode Aroge, a Superintendent of Police arrested the suspect at 24 Awoseyin street, Somolu. It was gathered that the RRS Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu, after receiving a tip off from residents of Awoseyin gave an immediate order to his men to burst the house which led to the arrest of the suspected oil thief. The policemen had disguised as potential buyer of the stolen petroleum product, when the suspect was arrested. Olalowo, while speaking on his arrest said “I

was a commercial bus driver before I was initiated into this bunkering occupation. Mr. Adex is the one who employed me to be his assistant, while he goes out to bring the product for me to sell I only collect commission of 200 on each keg that I was able to sell in a day.” “I know I was doing an illegal job but because there is no employment in the country and I have no choice than to join them for my livelihood sustenance,” he added. In his reaction, the commander of RRS, ACP, Olatunji Disu, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect, noted that Lagos will not

tolerate any act of criminality and illegal occupations The RRS commander said that the police action, apart from being a fight against crime was to save the lives of thousands of residents of Somolu . He further urged members of public to endeavour to report to the police any form of illegal engagements in their neighbourhoods. “This will enhance the efficiency of the police when adequate information is passed to us. We implore public to always give us useful and timely information”, the commander noted.

gun State government has suspended the embargo earlier placed on activities of the transport union operating across the state. Consequently, the state government has also approved the composition of a 30-man committee, who will oversee the affairs of the state’s chapter of the Road Transport Employers Associations of Nigeria, RTEAN, towards ensuring that crisis often recorded between the union and drivers under government’s assisted transport scheme becomes a thing of the past. A release signed by General Manager of the state’s Parks and Garages Development Board, PAGADEB, Alhaji Ayo Ogunsolu, yesterday in Abeokuta, indicated that Alhaji Mugisu Akinpelu would be state

chairman of the committee, while Akingbade Tiwalade remains state secretary. Ogunsolu pointed out that the development was part of government effort to ensure peace and orderliness in the association. PAGADEB however, warned other members of the association not to work against its directive, stressing that any contrary motive will be regarded as an affront to the Government’s effort at sanitising the association. “That any action from your end to be at variance with the aforementioned officers in the list could be viewed as an affront to the effort of the State government in finding a lasting solution to the power tussle that has plagued your Union in recent times; and which may return your union back to the status quo”, he warned.

Transition

Friday, August 14, 2015

Oladunni Ogunbanke T he remains of Olori Oladunni Obafemi Ogunbanke, the wife of the immediate past Okemu of Ala-Ijebu, Oba Elikannah Jebb Ogunbanke, will be committed to mother earth in Ifo, Ogun State, today Friday August 14, 2015.

The burial rites of the deceased as according to a statement from family commenced yesterday, with a service of songs at her residence, Ibogun Road, opposite NITEL, Ifo by 5:00pm while her body will lie in state at her residence from 3pm today. The internment service also holds at the same venue tomorrow, Saturday at 10:00am. The late Olori Ogunbanke, according to the statement “lived an exemplary life of total service to God and humanity. She worked meritoriously at various times in the circulation department of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers and the defunct Sketch Newspapers, rising in both organisations to the rank of senior circulation officer for a cumulative period of over 35 years. “Mama retired from active employment in 1982 to embrace fully the service of God. Mama’s indelible footprints are etched in the sands of time

in all her places of sojourn at Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osogbo, Ijebu and Ifo all in the SouthWest of Nigeria.

“Mama Ogunbanke is survived by children, grand children, and great grandchildren. she was 93 year-old.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Michael Awosunle

he death has been announced of Elder Michael Okunola Awosunle, aged 80. Elder Michael Awosunle was born on 11th November, 1934 into the family of Late Mr. Francis Adereti Awosunle and Late Mrs. Cecilia Omoyeni Awosunle in EjesiIka Compound, Ile Ife. He attended St. Peter and Paul Primary School in 19491954 and after he got his Standard Primary at the same school, he was employed as a pupil teacher and later, he attended Murrumba’s Teacher Training College in (R.C.M) Lagere Ile Ife. Then, he entered full teaching line where he taught in many primary schools around Ile Ife, later he became headmaster from one school to another like St. Raphael Primary School, Toro and later to Kwara in 1963 as a senior teacher at IkoroIyagba Community Primary school now Kogi State and left for London in 1964 where he studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Westeld College of Technology Holbon now called Queen Mary University London where he obtained HND in Electrical Engineering and B.Sc in C.E.C Engineering in the year 1964-1972.

He worked with many engineering companies in London and Birmingham as well and returned to Nigeria in 1974 to join James Kilpatrick Nig Ltd. as an electrical engineer for years before he later formed his own company known as Okun-Awo Engineering Nig. Ltd. as Executive Director of the company. Okun-Awo Nig. Ltd. operated mostly in the eastern part of Nigeria like Enugu, Calabar, Owerri, Yenagoa & Port Harcourt as the headquarters. He handled many projects at various towns and higher institutions like University of Port Harcourt, P & T Sta Quarters and General Hospital Okolobiri Rivers State. He was an elder in Christ Apostolic Church worldwide and a qualied academic reverend from Bible Seminary. A liberal man, Elder Awosunle loved the things of God as he always gave generously to the house of God where he worshipped in his lifetime at the Christ Apostolic Church Ifako, Agege, Lagos as testified by the Superintendent, Ifako Zone, Pastor Oludare Shabi. Late Elder Michael Okunola Awosunle is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

News

NAFDAC reduces fake drugs in circulation to 3.6% –Survey Dare akogun

ational Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has recorded a major feat as the result of a nation-wide survey of the quality of antimalaria medicines in Nigeria revealed a drastic reduction of counterfeit anti-malaria drugs from 19.6% in 2012 to 3.6% in 2015. The National survey on quality of anti-malaria medicines which was conducted in six geo-political zones in the country was jointly undertaken by the National Malaria Elimination Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC with the funding support by United States Pharmacopeial and USAID. This was contained in a press statement issued by the agency’s Director of Special Duties Abubakar Jimoh, on Tuesday and a copy made available to National Mirror. According to the statement, Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii said the introduc-

tion of new anti-counterfeiting cutting-edge technologies such as TRUSCAN, Mobile Authentication Services (MAS), Mini-laboratory and Deep Infra-red technology by NAFDAC under his watch were majorly responsible for the ground breaking success so far recorded in ensuring safe and good quality medicines in the country. Dr. Orhii noted that the Agency has again done Nigeria and Africa proud with this remarkable achievement coming closely on the heels of the recent seizure of N5billion counterfeit drugs evacuated from 5 warehouses in Lagos and reiterated his determination to completely eradicate the menace of counterfeit drugs in the country very soon. The Director-General thanked the USP, USAID, Federal Ministry of Health and other partner Agencies for their support towards the anti-counterfeiting war. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute who chaired the survey report dissemination meeting in Abuja commended

the United States Government for providing the needed fund for the survey while noting that the cheering news of the reduction in counterfeit drugs came at a time Nigeria has recorded progress in other public health issues. Mr. Awute who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Bridget Okwuagwale reiterated Federal

Ohri

Government‘s determination to wipe out disease burden such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/ AIDS. The vice-president of USP, Dr. Patrick Lukulay observed that the success recorded by NAFDAC with the attainment of International Accreditation of her laboratory in Yaba, Lagos seven months ago laid a foundation for the current celebration of the

results of the quality of medicine survey. Dr. Lukulay said the various successes recorded by USP in her partnership with NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies in Nigeria within 4years surpassed other USP interventions for the past 10years in other African Countries. It would be recalled that a survey of the quality of antimalaria in Sub-sahara Africa undertaken by WHO in 2008 showed 64% incidence of fake anti-malaria in Nigeria and other 13 African countries. The assumption of office by Dr. Orhii as Director-General of NAFDAC led to reduction of the incidence of counterfeit drugs from 64% in 2008 to 19.6% in 2012 and later 3.6% in 2015. WHO in recognition of these outstanding achievements appointed Dr. Orhii in 2012 as the first chair of her International Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force known as the States mechanism on Spurious, Substandard, Falsified and Falsely-Labelled Counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products consisting of 193 member-nations.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Here in Eisenhuettenstadt, the largest group is from Syria, but the second and third countries of origin are Serbia and Albania

50 WITH AGENCY REPORT

early half a million Catholics have signed a petition urging Pope Francis to condemn same sex unions as unnatural and rule out allowing divorced believers who remarry to receive communion, organisers claim. The Filial Appeal on the Future of the Family, launched by a group describing itself as an alliance of lay Catholics and pro-Life organisations, has also secured the backing of more than 100 senior clerics, including many bishops from the developing world and American cardinal Raymond Burke, an arch-conservative who has been sidelined within the Vatican hierarchy since Francis was elected two years ago. According to the Appeal’s website, more than 462,700 people had, by Thursday, signed the petition, which urges Francis to uphold traditional teaching ahead of an October synod which will review how the Church relates to gay and divorced followers. The petition claims that a first synod held last year had caused, “widespread confusion arising from the possibility that a breach has been opened within

–German Interior Minister

Catholics urge Pope to condemn gay marriage

Pope Francis

the Church that would accept adultery — by permitting divorced and then civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion — and would virtually accept even homosexual unions when such practices are categorically condemned as be-

ing contrary to divine and natural law.” Francis has made it clear he wants the church to adopt a more inclusive, understanding approach to believers living “irregular” lifestyles. He caused consternation

amongst traditionalists last year when, asked about his attitude to gay Catholics, he responded: “Who am I to judge?” Earlier this month, the pope said the Church had to provide a better welcome for those who have established a new relation-

UK museum may hold Zimbabwe’s human bones

he UK’s Natural History Museum has said it may hold Zimbabwean human remains in its collection. However, it could not confirm whether they were the “skulls of beheaded heroes” which President Robert Mugabe referred to earlier this week. Zimbabwe’s leader had de-

World News

Chinese port blast death toll rises to 50

Paul arhewe

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

manded the return of those killed by the British in the late 1890s during the first uprising against colonial rule. He made the remarks at the shrine to remember the country’s war dead. “We are told that skulls of our people, our leaders, are being displayed in a British mu-

seum and they are inviting us to repatriate them,” he told the crowd. “We will repatriate them, but with bitterness, questioning the rationale behind decapitating them.” Known as the heroes of the “First Chimurenga”, they were defeated by the British after a

President Mugabe addressed thousands during a public holiday on Monday to remember national heroes

protracted battle and the ringleaders were tried and hanged. What happened to their bodies has always remained a mystery. The UK Foreign Office has now confirmed that talks have been going on since December 2014 over the “potential repatriation of Zimbabwean human remains”. It said technical experts from Zimbabwe have been invited to meet their museum counterparts in London. “We await the appointment of the required Zimbabwean experts in order to take this forward,” the statement said. But the BBC’s Africa correspondent Alastair Leithead says it is not clear if the remains are of the rebellion leaders. The Natural History Museum, which has a collection of 20,000 human remains, said it “actively engages in discussions with governments and communities” over requests for the return of human remains.

WORLD BULLETIN

Guinea Bissau’s president sacks govt amid row with PM Guinea Bissau’s President Jose Mario Vaz has dismissed the government of the fragile West African nation because of a deepening power struggle with the prime minister. Tensions, fed by overlapping duties in Guinea Bissau’s semipresidential system, have grown between the president and Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira since elections restored civilian rule last year following a 2012 coup. In a presidential statement issued late on Wednesday announcing his decision to dismiss Pereira and his cabinet with immediate effect, Vaz referred to what he called “a breach of trust” between the two men. There was no immediate reaction from the prime minister, but PAIGC, the ruling party to which both Vaz and Pereira belong, was due to hold a press conference in the capital Bissau yesterday. Pereira had previously said PAIGC was planning a convention this year to address the tensions, with a committee expected to study the constitution and clarify the two leaders’ responsibilities.

Ebola could be defeated by year’s end –WHO The Ebola epidemic in West Africa could be completely over by the end of the year if efforts to root out new cases are kept up, the WHO chief said yesterday. World Health Organization director Margaret Chan cautioned there could be setbacks in the coming months but said Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone could begin 2016 completely Ebolafree. “If the current intensity of case detection and contact tracing is sustained, the virus could be soundly defeated by the end of this year,” Chan told the United Nations Security Council.

Burundian president’s party hails ‘miracle’ win Burundi’s ruling party yesterday termed the controversial re-election of President Pierre Nkurunziza a “divine miracle”, as the opposition accused him of declaring war by clinging to power. The president’s successful effort to bulldoze his way into a controversial third term sparked protests and a failed coup, with a sweeping crackdown and an exodus of citizens fleeing the unrest. But Nkurunziza’s CNDD-FDD party praised his “stunning victory” in last month’s polls, which were boycotted by the opposition and internationally condemned as being neither free nor fair.

World News

WORLD BULLETIN

South Korean president to meet Obama in October President Barack Obama is set to welcome South Korean President Park Geun-hye to the White House in October. Obama and Park had been scheduled to meet in Washington in June, but Park postponed the visit because of a deadly outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in her country. The White House announced Wednesday from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, where the president is vacationing, that Park’s visit has been rescheduled for Oct. 16. The leaders are expected to discuss security, economic and global issues, including the environment, energy, space, health and cybersecurity. Their talks will also cover the security situation on the Korean Peninsula in the face of continued threats from North Korea against U.S. ally South Korea.

Obama

Syrian opposition wary ahead of Russia talks Syria’s main opposition group yesterday insisted President Bashar al-Assad must go as it rejected calls to join forces against Islamic State jihadists ahead of a meeting with Russia’s foreign minister. The head of Syria’s National Coalition Khaled Khoja is in Moscow for talks with top diplomat Sergei Lavrov as part of a fresh push by Russia to find a way out of the fouryear civil war that has cost some 240,000 lives. Moscow -- one of Assad’s few remaining backers -- is pushing a plan for a broader grouping than the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) group, to include Syria’s government and its allies. But Khoja -- in Moscow for his first talks since February 2014 -ruled out cooperating with Assad and reiterated demands that the strongman must leave before any transitional government can be set up. “Bashar Assad has no role in the future of Syria,” Khoja said in an interview with the Interfax news agency translated into Russian. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel alJubeir -- a key backer of the Syrian opposition -- also rejected calls to work with Assad against IS after a meeting with Lavrov in Moscow Tuesday.

Friday, August 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chinese port blast death toll rises to 50

he death toll from the fiery explosions at a warehouse of hazardous chemicals climbed yesterday to 50, and the Chinese government sent experts to the shattered and smouldering port to assess any environmental dangers from the spectacular blasts. More than 700 people were injured and dozens were reported missing in the explosions shortly before midnight Wednesday that demolished a workers’ dormitory, tossed shipping containers as if they were toy blocks and turned a fleet of 1,000 new cars into scorched metal husks. Windows were shattered for miles around by the shockwaves. There was no indication of what caused the disaster in one of China’s busiest ports, and authorities tried to keep a tight rein over information by keeping reporters well away from the site. Social media users complained their posts about it were deleted. More than 1,000 firefighters were sent to the mostly industrial zone in Tianjin, a petrochemical processing hub about 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of Beijing. Tianjin is the 10th largest port in the world by container volume, according to the World Shipping Council, and the seventh-biggest in China. It handles vast amounts of metal ore, coal,

Smoke billows from the site of an explosion that reduced a parking lot filled with new cars to charred remains at a warehouse in northeastern China’s Tianjin municipality, yesterday

steel, cars and crude oil. Ships carrying oil and “hazardous products” were barred from the port Thursday, the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration said on its official microblog. It also said vessels were not allowed to enter the central port zone, which is near the blast site. The municipal government, which gave the death toll of at least 50, said 701 people were injured, including 71 in serious condition. The Tianjin Port Group Co. said dozens of its employees were unaccounted for and a search is under way. Some

migrant workers at the port may not be documented. Authorities said the blasts started at the warehouse owned by Ruihai Logistics, a company that says it stores hazardous materials including flammable petrochemicals, sodium cyanide and toluene diisocyanate. An initial explosion apparently triggered an even bigger one. The National Earthquake Bureau said the first blast was the equivalent of 3 tons of TNT, and the second 21 tons. The enormous fireballs from the blasts rolled through a nearby parking

Pakistan gives six militants death sentences for school attack

The attack on the school last year killed 132 children and injured many more

akistan has handed the death penalty to six militants linked to an attack on a school in the northern city of Peshawar in which at least 140 people, mainly children, were killed. The army said the militants “were given a fair trial” in military courts before the verdict was handed down. The attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar last December, carried out by the Taliban, shocked the country. In response, Pakistan lifted a seven-year moratorium on ex-

ecutions. It also amended the constitution to allow for the establishment of military courts to try terror suspects. Since December, 200 people have been put to death. Many of them were not convicted for terror offences. A statement on the Pakistan military’s website said seven militants were found guilty of links to the attack - only one had been given a life sentence instead of the death penalty. “The convicts were given fair trial by following all the legal

formalities and offering/providing them legal aid and defence counsels,” the statement said. “Today the sentences of death have been confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff.” These are the first death sentences to be handed out in connection to the Army Public School massacre, the BBC’s Shaimaa Khalil reports from Islamabad. Those facing the death penalty are not the seven who took part in the attack - all of whom died in the assault. They scaled the walls to get into the school and set off a bomb before moving from classroom to classroom shooting indiscriminately at both the children and teachers. The school was near a military complex in Peshawar and many of its students were the children of military personnel. Peshawar, which is close to the Afghan border, had seen some of the worst of the violence during the Taliban insurgency in recent years.

lot, turning a fleet of 1,000 new cars into scorched metal husks. Zhang Siyu, who lives several kilometers (miles) from the blast site, said she ran from her home without her shoes because she initially thought it was an earthquake. “Only once I was outside did I realize it was an explosion. There was the huge fireball in the sky with thick clouds. Everybody could see it,” she said. Zhang said she could see wounded people weeping. She said she did not see anyone who had been killed, but “I could feel death.”

British Jewish group appalled by anti-migrant panic

Jewish group has criticised Britain’s response to the migrant crisis, recalling that Jews were once the focus of an immigration scare in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday. “Many of us in the Jewish community are appalled by the UK’s response to the ongoing situation in Calais,” read the open letter from the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, which assists refugees and asylum seekers. “Our experience as refugees is not so distant that we’ve forgotten what it’s like to be demonised for seeking safety.” Immigration is one of the most sensitive issues in British politics, and images of migrants trying to illegally cross the Channel to Britain from the French port of Calais have been splashed across newspapers in recent weeks.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday, August 14, 2015

Foundation to support Katsina with $20m JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

ave the Children Foundation, SCF, has earmarked $20 million (about N3.9 billion) to support the health sector in Katsina State. The foundation’s Country Director, Mr. Ben Foot, who stated this during a one-day visit to the state, also said 10,000 children in the state would benefit from the foundation’s nutritional programme. Foot pledged continued collaboration with the state government in

building the capacity of health workers and assisting in nutritional and immunisation programmes for the children. The director, who was speaking with Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mustapha Inuwa, said part of his visit to the state was to assess progress in the implementation of key support areas of the foundation. On his part, Inuwa said the state government would continue to collaborate with donor agencies to improve the well being of the people.

Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam (right) with UNICEF Country Rep. for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Jean Gough, during a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House Damaturu, yesterday

Court remands two for Insurgency: Borno begins rehabilitation kidnapping of primary schools, houses WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has remanded suspects Umoru Ogala and Ahmodu Haruna in prison custody for alleged kidnapping and receiving N500,000 ransom. Chief Magistrate Alhassan Husaini gave the order in his ruling during arraignment of the accused persons. The magistrate directed that the two suspects be remanded at Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe. Husaini said in line with relevant laws, the offences had the consequences of life imprisonment without an option of fine upon conviction. The prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Abaji, Senior Legal Officer with Kogi State Ministry of Justice, had in an application urged the court to take cognisance of the offence under section 143(c) and (d) of the Criminal Procedure Code, CPC. The charge stated that the duo and others now at large, on May 18, 2014 at Okenya in IgalamelaOdolu Local Government of Kogi State while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, kidnapped one Attah Vincent. The charge stated that the victim, who was the Manager of Federal Poly-

technic Idah Ventures Limited, was taken to the house of the second accused (Haruna) at Iga Ojo-Ogigba in Ofu Local Government of the state. The prosecution further alleged that they later demanded a ransom of N500,000 and got paid before releasing the victim on May 21, 2014. The two accused persons were charged with criminal conspiracy and kidnapping contrary to sections 97(1) of the Penal Code, 3 and 7 of Kogi State Kidnapping, Thuggery and other Related Offences (Prohibition) Law, 2010. Counsel to the second accused, M.S. Yusuf, in an oral application for bail urged the court to exercise its discretion in granting his client bail. But the bail application was opposed by the prosecution, saying apart from the fact that the offences were ordinarily not bailable, the nature of the offence would encourage the accused to jump bail. Chief Magistrate Husaini in his ruling said it had become ‘’imperative’’ for him to refuse the application because of the heinous nature of the offences. ‘’Accordingly, the two accused persons are hereby ordered to be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe’’, he ruled and adjourned to September 1, for further mention.

be abandoned by fleeing residents, a situation that government had to deploy resources for resuscitating to win the confidence of the people and enable them go back to their communities to continue with their normal lives. Shettima, who regretted that Borno, which was one of the most peaceful and hospitable states in Nigeria that also shares three international borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic, became uncomfortable for the people to live in due to activities of Boko Haram since 2009. He, however, expressed hope that with the efforts put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari and other neighbouring countries, which have now formed the Multinational

orno State government says it has begun renovation and rehabilitation of primary and post-primary schools with construction of new ones, including hospitals and clinics affected by activities of insurgents in the state. Government has also embarked on construction of some destroyed residential houses, including total overhauling of traditional rulers palaces in order to win the confidence of fleeing people to return back to their communities following the relative peace that now pervades the state. This was disclosed yesterday by Governor Kashim Shettima when

he led the United Nations Residential Coordinator/ United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Residential Representative, Mr. Daouda Toure, and Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alhaji Sani Sidi, to Auno District of Konduga Local Government Area of the state for inspection of ongoing renovation and construction of primary schools, general hospital, mosque and the palace of the district head. Shettima said during the heat of Boko Haram activities, many schools, particularly those owned by government were destroyed by insurgents, while quite a number of public structures, including hospitals and clinics in volatile areas had to

WILLIAMS ATTAH

Gombe terror victims get N40m support

INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

GOMBE

ederal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, and Gombe State Specialists Hospital yesterday received N20 million each in support of victims of recent terrorists’ attack that killed no fewer than hundred people and injuring hundreds. Nigerian Foundation Support for Victims of Terrorism made the donation as well as signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on how the resources would be utilised for the

support of the victims and deliver free medical assistance to them. Presenting the cheque to managements of the hospitals on behalf of the Foundation’s Chairman, Theophilus Danjuma, the executive director, Professor Sunday Ochoche, said they were in Gombe State to engage the state government and other relevant agencies involved with management of the consequences of terrorism to focus on women, children and widows who lost their bread winners as a result of activities of insurgents in

the state. It is also aimed at building their capacity as well as empower them economically, Professor Sunday said, adding that the Foundation was established to, among other things, raise funds for the support of the victims, establish the type of support the victims may require and to identify children that were made orphans and women that were made widows as a result of the crisis. Responding for the Federal Teaching Hospital, Chief Medical Director, Dr.

Joint Task Force, MNJTF, against terrorism, the insurgents will have nowhere to hide, but would be rooted out as soon as possible. Earlier, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Barrister Kaka Shehu, who conducted the governor and his entourage round the ongoing projects, said the projects, which were under direct labour scheme, cost the state government about N30 million and it will soon be completed. He thanked the governor for his policies and programmes aimed at giving hope to the traumatised people of the state, especially those living in communities that were devastated by activities of insurgents.

Abubakar Saidu, said the hospital almost on daily basis received victims of insurgency attacks from neighbouring states of Borno and Yobe and that in some cases the victims were brought in without any of their relatives, leaving the hospital to cater for the victims bills, which he said had drained the hospital’s pulse. He assured the Foundation that the money would be used for the purpose they were given, adding that the resources would be judiciously utilised to cater for the victims.

Friday, August 14, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

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PUBLIC NOTICE KING SOLOMON’S TEMPLE II CATHEDRAL

This is to inform the general public that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Pastor Hephzibah Askia Usoro 2) Mr. Ubong Aniefiok Ekanem 3) Miss Imaobong Sunday Udoh 4) Mr. Udorie David Udom 5) Mrs. Obot Hephzibah Askia

Chairman Secretary

AIM & OBJECTIVES: 1) To preach the gospel of Christ uniting Jews and Christians in Liturgy regularly. 2) To issue ceremonial certificates for baptisms, ordinations and weddings 3) To pay tithes to the holy nation of Israel through diplomatic channels. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Cresent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this publication. SIGNED PASTOR HEPHZIBAH ASKIA Chairman

CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

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CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that henceforth our children’s surnames have changed to NNAEMEZIE for spiritual reasons. Hence they wish to be known as NNAEMEZIE DAVIS CHIMDINDU, NNAEMEZIE ELVIS CHIAGOZIE, NNAEMEZIE COLLINS CHIDUBEM, NNAEMEZIE STEPHNORA KAMSY. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

RADIANT COVENANTED SAINTS ASSEMBLY. This is to inform the General Public that the above named mission has applied for Registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990. TRUSTEES: 1.AIYEDOGBON GODSWONDER TOPE 2.AKANLE JOHN KAYODE 3.TEMITOPE GBEMISOLA ABIGAIL 4.Adewuyi, Oluwatoyin Titilola 5.ARE ADEDEJI BOLADE 6.AJAYI GRACE OLUWATOYIN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1, To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2, To engage in Evangelical outreaches, missions, teaching, prayers and deliverance. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar–General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed O.A IGEH ESQ

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly addressed and known as Miss Fasuyi Funke Hannah, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Alade Funke Hannah. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bello Tooke Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oladipupo Tooke Abosede. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

This is to confirm that the bearer of these names NWAEZIDE WILFRED ODUOMA and NWAEZIDE WILFRED IKEMENOGU. Refers to one and the same person. ALL documents remain valid. General Public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odejide Racheal Funmilayo, now wish to be known and called as Mrs Oyebode Racheal Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Miss Alarima Caroline Feyi, now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Oludo Caroline Feyi. All former documents remain valid, Nigeria Police Force (NPF)and general public should please take note.

Formerly called and addressed as Miss Ogundele Oluwatosin Eunice, now wish to be called and known as Mrs Moses Oluwatosin Eunice. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Olabisi Felicia,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adedoye Olabisi Felicia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dende Sadiyat Eneyamire,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adedokun Precious Eneyamire. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS 1. This is to notify the general public of the loss of original land lease made on 20th March 1977 between Messrs. Dennis Nwatu, Stephen Nnamchi, John Egbo, Jacob Egbo, Nwoke Nnamchi as the Lessor and O.E Okwor as the Lease, with Plan NO. FCO/P302/75 of 1/12/74, which situates at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State. 2. Land Lease made between Messrs. Dennis Nwatu, Stephen Nnamchi, John Egbo, Jacob Egbo Nweke Nnamchi as Lessors and E.O. Okwor as Lease, with Plan No. FCO/P302/75 of 1/12/74situated at Amechi Awkunanaw, Local Government Area of Enugu State. 3. Certificate of occupancy belonging to Mr. Okeke Ene Okwor made on 1st day of January, 1983 at Independence Layout, Enugu with Plan No. EN(A) 503 4. Lease for a term of 99 years between Anambra State Housing Development Corporation and Mr. Okeke Ene Okwor – No. LD16/51/256 dated 17th August, 1982, which situates at No. 4 Dental Avenue, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu. 5. Power of Attorney of Mr. Okeke Ene Okwor signed by Sam Onam and Christian Onam withPlan No. MG/AN 384/81 dated 23rd December, 1981, which situates at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu. 6. Power of Attorney for Mr. Okeke Ene Okwor signed by Uwadigwu Ogbodo, Samuel Nnaji Onam, Edwin Chinedu Ogobodo, Egbo Nwannukwu with Plan No. MG/AN2932/78 date 25/2/78, which situates at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State. 7. Lease from Umuenwene Iji Nike Community for Mr. Okeke Ene Okwor made on 3rd day of June, 1997 with Plot No. ID 10, measuring approximately 9874.239 square meter at Abakaliki Expressway; opposite naira Triangle with Plan No. MG/EN32/97. 8. Lease between Chief Edward Nnaji, Chief Stephen Ugwu, Fidelis Agu, George Ugwu Donatus, Anike Mba and Fabian Nnamani, representing Umuenwene Iji Nike and Okeke Ene Okwor with Plan No. MG. 1434b/76 dated 21st day of December, 1997. All efforts to trace the missing documents have proved abortive, if found please return to the nearest police station Mr. Okeke Ene Okwor.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 14, 2015

FIFA Presidency: Ladipo okays Kalu’s bid

I have weighed all options before acquiring Arturo Vidal and I believe he will come good

Sport

–Bayern Munich Coach, Pep Guardiola

Ahead Tanzania battle:

Oliseh returns on Monday …as NFF appoints Babangida his SA Joel AJAyi ABUJA

Oliseh

he Special Assistant to newly appointed Super Eagles Coach, Tijani Babangida, has confirmed that his boss, Sunday Oliseh, will resume camp on Monday in Abuja, ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on September 5. Babangida disclosed this yesterday, shortly after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed him as SA on Technical Matters to Oliseh. The ex-international who received his appointment letter

at the NFF Secretariat, noted that he was given the appointment because of his closeness to Oliseh. According to him, “I think the job was given to me because of the rapport that exists between me and Oliseh right from our playing days in Eagles to our days in Europe.” He added, “The NFF does not need to see Oliseh to take decisions on some matters if I am around. “I still spoke to Oliseh yesterday morning and he told me to join the rest of the team on Monday morning in camp where the preparations for the Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania

will begin.” Asked about the salary offered to him, Babangida quipped that it was not about money, but the love to serve the country. Also reminded about his other assignments with Taraba FC and as Technical Director with a Malta FC side, he explained that both jobs would not affect his role in Eagles. “I am now a consultant with Taraba FC and they are in the process of appointing a new chairman. The Malta job is very similar to my new role in Taraba,” he explained. Babangida has been responsible for the transfer of several FC Taraba players to Malta

NSC spends N60m on cricket in two years –Yakmut Joel AJAyi ABUJA

irector-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, has disclosed that N60million spent on the game of cricket in the last two years was as a result of desire on the part of the commission to develop the sport in the country.

He also hinted that the NSC would work towards ensuring an autonomous direct allocation to sports federations from Federal Government. Yakmut who disclosed this while speaking at the final of the 2015 edition of the National U-17 Girls’ Cricket Championship at the Abuja National Stadium, said the NSC had never looked down on the sport. “As far as I am concerned,

the National Sports Commission in the last two years has spent over N60m on cricket. So, I don’t know where the complaint is coming from,” he said. The NSC DG added that apart from the robust funding the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has been enjoying, the NSC has also granted over five hectares of land within the Abuja National Stadium to the cricket federation to develop

two international cricket ovals. He, however, warned that his regime will not tolerate mismanagement of funds by sports federations, even as it encourages motivation of athletes. While reiterating the government’s commitment to developing cricket in the country, the NSC boss promised to always engage the NCF in grassroots development.

Yakmut

Sports

Friday, August 14, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

: t c a r t n o C Toffees warn off

Stone’s suitors E

verton Manager, Roberto Martinez, says defender John Stones will not be sold and that Barnsley defender Mason Holgate is not being signed as his replacement. Chelsea has made two bids for the 21-year-old centre-back, the most recent for £25m, but Manager Jose Mourinho shows no signs of giving up his pursuit while Manchester United and Manchester City have also been linked with the England international. But Martinez is determined to hang onto one of his key players and regards the issue as closed. “I have said before that John is not for sale and that is the end of it,” the Italian

Stone

gaffer said yesterday. “Our situation has been very clear from the beginning. We are not a selling club who will lose our best performers. “His performance at the weekend was very strong and for a young man to come up with that leadership is a real sign of what he is as a footballer. “He is very important player for us and we are looking forward to seeing the best of John over the next few seasons, not just the next few weeks.”

NNWL officials set West Ham meeting O fficials of the Nigeria lion talented football playNation Wide League ers across the country. “We appreciate the part(NNWL) and businessman Ifeanyi Ubah left Lagos nership as we believe it will yesterday for London to keep open up our players to the an appointment with officials foreigners for scouting.” of English Premier League club West Ham United. Ubah joined the team in his capacity as Patron of the Nation Wide League. “It is a fact that the NNWL has the largest number of talented players in Nigeria and this partnership with West Ham is bound to be rewarding,” NNWL boss, Ahmed Kawu said. “The NNWL is the manager of grassroots football NFF boss, Amaju in Nigeria with over 12 mil-

Kanemi seeks home return C

hairman of El Kanemi Football Club, Zana Mohammed, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) to allow the team return to Maiduguri as security situation in the North Eastern state stabilises. “We believe that the Boko Haram scourge is no more and I think we should return

Governor Shettima

home now if only to tell the world that Maiduguri is now safe,” Mohammed said. “We have lots of problems playing away from home, especially its financial implication on the management. “On our part, we are willing to do whatever the football bodies ask us in order to guarantee our return home. “I think we strongly believe we are ready to host our marches in Maiduguri.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday, August 14, 2015

FIFA Presidency: Ladipo okays Kalu’s bid P

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu

resident of the Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has said the ambition of former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to vie for FIFA presidency is in order. Ladipo said although the businessman was qualified to contest, he must follow due process before embarking on his campaign. “Kalu can come in as independent candidate but he needs support of the Nigeria Football Federation,” Ladipo said yesterday. “The politics must start from the NFF, up to CAF before going

to the world,” the NFSC boss added. “We all saw how he transformed Enyimba of Aba when he was the Abia governor. He is the right man for the job and he knows the politics well and somebody who is very passionate about football. “If the right thing is done, I will go as far as getting our supporters from other parts of the continent to campaign for him. “This is not a mission impossible, he has all the qualifications. He is a great politician and businessman that can transform FIFA and world football as a whole.”

NNL: Kogi ‘ll avoid relegation –Coach

espite treading on precarious grounds in the Nigeria National League, Kogi United Coach, Fatai Osho, believes his side will not be relegated. United lies seventh on the Group A1 table with 12 points, with three games left to play after losing 1-0 to Yobe Desert Stars in Damaturu on Wednesday. The victory put Yobe, who has an outstanding match against Plateau United, at a better advantage than the Wada Boys among clubs behind the ladder. Osho, who decried his

Osho

strikers’ lack of finesse as being responsible for the loss, said the team would fight all the way. “We were not too clinical in front of goal and that cost us so much. It is hard to explain. But nevertheless, we will keep on fighting till the last day,” the gaffer was quoted by club’s spokesman, Wale Mustapha, as saying, adding, “The most important is to avoid the drop.” Kogi United’s remaining three games in the NNL season are Adamawa United at home, Plateau United away and Jigawa Golden Stars at home.

Jonathan hails GOtv boxing organisers IfeanyI eduzor Confluence Queens pose before Wednesday’s Federation Cup win over Rivers Angels in Enugu

Fed Cup: ‘How Queens dumped out Angels’ afolabI GambarI

oach of Confluence Queens FC of Lokoja, Suleiman Adamu, says the players gave everything they had in Wednesday’s Federation Cup quarter final match to beat Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt 2-1, describing the win as deserved.

“The River Angels are a good side but we played better and deserved the victory,” Adamu said. “This is our first win against them in many years, and we are happy we got the revenge at a time it mattered most,” he added. The coach nicknamed Zico expressed confidence in his team to win the Federation Cup trophy. “To knock out the defending

champions has imposed huge challenge on us and we won’t relent on his effort to get the ultimate prize,” Adamu further said. Angels opened scoring early in the game before Queens leveled and later sealed the famous win. The Queens will travel to Akwa Ibom this weekend to face Ibom Angels as the Nigeria Professional Women Football League continues.

ARS 5: Teams jostle for National Finals Paul erewuba

oys and girls teams drawn from Lagos, Ogun, Ondo Oyo, Edo, Ekiti, Osun and Kwara states have converged on the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos to compete for tickets to the National Finals of the 5th Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 football tournament. The eight state teams will play series of qualifying matches and the male and female teams that emerge champion in the region

will represent the Lagos Region in the National Finals. Last week at Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, male and female Teams from Rivers State won tickets to represent the South region; while the male team from Benue State and a female team from Plateau emerged winners of the Abuja Regional Championship. The Lagos Regional Championship will run from August 13 to 16 when the champion of the region will emerge. Champions from the north,

south and west regions will meet at the National Finals in Lagos to contest for the ARS Season 5 trophy. Ex-Nigeria internationals Jonathan Akpoborie, Mutiu Adepoju, Garba Lawal and Ann Chiejine are serving as technical advisers to the various teams in an effort by the sponsors to deepen the technical expertise of the annual tournament which aims at discovering talented players of secondary school age and providing them with the opportunity to develop into renowned stars.

igerian boxing legend, Dele Jonathan, has expressed appreciation to organisers of “GOtv Boxing Night” for the financial assistance extended to him. Jonathan, who is afflicted with bladder and prostate enlargement and requires surgery, said the organisers demonstrated their willingness to see him live longer in sound health. “I am happy for what “GOtv Boxing Night” has done for me and what it is

doing for boxing. May God bless them and everyone connected to GOtv,” the former boxing champion said. The financial assistance to the ailing Jonathan was announced at the 3rd GOtv Boxing Night on July 26. Promoters of the event, Flykite Productions, dedicated 25 per cent of gate takings to Jonathan, which has since been presented to him. Sponsored by GOtv, the event delivered the biggest ever pay out in Nigerian boxing history with Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi winning the N1million cash prize for the best boxer of the tournament.

Organisers unveil Ikpeazu trophies

ll is set for the presentation of trophies for the maiden Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Football Tournament billed for Lagos tomorrow. Tournament Coordinator, Mr. Oscar Emmanuel, told National Mirror yesterday that theb trophies were donated by the Chief Executive Officer of Sianana Resource Limited, Nwaigwe Solomon Nwaigwe.

“We have concluded arrangement to host the presentation at Boma Kitchen, near Practice Pitch at the National Stadium, Lagos,” Emmanuel, who is a renowned grassroots football promoter in Nigeria, said. “The important thing is that we are committed to staging a tournament befitting of the sports-loving Abia State Governor,” he added.

WORLD RECORD

Fastest sandwich made using feet

Vol. 05 No. 1177

Friday, August 14, 2015

N150

Using just his feet, Rob Williams of Austin, Texas, USA, made a Bologna, cheese and lettuce sandwich, complete with olives on cocktail sticks, in 1 min 57 sec

Boko Haram or product of elite political gluttony?

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan’s acclaimed kids glove handling of Boko Haram insurgency aside, the insurgents’ continuing irreligious siege on the country; their reckless bombings; the pains and deaths they still orchestrate against the innocent, et cetera, have spurred public anger that has refused to go away. Any hint cited as responsible for the farce Boko Haram turned the Jonathan leadership to until the very twilight of that administration, when the nation’s military rose from its slumber, will therefore, be of interest to many. Such insights were given by two retired military chiefs - the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, now retired; and ex-Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, in their individual valedictory addresses when they were ‘pulled out’ from service recently. For-

arcelona great, Hristo Stoichkov, yesterday has urged striker Pedro Rodriguez not to join Manchester United as he feels Manager Louis van Gaal is destroying the English EPL club. The Spain international, who netted Barcelona’s

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) mer National Security Adviser (NSA) to Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retired) also had his story. Badeh’s honest but cheerless qualification of the success the military under him recorded in the fight against terror was that it was modest. He blamed the derisory performance on the exploitation of a serious national security issue by ‘a section of the media and the political class to gain political mileage’; the decision of certain countries to deny Nigeria weapons to prosecute the war against Boko Haram; activities of fifth columnists in the military and other security agencies who leaked operational plans and other sensitive military information to the terrorists; downsized, ill-equipped and poorly trained armed forces; and so on. For Minimah, “the insurgency snowballed into a graver dimension because these people (Nigerian elite) exploited the security challenge to further sectional, religious and political interests”. He also complained of inadequate funding. Dasuki alluded mainly to years of frustration by Western powers that denied Nigeria military equipment and sabotaged her efforts to acquire same from other sources. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has, however, rubbished Badeh’s claim that the Nigerian military under Jonathan failed to defeat terrorism because of lack of weapons. He told ‘Premium Times’ that the former CDS was “looking for excuses”; stressing, in addition, that Jonathan’s administration (including the military hierarchy) was “riddled with corruption”, which, inturn,wasresponsibleforthelackof motivation

THERE MAY BE NO BETTER TIME TO UNEARTH THE WHOLE TRUTH AND FACES

BOKO HARAM THAN NOW, TO AVERT

BEHIND

ANOTHER DOOMSDAY among the soldiers. According to Obasanjo, Jonathan failed to defeat Boko Haram because he perceived its attacks as being orchestrated by Northern Nigeria to stop him from seeking re-election. This again re-echoes the double standards of Nigeria’s dubious elite in the festering Boko Haram mess. Indeed, most Nigeriansbelievethesefaceless elite, inand out of government,wrotetheBokoHaram script, bankrolled and levied the insurgency that followed on the nation. This same elite, whose faces the Jonathan government exposed to no one, it may be rightly argued, are also the major beneficiaries of the self-inflicted conflict, like Badeh, Minimah and Obasanjo have pointed out, though in different ways. One’s guess, therefore, is that the realisation by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of this possibility (elite conspiracy and sabotage that culminated in insurgency); and corrupt self-enrichment by those charged with the management of the crisis, partly prompted reported plans by Buhari to order an investigation into contracts involving the procurement

of weapons for the military under the Jonathan administration. Not to be glossed over, however, was the statement made by Dasuki’s predecessor, the late Gen. Andrew Azazi (rtd), at the South-South Economic Summit held in Asaba, capital of Delta State, early in 2012, that internal power tussle by the leadership of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was a major causative factor in the upsurge of terrorist incidents in the country. The top hierarchy of the PDP ferociously attacked Azazi for allegedly embarrassing the Jonathan government with his remark; and pressed on until the late NSA was booted out of office. Public knowledge, it remains, however, that the PDP primary election that endorsed Jonathan’s candidacy was preceded by acrimonious controversy over whether it was lawful for him to run for the ticket, in the light of the party’s zonal powersharing arrangement, as purportedly enshrined in its constitution. That controversy pitted several powerful northern leaders against Jonathan and his mainly Southern supporters in the PDP caucus; to the point that some aggrieved northern elite publicly threatened to render the country ungovernable if Jonathan got away with his alleged rape of PDP’s constitution. The overt cold treatment they extended to Jonathan’s government on his emergence as President in 2011 suggested they could find in Boko Haram’s fundamentalist agenda a convenient tool for making good their threat to frustrate his presidency. And truly, not only was Jonathan severely distracted by the insurgents; fear, mistrust and divisive instincts had almost torn the country to shreds before Buhari’s emergence. Now, Buhari seems more focussed on the symptoms, namely: defeating insurgency and possibly fishing out and punishing the elite that corruptly exploited the strife for personal gains. No serious mention is being made of ludicrous elite political corruption, which is the root of the problem. Tackling the symptoms of the security breach in the country is a good bargain. But what happens to the root cause? When will Nigerians be shown the faces of the big masquerades behind the carnage? There may be no better time to unearth the whole truth and faces behind Boko Haram than now, to avert another doomsday.

Sport Extra Stay back in Barca, Stoichkov warns Pedro winning goal in a nine-goal UEFA Super Cup match with Sevilaa in Tbilisi on Tuesday, is a transfer target for United but Stoichkov feels he would be better off staying with the Spanish champion.

Stoichkov barely featured under Van Gaal when the pair worked together at the Nou Camp and he was sold by the Dutchman in 1998, bringing an end to his second spell with the club. “Van Gaal is mediocre.

He destroyed Barca and is destroying Manchester United,” the former Bulgaria international said. “With what Van Gaal did to goalkeeper Victor Valdes, it will serve Pedro well if he stays back in Spain,”

Stoichkov added. Barcelona Coach, Luis Enrique, has hinted Pedro’s future would be sorted out soon when he was asked about the transfer before Tuesday’s Super Cup game.

Pedro

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