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Ohanaeze frowns at Buhari’s lopsided appointments

Hajj stampede: All Nigerian pilgrims will be accounted for –Tambuwal

…says it may lead to agitation CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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hanaeze Ndigbo yesterday frowned at the lopsided appointments of President Muham-

Friday, October 2, 2015

madu Buhari’s administration, saying if such is not corrected it could lead to agitation that

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Nigeria @ 55

OBJ, IBB, Jonathan shun anniversary Nigeria not doing badly –Obasanjo

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ROTIMI FADEYI AND FEMI OYEWESO

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday led former leaders as well as leadership of the National Assembly and the judiciary to mark the 55th Independence anniversary inside the Presidential Villa. However, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were conspicuously absent at the event. Former military PresiCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

NUT decries over misapplication of bailout funds by governors P.5

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekweme, at the Presidential change of Guards to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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dent, Ibrahim Babangida and ex-Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar also stayed away from the celebration. Embattled Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, who is at present standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, over alleged false assets declaration, was among top government officials at the event. The independence anniversary was an opportunity for Saraki to meet Buhari for the first time

since he moved into the Presidential Villa after his inauguration on May 29. This would be the fifth time the independence anniversary would be taking place inside the Presidential Villa since 2010 when there was a twin car bomb blast near the Eagle Square during the 50th independence anniversary under the administration of Jonathan. Since the bomb incident in which 12 people died and many others were injured, Jonathan moved the anniversary celebration to the

fortified Presidential Villa. At yesterday’s celebration, Buhari and other dignitaries witnessed commemorative Presidential Change of Guards Parade at the forecourt of the Villa. The parade, which lasted for about two hours was a military event conducted by two battalions of the Presidential Guards Brigade made up of the 177 Battalion based in Keffi and the Seventh Guards Battalion located in Abuja. The parade commenced with the arrival of Buhari

at about 10.04a.m. and witnessed inspection of new guards/quarter guards, silent drill, posting of sentries/colour patrol and echelon reporting of parade, among other military practice. It was concluded with a 21-gun salute after which Buhari signed the anniversary register, flanked by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as the leadership of the National Assembly, the judiciary, Service Chiefs and other government officials. The President later re-

leased pigeons which symbolises peace and also cut the anniversary cake to round off the event. He did not make any speech. Speaking on the significance of the ceremony, Saraki expressed confidence that the future of the country was very bright. “I am hopeful and confident that the future is very bright. In next few years, things will be even better. “It will not be business as usual. We will ensure that the National Assembly will be people-oriented and will make laws that

Soldiers marching during the Presidential Change of Guards to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration in Abuja, yesterday.

Ohanaeze frowns at Buhari’s lopsided appointments CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

would not be in the interest of the nation. The Igbo apex organisation also warned police authorities to release all members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, held in various police cells across the country, particularly those detained by Imo State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, on assumption of duty in the state last month. At an event to celebrate Igbo Day and honour past and present heroes in Owerri, Imo State capital, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Imo, Ambassador Akpelu Azunna, noted that

inasmuch as the organisation supports President Buhari’s government, “we frown at his appointments because they are lopsided.” He said such appointments should be balanced because Nigeria is standing on a tripod, adding that any appointment that excludes any leg of the tripod is not good for the nation. “We expect Buhari in any further appointment in future, to look more on the side of Ndigbo because Ndigbo gave him more than 25 per cent votes.” Azunna contended that without the Igbo nobody can win election in Nigeria, adding that the zone should be considered for juicy positions

to compensate for the sacrifices they made in the election that brought Buhari to power. According to him, now that the nation is celebrating its 55th birthday, Ohanaeze as a non-partisan and non-sectarian body, supports one Nigeria but it should be one Nigeria that gives equal rights to all and sundry. On the detention of MASSOB members, he urged the police authorities to set free those arrested for speaking their minds or asking for their rights without any condition attached for such release. He, however, advised those agitating for their rights to do so within the ambit of the consti-

tution. “Anybody that wants to agitate should do so within the ambit of the law. Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not against agitation, but it should be within the law and those arrested for agitating for what they feel is due them should be released immediately as Nigeria has major problem of Boko Haram to contain.” Azunna also advised the government not to give room for agitations particularly when giving appointments, sharing of resources and siting developmental projects across the country, as these could give room for protests, especially where they are not evenly distrib-

uted. He used the occasion to announce that every December 29 Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State chapter, would showcase to the world all cultural values of Njirimarandigbo. He appealed to every Igbo son and daughter to work hard in any place they find themselves to promote Igbo language, culture, tradition and all core values of Ndigbo, adding that they should portray good character in every area of endeavour. This year’s event, he said, was low-keyed because of the sudden death in a motor accident of the state’s vice president, Dr. Ignatius Chineke.

will make impact on Nigerians,” he added. Speaking in the same vein, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun said the country is now on the path to true greatness. “At 55, we have finally discovered that we are on the wrong road. We have finally moved to the road that leads to progress, hope, employment, prosperity and that will lead to Nigeria, finally attaining that greatness that God destined it for. We are on the way,” he said. Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed also said the nation was on the right path. Present at the event were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of Interim National Government, ING, Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme. Also at the event were Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. former Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya (rtd), members of the National Assembly, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other top government officials. Meanwhile, former President Obasanjo yesterday took a retrospective look at Nigeria’s journey since as an independent state and declared that the country is not faring badly despite her “mistakes and missteps”, when compared with countries of the world which could be described as settled societies. The former president maintained that the country has managed to be dynamic and progressive all these while, stressing that 55 years in the life of a nation is still relatively young. Obasanjo, who spoke with journalists at his Presidential Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital as part of his independence anniversary message, however, solicited the supports of every stakeholder in the Nigeria project towards ensuring that the country attains its full potentials. The former president charged all citizens to be prepared and willing to learn from past mistakes, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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The 55th anniversary cake. L-R: Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Nike Oduwole; Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Jaji; Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule and Hon. Folajimi Lai Mohammed, at Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration, in Lagos. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

A cross-section of Paramilitary Organisations at Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration in Yenagoa, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN Members of the Fire Safety Club at the parade during Independent celebration in Lagos.

Pupils and adults react as they found Adamansingba Stadium locked during Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration, which was cancelled by the state government, in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa and representative of the governor, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo (left) speaking during a solidarity visit by National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter, as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence in Yenagoa.

Pupils of China Town Primary School marching during Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration in Enugu, yesterday.

Students of Queen Amina College at Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary Parade, in Kaduna

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NUT worried over misapplication of bailout funds by govs REGINA OTOKPA

igerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has expressed displeasure over alleged misapplication of bailout funds recently given to some indebted states in the country. NUT General Secretary, Ikpe Obong, alleged that governors of most of the affected states were channeling the bailout funds, which runs into several billions of naira to other projects, other than what it was specifically meant for. According to Obong, some governors actually use the funds to serve as collaterals to borrow more monies from banks. He said this at a forum to intimate participants of the lineup of activities for the 2015 World Teachers’ Day slated for October 5. “We cannot hide our reservation at the disposition of government to issues affecting the welfare and well being of teachers in the country. “Some state governments are already diverting the bailout fund approved by the Federal Government to pay workers salaries. The affected states are rather interested in investing the funds on areas that will boost their financial profile,” he said. It would be recalled that the Federal Government had at the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration directed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to offer bailout to about 19 states to enable them settle staff salaries. The list of states which benefited from the gesture included, Abia (N14.15bn), Kwara (N4.32bn), Zamfara (N10.02bn), Osun (N34.98bn), Niger (N4.31bn), Bauchi (N8.6bn), Gombe (N16.46bn), Adamawa (N2.38bn), Ondo (N14.69bn) and Kebbi (N690m). Other states are Ekiti (N9.6bn), Imo (N26.8bn), Ebonyi (N4.1bn), Plateau (N5.4bn), Nasarawa (N8.3bn), Sokoto (N10.1bn), Edo (N3.2bn) and Oyo (N26.6bn).

NUT also said if government meant well for the welfare of teachers, it would not be out of place to establish a separate regulatory body to be called National Education Labour Relations Council, NELRC, to resolve industrial disputes before it snowballs into bigger problems for the sector. He said: “The council, if truly established would interface with grieving workers and properly dispense industrial matters reported by teachers to ensure stability in the sector. “All the relevant bodies will be component representatives of that council and we call it the national education labour relations council. “It will cut across primary to tertiary. Something similar to what we have now, the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council 1, 2, and 3; and you know teachers do not belong to any of them so give us NELRC and we will appreciate it.” Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Hindatu Abdulahi, said the Federal Government was focused on equipping teachers with the required skills, knowledge and competence to meet the varied needs of the 21st century learner. She noted that the education sector has been undergoing reforms to enable it respond appropriately to competing global challenges, stressing that theme of the 2015 Teachers Day, which is “Empowering Teachers, Building Societies” was in line with efforts to reposition the sector Meanwhile, Federal Government has disclosed its intention to ensure that only qualified teachers are in the profession. Making the disclosure during a press briefing in commemoration of the World Teachers’ day in Abuja, the acting Permanent Secretary noted that presently people without the National Certificate in Education, NCE, which is the minimum benchmark for teaching, are in the profession.

She said this category of people, who are not qualified to teach, are giving bad name to good teachers in the profession. She said the main problem in the sector was the shortage of professionally qualified teachers and the challenging teaching environment. “The fundamental constraint to expansion of access in the country

is the shortage of professionally qualified teachers and the challenging circumstances in which most teachers perform their duties “The theme for this year’s celebration, “Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies” is apt and timely as it is in line with the effort the ministry is making to reposition the education sector to meet our

national aspiration. “It is vital to state at this juncture that the ministry’s plan to hold a Summit on teachers has not been jettisoned. “Among others, the summit would focus on the implementation of the Teachers’ Salary Structure, TSS, the challenges associated with their career and how to improve the status, remuneration and condi-

tion of service of teachers. “The issue relating to the professionalisation of teachers would be reviewed to ascertain the progress recorded so far and what needs to be done to ensure that only professionally qualified, competent and efficient individuals are in the noble profession,” Abdulahi said.

L-R: IG Solomon Arase; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen TY Buratai; Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.- Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe, at the Presidential Change of Guards to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

OBJ, IBB, Jonathan shun anniversary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

while core national values should also not be eroded to enable the real growth and progress become manifest. He noted that Nigeria is now well positioned with the administration of President Buhari for both recognition and active participation in global politics in manner that would likely elicit positive attention from the international community. Obasanjo emphasised that feelers from the world leaders and statesmen during the recently concluded UN Summit clearly indicated that the administration of President Buhari has succeeded in placing Nigeria on a strategic position for global politics. He however, recommended that the country must prioritise finding solutions to youth unemployment, education, security, justice, the economy among others with particular focus at eradicating

corruption. He stressed that such has the capacity to destroy every noble things which the country may have achieved in recent time. “Fifty five years in the life of a nation is comparatively young growing and when you look at the life and history of those that you may call settled societies or reasonably matured countries, we are not doing too badly. “They have had missteps just like we are having missteps, they have made mistakes and most of them have learnt from their mistakes, they have been dynamic in the way they have progressed and I believe that we are doing the same thing. “What is important is that certain cardinal pinches, cardinal features of our national live, values, should not be eroded. And then we should also be willing to learn from our mistakes. “The President in his

statement said Nigeria has the marks in making the potentialities of a great nation. It is just a question of actualising our potentialities and that will require all hands on deck; men, women, Muslims, Christians, young and old, irrespective of our location, our tribe, our social standing, Nigeria needs all hands on deck. “And we must also realise important issues that we must not play with, we must not play with the issue of education, we must not play with the issue of health for our people. “We must not play with the issue of employment for our teeming population particularly for our youths, we must not play with the issue of economy, we must not play with the issue of security, peace and justice. Justice and peace go hand in hand, we can’t have injustice and expect peace to reign supreme. “These are some of the

things, and then of course, corruption must not have a resting place within our society, we must kick corruption out because it destroys almost everything. “I am not talking about corruption of money alone but also corruption of attitude, nepotism, favouritism, they are corruption in different form and all aspect of corruption must be kicked out of our society,” he said. On the recent UN summit, Obasanjo noted that feelers he got revealed that world leaders and statesmen are well disposed towards President Buhari and Nigeria. He noted that the UN aside helping to relatively stabilise the world by preventing a major war or another world war from erupting since the end of WW2, has also become a veritable avenue for the world to come together to deliberate on issues of common or regional interest.

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NGF charges Nigerians to shun divisive tendency Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

igeria Governors` Forum, NGF, has called on Nigerians to always prioritise national interest in all their dealings and to shun divisive tendency at all times as the country marks her 55th Independence anniversary. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, in his Independence massage to the nation, also charged Nigerians to exhibit actions that promote democratic ideals and peaceful co-existence at all levels of government in the country. Yari said the independence anniversary should remind Nigerians of their common root and destiny as well as her resilience and determination to sucCHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunedina Oluwafunmilayo Adepero now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Solarin Oluwafunmilayo Adepero. All former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

ceed in spite of obvious challenges. He charged Nigerians to see themselves as change agents wherever they find themselves and to join hands with government at all levels to enthrone the desired change. Yari maintained that government alone cannot bring about change and development in the country. He congratulated the citizens for the country` achievements since independence and prayed Allah to continue to preserve the nation and make her relevant among the committee of nations. Yari commended the military for the success recorded in the fight against insurgency in the North East particularly and charged those behind the act to shield their swords. He assured that governors as major stakeholders would on their part continue to ensure the delivery of true democracy dividends to the people and work towards the advancement of the nation always.

L-R: Head, Legal Department, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale; Members, National Council, NSE, Mr. Oladipo Aina; Alhaji Umoru Kwairanga; Mr. Oluwole Abegunde; President, National Council, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede CON; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON; Member, National Council, NSE, Mr. Dunama Balami and Head, Legal and Regulation Division, NSE Ms. Tinuade Awe celebrating Nigeria at 55.

94 accidents recorded during Sallah –FRSC

Olusegun Koiki

ederal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has blamed over-loading of vehicles and violation of speed limit devices by drivers for the massive road accidents experienced in the last Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the country.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT IN THE LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT LAGOS

SUIT NO: FHC/L/CP/311/2015

IN THE MATTER OF LEVERAGE HOME SAVINGS AND LOANS LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) AND IN THE MATTER OF BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ACT (BOFIA) AND COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT AND IN RE: LEVERAGE HOME SAVING AND LOANS LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION)

ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION Notice is hereby given that a Petition for the window Up of the above-name company by the Federal High Court holden at Lagos was on the 4th day of June 2015 presented to the said court by NIGERIA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION of plot 447/448, Central Business District, Constitution Avenue, Abuja. And that the said petition is directed to be advertised and set down for mention before the court sitting on Lagos 12th October 2015. And any contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose the making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing in person or by his Counsel for that purpose, and a copy of the petition will be furnished by the undersigned to any creditor contributory of the said company requiring such copy on payment of the regulated charge for the same. Dated this 16th August 2015

Babatunde OGALA Esq. Adebisi oridate Esq. BABATUNDE OGALA & CO. Petitioner/ Applicant Solicitors 4th Floor Northwing Daily Times Building 3/7, Kakawa Street, Lagos. Tel; 08055238554; 07027951244; 08034298726; E-mail beekaylaw@gmail.com NOTE:Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send post to the above-named, a notice in writing of his intention to do so. The notice must state the name and address of the firm and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their Counsel (if any). Such must be served, or if posted must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above named not later than 48 hours before the date the petition is set for mention in court.

The FRSC in its statistics said during the period there were 94 road traffic crashes involving 767 people, 44 deaths and 411 casualties. Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, in a statement said another 312 people were rescued without injuries during the period. Kazeem said reports from fields of operation indicated that the corps also recorded 9,045 offences, apprehended over 8,004 offenders, while 4,518 vehicles were impounded. He added further that 671 offenders were arraigned before the FRSC mobile courts, 619 convicted, and 51 offenders discharged and acquitted nationwide, while one person was im-

prisoned. The statement quoted t Chief Executive of FRSC, Engr. Boboye Oyeyemi, as saying the nationwide Sallah Special Patrol was specifically aimed at ensuring free flow of traffic, clearing of road obstructions, and stemming road traffic crashes along major corridors. He added, “Ensuring the safety of travellers on Nigerian roads is central to the campaigns of FRSC through its patrol activities and public enlightenment programmes; it becomes even more compelling and highly imperative to amplify such programmes of action during festive periods when members of the corps embark

on a Special Patrol campaign to reduce carnages on Nigerian roads.” The corps embarked on a full-scale enforcement to curb dangerous driving, dangerous overtaking, use of phone while driving, speed limit violation, overloading, lane indiscipline, route violations, unlatched containers, and public enlightenment and traffic control. Kazeem stressed that based on the trend above, Oyeyemi had encouraged all officers and men in the field commands to renew their commitment and focus on ensuring that the corps delivered on its mandate of reducing road traffic crashes by 20 per cent at the turn of the year.

Hajj stampede: Nigerian pilgrims’ll be accounted for –Tambuwal

overnor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State yesterday said all Nigerians who went to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage would be accounted for. This, the governor assured, would be ensured despite the twin tragedies of the crane crash and stampede that befell the Hajj. Tambuwal gave the assurance when he visited families of those affected by the tragedy in Sokoto. A statement issued by Imam Imam, the governor’s spokesman in Sokoto, noted that “Hajj officials are working round the clock to ensure that all victims were properly identi-

fied and documented. “The areas affected in Sokoto State include Illela, Binji and Wamakko local government areas.” Addressing the families during a stop in Jamali village of Binji Local Government Area, Tambuwal said government was still collating the number of pilgrims who died, suffered injuries or are missing. He announced that as soon as the collation was done, government would assist the families in the best way possible. The governor appealed to the people to exercise more patience, adding that many of those earlier thought to have died had

been seen receiving treatment in hospitals in Saudi Arabia. He announced that on October 2 the state government would organise special prayers for victims and their families. He said: “As Muslims, we are encouraged to have faith in God at all times, especially in difficult times. “We will organise prayers for our country men and women for God to heal the injured, bless the dead and bring the missing ones back to us in good health.” Other communities visited include Gidan Hamma, Binji and Wamakko.

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Police officers petition PSC

Students of Army Children Senior High School during Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Over-billing: We’re complying with FG’s refund order –Abuja DISCO

buja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, said it has complied with a Federal Government’s directive to refund money to its consumers in the Federal Capital Territory for over-billing them. Managing Director of AEDC, Mr. Neil Croucher, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja yesterday. Croucher, who could not immediately tell how much had been refunded so far or the number of customers affected, said the process was ongoing. NAN recalls that chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, recently told the Senate that the commission ordered the refund after series of complaints from AEDC customers. Croucher noted that the issue of over-billing was a legacy problem, which the

company is currently working hard to address. “On the issue of bills not reflecting the amount of electricity consumed or customers pay and is not reflecting; this is one of the problems we inherited with the old billing system. “That is why we have spent a lot of time and money in installing a new billing system that is centralised. It will soon be a thing of the past. “But if any customer has a complaint he can come to us. We have teams in the field that will go and investigate. “If in that process we identify that we have been over-charging, we will correct it,” he said. The AEDC boss said in the course of the ongoing adjustments in the company’s billing system, many customers had also been found to be undercharged. He cited the case of a customer who was being billed for 60 kilowatts per

hour when he was actually consuming 100 kilowatts per hour. He said all the anomalies were being corrected in the ongoing clean up of the company’s customer data base. Croucher said the issue of communities providing transformers and other power distribution facilities is abnormal, adding that it is part of the under-investment problems in the sector. “In a normal situation it should not be so, but we have not normalised the sector. I have told you about the decades of under-investment in the sector. “Now, the country is able to generate only about 4,000MW for over 140 million people. To get to a point where all these communities are electrified will cost billions of dollars. “Clearly, that can’t come overnight. In the short-term, we welcome communities who are prepared to assist; then we can get that infra-

structure quicker than we might otherwise be able to do. “I think it is a valid point about the need to compensate communities which make a direct contribution, and we should look at how to address such circumstances.” The managing director also said that distribution account for only 25 per cent of the cost of electricity used by customers. According to him, the balance of 75 per is from generation, transmission and regulation. “We must recognise that 75 per cent of the cost of every kilowatt of electricity has nothing do with the distribution bill; it’s from generation and transmission. “So, we only deal at that 25 per cent level, and if customers make a contribution towards that very last mile it is only a fraction of the overall cost of electricity they consume,” he added.

Nigerian Army organises medical outreach 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, yesterday began a medical outreach to test the citizens of its operational area for lifestyle diseases. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the exercise was inaugurated in Abakpa Nike, Enugu, with hundreds of residents queuing to be tested. Acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, of

the division, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Atahiru, said the outreach was organised to bring the division closer to the people. Atahiru said the diseases tested for include diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, among others. He said the exercise was a directive from the army headquarters, adding that it would be con-

ducted monthly in different areas of the division. The GOC said the exercise is part of the civic responsibilities of the army and that the division would conduct it in various parts of the South East and South South geopolitical zones. He also said the division has constructed boreholes in some communi-

ties as part of its civic responsibilities. Responding, the traditional ruler of Abakpa Nike, Igwe Julius Nnaji, said the exercise would bring the army closer to the people. Nnaji said his community would continue to collaborate with the division for the development of the area.

ome senior police officers, who complained over the promotion of their juniors ahead of them a few months ago, have petitioned the Police Service Commission, PSC, to address the anomaly. In a letter signed by Oludare Falana Esq, on behalf of Falana & Falana Chambers, and dated September 22, 2015, a copy of which was given to journalists, the officers complained that they were ‘fraudulently’ cheated out of promotion for no just reason. Trouble started, according to them, sometimes in 2000, when the Nigeria Police organised an induction course for confirmed Inspectors of Police for six weeks. They said that Inspectors who were not confirmed on the rank were excluded in the exercise with an indication that they would participate in Rank/File ASP promotion course that was to come up later that year (2000). At the time the course was organised, they said, the PSC was yet to be inaugurated by the President. “After the six weeks’ induction was rounded off on June 30, 2000, officers who were the participant in that course were informed to hold on, pending the inauguration of the PSC for ratification, which also applies to all commissioned ranks in the Nigeria Police. “Thereafter, to our utter dismay, when the President eventually inaugurated the PSC, the list containing our names was not forwarded to the commission for ratification. “Rather, our names were brought out in a departmental selection board, DSB promotion, a promotion not based on educational qualification or training, thus surreptitiously making it appear that there was no induction course at all in order to pave the way for Course 20/2000 Officers to become our seniors in police ranking. “Every effort by us to draw this to the attention the police authorities was often thwarted by ‘interested persons.’ “However, the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, on the prompting of former IGP Musiliu Smith, set up a panel to look into this allegation under the chairmanship of

CP. Samson Wuda (rtd). “When the fraud was uncovered, he consequently wrote to the commission to correct the anomaly. Furthermore, when Mr. Parry Osayande (D.I.G., rtd) became the chairman of the PSC, the complaint was laid bare before him and the commission, at a plenary arrived at a decision that we should be given the promotion date of January 1, 2008, while the officers who were disqualified from writing the induction course with us should be given promotion date of March 1, 2008. “This was in order to reflect that we are the seniors in terms of ranking, which had been the position of things till about August 2015. “Again, to our chagrin, the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sulaimon Abba, around August 2015, surreptitiously removed our names and substituted them with those of the officers who were disqualified from writing the induction course with us (Course 20/2000). “This made them our senior in the police ranking and hierarchy, without any justification howsoever,” the petition stated. Meanwhile, the officers also said the Commandant of the Police Staff College, DIG Florence Adebanjo (rtd), who coordinated the two courses (i.e. induction course and Course 20/2000), was aware of this anomaly and that she did a memo to the appropriate authority, asking that it be corrected to no avail. “It is stating the obvious that, in the Nigeria Police and indeed the public service, induction courses are senior to both training and promotion courses. “Induction course is merely ceremonial as participants are already officers, only to be inducted into their new cadre. “On the premises of the foregoing, we urge you to use your good offices to cause a detailed investigation into our clients’ allegation with a view to correcting the anomaly and injustice meted to them.” The Falana chambers to which the petition was channeled, said their clients’ are willing to shed more light on the issue with supporting documents, should it be necessary.

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Council poll: Ekiti APC heads for court over SIEC’s composition ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

L-R: Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria, Mallam Bature Masari; Oyo State Executive Secretary, Investments Promotion, Mr. Yinka Fatoki and Zonal Coordinator, SMEDAN, Mr. Ogundeji Gbenga, during a courtesy visit to his office, recently.

Lagos task force seizes 814 motocycles in Sept FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State government, through its Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Unit, has confirmed that more than 814 motorcycles were impounded in Lagos in September. Chairman, Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Unit, Supol Olubukola Abe, who disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on activities of the agency since he assumed duty, said the seized motorcycles have been deployed to various crushing plants in the

state. Abe said the decision to crush the bikes became necessary in order not to allow them to find their way back to the roads. He explained that in the last four months the number of commercial motorcycles otherwise known as ‘okada’ seized by the unit for violating Lagos Traffic Law has been on the rise. He said 146 were impounded in June, 278 in July and 484 in August. Abe noted that complaints from members of the public in recent times over various criminal acts being perpetrated by okada riders further in-

formed the enforcement. The task force boss said on assumption of office, he convened a stakeholders’ meeting with the leaders of various okada and tricycle operators popularly called ‘Marwa’ on the need to impress it on their members to comply with the state’s traffic law or face the consequences according to the law. The seized motorcycles, he explained, are being taken to the Ojota crushing plants where they are crushed and recycled into metal by-products. “Any seized motorcycle is as good as gone for good in Lagos. This agency will not treat the law with lev-

ity, but enforce it to the latter,” Abe vowed. He expressed the determination of the agency to rid the state of all forms of environmental nuisances responsible for traffic gridlock in the metropolis, especially the okada menace. Abe, however, said the activities of his men are being guided and conducted in line with best global practices, adding that in their firmness, they are also civil. According to him, matters outside the jurisdiction of the task force brought before it are quickly referred to the police and other government agencies.

Primary school, LG retirees receive bonds certificates in Osun BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

sun State government has issued N1.47 billion bond certificates to 188 retirees in primary schools and local government councils under the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state. Presenting the certificates to beneficiaries of the scheme at an event held at Local Government Service Commission Multipurpose Hall, Osun State secretariat, Abere, Governor Rauf Aregbesola assured that better days were on the way for pensioners in the state. The beneficiaries are the second batch, who received the bonds certifi-

cate under the Contributory Pension Scheme. The state government had earlier given N593 million bond certificates in December 2014 under the first batch of the scheme. Represented by Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye, Aregbesola assured the retirees that his administration would remit all deductions to the appropriate quarters. He debunked insinuations in some quarters that his administration had diverted the bailout funds, saying “it is unfortunate for a very tiny section of the retirees to politicise the affairs of the group and play into the hands of the opposition.” The governor also noted that his admin-

istration has increased the monthly pension from N200 million in 2010 to N520 million in 2013, adding that “though, we had started lagging behind in 2014 on pension payment, we still committed N4.9 billion to pensions.” He also stressed that his administration has implemented 140 per cent increase in pension, promising that efforts are on to implement the upgrading of all pensioners earning below N10,000 as soon as the finances of the state improve. In his welcome address, the permanent secretary, Bureau of Local Government Staff Pension, Mr. Kayode Aliu Afolabi, noted that the Contributory Pension Scheme since it

commenced in Osun State in 2010, has witnessed some positive developments. He said the state was not only among the few states in the federation that have fully implemented the scheme, it was actually the second in the South West geo-political zone to have done so. He however urged the beneficiaries to make use of the knowledge acquired during the preretirement workshop organised for them. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dr. Busirat Ogundipe, expressed appreciation to Governor Aregbesola for fulfilling his promise, urging the governor not to be deterred by the opposition’s allegations.

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State has dragged the governor and the State’s Independent Electoral Commission, EKSIEC, to court over composition of the electoral body. The party alleged that members of the electoral body as constituted by the governor comprised card-carrying Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members, saying such an action was illegal and an invitation to chaos. A statement by APC state publicity secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said while the party was ready to participate in the local government elections, due process must be followed in the composition of the state’s electoral body. Olatunbosun, who alleged that the six members of EKSIEC headed by Justice Kayode Bamisile (rtd) are PDP members, added that the members are friends and business associates of the governor. According to the APC spokesman, the party, in a suit filed by its counsel, Abiodun Fasakin and Tajudeen Akingbolu, stated that the composition of the electoral body contradicts the constitutional requirement for a non-partisan electoral body that could organise credible elections that

would be acceptable to all contesting parties. However, the EKSIEC chairman had told journalists last week that neither he nor any member of the electoral body is a card-carrying member of any political party, challenging anybody that had contrary claim to come forward with it. Justice Bamisile, who said there was no pending litigation against EKSIEC, said the body is free to conduct the election slated for December 19 as the five-year tenure of the last commission which was challenged had expired. The APC joined the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice and the state House of Assembly in the suit as co-defendants. According to the APC spokesman, in the originating summons before the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, the defendants are to appear before the court within seven days after service of the summons on them. Among others, the party wants the court to determine whether a member of a registered political party, which party is having interest in a pending election to local councils, is eligible to be appointed as member(s) and/or chairman of the electoral body for the purpose of conducting local council elections in Ekiti State.

Assembly committee to screen Lagos cabinet nominees

agos State House of Assembly is set to conduct screening of nominees for commissioners and special advisers sent to it for approval by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Chairman of the adhoc committee set up by the House for the screening exercise, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, who spoke on the procedure for the screening exercise, which will commence on October 5, said the House, in setting up the committee, is exercising its constitutional power as provided for in Section 103 (1) of the Constitu-

tion. Eshinlokun-Sanni, who is also Deputy Speaker, stated further that Section 192(4) prescribes that, “no person shall be appointed as Commissioner of the Government of a State unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Assembly of a state.” According to him, to scale the screening process, each nominee is expected to present his or her original academic certificates which will not only be sighted by members of the committee but also verified by the Directorate of State Security, DSS.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, October 2, 2015

NAHCO promotes 390 workers after talks with unions OLUSEGUN KOIKI

o fewer than 390 staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO Plc, have been promoted in the past one week after several interactions with the industry unions. Those promoted were due for elevation since the past eight years, but were denied promotion due to hitches in the system. The industry unions, National Union Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, had kicked against the planned retrenchment of some workers in NAHCO some few weeks ago and called for promotion of the workers who they argued had served the ground handling company well over the years. General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, confirmed the promotion of over 390 workers to our correspondent in an interview at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Ikeja, Lagos. Abioye also said the management had agreed with the unions to some percentage increase in salaries and allowances of its entire workforce, but noted that the increase would take effect from the first quarter of 2016. He insisted that its deliberation with NAHCO management yielded pos-

itive results, rather than sack, the workers were promoted. He added that the unions had told those who were inadvertently omitted from the list of those promoted to draw the attention of the management to this. He further stated that the company’s management was currently reorganising its administration, stressing that lots of things had gone wrong in that department over the years, which they attributed to the board of directors. He added, “That’s how we were able to solve our differences with NAHCO management. Nobody is talking about rightsizing in NAHCO again. What they are now doing is reorganising the system because the place has been messed up administratively. “A lot of things that ought to have been done were not done in the company and we are just hearing about this now. In the past, they gave us excuses for not doing the right thing properly because of their board and we have also had the privileges of meeting some people in their board who also told us their own position. “While the company needs to make money, the dividends of these labours should also go to those who created the wealth of the company in the first instance. That’s the more reason people have to be motivated for them to continue to contribute positively to the growth of the company.”

Some Indian community living in Lagos felicitating with Nigeria, during the 55th Independent day anniversary celebration at Police College, Ikeja, in Lagos. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

Staff death: Safety commission seals Chinese company

agos State Safety Commission has shut down operations of Hongxing Steel Company Limited for safety violations. A statement by Lola Jagunmolu, head of press/ public relations unit of the commission, said the stopwork order was done on September 30, when Director General, LSSC, Fouad

Oki and his team went on a fact-finding tour following recent publication in The Punch newspaper of the death of one Emeka Umoh, a casual worker of the company. Oki, at the company’s premises in Amuwo Odofin, where a safety audit was conducted, described the working conditions of the workers as deplorable,

OSOGBO

sun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola says the major challenge confronting the country is lack of selfless leaders to lead the task of nation-building. This was contained in a congratulatory message on the 55th Independence Anniversary of the country issued on behalf of the governor by Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu

Okanlawon. Aregbesola commended Nigerians on the efforts and sacrifices towards building a democratic, just and humane African society and the sustenance of the current democratic process, which so far is the longest in the political history of the country since Independence from Britain in 1960. According to the governor, Nigerians, leaders as well as followers, have the duty to support, sustain and protect this hard won democracy.

ficer, promised to step up safety. A member of staff, who pleaded anonymity, said though the conditions are harsh, they subject themselves to the terrible conditions because they have no alternative. It would be recalled that Umoh was killed by liquefied iron spilled on his body in the company.

Ekiti students protest scrapping of free education ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

tudents in Ekiti State yesterday protested the scrapping of free education by the present administration. The placards-carrying students under the aegis of Federation of Ekiti State Students Union, FESSU, and the National

Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, described the move as attempt to take education out of the reach of the poor. FESSU and NANS leaders spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday when Ekiti students from various campuses staged a protest against what they termed “anti-

Aregbesola blames economic woes on leadership BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA

harsh and totally unacceptable, adding that there was very little safety measure put in place. Public Relations Manager of the company, Uche Eke, said the seal order will serve as a wake-up call to management of the affected firm in the area of putting proper safety measures in place, while Jim, the company’s Safety Of-

He, however, stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is poised to reposition the country and turn around its fortunes. Aregbesola said: “We are in a critical stage in our journey for sustainable democracy. Therefore, we must do everything humanly possible to protect this democratic process, the longest so far in the annals of our political evolution. “Our founding fathers, with sincerity of purpose, fought for a country

where there will be equal opportunities, freedom of expression and association as well as security of life and property. “They fought for a nation where the rule of law would reign supreme and be the dominant guiding doctrine; where true federalism would be the rule rather than exception, thereby giving all federating units the freedom to develop at their own pace.” He thereby expressed the unwavering conviction that Nigeria will still stand tall and become great again.

education policy” in the state. National President of FESSU, Peter Obayemi, lamented that students no longer had access to bursary from the state government, accusing officials of the Scholarship Board of underhand dealings. Obayemi said: “We should let the whole world know that Ekiti State government has neglected students. They organised Education Summit and refused to invite students; instead they invited artisans, okada riders and market women. “We are saying no to privatisation of public schools in Ekiti, we reject all sorts of fees that have been reintroduced in public schools. “Government used to pay WAEC fees for students before, this government says it will no longer pay WAEC fees. We reject all these anti-student and anti-education

policies. “Many students have lost the joy of being admitted to the College of Science and Health Technology, Ijero Ekiti as they were unable to pay the N50,000 acceptance fee before the deadline,” he said. A NANS executive member, Oluwabunmi Aduloju, criticised the Scholarship Board policy that all students of Ekiti origin must travel down to Ado Ekiti to collect their bursaries. Vice president of Ekiti State University, EKSU, Student Union Government, Sunmisola Ogunleye, said the university campus had been in total darkness for 11 months without any action taken by the governor, the Visitor to the University. She explained that there was no light in halls of residence while facilities at the university health centre are “too poor.”

South East

FG, UNICEF partner on basic education enrollment

ederal Government yesterday said it had evolved a new campaign strategy for mass enrollment to enable children to acquire basic education. The new framework will be implemented at all levels through intensive media campaigns and community mobilisation strategies that would increase parents’ demand for education by encouraging their children to obtain basic education. Acting Permanent Secretary in Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Ann Okonkwo, announced this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday shortly after a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna. She spoke through the Deputy Director, Basic Education, Mrs Opeyemi Ariba, that the new campaign strategy would scale up enrollment and retention of children in schools to complete their basic education. Okonkwo, who doubles as Director, Basic and Secondary Education in the minsitry, said the strategy was part of the Federal Government’s effort to tackle the growing rate of out-of- school children in the country. “It is part of government’s commitment to reach all Nigerian children, including the marginalised groups as well as increase access to basic education. “The two-day National Stakeholders’ Workshop was convened to critique and finalise a Draft National Framework for School Enrollment Drive Campaign.`` She said the Federal Government had collaborated with UNICEF to review draft policy framework. According to her, the draft focuses on strategies for effective enrollment drive at national, state, local government and community levels through collaboration with development partners. “The campaign drive will serve as key intervention for increasing education demand as shown by indicators during the pilot programme

in Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Bauchi and Zamfara states. “Despite that primary education is free and compulsory, 8.7 million children of primary school age remain out of school in the country. “When combined with Junior Secondary School, about 10.1 million children aged between five and 15 years are not in school.`` Also, data from the Education For All (EFA) 2015 Global Report show that some 58 million children are still out of school, while about 100 million others do not complete primary education. Okonkwo said reaching out-of-school children would take special effort `` beyond what is typically thought of scaling up``. She said the aim of the framework was to adopt a more systematic approach that would increase opportunities to enroll more children in school. “The strategy will help address the large number of children in the country, who are out of school, through increasing parental demand for education. “The campaign will target positive behavioral change in parents and communities towards education. “The framework provides a guide for effective coordination and implementation of the campaign strategy at each level of government with clearly stated objectives.” Stakeholders, mainly Directors of Social Mobilisation from the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, in 19 selected states of the federation, attended the meeting. Others included officials of the National Commission for Nomadic Education, NCNE, the Federal Ministry of Education, UNICEF and the media. The new draft framework will be presented at the Joint Consultative Committee on Education, JCCE, for approval.

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Umahi clamps down on fake drug dealers Aliuna Godwin Abakaliki

bonyi State Governor Dave Umahi yesterday ordered arrest of all fake drug dealers in the state. Umahi disclosed this while addressing people of the state during the Independence Day celebration of Nigeria at 55 and Ebonyi at 19 held at Abakaliki township stadium. The governor, who said kidnapping now carries capital offence in the state, stressed that he would not hesitate to sign

Umahi

the death warrant of any convicted kidnapper, just as he ordered the immediate demolition of any uncompleted building used to harbour kidnap victim. “I appreciate the effort of the Commissioner of

Police on the challenge of kidnapping of three prominent personalities on her arrival in the state. “We thank God that the kidnappers did not succeed and no ransom was paid. I will not hesitate to sign or approve the prosecution of kidnappers when convicted.” The governor further stated readiness to build a house for every widow in the 171 communities in the 13 local government areas of the state. Umahi added that he would also establish one major market in each local government area “and

complete movement of traders to the Abakaliki international market as quickly as possible.” Chairman on the occasion and former Ebonyi governor, Senator Sam Egwu, advocated for continuation of Umahi for the next seven years to enable him bring greater developmental strides to people of the state. He said past governors, who ruled the state, including himself, ruled for eight years, adding that all plans for Umahi to rule the state for eight years has been perfected.

A cross-section of Medical Officers from 82 Div. Nigerian Army providing free medical care during Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration in Enugu, yesterday.

‘Former Abia governor not booed in Osisioma’ George Oji Abuja

mmediate past Abia State governor, Senator Theodore Orji, has denied being booed in Osisioma Local Government Area. Reacting to a newspaper report that Orji, who represents Abia Central in the Senate, was booed by some people in Osisioma during the burial ceremony of the late husband of Senator Nkechi Nwogu, legislative aide and media adviser to the former governor, Chief Eddie Onwuzuruike, he dismissed the report as fabricated and untrue. In a statement in Abuja, Onwuzuruike set the records straight on what happened on the fateful

day. According to the aide, “to set the records straight, Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, on arrival in Abia State was received by Senator Orji in his residence in the company of Senator M. Ohuabunwa and zoomed off to Abia Government House, office of the incumbent governor, for a courtesy call. “The Deputy Senate President, incumbent governor and Senator T. A. Orji moved to the church funeral service of Dr Roland, husband of Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, where they were happily welcomed with a loud ovation. “There was no murmur or booing of any kind contrary to The Sun’s report. Curiously, this false report

was credited to ‘Our Reporter’ without any name, as is customary with the group when they give false reports like this one on Chief Orji. “If I may ask, was this booing selective when the trio arrived or when the senator made a speech? Senator Orji did not make any speech. Do you boo one who won election or the one who has failed in many attempts? “Come to think of it, Osisioma Local Government gave Senator Orji the highest votes in the last election, which is the mandate he is exercising in the National Assembly today. The press crew of the Senate president and other media bodies were there and did not record such incident except The

Sun Newspaper alone. “The Sun Newspaper, for reasons best known to the publishers, is in the habit of such ceaseless blackmail of Abia people and the person of Senator T. A. Orji in particular. The NUJ and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria should discourage this mode of writing as it is greatly misleading and done in bad faith.”

Senator Orji

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South South

Friday, October 2, 2015

Dickson tasks youths on discipline, hard work

overnor Seriake Dickson yesterday urged youths to imbibe the virtues of discipline, hard work and join hands with the government to build a united, egalitarian and prosperous Bayelsa State. Dickson gave the advice when he received the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter, comprising various voluntary youth organisations in Government House. The governor, represented by Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Hon. Talford Ongolo, enjoined the youth to take their studies seriously, stressing that youths have a vital role to play in nation building as they are the future leaders. According to him, the present administration’s youth-friendly stance informed the development of policies and programmes geared towards nurturing youths to attain their full potential and creating a better future for them. Governor Dickson, who noted that on assumption of office in 2012, the restoration government took steps to address the infrastructural decay in the education sector, said huge investment has been made in the sector to se-

cure a brighter future for the youths. He recounted a number of measures being undertaken to improve the lot of youths in the state as the award of scholarships at various levels, provision of training programmes in the agricultural sector, facelift of educational institutions as well as the building of new infrastructure. Responding to their request for a secretariat and other demands, the governor promised that government would look into them with a view to addressing the issues. Earlier, the chairman of the state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Ekisah Sinkumo, had said the youth council decided to sensitise youths across the state on the need to be disciplined and patriotic. He explained that the youth council is made up of 45 uniformed and non-uniformed voluntary organisations and identified the absence of a secretariat, monthly subvention as some of the challenges facing the council in the state and appealed that the schoolto-land programme be revitalised to accommodate some of the youths who are willing to contribute to the sector.

Pray for Buhari, other leaders, says cleric

enior Pastor, Manna Prayer Ministry, publishers of bestselling Our Daily Manna, ODM, devotional, Dr Chris Kwakpovwe, has said a major challenge confronting the country was lack of selfless leaders to lead the task of nation-building. According to him, this is among factors responsible for the country being in the present straits. He disclosed this yesterday at a press conference to commence a nation-wide Rally/Road Walk to mark the Independence Day in Ogudu, Lagos. “It looks like Nigeria is struggling, but we are praying to God to strengthen our leadership in order to be able to take Nigerians to greater heights.

“God has really blessed this country, and we need people that can really guide this country. That is why we pray that this year, Nigeria can recover from every loss, including insecurity,” said Kwakpovwe who was represented by resident pastor Daniel Egbo. The cleric stated that the event themed: One Nigeria, One ODM, was carried out in line with biblical injunction in Luke 4:18 to make disciples of all men. Similarly, wife of the senior pastor, Rev Ejiro Flora Kwakpovwe, AGO of Manna Mountain Ministry, driver of the campaign, said if every Nigerian could only take ODM seriously and pray with it, Nigeria will be a better country.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel inspecting a Guard of Honour mounted by Nigeria Police Force to commemorate Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Celebration at Uyo Township Stadium, yesterday.

Rivers guber: Wike’s witnesses decline request to read evidence Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

our witnesses called by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, yesterday turned down request to read a documentary evidence before the tribunal. At the resumed hearing yesterday, all the witnesses turned down the request to read the document presented before them by counsel to the petitioner, Akinlolu Olujimi (SAN), during cross

examination on the ground that they were not the makers of the document. The witnesses are Charles Green Obubeleye, a legal practitioner; Rev. Canon Smart Nwankwo, a clergy; Nupag Nene Igonikon, civil servant and Peter Michael, a business man. Counsel to the governor, Okey Wali (SAN), had earlier objected to reading of the documentary evidence and the line of questioning by Chief Olujimi, but the tribunal chairman, Justice Mohammed Ambrosa, overruled the objection, saying that cross-examination

should not be confined to only what the witness said. Igonikon, under crossexamination after being shown exhibit A275/17 said: “I cannot read because it is not my document. All I can say is that the election was peaceful and no issue of ballot box snatching was recorded in my polling unit.” Michael, who said he voted in Ward 9, Unit 12, added that the card reader in his polling unit did not work, saying the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials did not announce the total number of accredited voters.

Chief Dakuku Peterside, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last governorship election in the state, dragged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before the tribunal to challenge the election of Governor Wike of the PDP, who was declared winner of the election by the electoral body. Dakuku and his party in the petition are asking the tribunal to nullify the election of Governor Wike over alleged irregularities. Hearing of the tribunal continues today.

Support Sylva, Bayelsa APC chieftains urges non-indigenes

head of December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, non-indigenes in the state have been urged to vote for Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The call was made in Yenagoa by the Non-indigenes Co-coordinator of APC Youth League, Mr. Chuka

Iloegbunam, during an interactive session of nonindigenes. He reminded them that as registered voters in Bayelsa State, they were stakeholders and could not allow an administration that has destroyed virtually all government institutions to continue. “Our businesses have al-

most collapsed due to lack of patronage, contractors are owing us, our brothers and sisters are already relocating to other states. ``We cannot continue like this. We believe the APC has the sincerity and vision to redeem Bayelsa,” he said. In his remarks, leader of the APC Youth League in

Bayelsa State, Mr. Domor Mienye, thanked the group for its massive support and urged it to use its members’ PVCs in voting out the PDP regime in the state. The leader said Bayelsa people could not afford to allow the incumbent governor to continue to unleash more economic hardship on them.

Group plans expo on industrial development in Anambra

o-coordinator, Concerned Anambrarians for Development, CAFD, Mr. Osita Okeke, has expressed concern over the rate of industrial collapse in Nigeria. Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka yesterday that the unfortunate scenario had crippled the country’s economy. He said the group had, however, planned the sec-

ond Nigeria-Anambra International Business and Product Exhibition in Awka to take place from November 17 to 19 to address issues of industrialisation. Okeke decried the high incidence of failed businesses in Nigeria, saying this has fueled the decision to hold the business expo in Anambra. He said the expo would help to ensure proper exchange of ideas and in-

ternational business best practices to get the people better equipped for explosive industrialisation in the country. According to Okeke, other problems to be addressed at the expo include lack of funds, wrong application or fund diversion that affected the survival and eventual collapse of most industries and organisations. He said others include poor staff welfare scheme,

lack of adequate staff training, poor recruitment procedures and lack of relevant market information. Okeke said notable entrepreneurs from Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong and United States of America have indicated interest to participate in the expo. He urged small and medium enterprises in the country to participate in the venture.

North

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Youths knock Shettima, deplore Saraki’s trial

Peter Ekanem

orth-East youths have disowned the National President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, Usman Shettima, for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari. In a publication recently, Shettima was quoted as carpeting the president for alleged selectiveness in his anticorruption campaign. But North East youths in a statement signed by National President, North-East Youth Peace and Development Initiative, Kyari Abubakar, and made available to

National Mirror yesterday dissociated themselves from Shettima’s comments as leader of AYCF. “We, the entire members of North-East youths under the aegis of North-East Youth Peace, Development and Empowerment Initiative, a socio-cultural and economic pressure group met recently to review the activities of Alhaji Usman Shettima, the self-purported Arewa Youth Leader and hereby state that Alhaji Shettima, the selfacclaimed Arewa Youth Leader, is not known to North-East youths. We completely distance

ourselves from the various statements credited to him in the ongoing anti-corruption war. “He supported and defended previous government and to say that President Muhammadu Buhari is selective in his anti-corruption campaign is most unfortunate,” they said.

Describing such statement as a slur on Northern indigenes, the youths warned Shettima “not to interfere with the good activities of the North East youths who are already achieving greatness in bringing hope, peace and progress to the North-East geo-political

zone besieged by the rampaging Boko-Haram insurgents.” On the docking of Senate President, Bukola Saraki on charges of corruption before the code of conduct tribunal, Abubakar said it should be seen as a transparent process to fight corruption, deter

such further practice and save the soul of the nation. He deplored the condition of the Kwara State strongman, and expressed the hope that the tribunal in its avowed course to determine the truth would temper justice with mercy.

Flood: Benue registers 20,000 IDPs

xecutive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Boniface Ortese, said 20,000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, have been registered in the state. Ortese told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday in Makurdi that the agency had already established seven IDP camps within Makurdi, Guma, Agatu and Buruku local government areas. The camps accommodate citizens whose houses are submerged by water following the overflow of River Benue. He said out of the reg-

istered IDPs, 8,938 persons comprising 6,070 children and 1,369 women were in Makurdi camps. Among the women, 30 are expectant mothers, while 44 are nursing mothers. Others include 1,191 men; 14 physically challenged persons and 43 others. He added that the agency was coping very well with the challenges at the camps. The SEMA boss appealed to NEMA, UNICEF and individuals to assist government to meet the necessary demands of the IDPs.

Masari to slash health workers’ salary

overnor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has said his administration would review downward the salary of health personnel in the state. He said this when he received the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouk, yesterday in Katsina. He added that the salary of health personnel in the state was one of the serious problems of the health sector, noting that the review was based on the current financial situation of the state. The governor said the monthly salary of a qualified medical doctor was N850,000, while a diploma holder from health technology received about N200,000 per month.

He said he was planning to meet with stakeholders in the health sector to discuss the issue, adding that “one has to cut his or her expenditure according to what is in one’s pocket.’’ Masari then announced the state government’s intention to commence the renovation of hospitals in the state, saying three general hospitals would be refurbished in each of the three senatorial zones of the state. The governor said the renovation was based on the deplorable conditions of the hospitals, noting that the selected hospitals would be equipped with necessary medical facilities and personnel.

Buses sent by Borno State Government to evacuate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) from their camp in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa to Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN.

B’Haram: Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI

hristians in Borno State have intensified prayers for peace to return to the North East sub-region of the country and other parts of Nigeria. At a special prayer for the 55th Independence Anniversary celebration conducted by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State chairman, Rev Titus Pona, represented by

lhaji Ibrahim Dahiru, Public Relations Manager, Max Air Ltd., yesterday said the airline had returned 4,000 pilgrims to Nigeria who performed the 2015 Hajj. Dahiru told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kano that the pilgrims were transported back to the country in seven trips, while the eighth flight would take off tonight.

the metro chairman, Rev Bitrus Bdiyah, said Nigeria needs more prayers now from Christians and other faiths to help the nation overcome its challenges. “God has asked us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and our country is our Jerusalem. We have gathered here to pray for our country for God to help our leaders at various level to turn around the situation both in economy and other spheres,” the cleric said yesterday at Ramat Square, Maidu-

guri. Series of prayers were also held for the President, governors, national and state assemblies, judiciary and security agencies. The CAN leader said President Muhammadu Buhari cannot succeed alone without the prayers of the people. He said those who are working or will work with the President must also share the vision of the president to bring positive change into the country, adding that the fear

of God was inevitable in leadership. “The clerics need prayers too to lead people right in the way of God rather than pursuing personal interest,” Bdiyah said. Speaker at the special prayer, Rev. Christopher Twan of Baptist Church in his sermon titled: “Praying and Celebrating our Liberty in Christ,” urged Nigerians to pray to God to release the nation from bondage of those who benefit from the nation’s under-development.

According to him, the airline has made four trips to Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, with Zamfara pilgrims. He also said the airline made one flight each for Katsina and Gombe states’ pilgrims, while the second flight for each of the two states was on its way to Nigeria from the holy land. “We thank God for the

safe journey. “It`s (transportation) going on smoothly as we are getting full support from the various pilgrims welfare boards, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and other stakeholders,’’ he said. He assured all pilgrims that the airline had made adequate arrangement for their return along with their luggage. “I want to assure that

any pilgrim who arrives in the country will go home with his or her luggage,’’ he said. He, however, advised the pilgrims to give the airline the necessary support and cooperation to ensure the success of the exercise. It would be recalled that Max Air Ltd. transported 35,567 pilgrims to the holy land for this year’s Hajj.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Critics of Buhari’s appointments lack objectivity –Inah 14

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Politics

PDP urges Ambode to beware of sycophants Ayo Esan

he Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has counselled Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to eschew propagandists governance and be weary of groups and individuals who now assume sycophants’ roles in his administration. According to the PDP in a release issued and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Barrister Taofik Gani, the governor can only make meaningful progress if he upholds

the tenet of delivering tangible service to the state and not mirage service as presently being felt. This counselling is coming on the heels of a recent rating attributed to a group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, “Asiwaju National Forum”, wherein Ambode was praised for improving the economy of Lagos state. The group went further to berate former governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration. The Lagos state PDP opines that “it is true that Fashola deceived the world on his governance

of Lagos state by using the power of propaganda. Fashola cannot score above 35% mark under an objective and factual rating of his administration, particularly considering the monumental IGR and Federal allocations that were at his disposal. Yet he went borrowing and consequently plunged the state into local and foreign debts of near a trillion Naira whist leaving all his over ambitious projects as uncompleted or beyond the reach of the ordinary Lagosians. Fashola rather adopted corporate and private investors proj-

ects and interventions to flaunt his achievements in the areas of: Security; Modern markets; Schools; Parks; Roads to mention a few. “Fashola did not leave behind any legacy of low cost housing; qualitative education; youth empowerment; well paid civil servants; affordable health care service; to mention a few”, the party said. The PDP however disagrees with the group’s rating of Governor Ambode that he has improved the economy stating that, Lagos state economy has continued to nose dive

with no clear cut bail out policy. “Governor Ambode has rather continued in the habit of borrowing and piling debts on the neck of Lagos tax payers. For instance he has incurred debt of over 38billion naira within his 100 days. This is in spite of an increment in the state monthly IGR to 29 billion”. The PDP therefore challenges the group to specifically mention an evidence to buttress their claim. “Read the group’s statement and you cannot find any specific mention of an area where Ambode has improved from where Fashola left. Things are getting worse. Imagine

after over 100 days in office, Ambode cannot pronounce the reduction in many extortionate policies left behind by Fashola like: the amount paid on collection of Certificate of Occupancy and other building approvals; cost of acquiring the so called housing opportunities; cost of renting shops at otherwise public markets; multiple taxation; cost of using BRT/LAGBUS services; LASU is still in comatose with disrupted lectures and higher prevalence of cultism; Refusal to pay N18,000 minimum wage to civil servants to mention a few”, Lagos PDP said.

Ita-Giwa mourns Onosode

L-R: Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue; State PDP Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor; Hon. Joan Mrakpor; Senator Peter Nwoboshi; Speaker, Delta House of Assembly, Mr Monday Igbuya; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Chief Justice of Delta, Justice Marshal Umokoro, during the cutting of the anniversary cake at Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day celebration in Asaba, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ormer Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita Giwa on Thursday commiserated with the government and people of Delta State, and the Nigerian Baptist Convention on the passing away of their illustrious son and evangelist, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode. Ita- Giwa recalled fond memory of him and his contributions to national development describing him as a colossus in Nigeria’s private sector who also excelled in public service on various occasions. “Mr. Onosode will be long remembered as an

exemplary citizen and leader who made very significant contributions to national development. “I urge his family, friends, associates and other Nigerians to honour his memory by upholding the virtues of integrity, honesty and dedication to service, which he passionately promoted in his long and highly successful career in the private and public sectors”, she said. The Bakassi political leader prayed for the repose of his soul and urged the wife and his children to take solace in the fact that he lived a good life.

Election Tribunal mayhem: CACOL demands arrest , prosecution of perpetrators Ebere Ndukwu

oalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, has demanded the arrest and prosecution of party thugs that allegedly attacked a number of litigants in the premises of the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State recently. The incident occurred on September 29, while the

tribunal was hearing the petition brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the last general elections, Gboyega Isiaka Nasiru, against the incumbent, Governor Ibikunle Amosun. People suspected to be thugs allegedly sponsored by a political party, suddenly stormed the tribunal premises and began attacking personalities and other litigants with dangerous weapons. They

were reported to have invaded the premises in such a large number that forced the policemen on duty to quickly call for reinforcement. In a press statement made available to newsmen by the coalition executive chairman, Comrade Debo Adeniran, the group said it was disturbed at what is gradually becoming a tradition by some overzealous, lawless politicians in our country who continually engage in

what could be described a national embarrassment that tends to diminish our value and dignity as a people. Adeniran said: “By the way, what sort of society are we trying to build or what legacy are we going to bequeath to upcoming generations, when the sanctity of our hallowed chambers of justice is flagrantly desecrated at will by those who have assumed a status of out-laws in our midst? Is ours turn-

ing into an animal kingdom where laws do not exist at all?” Speaking further, he frowned that after the incident nobody has been arrested, alluding similar thing which happened in Ekiti State where nobody was held culpable, as the reason why the scenario repeated itself in Ogun State. He said: “Therefore, in order that this ugly dimension of gross respect for law and justice, and by

extension, for the nation’s sovereignty, is curbed and discouraged, perpetrators and sponsors of this ugly, uncivil and grossly barbaric act in Ogun State, regardless of their social or political status, should be arrested and brought to book, otherwise we might unwittingly be introducing another version of score-settling methods by our politicians. Nothing short of that will be acceptable to law-abiding members of the public.”

Politics

You were one of those founding members of the PDP in Cross River State what informed your decision to quit the party for the All Progressives Congress, APC? I have moved into APC definitely. I had mentioned to you earlier that when I was approached by the APC hierarchy I said they were preaching to an already converted person because instinctively that is where I belong. Instinctively, I don’t belong to PDP. I abhor injustice. Injustice turns good men into evil men. If you cheat me in an election you will see me as a very bad loser because I will protest and take certain actions to let you know that I object to the injustice you have subjected me to. It happened to me when I contested the governorship in 1991, I believe I had a raw deal but was not fairly treated by the leaders of the National Republican Convention, NRC which I belonged to then, they knew they were cheating me. I abhor injustice and that is why I have left PDP. I left PDP because of injustice, impunity, arrogance. Can you imagine a situation where the chairmen of the whole 18 local governments in the state are all PDP members? How did they emerge as candidates? Imposition. 25 members of the House of Assembly are all PDP, through what primaries did they go through? It was all through handpicking. Eight members in the House of Representatives from Cross River State are all PDP, how did they emerge as candidates- imposition. The three members of the senate, all PDP, how did they emergeimposition. We have about 196 councilors in Cross River State, I think about 194 are PDP. All of them who emerged as candidates were imposed. If they had gone through proper primaries and they emerge, well and good, nobody will quarrel. But they gave opportunity for even political weaklings to complain that if they were given a chance to contest primaries they would have won when indeed they would not have won. That is the kind of experience one has in PDP. I am from Yakurr and we have a candidate who stayed in the House of Assembly for eight years, he served in the House of Representatives for eight years, his predecessor in the House of Representatives was again from my own local government. So Yakurr alone, out of the two LGA’s that share that federal constituency, we have gone to the House of Representatives for 16 years. I suggested to the then State governor, Liyel Imoke that this time, the candidate for the House of Representatives should come from Abi local government area which happens to be his own local government area. There is no explanation why Yakurr local government should be in that position for 20 years when the Abi people have not gone there even once, I told the governor but it looked as if he was convinced but at the end he insisted it must be that same person who had been to the House of Representatives for two terms, House of Assembly for two terms. He insisted and he gave no explanation to anybody, not even to me whose confidence he had enjoyed. We were in a party where they think you mean nothing; your opinion doesn’t mean anything. Even when Clement Ebri and I and a former member of the House of Representatives, Obeten Okorn begged him for the position to go to Abi, Imoke still said no. That is the arrogance I am talking about, arrogance of power. You think you owe nobody apology and you expect me to continue in that kind of party? You may say Imoke is no longer the governor but he is still an influential member of the party, so the impunity will still continue. Why should I remain in PDP with all these injustices? So that is why I left PDP. What would you say about appointments made so far by President Buhari? Are the appointments really in line with the principle of federal character? I believe that everything concerning appointments so far is within the competence of the President. For instance, my tea girl in the office must be somebody I trust, nobody will appoint my tea girl for me, for obvious reasons. The person who would work closest to me is somebody I can trust. I have read a lot about the criticism of Buhari’s appointments but I think we lack objectivity in looking at those appointments. If I want to have a driver, he must be somebody I have tried and trusted, otherwise I will just say because of federal character I will appoint my driver from anywhere, a driver I

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Critics of Buhari’s appointments lack objectivity –Inah Chief Wilfred Inah is one time representative of Cross River State in the Federal Character Commission and former Head of Service in the Old Cross River State. Inah who also represented the state as a member of the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference told RICHARD NDOMA that he left PDP for deviating from the ideals and values which the party stood for amongst other issues. Excerpts.

Inah

The opposition party seem to be totally misunderstanding their role as an opposition

party. It looks as if it is criticism for its sake and not constructive criticism do not know. He takes me out, he crashes, I die and that is the end of the story. In old Cross River State, what did we see by the appointment of Secretary to State government? Dr. Clement Isong was governor of this state from 1979-1983, who was his secretary to the government? Dr. I.I Ukpong from his own local government at that time.. Who took over from Dr.Clement Isong? It was Donald Etiebiet from Annang, who was his secretary to government? E.D. Ekpenyong, he brought him in from the federal civil service as a director. What I mean is that the person you know, the person you can trust for those sensitive appointments should be appointed. Buhari has not appointed his ministers, if he appoints them and you find the most powerful ones- internal affairs, he brings a minister from the north, foreign affairs from the north, defense from the north, then you will start saying what is happening to this man. We have not got to that point. Nigerians should be patient. It is too early to judge him. How will you assess President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade’s administration in the last 100 days? In my opinion, President Buhari is meeting the expectations of most Nigerians in very many respects. For people who agree that corruption is responsible for the lack of progress in this country in many areas, people with that view are very satisfied with what is happening in the area of checking corruption. For instance, many say the fear of Buhari is the beginning of wis-

dom, many people are even frightened of the name even when they are not been pursued, they are already trembling. I truly believe that corruption is already been checked by the mere name of Buhari. What the government is doing now is trying to recover what has been stolen and perhaps teach a lesson to those who stole in order to serve as a deterrent to those who would be appointed into political offices and those public servants who are still in the service after having been corrupted by the past administration. In terms of checking corruption, I think Buhari is already doing very well. The sympathetic approach that can be seen in his performance is reflected in the bailout that his government has arranged. Public servants form a very small minority of the population but their happiness contributes sufficiently to the delivery of service by any government, so those who argue that so much money is been spent on a few persons who are public servants are getting it wrong, the Civil and public servants may not be many but they have been employed to help government to deliver on promises. Why does government exist? It is for the welfare of the people and all the problems of government are executed by public servants, so their welfare is very important. I am sure it is in realization of the importance of public servants that the government of Buhari has gone all out to ensure that public servants who are owed salaries and allowances should be paid. Those areas made me to appreciate the effectiveness of the Buhari administration. On the other hand, I feel excited about the administration of Prof. Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross River State, because from his qualification, experience, he doesn’t appear to me to be a frivolous man who would make promises he cannot keep. His name is at stake, I believe that when he says he wants to do this or that, he means business. So far, I don’t think he has disappointed anybody. For instance, taking the 240 km Super Highway, it is clear that the President will come for the ground breaking; even if he does not come, I think he will send a representative. It shows that even at the federal level, people believe he is capable of delivering what he promises to deliver. The other day, I heard he is going to give 30 per cent of appointments to opposition parties, that is very surprising in a Nigerian situation where we are very familiar with winner takes all. That act is going to endear him to the populace and the result of such a decision he has taken will address the level of opposition to his government. If those who are not in PDP have appointment in Ayade’s government, they will be more constructive in their criticisms, their criticism would be more rationale because from what we are seeing at the federal level, the opposition party seem to be totally misunderstanding their role as an opposition party. It looks as if it is criticism for its sake and not constructive criticism. It is shameful that people who brought Nigeria almost to its knees are making so much noise. Cross River state is said to be in debt, don’t you think that the indebtedness is going to slow the process of executing the signature projects which Prof.Ayade had initiated? Those who are going to provide the money for these signature projects are not deaf, they are not blind. Before they commit their money into projects of that magnitude, they would certainly examine the profitability of the projects and the ability of the government to repay. I believe that if those who are suppose to fund CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Friday, October 2, 2015

Critics of Buhari’s appointments lack objectivity –Inah CONTINUED FROM PAGE14 those projects are sound in their thinking, they will think before they get involve in providing funds. Once they commit their funds it means they have done their feasibility because governor Ayade has not said he is going to print the money here in Cross River State and do those projects. He has a business background and I am sure he knows what he is talking about and there are two sides to the assessment of the projects- the side of governor Ayade and the side of the financiers. The business world is not dominated by fools; people assess situations before they commit their funds. I don’t believe that there will be difficulty.

Members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the gubernatorial election rally in Yenegoa, recently

Nigeria has attained political maturity –Dankwambo Williams Attah GOMBE

or successfully conducting a general election and transiting from one civilian administration to another, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State has said that, Nigeria has attained political maturity. He stated this in a goodwill message made avail-

able to newsmen in Gombe yesterday adding that, this year’s Independence Day was unique because Nigerians have reason to celebrate. According to him, “This year’s Independence Day is unique because Nigerians truly have reason to celebrate after decades of trying in vain, our citizens have finally got it right”. He tasked Nigerians to build on the successes at-

tained through peaceful co-existence irrespective of cultural, regional or religious differences. “Now that we have relative peace, thanks to the sustained campaigns by the military, our citizens must shun indolence and seek gainful occupations,” he stated. The Governor also congratulated the people and Government of Gombe State for attaining nine-

teen years of statehood. He said while his administration in Gombe State will continue to create avenues for jobs, it is clear that Government alone cannot shoulder all these responsibilities. “Our people should therefore seek livelihood in both the private and informal sectors of the economy as well. We shall always strive to create an enabling environment for this”, he said.

New administration lacks economy blueprint –Activist Ebere Ndukwu

s Nigeria celebrates its 55th independent anniversary, a human rights activist has bemoan the present circumstance the country has found itself, saying that the present administration of Muhammadu Buhari lacks economic blueprint for the country . In a press statement made available to newsmen, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaima, a member of the opposition group in the country called on All Progressives Congress, APC- led government at the centre to give economy direction to the country and stop mere propaganda. Comrade Sulaiman, who said that at 55 the country must rise and walk, described corruption as the bane of economy

and political crisis facing the country, calling for urgent action from the government at all levels with the cooperation of the Nigeria masses to stamp out the cankerworm out of nations’ system. He frowned that Buhari’s government failed to assert its position on whether to remove the oil subsidy or not. While stressing that there was nothing to celebrate at 55, he said: “Presently, Nigeria’s economy is nothing to write home about, because the present administration of Buhari does not give any meaningful economy direction to the nation. Nigeria people believed that immediately after Buhari was sworn-in, as elected President and Commander-inChief of Armed Forces on May 29, action would commence on redirection of the nation’s economy, but

till the present moment, President Buhari is looking for external help to fix the Nigeria degenerating economy. “To my surprise, Buhari could not assert his government position, whether to remove oil subsidy or not. Before he came into power, he posited that the fuel subsidy was a fraud of highest order and conduit pipe where few elements in the land, were using to siphon the commonwealth of the country into private pocket, but when he came, he continues in that direction, what a double speak and deal?” The rights activist however, criticise Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for his anti-people policies, stressing that Aregbesola was a disgrace personality to the human rights community in Nigeria which he claimed

to be part of in the past, alleging that, some members of the community have been encouraged by Aregbesola’s government to continue with antimasses agenda, to the extent of running the State aground.

Ayade said he was going to construct a deep seaport when the already existing one in Calabar is being run and managed by the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA. For Ayade to build another port in Bakassi or Akpabuyo, there must be an arrangement between the federal government and the State government for clearance for Ayade to build the new deep sea port.? Of course, he won’t do it without clearance from the federal government. Again, the way you have a toll gate, since this one here no one is attending to it, you will find that most people who are bringing their ships here will simply leave the port managed by the NPA and go to the other one that is newly built . After all, in Nigeria people go to Kotonou to clear their vehicles using Nigerian ports, they do that be

Independence: APC Diaspora congratulates Nigeria

he All Progressive Congress, APC in Diaspora has congratulated Nigerians over the 55th independent anniversary of the country. APC Diaspora in a statement issued yesterday and signed by Francis John, it said, “This is one of the best and ever celebrated independence anniversaries with economic sense, significantly, contradicting extravagancy and wastefulness of our meager resources. “In 2014 available records depict, the defeated rulership squandered N10b as to N70m approved for 2015 anni-

versary event; while the average Nigerian hardly make $2/day. Penny wise pound foolish”, it said. It also said that this year’s anniversary celebration calls for a thorough comparison analysis between the past and the present, saying for the successes made so far. Nigerians stand a better chance to sieve the good, the bad and the ugly without blinking. “Bygone to the era of; the more you see, the less you understand! Saying In view of this all Nigerians must join hands together, to continue praying for peace and unity of Nigeria.

Ebira indigenes in Lagos solicit for cabinet slot Ebere Ndukwu

ndigenes of Ebira in Kogi State resident in Lagos have called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to give them a slot in his cabinet in order to enable them contribute their quota to the development of the state. The Ebira people while making the demand urged the governor to consider their long term loyalty to

Lagos State. The plea was made by Asiwaju of Ebiraland in Lagos, Prince Yakubu Sanni Momoh, when Ebira indigenes from 20 Local Government Area and 15 Local Council Development Areas , LCDAs arrived his palace to participate in the approval meeting for the subsequent installation of Ohinoye of Ikeja. According to Momoh, the Ebiras, whose numerical strength in Lagos is

estimated at 1.7 million, are the first non-indigenes to arrive Lagos in the 18th century, closely followed by the Aworis. Some of the notable Ebira indigenes in Lagos that attended the crucial meeting include Alhaji Ahmed Yussuf, General secretary, Meminat Mutard, Yusuf Akoba, Alhaji Ahmed Jatoro, Stephen Jonah, the Chief Whip, Mallam Idris Salau, Alhaji Umaru Shehu and Alhaji Aliu Abdul.

Editorial

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

OSUN

CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OBIORA IFOH ACTING ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

SDGs, Nigeria and out-of-school children conundrum

ith the end of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly graced by 193 countries, including our own President Muhammadu Buhari, world leaders between September 25 and 27, adopted the 2015 - 2030 development agenda, tagged Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and which has ‘Transforming Our World’ as its title. Up to 2015, the ‘Millennium Development Goals’ (MDGs), about eight of them , rolled out in 2000, which centred on poverty alleviation; education, gender equality and empowerment of women; child and maternal health; environmental sustainability; reduction of HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases, as well as building a global partnership for development, were in place. The original intention was that nations would accomplish the MDGs by 2015 to pave the way for the 2015-2030 SDGs initiative. However, it is common knowledge, going by local official indices and international assessments, that the end of 2015 caught Nigeria napping, with scant achievements to justify the huge publicity given to the MDGs in the country and the purported commitment of the Nigerian government to attaining them. Now the SDGs are here, with 17 targets and scopes broader than those demanded by the MDGs. They include ending poverty in

all its forms everywhere; ending hunger; achieving food security as well as improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. Others are ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being of all at all ages; ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls; ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; and ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth; full and productive employment and decent work for all; building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation; reducing inequality within and among countries and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable are on the list. The rest are ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns; taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification and halting and re-

WITHOUT CONQUERING ILLITERACY, THE POWER OF LITERACY IN REDUCING POVERTY, OTHER PRIVATIONS, PAINS AND CRIMES,

WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT versing land degradation, as well as halting biodiversity loss; promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; and last but by no means the least, strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnership for sustainable development. As stated earlier, Nigeria was nowhere near a commendable mileage in its accomplishment of the MDGs; what with the country’s recent unflattering history of growth without development in terms of improved infrastructure provisioning, industrialisation, poverty reduction, job creation and general living conditions. Compounding the country’s woes have been widespread public sector corruption, Boko Haram insurgency that locked up the North East portion of the country, especially, fratricidal killings in some other parts of the

ON THIS DAY October 2, 1996 The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendment (FOIA) was signed by United States’ President Bill Clinton. The law allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the US government. The Act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures and grants nine exemptions to the statute.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

October 2, 2006 Five school girls were murdered by Charles Carl Roberts in a shooting at an Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, United States, before Roberts committed suicide. Roberts (1973 - 2006) was an American milk truck driver. He murdered five Amish girls and injured five others before killing himself in an Amish school in the hamlet of Nickel Mines, Bart Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

North not overrun by insurgents, rising wave of kidnapping, robbery and other violent crimes and restiveness in other areas. Should we single out education, one of the dreams of both the MDGs and the SDGs, for instance? UNESCO said lately that no less than 58 million children across the globe aged between six and 11 were out of school. Director, UNESCO’s Regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Benoit Sossou, said (for Nigeria), “there are still many challenges, especially with high level of illiteracy more prevalent in the 19 states of the North, and more than 40 million adult illiterates nationwide”. This is in spite of touted progress in education for all in many of the 36 states of the federation. With a population estimate of 178.5 million (2014 projections), 40 million adult illiterates and millions more between the ages of six and 11 years out of school, we disagree with any suggestion that the country is making tangible progress educationally. Indeed, one recent report published by this newspaper said over 63 million Nigerians were illiterate; and that without conquering illiteracy, the power of literacy in reducing poverty, other privations, pains and crimes, would be extremely difficult. This message should be taken seriously by all the country’s leaders, especially the president, governors and council chairmen, as well as all Nigerian parents.

x October 2, 2007 President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea walked across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) into North Korea on his way to the second Inter-Korean Summit with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Armistice Line’, the MDL is the land border or demarcation line between North Korea and South Korea. On either side of the line is the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

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Imperative of flexibility in counterinsurgency strategy Counter-terrorism Tips With

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

hen we speak of Boko Haram today, we are no longer referring to the historically and relatively discrete, small-scale and marginalized individuals or groups that employed weapons of limited scope in the past. The Boko Haram of today is best understood by the techniques it employs, rather than the goals it pursues, or the specific political context in which it operates. The current techniques employed by this sect involves a unique application of psychological instruments of propaganda with the intent to generate fear, anxiety, intimidation, and demoralization in a wider social audience, as well as to mobilize and indoctrinate its followers even as their dominance and movements seem to be diminishing reasonably. Today, neither historical precedent nor political prescription can guide us through our struggle with this group. We must ponder the implications transnational groups using increasingly powerful and sophisticated means and methods of communication and propaganda processes. We must weigh the causes and consequences of frequent, horrific, and unpredictable BH events, such as hijackings,

kidnappings, suicide bombings, including recent multiple bombing attacks in Madugiri and the continuous violence and mayhem in the northeast part of the country. We must confront the increasing lethality, lawlessness and fanaticism displayed by the members of this organisation, whose means and methods collectively surpass anything we have witnessed historically. The Boko Haram-induced insurgency has produced the most serious and substantial confrontations and threats to Nigerian peace since the civil war era. How we understood and defined terrorism have profoundly influenced how we have responded to the conflict so far. Indeed, we need to understand the nature and scope of this conflict to make meaningful headway. We live in a unique historical context, and our comprehension of this fact must constitute the first major step we take towards understanding the prevalence and originality of this deadly sect. There is, however, an additional concern related to our understanding and analysis of the BH existence. The entire gamut of the conceptualization has proved to be a persistently problematic task for our security and intelligence agencies to date. The new terrorism of which the BH belong is different from previous types of terrorism because it is characterized by often vaguely formulated political objectives, indiscriminate violent attacks, attempts to achieve maximum psychological disorder and the potential to displace millions of people from their

SOMEWHAT DAUNTING OF BH CHARACTERISTIC IS THE FORMIDABLE PRESENCE OF SUICIDE BOMBERS AMONG ITS MEMBERSHIP homes and wasting of innocent lives like in our scenario. Many features of this new terrorism have become an integral part of the signature operations of Boko Haram in particular. The fact that this sect, like the ISIS, has developed the techniques of terrorism to such an advanced stage qualifies it as the quintessential contemporary terrorist organization, but that does not confer invincibility on it. It remains to be seen how long this flagrant contradiction can be effectively maintained as a part of the strategy of BH. The truth still remains that since this brand of terrorism has no finality with the sole exception of self annihilation, the remaining question may only be the price we have to be paying until this group inevitably consumes itself or come out for dialogue. The violent tactics and tools of this sect have tended to mirror the general historical development of weaponry and warfare from the ancient swords and daggers, through the invention of firearms and dynamite, down to the contemporary age of deadly explosive devices and weapons of mass destruction. The

21st century has generated more violence, death, and destruction than any previous era in human history, and modern terrorism has tended to emulate those traits uniquely. Because of its sheer lethality and high public visibility, the BH modus operandi has become, with few exceptions, the exclusive method of choice in most modern attempts to bring about political and social change. The BH-induced violence has many dimensions, but what makes it particularly dangerous today revolves around a dominant characteristic, which is that this sect typically involves acts of threats that indicate carefully planned, rationally calculated, and systematic behaviour. Another major characteristic of BH denotes the inevitable cycle of violence that in turn engenders the highly predictable syndrome of unrest we have seen in our history. The attacks at the Police Headquarters, Abuja; the United Nations Building, Abuja; Nyanyan Motor Park’s explosion and the capture of some towns in the Northeast, to mention but just a few, are symptomatic of this syndrome. Somewhat daunting of BH characteristic is the formidable presence of suicide bombers among its membership. These suicide bombers have become one of the most recognizable and feared weapons in the BH’s arsenal. It should be noted that the sect must apply propaganda in order to achieve all of its implied objectives because propaganda provides the necessary techniques for the sect to be seen as effective.

That NAFDAC-media partnership for innovation MARTINS F.O. IKHILAE

he Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, is unarguably one of the nation’s high profiled public servants. He achieved this pre-eminence status through an uncommon commitment to the high risk national assignment of Nigeria’s anti-drug counterfeiting Czar from the very day of his assumption of office in 2009. On his appointment, Dr. Orhii had come up with an Action Plan embedding the various strategies to fight counterfeit drugs and sub-standard food items, which are collectively tagged “NAFDAC regulated products”; periodically evaluating these strategies; and intervening in a most positive way possible through series of innovation. Dr Orhii’s intellectualized approach to his assignment coupled with his manifest competence that is empirically proven in the winning war against drug counterfeiting and sub standard food items; rising profile of Nigeria as a country strongly committed to the global war against drug counterfeiting and adulteration, and the flood of awards, commendations and recognition for him, has permanently changed the nation’s drug and food production, distribution and consumption scenario for the better. It is little wonder that an appreciative former President Goodluck Jonathan endorsed Orhii’s second term on December 30, 2013. In January, 2014, the NAFDAC boss underscored the significance of his second term

THE MEDIA PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN SHAPING

AND RESHAPING PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS, ATTITUDES, ETC re-endorsement this way: “To all intents and purposes, my re-appointment is significant in many respects. It signifies a vote of confidence and strong presidential endorsement of our multi-layered and well coordinated strategies adopted in the last five years to combat the menace of counterfeit drugs, unwholesome foods, corrosive cosmetics, poor quality packaged water and other sub-standard regulated products…By this re-appointment, we have been given a fresh challenge to redouble NAFDAC’s effort in widening access of Nigerians to good quality medicines and wholesome foods.” Twenty one months into his second term, Dr. Orhii is once again fundamentally changing the face of the nation’s drug and food production business for through series of innovation strategies that will both consolidate the gains of past achievements and address fresh challenges. One of such latest strategies is robust partnership with the nation’s media, which he once described as “a strong pillar of support and partner”. Dr. Orhii is right on cue here, because the media plays a pivotal role in shaping and reshaping people’s perceptions, attitudes, etc. This perspective is well captured by former President Abraham Lincoln in this quote: “With public sentiment nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed.”

Like many discerning Nigerians, I am convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that Dr. Orhii-driven NAFDAC has done all that is necessary to promote good health in Nigeria by discouraging wrong conducts on the part of drug manufacturers, importers and distributors. Structures have been well laid, facilities developed, and capacity built. What might be missing is putting in place the mechanisms for all the stakeholders to be well informed of the activities of the Agency. NAFDAC is bridging this gap through the promotion of media practitioners’ tours to its agency’s facilities nationwide. Just recently, a team of seasoned media practitioners domiciled in the South-South and South East geopolitical zones of the nation undertook such tour, which is a strategic move to educate-the-educators in an attempt to make them better purveyors of the right information to the public. The outcome of this epoch making tour is quite revealing as the participating journalists expressed surprise at the magnitude of the Agency’s state-of-the earth scientific equipments, massive infrastructural build up and manpower development, to mention but a few. Established in 1993 by Decree 15 of 1993 as amended by Decree 19 of 1999, which is now the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, the Agency is mandated to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, detergents, medical devices and packaged water, etc. It is obvious the Agency would need the support

of the nation’s media to succeed in the discharge of this onerous responsibility. Complementing the media partnership are other innovation initiatives geared towards the same goal. They include the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club in secondary schools across the nation aimed at imparting the culture of quality in the young students who, are in turn expected to propagate the value to their families and the general public. There is also the Agency’s partnership with NGOs, foundations, musicians, actors and actresses and youth corpers, who are branded as ambassadors or soldiers, all in an effort towards enlarging the partnership coast in its anti-drug abuse/trafficking sensitisation efforts. I will not conclude this piece without acknowledging Dr. Paul B. Orhii’s unparalleled deployment of cutting edge technologies in the Agency’s anti-counterfeit drugs war, whose efficacy and potency have been established to have reduced counterfeit antimalaria drugs in circulation in Nigeria from 19.6 percent in 2012 to 3.6 percent in 2015. Indeed, with NAFDAC’s partnership with the nation’s media, there is no hiding place for these merchants of death. Ikhilae, is a Lagos-based public affairs analyst, wrote via martinsikhilae@ ymail.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Mail Mirror

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kudos to Amosun on Ogun industrialization

S Ridding Benue State of illegal arms

ecently, Atoza Hidan, a PDP chieftain in Benue State, was assassinated in Katsina-Ala. I understand the gangster who exterminate his life is a well known person in Katsina-Ala, and he is rumoured to be one of the hatchet men of the late Hinda. My sources told me that the late Hidan and other politicians within Katsina-Ala have armed many unemployed youths in the Katsina Ala Local Government Area and beyond, and periodically use them in pursuit of their selfish interests. These armed youths are known to have wasted many lives in the Katsina Ala axis. The question is why did the police in the Katsina Ala area in particular and Benue State in general turn blind eyes to the nefarious activities of these bandits? If I am to have my way, the police officers in Katsina Ala and other places in the state where politically motivated or crime motivated killings constantly take place should be transferred out of Benue State. I wish to commend Governor Samuel Ortom for the efforts made so far in making sure that the youths in possession of illegal arms in the state are dispossessed. The declaration of amnesty by the governor that necessitated the submission of illegal weapons possessed by the youths in the state is a welcome development that most be applauded. Having said that, Governor Ortom should not stop at amnesty programme, he should go further to create jobs for the youth so as to keep them busy and thus prevent them from going back to their professional hit business. Benue youths were in the past known to be hard working and thus shun crimes, but the desperate and self seeking politicians in the state have negatively influenced them. Governor Ortom should do his best to ensure that Benue youths are restored to their glorious past. Awunah Pius Terwase, Wrote from Mpape, Abuja. 08179289948

Letters to the Editor

tudies have revealed that foreign investments play complementary role with domestic investments to create a dynamic business environment in a nation and promote its economic growth and development. Investment provides solution to the challenge of insufficient capital, increases the standard of living of the host community due to higher tax revenue accrued from companies, which directly translates to employment generation in most cases, as well as leads to the transfer of technological know-how. In the same vein, productivity, growth and competitiveness are also im-

proved through investment. It is on this note that Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led Ogun State government identifies and emphasizes the importance of investment and thus seeks to transform the state into the industrial hub of the nation. Steps have been taken to make opportunities abounding therein in the state accessible to prospective investors to tap into. As a step in the right direction, the state government first provided a platform where it unleashed information on the availability of mineral resources such as limestone, bitumen, kaolin, glass sand, phosphate,

A suspected thief on jungle justice at Ido Park, Lagos.

tar sand, mica, quartz and clay and their locations in all the 20 local government areas of the state to different stakeholders and investors. Another aspect where the government of Ogun State has intervened to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive is of energy generation and efficient distribution, as it has also explored other sources of energy generation such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroenergy and biomass. Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the German Agency for International Cooperation on the provi-

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Borno State and its pensioners

f recent, some pensioners in Borno State expressed displeasure over the meager amount paid to them as pensions. They, therefore, called on the state government to intervene by increasing same in the light of the present prevailing realities, especially the economic hardship that is plaguing the nation. Though the affected pensioners, who voiced out their uncomfortable situation, are neither members of the state executive of the pensions group nor do they speak for other pensioners, they

are free to express their views on matters that affect their welfare. However, it has become imperative to explain briefly matters relating to pension for the purpose of straightening the records. In Borno State, the state government under Governor Kashim Shettima, has been consistent in the payment of pensions, and the governor will continue to honour its obligations to the pensioners just as he has never defaulted in the payment of workers salaries promptly. On the issue of pension review,

Increasing waves of kidnapping

nsecurity arising from kidnapping is becoming something else in Nigeria. My question is what are the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s security agencies doing and why are they not leaving up to their statutory responsibilities to arrest this ugly trend that is giving Nigeria a bad name and scaring foreign and local investors? I have no doubt that we have the resources to stop the menace and thus make the country safe for both

foreigners and the locals. It is only in this way direct foreign investment can be guaranteed. Something serious must be done to make kidnapping less attractive. Chief Olu Falaeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kidnappers must by be fished out at all cost, tried and jailed if found guilty. This is the surest way to deter kidnapping in Nigeria. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

it should be noted that it is not within the purview of the state government. It is a national affair similar to a nationwide review of salaries and wages. It is rather unfortunate that salaries and wages as well pensions, which are supposed to get periodic review, have not received this treatment for some time now due to various circumstances. Borno State under Governor Shettima will not renege on its obligations to all, especially the workers and pensioners. When the Federal Government reviewed the national minimum wage to N18, 000, Borno State under Governor Shettima was the first to respond positively to the gesture. Let it be known that the government of Governor Kashim Shettima will not do anything to undermine the well being of Nigerian workers, more so the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pensioners. At the appropriate time the state government will respond appropriately to any adjustment of pensions paid to senior citizens. A.M. Bashir Shuwa, Senior Special Assistant (ICT) to Governor Shettima.

sion of renewable solar power energy and hydro-power in rural areas between 2014 and 2017. An attestation to this effort is a pilot exercise of the solar power project established in Asore Village, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area with which small and medium cottage industries which hitherto had been moribund were rejuvenated. Having acknowledged that security is a crucial factor for creating an enabling investment environment, no sooner than the government came to power than it procured 13 state-of-theart Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and 150 Hilux patrol vans fitted with modern communication gadgets and established the Rapid Response Squad security outfit among others all in a bid to ensure security of lives and property. Still on efforts made to attract investors, over 100 existing roads have been rehabilitated and upgraded across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, while new ones have been opened up. Areas such as the Abeokuta-Lagos road, Sagamu axis and Papalanto/Interchange have been designed as industrial clusters, where investors can invest in line with the industrial plan of the state. All these factors and many others not mentioned are apparently the reason the World Bank 2014 Report identified Ogun State as one of the foremost states profitable for business in the country. Little wonder then that investors have been coming into the state in droves to either establish afresh or enlarge their existing businesses. The state has indeed become the largest concentration of industries in Nigeria with an investment portfolio of about $18.5 billion. Companies such as Intercontinental Distillers Ltd, Ota; MultiTrex Investment Ltd, Werewa Village; Sona Agro Allied Foods, Sango; Unilever Nigeria Liquid Factory, Agbara, and Ade Distribution and Investment Company, Ijebu Ode are waxing strong in the state. Others in such category include Reckitt Benckise Nigeria Ltd, Agbara; Nigachem Nigeria Ltd, Aro-Eere Village; Dury Investment Ltd, Agbara, and May and Baker PLC, Ota. Space is not enough to mention other. The future looks bright and promising as the state continues to widen its investment horizon. Ajibola Taiwo writes from Abiola way, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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.

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FRIDAY

Flavour

Friday, October 2, 2015

Nollywood’s super single mums

Friday Flavour takes a special look at the actresses in Nollywood, who have opted for single-motherhood

Franca Brown

Monalisa

Bukky Wright

Eucharia

Genevieve

Shan George

Ngozi ezeonu

Franca-Brown

the situation for this Mbaise, Imo state born actress. Problems crept into their union earlier in the day when they realized that there was a sort of class difference in terms of income. From available details, UK as she is fondly called is not comfortable with her status, and she has been trying her best to wriggle out of it. Ngozi Ezeonu Several people know her as one of the role models in the movie industry. She carried herself so well, and it was difficult for the press to scandalize her. But the only dent on that streaks of goo d record is the fact that she has parted ways with her husband and now stays alone with her four children. The problem with Ngozi, and her husband is being blamed on difference in income, and perceived indifference to improve the economic realities of the family on the part of the husband. He once relocated to the United States, but when he returned, things did not seem to improve with that. Clarion Chukwurah From her early days in the industry, she cut the image of a daring actress, who knew what she wanted. Perhaps that must have led to her baby boy with Shina Peters, (Clar-

ence Peters) who happens to be a shining star for the estranged couple, as he continues to write his name in gold in the area of musical video directing. Clarion’s attempts at escaping the single mother toga did not quite work out after her marriage to two other men, including the late MKO Abiola’s brother also hit the rocks. She has not given up hope though. Shan George Her first marriage produced two sons, but then Shan was just a green horn in the marriage business. But now that she believes she is matured, his partners do not seem to make things work. She has been in and out of at least two marriages since then, which broke down irretrievably. According to Shan, she takes a walk from a marriage the moment she realizes that she is no longer needed. Bukky Wright The industry cannot be blamed for Bukky’s status, because she was a single mother before venturing into Nollywood. Her potency in marriage can also be seen in the light of the number

of marriages (trial and otherwise) she has been into. As she dutifully pursues her career, she seems consoled by the kids she is looking after alone. She has however hinted that she would keep her eyes open for that ideal man. Alex Lopez Her appearance in movies is being dwarfed these days by her starring roles in soap operas. Alex’s journey into single motherhood also started when she was in school, owing to a pregnancy. She later had the baby boy, whom she named Joshua, and since then she has had to fend for the boy. Alex is still hopeful that she would find her dream man someday. Mary Ann Apollo She sees herself as a proud mother of one, and that incident dates back to her days in the university, when she was dating an NNPC top shot. Later in life, Mary Ann would date actor Ramsey Nouah, whom she was livingin with, but the affair also packed up when Ramsey got married, moving out of their apartment. Since then, Mary Ann has not been able to get hooked.

Mirror Mongers P. 26

he is perhaps the latest on this list, having been delivered of a bouncing baby girl last week. Franca, a lawyer by profession, started her acting career in Jos, Behind the Bukka, before the plum role as Mama Nosa, in Behind the Clouds, which put her on the limelight. With the popularity therein, it became quite difficult for Franca to get hooked, as men started seeing her through the spectacle of her roles. She once mentioned in an interview that ‘people often misrepresent the roles I have played with my real person. But I am a down to earth person.’ Perhaps many Nigerian men would not want to wait to find out what Franca means by this, and she took the bulls by the horns. Genevieve Nnaji She is one of the most outstanding acts to have come out of the country, and has broken many barriers. Genevieve’s decision to opt for single-motherhood happened many years ago, when she was in the secondary school. The result is her daughter, whom she named Lilian. With fame and fortune smiling on the actress, she has had to cope with many proposals shrouded in deceit, which is one reason she has remained careful about the kind of man she would choose. Monalisa Chinda Her single status came as a result of differences between her and the husband. Monalisa from the onset has the pose of an angel, which was why details of her marital squabbles simply shocked a lot of her fans. At the moment, the actress seems to be doing well, catering for her only daughter from the failed marriage. Of course, she has confirmed that marriage is not completely ruled out in her life. According to Monalisa, it has to be ‘for the right reasons’. Eucharia Anunobi In December 2000, when Eucahria was getting married Mr Ekwu, she may not have envisaged that it would end some six years later with N100million law suit. But that is

WEEKEND STARTERS

London Life, Lagos Living Stage Play

ondon Life, Lagos Living is a play that brings together a potpourri of A-list actors who will give members of the audience “not to forget in a hurry” performances. The play is a stage production from the Bobo Omotayo’s book titled “London Life, Lagos Living”. The play features artists like Kate Henshaw, Funke Akindele, OC Ukeje, Wale Ojo, Chioma ‘Chigurl’, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Lami Phillips, Patrick Diabuah & Adebola Williams. The play is directed by Kenneth Uphopho and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju from the Make it Happen Productions. The theatre starts on October 1st by 3pm&6pm, 7pm on 2nd October, 3pm and 9pm on 3rd October to 4th October by 3pm&6pm at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre Lagos. The play is a story of the experiences of the Nigerian who lived in London and moves back home. Kate-Henshaw The adaptation is hilarious and entertaining.

MVP Lagos

he October edition of the Friday grilling themed; MVP FRIDAYS is set to happen on Friday 2nd October at the MVP Lounge located at Bisola Durosinmi Etti Dr, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos, Nigeria. For entertainment lovers who are looking ways to enjoy themselves and spend the night of the independence days celebration! The MVP lounge welcomes them. Doors open by 11pm to 12am.

Inside FCT P. 24-25

Arty

Regina Otokpa

News P. 32, 33

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

Critics P. 22-23

MVP-LAGOS-

Artman In The House

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 years in Nollywood memorable Some days ago, frontline filmmaker, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, gathered a section of the media to celebrate his twentieth anniversary in the film business. It was fun while he took the audience down memory lane to share his challenges and how he triumphed. He discussed his life and works in the past twenty years with NGOZI EMEDOLIBE Excerpts.

Lancelot

hy is today very necessary to you? I recognise the fact that the media has been there for me all through these years. They have been nice to my career, which was why I decided that it would be nice to have them around. The truth is that the media has been with me right from when I started with the small budget films to now that I am associated with bigger jobs like Invasion 1897 which is still travelling round the world and has been getting accolades even in foreign land. So this is a way of telling them thank you for being there for me all the while. Aside the very successful films associated with you what other things do you consider astounding in the past twenty years? I take pride in the people who have become successful by working with me. I am one director that likes discovering talents, so I am grateful to God for making me the vessel that produced some of today’s stars who adorn the screens all over Africa. For instance many will not remember that my set was the first set that people like Alex Ekubo worked on as an actor. And there are several other examples like that. At the beginning was there a time you felt like calling it quits? Of course, and if you ask my brother Charles Inojie, he will tell you that after I left Benin to Lagos, some people thought I had died. In fact, before I came to Lagos, I used to do programmes in Benin, but a mentor advised me to leave and play on a higher platform which Lagos avails. That was why I came down to Lagos. In Lagos, NTA helped a whole lot of us. I specially feel thankful to the likes of Peter Igho and others who helped to shape my career today. What has changed in your approach

to making movies from the days when you shot ‘Year 2000’ and ‘Yesterday’? If you ask me, I will say nothing much really. I know however that I have a penchant for quality. From the days I started this, I have sought to distinguish myself in my chosen field. I also took time to understand our shortcomings in the movie industry. What are these shortcomings? One is lack of the right training. The other is not having the right environment, while the last one is not having the right finance. As a country, we have championed the video film making medium. Whether the world likes it or not, Nigeria has been at the fore front of ‘videography’ in the world. Most of us in this sector are what I would call ‘film migrants’, because we have backgrounds in theatre and television, and just discovered the video medium by ourselves and for ourselves; and suddenly the world started paying attention. Because the world is now paying attention, I understood that I must work around the challenges like lack of finance, the right environment and the lack of training. How did you do it? I went to work. I decided to find the replacement for these shortcomings. Yes, I cannot change the environment, because the responsibility lies with the government. But I have been shouting about it. In terms of training, I resort-

ed to training myself. Already I have a theatre background. If you come to my house, I have a library of film books on all aspects of film making around the world. How do you get around the finance aspect? Well it is important to explain that in film making you may never have all the finance you require. Sometimes you circumvent. If you need $20m and you can access only $1m, you have to ask yourself as a movie maker, what can I do to surprise people with this amount? That was what my job stood for when I shot ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Year 2000’ then. Those films were within $100,000. We also had to look around for young men and women who are hungry to achieve success and allow them to develop. I throw my library open to them in Lagos and Benin and the ones that cannot read, I make DVDs available to them. I have also made myself available to international workshops and seminars, which attract the ‘who is who’ in the film making business. I have also gone to sets abroad to see how they do it and how it would improve my art. Sometimes my colleagues even criticise me. They say the money I should have used to buy cars and build houses are spent of foreign trips. But I gain a lot from those trips and interactions. Your works Invasion 1897 and Adesuwa are everywhere. How does it make you feel? Great, of course! There are some promotional ideas that we did not do well in ‘Home in Exile’, which we corrected in ‘Adesuwa’. When I was flying into Lagos everyone was asking me when the film would be released in cinemas. We are still evolving in finding replacements for the obvious inevitable. The government must also come to the aid of the industry. They have done that to the aviation industry and banking, why not the home video industry, with all its potentials to change the fortunes of this country? Entertainers are virtually on tax holiday in Nigeria. What do you want the government to do? The government owes us massively. If

Sitting in his office

you go to Benin Airport, you will notice the transformation being done by the current Minister of Aviation. These facilities are being enjoyed by the airlines to do their business, why not the movie industry? And mind you the movie industry has a group of people who out of their ingenuity are championing an industry that has employed many youths. The industry has also created a lot of good will for the Nigerian nation outside the country. Nollywood, as I am talking to you is one of the most positive aspects of the country. You said we do not pay tax, but you cannot give what you do not have. To whom much is given, much is expected. What stops the government from creating an enabling environment for the movie industry like they are doing in aviation? What do you expect government to do? If government decides to build cin-

The media has been with me right from when I started with the small budget films to now that I am associated with bigger jobs like Invasion 1897 which is still travelling round the world Lancelot with the press

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Artman In The House

Friday, October 2, 2015

for me –Lancelot Imasuen emas in the major state capitals in the country, that is what I mean by enabling environment. If this is done, getting tax from the practitioners will never be a problem. Even the one that is being collected from us by the National Film and Videos Censors Board is an aberration because no organ of government has done anything for the development or sustenance of the industry. If there are five cinemas in every state capital, I bet you the movie industry will vomit so much money that we can sit down and decide who will rule Nigeria. Is the essence of this to gain political power? No, but I see movies as a tool of change even in politics. I actually mean making movies with the idea of remaking Nigeria the way it should be. I have grown past making movies to only entertain. We should be postulating social reformatory ideologies. All aspects of Nigeria require dramatic expedition to make it function. We can use a movie to address the question on what a pension scheme should look like. As a film maker, you have a penchant for issues that address the Nigerian experience, how do you source your scripts? Sometimes I develop a concept and commission writers. Was it the same with Adesuwa? What informed the idea? ‘Adesuwa’ is an incident in history and I have to pay glowing tributes to the young man who supported the project with funds, one John Chukwuma Abua, who came to me and showed his interest in movies. It was not the script I had in mind but I told him we could do this despite that the budget was higher than what he could put in. I told him we could make a statement with ‘Adesuwa’ because it has drama, intrigues, and emotions. I set out to make a statement with this considering what people often say about our works in terms of sound and other technical details. We concluded recording in December 2009. We did post-production for seventeen months.

But ‘Adesuwa’ will be a child’s play to what we are currently shooting. What is it called? It is called ‘Invasion 1897’. I tell people that this is yet another journey. With over 160 movies you must have lost count of your works? When people say Lancelot has made over 160 movies, I just laugh. Those were the lesser days. This is a new phase. I have just made two films. ‘Home in Exile’ and ‘Adesuwa’. I am currently making the third. You swing from one film genre to another. As a director, is it drama or comedy or epic that appeals most to you? I am a director. Once they wanted to cocoon me to a corner, but I told them no, I am a film maker. My job is to interpret whatever story given to me. One of the greatest challenges in Nollywood is scripting. How do you manage to tinker what you have? I work with one Mr. Osaile, we call him the Professor. He is a theatre practitioner and media consultant. He wrote ‘Adesuwa’. They are the kind of minds we want to engage. We shop for them and engage them. The way around bad scripting is shopping for the good hands. It is art; it shows. How do you spot the actors? The lead actress in ‘Adesuwa’ is unknown? I have a project called Nollywood Project 101, designed to spot talents. I shoot most of my movies from Benin, and that is to give people from there the chance to join the industry. I encourage some of us to also do that, because it is not all about Lagos. How long has Nollywood Project 101 been on? It has been on for about a year now. She is a product of that. A big artiste was being considered but I decided to use her because she has what it takes. We took the risk and it worked. She has gotten a lot of attention and nominations. It is not new with my productions, so many Nollywood big names started like that. A foreign crew came down to package your life into a documentary. What do you think qualified you for this? To that I will say ‘Glory be to God’. But I was once told by a prominent director in 2001 that I had become the in-thing in directing. The guy said that after his reign, he passed it on to one guy who passed it on to me. But I looked at him and said ‘whoever is coming to take over from me would have to wait for long, because I do not intend to drop stop. I approach my job with determination and desperation. I am always striving to achieve something higher with each experience. I have always ignited my passion. I have always defended Nollywood because I know the potentials it has. I have been on CNN, BBC, South Korean TV; and others and last month a crew flew in from Japan to engage me on a talk about Nollywood. I am passionate about this industry.

In his office

What are you doing about raising future film directors? On my current set, I have three assistant directors. They are there to understudy not only me, but also the members of the Indian crew working with me. How much is it costing you with the foreigners around? I will want the result of the work to speak for itself.

how to follow the masters. It is a pity that some girls join this Industry to position themselves for ‘prostitution appeal’. This is a wrong reason to b e in the industry.

With all these, do you still have time for family life? I wish I could have enough of it. It will never be enough, but I thank God for an understanding family. How do they cope without you? It is all about communication. When I am not there, we remain in touch. If you should write a book on how to become a successful film p e r s o n a l i t y, what would be in the book? The person should keep his hands clean, have passion for his job and also learn His latest work

The industry has also created a lot of good will for the Nigerian nation outside the country. Nollywood, as I am talking to you is

one of the most positive aspects of the country.

Critics

FILM

Friday, October 2, 2015

Re-living ‘October 1’

Last week in far away South Africa, Kunle Afolayan’s film, October 1, stressed the power of directorial skills. Debbie Ariyo

confess that I am not a great fan of Nollywood. It is very rare for me to sit down and watch a Nollywood movie – the chief reason being the very low quality of the films. However, it was per chance that I stumbled upon an exception – the brilliant film by the brilliant Kunle Afolayan, called “October 1”. On a free evening, while searching on Netflix for a film to watch, the title came up. I clicked on it, and got hooked right from the start. For those who haven’t seen it, the film centres around the eve of Nigeria’s independence on 1st October 1960. At that time, most institutions, including the police were still led by colonialists. The whole country is agog with joy at the prospect of independence. In the village of Akote, celebrations are also ongoing – coupled with the fact that the son of the King (Prince Aderopo) has just returned

from the University of Ibadan where he has newly graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. However, the arrival of Prince Aderopo (Ademola Adedoyin) has brought with it a strange phenomenon. Village virgin women are being attacked, raped and killed with a cross etched on their bodies. A Senior Police Officer (“Inspector Waziri”, the delectable Sadiq Daba) is dispatched from Lagos to handle this strange case of serial murders in a Yoruba village. No one believes him when he reaches the conclusion that Prince Aderopo seems to be the culprit because his movements coincide with the murders. The Prince and another village boy “Agbekoya” (Kunle Afolayan) have been two very bright boys in the village school. When the local priest and School Head father Dowling assists the two boys to gain admission to the famous Kings College, everyone is very pleased, especially the King. However, some months after they depart for Lagos, Agbekoya runs back to the village. He is very silent about his reasons for return, and most curiously decides to swap education for farming. He remains a recluse, refusing to mix with people in the village. Prince Adekoya stays on at Kings Col-

Nation-building comes with enormous challenges, but with the right leadership and an active followership, the journey to Nigeria’s greatness does not have to take another 100 years. Omeiza Ajayi 00 years later: Building a new Republic aptly expresses the undeniably unique power that the written word possesses to entertain us, comfort us, challenge us,

le ge, passes h i s final exams w i t h flying colours and proceeds to the University of Ibadan. He returns, a polished, suave and very good looking young man with eyes for the beautiful school teacher Tawa who has been his classmate at the village school. It seems like they are destined for each other until the Prince, luring her to a secluded place where he plans to rape and kill her – confesses to the gross sexual abuse and violation he and Agbekoya had gone through at the hands of father Dowling for the six years he was at Kings College. Essentially, the issue of child abuse, especially the sexual abuse of boys is not

one that Nigerians talk about. This is why I find this movie particularly inspiring. The key issue is the terrible impact that sexual abuse can have on a child. In the case of Agbekoya, he was forced to live through the shame of being raped night after night by the reverend father. Coming across his abuser years later, in the middle of the night, out of anger and rage, Agbekoya strangles him. In the case of Prince Aderopo, he is completely damaged because a total stranger was allowed to take control of his life, have free access to sexually abuse him, violate

Lessons on nationhood

BOOK

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a n d inspire us. Asipita Aliu Muluku has in this 284-page book captured our history and aspiration as one nation since January 1, 1914 when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated up until now that we are in 2014. This book will not make you happy, and rightly so. For, it is not the duty of the author to make his readers happy; yet, it will bring happiness to you because it is a thought-provoking foray into how far we have come as a nation in the past 100 years and prescriptions for true national development before the next 100 years. The author says many grounds may have

been lost, but with good leadership across all tiers of government, Nigeria can indeed capture the lost grounds and truly be the Giant of not just the African continent but the black race as well. The first chapter of the book talks about pan-Nigerianism and nationhood. Here, the author delves into many areas, including the vexed issues of religion and ethnicity. It is his opinion that the Almighty God is so powerful that if He wanted all men to belong to one religion, He would have done it. Chapter Two looks at the Rule of Law and Public Institutions. The author talks about corruption and the culture of impunity which reigns supreme in the land. He there makes a wake-up call to Nigerians to effectively mobilise themselves for positive change. He says that change should first begin at the individual level. All the other chapters touched on the subjects of National Development, Democracy and Leadership, the last General Elections; the State of the Republic, the burden of National Transformation as well as how to build a new nation. The author concludes that since most of our problems were home-made and selfinflicted, the solution(s) also lies in our hands. Hence, he posits that we must evolve

This is a sad commentary for our great nation. If majority of our people are not informed, how can they influence good governance or national development?

home-grown solutions to tackle our challenges. He recommends in Page 269, that, “in facing reality to change the course of our collective failure, we will have to adopt a principle called the “3H Principle”, which implies the use of our hearts, heads and hands. It is my hope that we are not just going to go away from here with copies of this book but that we will indeed read them, because destroying a good book is not even the greatest crime, but one’s refusal to read a good book is a greater crime. On that day, we were confronted with grim statistics of how far we have gone as a nation. We were told that about 60 million adult Nigerians are illiterates. This is a sad commentary for our great nation. If majority of our people are not informed, how can they influence good governance or national development? If 10.5 million Nigerian kids are out of school, how can they be influenced by literature? On the structure of the book, it has 284 pages divided further into 8 chapters. It is published by Dulasip International Limited, Abuja. Looking at the aesthetics of the book, it comes in a beautiful glossy cover with green and light green covers. The typo-graphics or texts are printed in bold form and this makes for easier reading even without eye-glasses. However, except for a few typographical errors, it is really difficult to find any major flaw in the book. This book is a compelling read especially because it comes from a very young Nigerian who, in spite of his meagre resources as a member of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, has gone the extra mile in contributing his quota to national discourse.

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Critics

Friday, October 2, 2015

For those who haven’t seen it, the film centres on the

Nigeria’s independence on 1st October 1960 eve of

him, destroy his psyche, his life. His attack on the village women is his revenge on the world – the world that had completely failed him (“Six Akote virgins for all the pains I endured”). This film has raised a very poignant issue among Nigerians. The point is that boys too get sexually abused. Was sexual abuse rampant in boarding schools, especially those run by white reverend fathers? How come few people talk about it, if this has been going on? One of the problems with the Nigerian education system is a total lack of policies and procedures on child protection. Schools do as they wish, with very little regard for safeguarding children. Many schools with boarding facilities housing hundreds of children have no rules on health and safety, none on how to protect the children they are looking after, how to prevent and detect child abuse. Teachers are recruited with no checks into their histories, no references are taken. Teachers do not get trained on child protection. Many schools employ paedophiles who abuse children – both boys and girls – willy nilly. Even when caught, there are little consequences – culprits are just asked to leave or the blame is pushed on someone else – as in the case of this film “October 1” where it was considered by the top white police chiefs that a homeless man should take the blame for the village killings rather than Aderopo, the son of the King. This terrible state of affairs is very unfair to children. Not only does it place them at significant risk of harm – many children are hurt for life. The pain of sexual abuse never goes away. In the case of boys, they are ashamed to even talk about it to anyone (“How could I speak the unspeakable?”). Most victims of child sexual abuse become abusers themselves, either in vengeance or because of severe mental health problems. Society is the main loser when child sexual abuse is allowed to thrive. State governments in Nigeria must prioritise the enactment of child protection policies and systems in all state schools and compel private schools to adopt the same. There needs to be an agency tasked with this mission, a specialist agency responsible for Safeguarding Children. The safety of children must be paramount in schools across Nigeria. No longer should it be possible for a teacher to abuse any child in any school and anyone caught doing so must be prosecuted, convicted and jailed. I would like to say a big kudos to Kunle Afolayan, the producer of “October 1” for putting together this very thought provoking, brilliant film. It has truly helped to shed a light on a very important aspect of child safeguarding – the abuse of children in boarding schools. I hope that those in authority will learn from it and act on it.

MUSIC

Nonny: An ‘apostrophic’ appeal Why are there few Nigerian musicians who can satisfy elite critics and listeners? Isiguzo Destiny

onny’s “Ire” which means goodness is one that has diversified what is usually the conventional Nigerian Hip-hop otherwise known as “Club beat”. The artist in “Ire” chose the reggae music genre for his lyrical expression. This is good as Nigerian musicians need diversification badly. It is easy to identify Nigerian songs due to their resemblance to each other in terms of beats. “Ire” is a typical reggae song but unlike most reggae songsters like Bob Marley and Lucky Dube who infuse deep seated philosophy and social paradox into their songs, Nonny’s Ire is empty in wit. Ire is too prosaic and pedestrian. It is just like everyday conversation with nothing special about the lyrics, it is something we hear every day. Either Nonny failed or his lyricist is not outstanding. The song is riddled with unnecessary repetition that is characteristic of most Nigerian songs. “Every single day in my life” seems to be the beginning of the song’s chorus but was unnecessarily repeated, there is this issue that Nigerian songs are poorly written with vague prosaic words. Song is a twin to poetry if not poetry. Nigerian songs are in some cases not more than three to five sentences laden with gibberish sounds that the lyricist’s creates. The wording of Nonny’s Ire is a fair attempt though it is unpoetic and has little creativity in them except for some few end rhymes that came from the repetition of particular words or names like God in two successive lines. Most Nigerian musicians are very uncreative in their lyrics owing to the population of the kind of audience they have. Except for few songsters like Asa, very few of Nigerian musicians can hardly satisfy any elite critics or listener. Due to the fact that most Nigerian music fans are more of illiterates and unexposed to the rudiments of arts or in other words, Nigerians music audience are not art oriented. But I love his beats especially the intro. He was very peculiar with his reggae beats. It transported me out of myself maybe because of my bias for reggae music. He wasn’t a copy-cat in his beats. There is a peculiarity and ingenuity in his reggae beats. In terms of technicality, “Ire” is outstanding as Nigerian musicians are

The song is riddled with unnecessary repetition that is characteristic

Nigerian songs.

of most

beginning to put in their bests to make their music products high in quality. The beats were clear and all the different sounds gathered to form a harmony. Nonny is talented with a good voice. The beats would have been all in vain if it didn’t flow with the artist voice rendition. It takes the artist to paddle his voice to rock against the different elements of music that sometimes conflicts with the artist’s voice. The ability of the artist to do so, brings him safely paddling to the music shores. Nonny’s Ire is an apostrophic appeal to the Omnipotent to bless his daily labour and hustling. The theme of the song is one that succinctly captures the economic situation of Nigeria where most Nigerian youths are not gainfully implored and are uncertain of how to survive each day. It is not surprising therefore that Nonny, a Nigerian youth who may have experienced this situation had captured this delicate situation in the song.

The code switching to Yoruba sentences in a dominant English song is a trend that has made an indelible mark in the Nigerian music industry. This has helped to carry Nigerians who have access only to their indigenous language. Again, the lyrical symbols he employed are apt and successful, adding figurative colours to his lyrics. For instance, the symbol of rain which universally means blessing, fertility, fortunes etc. was craved for by Nonny when he said “Baba (God) to send down the rain”. It will be easy to connect to the song due to the prayer mood of the song especially, in a country that is deeply rooted in religion with the belief that every good thing comes from God. The song may not be successful in terms of creative lyrics but its thematic occupation is such that Nonny’s audience will be occupied with. “ire” is neither a good song nor a bad song.

Inside FCT

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Uncompleted houses as security threats in FCT Wole Oladimeji

s the issue of insecurity ravaging the country and the problem of housing are becoming more worrisome for the government and the people. The masses due to shy rocketing house rent particularly in the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos State, there are thousands of houses scattered all over Abuja without anybody staying in those house. The high level of corruption have made people to be supper rich to the extent that they have money, acquired properties without making use of those properties yet several million poor people are living in squalor without shelter on their heads. With the introduction of Money Laundering Act, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo thereby making it pretty difficult for politicians to steal money and move it abroad. They however, steal the money and use them to build wonderful and beautiful edicts across the capital city even if they are not put to use for now. Investigation conducted round the capital city revealed that over 40 percent of houses in Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse11, Aso Drive, Apo, Jabi Garki 11 and other areas are not being occupied. In some cases, miscreants and hoodlums are making use of some these houses especially the uncompleted and abandoned houses. Some of these houses worth several billions of naira but the owners preferred that the property should be there pending the time they would need them. In view of this development, it was reliably gathered that the gate men who are attached to these houses are making cool money by giving some of the houses for rent at a very reduced prices for those workers who may not want to face the stress of coming for work from satellite towns. It was also revealed those politicians,

Building in progress

public office holders and some captain of industries are culpable. Because they continuously enmassing wealth at the detriment of poor citizens of this country without improving the lifes of the people they are representing. It was revealed that some of these houses across the capital city are capable of creating insecurity because bad people are making use of some these properties to unleash terror on the innocent people. Some of the developers acquired lands from the minister of FCT with the purpose of providing avoidable houses for the people but ended up building houses with high prices at the end of the day, the houses would be there wasting and the illegal occupiers would be staying there creating nonsense of the entire exercise.

While some launder money on properties instead of creating job opportunities through the establishment of cottage industry and such houses are left for some times to appreciate and during period, the properties would just be there under lock and key pending the times it would be useful to them. One of the gate men in one of such properties in Asokoro, Abu. Mustapha confirmed that he has being taking care of the houses well over five years and the owner do come occasionally to inspect the houses and go back. According to him, it is unfortunate that we have very wicked and bad rich people in the country. They prefer their properties being destroyed than being given to those people who will value them. One of the FCT staff who preferred to

They prefer their properties being destroyed than being given to those people who will value them

speak under the condition of anonymity stated that it is an ugly development that needed to be addressed. People use their positions to acquire properties that are not even useful to them thereby making the masses suffer untold hardship. It was discovered that abandoned houses is FCT alone is well over 100,000 scattered all over nooks and crannies of the capital territory while several estates with houses are there begging people to buy but due to the high prices, they all automatically become abandoned houses. Some of the people met called on the federal government to begin to confiscate some of such houses and convert them to something that be beneficial to the people rather than leaving to rot away. They also called for enabling laws that would not allow rich people to launder money on properties that they would not make use of because it would amount to economic waste.

Poor condition of street lights in Kubwa Rotimi Fadeyi

efore the Kubwa- Zuba road was expanded from four lanes to the ten lanes road about three years ago by the Federal Government, the road used to be a nightmare to residents in the Kubwa Satellite town and other settlements along the road. Considering the fact that large number of the work force stay in the satellite towns, there was usually heavy traffic on the road before the expansion. One of the facilities provided on the expanded road are street lights which made it easy for motorists to drive on the ten-lane road as the streets lights help to enhance visibility and also made the road beautiful sight at night. The street lights are provided right from the Asoroko end of the road up

to Zuba area where the road opens to Kaduna road on the right while turning the left would lead to Gwagwalada area But recently, the road has become another nightmare to motorists as some of the street lights provided have stopped working, a situation where the road becomes dangerous to pedestrians and drivers who ply the road at night. Most times the street lights on the ten-lane road especially around Gwarinpa up to Dutse area do not work at night and the area is always

dark, except for the headlamps of the large number of vehicles on the road.. Similarly, the street lights from Kagini to Dei-Dei area of the road have also refused to work at night. The situation has been responsible for a number of crashes on the road because of poor visibility. John Adewole, a motorist who ply the road told Inside FCT that the street lights enhance visibility of drivers at night and therefore would be able to drive more carefully. He explained that since some of the street lights have gone off and refuse

The government should ensure proper maintenance of the road and all other facilities provided in order to make things

easier for motorists, pedestrians and other road users

Street light

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Inside FCT

Friday, October 2, 2015

FCT residents bemoan incessant road crashes Rotimi Fadeyi

he city of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is considered different and special when compared with other cities in the country because of its status as the seat of power where the three arms of government are located. It is also one of the cities with good road network and considering the volume of traffic in the city, the roads are designed such a way that the lanes are wide to ensure smooth vehicular movement. The wide network of roads in the city have become a temptation for motorists to overspeed, a situation which had caused a lot of road crashes resulting in the loss of many lives. In order to check the reckless speed of motorists in the city, traffic wardens were deployed to some areas in the city with large volume of traffic while in other major junctions, traffic lights are provided by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to control the flow of traffic in the city. However, despite the provision of traffic lights, the impatience and indiscipline of some motorist still make them to beat the traffic lights, sometimes resulting in fatal accidents and even severe damage to the poles of the traffic lights. The recent road crash involving the convoy of former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio and United States Embassy’s vehicle at the Bolingo junction in Abuja is a reference point. The former governor’s vehicle was said to have beaten the traffic light and in the process collided with the Embassy’s vehicle. Some residents of Abuja, however, told Inside FCT that the frequent road crashes in Abuja was not because of the wide and smooth roads but because of impatience on the part of motorists driv-

Accident scene

ing in the city. For John Akinlade, “the influx of people from other states of the country to Abuja has increased the volume of traffic in the city and a lot of people are on the road but most motorists are impatient resulting in road crashes”

He maintained that if motorists are more careful, many road crashes in the city would be prevented, adding that even on some roads where there are bumps to reduce speed, road crashes still occur frequently. Speaking in the same vein, another

Speaking in the same vein, another resident who simply identified herself as Maryam said some motorists don’t even know the rules of driving and therefore constitute danger to others on the road to work, the road has become dark and unlike before driving has become a bit more difficult. Adewole further said that sometimes the headlamp of some vehicles are not bright enough to see through darkness, adding that the street lights help the vision of the drivers. According to him, since the road is always busy day and night, the rate of accidents on the road especially at night have also increased because of poor visibility. He explained that the situation is worse when it is raining at night and difficult for motorists to see clearly, saying since some of the street lights are not working, there is always a lot of traffic bottleneck and sometimes multiple crashes. “Some of the street lights are not working and the situation has been like that for some time now, we don’t know what is happening because the road is very wide and visibility is very poor especially at night”, Ad-

ewale said. “There has been increase in the rate of road crashes as a result of the failure of some of the street lights to work at night. The government should urgently address the situation. “The situation will be worse during the rainy season especially at night because heavy rains would certainly affect visibility and if the street lights are working, it would certainly help to illuminate the road”, he added Another motorist, Haruna Ibrahim said the street lights apart from illuminating the road to enhance visibility for motorists and pedestrians, they also add to the beauty of the road. “ I take the road to work in the morning and back home at night, the road is very good because it is a ten- lane road, five lanes each on two opposite directions. The street lights need to work at night to enhance visibility,” Ibrahim said. For Kayode Adeyemi who is resi-

resident who simply identified herself as Maryam said some motorists don’t even know the rules of driving and therefore constitute danger to others on the road According to her, some of them don’t have regard for other road users as well as the traffic lights installed to ensure endure discipline and smooth control of traffic It would be recalled that during the twilight of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the then Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed, executed contract for the installation of 74 traffic lights in strategic areas of the city of Abuja and some satellite towns

dent in Kubwa, some of the the street lights sometimes when they are put on at night are not even bright enough to illuminate the road. He explained that he has observed that the street lights from Dutse to Kubwa area are not bright enough. Adeyemi said that the poles of the street lights are not placed at the correct angle at which they would illuminate the road and therefore affect the direction and focus of the light. “What I have observed is that the poles of the street lights from Dutse to Kubwa are not placed at the correct angle and therefore the area is poorly illuminated. The light is not focused on the road but rather at another place” “the government should ensure proper maintenance of the road and all other facilities provided in order to make things easier for motorists, pedestrians and other road users”, Adeyemi said.

Mirror Mongers

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Amos Adamu on Sepp Blatter, Platini

Baltter

ctually what goes around comes around. Rewind to 2011 when news broke that Nigeria’s foremost sports administrator, Amos Ad-

amu has been fingered in a financial scandal in FIFA, the world football body? It was so heated that they asked Adamu to quit his job, which he did rather unwillingly considering his recent utterances. According to Adamu in a television interview, he even had to pay a lawyer to defend him, but the lawyer was used to blackmail him by rejecting his brief after he had been paid. Of course, Adamu asked for a refund and surprisingly got everything intact. Is that all? No, Adamau is also in that same spirit asking that Blatter and Platini should follow the honourable path like they advised him to do some years ago by resigning. It actually pained Adamu that they asked him to resign when he could have defended himself. For those wondering what is in the job…be reminded it is FIFA, an organisation that flows with milk, honey and dollars.

Kanye West here

ay be it is part of entertainment. Kanye West is known for his entertaining, abstract live shows and he took it to another level in this full body suit. The rapper took to the stage at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday night as part of two nights at the iconic Los Angeles venue and he certainly made a fashion statement. The star performed his album 808s and Heartbreak in its entirety at the bowl, and he treated his fans to a rendition of Pinocchio’s Story in a rather bizarre outfit The full body suit covered his entire frame and face, with no features of its own which gave the performance a different vibe. It fitted in well with the simple, almost futuristic stage setup, with a staircase and giant orb providing the backdrop as Kanye launched into a freestyle at the end of the track. Now people know that there is something called the Kardashian effect.

ONE-SECOND &

With

OLISA AGBAKOBA

Unilag

‘School boys’ at UNILAG?

here are school boys and there are ‘school boys’. The one that is causing problem at UNILAG actually belong to the latter class and refers to bed bugs! MM gathered that the University of Lagos students recently shut the university’s two exit gates, to protest what they described as the invasion of bedbugs and mosquitoes in their hostels. Here is how one of the students captured it: ‘UNILAG

APC and Igbo Day in Yenagoa

lthough the general body of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo decided to mark this year’s Igbo Day in a low key manner, other branches all over the world were given the ‘goahead’ to celebrate. It is in this vein that something happened in Yenagoa. For those who have hindsight, the APC gubernatorial primaries, was scheduled to take place at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, but while the

Oyegun Kanye West

Many Nigerians have been taking time to assess the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari which clocked 100 days recently. Former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, takes a critical look:

students (guys) woke up as early as 3am disrupting the school and shouting no more bedbugs. They almost entered my hall, which is Queen Amina, where I reside. The present DSA in June told us (students) to vacate our hall of residence to enable them to fumigate the rooms but nothing was done, but for the people that came to fumigate to steal our things. Now the students are staging a riot’. Who brought the school boys to school?

that 100 Are you among those who believe nt? side Pre days is too early to judge the s is a good day 100 . y No, 100 days is not too earl on what But nt. side length of time to judge a Pre sident Pre ing judg of parameters? My parameter meter para the from t Buhari’s 100 days is differen re the whe w kno to t I see in the media. They wan ing judg are y The . ministers are and what is new ging gau I’m le whi him on physical parameter, meters. What his effectiveness on intangible para ing of the and erst und I see different is Buhari’s addressre befo it ling Nigerian mindset and tack od that peri ng eedi ing other issues. It is the succ be pato d nee ple peo will be judged. Firstly, the rs. iste min tient for the appointment of

delegates were wondering where the event would hold, the Igbo Community in Yenagoa had already paid for the stadium and everywhere was filled with red caps, with screams of ‘Igbo Kwenu’ filling the air. MM gathered that APC did not actually pay for the space to the authorities in Bayelsa. But the primaries eventually held the next day sha.

Friday, October 2, 2015 17 Thul-Hijjah 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

Imperative of mutual consultation

he second principle of governance is to adhere to consultation. God has said: “And take counsel with them in the matter.” Because the people who seek advice, if he is of sounder opinion than the one consulted, confirms his own view; if he is less knowledgeable, he benefits from another opinion. A certain leader once said; “Your own high status should not stop you from adding other people’s of view to your own. For if you seek advice and are thereby successful, people will praise your opinions, but if you make a mistake they will share the consequences of your error. One of the worst qualities in a leader is to be opinionated and to neglected consultation.”

Effective implementation of decisions Two most shameful things are arrogance in a learned man and falsehood in a leader. If you converse be truthful. When you make a promise, fulfill it. If you command or forbid, be urgent till you have attained your purpose. Beware lest your deeds march short of your words or the awe of you will depart from the hearts of your ministers. If the leader is slack in enforcing his orders, weakness appears in all his affairs; the whole of his authority among men is enfeebled and he casts off his garments of majesty and excellence.

Socio-Economic Development The Sixty principle of governance is that the ruler should provide work for the people of his state for their temporal and religious benefits. For the purpose, he shall foster the artisans, and be concerned with tradesmen who are indispensable to the people. They include farmers, smith, trailers dyers, physicians, grocers, butchers, carpenters and all sorts of trades, which contribute to (stabilize) the proper order of this world. The ruler must set up these tradesmen in every village and locality. He should urge his subjects to produce foodstuff and store it future use. He must keep villages and countryside peopled, construct fortresses and bridges; maintain markets and roads; and realize for them all what are

Raising awareness level of pilgrims on Hajj rites

of public interest so that the proper order of this world may be maintained. It is related that one of the Israelite prophets, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, asked his Lord about the longevity of the leaders of Persia, for they had lived long lives. Allah the Most High then revealed to him, “that they made may country prosperous for my servants to live.” It is reported also (presumably a hadith al-qudsi) that Allah said, “They treated my servants fairly and made my country thrive.” The ruler must also provide his people with religious facilities. He msut appoint judges and teachers (in his state) and give them their dues from the Treasury. He must also provide instructors for the children and appoint preachers, moral and markets overseers, zakah collectors, and inspetors of the oppressed and the destitute, to work on his behalf. Umar b. Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, used to constantly visit the destitute among his subjects and serve them personally. Safeguarding the Rights of Women One of the great calamities which has afflicted Hausaland is the practice of many of its scholars in abandoning their wives, daughters and servants in state of ignorance. They are left like animals without any effort to teach them what Allah has made obligatory on them regarding the tenets of the faith and regulations governing Ablution, Prayer, Fasting and other acts of worship as well as what was required of them in their business transactions. This is a grave mistake and a prohibited innovation. They treat them like a utensil, which they put to use but when broken, get thrown into the dustbin. What a strange behavior! How could they leave their wives, daughters and servant in the darkness of ignorance and astray while educating their students morning and evening. This is just for their selfish interest and for show and ostentation. This is a grevious mistake because the education of wives, daughters and servants is mandatory whereas educating other is optional. Of course

consensus dictates that a compulsory or mandatory act, precedes an optional one. Educating other people becomes mandatory on the scholars if there is no other scholar to do so, but even then it will be after educating his own family (wives daughters, servants) because his family still has precedence over others. Oh, Muslim women do not heed the calls of those misguided folk who deceive you into obeying your husbands without ordaining you to obey Allah and His Messenger. They kept on saying that the salvation of the woman lies in obeying her husband, merely to attain their aims with you and to satisfy their lust. They never enjoy you

NAWOJ mourns one of its own; Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf 28

to do what Allah and His Messenger ordained unto you to do which is obeying Allah and His Messenger.

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

Larger crowds for next year’s Hajj 29

Call to Worship

17 Thul-Hijjah 1436 Friday, October 2, 2015

Raising awareness level of pilgrims on Hajj rites

n as much as we cannot query Allah, the Most-High, as believers, the events of the last few weeks in the holy land is quite disheartening. It is high time all nations and agencies involved in Hajj operation, lay more emphasis on awareness creation on the need for utmost patience and adherence to rules and regulations of the constituted authority. Also, the Saudi Arabia authority must enforce all rules If only some pilgrims had not decided to go against the laid down rule of not following the same route to and from the Jamaraat, maybe, these number of deaths would not have occurred. Irrespective of whatever other reasons might be responsible for the stampede, we really need to raise the bar concerning the rigorous nature of some of the aspects of Hajj rites especially the Jamaraat, Tawaf Ifadah and Sa’y of Tawaf Ifadah among others. It is our prayer that almighty Allah will elevate the status of the victims, expand their graves, forgive their sins and grant them Aljannah Fridaus, Aamin. The recent calamity that befell the Muslims performing Hajj resulting in the death of hundreds of the pilgrims really devastated many of us and we are in a mourning mood with the bereaved families. The narration of the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zakat and Sadaqat

Foundation, ZSF, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib and many other eye witnesses, indicated that the decision of many to take a shortcut back home after the exercise led to the stampede. Imam Shuaib, Coordinator of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Lagos State Chapter, said: “We could have been victims of the stampede had we joined the bandwagon of those crossing to the route of those walking towards the Jamaraat. One of us suggested the idea of crossing because it would enable us to follow a shortcut and that would quickly take us to our tent. Fortunately, majority of us declined and insisted on following the normal route back home. Even though, our walk back home was a long one and we were very tired, the good news was that we got to our tent safely.” Another contributory factor, he said, was the blocking of the access route by some pilgrims. Pilgrims in Tent ‘A’, he said, did not want others to obstruct their movements and disrupt their comfort. He said: “We started the walk from Muzdalifah which covered a distance of about three kilometres to our tent. After walking for about one kilometre, the crowd was getting thicker. We later found ourselves stalked in the middle and our movement was getting slower. The reason for that was because; we had to make a detour to our right going

down a tunnel. At this juncture, extra-care and caution were required because the spot was very slippery due to the staircase and narrowness of the tunnel. We did not know the reason for directing pilgrims to make a detour. We only got to know after the stampede that it was the pilgrims in Tent ‘A’ category that did not want others to obstruct their comfort, hence informed the no access movement for others. “However, we managed to pass through the crowd without escaping the shoving, pushing and swinging aspects of the movement to the Jamaraat. We finally got to the Jamaraat successfully. In fact, all of us got to the edge of the Jamaraat and threw our pebbles with utmost ease. It should be mentioned that on our way to the Jamaraat, we saw some pilgrims who were obviously very fatigue. Some of them looked sick. Others were suffering from old age and sat by the side of the road trying to regain their breath. We availed ourselves of the opportunity of collecting bottles of water given out freely by the Saudi security officials. After exhausting our water, we also took water from the water dispensers placed along the road towards the Jamaraat. The strategy of drinking lots of water helped us greatly. It prevented us from suffering from dehydration while those who did not know the importance of taking lots of wa-

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

It is high time all nations and agencies involved in Hajj operation, lay more emphasis on awareness creation on the need for utmost patience and adherence to rules and regulations of the

constituted authority. the

Also,

Saudi Arabia authority

must enforce all rules ter became victims.” This is another point that must be noted. Is it that some of the Hajj Coordinators did not educate their pilgrims enough on the importance of keeping themselves hydrated enough by drinking plenty of water? “After we had completed the first round of throwing pebbles, we did a u-turn by taking the other route back home. While going back to our tent, we observed that some of the pilgrims, instead of following the route we took, crossed to the side of the pilgrims going towards the Jamaraat. It was like somebody walking against one-way.” According to Imam Shuaib, patience and perseverance, selfdiscipline and adequate aware-

ness are essentials in performing the spiritual exercise. As rightly advised, pilgrims should avoid the idea of trying to quickly go and come back from the Jamaraat. People need to be very cautious and patient with one another. It is only the patient ones that will complete the rites; though it may take a long time to do that. Self-discipline is an important virtue that will ensure that pilgrims do not disobey the Saudi authorities, walk against the human-traffic and undermine the rules put in place by either the host authority or the leaders of the delegations of the different countries in order to ensure a hitch-free Hajj.

NAWOJ mourns one of its own; Hajia Bilkisu Yusuf Dr. Habeeb commiserates with world Muslims

he Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has expressed her grave sadness over the news of the death of one of its most active and pioneer member; Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf who died during the tragic Hajj stampede which claimed over 700 others. In a release signed by the National President of NAWOJ, Ifeyinwa Omowole, she said that her sudden demise, at a time when the association and the nation needed such outspoken women journalist can never be more disheartening. “She was an exemplary mem-

ber of the association and a veteran journalist of international repute, a columnist, journalism ombudsman and later civil society activist. Hajiya Bilkisu, a former Presidential Adviser on International Affairs and syndicated columnist for Daily Trust and Leadership newspapers, was the Executive Director of Advocacy Nigeria, a movement working for the reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality. She was a devout Muslim and founding member of Federation of Muslim Women’s Association

(FOMWAN); she was relentless in her fight for the cause of those affected by insurgency in the NorthEast. Omowole said that her death therefore is a heavy blow to the association, all journalists and the nation at large and prayed that God should grant her immediate family, the association, and indeed all Nigerians the fortitude to bear this great loss. “She was one of our own and she will never be forgotten in a hurry; not by the many journalists she had trained and mentored. Adieu dear sister.”

Zakat Is 2.5% Of Your Total Wealth, Known As Nisab. After Having Fulfilled All obligations, pay your zakat

… Tasks Kogi people on peaceful polls

s millions of Muslims all over the world mourn the victims of the Sallah day stampede in Hajj, Dr. Yekeen Habeeb, a gubernatorial candidate at the just concluded APC primaries in Kogi State has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buharias well as all Nigerian Muslims at this trying moment while praying for the families of the victims to have the fortitude to bear the loss. He called on all Nigerians and Kogi people especially, to keep praying for enduring peace, political stability and rapid economic development in Kogi State and the nation in general. He called on his people to give maximum support to APC in the coming election while urging Nigerians to support the President in his readiness to rid the nation of corruption. “Corruption is a

cancerous tumour which has eaten deep into the anatomy of our country and must be seriously dealt with.” He also enjoined all Muslims to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and piety as taught by Eid-ul Kabir lessons and as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim, AS, for us to be upright, steadfast, always uphold truth and justice.

Dr. Habeeb

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Larger crowds for next year’s Hajj

his year’s Hajj has ended but not without lessons for humanity and Muslims especially. It is the fifth and last pillar of Islaam. It is expected that a Muslim would have imbibed faith as a culture through the first pillar, be absolutely devoted to Allah in constant observance of Salaat, be disciplined and sincere in every act of worship through Ramadan fast and be committed to welfare of humanity through institution of Zakat. Coming to Makkah for hajj, he is expected to exemplify all the lessons of other pillars as he meets his fellow men from every part of the globe. Specifically, the Prophet (SAW) has given the glad tiding that whoever performs Hajj wherein he avoids indecency of any sort and all kinds of sin, he has no other reward but paradise and will even return sinless like a newly born baby. This is because hajj makes one demonstrates true humanity, sacrifice, devotion, brotherhood, patience, etc. It is, however, unfortunate that some, if not most Muslims, who embark on the hajj are ignorant of its in-depth; they see it only as an avenue to have their prayers answered or for other reasons best known to them. They start with faulty intention, display ignorance in the observance and return without effectively impacting on their community. Brotherhood is central to Hajj. You must love your fellow brother by giving him preference over

Call to Worship

Friday, October 2, 2015 17 Thul-Hijjah 1436

It is really unfortunate. No single sensible human being should be happy at what happened as no scripture ever preached being happy at one’s neighbour’s misfortune

yourself; you do not push him; you do not step on him. How could it have been if all the pilgrims at Muna (for the jamrah) uphold this lessons; that when the stampede was to occur they all held themselves together as one, without pushing away those in the front, but what will happen will happen! What is better imagined than experienced. Two major mishaps shook this year’s Hajj – crane collapse at Makkah and stampede at Muna. These two claimed many lives. Consequently, there have been dissenting analyses of the situation. Some non-Muslims took the misfortune of fellow men to castigate and even condemn Islam as not being Godly and that when the Muslims went to cast pebbles at Satan, he cast back its own stones! They used it as a point of converting the ignoramus to their fold and or even confuse the sick-hearted Muslims. Two, some countries whose citizens were seriously affected did not spare the government of Saudi Arabia as not making ad-

equate preparation. They have right to express their opinions and require that investigation be carried out. Three, the contradicting reports on the cause (s) too make it difficult to draw immediate conclusion. Some say it was the large crowd returning from jamra that took the wrong route, thus blocking the people moving towards the same direction; some say the Saudi security for reason not known heavily blocked a particular route that led to the stampede as those at the back never knew what was happening in the front, thus their pushing one another led to what happened; others say it was the nearby countries whose tents were closed to the jamrah who locked their gates from allowing people escaped through their wings that further aggravated the situation as people were desperate to escape and were looking for water due to suffocation as the weather was hot; another say it was some pilgrims who hoisted their mobile tents closed to the jamrah that blocked the

IN HIS LIGHT with

USTAZ

A. ZAFARAN e-mail: zatabumuneeb@yahoo.com pathways that made the path narrow for easy movements; another say it was a royal convoy that led to the blockade and subsequent stampede; etc. It is really unfortunate. No single sensible human being should be happy at what happened as no scripture ever preached being happy at one’s neighbour’s misfortune as to now use it as point of relegation or conversion. The fact remains that mishaps and stampede claiming thousands of live have always occurred in human history; these were always due to varying reasons. It is thus malevolently inhuman and irreligious to attribute the cause to fallibility of Islaam. For those who have been part of Hajj operation for the past one decade, it is very evident that the Saudi government has really and humanly tried to provide facilities (human, structure, road mapping, etc)in preventing this kind of ugly situations. But we cannot always rule out human error on the part of the pilgrims who have always failed to comply with simple rules laid down by the authority in attempt to outsmart others. The Saudi security might have also underrated the situation by not acting in the best interest of the mammoth crowd by desisting from the blockade. It must, however, be noted that no nation or religion in the world manage three million people for this kind of

rite, within a confine milieu like a camp, where everybody moves towards the same spot doing the same thing for days – moving up and down, to and fro; bearing in mind that these pilgrims are male and female, children, physically challenged, the old and the aged; the attire for this rite for men is just two sewnless shroud. To a true Muslim, destiny, with or without human error, will always prevail. The human error must be investigated thoroughly against another time to prevent such misfortune. The pain of those who lost their beloved may take time to heal. The highly and lowly placed are equal when it comes to death. They all return to Allah for final judgment. They all died in the cause of Allah and are thus martyrs. Their reward is paradise. It is a lesson for us all that our death can occur where and when we least expected. Let us always have good intention at all times and engage in good deeds at all times. Where and how you die is not as important as what you die for. May Allah have mercy on them all and forgive all that contributed to the mishap. And as for those who laugh at this great calamity of Islaam, we leave them to Allah; but they must note that this will never deter us from next year’s hajj, in fact the number may even increase and nothing will happen in shaa Allah.

Hajj stampede: NACOMYO, JMF, others mourn

he leadership of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, NACOMYO, Joint Muslim Forum, JMF, and others has urged prospective pilgrims throughout the world to adhere strictly to rules and regulations guiding hajj performance, just as they must also abide by instructions from hajj officials. The appeal is coming on the heels of the stampede in Muna, Makkah during which hundreds of pilgrims died while performing a cardinal rite of hajj. Alhaji Kamal’ddin Akintunde, National President of NACOMYO, opined that the incident was an act of God and urged the bereaved families to have solace in the fact that the pilgrims died in the course of fulfilling an obligation to their God. Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike,

the Chairman, Steering Committee of the Joint Muslim Forum, JMF, also urged Nigerian lawmakers to expedite action in screening the ministerial nominees and see it as a priority, ensuring that only proper and fit persons are put in charge of the affairs of the nation. NACOMYO however advised Saudi Arabian government to come up with further initiatives and fortify existing arrangements that will prevent a recurrence of the catastrophe. NACOMYO counseled the global Muslim community to assist Saudi Arabia by coming up with recommendations that will enhance hajj performance and address other inadequacies noticeable with hajj operations. The apex Muslim Youth body stressed the need for all stakeholders in the country to re-strategize for a hitch-free operation and enhanced pilgrims

comfort, citing continuous pilgrims education by national and state boards as a veritable strategy. Akintunde noted that the stampede situation in Muna

had been addressed over a decade ago by the Saudi monarch through expansive road network and construction of three-four 8-storey buildings at “Jamarat” area from where

pilgrims can throw pebbles and under military/civil police coordinated arrangement. “But pilgrims are fond of manipulating the near-perfect arrangement.”

L-R: Imam Tafeek Solokun; Imam Ganiyu Osantola; Chief Imam Abdulfatai Shobajo; Mufasir Isaq Aderibigbe; Imam Tajudeen Liyide; Imam Sadiq Ibraheem and Imam Ambali Adeyemi during the Edil-Adiya in Jakande Estate Isolo, Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED

Call to Worship

17 Thul-Hijjah 1436 Friday, October 2, 2015

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Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya

Being steadfast in worship of Allah

ome people ask how to develop fervour in worship of God. They say they try but cannot generate the requisite condition. It should be remembered that man should consistently try in this regard, firm in the faith that whatever is granted is from God alone. This will instil the condition which will lead man to be close to God and enhances fervour in worship. Someone asked the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) how to inculcate fervour in worship of God. He replied: fervour in good works and worship of God cannot be instilled by itself or through one’s own efforts. It comes with the grace and enablement of God. Therefore it is important not to feel perturbed and to continue to pray to God for His grace and enablement and not tire in praying for this. When a person consistently follows this, God, through His grace, ultimately creates the state for which man is eager and keen, that is, passion, fervency and pleasure is generated in worship of God. This does not come to pass if a person does not spiritually strive and endeavour for it and imagines that he would attain this state with the simple blowing of someone’s mouth! This is not the principle and the way of God. This attitude is tantamount to trifling with God and anyone who follows this is ultimately ruined. It should be well remembered that one’s heart is in God’s hand and without His grace, one could turn Christian or become irreligious any time. This is why prayers should be made all the time

O ne

L-R: Circuit Missionary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Manatan Ibadan, Missionary Abdul Ganiyyi Daramola; National Taribiya Secretary, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyyi Ahmad; Amir, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; Circuit President, Alhaji Muniru Adeagbo and Prof. Abdul Fatai Fehintola, during the Eid- el- Adha prayer in Ibadan.

who

disregard

G od

becomes satanic .

T his

is why it

is important for man to continually engage in istaghfar and God’s help sought to remain on the right path. One who disregard God becomes satanic. This is why it is important for man to continually engage in istaghfar (seeking forgiveness of God) so that the toxin that ruins a person is not created. The prerequisite is for man to be consistent and remain firm in the faith that there is no one to turn to except God. When one shuts all other avenues and turns to God alone, the condition is developed which takes one close to God. And for this constant Divine help should be sought. When man engages in istaghfar he will turn Satan away and as a result will pray with passion to come into Divine refuge and also for greater Divine nearness. God’s grace befalls when this condition is attained. May God enable us to be His true servants and to do good and also be steadfast!

Amir, Ahmadiyya Musilm Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola, addressing the crowd, during the Eid-el-Adha prayer in Ibadan.

L-R: Sadr Khudamul-ul Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Bro. Abdul Rafi Abdul Qadir; National Auditor, Mr. Ismail Mustapha; Jama’at President, Manatan Ibadan Mosque, Alhaji Ismail Olanipekun and General Secretary, Manatan Circuit, Bro. Zikrullah Ajimoti, during the Eid-elAdha prayer in Ibadan.

L-R: Mrs Fausat Uthman; Amir’s wife, Mrs. Fatimah Fashola; Mrs. Rasheedat Famoriyo and Mrs. Lateefat Fashola.

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Friday, October 2, 2015

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, at University, Professor Debo Adeyewa; Pro Chancellor/Chairman of Council, Pastor, Tokunbo Adesanya; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, during the 10th Anniversary/7th Convocation of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, yesterday.

People In The Mirror

L-R: Mr. Nnamdi Alex Chukwu of National Mirror Newspapers; His Royal Highness, Ochiriozuo 1 of Umuokpo Autonomous Community, Owerrri West Local Government Area, Imo State, Eze Eunan Eke and Chief Omenwanne I of Umuokpo, Chief Paulinus Chikere, during the graduation ceremony of HRH at the University of Lagos(UNILAG), recently.

L-R: Gold Medalist, Abolaji Omotayo; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; other gold Medalists from Kwara State at the Commonwealth Youth Athletics Games in Samoa, Peker Victor and Adeyemi Sikiru, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

L-R: 21st President of Westminster College, Missouri, U.S.A, Benjamin Ola Akande; Managing Partner, TWPC, Bola Adeniyi-Taiwo; World’s Number 1 Customer Service Guru - Shep Hyken Partner, TWPC - Mojisola Olateru-Olagbegi, at a Customer Amazement Revolution Masterclass organised by the WorkPlace Centre Limited (TWPC) and SHEP HYKEN, Lagos recently.

L-R: Chief Sam Ayamele of the IBB golf club; Chairman, MIllenium Development Goals, Plateau State, Hon Sam Damla; Plateau State Governor Simon B. Lalong and wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs Farida Wada, at a golf tournament in Lamingo Golf Course to mark Governor Lalong’s 100 days in Office which in Jos recently.

L-R: National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Dr.(Mrs.) Nnenna Ezeigwe; Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; Dr.(Mrs.) Perpetua Uhomoibhi and Director, Political and Civic Education, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Ngosi Ekeoba in a group photograph at the end of an advocacy meeting in Abuja.

L-R: Student of Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Program (ETEPP)Mohammed Abdullahi; Principal Consultant, Etisalat Academy, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ahand Alexander and another ETEPP student, Kelechi Okogwu at a training session for faculty and students of Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Program (ETEPP) held at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria recently.

Members of Babcock University Alumni, during the 2015 Founders’ Day celebration of the University at the University Stadium, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

Arty News

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Urhobo, Isoko unions back cultural show T

Dr Abiodun Oyenuga- Quality Advisor, Medical Credit Fund PharmAccess Foundation; Mr. Uzodinma Osisiogu- Program Director, Medical Credit Fund, PharmAccess Foundation; Dr. K. Lawal- Director PHC Development Board; Dr. Olamide Okulaja- Chairman, Ogun State WEF (World Economic Forum) Project Management Unit; Mrs. Azuka Okeke- Secretary, Ogun State WEF Project Management Unit.

Araya Imitative berths in Ogun Imoelayo Fatunase

t is said that the strength of any society is determined by the health of its people; but sadly, accessing quality healthcare has become a huge luxury for a larger percentage of our society comprising mostly the low and middle income earners. The desire and passion to bring quality healthcare closer to the people of Ogun state at affordable rate led to a health care workshop packaged

by Araya Initiative with the support of Ogun State Government which was held at Abeokuta on Thursday. It aimed at bringing the key players in the health sector of Ogun State together in order to find ways to handshake and at the end to bring quality healthcare within the reach of the poorest of the poor and the lowest of the low. Araya Initiative has spread to many Local Government Areas of Ogun State, this include ijebu Ode, Ifo, Abeokuta North and South.

Oritse Femi, Kiss Daniel bag award as MAFP Queen emerges Regina Otokpa

he Peace Ambassador Agency made history delivering a well packaged event during its fourth edition of Miss Ambassador for peace and achievers award this year at the Sheraton hotels Abuja. Capturing some big wigs in the entertainment industry and different sectors of society, a combined three ballrooms of the Sheraton hotel which was filled to an overflow, came alive with excitement when Kiss Daniel, Eucharia Anunobi, MC Shakara, Alex Ekubo, Mr. Nigeria Emmanuel Ikubese, Okeke Zandas, AIT, John Fashanu and so many others received awards for outstanding and impactful performances in their various fields of endeavor. The excitement came to a crescendo

when Oritse Femi gave a studding performance of his smash hit ‘Double Wahala’ just before receiving his award as Artiste of the year. Speaking to Friday Flavor, a recipient of peace achievers award 2014 edition, Rachel Bakam, challenged the recipients of this year’s award and the seven peace queens to step up and defend their award and ensure they contribute their quota to the fight for peace both within and outside the country. “I am looking forward to seeing people who are passionate about contributing to not only the peace of Nigeria but the peace of the world. I received last year and I have been a peace ambassador since then that and I expect people who are officially either crowned as queen of peace ambassador and whomever receives this award will take it upon themselves to carry on with this fight.”

At the MAFP event

he Urhobo Progress Union [UPU] and Isoko Development Union [IDU], both umbrella bodies for the twin tribes of Urhobo and Isoko speaking people in Delta State respectively have pledged their support for the oncoming Urhobo/Isoko Cultural and Comedy All Stars Show. At a separate meeting with the leadership of the UPU at the country home of its President General, Joe Omene at Mosogar in Ethiope W e s t L o c a l Council a n d t h e Presid e n t General of IDU Gen. Paul Ofuoma Omu [rtd] at Igbide in the heart of Isokoland in Isoko South Gordons Local Government Areas respectively, pledged their maximum support for the initiative which they said will not only bring together their people, but to share in the glory of the individual hard working people that achieved so much in comedy, entertainment as well as in other fields of human endeavours. Chief Joe Omene promised to grace the occasion, whilst also calling on all Urhobos sons and daughters to see the event as theirs. I n same vein, t h e IDU under the I go dye leadership of Gen. Omu (rtd) also pledged its support and promised to also mobilise all Isokos to be part of the event. The UPU and IDU praised the initiator of the event, Lucky Onoriode George for the vision and noted that programmes like this will only bring together the twin tribes, it will also give the young ones role models to look up to. On their parts too, the spokesmen of UPU, Chief Mike Okenini and that of IDU, Mr. Daniel Odhomo, assured Onoriode George, that the two bodiesAkeju are ready to

work in any capacity the organisers will assign to them for a successful event. The event tagged Urhobo/Isoko Comedy All Stars show is a forum for unifying the people of the region, according to ace comedian and co-organiser, Atunyota Akporobomerere (Ali Baba). The show billed for October 25 will feature comedy icons Ali Baba, Gordons, I-Go-Die and Bovi in comedy, Daddy Showkey, Dr. Sid in music and Arts, as well as an avenue for showcasing the rich culture of the Delta people/celebrate their achievements nationally and internationally. According to George of African Travel Times, the organiser of the event, the choice of comedy as handle for the show was informed by the fact that the country’s foremost comedians, at this time, are from that axis and are tagged the ‘Golden Generation’ that should be used to encouraged the teaching of Urhobo/Isoko to the young ones; especially those born to Urhobo/Isoko mothers or fathers. Jude ‘Away Away’ Onakpoma, followed by Ali Baba, both Urhobos paved the way. Several others have also hit the road and carved niches for themselves –Gordons, I-GoDie, Onobrakpeya, the Ejiros, the Amatas, Mofe Damijo, Mudi (fashion) and several others in the music industry are all very successful brands from that region. “If you take a look at the entertainment landscape, you will see that the big names, in fact, the movers and shakers are either Urhobos or Isokos. Is it Ali Baba or Gordons, I-Go-Die or Sammy Okposo? Name them, they are all from that region”, he said. He stated further that apart from comedy and entertainment in general, their people have also excelled in fashion, noting that through hard-work and diligent, names like Tex Egbedi of Texen, Kesse Jabari and Clement Mudiaga Enajero [Mudi Africa] are now household names nationally and internationally.

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Arty News

Friday, October 2, 2015

Ambassador Gabriel Oyibode is the Grand Patron, Miss Ambassador for Peace Nigeria, a pageantry focused on educating youths on peaceful coexistence. He talks about his passion, life and why he supports pageantry in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA. Excerpts: The Miss Ambassador for Peace Agency recently hosted the fourth edition of its pageantry and Peace Achievers Awards, how do you feel regarding the huge success of the event? When you have a child and you see the child growing you will be very happy. It is a great pleasure seeing peace ambassador agency growing, not just growing, affecting lives very positively in the right direction. I believe it was a success because of the crème of personalities that were drawn and present during the event here in Abuja. All we are promoting in this agency is peace education and we can’t achieve peace without love and mutual understanding. It gives me great pleasure because that is my calling and that is what my foundation is all about.

My advice for entertainers in Abuja –Gabriel Oyibode What advice do you have for entertainers in Abuja so they could operate within the same class with Lagos based artistes? They should be focused and do what they know how to do best so as to sustain that growth entertainment is receiving in Abuja. Soon Abuja will be the rave of the country and everyone would want to benefit from its huge presence of talents. What would be your message to the President and the youths especially now that we are having a new dispensation? My candid advice to the President is that he should embrace the younger generation because they are the strength of the economy. Today we are talking about entertainment it is a wonderful industry and apart from being a wonderful industry it also contributes immensely to citizen so it is good that the president should imbibe and welcome the youths even with all their talents and exhibitions. You know youths can be very restive especially in a difficult and trying situation so my advice is they should be patient. The Bible preaches patience, the Koran preaches patience they should be patient, hardworking, prayerful and above all they should imbibe peace as a virtue.

How far has your foundation gone in affecting lives in the society? Gabriel Oyibode Foundation was founded in 2013 and since then we’ve been doing wonderfully well but before 2013, Gabriel Oyibode as a personality has been affecting lives for more than 20 years consistently but off record. For the purpose of record and politics, I decided to register the foundation to give it a legal backing so that it can attract both government and international recognition and support but so far so good, I have not gotten support from anybody either government or charity organizations, I have been doing that from the little resources which God has bestowed on me. Any money that comes to me I see it as money for the people and not for really for me. Is there a story behind your passion in reaching out and rendering help to people in need? Most people do not know that I am an Evangelist by calling and as an evangelist, you are supposed to do the work that Jesus Christ did and he commissioned us in order to extend this love to the people not just preaching. Some ministries today know how to preach but they are not good in doing it and one of the major legacy of the coming of Jesus Christ is to come and teach us sacrificial love which is a very difficult virtue for people to cultivate. I am full of that passion, apart from the fact that I preach and teach it, it is a part of me, it is my calling and i want to make sure that I exhibit it till the end of time. How many lives have you impacted so far? There are testimonies, I cannot count. There are just too numerous to mention and I don’t keep records of all that because it is not really necessary because of my orientation. it is not because I want people to know me for my magnanimity but whatever I have done so far will speak to me. Are there any scholarship awards? So many, I cannot count The agency this year gave out awards to some big wigs in the entertainment industry and some other notable personalities in society. What criteria did you employ in the selection? I was not there when the selection was done but going from their presentation before me, I know they did a lot of research locally and internationally. They also went on the social media, made comparisons to arrive at the right persons to award. It is on record that you donated brand new cars and also sponsored a trip to South Africa for the immediate past queens. What form of support would you be giving to this new reign of queens?

Gabriel Oyibode

I have been giving them my earnest support; I will continue to do what I have been doing to the youth and the entertainment industry. Is MAFP the only pageantry you have supported so far? No, it might also interest you to know that I have supported all the pageants in Abuja and received lots of awards. I will continue doing my best towards youth development through pageantry and other means. What is your opinion about the plague of pageantry we are faced with presently in the country? Well, in anything we do in this life we always have the bad eggs. They are recognized organization, it depends on the leaders to scrutinize who is coming in so as to separate the weed from the chaff. What steps do you propose government should undertake to curb this? The government should give the body strong recognition and also help in supporting them because they have continued to help lots of youths on the country to shun violence and at least get employed one way or the other. Obviously besides being a philanthropist, you love entertainment.

My candid advice to the President is that he should embrace the younger generation because they are the strength of the economy

How do you balance work, faith and family? I find time to unwind with my family because I am married to my lovely princess, Favour Imabong Oyibode. She has been my backbone. My wife comes first in whatever I do, my family and children are very important to me. If I don’t work hard, how can I take good care of them? I hardly rest because I travel a lot to make sure that my business is intact but when I am not working, I stay with my family. My focus in the real estate makes it easier to focus on the issues of housing and infrastructural development. I believe that whatever you want in this life has to be achieved, it must be earned. How has life been after the last election? Life after the election has not been very easy especially because now that we are in a new administration, the PDP government was in power for 15 years and now ousted by the APC so it is not going to be too easy with people who have been in government before now as this is a new government and the new government has not really settled down properly. I am a businessman, a consultant to the Federal Government so a lot of things are on hold; the economy is strangulated so it is not really easy to cope. I believe that hard work pays and it is my guiding principle.

Escape

Friday, October 2, 2015

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South Africa: Enjoying

tique, veteran, vintage, post-vintage, post-45 and post-60 automobiles housed in four de-humidified halls and presented in chronological order, portraying the evolution of the motor car. Entry prices: adults R60, motor club members R50 and children aged 3 – 12 R30.

Nelson Mandela Square

Khwa ttu

Imoleayo Fatunase WITH AGENCY REPORTS

outh Africa has been among the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world due to its exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture which offer the visitors a unique and inspiring experience during their visit to the country. South Africa is a heady mix of third and first world cultures - along with the best and least crowded beaches in the world. Throw in wildlife parks such as the The Kruger National Park, Eight World Heritage Sites, beautiful natural scenery, a great infrastructure and a stable post-apartheid environment and you have a great destination waiting to happen. There are also plenty of opportunities for shopping and fine and casual dining for everyone, plus the chance to experience local and international cuisine – including South Africa’s own renowned wines – to discover exciting wild life – the Big Five, zebras, giraffes and many others species including aquatic varieties (think majestic whales) and plentiful bird varieties. You can also find out about South Africa’s ongoing contribution to its many conservation projects. Here, you can also learn about South Africa’s fight for freedom and how the influence of Mandela and many others helped to bring about its change.

Major Attractions in South Africa Table Mountain Table Mountain is no doubt one of the world’s recognizable natural places,

Exotic combination of cultures, landscapes and history, these are the things that make South Africa a place to be standing at 3560ft high with a flat top that defines the place. It is a flat-topped mountain which offers its visitors the choice of either the five minute cable car ride [using the cableway] or hiking to the top. Adults ride for about R205, R100 for children between 4years to 17years while children under 4years ride for free at the table mountain. When riding, visitors are always amused with appreciation of the spectacular views as the cableway has rotating floors with enormous windows. The plus enjoyment is the self service restaurant and the magnificent panorama from the top. The major activities include; hiking, caving, mountain biking and rock climbing. The mountain biking is allowed as a result of The slopes of Table Mountain which has many jeep tracks, The route to the Block House is a popular route for bike riding with all Bike riders following the directional signs on display for mountain bike riders.

The Robben Island Tour to Robben Island is an experience not to forget due to the exposition to the emotional pilgrimage of the former penal colony where many PAC and ANC members, including Nelson Mandela, were incarcerated. The place holds symbolic status, the centre is very close to the popular Table Mountain and all the land on the island areowned by the State, with the exception of the island church. The Island is roughly oval in shape, with the distance of about 3.3 km long north-

south, and 1.9 km wide, with an area of 5.07 km². The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it is flat and only a few metres above sea level, as a result of an ancient erosion event. On visiting, your guides may be former inmates, offering first-hand accounts of prison life. The tour features an interesting interactive exhibit at the Nelson Mandela Gateway, where the Ferries tour start hourly between 9am and 3pm. The trip last roughly for about two hours with a drive around the island and a visit to the prison. Visitors are expected to pay a ransom of about R150 for adults and R75 for children. the island has remained a popular tourist destination since its declaration as World Heritage Site in 1999. Usually reached by ferry from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, The iosland opens throughout the year, weather permitting, and tours of the island and prison are led by guides formerly prisoners there. Robben Island Museum operates as a site and a living museum.

Franschhoek Motor Museum Franschhoek is located R45, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa, the Franschhoek Motor Museum is definitely the best place For lovers of vintage and modern cars, the museum houses a fantastic collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and fascinating memorabilia, ranging from an 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a high performance 2003 Enzo Ferrari supercar. The museum has range of an-

Khwa ttu can claim its accredited status with the CATHSSETA (the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education Authority) for the provision of Nature and Cultural Site Guide Skills Programmes, it is a San Education and Culture Centre which provides an amazing learning experience on the first indigenous people of Southern Africa and their descendants. Learn about San history and their complex ‘click’ language, together with their tracking and rock art painting skills. The site is located at Grootwater Farm, R27, Yzerfontein, 7351, Western Cape, South Africa, South Africa ,also it offers an in depth photographic exhibition that helps visitors understand the issues facing the San people today, including the dispossession of land and natural resources. Visitors are exposed to the local wildlife and plentiful plant species; Trip to Khwa ttu is a wonderful day out for anyone interested in South Africa and its original people. The mission of the centre is based on the theme “A celebration of the San culture, present and past, for a better future”. Its mission statement includes as primary objectives to restore the heritage of the San, to educate the general public about the world of the San and to provide training to the San in various areas”.

Newlands Brewery Newlands Brewery creates opportunity for visitors to learn all they need to know about the histories of beers, the Brewery dates from 1800s with preserved buildings and artifacts, food and beer tastings. It is located at 3 Main Rd,Newlands 7700, Cape Town, South Africa. The tour to the site illustrates the brewing process from start to refreshing finish. From history, the first beer was brewed at the centre by Pieter Visagie in 1658 and since then has grown from strength to strength. The tour features all the production processes of the beer production line, including the speedy bottling method and how the brewery makes sure its beers are produced following stringent quality practices. Best of all, you get the chance to enjoy two beers to try for yourself ! Tour price is R80 per adult and R50 per pensioner and student, includes two drinks, a tasting and the tour.

Groot Constantia Groot Constantia is noted for high quality Shiraz, Merlot and Grand Constance, the celebrated Constantia dessert wine. Its history extends back 300 years to 1685, when the farm land was assigned to Simon van der Stel. One of the oldest South African wine farms, its history

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, October 2, 2015

the Rainbow Nation

Escape

Palace-sun-city-hotel FMM

Tablemountain at Capetown

is well documented, with carriages on show in the Coach House and the Wine Museum displaying drinking vessels and wine storage methods from days gone by. Price: Adult R30, SA students R15, kids aged 6 – 18 R15. Under 5’s free and families (two adults and 2 kids) R75.

Ostrich Farm, Oudsthoorn The Ostrich Farm Oudshoorn is a large farm which specializes in the breeding of ostriches and also can be reffered to as the capital of the ostrich industry; the site opens to visitors providing specialized information about the various stages of the birds’ development, provided with the opportunity to visit young offspring and an ostrich pen. The visit to the farm will clarify all about how the birds are bred and the various ways in which ostrich products are marketed and fashioned. For instance, ostrich skin is used for handbags and shoes, and eggshells for decorative purposes. Ostrich meat is also popular because it lean and also full of protein. Also kids are allowed to sit on one of the wide eyed birds and also hold an ostrich egg, which would make an awfully big omelette! Charges for adults are R80 and R45 for children.

Satyagraha House Satyagraha House is commonly known as Gandhi House. It is a museum and guest house located in Johannesburg, The site dated its history between

St Lucia Estuary

1908 and 1909, Satyagraha House was the South African base of Mahatma Gandhi. The house was built and designed by Ghandi’s friend Hermann Kallenbach, it was fashioned and named The Kraal, with its two rondavel-style rooms. Satyagraha is the tenet of passive resistance, the stance upon which Ghandi developed his successful struggle for India’s independence from the British Empire. The house, situated in Orchards, Johannesburg, has been restored and provides the option to appreciate its tranquility either through a day visit which is free or the overnight stay which cost an amount of naira.

Nelson Mandela Square Nelson Mandela Square is a shopping centre carrying the name of the popular Icon ‘Nelson Mandela’ who has contributed in the growth of African countries; the centre is located in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The square was formerly known as Sandton Square and was named for the former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in March 2004. Outside the shopping centre is a big statue of the South African Icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, which is about six meter high, it was unveiled at the ceremony to rename the square. The square is situated in Johan-

nesburg’s European-styled piazza of the same name, in lively Sandton, Gauteng Province. It is home to a variety of chic boutiques, up market shops, fashionable African, Italian, Greek and French restaurants and water fountains for the kids’ amusement, with the statue standing centre of it all. Visitors also have opportunity to take pictures side by side with a giant ode to the great man. The square remains one of the largest open public spaces in the South Africa.

The Palace of the Lost City the Palace of the Lost City is a Luxury personified entity set for visitations by people within the country and out the country. Its entrance consists of stunning mosaic frescos and golden zebra hide upholstered furniture. The Palace was inspired by lost African tribe fantasy and rated as one of the Leading Hotels of the World. Visitors can avail themselves of casinos, safaris, golf, first class restaurants and accommodation, least of all, the Sun City Valley of Waves water park. With its choice of luxury and adventure for all ages, it is perfect for a family holiday in South Africa, the tower is also renowned with elephant tusks. It is located at the Sun City Resort, R556, Sun City, Rustenburg, 0316, South Africa.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping Gateway theatre of shopping is located in the nice stylish seaside suburb of Umhlanga, the place is a shopping

theatre comprising of multi-level mega shopping and entertainment complex having more than 400 retail shops, 30 restaurants, coffee houses, 10-pin bowling alley, go-kart arena, skate park with a near-vertical ramp, an indoor funfair, two individual movie houses and the Wave house and a surfing water park with a difference. The construction of the complex commence in 1998 and was officially opened on 2001, It is the perfect Durban destination for the whole family due to its varied activities that visitors might be interested in starting from shopping, eating, having fun to mention of few. The shopping centre located on Umhlanga Ridge in Umhlanga, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

St Lucia Estuary St Lucia Estuary is South Africa’s first World Heritage Site and home to approximately 800 hippopotami, 1200 Nile crocodiles and many other animals like black rhinos, leopards, greater kudus and abundant invertebrates. The Lucia Estuary has lots of Exciting attractions include kayaking on the estuary, a day self or night guided game drive and horse riding around the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and a walk on the iGwalagwala Trail to spot its variety of birds. The charge for two popular family campsite cost of R180 for has a minimum charge of R180,with additional charges of R90 per adult and R45 per child.

Friday, October 2, 2015

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Mercedes-Benz showcases “Dream Cars” at Frankfurt’s Motor Show

Stories by Adejuwon Osunnuyi

ercedes-Benz put on yet another spectacular display at the recently concluded famous International Motor show, popularly known as the IAA (International Automobile Ausstellung). The show, which usually holds in Frankfurt, Germany for passenger cars, was once again a tremendous success. Whilst brands from all over the world were adequately represented, showcasing new and improved models, Mercedes-Benz took no prisoners in its impressive and innovative display of its “Dream Cars Collection” which were featured in no less than three world premiers, along with a number of motor show premiers. Hosting its various markets from around the globe, including Weststar Associates Ltd, the Authorised Distributor of MercedesBenz in Nigeria, Mercedes-Benz ensured the experience was quite an interesting and exciting one. The Mercedes-Benz’ theme was ‘Digitalization’ and focused in particular on ‘Speed’. This is evident in the Mercedes-Benz show car “Concept IAA- Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile.”

According to Dr Dieter Zetsche, the Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz cars, at the Mercedes-Benz and Smart Press conference, the show car was the first transformer from MercedesBenz away from the movie screen. The Concept IAA is a four-door coupe which, not only embodies two cars in one, but also irresistible design elements which switches automatically to aerodynamic mode when the vehicle reaches a speed of 80km/h whilst numerous aerodynamic measures alter the shape of the vehicle. It offers new touch-based functions, the design of the S-Class and S-Class Coupe is maintained, and definitely predicts what the interior of the business saloon might look like in the not so far future. While describing the cars as ‘a representation of pure lust for life’, Ola Kallenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler, Mercedes-Benz Sales stated that, evident in the two SUV coupes- the GLE Coupe and the forthcoming GLC coupe, Mercedes-Benz is delivering the perfect mix of power and elegance. With the C-Class Coupe, the fascination begins with its revolutionary design. The C-Class Coupe boasts lightweight construction,

excellent aerodynamics, and efficient engines thereby producing high performance. The AMG C 63 Coupe, on the other hand, is the sportiest C-Class ever with far reaching technical modifications, while the driving performance is taken to new heights. The beat of the production coupe is more “Drum and Bass”, while the look of the AMG is clearly “Rock ‘n’ Roll. However, both variants drive as amazingly as they look. There are also more convenient functions, and double performance is certain. This dream car is set to arrive at showrooms sometime in 2016, and the Mercedes-Benz version of the C-Class Coupe will arrive about four weeks earlier. More cars on display were the new Mercedes-Benz GLC, the new generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC and the Mercedes-Benz VClass AMG line. The new Mercedes-Benz GLC has the outstanding characteristic safety high-tech assistance systems and energy efficiency and performs impressively in all operating conditions. Showing how its vehicles can be individualized to exceptionally high standards, products

from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH on GLC 250 d 4MATIC model were exhibited. For the new generation Mercedes-Benz A- Class, the range of available engines has been increased, and the conflicting aims of sporty performance and enhanced comfort have been reconciled. With revised gear ratios, aerodynamic fine-tuning and the new DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes, which raise the overall performance to a higher level, the Mercedes AMG A 45 4MATIC entry-level model is the most powerful compact sports model in the world. The line of Mercedes-Benz VClass AMG was another awesome display. It has new additional comfort features e.g. the largest panoramic roof in the mid-size van category. It clearly expresses the unique and evolutionary design of the Mercedes-Benz MPV. More interestingly, Dr Zetsche explained the expansion of the SClass to six more models following the introduction of the MercedesBenz S-Class Cabriolet. The new Cabriolet is the first open-top luxury four-seater from Mercedes-Benz since 1971. Offering a sensual and exclusive design with the S-Class

cutting-edge technology, it embodies a comprehensive warmth and wind protection concept, which includes intelligent control for convertibles. In addition, Mercedes-Benz introduced a first in its history, a luxury convertible in the Mercedes-Benz model range. The Mercedes-Benz-AMG S 63 features AMG performance 63 4MATIC allwheel drive with rear-based torque split as standard, among others, making it the ultimate dream car. The new Smart Fortwo and Smart Forfour were not left out in the presentation, as DR Annette Winkler, Head of Smart revealed more about the fresh features. These include; the new combination of turbo engine and dual-clutch transmission, and a “wonderfully” smooth gearshift. Also introduced was the new eyecatching and extremely spacious convertible. “This new Smart is the most affordable convertible in the world,” Dr Winkler affirmed. Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Group Research & Mercedes-Benz cars Development- Dr Thomas Weber also spoke at the Press conference. According to him, “Every IAA motivates our sector to new superlatives while others talk about new ideas for the luxury class, we have actually delivered. We want to offer our customers, not only the best car, but also the one that is the best match for him or her.” Talking on what the S-Class variants which are in the market have in common, he mentioned: first class comfort and safety, plus a stunning appearance. Noting that while the S-500 stands for exceptional efficiency, the AMG S 63 Coupe stands for a combination of luxury and performance, the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 embodies the classic S-Class attributes in their most exclusive form. Rounding off his speech, Dr Zetsche states “…digitalization does not just accelerate our processes for show cars; it does the same for our production vehicles too. We are digitalizing our entire value chain- from R & D, through production to sales, and it is paying off. Mercedes-Benz continues to break records… and we are growing profitably. The most important reason for that is; our lineup is more fascinating and more diverse than ever, and our product offensive continues.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, October 2, 2015

Osinbajo to declare Abuja Ford recalls 319,000 cars, Motor fair open Windstar minivans top list

ice President Yemi Osinbajo is to declare open this year’s Abuja International Motor fair holding at the Eagle Square, Abuja from October 27-November 4, 2015. While speaking on the event, which is in its 17th edition, Chairman, organizing committee, Ifeanyi Agwu said, “With our reach, a high powered delegation from the federal government led by the new vice president of the Yemi Osinbajo will lead the inspection of automobile brands and the parade of stands; as he declares the event opens.” According to him, the event is targeted towards boosting investments in the sector, which is seriously assuming its rightful place in the Nigerian economy. Agwu assured that the platform of this edition has been packaged to increasing the attention of the new administrations in the various tiers of government in Nigeria to the importance of developing the sector so as to enhance the nation’s socioeconomic development. Agwu, who is also the managing director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, organizers of the event said that every effort have been deployed to ensure that through the event, the sector receives the needed support from the new government and the private sector to enhance its’ rapid development. “We are packaging a show that will showcase all the existing and potential investment opportunities that abound in the Nigerian automotive industry, which we believe are very attractive to existing and prospective investors”, he said. This edition will as usual provide the litmus test to the shape

of things in the industry with the current paradigm shift in the economy, government and the automotive sector. He said the quality of showcased automobiles is undoubtedly the primary yardstick of measuring the success of any auto exhibition. This means that auto enterprises showcasing at any exhibition must ensure visibility, wholeness and completeness, not leaving anything to chance”. These will be highly on display at the Eagle Square Abuja from October 27- November 4, 2015 under the auspices of the Abuja International Motor fair”. Nissan fortifies Altima for improved services The 2015 Nissan Altima is a favourite choice among family sedans, delivering excellent fuel economy; a rare blend of comfort and exceptional capacity that compares to most premium sedans, says Edmunds.com, a leading online site for automotive information. The online resource described Nissan Altima as stylish, bold and aggressive with long body lines that distinguishes the Japanese engineered sedan from rivals like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. Emerging from a total model change, the new Altima offers exceptional premium experiences and high technologies that could give mid-size sedans better value proposition and keep it fresh against rivals. Edmunds.com says while many manufacturers are offering different 4-cylinder engines with

hybrids and diesels, the Altima sedan goes the traditional route by offering a base 4-cylinder and a V6, reaffirming Altima’s innovative features to reposition the car way ahead of competition. The Nissan Altima is mated to a lighter weight 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine with improved efficiency while the 3.5-litre V6 version delivers better fuel economy, placing the car way ahead of competitions. Both engines however drive Altima’s front wheels through Nissan’s next generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drives engine revs ahead of vehicle speed during strong acceleration and helps both specifications achieve tremendous fuel economy, the Japanese Automaker assured. Popular Mechanics, a United States classic magazine of popular technology affirmed this claim, stating in one of its recent publications that “the new Altima remains one of the most engaging family sedans, and its fuel economy approaches 16 kilometres per litre of gasoline (pms) for the 2.5 litre engine and 13 kilometres per litre of gasoline (pms) for the 3.5 litre engine, on highway driving.”

ord is recalling 319,302 cars in the U.S. for rusting axles, fuel leaks, transmission defects, and cruise-control problems, the automaker announced. Owners of 1998-2003 Windstar minivans already know their rear axles can rust and snap in half. Ford recalled more than half a million between 2010 and 2012 to install “reinforcement brackets,” some of which were poorly installed and would not support the axle in the event of a sudden fracture. Thistime, it’s recalling 283,413 of those Windstars—likely all that are still running since the original recalls—to replace the axles on cars that had bad brackets. If the brackets look good, Ford won’t replace the axle even though it’s prone to breakage; it will only give owners an “incentive to replace their rear axle at a reduced cost.” Since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration permits manufacturers to limit corrosion-related recalls to specific regions, only Windstars that were or are currently registered in 23 states and the District of Columbia are eligible, even though the problem affects all Windstars. At least 891 owners have logged complaints with NHTSA and Ford, which had to oversee several vehicle buybacks. At least one death is attributed to the defect. Somewhat less serious is a ra-

dar sensor problem on 2015 F-150 pickups. On 33,481 trucks equipped with adaptive cruise control, the sensors may decide to slow the vehicle or flash collision warnings when there is nothing in the lane ahead. According to Ford, big shiny trucks—such as the polished metal on large tractor trailers—can trip the sensors. Fuel tank leaks affect a small group of five models. On 2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans, the fuel tank may crack during a crash due to poor manufacturing. Dealers will replace the tanks on all 658 cars in the U.S. On 2015 Taurus, Lincoln MKS and 2016 Explorer models, the attachment bolts for the fuel tank may loosen and cause a leak. Dealers will tighten these bolts on 203 vehicles. No accidents or injuries have been reported for either issue. Certain remanufactured transmissions installed in 57 previousgen Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs can cause the vehicles to roll away. Faulty bolts attaching the shift lever to the transmission could cause the vehicle to come out of gear. Dealers will tighten that bolt on these 2001-2008 models. Faulty shift lever brackets can do a similar injustice on 1477 brand-new Ford F-53 and F-59 truck chassis from the 2016 model year.

Cocktail

Friday, October 2, 2015

Florida couple invites strangers to crash their wedding

nspired by the popular movie “Wedding Crashers”, a Florida couple is actually asking strangers to crash their wedding next month. Lee County sheriff ’s deputy Paul Johnson and Shelly Osterhout say the more the merrier. They’re hosting the Oct. 10 wedding at an outdoor shop-

ping plaza. The couple, who met online, are promising an unforgettable surprise. They’re planning for up to 1,600 people. The couple, who will honeymoon in Washington D.C. and Manhattan, say they’re looking forward to the surprise of seeing who attends, both new friends and old ones.

Repent! Undercover New Hampshire cops nab cell ban violators

ichelle Tetreault’s daughter didn’t know what “repent” meant when she spotted a man with a sign around his neck warning “Repent! The end is near!” But she’s plenty sorry now that her mom is facing a $124 traffic ticket for using her cellphone to snap a picture of the man. The two were stopped at a red light in Somersworth last week when they saw the sign. Moments after Tetreault gave in to her 14-yearold daughter’s pleas to take a picture, she was pulled over and told the man with the sign was actually an undercover officer. She was tick-

eted for violating the state’s new law against using cellphones or other electronic devices while driving. Tetreault, whose former brother-in-law died in a crash caused by a texting driver, said she never uses her phone while driving but didn’t realize the law also applies to vehicles at stop signs or lights. She plans to appeal the ticket. “I just think it’s a stinky way to do it,” said Tetreault, whose experience was first reported by Foster’s Daily Democrat. “Granted, should I have said no to my daughter? Probably, yes. But I wasn’t even thinking of the law at the time.”

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Oddities Oddities

Monkey has fun on the loose in Orlando suburb

monkey that escaped its owner’s home in an Orlando, Florida, suburb chewed on its neighbors’ mail, pulled molding off a police car and rocked back and forth on a street sign. Zeek was eventually caught when his owner returned home a short time later. Sanford police officers responded to the neighborhood Monday morning after a neighbor called to report that a monkey was eating mail out of a mailbox. Zeek jumped on the officers’ squad car and pulled some molding off the roof. The monkey also drank from a water bottle the officers offered as a distraction. Sanford police officers took video of Zeek and posted it on the agency’s Facebook page. “Zeek had a little fun with our patrol car,” the officers posted in one video.

A monkey that escaped its owner’s home sits on a curb drinking water

Friday, October 2, 2015

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Business Maritime

Removing the hurdles to Nigeria’s trans-shipment cargo traffic Recent revelations that Togo and Benin Republic have taken over Nigeria’s transshipment hub status for land-locked African countries constitutes a major source of worry to most maritime stakeholders. FRANCIS EZEM looks at the issues of insecurity, inefficient port system and high operational cost, which are partly responsible for this and how to tackle them in order to reverse the ugly cargo traffic trend for the benefits of economy.

rior to the port reform programme, Nigeria provided a transshipment hub facility for both imports and exports of most land-locked African countries, especially Niger and Mali. It is also a well known fact that one of the objectives of the programme was to enable the country achieve a hub port status for the West and Central African sub-region. The projection was that after the reform, which also expected to bring about efficiency, reduction in operational cost and cargo dwell time, most consignments imported into the sub-region would end up in Nigeria and later distributed with smaller crafts to the member nations. There is however no doubt that the reform of the ports, which stripped the Nigerian Ports Authority of its cargo handling functions and transferred same to private terminal operators has brought a measure of efficiency to the industry. But it has definitely not brought about the realisation of the country’s dream of achieving a port of destination status for the sub-region. Worse still, the country has lost the transshipment cargo traffic from Niger, Mali and other land locked countries, a development stakeholders argue, is not healthy for national growth and development. It was also gathered that neighbouring African countries such as Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana, who have always taken advantage of policy summersaults in Nigeria in such circumstances, have also taken advantage of the inadequacies in the na-

tion’s port system to take over the transshipment cargo handled by Nigeria before now. Only recently, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigeria’s commercial regulator for the port industry, Mr. Hassan Bello, observed that considering Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa, she ought to be a transshipment hub for import and export goods in the continent. From left: Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas while receiving a plaque from the acting DiAccording to him, before the rector General of NIMASA, Mr. Haruna Jauro, who led a delegation of top management of the agency on reforms, which brought about a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff at Naval head quarters in Abuja recently. private terminal operators to replace NPA, the nation’s seaports Hastruup, who made the posi- agencies, the terminal opera- ance upfront from charges paid handled all the transshipment tion of the terminal operators’ tors are also grappling with the to the government, which they cargo for neighbouring land position on the issue known, inability of the government as turned down”, the STOAN-boss locked countries, which he ar- insisted that they have the ca- represented by NPA to fulfill its also said. Apart from the causes associgued boosted the cargo through- pacity to handle such cargo but bargain in the concession agreeit must be based on commercial ment, especially in terms of ated with high operational cost put of the country.. “But Nigeria has lost these rates and not any form of con- water and electricity and other and efficiency, experts believe that the security situation in consignments due to a combi- cessionary rates as proposed by common user facilities. Hastruup, who is also execu- the country may have also innation of inefficiency of the NPA.. She also insisted that as a tive vice chairman of ENL Con- formed the decision of the landports, high operational cost and sundry challenges occasioned government agency, which re- sortium, disclosed that given the locked countries to relocate to by the absence of an economic ceived subventions, it was pos- non availability of public power Togo and Republic of Benin for regulator for the concessioned sible for NPA charged the land- supply, all the terminals run 24 fear of losing their cargo due locked countries a ridiculously hours on generator in the face of to the perceived poor security port industry”, he said. Bello argued that the country low rate, which is not possible high cost of diesel in the coun- situation in the country. President of the National needed to evolve a regime of for private companies, espe- try, which portends huge cost. “But we have also proposed to Association of Government user-friendly port tariffs system cially given the huge over head so as to recover the lost through- cost associated with terminal the government that we are will- Approved Freight Forwarding to handle the transshipment ers NAGAFF, Chief Eugene put, which would pave way for operation in Nigeria. It was also gathered that goods at a concessionary rate Nweke, one of such stakeholdthe nation’s emergence as a desapart from duplication of for the affected landlocked coun- ers, argued that the governtination port in the region. But the terminal operators charges various government tries while we knock off the bal- ment should address the problems associated with high cost have always argued that they of operation and port efficiency are ready to accept and handle as well as that of growing inseany caro, though at commercial the government should address curity in the country in order to rates, being private business recover the lost transshipment people, who incur sundry cost the problems associated with throughput. in running the terminals inhigh cost of operation and port It therefore implies that Nigecluding paying taxes and other ria requires a holistic approach forms of royalty to the governefficiency as well as that of to regaining the transshipment. growing insecurity in the country ment cargo, which is no doubt Chairman of Seaport Tera major step towards achieving minal Operators Association in order to recover the lost the hub seaport dream for the of Nigeria STOAN, which is transshipment throughput West and Central African subthe umbrella union for the port region. concessionaires, Princess Vicky

Business Maritime

Friday, October 2, 2015

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CBN intensifies substandard products’ war, adopts SON’s e-certification STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

he Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has issued fresh guidelines for importer following its adoption of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s electronic-product certificate and SONCAP certification. SON, Nigeria’s apex standards bureau had recently integrated its electronic certificates into the

Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System NICIS, a move designed to enhance efficiency, reduce cost and also checkmate the influx of fake and adulterated products into the country. Under a new directive issued by the apex bank and signed by Mr. J.O.Ajewole on behalf of the Director, Trade and Exchange Department,, importers and other dealers in the nation’s supply chain are expected to attach the

SON’s electronic product certification to the documentations in the Form M processes in relation to all products regulated by the apex standards bureau. The new policy, which took effect September 10, 2015, which also marked the integration of the SON’s electronic certificates into the NICIS platform, also directs that henceforth, only electronic SONCAP certificate shall be used for the processing of customs

clearance of imported regulated products. The CBN however granted three months of grace period to importers of existing SON’s regulated products, who have made their documentations without the prerequisite SONCAP certificates, beginning from September 10, 2015 to clear them. It was also gathered that part of the requirements for the clearing of the affected consignments is that the importer would apply to the Director General/CEO of SON in order to obtain a provisional electronic clearance certificate EPCC, without which such con-

signments would not be cleared. Meanwhile the apex bank has set a December 1, deadline for the full takeoff of all SON’s electronic certificates for the processing and clearing of all products regulated by the organisation. The new policy directive entitled: ‘Re-Integration of SON’s e-certificates into the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System’ reads in part:”This is to notify all authorised dealers and the general public that the SON’s e-certificates (e-product certificate and SONCAP certificates were deployed on the NICIS on Thursday, September 10, 2015”.

NIMASA, Navy renew MoU for safer maritime environment

he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has said was more committed to enhancing safe and secure maritime environment for shipping activities within the nation’s territorial waters.

ing closely with our industry stakeholders, associations, unions and other government agencies to attract more Singaporeans into both the seafaring and shore-based sectors,” Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said. ”This local core will support the growth of Singapore not only as a premier global hub port, but also a leading international maritime centre that offers a wide range of maritime services including chartering, broking, ship management, finance, legal and insurance.”

This is sequel to the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding MoU between it and the Nigerian Navy to enhance effective patrol of the nation’s maritime space. Acting Director General of the agency, Mr. Haruna Jauro, who paid a working visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas in Abuja, said that both agencies have resolved to deepen their existing collaboration. This, according to him, is with a view of providing a safe and secure maritime environment for shipping activities in the country. Jauro who, who pledged NIMASA’s commitment to upholding and strengthen the existing MoU, however commended the Navy for keeping to the spirit and letters of the MoU. It was gathered that this partnership has drastically

thorities had indicated that they intended to finance a project to expand the Port of Calais, with the funding coming from the French State and local authorities in Pas-de-Calais and, subject to approval, the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility. The project to expand the Port of Calais includes, in particular, the building of a new terminal. France carried out an in-

depth financial analysis showing that the terminal operator’s income from the use of the infrastructure would be insufficient to cover the investment costs over a period of 50 years. Therefore, the project could not have been carried out without public funding. The Commission found that the public funding was limited to the minimum necessary to make the investment possible.

Vessel on sea

Singapore to attract more 1,200 maritime workers by 2020 Singapore’s Sectoral Tripartite Committee for Transport (Sea) announced new initiatives to attract and help Singaporeans deepen skills and advance their careers in seafaring and shore-based sectors. These initiatives were drawn up by the Sectoral Tripartite Committee for Transport (Sea) led by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Comprising two task forces, the committee aims to address current gaps and recommend new initiatives to strengthen manpower development efforts for both seafaring and shore-based sectors. In the next five years, they hope to attract more than 1,200 Singaporeans to join the maritime sector as seafarers and port operations officers. Funding for these initiatives will be drawn from the Maritime Cluster Fund and the national SkillsFuture budget. In drawing up the initiatives, the committee focuses on three main areas; namely profiling and promoting maritime careers highlighting the multiple entry points and good career

progression pathways; growing a pool of maritime talents through structured training programmes; and encouraging skills deepening and mastery. Initial measures that will be rolled out are aimed at encouraging more Singaporeans to take up key positions in seafaring and in the port operations sector. Measures targeting other maritime sub-sectors, such as shipowning/operating, shipbroking, shipmanagement and ship agency, will be rolled out when ready. “MPA is committed to work-

EU approves 270m euros for new Calais terminal project

he European Commission has found that public funding of EUR 270 million to build a new cross‑Channel terminal in the Port of Calais is in line with EU state aid rules. The new terminal was deemed to further EU transport policy objectives without unduly distorting competition in the internal market. In April 2015, the French au-

improved safety within the Nigerian maritime domain, as it has checked the erstwhile increasing cases of piracy and sea robbery, which then earned the country the most insecure waters in the world after Somalia. “Having established a satellite surveillance system that is capable of monitoring in real time vessels’ activities in our maritime domain, NIMASA is also committed to the MoU with the Navy both of which have the overall aim of making Nigeria a maritime destination of choice for both operators and investors”, the DG said. “The determination of the agency to enhance business activities in the maritime industry by ensuring safety and security also led to a Public Private Partnership PPP arrangement with Global West Vessel Specialists Limited GWVSL, which was approved by the Federal Government”, Jauro also said. Under the contract, which is on the basis of ‘No Cure No Pay’, the mandate of GWVSL is to procure and bunker vessels for NIMASA’s operations, manned by the personnel of the Nigerian Navy on a Supply, Operate and Transfer (SOT) basis for a 10- year period after which the ownership of the vessels will revert to NIMASA. Meanwhile, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who spoke at the event, appreciated the efforts of the management of NIMASA in the past eight years since the MoU was first signed most especially in the areas of training of officers and logistics support to naval operations.

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Business News

Friday, October 2, 2015

NDIC charges Jaiz Bank on non-interest banking awareness drive Tola A kinmutimi

igeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has urged the management of Jaiz Bank Plc to embark on intensive public awareness and financial education on the benefits of noninterest banking practice in order to improve its customer base in the country.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, explained that the benefits of profit and loss banking remained mutually rewarding partnership among all participants in Islamic Banking in line with its business practices. A statement by the Corporation’s Head, Communications and Public Affairs, Mallam Hardi Bichi, quoted the NDIC’s boss as making these clarifications when the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr. Muhammad Nurul Islam, led a team of the bank’s management staff to the Corporation in Abuja to update it onrecent developments in the bank.

Ibrahim, told the team that the Corporation had developed a noninterest banking deposit insurance fund framework in May 2015 aimed at creating a level playing field and provide deposit protection for depositors involved in non-interest banking and protect them against any possible losses. The financial expert also reiterated that the Corporation had trained its staff in the special area of expertise and that Corporation was in the process of appointing committee of experts to advise it on all issues relating to Deposits Insurance Scheme (DIS) for noninterest banking. He however, noted that the dearth of viable investment windows like SUKUK and other Sharia-compliant investment portfolios would require collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Debt Management Office (DMO), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to develop Sharia permissible investment products. While noting the challenges facing the Corporation due to

Marketing communications experts score Nigeria high on economy David Audu

ifty five years after independence, Nigeria’s economy still tetheringsult of years of mismagement and corruption. However, with the coming of the new administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, Nigeria economy seems to be responding new impetus aimed at regigging and improving economic life of the people and businesses. In the marketing communications industry, though there are complains of low financial flow, experts are confident that the economy is on its way to improvement if the current financial discipline continous. Assessing Nigeria’ economy therefore from the stand point of the new government, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria, AAAN, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, observed that with the current drive of government there is potential for improvement in Nigeria economy. He however advised that it is not yet uhuru for Nigerians to relax in working hard and supporting the government in the

effort at revamping years of indiscipline and corruption. The Managing Director of TBWA Concepts noted that the government must still work hard in the area of reorientation of our values to attract foriegners investment. Though he said it is too early to judge the present government, saying Nigeria image problem preceed this administration, he was however optimistic that with hard work the country will definitely receive favourable perception, adding the international community is wainting to see the emargence of Nigeria that will take its rightful place. Also commenting on Nigeria 55 years after independence, a communications expert and secretary of the Public relations consultants association of Nigeria, PRCAN, Mr. Muyuwa Akintunde said there is no doubt that Nigeria’s economy has improved in recent times, saying that the new government has succeeded in telling the world that Nigeria remains the largest black nation that is open to doing business with anybody.

lack of investment instruments for premium collected from the non-interest banking subsector, the NDIC boss commended Jaiz Bank management on the recent approval-in-principle licence it obtained from the CBN to become a national bank and the waiver granted to it on the reduction of its liquidity ratio from 30 per cent to 10 per cent. Ibrahim pointed out that waiver would ensure that a level playing field is created for all operators in the banking sector as well

as engender healthy competition. He tasked the bank’s management to imbibe sound corporate governance practices and guard against insider abuses, stressing that the success of the bank would go a long way in alleviating poverty and promoting the development of the poor who are mostly engaged in small and medium scale businesses nationwide. In his remarks, the Jaiz Bank’s boss expressed the man-

agement’s appreciation to over the assistance it got from the supervisory authorities, particularly from the NDIC. Islam hinted the bank had engaged the Bankers Committee of the CBN and other stakeholders, especially the DMO, on the establishment of SUKUK Bond and other Sharia permissible investment platforms for noninterest banks in Nigeria, adding that Jaiz Bank had achieved in less than four years what took its counterpart in Bangladesh 17 years to achieve.

L-R: Regional Manager, Wuse Region, Diamond Bank Plc, Abidemi Soladoye; Strategic Relationship Manager, Intel Corp, Stanley Muoneke; Divisional Head, MSME Propositions & Agency Banking, Diamond Bank, Plc, Chidinma Lawanson; MD/CEO, Oladele Construction Company Nig. Ltd, Alhaji Oladele Isiaka; MD, CLM Consulting, John Ekpikhe and Regional Manager, Garki Region, Diamond Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman, at the 60th Diamond BusinessXpress Seminar in Abuja recently.

‘Policy inconsistency, bane of Nigeria’s PPP projects’ Olusegun Koiki

he Chief Operating Officer, COO, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, has decried that inconsistent policy of the Federal Government on PublicPrivate Partnership, PPP, remained a major drawback for the success of the arrangement in the country This is even as she restated roles of the private sector in the ongoing modernization of the nation’s aviation sector, saying that OPS involvement is needed to enable the Nigerian sector compete favourably in the global market. Speaking at the first ‘Girls in Aviation Day’, organised by the Glowing Wings Chapter of Women in Aviation

International, WAI, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Awoniyi said PPP, which came onboard some few years ago was still an innovation in every sector of the Nigerian economy. She explained that through PPP, the government would be able to focus its attention more on provision of basic infrastructure, healthcare, security, education, rural development and a host of services that would benefit the average Nigerian. According to her, one of the major challenges militating against PPP in the industry and in the country generally was the attitude of some people in the country who still saw the scheme as “the selling of the proverbial birth right of Nigerians.” She said: “The risk of the bigger and stronger party wanting to amend the agree-

ment a few years into the agreement. This in essence rubbishes the model on which loans was obtained, equity participation were considered encouraging and risks jeopardising the workforce of any organistaion. “However the aviation industry and airport operations can be very interesting, exciting and fulfilling. Current airport operations can be said to be a departure from the past belief that airport operations is all about being a pilot flying planes. Opportunities for a career in aviation are of varying degrees.” She explained further that the PPP arrangement of BASL had created for the industry in the past eight years 3,000 jobs, but noted that this was made possible with the support of government agencies in the sector.

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Buhari restates commitment to fiscal prudence, transparency Tola Akinmutimi

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday restated his commitment to the current anti-graft war and public finance prudence in order to deliver on his electioneering promises to change the country

by improving th socio-economic wellbeing of the citizenry. Giving the assurance in his Independence Day television broadcast, the President said that he would prefer to do the right things even slowly to get the desired results than to be in a needless hurry that ultimately would not impact the desired

change in the country. He quipped: “Impatience is not a virtue,” President Buhari explained that the ongoing audits of key state institutions such as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and reforms in the banking sector, the Nigeria Customs Service and other rev-

enue collection agencies were part of the anti-graft measures to entrench fiscal discipline in governance. He clarified: “Prudent housekeeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely.” Although the results of the government’s fiscal and monetary policy measures are yet to be felt in concrete terms by millions of vulnerable or socio-economically deprived Nigerians, particularly the army of unemployed youths, development and economic analysts believe that as desirable as the measures portend, the need to properly focus the economy has become imperative. For instance, the recently introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA), policy as well as other monetary policies being churned out the CBN are seen as desirable but that their im-

plementation should be guided to ensure that they don’t close channels to public finance assess or cripple the economy. In his remarks on the TSA, the Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf, agreed that “the major advantage of the TSA is the fact that it will ensure and improve revenue inflow into the Federation Account, and this will improve the fiscal stability of all the levels of government – federal, state and local. “However, it is necessary to caution against the resultant bureaucratic bottleneck that could be created in the disbursement of funds to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for their operations. If care is not taken, the operations of some of the agencies may be crippled, if there is no adequate framework for speedy release of funds to the agencies for their daily operations.”

Canadian firm to close deal on Nigerian JV assets acquisition L-R. Jnr. Brand Manager- Peak, Adetunji Quadri; Snr. Activation Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Grace Onwubuemeli and Snr. Brand Manager- Peak, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Omolara Banjoko with Pupils from AG Nurs/Pry School, Ikate Surulere, Modern Day Nurs/Pry School, Ebute Metta and Bellina College, Akoka during the Independence Day Family Fun Celebration with Peak Choco at New Apapa Amusement Park, Lagos yesterday.

FG may suspend compensation payment to poultry farmers

he Federal Government has said that it may suspend the payment of compensation to poultry farmers whose farms were infected by Avian Influenza (AI) pending when substantial progress on bio-security and other containment measures are put in place by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and state veterinary services. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc. Sonny Echono, gave the hint on Wednesday during a meeting with poultry industry stakeholders in Abuja. Echono hinted that about N380 million had so far been paid to about 138 farmers, from the N643 million committed as compensation to 246 poultry farmers. He said the sum of N476 million was still required for the payment of compensation to the remaining 250 poultry farmers. The Permanent Secretary said the Federal Government noted with concern the discouraging disposition of the Poultry Associations in the states in assisting

the state officials in all the efforts aimed at curtailing the spread of the disease, adding that such cooperation is necessary un order to create adequate sensitization and awareness amongst the poultry farmers. He emphasized the need for sensitization on the control of Avian Influenza in birds, proper adherence to on farm bio-security, registration of farms with State Directorate of Veterinary Services, Non-transportation of birds indiscriminately without the authorization of the State veterinary services.

This is just as he maintained that poultry farmers must adhere to government policy of Non-vaccination against the disease and enforcing the restocking policy on affected farms. The Permanent Secretary stated that his ministry in collaboration with USAID and Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) hadconducted series of trainings and capacity building workshops on Avian Influenza for Federal, State and Local Government officials, state Extension Workers, Private veterinarians,

Isaac Asabor

anadian Overseas Petroleum, COPL, has disclosed its plan to acquire near-term production assets in Nigeria under its joint venture with Shoreline Energy. The company, which has been working with Shoreline to diversify its portfolio, also has an exploration venture with Exxon offshore Liberia and are jointly focusing on opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. To this end, adequate progress had been made in recent months. Particularly of note is the recent visit of COPL and Shoreline officials to meet with government agencies on the approval required

FAAN to fast-track clearance of cargo at airports

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is working with the Nigeria Customs service and Clearing Agents to expedite the clearing process of cargo at the nation’s airports. The Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, was quoted as disclosing this at the weekend in Lagos, on an inspection tour of on-ongoing projects at the airports.

Dunoma, in pursuit of diversification of source of revenue from aeronautical sources to other source said cargo operations will soon become a main stay of the Authority’s operations. According to him, the limitations are due to the laid-down procedures and processes that must be followed which is statutory, adding that cargo terminals are built all over the country to

take advantage of the agricultural potential of the country and eliminate wastage. He however assured the general public that efforts are being made to fast-track the system According to him, the regulators and operators, that is, the Customs and FAAN, are working together with the clearing agents to make sure that cargo clearing at the airports is expedited.

to seal the deal. The company said it “expects that the transaction will be completed within the shortest possible time” and the details will be disclosed once it has been approved. The company also disclosed that the joint venture company, ShoreCan, is expected to own 80% of the project, which is described as being “an oil appraisal/development project offering near term oil production, as well as significant future exploration upside.” COPL’s chief executive, Arthur Millholland said: “This is a very high quality asset that is attractive at the current oil price environment which will add significant value to our shareholders. “We’d like to reassure shareholders that despite the delays in Liberia and continued oil price weakness, the quality of sub-Saharan African light crude oil coupled with dramatic operational cost reductions, clearly make our strategy a sound one and beneficial for COPL and Shoreline shareholders”, he added. Millholland explained that the pending acquisition was a step towards COPL becoming a balanced and growing exploration and production company.

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Business News

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Shell suspends Bonny Light export over pipeline vandalism UDEME AKPAN

he volume of the nation’s crude oil export dropped by 180,000 barrels per day following attacks by hoodlums on the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP). The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) declared force majeure on exports from Forcados Terminal yesterday to protect itself against liabilities with global traders. The company hinted that the action was taken following a leak on the vandalized pipeline which had affected crude receipts into Forcados Terminal on Wednesday. The company’s spokesman, Mr. Precious Okolobo, explained that maintenance works had been completed on the facility before the latest attack on the pipeline which is operated by

the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC.) He stated: “Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd., SPDC, operated Joint Venture today (September 2) lifted the force majeure on Bonny Light exports following the repair and re-opening of Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, and Nembe Creek Trunkline, NCTL. “The TNP was repaired after a joint investigation visit found that a leak was caused by an illegal connection that failed. A number of crude theft points were removed from the NCTL,” Okolobo added. However, there are strong indications that the current attack would affect power generation as TNP also constitutes an important facility for delivering gas liquids to Afam VI power plant. Investigations showed that commercial quantity of the nation’s oil was being illegally sold

in the global market, making the A few days ago, President Buhari was reported to have expressed appreciation to China for assisting in its war against oil theft at a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China on the sidelines of the 70th United Nations General Assembly. The Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated that the intercepted shiploads of crude oil were to be sold and proceeds paid into private accounts. Over the years, many pipelines had become object of attack by vandals in their attempt to siphon crude oil for sale illegally. For instance, a few weeks ago, the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP and Nembe Creek Trunkline, NCTL, were attacked, thereby disrupting the export of Bonny Light, the nation’s premium crude oil grade, for many days.

FG to reissue 10-year bond after expulsion from JP Morgan index Johnson Okanlawon with agency report

he Federal Government has expressed plans to reissue its five - and 10-year bonds in the last quarter of the year to raise up to N270 billion after JP Morgan’s index delisted half of the maturities belonging to the country. The 10-year bond, among those to be delisted on the index, edged higher to yield 15.09 per cent after the Debt Management Office, DMO, on Wednesday released its calendar showing it will reintroduce the benchmark paper, which was not issued in the third quarter. The DMO said that it will sell between N60 billion and N90 billion each in five- and 10-year bonds in each of the remaining three months of the year as reopenings of outstanding maturities. JP Morgan removed half of Nigerian bonds listed on its emerging markets bond index (GBI-EM), as part of its month-end index rebalancing, cutting the West African country’s weight to 0.79 per cent. The United States bank had warned Nigeria this month that it

would drop it from its index, citing a lack of liquidity and currency restrictions. The 2024 bond to be issued from October will pay a coupon of 14.20 per cent while the 2020 paper will pay 15.54 per cent. Nigeria in 2012 became the second African country after South Africa to be listed in the index with a weight of 1.8 per cent. The estimated yield for Nigeria bonds on the index was quoted at 14.83 per cent as at September 25, marking the second highest yield after Brazil at 15.75 per cent, the bank said. Analysts said they expected bond yields to trade flat after the delisting because domestic buyers had stepped in since foreigners left the market. Yields on government bonds spiked this month on the news of the delisting with the 10-year benchmark debt rising to as much as 16.68 per cent, prompting the bond market regulator to widen spreads to calm volatility. One European asset manager told Reuters in Lagos that his fund was still interested in naira debt despite the index expulsion but would buy only if the yield rose to around 20 per cent, to compensate for currency risk.

Americans’ attitudes on economy, personal finance upbeat

C L-R: Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Managing Director, Alh. Umaru Ibrahim and the Executive Director Operations, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, in chat with Managing Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr. Muhammad Nurul Islam, when the bank’s top management visited the Corporation’s head office in Abuja recently.

Reinsurance demand to increase in 2016 –Aon Benfield

on Benfield, the global reinsurance intermediary and capital advisor of Aon Plc, recently released the September 2015 edition of its Reinsurance Market Outlook report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the key variables affecting reinsurance buyers as they approach Jan. 1 reinsurance renewals. Reinsurance demand is projected to increase slightly in 2016 due to factors including updates to rating agency capital models, the continued privatization of reinsurable risks from government pools, and reinsurers’ expansion into new lines of business, according to the report. In terms of business expan-

sion, the report outlines areas of opportunity for insurers and reinsurers, including: • U.S. mortgage risk—The transfer of credit default risk from government entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the insurance and reinsurance markets is presenting reinsurers with the opportunity to provide up to $6 billion of capacity annually for the next six to seven years. • Annuity risk—Demand remains high for risk transfer solutions to mitigate exposures to long-term fixed, variable, equity indexed annuities, as well as other products with embedded guarantees. • Privatization of risk—Gov-

ernment pools insuring catastrophe-exposed property are actively organizing depopulation programs, especially in Florida, and transferring risk on remaining catastrophe risks to the private markets. A significant increase in U.S. demand to date in 2015, the report says, particularly from Florida and other coastal risks, is likely to be bolstered by demand from rating agency criteria changes. A.M. Best will be releasing an update to their Best’s Capital Adequacy Model that is expected to result in many companies buying additional top-layer catastrophe protection as well as potential quota share and other risk-transfer products.

onsumers were more upbeat last week than at any time since mid-July as Americans held the most favorable views of the buying climate in three months. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index advanced to 43 in the period ended Sept. 27 from 41.9 the week before. The second straight increase moved the gauge in line with this year’s average of 43.2. Attitudes about the national economy and personal finances also improved last week, indicating the effects of slumping stock prices on consumer sentiment may be starting to fade. The cheapest gasoline since February and steady job growth are giving Americans reason to be more upbeat and keep spending. The buying-climate index, which measures whether consumers think it is a good time to purchase goods and services, advanced to 38.4 from 36.6. It was also the biggest one-week gain since the end of June. Americans’ views of their finances increased to a two-month

high of 57.4 last week from 56.4. The gauge of views of the economy rose to 33.2 from 32.6. A stronger labor market and low energy prices have boosted disposable income and improved consumer prospects. Americans have been more willing to purchase home and automobiles as interest rates remain low. Greater household demand helped propel the economy ahead in the second quarter at a 3.9 percent annualized rate, and a 0.4 percent gain in August household outlays shows persistent strength, recent data showed. “Consumer spending overall has been on the rise,” Gary Langer, president of the New York-based Langer Research Associates, which conducts the survey for Bloomberg, said in a statement. The increase in sentiment last week reflected more optimism among those earning more than $50,000 a year. Households making between $75,000 and $100,000 were the most upbeat since midJanuary. Regionally, confidence climbed in the West and South.

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Poor infrastructure accounts for 80% of post-harvest losses of farmers –Oyenubi The State Chairman, Agriculture and Allied Employers Union of Nigeria, Lagos State Council, COMRADE LANRE OBAFEMI OYENUBI, in this interview with Abolaji Adebayo, identifies poor infrastructure as the major cause of post-harvest losses in agric sector.

person who will continue the great job the former Minister who is an agriculturist has done in the sector. So, anybody that will head the ministry should be somebody who has idea for the sector. And I am very sure Mr. President will bring another agriculturist to be a minister. Even in Lagos State, the governor is bringing an agriculturist to be the commissioner.

very year, a lot of agriculture products are been wasted in the country, in your estimation, how much is Nigeria losing? The fact is, let us look at a farmer using N1million in a farm project and he doesn’t realise N200,000. That means, we are losing more than 80 per cent of what we produce in Nigeria as a waste due lack of technology for prevention of the farm products. And how many of the farm produces does Nigeria consume and statistically, how many trailers of tomatoes and cows enter Lagos State on daily bases. Which way forward for the agriculture products wastages in the country, looking at the campaign for agricultural development and if more people venture into it, there would be many produces. What happens to the produces? Again, where is the place of value chain in the sector? We have our paper with the Mr. President, to create enabling environment for the investors to come in and invest in processing of our agriculture produces. The problem we are having before now is that because some big farmers producing tomatoes have the means of sending it outside the county to sell. And they are trying as much as possible not to allow somebody else to bring the same products into the country investing in the processing machines that can help the small scale farmers. It has been a problem and we have realised that because the big farmers in Nigeria today have links aboard to sell their products. If investors are allowed to come and invest, there will be job opportunities for the people and abundant food for all. In Nigeria, the issue of tomatoes wastage is much in the northern region despite having companies like Dangote group producing tin tomatoes. Does it mean that they are not sorucing their inputs locally? The problem is very clear; the point is that the tin tomatoes producers want to make maximum profit and they are into farming too. Instead of them buying raw tomatoes from the local farmers, they will go and farm as well. Again, as I said earlier, information is a problem as most of the farmers don’t know where and how to sell their raw products. Like cassava, many companies in the country are buying a lot of cassava from the local farmers. When investors are allowed into the country to invest, the local

Obafemi

farmers will supply the raw materials to the companies but not the investors having their own farms land producing the raw materials. Such developments don’t support the local farmers in any country. Why should the country wait for the foreign investors while there are indigenous farmers who have the capacity to invest in the sector? The indigenous investors who go into agriculture know where to sell their end products. What Nigerians depend on are the peasant farmers’ produces. Last time, I travelled to the USA, people in the super-

market were asking for Obasanjo’s farm produces. So these are the problems because we are not ourselves enjoying the Obasanjo’s farm chicken within the country, they are exported. The problem may not stop until we have investors who will create platforms for the local farmers to thrive. Looking at the performance of the immediately past minister, what is the union’s expectation as per the kind of minister to be appointed for agriculture sector? We wish the president appoint the right

How is your union encouraging youths to take interest in agriculture sector? It is two way things, one, lack of information is a major problem in our society. If people are aware of what to plant, when to plant, where to plant and how to sell it, the sector would be attractive to them. There are various opportunities along the agric value chain but the opportunities are not developed. Let us look at the Nigeria market today, if the government has a plan and create a center where tomatoes could be taken to for process, it would go a long way in curtailing wastage of tomatoes in the country. Our government needs to create the environment so that people can come and invest in the sector. As unions we need to move closer to the government and as President Muhammed Bahuri has told Nigerians that agriculture will be promoted greatly and we have to work with the government to get what we want. I know a farmer who invested over N1million into his farm and by the time he harvested the products, he was not able to recover up to N200, 000. If we have the market where the end products can be sold, Nigerian farmers will make more money and profits on investment.

Tanzania to implement 2014 Maputo declaration on fisheries

ore than one year after signing the Maputo Declaration, Tanzania has made big strides in bringing the historic Maputo Declaration to fruition by adopting more than 50 percent of what was agreed on in formulating and implementing the declaration. The Maputo Declaration signed on 29th August 2014, in Maputo (Mozambique), aims to bring a harmonised approach for Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique in their engagement with Distant Water Fishing Nations, through an agreed set of Minimum Terms and Conditions (MTC) for fisheries access arrangements, including

private licences. Tanzania has effected the declaration signed in Maputo by amending Tanzania Deep Sea Fishing Authority Regulations. The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development through Government Notice No. 282, published on 30th June 2015, and entered into operation on 1st of July 2015, harmonises access fees for private licenses and charges for supporting vessels bringing to coherence the issue of how fees are addressed. The notice also secures sustainability through the strengthening of offshore fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance in order to combat rampant illegal, unre-

ported and unregulated fishing in the waters of Tanzania and the region at large. Director General of Tanzania Deep Sea Fishing Authority, Zahor El Kharousy notes that Tanzania has been working collaboratively with other countries to achieve the adoption of the Maputo Declaration into law. “Like the different organs of an individual are important for adequate functioning of its body, including its life, the only way for us, as coastal states sharing the same fish stocks is to continually work closely together to be able to ensure sustainable exploitation of these resources, in a coherent and more cost-effective way.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, October 2, 2015

Heineken Nigeria to raise N100bn to boost liquidity Johnson Okanlawon

igerian Breweries said it plans to sell N100 billion in debt to boost liquidity and support growth even as lower crude prices impact spending in the country. The company’s Finance Director, Mr. Mark Rutten, said the debt sale, expected by October 8, will enable the company to diversify its funding and attract non-bank investors. The Managing Director, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, said the move demonstrates the Heineken N.V unit’s commitment to

Nigeria, where it owns 11 breweries. The fundraising comes as Nigeria suffers from lower crude prices, causing slower economic growth and declining government revenues. The company reported lower first-half profit in July, while smaller competitor Guinness Nigeria Plc said earlier this month that the economic situation had hurt consumption of pricier beer brands. Nigerian Breweries shares rose 0.7 per cent to N148 on Wednesday. The stock has declined 10 per cent this year, compared

with an 11 per cent drop in the 179-member Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index. Following the unveiling of the world’s largest advert poster, which broke the Guinness World Book of Record, Nigerian Breweries has adopted a national consumer engagement campaign to sustain its brand equity of Guilder.. According to a market intelligence report by Corporate Nigeria, a research firm, the brewery industry continues to thrive, while consumption of beer, put at 18.8 million hectolitres behind South Africa’s 31 per cent, has continued

to heighten competition among brewers. This is however not surprising. According to FinTell, a financial intelligence magazine, Nigeria’s volume-growth in the beer market, supported by significant annual investment in capacity of over $1.5 billion in the last three years, is rising steeply. “Though second to South Africa, Nigeria is Africa’s largest fastest growing beer market; climbing six places to the 19th position in the most recent data for country rankings on consumption,” the report stated.

European shares’ profit dip amid market volatility

uropean shares gave up some ground yesterday as gains by oil and gas stocks were offset by a fall in telecoms and both Glencore and Volkswagen turned lower. European stocks had been supported by rising Asian and US equities, with some traders viewing more weak Chinese data as a sign that Beijing may do more to bolster the country’s economy. But shares in Altice fell 8.5 per cent after the telecoms group announced a capital increase to help fund its takeover of Cablevision. Deutsche Telekom lost 2.5 per cent and Telecom Italia was down three percent, both helping drag down their national blue-chip indexes. The pan-European FT-

SEurofirst 300 index rose 0.47 per cent. The euro zone’s blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index was flat. Germany’s DAX fell 0.43 per cent. European markets have lost ground in recent months, hit by a slowdown in China. The FTSEurofirst fell nearly 10 per cent in the last quarter and the DAX is some 20 per cent below a record high set in April. Chinese manufacturing activity shrank again in September as demand softened at home and abroad. But oil and metals prices rose as traders said the weak data from China would reinforce the need for Beijing to introduce more economic stimulus. “It is still pretty gloomy with regards to China, but I think we’re

still in a ‘Goldilocks’ environment. We still have supportive monetary policy around the world,” said Logic Investments’ Harry Shann. Oil companies were the biggest gainer, advancing 2.52 per cent rise as the price of crude rose. The market remained volatile, though. Concern remained that a slowdown in emerging markets could have global repercussions, clouding the outlook for equities. “Events in the last few weeks have convinced us stock markets firmly remain in a negative phase,” broker Equita said in a note. Glencore, whose shares have been hit this week by questions over its debt situation, fell 2.9 per cent. The stock had ral-

Nikkei looks past China PMIs, rebounds on pension funds

apanese stocks rose yesterday, taking comfort from surveys showing contractions in China’s manufacturing activity may have bottomed out and on pockets of strength among Japanese firms despite the crunch felt by weak external demand. A day after closing out its worst quarter in more than 5 years, the Nikkei share average tracked gains on Wall Street overnight and rallied 1.9 percent to close at 17,722.42. Market players said the

rise was driven in part by the various pension funds that front-load buying at the start of the second fiscal half. Softbank gained 2.8 percent after it was announced that the Japanese telecom giant had led a $1 billion investment in U.S. financial technology startup SoFi, a company focused on student loan refinancing. Automakers outperformed as China’s tax cut on small cars took effect, halving the tax burden on cars

with less than 1.6 liter engines from Oct 1 through the end of 2016. Toyota Motor Corp shares climbed 2.6 percent and Nissan Motor Co had its stock rating upgraded to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ by Credit Suisse and gained 5.1 percent. The Topix subindex for real estate rose 4.8 percent, benefiting from expectations of further monetary easing by the Bank of Japan ahead of its October 7 policy meeting, market participants said.

lied earlier on upbeat broker notes from Citigroup and Barclays. Volkswagen shares fell 1.5 per cent, giving up initial gains. Sources told Reuters the carmaker’s supervisory board is considering steps to prop up its credit rating amid a scandal over rigging emissions tests. Fiat rose 3.1 per cent as brokers expressed confidence over a planned stock market listing of Fiat’s Ferrari brand. US equities slips as Apple shares fall The United States stocks fell yesterday as a sharp decline in Apple’s shares weighed on the three major indexes. Apple was down 2.1 per cent at $107.9, erasing opening gains for US stock Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 31,217.77 points Market capitalisation 10.73trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

HONYFLOUR

2.44

2.68

0.24

9.84

VONO

0.89

0.95

0.06

6.74

UPL

5.46

5.73

0.27

4.95

UAC-PROP

7.79

8.17

0.38

4.88

NPFMCRFBK

1.03

1.08

0.05

4.85

DANGCEM

171.99

179.99

8.00

4.65

LEARNAFRCA

0.91

0.95

0.04

4.40

ETRANZACT

2.88

3.00

0.12

4.17

ACCESS

5.06

5.19

0.13

2.57

SKYEBANK

2.30

2.35

0.05

2.17

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

REDSTAREX

4.40

4.18

-0.22

-5.00

PORTPAINT

4.31

4.10

-0.21

-4.87

TRANSEXPR

1.27

1.21

-0.06

-4.72

PAINTCOM

1.30

1.24

-0.06

-4.62

UNITYBNK

1.34

1.28

-0.06

-4.48

EVANSMED

0.73

0.70

-0.03

-4.11

CHAMPION

4.54

4.36

-0.18

-3.96

LIVESTOCK

1.87

1.80

-0.07

-3.74

COSTAIN

0.60

0.58

-0.02

-3.33

UBCAP

1.48

1.44

-0.04

-2.70

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.57

100.25

14.89

100.40

14.78

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.75

102.68

15.01

102.98

14.91

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.37

101.48

15.05

101.78

14.95

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.33

105.26

15.05

105.56

14.98

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.45

95.67

15.12

95.97

15.05

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.81 68.00

15.59

68.30

15.51

Closing Market Prices of September 30, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

24-Dec-15

10.54

10.81

WAUA

270

USD

197

31-Mar-16

12.71

13.57

EURO

214

01-Sep-16

12.55

14.19

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

5.8333

POUNDS STERLING

293

14.1909

15.5455

SDR

273

16.6173

NIBOR

The Fixings of September 30, 2015

Capital Market

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at September 30, 2015 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Change does not just happen, you and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change. President Muhammadu Buhari

Gunmen abduct traditional ruler in Kogi

Wale Ibrahim, LOKOJA

arely five days after gunmen attacked DSS office in Lokoja,unknown gunmen have abducted Oba Adebisi Obademi, the traditional ruler of Apaa-- Bunu community in Kabba- Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State . Community Mirror learnt that the traditional ruler was abducted at about 7.30 am on Wednesday on his way to Odo - Ape, a suburb community close to his domain. The eye-witness account stated the gun men numbering about five and suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, may have whisked the traditional

ruler on a motor bike to an unknown destination. The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Idris Wada, Hon Duro Meseko who condemned the dastardly act, said the spate of kidnappings in the area was getting alarming and called on Law Enforcement agents to be pro active in their activities. Meseko also called on the Police authority to establish a permanent Police Station in the area also decried the activities of Fulani herds men who he alleged were frequently formenting trouble in the area. The Governor’s Aide also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly address the issue of kidnap-

pings in the country saying law abiding citizens are now living in fear. Meanwhile a source close to the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu confirmed the incident but blamed the people in the area for allowing kidnapping to thrive in the area. It was learnt that when the Police made attempts in the

previous kidnap incidents to launch an attack on the hide out of the kidnappers in the area, the same people allegedly pleaded that they would rather prefer to pay the ransom to the kidnappers than exposing the victims to any form of hurt, adding that this makes the police to be helpless. The source however quoted

the CP to have vowed to flush out all criminal elements in the area even as it warns residents to report any suspicious movements in the area saying the police will not tolerate any incident of breakdown of law and order. As at the time of filing in this story, no ransom has so far been demanded by the abductors.

Igala monarch decry non-recognition of middle belt in Lagos Isiguzo Destiny

raditional leader of Igala residents in Lagos, Chief Sanni Yakubu Ejima, has decried non-recognition of communities in the Middle Belt in the state. Speaking with community Mirror, the monarch, who is also chairman of South-West Igala Forum of Nigeria, decried the fact that Lagos State government has denied them recognition as an ethnic group like they give the Hausas, Yoruba and Igbo people and their traditional leaders, but lumps them together with the Arewa forum. According to him, “Lagos State has been giving us recognition under the umbrella of Arewa. I have for long been trying to make them understand that we are from Kogi State and are from the Middle Belt as well. I think it is very necessary that you reach out to every tribe instead of enslaving the other tribes under that umbrella of Arewa”. As someone responsible for the entire Igala people living in Lagos and outside Kogi State, he is bitter that the non-recognition by Lagos State and other state governments in Nigeria

to recognise Igala as an ethnic group has hindered his leadership of Igala residents outside Kogi state. He lamented that he is facing a lot of challenges in the discharge of his duties. He said “As you know, we are the ambassadors of the Attah of Igala and not just the Igala only but I also lend a helping hand to people from other tribes from time to time as the need arises. “Our challenge is actually with the government of Lagos State. We want the government to understand and appreciate the role we play. We want them to give us recognition. That recognition will enable us to discharge our duties more effectively to our communities and by extension the society at large. We know that Lagos is not our ancestral land but we have a lot of people here whom we look after. We settle disputes among our people and between our people and people from other ethnic groups. We can be reporting back to the Obas because they are the owners of the land. But the Lagos State government not according us the desired recognition and assistance, our duties have been made much more difficult”.

People waiting to buy Kerosene in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Over 20,000 displaced by flood in Benue so far –SEMA boss Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

xecutive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Boniface Ortese, has disclosed that Internally Displaced Persons occasioned by flooding of River Benue is now 8,938 in the state capital. The secretary made this disclosure yesterday at the rehabilitation camp at the newly established International Market at George Akume road in the capital city of Makurdi. The SEMA boss while giving the breakdown of the affected IDP’S said out of the number children were 6, 070 while women were 1,369 which among them had 30 ex-

pectant mothers and 44 nursing mothers inclusive. Others include 1,191 men, physically challenged persons 14, aged people 43 persons, stressing that additional 6 camps have been created to cater for IDP’s in Agatu, Guma, Buruku and others,further bringing the total to over 20, 000 IDP in the state. Mrs. Ahungwa Nor an IDP in the camp speaking to National Mirror said the sleeping arrangement in the camp is okay with adequate security and toilet facilities in place but however revealed that they lack food to eat in the camp due to the flooding of their farm lands. Others who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity lamented their inability of providing three

square meals for their children buttressing that the situation has demoralized their morale leading to a state of hunger and starvation among most of the affected families. While reacting on the complaints emanating from the IDP’S of hunger and starvation the secretary Mr. Ortese stated that it was sad that many families lost their farms which they survive from but promised that arrangements are in place to ameliorate their sufferings. Mr. Ortese said efforts are being intensified to provide succor to the IDP’S and called on public spirited individuals as well as UNICEF, NEMA among others to come to the aid of the displaced persons in the state with a view to complement the efforts so far achieved.

Transition

rophetess Rebecca Adenike Adeparusi was born on Sunday January 30, 1955, to the family of renowned traditional drummer, John Alabi and Abigail Owoola, at Ile Aade in Oyan town, OdoOtin Local Government Area of Osun State. She was second to the last among 12 children, some of whom unfortunately could not reach adulthood owing to sicknesses that claimed their lives before adolescence. Nike, as she was preferred, schooled till primary six and was looking forward to studying further, having been endeared by the ‘educated lifestyle’ of her elder brother, Bayo Alabi, who was a teacher then at Ila-Odo in Osun State. Her dream was however shortlived when suddenly Bayo died from a mysterious sickness. The situation came to bear when her father informed her he would not be able to cater for the financial implication of her studying further. Nike travelled down to Lagos in the 70s to work as waitress in restaurants in order to garner money for tailoring equipment. She went to set up her own business, attracting considerable amount of clients who were enthralled by Nike’s touch of touch of perfection and knack for style. Some were trained in godly way, but Nike was almost born pious. A devoted Christian, Nike never failed to recognise the place of God in her life. She started to become active in church activities when her family moved into Coker Village in the late 70s, first as a member Cherubim & Seraphim Church and later at Christ for the Nation Apostolic Church. Nike’s health was never at premium level but the grace of God took her this far. As a serial survivor, Nike had her first bout with cancer in 1990 whilst still breastfeeding her

Friday, October 2, 2015

Rebecca Adeparusi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TINUADE ASABA

adam Tinuade Felicia Asaba (nee Olalude) was born in 1933 (82 years ago), to the family of late Pa Akinnuwa Olalude of Igboroko Nla and Princess Comfort Ogunoye of blessed memory. She got married to late Pa Asaba of Iloro Quarters, Owo in Ondo State. Mama was a trader, especially in Cocoa Produce and general merchant. On her spiritual life, she belongs to the Ifelodun Society of the Anglican Church, Imota, Owo. Mama was blessed with two female children, Mrs. Jumoke Osofisan and Mrs. Olayinka Adeniyi, with many grand children and great grand children. She is also survived by one brother, Mr. Jacob Baderinwa

Olalude and Mrs. Grace Adeloye. Her great love and care for the family will be greatly missed. She died on 23rd March, 2015 and was buried on Friday, 21st August, 2015.

Sunday Eyiboh

E lastborn. Having a mother in Abigail, who despite blind, believed only in prayer was Nike’s other saving grace. Nike experienced a complete turnaround in her health simply by praying even as she made a covenant to take up God’s work if healed. Upon returning to Lagos in 1991, she began her prophetic journey and in 1996, she established her ministry, God’s Will Chapel in Coker Village, Lagos. 20 years after her first stint with cancer, in 2010, Prophetess Rebecca Adenike Adeparusi was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was treat-

ed at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. 5 years later, on Friday July 31, 2015, she departed this world to be with her maker. Prophetess Adeparusi will be remembered by many as an easy going woman of God whose impact was felt beyond the base of her ministry, beyond her country, even beyond her terrestrial environment She is survived by husband Michael Oladapo Adeparusi six children; Olusola, Olukemi, Oluyinka, Olutayo, Olufemi and Olubukola. Oluyinka is the National Mirror’s international award-winning photojournalist.

lder Sunday Edohouqua Eyiboh was born on May 6, 1937; he rose on the strengths of his faith, integrity, industry and imagination. From a low rung as a carpenter, he broke the prejudices of his birth circumstance to train himself to excel not only as a teacher but a school administrator of repute. His gifts transcended his educational roots to become an administrator and community organizer. Hence he towered not just to become a member of the Board of Directors of his native Eket Divisional School Board but a member of the Board of Di-

rectors, Cross River Newspaper Corporation (publishers of The Chronicle) the newspaper that dominated the region at a time. He also became a politician with grassroots flair and empathy who did not only become an Organizing Secretary of the National Party of Nigeria, but also chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Council. His demise has only ended a life not a relationship with his wife, two sons (one of whom is Hon Eseme Eyiboh, a former Member and Spokesperson of the House of Representatives), two daughters and many grandchildren.

News

Woman seeks justice over son’s mysterious death Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

bereaved mother, Ms Bimbo Yusuf, is seeking justice over the ‘mysterious’ death of her 34-year-old son, Mr. Suraju Muyiwa Fadahunsi. The woman, who said that the circumstance under which her son, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Ekiti State University, died left much to be desired, said the police should take seriously the alleged confessions of a suspect to unravel the situation and ensure justice. According to her, the manner of the death showed that the lad could have been killed with a fetish means by the

person, who had allegedly confessed to using juju to terminate his (deceased’s) life. Yussuf told journalists at her residence in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, that the suspect allegedly confessed to killing her son after a strange development had occurred at the deceased’s burial ground. The bereaved woman said that the suspect, had gone to the deceased’s grave to collect sand on it when suddenly he began to cry that ghost of the deceased was haunting him. She said: “My son reportedly died a few minutes after answering a phone call on a site he was inspecting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He was to be buried almost immediately according to Islamic rites, but just before he was laid to rest, some

aggrieved friends of his asked the Muslim clerics to wait and allow them perform some rituals that would make Muyiwa’s ghost haunt his killer. And they eventually did so. “After the burial, a man (names withheld) came to take the sand of his burial place and it was there he was crying that my son’s ghost was slapping him. He became restless and rushed to his family house and asked them to open door for him. “The man had gone to collect the sand on the grave at about 9pm and it was said that at that point, the ghost began to haunt him. He thereafter confessed that he was responsible for my son’s sudden death; he had used a diabolical means to call him to death

on phone. “The suspect said that he decided to kill my boy that way because he had hindered him from marrying a lady who was already pregnant with his (suspect’s) child. “The man made these confessions to the police in Ado Ekiti here. He resides in Ifaki Ekiti and he’s well known for evil deeds in the town. Sources said he had used fetish means to escape justice after committing some crimes and had even been accused of murdering three other people in a diabolical way earlier,” She said. Yusuf, who fought back tears as she narrated the development that led to her son’s death, described him as a very responsible but unemployed man.

“I want justice for my son. The man who had confessed and been arrested must be made to face the law. My poor boy had been searching for job for five years now. He died barely 20 days after the birth of his child. He wanted to start a frozen fish business in Ibadan, and was planning to relocate to Ibadan. I still spoke to him on Wednesday about the development before we suddenly heard of his mysterious death the following day,” the bereaved mother said. Spokesman for the police in Ekiti State, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, who commented on the development, said the police only came in to rescue a man who was about to be killed from jungle justice.

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

We can say this is an abnormal flood situation and there is imminent serious danger. – Japan Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe

he Iranian death toll in the recent stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has jumped above 450, state media reported. The rise in the number of confirmed Iranian victims could prompt further outbursts from the Iranian government against Saudi Arabia, its bitter regional rival. Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization said Thursday that the number of Iranian pilgrims killed now stands at 464, according to official broadcaster PressTV. Fourteen others are still receiving treatment in Saudi hospitals, it said. Previous updates from the organization had put the number of dead Iranian pilgrims at 239, with 241 others unaccounted for. Saudi Arabia’s state-run news agency SPA has reported that at least 769 people were killed in the stampede with 900 others injured. Iran has claimed the overall toll is higher. Iran threatens ‘harsh’ retaliation Iran’s Supreme Leader on Wednesday kept up the verbal broadsides against Saudi

Iranian death toll in Hajj stampede leaps to over 450

Muslim Faithful

Arabia,threatening it with “tough and harsh” retaliation because Iranian stampede victims weren’t being repatriated swiftly enough. “Saudi Arabia failed to

fulfill its duties concerning the desperate wounded (pilgrims),” said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to PressTV. Iran’s Foreign Ministry

released a statement saying that Khamenei had urged the formation of a fact-finding committee of Muslim nations, including Iran, to investigate the disaster.The ministry also summoned

the Saudi charge d’affaires Wednesday, warning against any delay in identifying and repatriating missing and dead Iranian pilgrims, Iran’s state-run Mehr News Agency reported.

Syria conflict: Russia launches fresh strikes

ussia says it has launched air strikes in Syria for a second day, targeting militants from Islamic State (IS). The defence ministry said its jets had destroyed an IS ammunition depot and control centres. However, the areas reportedly attacked appeared to be held by groups opposed to IS and the Syrian government. The US and its allies fear the strikes have mainly targeted non-IS opponents of Russia’s ally, Syrian President Bashar alAssad. Meanwhile, the Pentagon and Russian military officials are due to hold talks on avoiding clashes between their forces in Syria. The latest attacks reportedly hit sites in the north-west held by the Army of Conquest rebel alliance, as well as areas in Homs and Hama provinces. The strategic town of Jisr al-

Shughour was hit, as well as areas in Idlib province and Hama province further south, according to Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen TV.

Al-Assad

Rebel activists also reported strikes at Ghantu in Homs province, close to some of Wednesday’s attacks. Russia said it had hit 12 IS

positions in the past 24 hours, although this cannot be independently verified. The Syrian government’s army may not be what it was, but in local terms it is still a force to be reckoned with. Bolstered with new Russian equipment and now backed by Russian air power, it could hold its own against most of the opposition forces. Russia does not have the elaborate intelligence gathering panoply of the US. But much of its targeting will be based upon tactical intelligence obtained from Syrian units on the ground. This then is the key to Russia’s strategy. It is to consolidate the Assad regime, to relieve the pressure points and to ensure that its ally remains a factor in any future diplomatic settlement. To this end - and there are strong indications of this even

from Russia’s initial air strikes - Moscow will hit any opponents of the Syrian regime where necessary. Two of Thursday’s sorties were against a rebel group trained by the CIA, its commander said. Hassan Haj Ali, of the Liwa Suqour al-Jabal group, told Reuters news agency that about 20 missiles had hit their training camp in Idlib province. He said the Russian jets were identified by former Syrian air force pilots who are now members of his group. The Army of Conquest (Jaysh al-Fatah) alliance had made advances in the northwest in recent months, taking Idlib and Jisr al-Shughour from pro-government forces. The alliance includes the alNusra Front, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, and the hard-line Islamist group Ahrar al-Sham, as well as several more moderate Islamist groups

World News

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

S/Africa’s King Dalindyebo jailed for 12 years A

South African king has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of charges including kidnapping, assault and arson. Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, from Nelson Mandela’s Thembu ethnic group, was jailed by the Supreme Court of Appeals. He had approached the SCA to overturn a 2009 court ruling on the matter, which had sentenced him to 15 years. The charges relate to a dispute he had with some of his subjects more than two decades ago. He was accused of kidnapping a woman and her six children, setting their home on fire and beating up four youths, one of whom died, because one of their relatives had failed to present himself before the kings’s traditional court. The king has never denied the charges but believed his actions were in line with disciplining his subjects, reports say. In Bloemfontein in the Free State Province, a panel

of judges looked at his case in August and the evidence presented before sentencing. The Eastern Cape High Court had sentenced him to 15 years for the charges, along with one of culpable homicide, which has since been dropped. The SCA was unimpressed with the time it took for this matter to be resolved and blamed Dalindyebo for the delays. It revealed that he has changed lawyers 11 times, leading to more than 30 postponements, in a bid to avoid prison. “His behaviour was all the more deplorable because the victims of his reign of terror were the vulnerable rural poor, who were dependent upon him,” the SCA said in its ruling. The king is no stranger to controversy, he left the ruling African National Congress and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance in July 2013, after publicly insulting President Jacob Zuma. He later apologised. Chief Simphiwe Pant-

Burundi’s Nyamitwe accuses Rwanda of training rebels

urundi has accused neighbouring Rwanda of training rebels seeking to destabilise the country.

It is hosting Burundi’s failed coup leader, and helping rebels launch cross-border attacks, Foreign Minister Alain Nyamitwe told the BBC. Rwanda denies the allegation, and says Burundi is trying to deflect attention from its own problems. The two governments have a tense relationship, with both countries sharing a similar ethnic make-up. Burundi has been hit by a spate of assassinations and attempted assassinations since President Pierre Nkurunziza won disputed elections in July. He survived a coup attempt in March. It was led by renegade Gen Godefroid Niyombare, who opposed his bid for a third term.

Gen Niyombare has not been seen in public since then. About 70,000 Burundians are living in refugee camps in Rwanda after fleeing the unrest. Mr Nyamitwe told the BBC Kinyarwanda service that Rwanda was “facilitating” attacks that the coup plotters were orchestrating in Burundi.

South African women activists protest outside the magistrate court in Blooemfontein on Sept. 28 to oppose the granting of a bail by a Danish man, who was arrested after being found storing 21 pieces of genitalia in his freezer. Blooemfontein courts had been busy dealing with unusual cases, including the conviction of king of the Thembu ethnic group for arson, kidnapping and assault charges.

shwa, from the abaThembu royal family, told the BBC: “We are very shocked, he is a senior member of the royal family so there is a big sense of loss and uncertainty.” “We do not want this to destabilise the royal house so we will be watching the de-

velopments with keen interest,” he said. The case has caused divisions within the royal family, with some feeling the king was being victimised, while others were adamant that noone should be above the law, says the BBC’s Pumza Fih-

Hillary Clinton breaks with Obama on ‘Cadillac tax’

illary Clinton crossed a political Rubicon by announcing she supports a partial repeal of Obamacare, openly distancing herself from what is far and away the marquee domestic policy initiative of the sitting president. The move will bolster Clinton’s support from big labor unions, a critical part of the Democratic Party establishment -- but with it she also risks alienating the

President and losing the votes of Obama supporters concerned about protecting his legacy. At issue is the so-called “Cadillac Tax” on health insurance plans, a provision of Obamacare that takes effect on New Year’s Day in 2018. On that date, insurance plans will get socked with a 40% excise tax on every dollar in insurance premiums above $10,200 for an individual or $27,500 for a family plan.

Floods hit US Eastern Seaboard

eavy rains cause chaos along the Atlantic coast of North America from the Carolinas to the Canadian Maritimes. As concerns turn towards Hurricane Joaquin as it moves closer to the Mid-Atlantic States of the US, parts of the Eastern Seaboard are already mopping up after a spell of flooding rains. As many as 11 states in the eastern US have been affected by the torrential downpours

lani in Johannesburg. With the seat soon to be vacant they are expected to look at appointing a new successor, who is likely to be the king’s 23-year-old son, our correspondent says. Dalindyebo has two days to report to prison.

this week. Many areas have recorded between 50 to 150mm of rain. At one stage the governor of Virginia declared a state of emergency as the Roanoke River at Shawville breached the “major flood” threshold. The waters crested at 2.8 metres on Tuesday, which is the second highest on record after the 3.4 metres reached on June 21 in 1972. The heaviest rains have since

moved north and flood warnings and watches are in force from the central Appalachians to New England. Albany, the capital of New York, had 90mm of rain in the 24 hours up to 06:00 GMT on Thursday. The heavy rains extended across New England, causing widespread disruption in Portland, Maine, where lunchtime traffic was brought to a standstill as roads were turned into rivers.

The money raised from the tax -- an estimated $87 billion -- is essential to paying the cost of the Affordable Care Act. The tax also gives companies an incentive to shop more carefully for health plans instead of loading on benefits. But the tax would hit the comprehensive health plans negotiated by unions over the years, giving companies an incentive to limit or terminate health benefits -- or pass the extra costs on to employees -- rather than pay the tax. The typical family insurance plan costs about $16,000, so most employees would initially be spared: the levy would initially apply to an estimated 14% of all health plans at companies with 500 or more employees. Because the threshold for activating the text are pegged to inflation, that number is expected to steadily grow, by one estimate to 47% of all plans by 2023 and 65% of all plans by 2028, according to a study sited in The New York Times.

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Friday, October 2, 2015

Nasarawa ALGON seeks review of revenue sharing formula IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

onstrained by dwindling revenue accruing to local governments in the country from the federation account, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in Nasarawa State has appealed for the review of revenue sharing formula in the country. State chairman of the group and chairman of Lafia Local Government Area, Hon. Ahmed Suleiman Wambai, made the appeal yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, when chatting with journalists. Wambai, who was not comfortable with the present sharing formula of the federation account, where council areas get the least share during allocation, said local councils are the closest arm of government to the grassroots where all material resources are located. He wondered why council areas in the country are denied such benefits derivable from their shores, hence he is calling on Nasarawa State governor to release 10 per cent of the internally generat-

ed revenue, IGR, government owed local governments since creation of the state. He said: “We call on the governor being an apostle of the rule of law, to release these monies the state is owing the local governments. What made us to make this call is that since creation of the state, there is no regime that has released this 10 per cent; therefore the amount being owed the local councils by the state is voluminous.” He continued that at the moment, local councils in the state have found themselves in a financial mess occasioned by the dwindling revenue accruing to the councils from the federation account which necessitated the councils to extend their searchlights to all avenues that could derive revenues in order to improve the financial situation of the local council areas. Wambai added that ALGON’s searchlight has discovered that the state government was supposed to remit 10 per cent of the state’s IGR to local councils on a monthly basis, which has not been done.

Flood submerges 100 villages in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

t least, 100 villages have been submerged by flood following the release of water by three hydroelectric dams at Shiroro, Jebba and Kainji power stations located in Niger State. Confirming the development, state coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Lugard Bijimi, in Minna said currently, the flood disaster has spread to about four local government areas of the state. They include Shiroro, Lavun, Mokwa and Lapai. According to him, over 70 villages were affected in Lavun Local Council Area, 10 in Lapai, 10 in Mokwa and over 20 villages in Shiroro area of the state. He said: “The family

home of Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, in Ketso village, was among the many villages affected by the flood. “Our agency has visited the affected villages and communities for onthe-spot assessment, just as palliative measures have been taken to ameliorate the hardship of those affected.” Bijimi also explained that the agency is in touch with the Niger State government and are both looking for the best means of assisting the victims, adding that relocating the people from the floodprone areas is the only permanent solution to the challenge. He explained that the managements of the hydro dams had sent warning messages to stakeholders in villages living downstream of the dams of imminent release of water.

Chairman of Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulkarim (right), addressing Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) from his area, who were taking refuge in a NEMA Camp at Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, shortly before evacuation by Borno Government to Maiduguri, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Heavy rain claims six lives in Kogi WALE IBRAHIM, LOKOJA

o fewer than six people were killed while several others sustained injuries following erosion that swept off a road in Anyigba, Kogi State. National Mirror learnt that the victims met their untimely death yesterday at a bend close to CMML Secondary School at Anyigba-Dekina road in Dekina Local Govern-

ment Area of the state. The victims suddenly ran into a high tide of erosion following heavy rainfall that started yesterday evening. It was learnt that five corpses were retrieved from the gully created by the erosion. A search party has intensified efforts to get the remaining corpse said to be the sixth victim. It was gathered that besides one late Enema and his cousin, who were

from Anyigba town, other victims were from adjoining villages and they were returning home or getting out of the town at that time of the downpour. A popular politician in the town, the late Enema was said to have met his death while returning from nearby Abocho town with his cousin. The victim’s motorbike was swept off at that point into the gully by the strong erosion cur-

rent, and threw him and his cousin into the gully that had gathered stronger tide. The late Enema and his cousin have since been buried according to Islamic rites at Anyigba. According to residents of the areas, the spot where the incident took place has been there for ages, killing both people and animals without any intervention by the state government.

Ishaku’s aide celebrates with APC over victory at tribunal JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

pecial adviser to Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, Mr. Mustapha Hamman Gabdo, yesterday celebrated with Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf of the All Progressives Congress, APC, over his victory at the tribunal. National and state Assembly election petitions tribunal sitting in Jalingo on Wednesday ordered

the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue a certificate of return to Yusuf of the APC as duly elected senator representing Taraba central senatorial seat in the National Assembly. Gabdo, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has served the state in various capacities on PDP platform. Going by the tribunal’s ruling, the present occupant of the seat, Senator

Bashir Marafa Abba of the PDP is to vacate the seat, but Abba said he would appeal the judgment. Shortly after the ruling, Prince Gabdo, in company of APC supporters converged on the party’s secretariat at Barde way, Jalingo, jubilating over the victory at the tribunal. The SA later left in a motorcade with the member representing Gassol/

Bali federal constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC, Hon. Garba Garba Chede, to the house of a chieftain of the party in the state, Abdulmumunin Vaki, where another celebration took place. It was not clear what informed his decision to celebrate openly with the APC, but unconfirmed reports indicated that Mustapha and Yusuf are blood relations.

Borno resumes evacuation of IDPs in Adamawa camps

orno State government yesterday resumed evacuation of its remaining indigenes in Fufore, Damare and Malkohi IDP camps in Adamawa State. News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the displaced persons were mostly from Kala-Balge and Gamboru-Ngala local government areas of Borno State, who were

forced to take refuge in Cameroon as a result of attacks by insurgents before their repatriation to Nigeria. Addressing the IDPs in Fufore camp, chairman of Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Council, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulkarim, lauded the IDPs for their patience and assured them that within few days they

would be evacuated to Maiduguri. Abdulkarim lauded the effort of the military in recapturing Gamboru and assured the IDPs that as soon as the necessary mopping and fumigation of the area are concluded, they would be allowed to go to their respective villages. He also lauded NEMA, Red Cross and other na-

tional and international organisations for their effort in catering for the IDPs since the crisis started. Also speaking, Borno State liaison officer in charge of IDPs, Alhaji Aliyu Yerima, said so far, over 6,000 had been evacuated to Maiduguri before suspension of the exercise due to the Eid-el-Kabir break.

Friday, October 2, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed at different times in my previous official records as MISS OBELE NYETIEM TOM GEORGE and OBELE TOM GEORGE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OBELEBRA NYETIEM TOMGEORGE AKINNIRANYE. All documents and Certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chika Anthonia Duru now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chika Anthonia Ezeanozie. All former documents remain valid.First Bank Nig Plc and the General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ariyo Ifeoluwa Tosin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeoti Ifeoluwa Tosin.All former documents remain valid. Holy Child Catholic Secondary School,Ado-Ekiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibitoye Omolola Olufisayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinyemi Omolola Olufisayo. All former documents remain valid and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME AKINBEJE: I, formerly known and addressed as ADELEKE MANUEL AKINBEJE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as GBEMILEKE MANUEL AKINBEJE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME DEMEHIN: I, formerly known and addressed as MR DEMEHIN MICHAEL OLUSEGUN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MR OLUSEGUN MICHEAL ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE OMEGA BROTHERS CLUB OF NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for the amendment of it’s Constitution under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap. C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. NLEMOHA EKENE COSMAS - 2. EZE CHINEDU KINGSLEY - 3. OKORO MODESTUS IFESINACHIADINMA 4. IFEONU CHIBUIKE NWAFATHER - 5. IBE CHINEDU JOHNPAUL -

CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN SECRETARY TREASURER Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To come together as a group in order to foster unity, peace and love among its members, businessmen and the general public. 2.To create conducive environment where members meet, interact and discuss their problems, challenges and welfare. 3.To promote and encourage peaceful co-existence and mutual benefits between members. Any objection to the amendment should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Nosayaba Ugbo Esq., 08062381210

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CHANGE OF NAME FORMERLY MISS OGUNDARA VICTORIA DAMOLA, NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANUMOLE DAMOLA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME. I hereby publish this to inform whom it may concern that I Olaleye Sunday is the same person as Olaleye Olamide Emmanuel. Therefore wish to be addressed as Olaleye Olamide Emmanuel henceforth. All former documents remain valid general public note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss. AHONKHAI FUNMILOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OMAGE FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ASIFE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ANULIKA ESTHER ASIFE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANULIKA ESTHER AGU. All former documents bearing the same name should remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MECHIE: I, formerly known and addressed as MECHIE ANULIKA now wish to be known and addressed as MADU HAPPINESS UCHENNA. All former documents remain valid. Iyiukwu Development Center Enugu East and General public should please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME. This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as UZOETO CHIBUZO ANN in my waec certificate 2008, 2009 and UZOETO CHIBUZO MARYDONALD in my jamb 2010. My real names are UZOETO CHIBUZO MARYDONALD ANNASTASIA. All former documents remain valid; Waec, Jamb, Esut and General Public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Mr Nicholas Ndubisi Ezeani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Okechukwu Edwin Okakpu. All former documents remain valid general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chimezie Happiness Nkechinyere, now wish to be known and addressed Mrs. Nwamadi Happiness Nkechinyere. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Olaiya Folake Funmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Olayemi Folake Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid. Fabotas College of Health Science and Technology,Ado Ekiti and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME EDEH: I, formerly known and addressed as EDEH RACHEAL NNENNA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. UCHENDU RACHEAL NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Juliet Ejiogu, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Juliet Ariwodo. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UKO: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Uko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Victoria Akingbade. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekoya Oluwatosin Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akanbi Oluwatosin Temitope. All former documents remain valid. Yomfield and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UGBESHE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGBESHE FAITH NNEBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IBEAWUCHI FAITH NNEBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, DAVIS KELVIN TARI and ONYEKE ENAJITA FRIDAY are one and same person. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Of Nigeria Plc and General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Sunday Akan Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Udoidiong Akan Emmanuel .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ANIEKE:I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ANIEKE BLESSING ADAKU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NWACHUKWU BLESSING ADAKU. All former documents remain valid. Personnel department, Ezeagu West Development Council and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME UKOHA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. NKECHINYEREM VICTORIA UKOHA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UKOHA VICTORIA NKECHINYEREM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify that the name OLI IFEOMA CHUKWUDI and OLI IFEOMA refers to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as OLI IFEOMA CHUKWUDI. All former documents remain valid. EBSU, Nigeria Law School Abuja and General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Coker Nduaguibe Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Vincent Orji Oluchi. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ENEMUO CHIAMAKA CLEMENTINA, now wish to be known and addressed UZOCHUKWU CHIAMAKA CLEMENTINA. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Wuhan Open: Williams ends Konta’s impressive runs

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

I think Manchester City are back on track to chase the title once again. They have started well already –Manchester United legend, Gary Neville

At 55 years Nothing to celebrate about Nigeria football

–Onigbinde A

Afrobasket

D’Tigress Joyce

D’Tigress zoom into semi-finals

Paul Erewuba

igeria’s D’Tigress, yesterday, became the first team to reach the AfroBasket Women 2015 semi-finals after defeating Mozambique 71-66 in Yaounde, Cameroon. Joyce Ekworomadu-led D’Tigress with a game-best 20 points, while Odelia Mafanela and Deolinda Ngulela combined for 34 Mozambique points. In the game monitored in Lagos, Mozambique tried to overcome Nige-

ria with constant three-point shooting, but they overdid it by attempting 5 of 29 from beyond the arc. Reports have it that the Mozambique ladies arrived in Yaounde with a depleted squad and it showed as their bench contributed only five points against Nigeria’s 28. D’Tigress game heroine Helen Ogunjimi not only played aggressive defense, but the 30-year-old guard provided two crucial three-pointers, keeping Nigeria very much alive in the contest. It would be recalled that two years ago, Mozambique upset Nigeria in the

quarter-finals, and yesterday, Nigeria’s Independence Day, the Southern Afrocans were very close to repeating their fortunes, but D’Tigress stepped on the floor in desperation mode, reaching the tournament’s semi-finals for the second time since 2011. Ndidi Madu, who made a gamehigh 13 rebounds later reportedly said “It was a tough game for us. Mozambique is a great team. We didn’t do a good of job rebounding. We definitely need to be able to rebound in order to win ball games. It does not matter who we face today, we just need to be ready for the fight.”

s Nigeria celebrated 55 years of nationhood yesterday, former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has stated that as far as the nation’s football is concerned, there is nothing to celebrate about. The 2002 World Cup coach posits that the football authority has not done enough in the area of developing football in the country. “I don’t see anything to celebrate about Nigerian football because it’s like when one is just marching on a spot. “ In fact, I will say the pre-independence era was even better. I am not condemning or overlooking whatever achievement we’ve had since independence. But what I’m not happy about is that we all know that we have the potentials, but we are not utilising them, which makes one sad. “I believe the principal objective of every football administration should be the development of the game. But I cannot see any meaningful development programme for Nigerian football. “I remember in those days, immediately after independence, clubs like Staionary Stores, 3SC, Rangers use to pick players from secondary schools. But how is it now? On a serious note, there is no reason why Nigeria shouldn’t have won the World Cup if we had gotten our acts right,” Onigbinde said. He states further:” The world knows we have the talent, but are we doing things right? I am waiting for someone to show me the plan for our development programme for sport.”

Onigbinde

Sports

Friday, October 2, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arsenal best team in EPL, says Van Gaal M Venus

Wuhan Open

Williams ends Konta’s impressive runs

ritain’s Johanna Konta was beaten 6-4 3-6 7-5 by former world number one Venus Williams in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open. Konta, who won 21 of her previous 22 matches and beat world number two Simona Halep on Wednesday, served for a place in the last four in the decider. However American Williams, 35, won four games on the trot to set up a semi-final against Roberta Vinci. Konta’s form will see the 24-yearold take over as British number one. She started the year 150th in the

world but is now 66th and will next week pass compatriot Heather Watson in the rankings. Williams, the current world number 24, has won seven Grand Slams since turning professional in October 1994. “I went on court to win and to do my best,” said Konta. “I gave my all. It just wasn’t enough. “I lost to a pretty incredible champion. She played an incredible match. I just feel very fortunate that I got to share the court with her.” Konta made Williams work hard for the victory, becoming the first per-

Gotze

performances. The 23-year-old World Cup winner has only started half of Bayern Munich’s matches in all competitions this season, and has failed to open his scoring account in six Bundesliga matches thus far. Reports of a possible move away from the club late in the transfer window, and then a fallout with coach Pep Guardiola has seemingly unsettled the talented midfielder, and Lahm admits it has been tough for his teammate. “He is very young, but has already experienced a lot,” Lahm said. “When so much criticism breaks on such a young player,

haven’t won so much, so you have to look for that improvement with that team.” The Dutchman admits that his players are tired after a tough schedule, but insists they will be up for the Emirates Stadium clash. “The solution is recovery, recovery, recovery,” he added. “That is why it’s so difficult to prepare for the match against Arsenal. “We have to see how the evaluation is from my fatigue specialist.” The former Netherlands coach went on to commend Ashley Young and Chris Smalling, after revealing that he has no fresh injury worries.

son to take a set off her at the Wuhan Open after losing the first. She then led 5-3 in the final set and looked on course to record another upset at the tournament. However Williams drew upon all of her experience to grind out the victory, coming out on top in a breathtaking final game that saw the crowd applaud midway through one particularly impressive rally. “Johanna played so well. She has had a wonderful summer,” said Williams. “It seemed like I was finished but I felt the energy from the crowd.”

Inconsistent performances: Lahm backs teamamte Gotze B ayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has underlined the importance of midfielder Mario Gotze in the team despite his inconsistent

anchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has described Arsenal as the best team in the Premier League. Van Gaal told a press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash that he admired the London club’s technical knowhow. “We are happy but I think Arsenal can come back from a defeat. They have shown that a lot of times,” Van Gaal said, before adding that “in a technical and tactical sense” Arsenal are arguably the best team in the league. United are top of the league at the moment, while Arsenal are fourth. “Nevertheless, they

it’s not easy. “We have done our best as a team to support him, he is fully integrated.” Gotze scored a respectable 15 goals in 48 matches last season, and Lahm backs his compatriot to come good again this term. “We know how important he is,” he said. “He has shown it not only last year, also this season. “He can make the difference. He knows that, so I am not worried about Mario.” Bayern will look to increase their lead at the top of the Bundesliga standings this weekend as they prepare for a tough clash against perennial rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Van Gaal

Iheanacho set for City loan exit

anchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho may go on loan in January in search of first team action, it was gathered. Iheanacho Iheanacho, who got promoted in the summer after impressing with the club’s Elite Devepopment Squad and the U19s, is also demanding an improved deal at the club after breaking into the first team, a close source informed. “We are happy with his progress at City but he’s not getting the kind of contract he deserves at the club,” the source spoke of Iheanacho. “There are options for him in the January window and we will see. “City are yet to hand him an improved deal.” The Nigerian teenager whose current deal runs until 2019 is also a major doubt for this weekend’s home fixture against Newcastle United.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Friday, October 2, 2015

MANDATE

State of Nigeria League: Izamoje proffers solution Paul Erewuba

he Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brila Group, Dr. Larry Izamoje, has said that the only way the Nigeria Premier League could compete with their counterparts and operate profitably is for the operators to embrace global best practices. The Nigeria Premier League has over the years been confronted with series of challeng-

Larry Izamoje

es, particularly those relating to non-supportive fiscal policy regime (poor funding), perception, short term investment, corruption of club officials, inadequate security, poor infrastructure that continue to undermine investors’ efforts to build the requisite operational capacity for the league’s global competitiveness. From mismanagement to inconsistent government policies, inadequate finance, inept skilled workers, poor planning, lack of technical savvy on the part of the coaches, lack of modern technology, the challenges are immeasurable. Speaking yesterday at the Third Femi Ajayi Memorial Lecture facilited by Airtel and other companies held at Airtel building, Banana Island, Lagos, Izamoje in a paper titled ‘The Future of the Nigeria League’, however, expressed confidence that despite the odds, the current challenges facing the League are surmountable if the managers could work as a unit and see the league as their own not a place to just make ‘brisk’ business.

Ghana old stars arrive for Lagos All stars Ifeanyi Eduzor

28 man strong contingent of Ghana Old Stars comprising of 20 former Ghana Black Stars and national team players and 8 officials yesterday arrived Nigeria for the Nigerian independence friendly match between them and the All Stars Fc of Lagos. The match slated for Saturday by 8am at the Eagles Club, Surulere, Lagos will see both teams’ trade tackles as part of the activities marking the country’s 55 independence celebration as well as maintain the cordial relationship existing between the two West African countries. President of All Stars Fc, Kingsley Anosike told National Mirror yesterday that his team is training very hard to ensure they win the game which has been an annual ritual between both countries. “The match will involve exinternationals and former national team players from both countries. We organize it annually to mark our country’s independence and we are fully prepared for the challenge. “You know that the soccer ri-

valry between the two countries is very high and that is why our players are training seriously for the game because we would not like a situation where they will come here and defeat us and cart away the giant trophy. Anosike listed some of the players that will represent the team in tomorrow’s game as Henry Nwosu, Friday Ekpo, Friday Elaho, Godwin Okpara, Gbenga Okunowo, Victor Agalli, Olumide Harris, Uduak Evans and Bolaji Eko- Odeyale amongst others. It would be recalled that when both teams met last year in Accra during Ghana’s independence celebration, the match ended 2-2 but the trophy was awarded to Nigeria as the visiting team.

THE

Sylvester Ikuejamoye

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

Game of irritability and absurdity

must first and foremost apologize to the numerous readers of this column for last week absence of this column. It was due to circumstances beyond my control. However, the piece for this week still maintains the menu already prepared for last week but with just little realignment. The topic ‘Game of Irritability and Absurdity’ is still relevant and indeed topical. Political game can be interesting and beautiful. It can also be disgusting and irritating with disturbing absurdity. The events within the week among the political class has further shown that most of our political leaders and actors are selfishly insensitive to the mood of the nation and that of the international community on the issue of standard and best practices as obtained in more civilized society. Needless to say that they care less about the common people that voted for them to defend their interest and speak for them. To be precise, l read in the news and watched on television the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s encounter with the law of the land over the issue of infractions on asset declaration and operating foreign bank account while in office as Governor of Kwara state against the law of the

land. I’m also delighted to read and watch the Senate President’s determination to defend his fundamental human right by going to the high court and court of appeal to halt his trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal. It is no longer news that both courts turned down Saraki’s request

and he had to face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal which started last week Tuesday in Abuja. That Bukola Saraki is presumed innocent until otherwise proven in the court is no doubt the position of the law of our land and l guess same in other clime. But the disturbing and the amusing part of the whole drama were the solidarity escorts by some Senators who accompanied Senator Saraki to the Tribunal. I cannot fathom any genuine reason for their action of solidarity with one of their own standing trial on what the court said is a criminal offence. The irritating and the absurSaraki

Dodan Warriors player dies in training

n athlete with the Dodan Warriors Basketball Academy has passed on while training alone on the Basketball Court of Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos. Oke Ayobami, 22, suddenly collapsed and was attended to by the Lagos State Sports Commission, Sports Medicine Centre

staff within Rowe Park Sports Centre. At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Emergency Unit, Dr. Kayode Michael, Head of Sports Medicine Directorate of Lagos State Sports Commission along with a Consultant immediately attended to Abayomi who was

confirmed Brought – In – Dead (BID). A statement from the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Sports Commission, Olumide Filade on Wednesday said the Director General of the Commission Ayo Agbesanwa with other top officials had since officially visited the family to com-

dity of their action in the eyes of most Nigerians is that they are law makers and should not be seen to be aiding and abetting any form of disobedience to the law and should not be seen as law breakers. In an environment where sanity prevails with equal measurement of decency, highly placed individuals who hold or occupy any important position of trust should tread softly. Such people should know that they are no longer private persons. There must be decorum in all they do. They must display virtues and attributes of role models. If the truth must be told as obtained in more decent societies, any one in a position of trust found to have been accused of criminal infractions against the law to the point of being dragged before a court of law or a legally constituted tribunal should ordinarily be treated as an outcast pending his or her acquittal if the person should refuse to do the needful by resigning. It makes no sense to decent minded persons or individuals to see Senators and other elected officials rolling over each other in solidarity with anyone accused of criminal offence under any guise. No one is blind to the fact that it is Dr. Bukola Saraki today, many may soon have a date with the law of the land over similar infractions or even more greater against the law of the land. Hope is not a game of ’let me identify with you in your dry season and safe me in my raining season of flood’. I do know there are better and more meaningful ways of celebrating Dr. Saraki if is able to come out clean. At that point the world will appreciate the celebration and the solidarity. It may not be necessary to dissipate energy on such issues if the characters involved are not those elected to hold public office in trust for the rest of us. Obviously, one will not be wasting precious time if it were the political destitute, hangers-on and the political jobbers. Wait a minute, come to think of it, what if Saraki is convicted of the allegations? Where would all the solidarity end? Your guess is as good as mine.

Hard But The Bitter Truth Taking the right step at the right time is a sign of wisdom with sound sense of judgment. The opposite is a display of emptiness possibly influenced by greed of insanity. Hard But The Bitter Truth. Until next week Friday, stay out of trouble and God bless Nigeria.

WORLD RECORD

Oldest restaurant

Vol. 05 No. 1213

Friday, October 2, 2015

N150

Restaurante Botín in Calle de Cuchilleros, Madrid, Spain was opened in 1725 by a French cook called Jean Botín and his Asturian wife

Execution as penalty for corrupt Nigerian leaders A bout eight years ago, a fellow on social media, Doma, chosen as the best of the lot that provided answers to the question - What does “an exercise in futility” mean? said: “When we do something that we know perfectly well is pointless, but we still do it – may be out of a sense of duty, or out of desperate hope, or whatever reason - then we can say it is an exercise in futility…” One’s thinking is that an ‘exercise in futility’ is what the argument broached by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in their recent call for capital punishment for public officers found guilty of corruption, is all about. The reason is not far-fetched. The exasperated mood of Nigerians against corruption presently became intensified by the zero-tolerance body language of President Muhammadu Buhari, against the chronic plague. Otherwise, what planet had the

NO COMPARISON, THEY ARE BOTH

ngland manager Roy Hodgson has snubbed Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe but included Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli in his squad for the first time for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers with Estonia and Lithuania. Ibe, who qualifies to play

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) NLC and TUC been operating from since 1999 that politicians have been taking the nation on an ‘April Fool’ ride. A lot of corrupt public office holders indicted and non-indicted as yet, are still holding and wielding power, either in the main or at power corridors. The position of sections of the media aside, there is no referendum to affirm or dismiss the NLC/TUC agitation, in a country where governors still sign the death warrants of condemned criminals the same way they grant state pardon to lucky ones. In the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, among those serving and their counterparts out of office, can be found sufficient number of corrupt people out there to shut down the NLC/TUC initiative. Indeed, the goons need no media interventionism to have their way. One’s thinking is that the media has no business with the glazier job it has assigned itself in either fixing capital punishment or life jail for corrupt public officers. But if you think the contrary is the case and you want to push ahead with the project, the National Assembly and those who can bank on this are alert to scuttle any legislation that suggests death sentence for our corrupt brothers and sisters that have not only short-changed the nation, but are still hell bent on topping their dubious frolic. Remember that some 1999-2007 ex-governors, who rubbished their state treasuries and were docked by the Economic and

THE NLC/TUC MAY MEAN WELL WITH THEIR AGITATION.

BUT THE

CLAMOUR IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are still on the rampage, gunning for higher political offices or serving as political godfathers to some of those expected to enact laws that would prescribe death sentence for corrupt public officers. Some of them (past governors especially) procured from the nation’s courts and before the very eyes of the NLC and TUC, perpetual injunctions that still shield them from accounting for their alleged misdeeds; while some other crooks in the bunch are employing all manner of tricks to escape justice. They are brazenly running for juicy political offices and when they fail, they head to NIGERIAN COURTS (emphasis mine) to contest the results of the elections. It’s really pathetic! Premature it is, therefore, the contention for and against the death penalty option for corrupt Nigerian public officers. The NLC/TUC may mean well with their agitation. But the clamour is dead on arrival for the simple reason that it would not fly with Buhari alone being the odd man, as it would seem, sincerely out to do battle

with corruption. This writer has no iota of confidence that the entire executive arm of government, apart from mimicking Buhari’s body language, is not in a position to honestly support the NLC call, let alone the legislature and the judiciary. It doesn’t matter what the electorate and the media think, feel or say. Besides, should any bill surface in support of the NLC/TUC bid, Buhari would certainly be blackmailed as the unseen hand behind such a legislative bid, to the grim glory of critics who believe he is yet to rein in his junta tendencies. On the foregoing note, therefore, it appears the best bet for the NLC/TUC, if they are truly committed to championing and realising their dream of capital punishment for corrupt public officers, is to keep hope alive, and persist in pushing the idea until a transparent referendum is held on the matter. Not to be forgotten is the fact that the opponents of the proposition, especially the copycats of ‘no to capital punishment’, would be pulling in the opposite direction. For this writer, however, nothing short of capital punishment is suitable for established corrupt public officers at this stage of Nigeria’s development, considering the number of lives they have already wasted with their itching fingers and gluttony. China, for example, is reputed as one of the foremost countries that execute public officers linked with corruption without qualms. But critics complain that lethal justice may only serve to distract the public in the short-term. “There will always be crooked public officials, but the best way to remove them is the good ol’ fashioned American way: throw the bums out via the ballot box”, one commentator says. Fine! But only last year, Chinese citizens overwhelmingly supported the imposition of death penalty on officials found guilty of corruption, according to a fresh survey. In other words, the death penalty is working for China. America is spelt A-m-e-r-i-c-a. The spelling of China is different. Same goes for Nigeria.

Sport Extra

England snub Ibe, call up Dele Alli for both Nigeria and England, was strongly courted by Nigeria, where his father hails from. But the winger, who has played for England at agegrade levels, turned down Super Eagles coach Sunday

Oliseh’s overtures, and declared that he would pursue a Three Lions spot. Ibe’s form has been patchy since turning down his father’s country, and Hogson has now overlooked the skillful teenager.

In contrast to Alli, who also has a Nigerian father but has not been as strongly chased as Ibe, has enjoyed a superb start to the new season with Spurs, having joined the club from Championship side MK Dons.

The 19-year-old has featured in all but one of Tottenham’s fixtures this campaign, scoring his first Premier League goal for the club in the 1-1 draw with Leicester City back in August.

Ibe

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