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Nigeria needs 19,000 additional policemen –Okiro

NNPC set to end fuel importation, subsidy

... President orders IG to reduce policemen attached to politicians

ABUJA

Vol. 5 N0. 1183

19,500 policemen to meet security demand of the country. Speaking with State

hairman of Police Service Commission, PSC, Mike Okiro yesterday said the nation was in deficit of

ROTIMI FADEYI

Friday, August 21, 2015

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

P.5

Kachikwu

National Mirror Online

N150

@NationalMirror

Buhari plans to use DSS to stifle opposition –PDP ...decries arrest of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Abia states INEC officials FG appoints Fowler FIRS boss, Gusau, DG Budget P.6

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors’ Forum has described the alleged CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Chinese govt to invest $1bn in Nasarawa P.51

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Ms. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia; Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Nebolisa Emodi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS

TEL: 0700FLYMEDVIEW Email: info@medviewairline.com http://www.medviewairline.com

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Atte vows to clean up CustomsP.7

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Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari plans to use DSS to stifle opposition –PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

meddlesomeness of the Department of State Services, DSS, in petitions before Election Tribunals as attempt by the All Progressives Congress,

APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari to stifle opposition parties. In a communiqué at the end of its fourth post-election meeting on Wednes-

day in Abuja, the group said the interference of DSS in e lection tribunal matters, especially in PDP controlled states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Abia, is against “the spirit, ethos,

values and fundamental tenets of democratic norms and tradition; more so with the existence of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.” The communiqué ex-

pressed worry at a situation where officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the three states, were allegedly being arrested, detained and ques-

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. James Obiegbu; President Muhammadu Buhari; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and other officials, after briefing President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria needs 19,000 additional policemen –Okiro CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

House Correspondents after the Ministry of Police Affairs briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on activities of the ministry, Okiro said out of the 21,000 police officers that retired, dismissed or died in the last five years, only about 1,500 had been replaced, leaving a large deficit. “We talked about recruitment of police officers. Over the years, more than 21,000 police officers have retired, some dismissed, some died. Of this number, only about 1,500 have been replaced, leaving a deficit of a very large number,” Okiro said. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday disclosed plans by the Federal Government to recruit 10,000 policemen in his address at the National Security Summit on Community Partnership Approach to Internal Security and Crime Management, organised by the police in Abuja. But Okiro said the nation would need 19,500

policemen to adequately provide security for the nation. The last recruitment into the Nigerian Police Force was in 2013. “So we discussed this with Mr. President. Of course, you are aware that a few days ago, Mr. President said the Police is going to embark on recruitment of 10,000 people. We discussed with him on modalities and how to ensure that the 10,000 people are recruited to maintain the security of Nigeria,” Okiro added. He disclosed that the President at the end of the briefing gave assurance that the police would be encouraged, funded and equipped within the provisions of the budget. Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of Police Affairs, James Obiegbu while justifying the importance and existence of the ministry said it has the mandate to oversee and administer the police. According to him, the Ministry of Police Affairs represents the Police in the Federal Executive

Council. He added that the ministry provides the police with a voice that enabled the force have the support of not just the government but all Nigerians to carry out the very serious responsibility of maintaining internal peace and security and safety of all Nigerians. Obiegbu explained that all through the discussion at the briefing, the President was interested in the welfare of officers and issues regarding their promotion, placing and everything that concerns them. The Permanent Secretary said the President promised that he would continue to support the police family to ensure that they are well provided for and their welfare taken care of as well as the challenge of funding. “Issues about funding of the police is something that has been on the front burner because it requires a lot of funding and not something the government can do alone. “There can never be a

specific amount for the police to function effectively. If you know what it takes to keep patrol all over the whole country, keep vehicles and men on the road, you will have an idea of funding requirements of police can be,” Obiegbu said. President Buhari, during the meeting directed the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase to prune down the number of policemen attached to dignitaries, and redeploy all policemen withdrawn from that role to regular duties. The President also warned that he would not tolerate any irregularities or extortion of money from unemployed Nigerians in the coming recruitment into the police. Many Nigerians had in the past called for withdrawal of police orderlies from dignitaries in order to redeploy them for effective policing and to combat crime in light of the security challenges facing the country. A statement issued by Special Adviser to the

President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari, while speaking on recruitment into the police, said applicants, having to pay bribes before being accepted into the police in the past was totally unacceptable. The President told the officials that those in charge of recruitment and training in the Police must be above board and eschew every form of extortion and underhand dealing. “You must ensure that the recruitment process is transparent. Those who will conduct the recruitment must be above board. It should not be heard that they receive gratification or extort money from those who want to enlist in the police,” Buhari cautioned. On the stagnation of policemen on a rank for many years, the President counselled the PSC to review the current structure and make recommendations on how the problem can be solved to boost morale of serving policemen.

tioned on election-related offences, even when the cases are on-going at the tribunals. The communiqué said such spells doom and poses imminent danger to the nation’s fledgling democracy. “The alleged interference is an attempt to stifle the opposition and this is most unacceptable. We insist that the trend be reversed. No democracy survives without a viable opposition in any part of the world. “INEC is supposed to be an independent commission and its officials ought to be shielded from partisanship, especially at a time when the dust raised by the alleged APC membership of the DG of the SSS, Mr. Lawal Musa Daura is yet to settle,” the forum said. The forum noted that there were clear cases of under-aged voters in some states and wondered why DSS did not investigate a single person or made any arrest. “Even in a clear case where money paid was traced to the bank account of a State Resident Electoral Commissioner, the DSS is yet to order investigation into the matter,” the communiqué added. The governors urged DSS to pre-occupy itself with the task of ensuring internal security and not involve itself in electoral matters. It would be recalled that Yobe State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had admitted in evidence the report of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on alleged bribery against the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the April 11 governorship poll in the state. The PDP governorship candidate in the election, Alhaji Adamu Waziri, had called for the nullification of the election of Governor Ibrahim Geidam of APC on account of irregularities and corruption. Two senior personnel of two new generation banks who testified before the tribunal, confirmed the lodgement of N8m and N7m into the Yobe REC’s accounts on April 8, 2015.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 21, 2015

Photo News

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Head Corporate Communication, Abuja Leasing Limited, Miss. Madeleine Ezenma; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Stockcorp Leasing Limited, Mr. Tunji Tolani; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Abuja Leasing Limited, Mr Tolu Delano and Head Corporate Social Responsibility, Abuja Leasing Limited, Miss Onyinye Anyanwu, during the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Stockcorp Leasing Limited and Abuja Leasing Limited on new Stockcorp Leasing e-Portal for online accessing of consumer credit/lease in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Managing Director, Mandilas, David Edwards; Country Manager, OLX, Lola Masha; General Manager, Mandilas, Stephen Gladwin and Business Development Manager, OLX, Mayokun Soremekun, during a press conference to announce partnership of both companies, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

L-R: Chief Operator Officer, Oando Marketing, Mr. Yomi Awobokun; Chairman on the occasion, Mr. Deji Haastrup; Managing Director, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji and Managing Director, NIPCO Plc, Mr. Venkataranan Venkatapathy, during 2015 National Association of Energy Correspondents Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: CEO, LiveWell Initiative, Bisi Bright; Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC, Olufunke Amobi; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni and CEO, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Yewande Sadiku, at the 2015 Stanbic IBTC Health and Wellness Fair in Lagos, recently.

National News

AIB releases crashed Bristow chopper manifest

•Funeral mass holds for late pilot Olusegun KOiKi

ine days after the Sikosky S76 C+ chopper belonging to Bristow Helicopters marked 5N-BGD crashed into Lagos Lagoon at Oworonshoki area of the Third Mainland Bridge, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, yesterday released the flight manifest to the public. The manifest confirmed that 12 souls were on board the ill-fated flight, including two crew members. AIB in its statement did not, however, clarify names of the survivors, but Bristow Helicopters in an earlier statement confirmed that the two crew members, Capt. Joseph Wyatt and co-pilot, Peter Kayode Bello, did not survive the crash. Online statement signed by spokesman of AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi,

gave names of those on board as Mr. Ita Ekpeyong, Joshua Emekeme, Dolu Ebiejuara, Onoriode Onojete, Chukwuma Erise and Solomon Udeh. Others are Chidi Ukwunta, Iniala Opaimi, Chris Abua, Chukwudi Onah, Joseph Wyatt (captain) and Peter Kayode Bello (co-pilot). It was, however, learnt that the survivors are Joshua Emekeme, Dolu Ebiejuara, Onoriode Onojete, Solomon Udeh, Iniala Opaimi and Chukwudi Onah. The helicopter crashed on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, shortly before landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The helicopter had departed SEDCO oil platform offshore enroute Lagos airport. Before yesterday, AIB and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Author-

ity, NCAA, had avoided releasing the manifest, insisting it would only do so when all family members of the victims had been contacted. Meanwhile, a church service in honour of Capt. Bello, the co-pilot, was held in Calabar yesterday. The service was held at St Patrick’s Church, Ikot Ansa, for the 26-year-old pilot, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports. The parish priest, Rev. Father Patrick Cochran, who took his Bible reading from John 14:1-6, admonished Christians to continue to have faith in God in spite of challenges. Cochran also consoled the family of the deceased and urged them to be thankful to God that their son died a Christian. “At this period of your mourning, I urge you to

take heart and pray fervently for the soul of the young pilot to rest with the lord,” he said. NAN reports that the corpse was not brought to the church for reasons the family said were personal, yet the service attracted dignitaries from all works of life. Efforts by NAN to speak with the parents of the late pilot yielded no result as they both declined comments. However, Mrs. Femi Bello, a relative of the deceased, said the death took the young pilot too early, when his services were most needed at Bristow. She prayed for the soul of Bello to rest in peace. A family friend, Mrs. Theresa Okon, said that the late Bello was a celebrated pilot, diligent and dedicated to his job. Okon enjoined the family of the deceased to be courageous and be consoled by the fact that their son left a trade

mark in his profession. Late Bello was born on the July 4, 1989 in Calabar to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bello (Snr.), who all hails from

Cross River. He gained employment as a trainee pilot with Bristow Helicopters in 2013 and got his flying licence in 2014.

Remit aviation charges or risk being grounded, FG tells airlines

inistry of Aviation yesterday directed airline operators to remit their dues promptly to avoid embarrassment of their airlines being grounded by regulatory agencies. This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Assistant Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. James Odaudu. The dues include en route, navigational, landing and parking as well as rent and passengers service charges. The statement said Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Binta Bello, gave the directive at a meeting with members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, in Lagos. It said prompt payment

of the outstanding charges owed by the operators would enable the agencies to carry out their statutory functions effectively and efficiently. “In spite of the perceived problems enumerated by the airline operators, the aviation sector has recorded commendable and laudable feats worth celebrating. “I do not want to believe that everything about the aviation sector is negative. “We have issues, challenges, but we have things that have worked well. “If nothing, I have just received a certificate from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rating Nigeria 96 per cent after the security audit carried out recently,” the statement quoted Bello as saying.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Friday, August 21, 2015

NNPC set to end fuel importation, subsidy UDEME AKPAN AND CHIDI UGWU

igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday said it had adopted a new business model among other measures as part of commitment to ending fuel importation and payment of subsidies on imported products in the country. Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who disclosed this at the Annual Conference of National Association of Energy Correspondents, NAEC, in Lagos, explained that the initiative became imperative since fuel importation and subsidy are unsustainable. Represented by the Executive Director, Services, National Engineering and Technical Company limited, NETCO, Mrs. Bola Ashafa, the NNPC boss explained that the Corporation has resolved to rehabilitate the Brownfield refineries. Kachikwu said the subsidy regime had created distortions in government revenue distribution as a result of round tripping and unnecessary carryover of expenditures ev-

ery year, thereby making it difficult for government to control or sustained. “I want to add my voice to those that have continued to remind us that fuel subsidy is unsustainable. “Subsidy accounted for 20 per cent of FG budget in 2013. Furthermore, Federal Government is not in control of the factors that influence retail fuel price, particularly fluctuations of crude oil price at the international market,” he said. In his remarks, the Managing Director, Mobil Oil Nigeria limited, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, reiterated that government still owed marketers a backlog of subsidy, and therefore canvassed a legislative regime that should be put in place before implementation of deregulation. He clarified: “We are yet to be paid our subsidy and this has continued to raise the question about sustainability of subsidy scheme. I was just told this morning that Brent is $40 a barrel. As it is going, very soon, deregulation will not be a debate; it will soon be a necessity. “We are looking for an industry where pricing is liberalised. We are looking at an industry where technology plays its role.

NUC, CLE, NOUN addressing standoff on admission into Law School

xecutive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, said the commission is working with stakeholders to resolve the standoff on admission of graduates of the National Open University, NOUN, into Law School. Okoie, who made this known at a capacity building workshop for education correspondents yesterday in Abuja, said NUC was addressing the issue with the Council for Legal Education, CLE. It would be recalled that CLE has insisted that that Law graduates of NOUN will not be admitted into the Nigerian Law School. Okojie said that the Law programme of NOUN was approved by NUC but CLE adjudged it a part time programme which was the reason it rejected it. “This matter is being ad-

dressed because it is between us, CLE and the university. “What we have done in the interim is stop new intake into that programme so that they do not have a backlog; we are addressing the issue. “I must say that the Law programme in National Open University, NOUN, was approved by the NUC; we do not get permission from anybody to approve any programme; it’s our responsibility. “When the Council for Legal Education came up with the idea of no part time Law, NOUN did not consider Law a part time programme by their mode; so they did not stop the programme,” he said. The NUC boss explained that in the first letter that followed the licence of a private university, the commission gives it the take off programmes.

“And one cardinal point I have to make is that if we chose to go the way of deregulation in Nigeria there must be appropriate legislation. “If you are talking about cabal or cartel now, what we will have will be worse if deregulation is announced without appropriate legislation.” Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Ni-

geria, Mr. James Entwistle, during his visit to the NNPC said that his country was willing to provide all necessary support to the new management to realise its set goals and objectives. Entwistle, who noted that the job of the GMD of the Corporation remained challenging, expressed optimism that with the new helmsman’s skills,

training and requisite experience, he was well positioned to lead the oil and gas industry in Nigeria towards the path of growth and sustainable development. In his response, Kachikwu said the determination of the new NNPC management to implement the spirit and letter of President Muhammadu Buhari’s reform

agenda in the industry remained unshaken. He promised that the new NNPC would be driven by a deep sense of commitment to service delivery anchored on the principle of transparency, efficiency, people, purpose and profit, adding that his mission is to re-direct and re-energise the work force for greater value addition.

L-R: Awardees of the 15th National Productivity Order of Merit Awards, Corps Marshal, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; MD, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr. Saleh Dunoma and Parmanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication Technoloygy, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, during the award presentation in Abuja, yesterday.

FG issues 11 states bonds to offset bank loans ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

ational Economic Council, NEC, yesterday disclosed that 11 states have been issued Federal Government Bonds as at last Wednesday to settle loans owed banks. The bonds were issued to 14 banks after submitting reconciled figures and other required documents for restructuring. Briefing State House Correspondents shortly after the 60th meeting of the council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed explained that in order to address fiscal imbalance, 22 states submitted reports and applied for restructuring. He said the decision followed approval of President Muhammadu Buhari on the plan to restructure bank loans of states into Federal Government bonds. Ahmed briefed in company of other governors,

including Badaru Abdullahi (Jigawa); Ibikunle Amosu (Ogun) and Willy Obiano (Anambra). The governor said out of the 22 states that have applied, bonds have been issued in respect of the loans of 11. According to him, the Director-General told the council that the Debt Management Office, DMO, had requested the states to reconcile figures with the banks, stressing that they have been jointly authenticated with the banks as at June 30 He explained that the proposal, which seeks to convert and restructure the bad loans into bonds with the assistance of DMO, is expected to have a tenor of between 15 – 20 years. Ahmed said DMO was now reviewing the additional submissions by states in the second phase of the programme. On development in the power sector, Governor Abdullahi of Jigawa State said Council was informed that there was overall increase in power

supply by about 29 per cent in the country, compared to the last weeks of the previous administration. “Council was informed that power generation reached a significant 4.662mw by July 29, 2015. That there is now a publicly accessible website www.nesistats.org to bring a new level of transparency in the sector,” the governor said. Council was also informed that the next top priorities for the next two months in the sector would be the repair of stranded hydro capacity, reduce load rejection by Distribution Companies (Discos), stop haemohage of gas from power plants to industrial off-takers and fixing of major transmission and transformation constraints. The Council urged state governments to ensure payments of electricity bills by their Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDA. At the meeting, NEC also urged states to assist with provision of secu-

rity to reduce vandalism of distribution assets and embedded generation for state owned facilities. Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance reported to the Council that the current Excess Crude Proceeds currently stands at $2.207bn. Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole also presented a provisional report of the five governors Ad-hoc Committee set up by NEC to review the operations and management of the Excess Crude Account ECA/ Federation Account. Oshiomhole told the Council that the committee had invited all the relevant revenue generating agencies who contribute to the Federation Account in the course of its assignment. The committee had last week appointed two international audit firms to carryout forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and other revenue generating agencies.

News

Friday August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari appoints Fowler as FIRS boss D

CAPMI: NERC to sanction Discos over non-compliance Chidi UgwU ABUJA

Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Dr. William Babatunde Fowler as Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS. A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said before his appointment Fowler was Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Chairman of Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue from 2005 to 2014. According to the state-

…names Gusau DG, Budget Office ment, Fowler had his higher education in the United States where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Business Administration degree from the California State University. Before joining the service of the Lagos State government, Fowler worked in the banking sector for about 20 years with long stints at Credit Lyonnais Nigeria Limited and Chartered Bank. Under his leadership,

the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue reportedly achieved a sharp increase in internally generated revenue from an average of N3.6bn per month in 2006, to an average of about N20.5bn per month in 2013. Fowler, who holds an Honorary Doctorate Degree of the Irish International University, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Business Management Association of the United Kingdom. He would serve as Act-

ing Executive Chairman of FIRS until his appointment is confirmed by the Senate. Also yesterday, Buhari appointed Mr. Aliyu Yahaya Gusau as Director General, Budget Office of the Federation. Gusau’s appointment was with effect from Tuesday, August 18 and is for a term of four years, renewable for another four years, unless he attains the retirement age of 60 years or completes 35 years of pensionable service.

L-R: Deputy Managing Director of Arik, Capt. Ado Sanusi; Ambassador of Ireland, Sean Hoy and Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide during a visit of the Ambassador to Arik Air, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

We’re on working recess or no recess –Senators

ome senators yesterday said in spite of the current six-week recess by the National Assembly, they were engaged in legislative activities. The senators, who spoke with the News agency of Nigeria, NAN, in separate interviews in Abuja, said agitation by Nigerians that lawmakers had sat for only 15 days since inauguration was baseless. Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, said the National Assembly was not unmindful of the desires of Nigerians to reposition the country. He explained that the recess would not in any way affect commitment to

their duties as lawmakers. Ndume said Nigerians needed not to doubt the commitment of members of the assembly, adding that each of the chambers could reconvene to attend to emergency cases while on recess, if need be. “We have the interest of this country at heart and we are ready to set a record; though we are on recess, we will continue to work behind the scenes,’’ he said. Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa said though the six weeks recess was statutory, it was a working period for the lawmakers. He explained that the seven weeks break earlier embarked upon by

the lawmakers was to enable All Progressives Congress, APC, to settle its problems. Ohuabunwa added that the period was also used to prepare offices for full take-off of legislative activities. “It is unfortunate that we went on that break, and I think that was where the problem came and reason was because we needed to get this place fixed and get our arts together. “The parliament runs a timetable and you know that parliament world over, including Nigeria, the month of August is normally our annual vacation,” he said. He dismissed fears that

the recess would slow down the process of governance, adding that the National Assembly would not hesitate to reconvene in the event of any matter of national interest. On his part, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi said the National Assembly was only on recess from plenary. According to him, plenary was only an aspect of legislative job and as such the recess should not be misconstrued. The lawmaker said it was wrong for Nigerians to assume that they were not working enough, and however, assured that the National Assembly would not relent in its effort to deliver the dividends of democracy.

issatisfied with the level of implementation of the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, by majority of distribution companies, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, will soon commence enforcement for non-compliance. Head, Public Affairs Department of NERC, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, said the Commission has given distribution companies a seven-day ultimatum to show why action should not be taken and sanction meted on them for noncompliance. He said the decision stemmed from violation of the provisions of the licence terms and condition, adding that already a letter had been dispatched to the defaulting utilities, namely Port Harcourt, Abuja, Yola and Enugu distribution companies. Others are Ibadan, Ikeja, Eko and Benin discos. “The Commission considers your actions as manifest and flagrant breaches and therefore requires you to show cause in writing within seven days from the date hereon, why enforcement should not be commenced against you and sanctions meted accordingly for non-compliance with the Terms

and Conditions of the license granted you and the order on Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation,” the statement said. Abba Arabi recalled that the order introducing CAPMI scheme became effective on 14 May, 2013, in which NERC directed that the scheme should commence and be implemented at the same time in all the distribution companies. He added that the discos were to redeploy meters under the scheme to willing customers, including the installation of same within 45days from the date of the payment by any customer. In the letter, NERC noted that it had been observed from public consultation and monitoring exercises carried out to ascertain the implementation level; that the discos either failed or neglected to fully implement the CAPMI scheme. According to the statement, condition 2(1) of the terms and conditions of the licence granted the discos provides as follows: “The licencee shall comply with the conditions of this licence and the requirements of the licenced business as set out in the Act and Regulations approved by the Commission in accordance with the Commission’s statutory duty to monitor all licencees.

We’re working towards quick end to Boko Haram –Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reaffirmed his conviction that the end of Boko Haram insurgency was in sight, given the added vigour with which the war against the terrorist sect was now being prosecuted by Nigeria and her allies. A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke at an audience with Mr. Mousa Faki Mahamat, Chadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of President Idris Deby. Buhari said with higher morale among troops in the frontline against Boko Ha-

ram and their improved logistics, equipment and training, a rapid end to the insurgency could be expected. The President, however, said Nigeria and Chad must be prepared to make more sacrifices to end the scourge of insurgency, since they were at the very heart of the crisis. “We will sustain our effort, and the insurgents will be defeated soon,” Buhari vowed. The special envoy said Deby appreciated the leadership being shown by Buhari in the war against terrorism. “We also appreciate the diligence shown in appointing a commander for the Multinational Joint Task Force, and President Deby believes that the fight will end in a few months.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Friday, Augusst 21, 2015

APC promises ‘radical means’ to meet Nigeria’s energy needs

Nigeria outgoing Ambassador to Qatar, Amb. Shuaibu Adamu Ahmed (left) receiving a state award from Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar, Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud in appreciation of his efforts in solidifying Nigerian ties with Qatar, recently.

Court asked to reverse order on Ayangburen’s stool Matthew IrInoye

agos State Government has urged a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja to reverse the order it made last Friday to stop the coronation ceremony to fill the vacant stool of Ayangburen, the traditional ruler of Ikorodu, in Lagos. It would be recalled that Ayangburen stool had become vacant since August 1, 2014 after the passage of Oba S.A.A. Oyefusi. Last week Friday, a court presided over by Justice Olabisi Ogungbesan stopped the coronation ceremony to fill the stool, which had been scheduled for the next day (Saturday). The judge had restrained the state governor, Akinwumi Ambode or anyone acting under his authority from going ahead to crown the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotebi, as the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu. The judge also restrained Shotebi the then Oba-elect from either “presenting himself for coronation” or “parading himself as the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, or actualising any recognition thereon as such, or exercising any of the Ayangburen royal functions”, pending the determination of a suit filed by one Odupitan Eniola, from the Lambo branch of the Lasunwon chieftaincy family of Ikorodu kingdom. However the coronation ceremony reportedly held on Saturday as scheduled. During proceedings yesterday, Ambode, represented in court by a state counsel, Mr. S.A. Quadri, urged

the judge to vacate the order, saying it was made in error. Quadri, who described the ex- parte application that led to the order as an abuse of court processes, pointed out that the order was made after Shotebi had already been given the staff of office. According to Quadri, former Governor Babatunde Fashola had on May 26, 2015, installed Shotebi as the new Ayangburen after Shotebi was presented to him at the 17th meeting of the State Executive Council held on May 25, 2015. Quadri added that contrary to the facts presented before the court, the event which took place on Saturday was not the coronation, but a mere social gathering to celebrate Shotebi’s installment as a monarch. “The ceremony which took place on the 15th of August was a mere fun fare organised by the Ikorodu community and the 1st defendant (Shotebi) to celebrate his ascension to the throne of his fore fathers and to accord notable distinguished personalities with chieftaincy titles. “The 1st defendant was surprised when it became news that a ruling was delivered on the 14th of August 2015 pursuant to an ex-parte application restraining the 1st defendant and other defendants from proceeding with the coronation fixed for the 15th day of August. “The ex-parte application ought not to have been granted if the afore said facts were revealed to the honourable court.

Also, the lawyer representing the Ikorodu kingmakers, Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi, who had also raised a preliminary objection,challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case. Fabunmi, who described the suit as an abuse of court processes, said the subject matter had already been determined by Justice M.A. Savage of the Ikorodu Division of the court on February 5, 2015. Fabunmi urged the court to vacate the order restraining Shotebi from exercising authority in the capacity of Ayangburen. The applicant, Eniola, through his lawyer, Mr.

Joseph Okobiemen, had approached Justice Ogungbesan seeking an order to halt the coronation of Shotebi, who hailed from the Adegorushe branch of the Lasunwon chieftaincy family, as the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom. The applicant claimed that it was the turn of the Lambo branch of the Lasunwon chieftaincy family, to present the next Ayangburen, adding that he had been nominated by the family to be crowned as the new Ayangburen at meetings held on September 7 and 21, 2014. The judge has adjourned the matter till October 6, 2015 for mention.

Ise-oluwa Ige

seaports, airports and land borders with immediate effect. Besides, he had also issued marching orders to all Area Controllers to increase weekly average revenue of the NCS from its current N13billion to N35billion even as he enjoined all officers to brace up to the new challenges. The strategic session where Atte reeled out his agenda for the service was convened to discuss various areas of revenue leakages and possible measures to plug them. Atte, formerly a Deputy Comptroller General, DCG, in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Service, FATS, took over from the retired CG, Abdullahi Dikko on Wednesday. He was the most senior officer and he is expected to hold forth till President Muhammadu Buhari either

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has said the ruling party would use “radical means” to fulfill its promises on power to Nigerians, rather than follow the conventional methods. The party through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this on Thursday in Abuja while addressing stakeholders in the energy sector at a one-day electricity market conference organised by Stratex Pro, a private stakeholder in the sector. “One of the promises APC made to the electorate during the 2015 general election was that it would increase the capacity as well as stabilise power in Nigeria. “Nigerians would judge APC government in 2019 general elections on the level of power stability in the country. “To guarantee that APC fulfills this promise, it has to think-out -of the box to ensure this promise is fulfilled, otherwise it would not be able to face the electorate in the next election,” he said. Mohammed said that the Federal Government would use solar energy as a means to ensure that Nigerians get adequate power in the country. According to him, APC will use small scale method of power generation and encourage small scale power investors to invest in the industry. He said if government

I will clean up rot in Customs –Ag CG ABUJA

ess than 48 hours after he took over the mantle of leadership, the Acting Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. John Atte, yesterday talked tough, saying he would flush out all serving corrupt officers in the service, block leakages and increase the revenue generation capacity of the service. Atte made the disclosure during the maiden strategic parley he had with senior management staff of the service at the Corporate Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service. Already, he had directed the setting up of anti-corruption unit in all Area Commands to monitor officers’ conduct and report to his office just as he disbanded all task forces under any name or guise operating in

confirms him or appoints a new CGC. He is known in the service as Mr. Anti-corruption by colleagues because of his zero- tolerance for corruption and illegal activities of any sort. On anti-smuggling activities, National Mirror learnt yesterday that the Federal Operations Units were directed to intensify their border patrols to bring smugglers to book. However, the meeting directed an immediate review of operational procedures to give maximum effect to the ban on hinterland patrols in the country. Atte said: “Henceforth, the zonal coordinators are to take full charge of all Area Commands under their jurisdiction as they would be held accountable for any reported case of corruption or subversion of revenue”.

could encourage 20 investors to invest one mega watt of power per person, this would amount to 20 mega watts and it would radically increase the quantum of power. Mohammed added that the old method of waiting for five or six years to build Hydro or Thermal plants would not allow APC to fulfill its promise of stable power in Nigeria. He explained that there were two things currently working for APC. He said they were integrity Nigerians had on President Muhammud Buhari and his leadership which all Nigerians invested on. Mohammed added that even though APC had not done anything on power, since it took over the government, yet power had stabilised. He said if APC could increase and stablise the power situation, it would be easy to achieve its promise of creating many jobs. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali, called on the Federal Government to assist investors on solar power by getting access to land from state governments. He said that many investors who wanted to invest on solar energy found it difficult to acquire land and C of O from state governments to establish their projects. According to him, much has been done by Federal Government to develop power industry in the country. He listed Zungeru Hydro Power station that would produce 700 MW and Mambilla Hydro Power Plant that would also produce 3,500 MW as some of the plants government was building. Igali explained that the major challenges facing power production in Nigeria were the North and South loops which had not been fixed. He said when government fixed them; they would stablise energy supply in the country. According him, there is enough gas for the thermal plants presently. He added that vandalism on gas pipes and other power gadgets had reduced; hence the nation’s energy crisis would soon be history. Igali assured that the stability being enjoyed today was not a fluke because much had been done by government to stabilise the sector.

South West

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Estate residents sue Ekiti govt over eviction A BIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

L-R: Senator Babajide Omoworare; Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Senate delegation leader to Osun State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Gbolahan Dada, during the presentation of Senate Condolence Letter to the governor over the death of Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuade.

NRC workers back Buhari on anticorruption fight OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he fight against corruption spearheaded by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has received backing from workers and union of Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC. The workers unanimously urged the government not to halt its fight against corruption in high places, especially among government officials and tasked it to ensure that all looted funds were returned without negotiation. According to a press statement by Secretary General, Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, NURW, Comrade Segun Esan, Buhari should stop at nothing to recover the nation’s patrimony stolen by some unscrupulous politicians and greedy public servants. Esan stated that the decision to support the government against corrupt practices was reached at the union’s Special Central Working Committee, CWC, summoned to discuss the state of the nation. He said all members of the CWC agreed unanimously to support and encourage President Buhari in his administration’s quest to fight corruption in the country. Esan said corruption had been the major problem that made true devel-

opment elusive and largely impossible in Nigeria, regretting that those involved in high-scale corruption that crippled and robbed the nation were politicians and public servants who were trusted with the nation’s collective resources. The statement commended the president for his determination to fight corruption to a standstill despite several dissenting voices and urged the government to investigate all politicians and public servants suspected to have enriched themselves through self-enrichment while in office. The working committee also called on the president to empower all anticorruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, with more legislative powers to deal decisively with corrupt people in the system. The statement added: “All suspected politicians and public servants who are proved beyond all reasonable doubt to be thieves of our national wealth should forfeit all assets and proceeds proved to have been earned through corruption to the Federal Government and beyond that, such politicians and public servants should be banned for life from holding public offices.

esidents of Ekiti State Government-owned Irewolede Estate in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, have gone to court to challenge their eviction by the state government. The residents were evicted from their homes recently for defaulting in payment of mortgages on the houses within stipulated time. But intervention of traditional rulers and prominent indigenes of the state, who pleaded on their behalf, made government to grant them extension of three months, which would lapse on November 30, within which to complete payment. Landlords at the estate had in a suit marked HAD/22/2015 filed by their counsel, Rafiu Balogun, at an Ado Ekiti High Court, through their chairman, Ayo Orebe, and 17 others are seeking an order for payment of N20 million as aggravated and exemplary damages for trespass, humiliation, assault and degrading treatment meted out to them by the defendants. The defendants in the suit are, Attorney General of Ekiti State, Ekiti State Housing Corporation, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, and

Ekiti State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The landlords are also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves or by their agents, servants, workers, officers and men of the 3rd and 4th defendants from ejecting or further disturbing them as they have not committed any breach of purchase/mortgage agreement until the agreement is determined by court. Another relief being sought is a declaration that the acts of Ekiti State Government and the State Housing Corporation by forcibly entering into the estate, assaulted the claimants, locked them out using the officers and men of the 3rd and 4th defendants and political thugs amount to breach of contract and tortuous acts of assault and trespass. They also prayed the court for a declaration that the purchase/mortgage agreement entered into with the 2nd defendant in respect of their houses located in the estate as contained in their respective letters of offer is subsisting and that the state government and Housing Corporation has a duty bound to honour same.

This administration should also come up with legal framework that will protect funds specifically appropriated or set aside for one national project or the other from being diverted to another project. “Diversion of loans or funds for a specific project or embezzlement of same can only be informed by greed and sinister tendencies just as the case is with the alleged diversion of $600 million out of the $1.05 billion loans taken from China Exim Bank for the development of railway infrastructure.

“The president should take scrupulous advantage of the improving image and integrity of our nation to seek the cooperation of the international communities in locating and repatriating all stolen money kept abroad.” He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to chart a new course and muster strong political will towards sustainable development of rail transport system as public transport and epicenter of transport infrastructure in Nigeria.

A BIODUN N EJO

Ex-CJ heads Ekiti education summit

ADO EKITI

kiti State government has disclosed plan to hold an Education Summit to address the decline in education sector in the state. The governor, who said the summit would hold next month, disclosed that it would be chaired by a former chief judge of the state, Oba Ademola Ajakaye, who is the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti. The governor made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, yesterday, while swearing-in the new Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Ol-

adapo Oyebade. Oba Oyebade took over from the Onitaji of Itaji Ekiti, Oba Adamo Babalola, who recently concluded his two-year tenure. While lamenting the decadence in the state’s education sector, the governor said he would map out strategy on how to reverse the decline. Among others, the decadence has been manifesting in the result of public examinations in the state. He said: “When I came in during my first term in 2003, I organised an Education Summit, where experts in the education sector came with strategies that really worked. The current

situation of our education is very bad. It calls for concern, and it is worth being addressed as quickly as possible”. The governor assured that he would continue to treat traditional rulers with utmost respect and drink from their wealth of experience in the task of moving the state to higher pedestal. He promised that his government would support the new chairman of traditional council to succeed in his new position, charging monarchs in the state to reciprocate the gesture by maintaining peace and security in their domains. The former chairman, Oba Babalola, appealed

to the state government to build a befitting edifice, where members could hold their meetings in the state capital. Oba Babalola, who said that seven monarchs were crowned during his tenure, appealed to the government to cautiously exercise its powers in granting autonomy to intending communities to prevent unnecessary decimation of the principal towns. The new chairman pledged his loyalty to the government and good people of the state, promising that the council would embrace justice and fair play in all its dealings during his time.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, August 21, 2015

Midnight fire kills 2, injures 3 in Osun BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

ragedy struck in Ajumosa Ogberin area of Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State when a midnight fire razed a building, leading to death of two people and injuring three others. Names of the two deceased persons were given as Hadijat Adegoke and Lawal Munirudeen. Other victims, who were said to be children of Adegoke are Fawasi, 13 years, Ishuwat, 12, Sodiq and Fathai, 6, were said to be receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ede. Though no one could state what caused the inferno, but a resident of the area who simply identified self as Mrs. Adeyemi, told National Mirror that Hadijat Adegoke owned the building and added that on the day the inci-

dent happened, her friend slept in the building. Adeyemi further explained: “She is known as Iya Ishuwat. She moved to our area during last Ramadan period. On the day the incident, we just heard noise in the middle of the night. “We heard voice of the woman screaming for help. Her house was on fire and people all rallied round to assist them. The five people in the house were rescued and taking to hospital for treatment.” The woman and her friend, it was learnt, were rushed to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where they later gave up the ghost. The other victims of the fire incident, who were said to be children of Mrs. Adegoke, it was gathered, were currently receiving treatment at Ede Muslim Hospital.

13 injured as drivers attack Osun FRSC’s office BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

hirteen officers of Osun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, were yesterday injured when members of the National Union Road Transport Workers, NURTW, attacked the state’s head office of the corps located at GbonganOsogbo road. According to eye-witnesses, an 18-seater bus belonging to the NURTW was arrested by some FRSC officials in front of the corps’ office and the driver asked to enter the corps’ premises. But the driver, instead of obeying the instruction, attempted to escape with an officer that was already seated in the vehicle and drove towards Olaiya junction where some of his colleagues descended on the FRSC man and beat him up. “He would have been killed but for the timely arrival of some officials of the corps, who chased the bus when it was discovered that the driver was

attempting to escape with the officer,” an witness, who identified himself as Gbadebo Adejumo said. One of the drivers, who attacked the FRSC officer, it was learnt, was arrested and taken to Dugbe Police Station.

or dabbling into what the All Progressives Congress, APC, described as family affair, leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Chief Olabode George, has come under fire. The local chapter of APC in Lagos said it was mischievous of the PDP chieftain to see the speck in another’s eye while having a log in his own eyes. George had recommended two former Lagos governors, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola for investigation by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. But spokesman of APC local chapter in Lagos, Joe Igbokwe, counseled the PDP chieftain to keep quiet and continue to lick

Members of ‘BringBackOurGirls’ Lagos State branch with Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (6th left), during a sit-out session on the kidnapped Chibok girls and internally displaced persons, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Oyo stops hajj sponsorship, says pilgrims board scribe K EMI O LAITAN IBADAN

yo State government has stopped sponsoring pilgrims to the holy land. Secretary of Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim wing), Alhaji Abdulkarim Adeleke, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, said the state government cancelled sponsorship of pilgrims for hajj due to economic difficulties. He said: “Out of 1,241 pilgrims assigned to

Oyo State by the National Hajj Commission, NAHCO, for 2015 Hajj, none of the intending pilgrims was sponsored by state government. “The intending pilgrims for Hajj 2015 are mostly self-sponsored.” He stated that more than 1,100 pilgrims would perform the hajj through the state’s camp, adding that processing of their visas had reached advanced stage. “The first batch of pilgrims numbering about 540 will take off on August 25 from the Murtala

Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The second batch of 540 pilgrims will leave for Saudi Arabia on August 26 from Lagos Airport, while the rest will leave by August 28,” he said, adding that the issue of pilgrims taking off from Ibadan Airport was not feasible this year. “The intending pilgrims have been sensitised by the board on how to perform some duties during the exercise and they are expected to adhere strictly to the rules handed down by Saudi authorities.

“Hajj 2015 did not register any pregnant woman this year since Saudi authorities have stopped accepting pregnant women for hajj. “The intending female pilgrims were subjected to pregnancy test by our medical team,” he added. He stated further that people with terminal illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension were told to bring along their medication and submit them to the medical team for easy passage at the airport.

Mind your business, Lagos APC tells George the wounds inflicted on him by the colossal defeat his party suffered at the March 28 and April 11 general elections. He said the defeat suffered by the PDP at both federal and state levels in the elections would ordinarily have demanded of a genuine party man a food for thought and not meddling in other people’s matter. In a statement signed by Igbokwe, the APC said that George, like the Lagos PDP Chairman, Tunji Shelle, has just woken up from a chronic hallucination after suffering a choking and devastating defeat. The statement reads: “Bode George is yet to come to terms that it is

all over for PDP in Nigeria and Lagos. He is yet to believe that Lagos APC has forcefully retired him from active politics for ever in Nigeria and Lagos State. “Why is Bode George finding it difficult to believe that the game is over for him in Nigerian politics talkless of Lagos State? Who will tell Bode George that nobody takes him serious again in matters of Nigerian politics? Who will persuade Chief Bode George to quit politics now in his own interest? “What is giving Bode George the courage to believe that President Buhari will probe Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Fashola, who are the real

drivers of change in Nigeria because a Bode George said so? “How can a jail bird who plundered and looted NPA, and who just got pardoned the other day because of 2015 elections forget easily that he is part of the problem of Nigeria and not part of the solution? Did Bode George know that his case at NPA and the fraudulent amnesty granted by the former president Goodluck Jonathan may be revisited? “How can Lagosians forget that George imposed Jimi Agbaje on PDP in the state and caused a big crisis at Oregun Lagos where the party conducted its primaries? How can we forget that it was this same Bode George

that was accused by some hoodlums of being their godfather? “How can an old man who armed thugs all over Lagos with an instruction to kill if necessary in order to steal Lagos votes be the one that will tell President Buhari what to do? Did Bode George know that the president has full knowledge of his dubious activities in Lagos during the campaigns? “Chief Bode George spoke about the cost of projects in Lagos, but the question is this: what does a hut builder know about Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge? What does a carpenter knows about gold? What does a failed politician know about good governance and service delivery?”

South-East

Friday, Augusst 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Newspaper vendor arrested over MASSOB’s publications GeorGe opArA ABIA

peratives of the State Security Service, SSS, in Umuahia, capital of Abia State yesterday raided some newspaper distributors and vendors in the city alleged to be circulating and selling a soft-sale magazines carrying the activities; programmes and agenda of the outlawed Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. As distributors and vendors scampered to escape from arrest, it was later uncovered that one of the distributors in the city called Mr. Vimo was arrested. Vimo who resides at Nkwere Street in Umuahia is one of the frontline distributors of national dailies and weekly magazines in the city. The MASSOB National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, when contacted, condemned the incessant and periodic arrest of the distributors and vendors in the South East for

the mere reason of circulating and selling newspapers projecting the activities of MASSOB. Madu who said he wanted to know the offence arising from publishing the activities of MASSOB under a democratic system, vowed to uphold the fundamental human rights such as freedom of association, to hold opinion and expression. In his words; ‘MASSOB condemns the actions of government security agents. It is an act of cowardice as the vendors are lawfully carrying out their trades; such actions of the security men popularise the activities of the Biafran struggle. Clampdown, arrest and disturbance of Biafran struggle will never deter the zeal of Biafran struggle for actualization of their objectives.’ The state director of SSS who recently assumed duty declined comment on the arrest saying, he was not allowed to speak to the press. As at the time of filing this report, the arrested newspaper distributor was still with the SSS.

NGO donates N1.6m blood pressure machines to Imo community Chris Njoku OWERRI

Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, based in United States, Lifting Hands Initiatives, LHI, yesterday donated 30 blood pressure machines, estimated at N1.6million to indigenes of Amakohia Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state. While distributing the machines to the beneficiaries, founder of the NGO, Dr. Juliet Amadi, said the major target of the NGO was indigent people who cannot afford to pay money before they could check their blood pressure. Amadi, who is also a medical practitioner in the US, said most people especially the indigents who are living with either high or low blood pressure are ignorant of the sickness, adding that making the machine available to such people would go a long way in helping the beneficiaries to monitor their blood pressure without paying money to anybody.

According to her, the machines will be kept in designated places, where all the citizens of the community will have easy access to it. She tasked the traditional ruler of the community Eze Boniface Chibundu not to allow those in custody of the machines to politicise or charge money, but to give everybody access to the machines. Amadi said the NGO’s major target was to make citizens to be more conscious of their health and to assist the indigents to get medical attention. “This programme is done every year since I found the NGO and since then, we have continued to donate medical equipment to communities and to create awareness on the need for people to be health conscious. Responding, Chibundu commended the NGO for aiding the people of the community to gain free access to the machines. He said many people in the community who are living with high blood pressure could not afford to check their BP regularly due to the cost.

L-R: Governors Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun State, Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State and Abubakar Badar of Jigawa State, during a briefing after the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Ebonyi Assembly passes N20b supplementary budget into law AliuNA GodwiN ABAKALIKI

bonyi State House of Assembly, EBHA, yesterday passed into law; additional N20 billion naira supplementary budgets to enable the state government embark on capital projects and payment of workers salary. The motion for the bill was raised on the floor of the Assembly by members of the house stressed the importance of the supple-

mentary budget. The house also passed a bill to override former Governor Martins Elechi for withholding his assent on Ebonyi State Law Review Committee and Related Matters number 001 of 2015. The house however, suspended the minority leader of the house, Mrs Maria Udenwachi, representing Afkipo North East for allegedly mobilising youths from her constituency to course violence

that resulted in the burning of 3 vehicles belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC. The motion for her suspension was moved by Onu Nwonye representing Ohaozara West constituency and seconded by Victor Chukwu representing Ezza North West constituency. The minority leader was accused for aiding violence, holding road users to ransom by blocking Afikpo- Abakaliki high-

way for many hours. The suspension was for two weeks, just as the house said this will serve as a deterrent to others who would try to discredit the integrity of the honourable house. After listening to the motion, the Speaker, Francis Nwifuru, regretted the action of the minority leader and ordered the Clerk of the House to inform the state government of the approval of supplementary budget.

become impassable has compelled some staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO, to abandon their cars at home to engage the services of commercial motorcyclists at exorbitant prices. Some hoodlums now take opportunity of the situation to mend the potholes and equally demand for money from motorists. Students of the two federal institutions are now threatening to embark on protest to draw attention of government to their plight, saying that they could no longer bear the hardship. Speaking, the royal father of Umudibia Autonomous Community, Dibia 1 of Umudibialand, Eze Godwin Merenini, appealed to government to come to the aid of the community as the liveli-

hood of the people depend on the road. Also indigenes and residents of the ancient town of Nekede in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State are now living in fears as they have been forcefully cut off from the state capital by gully erosion which has cut off the only access road linking the community with Owerri and the rest of the state. Residents of the community now go to Owerri for their businesses now spend more than an hour going through Ihiagwa via Obinze instead of 20 minutes it takes from Nekede to Owerri. When National Mirror also visited the old Nekede road yesterday, it was discovered that a large section of the road has collapsed as even tricycle operators who still risk plying the road had to

drop their passengers who had to slowly walk across to the other section of the road. Indigenes of the community who spoke to our reporter said they now live in constant fear as the erosion is expanding fast, endangering most houses along the road which they said may cave in when the people are sleeping in the night. They added that many appeals to the state government come to their aid had gone unheeded. The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Stephen Agumanu who expressed sadness over the situation, added that even houses along the road are no longer safe. He appealed to both the state and Federal Governments to urgently tackle the erosion threat, noting that the road is the only link between the community and the state capital.

Residents decry deplorable condition of Imo roads Chris Njoku OWERRI

he deplorable state of roads in Imo State is now a source of worry to residents and nightmare to motorists plying the roads. Investigations by National Mirror revealed that most of these roads including link roads in the state capital recently constructed have collapsed within two years of their constructed and rehabilitated. When our correspondent visited Nekede-Ihiagwa road in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state, the road is in dire need of attention. Residents and motorists plying the road find it difficult to maneuver through the dilapidated road. The road which has

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South South

Friday, August 21, 2015

Okowa advocates mini refineries

elta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has advocated for establishment of mini refineries to reduce the level of pipeline vandalism in the country. Okowa said establishing mini refineries in different areas of Niger Delta would ensure that the 450,000 barrels of crude oil meant for local consumption were refined locally. The governor, who was speaking when Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, Prof. Akii Ibhadode, paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba yesterday, emphasised that all avenues to reduce illegal refining of petroleum products and pipeline vandalism must be harnessed. “I am aware that at the moment about 450,000 barrels are supposed to be left locally for the purpose of refining, but because

we have not been able to attain an efficient process of refining our products, they will not be able to approach NNPC in any manner to be part of the companies that utilise the 450,000 barrels,” the governor said. He used the occasion to challenge institutions of higher learning in the country to ensure their products were technically equipped to be self-reliant, decrying situations where students are after “paper certificate rather than acquiring technical skills.” Earlier, Prof. Ibhadode commended the governor for the giant strides recorded by his administration within few months of his being in office. He said the visit was to intimate him of the activities of FUPRE, which include the development of micro refineries that are effective and can be used in different locations of the country.

Ogoriba is blinded by political indulgence –Bayelsa govt OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

ormer member of the House of Re p r e s e n t a t ive s from Bayelsa State, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, has been described as a man “blinded by political indulgence” to warrant his comments that the state government had nothing to show for the money so far received from the Federation Accounts. The former lawmaker, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to All Progressives Congress, APC, was quoted in a recent interview that Governor Seriake Dickson should account for over N600bn that accrued to the state and for which, according to Ogoriba, “there is nothing on the ground to indicate that the governor had spent the money for the development of the state.” But in a statement yesterday, signed by Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, CPS, the state government described Ogoriba’s remarks as “reckless political indulgence, un-

informed and lacking in facts”, and as such misplaced. The statement issued in Yenagoa said it was extremely disappointed with the former lawmaker for his poor understanding of the workings of government, asking if Ogoriba was saying that in all these years the government was not paying salaries or was blind to the various “laudable and people-oriented” projects across the state. Making further clarifications, the government noted that apart from paying salaries for which Bayelsa State stands out as one of the few states in the country that does not owe salaries to its workers, the government had been consistent in servicing the debt burden of N330bn it inherited from the Timipre Sylva administration. The statement berated the former legislator for his alleged inability to present a robust leadership while in the House of Representatives, stating that it was the main reason why his stay in parliament were wasted years because his constituency was shortchanged by his incapacity.

L-R (Front row): Convener, Electricity Market Summit 2015, Dr. Noel Akpata; Chief Executive Officer, Systems Market Operations, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mrs. Veronica Osuhor; Chief Executive, Ibom Power, Mr. Victor Udo; Chairman, Electricity Market Summit Group, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; Parmanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Godknows Igali; former Minister of Power, Prof. Bath Nnaji; Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, and other members of Electricity Market Summit Group, during the 2015 Summit in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria loses 250,000 barrels as communities seize NPDC facility THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

igeria’s dwindling oil production worsened yesterday as it was forced to lose another 250,000 barrels of crude oil production following seizure of oil facilities by aggrieved host communities to Jones Creek Oil Field owned by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC. Our correspondent gathered that Jones Creek Oil Field, located in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State,

was taken over by hundreds of protesting youths, women and the elderly in the early hours of yesterday. It was learnt that the protesters ordered workers to vacate the flow station thereby paralysing production activities. A source, who was part of the protesters, told our correspondent that the communities took the action, following alleged breach of agreement by Nest Oil Plc, a major contractor to NPDC and Neconde Energy. The source revealed that the communities had

reached an agreement that Nest Oil Plc would only embark on construction work, lay pipes, but would not hook up to the well heads until approval of a new Memorandum of Understanding with over five communities, which are host to the flow station. Hosts to the flow station include Kokodiagbene, Okerenkoko, Akpatagbegbe, Akpataegbemu and Omadino communities. Comrade Sheriff Mulade, an environmental activist and spokesperson of the host communities confirmed the development to our correspondent when

contacted. Mulade faulted the oil firms for abandoning their Corporate Social Responsibilities, CSR, to the host communities, while warning Nest Oil Plc to pull out of the area to avoid further crisis. He urged the Federal Government to dig into the activities of NPDC, Neconde Energy and Nest Oil, alleging that the award of contracts have not been following due process and the local content policy of government. Efforts to speak with NPDC’s communication and community relations manager were unsuccessful.

Former minister tasks Ayade on review of 76 oil wells RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

ormer Health Minister, who was also a onetime Commissioner for Education in the old Cross River State, Dr. Peter Ogbang, yesterday urged the state government to ask for a review of the decision, which gave birth to ceding of 76 oil wells to a neighbouring state. Ogbang dropped the charge while fielding questions from journalists at his residence in Calabar. He stated that it is by such review that the Cross River State can present new facts on the issue to the Federal Government. Ogbang, who is the immediate past Chairman of

the Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH, Governing Board, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to form a synergy with the National Assembly so as to implement the recommendations of the National Conference. The former minister noted that the president may impose some measures of economic austerity for a year or two which would likely affect the elites. He, however, said although, the initiative could be harsh because the system has gone so bad but a sustained implementation of such measure could create a boom in the economy within three to four years of implementation. Meanwhile, barely two

weeks after the state governor, Ben Ayade led a trade delegation to Republic of Ireland, property developers from that country have arrived the state to seal a deal to build about 5,000 modular homes. Already, modalities have been worked out between the state government and an Irish building firm, Affordable Building Concept International, to build affordable houses across the state. Governor Ayade, while receiving the team which he described as “ specialists in affordable housing scheme in Calabar, explained that their presence was a follow up to an earlier discussion held in Dublin on plans by his administra-

tion to provide affordable but comfortable shelter for the poor and unemployed in the state. “There is no amount of value you can give to mankind that will be enough if he is dehumanised by lack of shelter. The investors will come with their technology and expertise and set up a factory where low cost housing will be designed off site and the houses set up in less than three days,” he said. He said the houses will be in three categories to cater for the needs and taste of people who would key into the ambition of the government to create a new city in each of the local government area while that of Calabar will be called

North

Friday, August 21, 2015

FG orders MDAs to set up productivity desks Joel AJAyi ABUJA

ederal Government has directed Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to set up productivity desks in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of the Federal Government. It also mandated the National Productivity Centre to liaise with the Head of Service to put up modalities for mainstreaming productivity into the consciousness of workers under government employment. President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja at the 15th National Productivity Day and conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit award. The president, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Clement Illoh, said the directive was to awaken the conscious-

ness of productivity in Nigerians, particularly as it aims at topping the world economy by 2020. According to him, this occasion once again helps us to redirect our minds to the need to work harder and smarter to build a strong national economy. This ceremony, especially the conferment of award, raises our hope of a brighter Nigeria. He said: “The hope of self-reliance and selfconfidence that we are capable of accepting the challenges of nation building by practically demonstrating that given the appropriate opportunities we can be as efficient and effective as any group anywhere in the world.” Commenting on the theme for this year’s event, “Role of Productivity in the Change Agenda”, he said current realities in Nigeria necessitated proactive measures by all stakeholders to change the tide.

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DHQ sets up joint operation to tackle cattle rustling Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

efence Headquarters, DHQ, has put in place a joint operation of the Army and Air Force to combat ever increasing incidences of cattle rustling in Kamuku Forest in Northwest part of the country. This is even as the Joint Task Force, JTF, in Niger Delta area arrested the captain of a barge over for alleged oil theft. According to a statement issued yesterday by DHQ through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, the joint operations against cattle

rustling in the north was already yielding result, which, according to him, has so far routed out cattle thieves from the forest and recovered large herds of cows. The DHQ said the operation would be sustained until the forest is freed of criminals and criminal activities. The statement said the establishment of the joint operations became necessary as criminals, miscreants and barefaced common thugs have taken over the forest, thus constituting themselves into a nuisance to Nigerians living in the area. “In the course of this operation, a significant

number of rustlers have been routed and large number of stolen cattle recovered. “The ongoing operation will be sustained until the notorious forest is free of criminals and miscreants, who constitute a nuisance to the citizenry in the area”. “Similarly, the Joint Task Force, ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, in the Niger Delta has intercepted a large barge conveying about 150,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products. “The JTF boat was on routine patrol when it accosted the barge on illegal mission at Frado Oil Company Tank Farm

at Oghara in Ethiope Local Government Area of Delta State. “The captain of the barge and the crew members are already in custody and are helping security agencies in the investigation,” Abubakar said. The DHQ restated the resolve of the military to guarantee safety of lives and property of Nigerians, “while the military would continue to work hard to fight all maritime crimes such as piracy, bunkering and operations of illegal refineries and also prevent the prevailing economic saboteur from doing further damage to Nigeria’s economy.”

DPR shuts 48 filling stations in Kano AbdUlgAfAr olAdimeJi KANO

epartment for Petroleum Resources, DPR, Kano, has sealed 48 filling stations in Kano, Kano State, for selling petroleum products above regulate pump price and diversion of the products. Regional Controller, Kano/Jigawa, Alhaji Isa Tafida, yesterday led a team of DPR officials in sealing some of the erring petrol stations within Kano metropolis. The filling stations affected by the closure yesterday includes AY. Suleiman at Hajj Camp road, A A S Marmaro on Sheikh Jafar road, Challawa Oil and Gas, Doarayi quarters and Con Oil located on Gwarzo road all within the heart of the ancient city. According to Tafida, operations carried out by DPR in the state in the past few days, 23 filling stations have been sealed for selling petroleum products above pump price. He further disclosed that four were clamped down

for hoarding the products, five were sealed for diversion of products, while five were penalised for operating with faulty head pumps. He said, the department would ensure that participants in the sale of fuel comply with laid down regulations. He cautioned filing stations hiding under the disguise of diverse excuses to sell petroleum products beyond the set out pump prices in the state as they would be fished out and punished accordingly. Tafida, further warned that filing stations found wanting would pay severe penalties as enshrined in the laws. He stated that the filling stations sealed for selling fuel to customers above official prices would pay a fine of N100.000, while those shut for engaging in hoarding would part with same amount of fine. He added that those sealed for the other offence, if apprehended the second term would have their petrol stations halted from operating for a period not less than three months.

Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada (left), receiving his Expression of Interest Form at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, yesterday

oalition of Civil Society Groups, CCSG, has called on Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other relevant security agencies to trace the sources of huge cash deposited in the banking sector. Mr Bassey Etuk-Williams, president of the group, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday. He said the action would help to curb cases of money laundering in the country. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that recently there was restriction on cash deposits of

dollars by the Federal Government to discourage naira speculation and money laundering. Etuk-Williams commended the CBN for recent measures put in place to conserve the dwindling foreign exchange reserve to ensure stability of the naira and create jobs for the people. He also commended the effort of the CBN in preventing excessive imports of items like rice, eggs, private jets and toothpicks, which were either luxurious or could be produced in Nigeria. He said the action was indirectly creating a huge

opportunity for Nigerians to begin to look inward to produce the items at home. He lamented the importation of items which the country has strong comparative advantages, adding that by importing the items, Nigeria was simply importing poverty and exporting jobs to those countries. He called on government to also deploy additional measures to supplement the CBN effort in driving Nigeria’s local productivity such as improvements in power supply. Other areas to be im-

proved upon are the rail and road transportation network to reduce influx of contraband. Etuk-Williams said CBN measures would also enhance the legitimacy and transparency of transactions in the financial system, especially now that President Muhammadu Buhari is bent on tackling corruption and impunity to restore sanity in the country. He therefore, called on the government to continue to explore ways of diversifying the country’s economy to create more jobs for the teeming youths.

Friday, August 21, 2015

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Politics

Nigeria: Fuel subsidy removal, lame excuse

JAMES DANJUMA examines the threat of probe dangling on the the head of the immediate past administration of Ibrahim Shema by his successor, Aminu Masari and the likely implication on governance.

Masari, Shema and threat of probe

n Monday, August 17, Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari inaugurated four committees to investigate activities of some departments and agencies during tenure of the immediate past administration in Katsina State. The last administration, under former Governor Ibrahim Shema, was Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led, while the incumbent administration is All Progressives Congress, APC-led. Agencies and departments under investigation include state’s Road Maintenance Agency, KASROMA; Department of Girlchild Education; Millennium Development Goals, MDGs/Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, and that of the Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB. The committees were saddled with the responsibility of probing the financial expenditures and quality or otherwise of projects executed in the said agencies and departments. Inaugurating the committees, Masari directed them to “ascertain locations, state of projects or programmes executed by the affected agencies from 2011 to 2015.” He also directed them to determine whether the funds earmarked for the projects were judiciously used, and advise the government accordingly. He said the probe was not aimed at witch-hunting anybody, but was necessary to assist the administration establish more vibrant institutions dedicated to the service of the state. The committee members, drawn from the academia, civil society organisations, CSOs, and the business community, were mandated to submit their report within 21 days of inauguration. In early July, Masari inaugurated a special committee to review and investigate finances of the 34 local council areas and that of SUBEB from January 2013 to May 2015. He charged them to include total review of operations of local government joint account in relation to existing laws, undertake verification of local government councils and local education authorities, LEAs, staffs, their salaries and establish authenticity. The committee is in addition to a couple or more of others inaugurated by the state governor to look into the finances and projects of past administration in the state. In early June this year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

Masari

Shema

Whether Masari Was Witch-hunting his predecessor or there Was actual Misappropriation of state funds during the

sheMa adMinistration, only tiMe Will tell

beamed its searchlight on the immediate past Shema-led administration. National Mirror gathered that EFCC took the step based on a petition it received from the present Masari-led administration over alleged financial misappropriation perpetuated under the Shema-led government from 2011 to 2015. The commission then invited four government officials that served under Shema for questioning. The invited officials included: Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Works and Agriculture; the Managing Director of KASROMA, and the state Accountant-General. The EFCC directed them to come with various official documents bordering on contracts awarded between 2011 and 2015, annual budgets from 2011 to 2015, actual funds released to the ministries/agencies from 2011 to May 2015, funds released to the Ministries of Agriculture, Works, Housing, Transport and Sports, among others. In a letter to the state House of Assembly on June 19, the state governor called the lawmakers’ attention to the plundering of council funds under Shema. He revealed in the letter that after an interactive session with some officials of the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, it was uncovered that a questionable payment of over N7.5 billion was made to account of state chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, via its account number

0022352205 with the Union Bank Plc. He noted that of the amount, the state ALGON chairman was only able to produce document for N765 million for the purchase of drugs while the remaining sum of over N6.1 billion was unaccounted for. The governor described the transfer of the funds as criminal and in total disregard for financial regulations, adding that ALGON was a voluntary organisation in which such huge amount should not be transferred to it from the joint account. The letter also stated that the sum of N680 million was withdrawn from the ALGON account and given to former ADC to Shema, DSP Shehu Muhammad Koko in the name of security support. The governor, in another instance, said that the sum of N13 billion from the federation account to the state during Shema’s tenure could not be accounted for. He said investigations would soon reveal what actually happened to the money, whether it was diverted or stolen. He said N700 million meant for the SUBEB was squandered under the last state administration, as the amount was diverted after teachers’ salaries had been paid. Masari also said that on eve of the last day of Shema’s administration, N65 million was released to each of the 34 council areas, but that some of them spent the money within two days without following financial regulations or approval. He warned that all those who squan-

dered such funds would be made to pay same back, adding that his administration would not allow people to loot public funds and go scot free. He also narrated how an agency under the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport made reckless spending without following due process of either open tender or spending limits. He said the chief executive of the said agency often authorised the payment of up to N400 million through approvals on a sheet of paper signed by the former governor. Masari, in addition, said that a certain contractor was paid the sum of N1.99 billion for a N2 billion contract sum, while 40 percent of the contract was yet to be completed. He also said that the past administration was not altogether honest in the area of fertiliser distribution, allocation of Hajj seats, construction/allocation of houses and grain reserves. The state governor said his administration had concrete evidence to drag Shema before the EFCC to recover stolen funds, and that the former governor would only escape from EFCC hammer if he agrees to return the looted funds. The governor has reiterated that all stolen public money would be retrieved to correct past mistakes and bring sanity into public service. He said probing the last administration should not be seen as a witch-hunt, but that same was consistent with his administration’s policy on zero tolerance for corruption. But Shema, through a media representative and a lawyer, had however denied allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure as state governor. Shema, in press statements and advertorials, dismissed the allegations as false and that same was aimed at tarnishing his image and hard-earned reputation. He maintained that during his tenure as Katsina State governor, the state did not borrow to fund projects and had left no debt for the Masari-led administration. He added that any debt met by Masari was one which past state government had incurred years ago, of which his government had tried to partially settle before its exit in May 2015. He also said that his administration left about N3.7 billion in government coffers when it left office, as against the empty treasury being alleged by Masari’s government. Whether Masari was witch-hunting his predecessor or there was actual misappropriation of state funds during the Shema administration, only time will tell!

Politics

SKC OgbOnnIa

lagued by endemic corruption, Nigeria’s fuel subsidy scheme has ignited intense debate in recent times. The past Goodluck Jonathan administration attempted to end the subsidy but was rebuffed by the masses. Once Muhammadu Buhari was elected President, many pundits, including former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Bukola Saraki, now Senate President; and the Presidential Transition Committee urged him to terminate the subsidy entirely. Although President Buhari has rejected such calls, the tone of his press statement of July 13 lacked the decisiveness needed to quell the debate. Since then there has been growing opposition to the subsidy, particularly from influential voices, such as the eminent political economist, Pat Utomi; former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; and some newspaper editorials; to name a few. But Buhari should not budge. Removing the subsidy because of the fear of corruption is a lame excuse for failure. First of all, fuel subsidy is not a bad policy after all. Different forms of subsidy are obtainable world over, in both developed and developing economies. Subsidy is nothing but financial aid granted by the government to assist a sector or sectors of the economy so that the price of certain commodities or services can remain competitive or affordable to the citizens. Similar to most other oil-producing countries, the fuel subsidy policy was designed to alleviate the plight of the masses, who have been waiting in vain to experience the welcome breeze of Nigeria’s overflowing oil wealth. Moreover, any review of the original fuel subsidy policy roundly shows that the scheme is vitally essential for Nigeria’s national development. Unfortunately, the policy has failed to meet the desired goals. But there is hardly any such thing as a perfect or an ironclad policy. The fuel subsidy policy can always be restructured to reflect current conditions, including crude oil as well as pump prices. Besides, which of the various policies in any sector of the Nigerian economy has actually worked as intended? If Nigeria is to utilise the savings from fuel subsidy to intervene in other sectors, as some have suggested, how plausible is it that such funds will not fall prey to the same corruption, especially considering that budgets for projects in every sector are commonly looted by politicians and their cronies? One important fact that has consistently escaped the minds of many pundits is that Nigeria’s problem has never been the lack of progressive policies capable of elevating the country to an enviable pedestal. And it is definitely not the lack of individuals ready and willing to implement the policies. The main problem has been the perpetual failure to produce a national leader with the inner will to influence the implementation of the policies to the admiration of the intended beneficiaries. This lack of efficient implementation usually creates loopholes for corrupt practices and consequently failed programs. But there is change. There is change. President Buhari is gradually looking like that leader day-byday. True. Effective leadership is all about positive influence - being able to persuade people to do what they are required to do - towards greater good. Within two months of Buhari being in office, there is a dramatic improvement in electric power supply; the refineries are finally back on stream; the moribund anti-corruption agency is back to life; and, of course, the looters of our common wealth are now running helter-skelter. In short, for the first time in a long time, there seems to be consequences for bad behviour in my country. So, why is the ‘Buhari effect’ not being felt in the subsidy regime - so that the masses that yearned for the change we are now witnessing can finally benefit from this policy? Granted that corruption has been a big obstacle, but how long must Nigeria continue to scrap good policies because of the fear of corruption? Instead of removing fuel subsidy, now is the time to

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria: Fuel subsidy removal, lame excuse

Buhari

confront the hydra-headed monster called corruption within the subsidy regime head-on. And President Buhari should be decisive. He ought to be emboldened by the positions of progressive forces, as expressed by the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba; the Publicity Secretary of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Osita Okechukwu; human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN; and many others, who share the view that closing the corrupt loopholes within the fuel subsidy program offers a better compromise. A starting point is to truly enforce the extant laws on the fuel subsidy scheme. With the current personnel changes sweeping through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, should walk the talk by setting earnest examples with petrol stations, tank farms, and major marketers who flout the price laws. This view may be at odds with the evangelicals of free market economy. Yet, there is no nation, including capitalistic societies, where a state-subsidised commodity is left at the mercy of the opportunistic realm of market-determined prices without a measure of restriction on the ownership or exchange of the commodity itself. The second is to permanently disengage the political henchmen who have posed as middlemen in the fuel importation exercise and promote the new initiative, where NNPC is the sole importer of fuel, at least for the time being. NNPC as sole importer also minimises the chances of refinery agents colluding with fuel importers to keep the local refineries comatose. The third step is for the NNPC to fully transition to

a more transparent and cost-efficient crude-for-refined product swap program. The fourth recommendation is to move towards refined-product independence by investing in more state-owned refineries without further delay. A quick approach is to deploy easy-to-install modular refineries, similar to a 2012 initiative by the Ministry of Trade. Such refineries should be strategically spread across the six political zones, using a location template that mirrors the existing national crude pipeline-depots network. The end purpose here is that state refineries do work, have worked before in Nigeria, are working again now, and ought to continue to work moving forward. Thus far, the new NNPC Group Managing Director, Ibe Kachikwu, is making good moves, repositioning the refinery management. But there is the need to further sanitise the entire operation and maintenance culture by engaging competent and experienced refining team, pruning stale workers’ immanent with past patterns and practices, and retraining others committed to efficient service delivery. The last recommendation is expected to attract a broad range of critics, especially from the proponents of privatisation. But Nigeria has to be extremely careful with borrowed theories. Just as leadership is contingent upon the environment, deregulation and privatisation have never been a one-size-fits-all. While it remains a viable approach in the Nigeria’s oil industry, deregulation without due considerations to the conditions on the ground is a specious ingredient for a sour outcome. The country cannot immerse her economy completely into a concept that intrinsically advocates corporate profits at the crude expense of public interest in this stage of national development, especially where an average citizen lives on less than one United States’ dollar per day. Even in the United States of America, USA, often seen as model of capitalism, not all sectors are fully deregulated. For instance, due to the importance of electricity in human welfare and obvious complexities with open market economy, deregulation of the power sector in the US did not begin until less than 25 years ago. Moreover, despite what some analysts may view as its merits, a majority of American states are yet to see sufficient benefits to exercise full deregulation of electricity. So much is at stake and there is little room for error. Yet, given Buhari’s huge reservoir of goodwill, the temptation to toy with the removal of the subsidy remains real. But Mr. President should not lose sight of history. His predecessor, President Jonathan, has not recovered since betting his enormous luck against the masses by tinkering with the same fuel subsidy program in the spring of 2012. The current change movement cannot be compromised on the altar of a radical gamble. Ogbonnia writes in from Houston, Texas, United States of America

Kogi guber: Group drums support for Bello Wale IbrahIm LOKOJA

group, the Good Leadership Forum, GLF, has called on politicians from Kogi Central senatorial district to rally round the candidacy of Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the actualisation of power rotation in the state.

In a statement issued by its President and Secretary, Mallam Abdulrahim and Ibrahim Adomu Suleiman, GLF said the much agitation for power rotation can only be attained if the people of Central and Western part of the state join forces together to support Bello for the forthcoming primary election

of the All Progressives Congress, APC. It said: “Bello is the right candidate for APC, who can effect positive change in the state. Bello is the youngest and most experienced among the contestants. He is closer to the youth and knows how best to address their problems. He is God-sent to the teeming unem-

ployed youth and women in the state.” Frowning at some aspirants who do not have political clout to win election, but bought forms to cause distraction, GLF charged delegates to vote wisely and shun politicians who may wish to use money to pick the ticket by all means.

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Politics

Friday, August 21, 2015

Kogi guber: Buhari’s influence won’t count –Wada ObiOra ifOh ABUJA

ogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, has declared that in spite of the towering influence of President Muhammadu Buhari, he will still beat any candidate of the All Progressives Congress,

... Says he’s not bothered not getting automatic ticket APC, in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kogi State. He also said that in the event he fails to pick the ticket of the party, he will support whoever emerges as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in

the September 10 party primary. APC’s victory in Kogi State in the presidential and National Assembly elections was attributed to the influence of President Buhari. Wada who is seeking a

second term in office on PDP platform, said the fact that PDP won all the seats in the April 11 state Assembly elections was an indication that it is a grassroots party. He said: “You could observe that while Buhari won the presidential elec-

L-R: Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf; Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara and Chairman Association of Stock Brokering Houses of Nigeria, SBHN, Mr. Madubueke Emeka, during a courtesy visit to the Speaker at the National Assembly in Abuja, recently.

Why we honoured Wada, Kwankwaso, Adesina –Group abiOdun nejO ADO EKITI

igerians have been advised to always appreciate acts of patriotism and excellence whenever exhibited by the country’s leaders to inspire others. Managing custodian of the Hall of Grace, HoG, Award and publisher of HoG Magazine, Mr Rupert Ojenuwa, said this in Ado Ekiti on the Alex Akinyele HoG award for meritorious public service and good

governance, conferred on Kogi State Governor Idris Wada, President-elect of the African Development Bank, AfDB, and former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, former governor of Ogun State, Mr Gbenga Daniel and others recently at the Summit Centre, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos State. He said that with the awards, the group is making the statement that appreciating and recognising good deeds of others would

encourage them to do more and as well inspire others. He said: “The statement we are trying to make is that once you are doing well, we will encourage you with the awards so you could do more. “I believe that if every one of the 170 million Nigerians does his bit, the country would become much better and we would recover our glory. “The criteria for selecting those to be awarded are simply impacting on Nigeria positively through

excellent, patriotic services and you know that is lacking in Nigeria, so if there are few who are doing it, we should celebrate them. It is for people in all fields. The HoG Award is inspired by the need to make Nigeria better. That is the driving force.” HoG Grand Custodian and former Youths and Sports Minister, Chief Alex Akinyele, had praised the awardees for earning the prestigious award, adding that everyone of them deserved the honour.

tion in Kogi State, PDP clearly won the state Assembly positions, which showed that PDP is clearly on ground in the state. “No doubt, having an APC president at the federal level, will have impact on the election, I am confident that our people will vote massively for PDP. “With the work we have done in mobilising the youth, women and elders of our party to analyse what led to our performance in the last election, we believe our party is solid in Kogi State. By the grace of God, we will win the forthcoming election.” Wada, who was at PDP national secretariat yesterday to obtain his Expression of Interest, EoI, and nomination forms, said he was not disturbed by the party’s decision not to offer

PDP dead and buried, says Gideon Orkar’s elder brother henry iyOrkaSe MAKURDI

eputy Chairman of Benue State All Progressives Congress, APC, and elder brother of late Major Gideon Orkah, Dr. Joseph Targema Orkar, has said that the recent discovery where over 70 staffers of Benue State University Secondary School were denied their wages for five years under the immediate past administration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, left much to be desired. Dr. Orkar, in a chat with National mirror, the elder

NASS rating, tied to Buhari’s success –Rep TOrdue Salem ABUJA

he performance of the eighth National Assembly would be determined by the extent to which capital projects are implemented by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Hosea Danasebe said yesterday. Hon Danasebe rated Speaker Yakubu Dogara high for his “display of quality leadership in resolving the crisis that en-

gulfed the House of Representatives over leadership composition.” Danasabe, representing Gashaka/Kurmi/ Sardauna federal constituency of Taraba State under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, spoke on Buhari and Dogara yesterday in Abuja, lamenting that without the performance of budgets or their implementation by the Buhari administration, the National Assembly will be rendered redundant. He said: “As a legislator, you have to lobby, it is the chief executive that

have to award contracts for projects, but our own is to lobby for it, to ensure that whatever project that will benefit our people, come to our constituency. Primary health care is one of my priority areas, because health is wealth. Another great challenge in our own constituency is roads. I will make sure that the roads are tarred by the Federal Government. The truth is that we cannot achieve anything as a National Assembly without the performance of President Buhari by way of implementing capital projects.”

Appealing to Nigerians to be patient with the Buhari’s administration, he said that “it needs more time to come out with a list of reputable ministerial nominees that can deliver on the desired change Nigerians are looking forward to.” He added that Dogara’s emergence as the Speaker of the eighth House of Representatives is the best thing that has happened to the green chamber, given his transparent, focus, accountability, experience and accommodative leadership.

him automatic ticket, saying it is not in the party’s constitution. PDP had offered its then returning president and three state governors during the last general elections, automatic ticket. But Wad,a who was denied the privilege, said he was ready to work with any of the aspirants that emerges as PDP candidate, as according to him, it is not a do or die affair. He said: “I will put in my best to win but if I don’t, and it is a fair primary, I will support any candidate that eventually emerged.” He however, expressed optimism that he would emerge the party’s candidate given the massive support he was already receiving from the state, and the projects he executed in the past four years.

He also said that apart from lobbying both the Federal and state governments for his people’s interest, he is encouraged by the level playing ground provided by the Dogara leadership, adding that he was determined to key in by coming out with legislations that will attract better social amenities like roads, health services and education as priority areas that can help uplift the living standard of his constituencies.” He also commended the achievements of the Taraba State governor, Arc. Darius Ishaku Dickson, so far.

brother of major Gideon while speaking to National Mirror yesterday in Makurdi, said for anyone who engages workers and refused to meet his obligation by remitting their wages as when due saying is cruel and that is the height of dishonesty in the society He noted that if the PDP was allowed to continue beyond 2015, perhaps virtually every sector would have eventually collapsed, going by the way and manner those at the corridor of power were carrying out maladministration with impunity, where corruption was the order of the day. Lambasting those who are saying that Governor Samuel Ortom is slow in handling the administration of the state, he pointed out that the government is making concerted efforts to ensure that the state bounces back to its feet. He pleaded for patience with the new administration, saying that efforts are being intensified towards ensuring amicable solution to the enormous challenges confronting the state. He said: “The present government is working round the clock to ameliorate the condition of its citizen. In no distant future, we will begin to reap the efforts of the new regime.”

Editorial

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

On prolonged federal doctors’ strike

espite came the way of the nation’s federal tertiary health institutions and their distressed patients following reports between last weekend and early in the week that resident doctors working in such facilities had suspended the strike they commenced on May 1, 2015. From the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos; and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, among others, were indications that the industrial reprieve which crippled health services in federal hospitals for about 105 days came on the heels of various appeals by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, elders of the health profession, civil society groups and other concerned Nigerians. The doctors operating under the cover of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) downed tools to protest the non-implementation of CONMESS 2 (Consolidated Medical Salary Scale) grade skipping for them; which buck they precipitately passed to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of the health institutions, whom they slammed with claims of insensitivity. As has been the tradition whenever such dispute arises, the industrial crisis took its toll on hapless patients who were shut out from the rendition of health services notwithstanding

the gravity of their conditions or pains. Not even maternity, accident and other emergency cases were entertained while the impasse lingered. Many patients could not also afford the outrageous bills of private hospitals. The skeletal services available in some of the hospitals were so casual and confined to minor ailments. As a result, many patients turned back by the tertiary health establishments lost their lives in the process of being tossed about from one hospital to another. Worth reproving in very strong terms, however, is the puzzle that long after the five-day warning strike the doctors staged almost two years ago, beginning from Wednesday December 18, 2013, over perceivable infractions centring on Federal Government’s failure to implement a mutual agreement it reached with the doctors to meet their demands for improved welfare and address their other grouses, the matter has remained unresolved as yet. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and NARD mobilised their members to partake in the warning strike to compel the FG to honour the agreement, part of which included government’s proper implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and adequate funding of residency

THIS IS PARTLY ENCOURAGED BY THE ELABORATE FOREIGN MEDICAL TOURISM PUBLIC OFFICERS ENJOY AT PUBLIC EXPENSE training, among others. Reports say the latest strike was occasioned by administrative lapses which resulted from the non-inclusion of the new pay package for the doctors in the 2015 budget of the Federal Ministry of Health. It was claimed that while the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) perceived bottlenecks in its implementation of CONMESS 2, the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, where the matter was referred to for resolution, did not come out with a clear-cut therapy on how to go about its implementation. Chairman of the CMDs of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions, Dr. Peter Alabi; as well as the CMD of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Dr. Lawrence Ayodele, reportedly confirmed the omission, and indicated that the package in dispute could only be implemented if included in the 2016 budget. Put succinctly, therefore, the administrative ineptitude of the government agencies saddled

ON THIS DAY August 21, 1986 Carbon dioxide gas erupted from volcanic Lake Nyos in Cameroon, killing up to 1,800 people within 20-kilometer range. A pocket of magma lies beneath the lake and leaks carbon dioxide (CO2) into the water, changing it into carbonic acid. Nyos is one of only three known exploding lakes to be saturated with carbon dioxide in this way. Others were Lake Monoun, also in Cameroon, and Lake Kivu in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

August 21, 2001 The Red Cross announced that a famine was striking Tajikistan, and called for international financial aid for Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors, including crop failure, population imbalance or bad government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic and increased mortality rates.

with streamlining and implementing the protesting doctors’ grouses in line with their agreement with the FG was the root cause of the latest strike, though glibly and colourfully dressed as ‘administrative lapses’. We predict, sadly too, that none of the big shots who bungled their jobs would be censured or penalised for their obvious cavalier attitude to the call of duty, which precipitated the doctors’ strike and the chains of painful experiences that followed. We commend all the stakeholders who partook in brokering the industrial peace and understanding on which crest the striking doctors are now riding back to work, but warn that the truce may be jolted in the not too distant future except concrete steps are taken to consensually rest the dispute. Fiscal planning for the year 2016 ought to have commenced about now; and no excuse would suffice if the agencies sorting out this matter flunk again. The nation’s health sector has been under the scourge of incessant strikes for close to five years now, both at federal and state levels. This is partly encouraged by the elaborate foreign medical tourism public officers enjoy at public expense; to the detriment of poorly kitted public hospitals nationwide. This trend should be reversed for the good of all.

x August 21, 2013 Hundreds of people were reported killed by chemical attacks in the Ghouta region of Syria. The attacks occurred during the Syrian Civil War when several opposition-controlled or disputed areas of the Ghouta suburbs of the Markaz Rif Dimashq district around Damascus, Syria, were struck by rockets containing the chemical agent - sarin. Hundreds were killed in the attack, which took place early in the morning.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Friday, August 21 2015

A letter for President Buhari Counter-terrorism Tips With

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

is Excellency sir, I write on a crucial matter of importance to the survival of Nigeria: security. Boko Haram has been the topical issue of the moment for many years now. However, despite the ideological basis of the sect’s induced violence, most of our national efforts to counter it have been focused on limited actions instead of ideas. Considering the alarming rate of deaths and destruction of infrastructure by the sect despite our military’s containment policy, it has become imperative that the Federal government opt for the dialogue option with emphasis on de-radicalising the sect members into pliant moderate Muslims. Whether or not all the BH members are apprehended or killed, dialogue is still an important part of a long term solution. Many may be against the peace option; however, common sense demands that since the force option has failed, a new approach should be tried. You can never say, “never”, where lives and security of entire nation are at stake. Dialogue should be based on an assumption that the violence caused by the sect was purely ideological and consequently,

an ideological dialogue engagement of their conception of Islam may be the only way to put a stop to the challenges posed by these terrorists. The most vital step along this line is to define the move and its aims from the onset and stick with them. The dialogue process should be presented as a policy aimed at facilitating the reintegration of the insurgents into society on the perception that ideas can only be opposed by ideas, and peace process is the preferred way to solving ideological problems. Offensive strategy hardly yields desired outcome in counterterrorism situation. This approach should be seen as a powerful incentive of an effective counterterrorism efforts that would convince the world of FG’s commitment to peace and to portray the current administration as a peacenik. At the backdrop of increased danger of attacks from Boko Haram, it seems obvious that the underlying cause to counter radical Islamism was not a concern about the beliefs of these Islamists, but about their violent actions and the consequences their actions on the nation now or in future. Although, there is no widely accepted definition of terrorism, however, reasonable number of scholars has stressed the communicational aspect of terrorism, centred on the unleashed violence on the wider public. It is, however, impossible to separate rhetoric from actions when analysing terrorist activities and the terrorist groups.

THE DIALOGUE INITIATIVE MUST ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL ACTIONS OF THE TWO PARTIES AND THE

RHETORIC OF BOTH BH AND FG

Also, there is a communicative aspect of counterterrorism, which again makes it impossible to separate rhetoric from actions when analyzing these efforts. This means that an analysis of a dialogue effort should not be limited to purely ideological deliberations, but also including the context of interactions between the two parties. Furthermore, this logic must be applied to both sides involved in the dialogue process. Therefore, the analysis of the dialogue initiative must address the physical actions of the two parties and the rhetoric of both BH and FG. Let me restate that we must devise a working mechanism that will facilitate the end to BH-induced violence in the country, such as detention of the family members of BH insurgents. Their detention should not be for their own involvement with the group, but to merely act as pressure on suspected members of the sect to surrender. Although, some human rights activist may argue against such move, we deploy it because of our desperation to end the national scourge. Any proposed Dialogue Committee must include a

handful of the most respected Islamic scholars in Nigeria. This process was adopted by the Yemeni government in 2002 according to the report published by the Amnesty International in September 31, 2003. In order to make the involvement of influential Islamic scholars and clerics achieve its objective, it is very imperative for the Federal Government to allow element of deniability should Boko Haram resort to violence after initiation of the peace process. This can be achieved by not making such arrangement public. Furthermore, this approach should be one of the series of approaches, and must be based on mutual respect and acceptance by both parties. From the onset, the thrust of this dialogue must be focused on a number of goals, such as the rejection of violence, reintegration of the insurgents into the system, respect for the rights of citizens, and respect for Nigerian constitution. This dialogue should be carried out in sessions, where the dialogue committee will meet several times with the representatives of BH members to engage each other on several serious issues bordering on religious tenets based on a common reference to the Quran as the fundamental sources of Islamic law. By the end of the dialogue and as a condition for the insurgents dropping arms, BH leaders and their representatives should sign declarations that they would from then on commit themselves to the negotiated set goals.

Still on why phones stopped ringing OLALEKAN WAHEED ADIGUN

very introductory year student of political science is told that power is central to any political discourse. Once you have political power, you are told, you have everything. There are many things you can do when in power which others can’t do. You are made to understand that if you are not in power, you are really an endangered species. While you are in power, you make important political appointments (and terminate them in some cases); you can write a book which almost certainly becomes a Bestseller; you have guaranteed news coverage on daily basis; you are made guest of (dis)honour at social functions; your community proudly associate with “our son’s” accomplishments; somehow, everyone gets your number and the phones are always ringing! These are some of the things that make power exciting. At this point, let us bring in our dear Reuben Abati, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s. He wrote recently what can be best termed, a post-power “lamentation”, “The phones no longer ring”. For someone like Abati, power can be an interesting adventure, just as it can intoxicate. You get away with a lot of things just because you are in power. There is a saying

INSULTS DON’T WIN ARGUMENTS; JUST LIKE PROPAGANDA DOES NOT WIN WARS in my village that if you want to know a man’s true character, give him money and power. All you need to test a literary giant like Abati to come up with a fat lie like one of his articles in The Guardian, “For the attention of General Buhari” is for him to be appointed Presidential spokesman. For those who do not know, it was in the said article that he accused General Buhari of being the cause of post-election violence having earlier said he “…will make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan”. The General quietly approached the courts for a libel suit against him, and the rest, as they say, is history! Still on the article, “For the Attention of General Buhari”, Mr Abati may just be trying hard to be seen working hard defending his clueless boss. Like I have argued somewhere else, his job then was a very delicate one. As Abati himself admitted in his “The phones are no longer ringing”, he is to act as an attack dog against perceived opponents of his boss and in some cases falsify facts just to ensure his boss should not look so clueless. He digested his job descriptions perfectly, little wonder insults, ridicule and

in some cases outright verbal abuses on his boss’s “enemies” were prominent features of his tenure as presidential spokesperson. Does he still wonder why his phones stopped ringing? Insults don’t win arguments; just like propaganda does not win wars. Insults can only exacerbate the issues, leaving several scars, not heal them. If propaganda ever wins, with the monumental German propaganda machine put in place by Joseph Goebbels during the World War II, the world should probably have been living under a Nazi rule today. If the former columnist is still wondering why his phones stopped rigging, he needs a definite lesson in history! I happen to be one of those that believe that former President Jonathan was the architect of his own failure. Praise singers, flatterers, court jesters and the likes were enough to damage the ground for him. Working with people like Femi Fani-Kayode and Doyin Okupe in his media team, a professional like Mr Abati is sure to be sorely embarrassed. What could he have done to save the drowning ship? As I made this point I remember Ron Ziegler, United States’ President Richard Nixon’s spokesman. With all his sound credentials as a media genius, he was made to look silly working hard to defend his boss during the Watergate scandal that rocked and brought down the Nixon administration in 1974. This is sometimes the sacrifice you pay for being a spokesman. What could

Abati have done to save President Jonathan, save for his enjoyment of the melodies of his ringing phones? Since Mr Abati wrote that I must confess I have had to sympathize with him. Maybe if he had worked with better people, his phones will still be ringing, if not louder by now, I thought to myself. I don’t honestly share the view that he should have rejected the offer to serve President Jonathan. After all, there are others who served the same administration, like Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina, the former Minister for Agriculture, whose phones are still ringing today as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB). I still do not share the view that he should have avoided the public service like a plague because it is the same service that produced eminent persons like Simeon Adebo, Jerome Udoji, and the likes whose phones were still ringing long after their retirements from service. Adigun, a Lagos-based political risk analyst and strategist for wide range of individuals, wrote via olalekan@olalekanadigun.com and can be followed on twitter @adgorwell Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Mail Mirror

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Good fortunes of the Sayawa people

T Disaster management is everyone’s business

n recent times, the recurring nature of internal conflicts and natural disasters have rendered thousands of Nigerians homeless, leaving them not only without means of livelihood, but also subjecting them to other forms of hardship, including loss of income from inability to work. It is on this note that disaster management becomes a collective business at all levels. Understanding this fact, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has through various media, intensified its sensitization campaigns to seek buy-in of relevant stakeholders both at national and state levels for their support and cooperation towards addressing the plights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Recently, as I retired from the day’s activities, l stumbled to a programme on AIT, a special report focusing on the Internally Displaced Persons in their various camps and how NEMA, on a daily basis, assists in providing for their welfare. I watched as NEMA officials distributed food items, non-food items, and even medical services to the IDPs. It is worrisome that the number of IDPs in Nigeria has been growing rapidly since 2014. The bulk of displacement took place in three north-eastern states affected by Boko Haram violence, namely Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, where the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had registered 868,235 IDPs as of December 2014. More importantly, parent and schools must begin to inculcate the art of disaster management, particularly consciousness in their wards as it was recently revealed that giving nylon bags to innocent children has become a new strategy employed by insurgents to launch explosive attacks on innocent citizens. It has become essential for relevant stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations and the media to support and complement the on-going effort by NEMA to develop effective early warning systems and proactive measures to reduce disaster risks, prevent and resolve conflicts in any form to mitigate the causes of displacement across the country. Adetola Ojo, Abuja, teejojo@ gmail.com

Letters to the Editor

he people of Sayawa, who occupied Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas of Bauchi State, have for long been neglected or rather, abandoned by different administrations in the state, including the immediate past administration of Isa Yuguda. Therefore, nobody specifically, in Bauchi State believe that one day a son of Sawaya can be a speaker of the state house of Assembly, not to talk of speaker

of the House of Representatives. The election of Honourable Yakubu Dogara, as Speaker, House of Representatives, prompted this write up. Yakubu, a Sayawa ethnic stock, hails from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The Rep, who nominated Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila for the same position is even from the same Bauchi State, but not a Sayawa indigene.

LAWLESSNESS: Commuters avoiding traffic at Ijora, Lagos.

No wonder, Jesus Christ once said: “A prophet has no honour in his own place.” Bauchi State could not support their son, Hon. Dogara for speakership position, but God has supported him and he is now Speaker of the House of Reps. What a shame to the enemies of progress and those who don’t want anything good for the Sayawas. I want to state very clearly here that some few Sayawa peo-

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Buhari and imperatives of good governance

et me use this medium to advise President Muhammadu Buhari not to disappoint Nigerians, but rather strive to provide good governance and deliver on his campaign promises. He should know that the massive votes given to him was a trust, which he should not betray. He must move very fast to quickly make the needed positive impact on the lives of the people in the shortest possible time. Nigerians are aware that the challenges that lay ahead are enormous, but with hard-work, determination, perseverance and selfless service to our fatherland, alongside prayers from all Nigerians, President Buhari-led Federal Government will overcome and move the country forward. Without mincing words, Nigerians yearn for good governance

and freedom of expression, so that they can participate actively on how they are governed. Also the international community is watching President Buhari to see how he would fare in his secondcoming as Nigerian leader; hence he is expected to hit the ground running and live up to expectations of many Nigerians, who crave for CHANGE by healing the wounds and bitterness occasioned by the campaigns. The most critical tasks ahead of Mr. President include the fixing of the energy sector, which has shamed successive regimes; shoring up of the value of the naira; development of infrastructure, education and health, and the diversification of the economy, as well as delivering of effective security services and job creation. Since governance is a continu-

Ogun State’s clean environment drive

wish to commend the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for his robust clean environment drive in the state. For quite some time now, the state has been experiencing clean-up of market areas along the roads and residential areas. It is part of a holistic programme by the governor towards ensuring that the people of the state

cultivate a positive disposition towards cleanliness and also ensuring a safe and healthy environment for human habitation. In the 1990s, Ogun State was known among the leaders in environmental cleanliness, apart from the natural endowment of human resources. This current

um, President Buhari should continue with his predecessor’s good programmes and complete them. It is well known that the bane of government in Africa is lack of continuity of good programmes from one administration to another. My candid advice to President Buhari is to unite the country that has been fractured by ethnicity, religion and politics, while he should give all Nigerians a sense of belonging in the Nigerian project and lay to rest all divisive tendencies that have worked against the growth and progress of the country in the past. God bless Nigeria Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel (Baba Sekunderin),The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM), Lagos, Nigeria (08033733470)

effort could only be sustained by deploying the state’s environmental laws to deterring health habits, especially unhygienic waste disposal. Ogun State is ours, so we must maintain clean environment to be among the best. Oladipupo Olabode S. Abeokuta, Ogun State (08166332292)

ple, who got appointments at the federal level, precisely, like Barrister Kefas Magaji and the TETFund Executive Secretary, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, under the administration of former Governor Yuguda, got his appointment with no input from their governor. He knew about the appointments much later and could reverse them. Sayawa people have never been treated fairly since the inception of democracy in 1999. The administrations of former Governor Adamu Mu’azu and Senator Isa Yuguda did nothing to lighten their burdens. They have consistently come under fierce attacks from suspected Boko Haram insurgents and a group called Sarasuka. Why always Sayawas? Are there no other places in Bauchi State for Sarasuka and Boko Haram to attack? Aside the attacks and killing of the Sayawas, the previous administrations did not even recognized any of the Sayawa’s sons or daughters by giving them appointments within the state. These people were completely abandoned. There are other numerous unfair treatment visited upon the Sayawa people in the state that I would find no sufficient space in this newspaper to list. My advice for them, therefore, is united they stand, divided they will fall. They should continuously support their sons and daughters in government at all levels with fervent prayers to enable them excel in their respective positions. My advice to the incumbent governor of the state, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar, is not to follow the path of his predecessors, who were unjust to Sayawas by denying them government patronages and many opportunities for self expression and development, both at the state and the federal levels. By these unjust acts, the Sayawas were seriously alienated from their state administrations. Permit me to use this medium to call on Honourable Dogora and other Sayawa sons and daughters, who got high positions in government to continue carrying their people along as they have being doing, and to continue showing love to those who don’t want anything good for them. Vengeance belongs to Almighty God. Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja (08179289948)

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

Your

FRIDAY

Flavour

Ime Bishop

Ngozi Ezeonu

Queen Itua

ists who have been nominated for an award, he revealed that contributing to Nollywood should be the concern of all Nigerians and stakeholders of the industry. “Nollywood has become synonymous with the Nigerian culture identity. For me, I see it as a contribution and service to my country and I feel very honoured for the nomination.” Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) is organised by a consortium of renowned Europe based African entertainment promotion outfit, Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V in alliance with Africa community Germany, Ethiopian Airline, Stadt Frankfurt Kulturamt (Ministry of Art/

Culture - Frankfurt), Hessen State Filmforum Höchst VHS-Frankfurt Am Main, The Office for Multicultural Affairs (Amt für multikulturelle Angelegenheiten – AmkA), Millenium Hospitality International, Hotel Savigny and the Nigeria community e.V, Frankfurt, Germany supported by Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Frankfurt Am Main, Germany. When asked about the expectations there in Frankfurt, Germany, Izoya said: “The expectations of meeting the stars are high. Fans are shopping, awaiting the festival and those from other European countries are booking their hotels for the event.”

The expecTaTions of meeTing The sTars are high. fans are shopping, awaiTing The fesTival and Those from oTher european counTries are booking Their hoTels for The evenT

WEEKEND STARTERS

Saturday Nightlife in Lagos

he MVP Lounge presents Saturday Nightlife for people who love or want to dine with celebrities. The show at MVP Lounge gives the forum to easily meet notable faces and celebrities from all spheres of the Nigeria entertainment industry. Join the boat as DJ Tony will ride you throughout the night with music from different genres like Old Schools, Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Funk and Disco. There is table reservation for People going in groups. MVP Lounge is at Lekki phase1, Lagos.

Waje for Afropolitan Vibes The stage is set for the Afropolitan vibes on Friday 21st August 2015. The August edition of the monthly live concert is happening at Freedom Park Lagos. the concert features artists like WAJE, Mr. Nomoreloss and Venus Bushfires, the UK based singer including DJ Bally. The concert creates a platform for music lovers, song writers, artists, singers, musicians to meet, dance and enjoy Afro-hiphop, Afro-pop and Highlife songs. There will also be an after party show with DJ Bally.

Waje

Arty

ith a few weeks left for the 2015 edition of the Nollywood Film Festival Germany, preparations have reached a crescendo, with the some major participants like actors, producers and the media expressing fiery enthusiasm. Already, Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V, has named Hollywood actress and producer, Queen Blessing Itua as the host of the 2015 edition of Nollywood Europe Golden Awards. The Esan-Edo State born artiste, who is also an author and motivational speakers, while accepting the role promised to make the event spectacular. The event, which is a platform designed to honour Nollywood stakeholders- stars, comedians, musicians (both in Africa and in the Diaspora) has been expanded to recognize the artistic bias and outstanding contributions of politicians and business men whose actions have directly or indirectly impacted upon the industry, thereby shaping what it has grown to become today. During an exclusive briefing via Skype with him, Mr. Isaac Izoya said with a sense of relief that it’s a different ball game this year. According to him, “NEGA Awards, is the climax (awards and gala-night) marking the closing ceremony of Nollywood Film Festival Germany – NFFG, a viable platform designed for Nollywood film makers to showcase their movies to Europeans and Nollywood fans in the Diaspora which is in its second edition. The event is scheduled to hold at the prestigious Filmforum Höchst VHS Cinema, EmmerichJoselstr, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from September 10 through September 13, 2015. For the very first time since we started this European exploit with Afri-

can culture and road-shows courtesy of Nollywood, comedy and hip hop stars, we’re now getting a green light from both German/Nigeria governments including cooperate bodies. For the very first time, some political heavy weights have accepted to attend this year’s event in person. Some of the eminent personalities that are being expected include: His Excellency, ex-vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Gov Ibramin Dankwambo of Gombe State, Gov Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State, Gov Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, His Excellency, ex-Gov Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, among others.” Friday Flavour gathered that the partnership between Ehizoya Golden Entertainment e.V and Dr. Fatima Gwadabe, the MD of FG Global Consulting Public Diplomacy Consultant and the president of African Community Germany, Mr. Olu Steve and of course made the impossibility to be possible. Some of the award categories and nominees in this year’s NEGA awards ceremony in Germany have also been announced, with an indication that some special honours have been crafted to suit the mood. Among them are: “The Pillar of Nollywood” and “Nollywood Grand Innovator” Awards respectively due to their respective contributions towards Nollywood directly and indirectly. Others expected to also receive NEGA Awards are: Nollywood stars, Ime Bishop Okon, Ngozi Ezeonu, Queen Blessing O. Itua, Gandoki, a comedian as well some journalists. Also on the list of expected guests are top Nollywood stars, Cossy Orjiakor, Cynthia Agholor as well as Kunle Aborisade the Chairman Board of Trustees NFFG/NEGA Awards Nigeria office / the MD of Boris Communication, NTA Channel 10 Exclusive Live. Speaking with one of the journal-

Inside FCT P. 24-25

Ngozi EmEdolibE

Critics P. 22-23

Nollywood stars storm Germany for NFFG 2015

News P. 32, 33

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

MVP Fridays

very Friday night is always fun galore at the MVP lounge. Troubled about the best place to relax, chill on Friday night, MVP Lounge is the answer. The Lounge opens for high rollers to enjoy, spend and chill with friends.. The evening starts with sensational ladies with boys that makes the Friday night unforgettable experience at the MVP Lounge located in Lekki on Friday 21st Aug u s t , 2015 at 11pm. Foods, c o ck tails and all form of entertainm e n t a r e available.

Mirror Mongers P. 26

Friday, August 21, 2015

Artman In The House

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

My romance with opera festivals

As a trained opera singer, she did not waste the five years her husband spent working as Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambassador to Nigeria idle, but introduced opera into our system. Now in Jamaica, Maria Cecilia Toledo de Schmillen, a Chilean by birth, still hosts the opera festivals in Nigeria twice annually. She takes REGINA OTOKPA through the importance of catching talents young, building an acous acoustic theatre and music school amidst other issues. Excerpts:

Toledo

ow did you come about the establishment of the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO)? I founded the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO) eight years ago when I came to Nigeria with my husband the German ambassador to Nigeria. I did a small rendition of your national anthem and the German national anthem and from that point; people were so pleased to know that there was a trained opera singer in town. Many of your singers came to me at our embassy at that time to ask for my help or to advice them in terms of technique and knowledge about singing and this was the beginning of a crazy story because after that I started a group of singers. We created a choir, when they started sound-

ing so good we began running events. The former MD of Transcorp Hilton appreciating their talent, asked we do something in the hotel and then came the beautiful idea of doing a fes festival of blending classical music with your own music annually. People think Nigerian music is only with drums and only based on rhythm, they do not know about the melody of the Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo songs, they are so beautiful. We started the festival blending of those cultures through music, it was such a success that people were thrilled about it and we got famous that even interna international singers and musicians from all over the world started to come to Nigeria which was at that time, believe me completely unt h i n k abl e because p e o p l e were afraid about malaria, security, about a lot of things and all of a sudden I started getting mails from all over from people willing to come to Nigeria and that was the beginning of the opera Abuja festival. At the third version of that festival, we got recognized by the former FCT Minister of that time, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, he listened to the choir and in the spirit of that mood said he thinks we should have a piece of land to build something concrete to house the music society of Abuja where we can have events. We asked him for all the formalities to be fulfilled, we went through all the due processes to acquire that piece of land legally and then started a parlay movement to all what we are doing which is to try to convince authorities, enterprises, the beautiful people of Nigeria that with good music we can achieve a lot of

things. Arts and culture are not only a luxury, it is a state of mind, it is the way of thinking that makes a country a developed country and for that it is important to build the 5 billion naira Abuja Performing Art Centre (APAC) and this one day we will succeed in building. We are going ahead with the final drawing but we are a bit stuck, it is a state of mind that needs to be promoted and consciously digested by Nigeria and every country in the world that is, Nigeria needs to understand how important it is to have a centre like that for developing art and culture. A proper theatre with natural acoustics if you could achieve that, this will bring Nigeria to a different level of image in the world, explaining why in the whole of West Africa we do not have a single theatre like that except in Cairo and it is one. One theatre with natural acoustics is not only a wide elephant in the middle of nowhere, it is a place that will contain a lot and that is why I am not that unhappy that it did not happen until now that a great investor came up saying you have to go for it. It is because AMEMUSO, as a group of people has shown how they can work together through all difficulties so now you have a group of people to put inside the theatre and this is the great thing about it. The adult choir developed in an incredible way, they won the first prize in the international forum of cultures in South America years ago, they were considered the best of the whole lot. They have sang for the German president, the Anglo American president, we are not the best expert product of your country in the moment but I am so happy about what we have been able to achieve. And AMEMUSITO, the children wing of the choir? I started with the idea of building also a soft kids event and the kids developed in an incredible way beyond my expectations, they are extremely talented. The AMEMUSITO choir which is the children choir has impressively developed that last year we tried to do an event here at the lagos hall and there was a massive turnout and that was why this year, they gave us the congress hall. In the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choir we have kids from different backgrounds and they all believe that with this foreigner and with all these adults in Nigeria, they will be able to succeed, they believe us and this some-

thing I see that I cannot fail. I am really proud of what we are doing here and I hope that we go forward. We are a nonprofit organization and we are completely depending on the help of people and the goodwill of Nigerians who will think that one day my kids should have the stand to perform because they are talented or to study in the music school that we will be connected to the theatre, this is our project. How supportive has the Federal Government been in achieving your dream of building a strong opera choir in Nigeria? The first support we got was the piece of land and after wards the different ministers of the FCT and culture were helping us although they were not giving us all what we needed, but they were always contributing in one way or the other. We were recognized in the efforts by different governments of late President Yarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Adua, former President Jonathan, all of them had helped and I really hope that the new government will more than help and will believe in this message and say yes it is time to build it, it is time to help and support this group of people, to partner with this group of people that has come to make a difference for Nigeria. Also, the Transcorp Hilton Nigeria, has been our home for about 20 years, they really should get a reward by some authority here in the country. Which other hotel in the world is hosting a choir three times a week at no cost, helping us to do the Opera Abuja festival for the children and the adults, they are really behind the success and we are so proud and blessed. Would you say Nigerians are beginning to appreciate opera, given the massive turnout during the opera festivals? Nigerians are extremely musically developed independently that they were not

PeoPle think

nigerian music is only with drums and only based on rhythm, they do not know about the melody of the

yoruba, hausa and igbo songs, they are so beautiful Teaching children opera

At the festival

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Artman In The House

Friday, August 21, 2015

in Nigeria –Maria Toledo exposed to opera except to Pavarotti or only hymn which are sung in the church. Hymns are very important popular classic music which is not far from the opera itself so when they listen to this they say this sounds like a song in my church and that is the reason why when we started to do this blending with your own music, it was attractive, cozy, comforting and soothing and it was a good idea because people feel more keen to come to the opera Abuja and they are seeing from classic music to musical and African music and Nigerian music and Spanish music, they are doing everything and this kind of fusion I like it very well. How difficult was it teaching these kids how to sing opera? Remember that the kids are growing, so every year we have old members but we have a lot of new ones. They are twitter patted, you can teach them everything because they learn everything with vitality that I am amazed. They learn to sing with the members, they learn different styles of music, I teach them how to dance, how to act and this is what I have been trying to say for years, if you do not develop their talents, you are missing more than oil. They could produce great sounds that you cannot imagine and for me they are more valuable than gold or oil. The theme of the voices of those kids goes beyond every expectation of money because if you think of those kids dong good shows in a fantastic theater even trained by a foreigner and developing skills you will see going on in other places of the world, that means the theatre will be a fantastic success and Nigerians will also feel wow because you will be proud of going there rather than thinking of travelling to London just to go to a theatre. It is a mistake to think that music is only food for the spirit but you can do a lot of business out of it and earn a lot of money and make a profitable product for many people even for the talented kids who started to do something that are coming from backgrounds that are not wealthy. They can earn their daily bread with

this and even more. Many parents were against their kids studying music and this has been one of our biggest challenges till now. We are very proud that within five years of AMEMUSITO, four kids told their parents it was their life and went ahead to study music up to the university, with this I understand we are doing something good. In your absence, who takes responsibility for training the new members? My choir master whom I trained is an unbelievable human being and he has learnt a lot, he is teaching the kids what I taught him. Concerning the kids the trainer is a member of the choir and he is fantastic so I am not afraid. My personal assistant and coordinator of the whole organization knows now how to organize the event even better than myself. Even if I wouldn’t be here, the project will still go on. How would you describe your experience working with Nigerians? At the first moment when I came here from Chile and having lived most of my life in Europe, I wasn’t used to seeing black people, it was a new experience but after a week I started to feel part of it, after a few months I felt at home and after a few years I felt absolutely at home. Many times I try to look at my family if I have some African ascendant descendent because it is so strange that I feel so much at home but it is not that strange too because Nigerians are a fog that is very special in knowing when someone is telling the truth which some other countries are not capable to see. When I come here I feel at home, we really love each other, and the choir is big enough to be a community because they marry among each other there are bunch of kids coming in. How many members did you start the choir with? We were about ten and this was very difficult because at the beginning they were having another group which I was teaching in terms of making them better but when they

The firsT supporT we goT was The piece of land and afTer wards The differenT minisTers of The

fcT and culTure were helping us alThough

They were noT giving us all whaT we needed

At a perfomance go for holidays it dissolves. And presently what’s the figure? The adult choir has over two hundred choristers but for presentations we are about fifty and for the junior choir we have over fifty. It is increasing every time everybody wants to be part of the AMEMUSO. What is the process of becoming a part of the AMEMUSO/AMEMUSITO family like? You have to go through an audition which I have accept, that means that person has to wait until I am in the country but would be rehearsing with the group until I come. For the AMEMUSITO Choir, when they are 18, they are accepted at a graduation ceremony to start rehearsing also with the adult choir until they develop the skills to do more. Do you run other projects beside the opera festivals? AMEMUSO is doing two important things now; we ae fighting for the rights of minorities and in that sense of discriminated minorities, we have a long story with the albino foundation, we have a long story now with the blind especially the blind kids and that is the reason why the AMEMUSO will sign an MoU with the albinos in order to promote everything that could help them to obtain some help. It is very dramatic to be an albino in Africa, it is like being a fish without fin, it is a very bad thing and those people are going through difficulties. I also have projects all over the world, I am trying to reform a theatre in down town Kingston in Jamaica one of the most beautiful studios I have ever seen and I had a concert there with classical musicians and Rastafarians and for the first time, European ambassadors went to that part of the city. In my country I am leading a festival of 13 years in my home town, I am also part of the organisation first singing competition at Lima Peru and I go there every year to promote the friendship and connection between Chile and Peru because they have been fighting. I just released an album with a pianist who is a legend in my country, she is more than 80 years old and still one of the best pianist in the whole continent. Looking at the music in Nigeria, could you point out some of our shortfalls and how we can get it right? I will say it very clear your talent is unbelievable, I am not exaggerating after all I have seen and gone round the world, I think that Ni-

geria is super daunted so I think you are wasting time like crazy if you are not understanding that in Europe even in south America, to have theatres, music schools is an investment that does not only bring you a fantastic image around the world but also brings your youths to develop their skills that would make them better in their studies. Nigeria is so talented but needs little bit of investment in terms of bringing good teachers from abroad at the beginning model of music or performing art schools to train the trainers, giving some support to talented kids who cannot afford to pay for music trainings, having a plan of where you are going to put those kids in the next 20 years and also to develop finally an action plan that will enable the country have an orchestra, a theatre, some soloists, some theatre place with a certain level of quality from the beginning but always being trained to be better in all areas of art and instrumentation. It is a very difficult way to go in your country not because you are not talented, not because you are not intelligent, not because you are not refined enough the problem is you have so many other issues to take care of but when you have something like this in a federal capital territory like Abuja, when you really develop the spirit of people and you are doing something distinctive and important to see the country in a different way, you are helping to start to believe that they can make a difference, they can be a difference. If Nigeria really starts to think that this can be possible, they can invest on little kids in a good plan and I will be very keen to help in that and start to develop that land, you have a huge chance but the new generation was again too late to start to play a violin or piano. What age is best? With voices it is easier but for instrumentalists it is a very important thing to start on time. A kid needs to start from age five until he can be a real concert pianist if he starts maybe at age 15, it is too late. It was not set by me, there is a standard in every country all over the world so do we want to wait again to waste this generation again? Why do we have to wait so long to develop the talents of these kids? It breaks my heart to see so many talented kids in AMEMUSITO with no where to send them to here in Nigeria though there is a fantastic place in Lagos but for the real deal, that kid will have to go abroad.

Critics

BOOK

Honourable account

This book by Ipoola Ahmed Omisore is based on his ‘thoughts’ on contemporary Nigerian issues and politics. nurudeen adedeji

t includes an account of his stewardship, marital life lessons, Yoruba and family history, general tips and wise sayings. The book contents are from his daily social media posts from 2010-2015. Divided into five sections and 14 chapters, section 3 deals largely with marital life in the context of weakening family values arising primarily from marital crisis in our society, it is common knowledge that the institution of family and marriage are in endangered these days. The author dwells on the vagaries and challenges of marital life, family, love and sex. He place emphasis on home building, the age-long rivalry between mothers and wives, the importance of love in marriage (in actual fact, he encourages men not to give 100% love to their wives, suggesting 90% while the remaining 10% should be tied to the

Book

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

success of the marriage), according to him sex is a strong aspect in marriage. Both chapters 7 and 8 advice a man needs patience to be a good husband, though I disagreed. As a politician of the progressive circle, he eulogizes with fanaticism his leader and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a man with a lion’s heart who bestrides the country’s political space like a colossus. To him, Tinubu is a master planner, a phenomenon and a generous personality. From pages 79-87, the author gives an account of his stewardship; including the empowerment of 350 women and 250 youths in Ojokoro, free preWASCE lectures, 200 free medicated eye glasses, free exercise books, one day hounourable programme, youth football challenge and his visit to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to settle the medical bill of a patient abandoned by his family and friends after an accident. He also defends his membership of the House of Assembly at 66 with a biblical proclamation! Also, refers to an incident that almost made him quit the social media when someone called him as a clown;

Examples from 30 Days in Atlanta

30 Days in Atlanta is phenomenal, and leaves so much to be desired, especially as crew goes on location for the second part Ben nwaogBo

Friday, August 21, 2015

0 Days in Atlanta’ opens in a crowded room where Majid Michael, an MC of an event, announced that Akpos (Ayo Makun, AY), the star of the movie had just won a trip to the United States. He was to bring along someone and he decided to go with his childhood friend and flatmate (Richard) played by Ramsey Nouah. They were to spend 30 days all-expense paid vacation in the United States. The movie moved on to their preparations for the trip. In other to speak with their loved ones while in America, they sent a laptop equipped with Skype to the village, a decision that would complicate matters in the future. Their arrival scenes are unbelievably well done. The shots were clean and they had access to a large part of the airport. That is the first time a Nigerian movie has such an access in an American airport. From their arrival, they were given a house to live in and they later went to hire a car. All the shots were well taken and it will give viewers a rich viewing experience. However, their arrival in the United States was followed by skits that were more

of cliché. They were stereotypical stories of an illiterate arriving in a foreign land hence misbehaving; like when Akpos met a woman with a stubborn crying child, he stepped forward and warned the child that he would beat her if she was in Nigeria, or going to a bar and ordering for ogogoro, or meeting a friend who was doing an odd job in America but was believed at home to be in oil and gas business. It all looks like Osuofia in London is remade. But it is far better than Kingsley Ogoro’s effort. The skits are hilarious. After the skits, a proper story starts to emerge. It turns out that the movie is a tale of love and disappointments. While Ramsey Nouah fell in love with a beautiful half Nigerian lady, AY was drawn to an older woman played by award winning American actress, Lynn Whitfield. Series of events led to AY being jailed for brandishing a broken bottle and both of them lost their women for other reasons. Love, however, found a way at the end. The movie is probably the best Nigerian film made abroad. They spared no expense in props and location. They used a proper

Technically, The film was well-done Though There were some gliTches here and There

jailhouse, a proper courthouse, and a lot of other locations that would cost a lot of money and series of permissions to get. The casting was on point as well. However, it would take some time to understand the synergy between the two major actors. AY was the funny one while Nouah was the serious one. You would ask yourself; how can two opposite characters be friends in the first place? But it worked. It also had top-notch actors on parade. Rachael Oniga, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Desmond Elliot, and award winning American actress, Vivica Fox. The diva said about 30 Days in Atlanta: “It was fun for me to play a character that is kind of bossy. And the comedy was just fun. I think Lydia has put a spell on Wilson AY played by Akpos. He is hilarious. He makes me laugh. He’s got excellent comedic timing and I definitely hope that America gets to see the film because he’s got a bright future in front of him. I’ll love to work with him again.” Te ch n i cally, the film was well done

though there were some glitches here and there. For example, the audio was not good in the scenes where they went to visit their uncle, Wilson, who has a domineering wife. However, the rest of the movie was hitchfree. All the magic was put together by Director, Robert Peters. On the whole, it is clear that a lot of money went into the production, and AY, the producer might not recover all he has spent, but he has sent a strong message with this effort that a good quality comedy film can be made. There is consolation for him though; he kissed Lynn Whitfield in the movie. It won’t be a surprise to see this film win at major awards like AMAA and AMVCA. •Nwaogbo is a critic who follows Nollywood passionately

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Critics

Friday, August 21, 2015

More iMportantly, he deserves praise for bearing the insults associated

MUSIC

Man of the Year

with social Media platforMs.

this

book has shown the positive side of social Media.

but thank God, he kept faith. One very important aspect of this book is the author’s unwavering belief in the indivisibility of the country. He looks at those issues troubling Nigeria as dashed hopes, religious folly, insurgency in the north, Islamic banking, failed agendas, petroleum subsidy removal, the crave for private jets by Nigeria’s bigwigs, state of infrastructure, the rich versus the masses, and graduate unemployment ( a time bomb). And he offers workable solutions. Interestingly, the mentions the late Dele Giwa, the well-known Journalist killed by a letter bomb in 1986, saying they both attended the same primary and secondary school. They completed their secondary education in 1967 according to Omisore. A whole section of the book (section 4) is devoted to Yoruba and Ile-Ife history. Omisore has his roots in Ile-Ife, and he gives a picture of his family history dating back to his earliest progenitors. Readers are taken on historical from the First Republic to the present. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Akintola, Sir adesoji Aderemi and great Ile-Ife indigenes like Chief Ajani Anibijuwon Omisore (the author’s progenitor), Reverend Kayode (Femi Fani-Kayode’s grandfather) Reverend Cole, R.A. Fani-Kayode, SAN, Chief Alex Duduyemi (former Paliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa), Chief Ijiwoye, Chief Adeyera, Barrister Micheal Omisade are given prominence in this chapter. Chapter 13 is basically to celebrate the author’s immediate family, most especially his aged mother, wife and children, while the last section (15) is devoted to general tips and wise sayings about life and development by great political leaders, former presidents, the Bible and others. It is to serve as a guide for anyone aspiring to greater heights. On the whole, this is a good book. However, publication of feedback from his audience would have enriched the book. One must commend Hon. Omisore, 66, and indeed a grandfather, for his consistent commitment in terms of time and energy to social media for five years (2010-2014) and at odd hours (3am-6am). More importantly, he deserves praise for bearing the insults associated with social media platforms. This book has shown the positive side of social media. •Adedeji Nurudeen is a Lagosbased writer

It appears Skales is more man of the moment than of the year. Here is why. Wilfred Okiche

ew debut albums have been as long in the works as Skales’. Since signing with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) in 2009, the artiste, born Raoul John Njeng-Njeng has struggled to achieve the kind of success that came almost naturally to his former comrade in arms Wizkid. The lowlights of his unfruitful spell at EME are common knowledge for pop culture enthusiasts but none more conspicuous than his inability to record a solo album in all that time. After he was put out of his EME misery, Skales scored his first hit single, Shake body in 2014. Like Iyanya before him, the need to recapture the commercial appeal of the breakout single has overwhelmed both he and his Baseline record label. The disc, Man of the year is the unfortunate evil fruit of this obsession. Really it is hard to fault an artiste who chooses to rely on what worked the last

at this stage of his career, skales is More occupied with singing than rapping and as such, it is a

welcoMe surprise

time to stay atop the food chain, especially for someone like Skales who has had his stock as an artiste plummet so terribly in the past. For whatever you say about Iyanya and his seeming refusal to do any form of decent singing these days, it is the explosion of the incoherent but lovable Kukere that catapulted him onto the A-list and into this particular conversation. Skales quickly abandons any promise he once showed of heading for a Grammy and goes the predictable formulaic route on Man of the year. For a while, he achieves some success and it seems as if audiences are in for a harmless, pleasurable ride. After a forgettable and barely decipherable intro by Cool FM’s Do2DTun, the action swings instantly into the Burna Boy assisted I’m a winner, a joyous delight that manages to survive Skales’ opening lines, I don popular pass Jaja of Opobo/Them go regret cos dem one do me ojoro. He rallies soon enough with his rap verse in the final act. This quickly segues into Lo Le. It is produced by South Africa’s Uhuru so you have heard it before, more times than you care to recall but that doesn’t make it any easier to resist. This is obviously the club banger of the 22 track disc. The first half of the album is the most pleasurable with other radio friendly treats like Always, Wonder and Ijo ayo (featuring guests Davido, Reekado Banks and Olamide respectively.) After this promising start, the disc quietly disintegrates as Skales and his team abandon rhyme and reason in their search for whatever has worked for every wannabe pop star in the past 2 years. The blatant lack of personality is off putting and further alienates listeners looking for a clue as to what Skales is about as an artiste or even as a person.

What he offers in place of distinguishing himself is a Kcee/Harry Song rip off, Whats up, a Sean Tizzle-lite Koleyewon and half-hearted dance hall jams like I’m for real and Naughty. Man of the year reaches its nadir with unforgivable fluff like Swagger man (with Phyno and Ice Prince who have both never sounded worse on any record this year) and No condition (sporting a dismal use of auto tune). The torture continues almost non stop with the insipid Happy, the migraine inducing Your body hot and the regurgitative Another round. Actually, only the bravest will still be hanging around by this time. Things are so dire, even Chocolate City’s Victoria Kimani scores a touch down for the first time in a long while on OMG! At this stage of his career, Skales is more occupied with singing than rapping and as such, it is a welcome surprise to discover the young Skales of old going at it so freely and eloquently on Fa ra we, as well as on the album outro, I Forget. Production is handled by names like Spellz and DJ Coublon and Skales unsurprisingly does not make time for any of his former EME colleagues to appear as guest artistes. For the record, none of his Baseline records colleagues make the cut either. While the best middle finger wave would have been a show of undeniable good music, nothing on this record is indicative of an artiste looking beyond his five minutes of fame. And maybe it is just as he planned it. Man of the Year should be enough to send Skales to the A-list and keep the endorsement and concert dreams alive. But the boastful title is quite misleading. Skales hasn’t done man of the year quality work on the record. Neither is he in the running for man of the season. At best, he can only hope for a more modest and fleeting title.

Inside FCT

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group treats children with heart diseases Joel AJAyi

s part of efforts by a group to lessen the financial burden of travelling abroad for the open heart surgery and reduce the number of children that dies due to unnecessary inborn abnormalities, a patriotic and benevolent US based Non-Governmental Organisation NGO, called ‘Hospital for Humanity’ has subsidised the fee for Open Heart Surgery for 200 children in the Federal Capital Territory. Be it as it may, the inflated cost price of Open Heart Surgery and lack of facilities has been identified as one of the reasons why Indian, Israeli and United Kingdom hospitals are laughing all the way to the bank. Most Nigerian patients apart from the privileged few struggle to afford the cost of open heart surgery this has no doubt poses a huge drain on the economy that Nigeria can ill-afford, as thousands of Nigerians had been send to early grave. Investigation by Inside FCT revealed that, over 5,000 Nigerians travel to foreign hospitals every year for medical interventions at a cost of $20,000-$40,000 per traveler The benefactor, a Nigerian, Chief Executive Officer Hospital for humanity Dr. Segun Ajayi, said his partnership was informed by the number of children that die due to avoidable congenital abnormalities, with aimed of assisting many Nigerians that are unable to travel abroad for medical treatment. While asked what inspired him he replied: “I discovered that, the cost for open heart surgery abroad is too high and a lot of Nigerians could not afford that is while we decided to subsidised the cost to an affordable rate by the hospital. “I want to use this medium to call on parents whose children suffer heart problems to avail themselves of this opportunity to ensure perfect solution to their heart diseases. “We want to perform 200 heart sur-

Surgical team

geries in the next one year, and we had partner with the Hospital, Garki and National Hospital, Abuja, that has an Intensive Care Unit comparable to UK, and other parts of Europe which is commendable, so that open heart paediatric surgery can be done here in Nigeria by Nigerian doctors. “It is a collaborative programme that we are extending to Nigerian children and we are putting up a call to all Nigerian children with congenital heart disease to please visit the hospital so that we can screen and get the surgery done,” Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director CMD, National Hospital Abuja. Dr. Jafaru Momoh, said the programme is geared toward achieving the hospital’s mandate of providing expert medical care to the nation’s citizens and to mitigate the burden of medical tourism. He added: “the gesture would assist Nigerians to reduce the financial bur-

den of travelling abroad for heart surgery which he said could cost between N6 million and N8 million. The cost has been subsidized to an affordable rate by the hospital. “We have successfully carried out open heart surgery on six patients this week in collaboration with Hospital for Humanity. At the moment one is at the theatre, while the other five are at stable conditions. “The idea is to re-commence our open heart surgery programme which arose out of the necessity to assist many Nigerians who cannot afford to travel abroad for medical treatment.

“It was also to ensure we meet our core mandate of providing expert medical care to Nigerians thereby mitigating the burden of medical tourism on our economy. One of the beneficiaries, Arch Micheal Oladimeji expressed gratitude for the good gesture. He said: “ I have been here for more than a year looking for a solution to my baby’s problem, but when the opportunity came I grab it and it has been wonderful the my child is working around now, I have paid a lot of money but through this initiative I was able to get the needed breakthrough.”

i want to use this medium to call on Parents whose children suffer heart ProBlems to avail themselves of this oPPortunitY to ensure Perfect solution to their heart diseases.

Raining season: Traders bemoan poor sales Joel AJAyi

hile other businesses activities in capital city of Nigeria are flourishing and some counting their blessing, traders without shops have seriously opened the ‘book of lamentation’ as a result of every day downpour in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. These ever-present traders without shop are visible on road sides, market entrances, car parks, plazas, shopping centers, as well as where there is traffic jam in the city; in a group or individual, advertise their product looking for any customer to beckon in order to eke the living.

Like every other Nigerian, they want to earn their daily bread by selling petty things as unemployment persist coupled with inability on the part of government to create job opportunity to the teaming population in the land is amassed day-by-day. Their situation undoubtedly reflects the dynamism and spirit of true Nigerian who believed no matter the challenges in the land, with or with-

out employment laziness and idleness doesn’t have a place in the society. However, hundreds of policies put in place by Federal Capital Territory Administration few years back like banning of Okada and demolition of petty trading kiosks, shops, canteens, and war against the street hawking without providing social economic relief for the affected persons have no doubt led to the augmented of traders

You have the fear of aeBP to Beat, You also have the fear of rain, no ‘market’ at all, at times half of mY goods get sPoilt xTraders in the open

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inside FCT

Friday, August 21, 2015

Kpaduma indigenes fault Land Swap policy AdeolA Tukuru

esidents of Kpaduma community in the Federal Capital Territory has faulted the Land Swap policy introduced by the former Minister of FCT, Hon Bala Mohammed, saying that the minister wanted to dupe investors of their hard earned money and dehumanise the FCT indigenes by making them become part of a policy that was not understood by the people. Inside FCT recalled that the Land Swap Policy Initiative by the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed involves the granting of Greenfield lands to competent real estate developers who will in turn provide infrastructure such as roads; electricity; potable water; drainages and sewer lines. Those commendations were done, considering the fact that the initiative was loaded with all the ingredients that have the potentials of transforming any city that is suffering from infrastructural barrenness. It was believed that the step to initiate the policy was because the FCT is been faced with the huge challenge of infrastructural deficit, which was why the former minister in his determination to tackle the devastating effects of such critical challenge pulled out a ‘master card’ called the land swap initiative at a town hall meeting he convened on April 26, 2013, in Abuja. However, for the Secretary of the Kpaduma community, Simon Baba Yerima in an interview said the Land Swap policy of the Sen. Bala Mohammed led FCT is a fraud and they are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a panel of inquiry to probe the administration for forcefully imposing policies that are detrimental to original inhabitants of Abuja thereby denying us of our only means of livelihood. The secretary while speaking on behalf of the indigenes in the community, said the inhuman atrocities and undemocratic processes by the former minister

Kpaduma community 2

demands urgent attention by the present administration. “The land swap policy is fraud and we call on President Buhari to institute a Panel of Inquiry to probe the Bala-led administration for forcefully imposing policies that are detrimental to us, the original inhabitants of Abuja, thereby denying us our only means of livelihood,” “This is a policy that is a menace that most of the FCT indigenes , leadership of Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja , the traditional institution in FCT and some personality who are concerned are saying this is not for the interest of the FCT indigenes but a blinded policy because there was no dialogue, no interaction . “What are they swapping? What are they swapping land with? so it is out rightly wrong and we are calling on the present government to probe the former minister of FCT, he should be probed on land swap, land allocations and other issues with all the agencies concerned because it is a dark day on the people of

FCT and we will continue to talk until our cry is heard by the present administration,” he said. Yerima also lamented on the constant harassments meted on them by allottees from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA),on their land going against court proceedings. “We are still on court proceedings and the next ruling is a ruling on contempt of development control director going against the court order restraining them not to demolish any of our houses or harassing our peaceful living in Kpaduma community, so the issue now is because the court is even on vacation now so we are expected that at the resumption of the court, we shall be going for ruling but the challenge we have is the allottees who are subjects to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), who gave them allocation are still coming to disturb our peaceful living , trying to take possession of their plots . “Some even brought policemen, soldiers and try to forcefully take possession of our land, so we are expecting

The Land Swap poLicy iS fraud and we caLL on preSidenT Buhari To inSTiTuTe a paneL of inquiry

without shop. However, some of the traders without shop who spoke with Inside FCT lamented poor sales as every day down pour has worsened their means of economy. Muhammed Idris, from Bauchi state, who sells provision at Jabi Market explained that he resorted to the kind of job just for him not to become gangster or join wrong association. According to him, since demolition of my shop at Karimo, 7 years ago, things has not been good for me, that is why I started selling provisions but my sales has been affected every day rains. “Nowhere to run to when it is raining, you have the fear of AEBP to beat, you also have the fear of rain, no market at all, at times half of my goods got spoilt. “Before, sometimes I went home

with 3,000 depending on the market but these days, I hardly made the sales 500.” He bemoaned. As for a pure water vendor Yahaya Ibrahim, the Kaduna state-born told our reporter, that he hardly sell one bag of pure water these day compared to the dry period when he always smile to bank. “I hardly sell one bag of pure water in a day, people don’t drink water any longer because everywhere is cold, they are not thirsty and if people are not thirsty, market is dull but as a Nigerian, hopeful, dry period is far imminent, I think things will change for good.” He foreseen. According to Mrs. Charity Ogbonna from Abia State, a roasted yam seller very close to Nigeria Football Federation Office Zone 7, Abuja, grumbled the poor sales. “she disclosed “to be honest with

that a better negotiation will come with this new administration. So we are still expecting that there should be justice and fairness because we are human beings. “ We are agitating with every communities in the FCT as whole we are calling on our humble, sincere personality of President Muhammadu Buhari , as our president for justice and the justice we are looking for is to let our interest be protected as FCT indigenes we have about 9 languages in FCT, so we are calling on the administration of change that we need an indigene to be Minister of FCT, someone who will understand our pains and he will know the entire terrain of the FCT indigenes and also what will be good for us,” he said. He also called on the FCT honourable member and House of Representatives, Hon Phillip Aduda and Hon Zephaniah Jisalo, to amend the FCT acts that is giving them headache today, “No policy of the FCT indigenes is protected they sat down there and didn’t let the acts be amended and corrected so that we have an autonomy and rights just like every other Nigerians have, so I challenge them to sit up and come up with laws that will be implemented and make policies that our interest will be granted. “You don’t just sit down and sponsor bills that are unnecessary, in fact that act that FCT indigenes has no rights or the interest that is been denied should be guided because we learnt that the federal government settled with our people and that land belongs to government, all those things should be corrected and this is the right time. They are there to represent our interest not them so they should act before the end of their tenure not just to sit down doing nothing. “We only have 6 area councils in the FCT , so we like more of area councils in the FCT so that we have better representatives and also take our people along , am not biased am only talking about the development of FCT . Let there be justice and let every Nigerians join the train of change; if we do that then we will have a better Nigeria not just in the FCT,” he said. you, I experienced bad market, last week and this week, I lose a lot of my initial capital, there is no customers courtesy of bad weather, and heavy rainfall my money cut into pieces. But I will not blame God because he created seasons and times for good of human’s kinds.” He admitted. In Ibrahim’s case, another trader without shop in Wuse Zone 4 FCT, who sells Suya attributed his predicament to the activities of AEBP who extort the little profit he got from the business. “Apart from raining period, AEBP is a thorn in my flesh, I am a security here and my boss are living abroad and I decided to be selling suya in the evening to get additional money, but activities of AEBP is not encouraging, they will come and take away all my suya and they will return the suya after they collected bribe.”

Mirror Mongers

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Governing on billboards

S Voodoo at Delta tribunals?

es, there is nothing politicians in Nigeria will not do in order to serve us. This time around the buzz is coming from Delta State. MM gathered that the gate of the Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal, in Asaba was last week littered with palm oil and raw eggs, suspected to be fetish concoctions by unknown politicians who are pursuing their petitions before the tribunal. A night security guard at the place said he was shocked after he discovered the fetish substances the next morning.”I was shocked when I opened the gate Sunday morning and behold, palm oil and raw eggs were poured all over the gate. This is very bizarre because we have never had this kind of thing here before, but since the tribunal started sitting here, we have been experiencing all manner of things”. He said that since the State Assembly Petitions Tribunal started sitting in the Court-

house premises, staff have been observing extra-ordinary happenings within the premises. “Last week, a cleaner called my attention to the disappearance of her sweeping broom from under the staircase. The next morning, we found the broom with almost half of it removed. Also, last Tuesday, I saw a packet of cigarette, but to my astonishment, when I pick it up, I discovered two dead cockroaches inside. All these are strange things which we have never heard of in this premises. We cannot rule out what these politicians can do, many of them that are coming here every day to hear their petitions could be very diabolical.” The sitting for the Governorship petitions is holding at the premises of the State High Court 3, on Nnebisi road, while sitting for the Federal Assemblies (Senate and House of Reps.) petitions holds at State High Court Umuezei Quarters, Asaba.

Anita’s latest treatise

ou know Anita Oyakhilome, the estranged wife of the Head Pastor of , Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy Church? Their divorce filed in 2014 at Divorce Section A, Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, United Kingdom on the grounds of “unreasonable behaviour” had everyone talking but Anita kept quiet. She has finally spoken via her website: According to her, “I have been through this journey of rediscovery and nothing is as beautiful as realising one’s uniqueness as I have done. Life is a precious however; your life can go through different seasons: winter, spring, summer or autumn. Life can hit you with financial loss, disappoint-

ONE-SECOND &

With

IBRAHIM BABANGIDA

ments, death of a loved one, a broken relationship, loss of a job, a divorce, being falsely accused or being a victim of crime. These can shatter you to pieces but you can do something about it. Life is a gift from God and you deserve to be happy irrespective of your age, race, gender, background or financial situation. Let nothing stop you from growing every day. My story is not one of a bed of roses, far from it but I had a choice to either beat myself over the regret of tolerating abuse for so long or put a stop to the abuse and recreate my life for the best. My journey was not in vain. I can now help others realise that their situation does not define them.” The question now is what kind of abuse?

The renewed fight against corruption has had President Muhammadu Buhari, vowing to recover looted funds. Former military President, Ibrahim Babangida reacts:

ome handshakes need to be documented and glamourised as much as possible. That was what the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha taught us after his trip to United States as part of the Nigerian delegation a few weeks ago. Yes, the governor has dissociated himself from the development, by claiming that some of his ‘otimkpus’ (followers) did that on his behalf, but the unwillingness with which the billboard refused to go, proves otherwise. But this also reminds us of what happened during the era of ex-Governor Babangida Aliyu, in Niger when he used to express his intention on billboards more than in reality, according to his detractors. But lately Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom seems to be getting some tutorials in this respect. A visit to the Akwa Ibom State liaison office on Ajose Adeogun Street in Victoria Island, Lagos, explains that. A larger than life

banner stands on the edifice, to remind people that they are within the vicinity that serves as the kingdom of Governor Udom.

Tabansi’s new story T he families of Sir G T N Tabansi and Onwumere were filled with joy and excitement recently when their daughter, Ifunanya Tabansi and son Chukwudi Onwumere had their traditional wedding at Sir G.T.N Tabansis Compound, Awlaw in Oji River Enugu State. That was on 18th of July, 2015. The white wedding took place on 25th July 2015 at Church of Advent, Life Camp Abuja in the presence of family members, friends and well wishers. Pretty Ifunanya and heartthrob, Chukwudi, who have been friends for quite

The couple

sident’s vow to What is your reaction to the Pre on’s treanati recover stolen funds from the sury? sident uring the tenure of my boss, Pre tegy stra ilar sim a had he jo, Obasan of lot a e mad and to be fair to him, he t sen pre this t por recoveries, so we should sup e sam the do to ng tryi in t Federal Governmen e. If that objecto achieve the same objectiv achieve some tive is pursued, I believe it will ds. You talk fun en deg ree of recovery of stol nt Buhari is side Pre e sur about oil theft, I am to bring to and se tho all out p resolute to stam with our ed per book all those who have tam oil.

Gov. Okorocha

some time decided to take their relationship to the next level, become one flesh. For Ifunanya, the first thing that attracted her about Chukwudi, was his kindness while, for him one thing that struck him was that her love for God was genuine. But who is Ifunanya Tabansi? She is daughter of Sir GTN Tabansi a renowned technocrat and surveyor of repute, who recently retired meritoriously as Director, Acquisition and Compensation, Federal Ministry of Lands in Abuja.

Friday, August 21, 2015 6 Thul-Qedah, 1436

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Hajj: Ideal meeting point for humanity

he Islamic pilgrimage is another living testimony of the beauty of Islaam. Every year, during the pilgrimage season, the world witnesses the wonderful spectacle of this international exhibition of Islaam in levelling all distinctions of races, colour and rank. Not only that the Europeans, the Africans, the Indians, the Chinese all meet together in Makkah as members of one divine family, but they are all clad in one dress, every person in two simple pieces of white seamless cloth, one piece round the loin and the other piece over the shoulders, bare-headed, without pomp or ceremony, repeating, “Here I am, O God, at your command; you are one and the only; Here I am ”. Thus, you are not able to distinguish between the low and the high, the rich and the poor, the white and the black. The entire pilgrims are seen chanting the same glorifications at the same time, in the same place and in the same way. The world has never been able to produce such a gathering of between two

and three million worshippers with such uniqueness. It is indeed a beauty of Islaam. It is a divine design and can never be man-made. In this regards, Professor Hurgronje has said: “The league of nations founded by the Prophet of Islaam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such a universal foundations as to show candle to other nations. The fact remains that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islaam has done towards the realisation of the idea of leagues of nations. The Islamic mode of worship is the same everywhere in the world. There is no disparity. One observes an exact uniformity”. It has no equivalent in any other religion of the world. It is unique with Islaam. It is performed in a specific month of the year and for a known number of days. It is a commonwealth of Believers in Allah (SWT). It is a practical interpretation of the brotherhood of humanity. It brings equality to limelight, as the kings, leaders and their subjects are subjected

to the same ethics and manners. “The pilgrimage to Mecca, the huge assembly of Believers from all five continents, the gathering together of a multitude of worshippers of all races on the plane of Arafat is perhaps the most spectacular expression, symbol and proof of unity and brotherhood of man as enunciated and upheld by the religion of Islaam, and it is equally a symbol and proof of the equality of man before Allah, the Supreme Being, as taught by this religion.” The UNO and its organs, Commonwealth, OAU, ECOWAS and the like are merely one of political, economic, cultural, regional or social gatherings whose membership and attendance are strictly limited and even in some a toothless bulldog in establishing justice or stopping aggression. This is not so with the Islamic Hajj. It is a wholesome demonstration of the universality of Islaam and equality of humanity. From all works of life, from all trades and classes and from every corner of the globe the Muslims assemble at Makkah in response to the call of Allah (SWT).

The Animal in Us

od has confirmed the similarity between us and all other creatures. It is obvious that they do not look like us in shape, form and intelligence but (the similarity is) in behavior; thus every human being has in himself some aspects of animal behavior. So when you find someone departing from normal human behavior, see which animal resemble him in this and class him with it and treat him as you would treat that animal. Thus you will have no trouble with him nor will the have any from you.

The Leopard When you see a man barbarous in his behavior, rough in nature and tough in body, the type of man against whose terrorization one is not secure, class him with the family of leopards. The Arabs say: ‘More barbarous than a leopard.’ When you see a leopard you keep clear of it and you do not look for trouble with it,

Redefining religious broadcast: Sharing the MTA Internationale experience

so treat such a man in that way.

The Monkey When you find a man with a tendency to steal furtively, class him with the monkey family who molest your saddlebags; avoid contention with him and guard your saddlebags.

“By performing pilgrimage to Makkah, you will transcend yourself from being nationalistic, sectarian or denominational into being universal, you will be a part and an essential constituent of the Rainbow of Islaam. You will also be part of the brotherhood of Islaam with those who already submitted themselves to the Creator. At the same time, you will get rid of (if any) inferiority or superiority complex. You will find yourself in synchrony and harmony with all the prophets and messengers of Allah since the creation of Adam and Eve until the last and final Messenger to Mankind, Prophet Muhammad ((SAW). While at Makkah, you will be able to visit the places of revelations of the Qur’aan as well as the places visited by Prophet Abraham and members of his family such as Hajar and Ismaa‘il. You will visit the first house of worship to God on earth, the Ka‘abah. In addition, you will visit the place where the first astronauts – Adam and Eve landed on earth.

say ‘yes’ he says ‘no’ and if you say ‘no’ he says ‘yes’, then class him wife the donkey family because it is a characteristic of the donkey to move away if you full it near and to draw near if you push it away. You make use of a donkey but you do not bother to curse it or get rid of it.

The Fly The Dog When you find a man who assails the good repute of men, class him with the dog family, since it is characteristic of dogs to run away from those who stand their ground, and be the first to harm those who leave them alone, avoid contention with such a man when he attacks your good name and regard him like a god barking at you. Do you not go ahead without bothering to curse it?

The Donkey When you find a man who is by nature contention, (the sort of man who) if you

Frequently Asked Questions

When you find a man hunting for other people’s faults, class him with the family of flies. A fly land on the body and only looks for places where there is blood and uncleanliness; brush him off and pay no more heed to him than you would to a fly.

The Lion If you are afflicted by a leader who assault both properties and lives, class him with the family of lions and be on your guard against him and flee from him, as al-Nabigha said, ‘No peace can exist in the face of a lion’s roar.’

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

Over 17 Nigerians for UK Islamic conference

Call to Worship

6 Thul-Qedah, 1436 Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Redefining religious broadcast: Sharing the MTA Internationale experience Qasim akinreti LONDON

n 1994, the world Islamic leader, late Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih, the IV, of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at established Muslim Television Ahmadiyya, MTA International, a satellite television station based in London. The feat was achieved principally for the propagation of true Islamic teachings globally which has been misunderstood by greater number of people. Prominent among these misunderstanding are the concept of Jihad, the role of women and the Islamic mode of dressing to mention a few. The mass media notably television has been the major tools used by the west to achieve these misunderstandings through it terrestrial and satellite broadcast to millions of people. Arguably, this trend is informed by the submission of religious commentators that Religion has been the most intense worldview-shaping phenomenon in history, and it will continue to be in the 21st century and beyond. Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry, a writer and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center,as well as Qasim Akinreti, an online broadcast journalist with voice of nigeria are among these

religious commentators. A closer look at the avalanche of religiou television stations across the globe will testify to this. There are over 166 religious television stations globally, less than 20 are fully Islamic broadcast outfits, with major presence in the U.S., UK, Canada, France, Greece, EL Salvador, Brazil, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Iran and Iraq. Paradoxically, the Vatican and Pakistan have a state religious broadcasting stations. Viewers across the globe are used to MTA international, Islam channel, Iqra, Noor Tv, Deen Tv and Quran Tv. In the Christian fold, Vatican Tv, Dove TV, Hope Tv, Emmanuel TV, liberty TV an MFM TV as well as others have size able number of viewers. Three factors accounted for the exponential growth of international religious broadcaster thin the Islamic fold the influence of the 1979 Islamic Iranian revolution,the emergence of Arab satellite television and unfettered Internet access in the year 2000. prominent religious organizations with international religious broadcasts are the ahmadiyya Muslim community,the Catholic Mission,Pentecostal groups,the Jewish community and the Adventist among others. The features of these re-

ligious television stations are varieties of religious messages couched in sermons and lectures based in different languages, Arabic,English,French, Persian. Other language of broadcast are Urdu, banglia, etc. these contents are distributed terrestrial, via satellite and through Internet websites online real time. Sources of funding of these broadcasts are mainly through subventions by the religious organizations and donations from viewers. The Muslim television ahmadiyya international experienceWithin the Islamic fold , Muslim television Ahmadiyya stand tall with its variety of live Friday sermons ,Quranic classes ,Islamic news and programmes, documentaries, and scientific discoveries all based on Islamic principles and precepts, through live update on the social media platforms, thereby communicating the message of the holy prophet , promised messiah and taking the voice of the Khalifah to the world. This is in fulfillment of the assurances to ensure that the “message of thePromised Messiah and Mahdi get to all corners of the World”. Programme choices in Arabic, English,French and other languages are delight to numerous viewers from the Islamic World

leader- hazrat Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, Friday Sermons, Talk back, Beacon of Truth,a Press Point, Ahmadiyya News and international news among others. Since 2013, MTA international has been organizing an International Broadcast Conference to review its programme contents and develop capacities of its staff both full and part time in the more challenging international broadcast environment which is now boosted by technological advancement. The fourth International Conference of Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International (MTA) concluded on 22 March 2015 with an address by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. 48 delegates from 20 countries attended the three-day conference, held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in South-West London. During the course of the event the delegates attended a variety of workshops and presentations organised by MTA International. The delegates were also able to take part in one-toone sessions with representatives of different departments of MTA. The highlight of th conference was the concluding address given by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad dur-

L-R: Sunkami Ajao of MITV; Alhaji Qasim Akinreti, Assistant Director News, Voice of Nigeria; Mallam Naseer Bajwa, Imam Baitul Futuh Mosque, London; Mr Tunde Okunola, GM, MITV and Salimullah Kahlon, MTA Int’l, Africa Project at Baitul Futuh Mosque, London.

ing which he spoke of the continued progress of MTA and prayed for its future development.His Holiness also informed the audience that a new MTA studio – to be named the ‘Wahab Adam Studios’ – was being constructed in Ghana.Speaking about the global reach of MTA, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “At a time when certain groups within Islam are doing their utmost to defame and discredit its teachings, we are witnessing how Allah the Almighty is constantly opening new avenues of Tabligh for our Jamaat. Unquestionably, MTA is itself playing a great role in spreading the true teachings of Islam to all parts of the world.” Announcing the construction of a new MTA studio being built in Ghana, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: In Ghana, a permanent MTA studio is being built and will soon be opened, God Willing. Various regional programmes will be made at the Ghana studios, which will be tailored towards an African audience and made according to their tastes and nature. God Willing, when the studio is completed it will be of an extremely professional standard and of a high calibre. “In his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad praised the volunteer spirit that is a hallmark of the channel. His Holiness said that young volunteers working for MTA in all parts of the world were serving the organisation with “great distinction and a heartfelt passion to serve”. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded by praying: “I hope and pray that we are able to take full benefit of this great treasure of MTA that Allah has bestowed upon us, so that the message of true Islam shines brightly and comes to enlighten every home in the world. “Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “I am confident that all of you, whichever country you have come from, will return to your homes not

only having increased your knowledge and technical skills, but with a renewed desire and passion to utilise all of your capabilities to spread the true message of Islam to the corners of the earth.”Earlier, the Managing Director of MTA International, Munir-uddin Shams gave an annual report during which he informed the audience of the major activities of MTA Internationalduring the past year.The delegates were also shown a short video highlighting the continued progress of MTA during the past year. MTA international as fondly called has studios across the continents in the Americas, Asia,Africa,Europe, such as U.S., Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, Kababir, Nigeria and Ghana.In October 2013 a two year contract was signed with Ghana Broadcasting Corporation , GBC and MTA for rebroadcast of programmes and live telecast of UK Jalsa - Islamic Conference organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, UK ,originating from the MTA international headquarters in London Collaboration with Ahmadiyya Muslim jama’at in Ghana. The same gesture had been extended to Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. The live broadcast of the Islamic conference debut in 2014, via the Murhi International Television studio, Mitv based in Lagos.the signals were also received in Sierra leone and The Gambia for the year 2015, the collaboration is expected to ushering more live broadcast from London to Nigerians on the Mitv channels both terrestrial and via satellite. This will be repeated in Ghana, Sierra Leone ,The Gambia, Uganda, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic. A team of journalists across the globe are already in London to cover live proceedings of the 49 Jalsa salana - Islamic conference hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, UK. The Nigerian media team are from Voice of Nigeria, Mitv, Vanguard and National Mirror newspapers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Frequently Asked Questions H ow does one observe the Islamic slaughtering with respect to animals which cannot be totally brought under control? Arrow, gun, pistol or any other object can be used so long it can pierce the body of the animal and make a wound. Hunting dog can as well be used. One will only need to mention the name of Allah (SWT) before the use of the object. If, for example, one shoots the arrow and the victim can still be reached and slaughtered before it dies, it is better, but if not it is still eatable. Malik, however, explained that it is not lawful to eat what could have been slaughtered but left to die in the mouth of the hunting dog or bird. Or any game hit by the hunter and caught while still alive which he neglects to slaughter before it dies. Can one use trap to kill game, that is, animals which are not domesticated? As for animals which could not be caught and

Call to Worship

Friday, August 21, 2015 6 Thul-Qedah, 1436

subjected to slaughtering, one is allowed to use trap that will hold it down for subsequent killing. The prevalent practice in some places where some kinds of traps which will not only strangulate the animal but also kill it in the most painful way is antithetical to the Islamic manner of slaughtering. There are times when such traps would have killed the animals for some days before the arrival of the one who sets the trap, yet he will still go ahead to eat it. If the animals had died before you get there it has become a maytah, hence you cannot eat it. The issue of having mentioned the name of Allah (SWT) while setting the trap is immaterial as the victim had already died which might have been caused by other external forces outside your trap. For example, it might have been stung by a snake while it was struggling to escape. What is the ruling on killing lawful animals by electrocu-

tion? This kind of killing contravenes the underlining principle of blood flowing. It will make the blood congeal and thus make the blood remain in the body of the animal. It is also against the spirit of showing mercy on the victim and killing properly. Can one still hurry up to kill an animal that is about to die? Yes, for that will make it lawful for food, otherwise it will be declared as unlawful. Can one eat a lawful animal that is pursued and clubbed to death? Such animal is categorised as mauquudhah. So one cannot eat it. This is to maintain the wisdom of making the blood flow properly and to prevent people from being cruel to these animals. If however, the only way to kill the animal is by pursuing and subsequent hitting with a stick or any other object, this should be done in such a way that the animal can still be slaughtered before its even-

IN HIS LIGHT with

USTAZ

A. ZAFARAN e-mail: zatabumuneeb@yahoo.com tual death. The Prophet (SAW) has said that “Allah has decreed goodness on everything... So, we should try to also uphold this principle in all killing or slaughtering of animals and birds. Can one eat animals slaughtered by the ‘Ogun’ worshippers or any other idolatry festival for village, town, god, etc? It is not permissible for a Muslim to eat such animal because the Ogun worshippers are polytheists and do not fall within the category of the People of the Book. It does not matter whether they slaughter it during their festival or for food. A Muslim who eats such food would have tainted his faith and fallen to the level of those whose food he has eaten. Same thing applies if an animal is

L-R: Alhaja Amudalat Amusan; Lagos Amirah of FOMWAN, Dr. Sariyu Ashiru ande Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Idiat Adebule, at the Lagos FOMWAN’s family Day recently.

slaughtered for any idolatrous festival. Can one eat dead sea animals? There are three opinions on this according to Ibn Rushd - it is lawful (Halal), it is unlawful (Haram) and anything other than fish is unlawful. The reason for these differences is the interpretation of the Q5:3 where Allah (SWT) says: “we have forbidden for you all ‘maytah’ (dead animal)...” This prohibition does not give any exception. Others, however, argue based on two sayings of the Prophet (SAW). Jabir related that some Companions found a dead anbar (whale) during their expedition and depended on it for about twenty (20) days. On their return they informed the Prophet (SAW) who even asked them to give him part of it to eat. Another Hadith was related by Abu Hurayrah that they asked the Prophet (SAW) about the seawater. His reply was that; “Its water is pure, and its dead animal is lawful.” Can one eat an animal that is killed by a hunter? If the hunter is a Muslim and he mentions Allah’s name while shooting at the animal or sending his hunting dog to kill it. But if he is not a Muslim, then, it is unlawful. Can one eat dog? The consensus of the Scholars is that it is unlawful. The followers of the Maliki school of law however hold two views on it. While some say it is prohibited, others say it is detested. The first view, however, is more outstanding from an angle that dog is carnivorous. Also, the Prophet (SAW) has said that, if a dog licks one’s bowl, it should be washed seven times. This is contrary to what he said about cat, it is said to be a pure animal.

Over 17 Nigerians for UK Islamic conference Sekinah L awaL

ver 17 Nigerians joined other delegates at the 49th Islamic conference organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, UK, which is scheduled for 21st-23rd of August, 2015 at Hadeeqatul Mahdi ,Oakland Farm, Alton, Hampshire, UK. The Nigerian delegation was led by the Head, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria, Dr. Mashuud Adenrele Fashola. Others include Dr. Saeed Timehin,

Co-Chairman, Nigeria InterReligious Council, NIREC,Lagos State, former President, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. AbdulGhani Enahoro among other dignitaries. Eight lectures on Islam, community development and global peace will be delivered while international peace award and award of excellence for Ahmadiyya Muslim student across the world are slated for the event. Highlights of the conference include the global address by the world Head of the Ahmadiyya

Muslim community , Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, on the state of Islam, the growth of the community, need for international peace and global bai’at- initiation ceremony. Over 55 million viewers are set to watch the live broadcast of the three-day conference in collaboration with Ghana , Sierra leone, Uganda, Tanzania and Murhi International Television, Mitv, Nigeria among others. The event can also be viewed on www. alislam.org and followed on social media platforms

The community, under the leadership of its holy founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, held its first convention on December 27, 1891 in Qadian, India. Approximately 75 people attended the event. For over a century since then, the community has held its annual convention, or Jalsa Salana, in numerous countries around the world. Tens of thousands of community members gather at these conventions at various times throughout the year. The aims of the convention are to facilitate greater spiritual

awareness among community members, strengthen community ties and promote peace. Ahmad emphasised the vital importance of the convention: “You must not rank this convention in the same league as other ordinary human assemblies.” The UK conference attracts thousands of members and hundreds of community leaders and media representatives from across the world focusing on religious discourse, inter-faith sessions and other special community initiatives.

Call to Worship

6 Thul-Qedah, 1436 Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya

Hospitality and our responsibilities

ith the grace of God Jalsa Salana of Jama’at Ahmadiyya UK starts from next week. Volunteers have been busy for past several weeks at Hadiqatul Mahdi preparing for Jalsa. These preparations by Khuddam and other volunteers have intensified in the last ten days. It is no mean feat to make all the arrangements on what is essentially farmland. Khuddam from various parts of the UK and other volunteers do this task with amazing skill, and no example of this can be found in the whole world in any other organisation. It is a grace of God that He has instilled this passion in young men and others after taking Bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Sunshine or rain these young men serve selflessly for Jalsa Salana as initiated and established by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). And during Jalsa days thousands of other volunteers will join them to serve the guests and to make the operations of Jalsa Salana run smoothly. Later, a lot of time is required to wrap up the entire setup. These volunteers will be men, women, girls, boys, children and the elderly. Thus is the extraordinary passion to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) which cannot be found anywhere other than the Jama’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Worldliness and materialism is the norm of most in the Western world and it is in this world that these Ahmadi young people volunteer themselves most humbly to serve in this manner. We should pray for them that may God enable them to do their tasks in a most excellent manner and protect them from all evil and trouble. In line with his practice Hazrat Khalifatul Masih spoke on the subject of hospitality in today’s sermon saying that it is indeed the need of the time to do so. There is no doubt that all volunteers serve with all due effort and attention but there are always some newcomers joining in and children serving for the first time and of course reminding those who have served before is also necessary. So that they may keep the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in view and be mindful of the practice of his true and ardent devotee the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) so that higher still standards are achieved. The Holy Qur’an mentions the hospitality of Hazrat Ibrahim (on whom be peace). Upon receiving guests his first response, after welcoming and greeting them with peace, was to have a meal pre-

pare for them. Hazrat Lot’s concern for his guests is also mentioned in the Holy Qur’an lest his people troubled them. Inconvenience of guests is not something that should be overlooked. Inconvenience of guests in any shape or form is an embarrassment for the host. This is why Islam enjoins respect and esteem of guests. The extraordinary qualities of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that Hazrat Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) enumerated at the time when after receiving his first Divine revelation he was perturbed included his quality of superlative hospitality. There are hundreds of examples in his blessed life where he exhibited most excellent manner of esteem and respect for guests. He also taught these qualities to his Companions who went on to demonstrate great acts of hospitality which were blessed by God. It was the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that when a lot of guests came he divided them among his Companions and took some guests for himself. A Companion narrates that he was once among the guests the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) allocated himself. He took the guests home and asked Hazrat ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) if there was anything to serve them. She said there was a little something which she had put away for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to break his fast. He asked her to serve the food. The Holy Prophet tasted a little of the food and then gave it to his guests. They ate without looking and were satiated. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) then asked if there was anything to drink. Hazrat ‘Aishah served a beverage which the Prophet first tasted and then offered to his guests who were again satiated. The reason the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) first tasted the food and drink himself must have been to say a prayer to bless the food so that it would be enough for all to eat. There are dozens of other accounts of the Holy Prophet blessing food with prayer. Sometimes guests can create very awkward situations for their hosts which can be very challenging but the lofty example of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was such that once an overnight guest left in the morning leaving behind soiled bedding, perhaps due to an upset stomach or deliberately due to animosity. Rather than complain, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) proceeded to wash the soiled bedding himself.

L-R: Naib Afsar, Jalsa Salana, Naseer Ahmad; Missionary-in-charge, Nigerian Jamaat, Khalique Nayyar and Muian Khas Afsar, Jalsa Salana, Ma Noori at the Baitul Futuh Mosque on Wednesday.

L-R: Alhaji Qasim Akinreti, Nigeria; Yakub Abubakar, Ghana; Ubadah Asalam, Liberia; Victor S. Goerge, Liberia; Alh Abdullah Balajo, Gambia and Muhammed Salaudeen, Togo, at the Baitul Futuh, London, United Kingdom.

49th UK Jalsa Salana begins today Sekinah L awaL

REPORTING FROM LONDON

s the 49th UK Jalsa Salana begins today, the Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria, Dr. Mashuud Fashola has called on all those involved in acts of insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria and other parts of the world to desist as these were not part of Islam. Dr Fashola made the appeal while fielding questions from newsmen during a breakfast meeting with journalists at the organisation’s world conference holding in Oakland farm, London. “There is nothing like jihad with the sword in Islam. We have said this before and we will continue to say it. “The

Prophet never encouraged preaching Islam with violence, but by praying for the enemies to have a change of heart, by preaching with wisdom and good deeds. Anyone who go against this precept is not a follower of theProphet and therefore cannot be a Muslim. You have to be kind and generous to people.” According to him, delegates from over 200 countries around the world would participate in the conference. Many dignitaries all over the world will be at the conference holding in very serene and comfortable environment. “The Prophet said that there are blessings and rewards in a place where Muslims are gathered. It is great to have people of different culture and races here for this conference, Dr. Fashola concluded.

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

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Friday, August 21, 2015

L-R: Head, St. Michael Christ Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, Abaranje, Lagos, Pastor Mathew Adebanjo; Guest Speaker, Dr. Babafemi Aladeselu and Chief Host, Dr. Stephen Adenikan, at the Seven Day and Night Prayer Convention of C & S Seraphim Movement Church Imole Ayo Circuit, in Igode Ogun State.

L-R: Zonal Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Chief Route commander, Christy Obasi; Sector head of Operations, FRSC, Lagos State Sector command Rs 2.1, Deputy Corps Commander Michael Olapade; Assistant Corps Marshal, Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS2 Command Headquarters Lagos, Assistant Corps Marshal Nseobong Akpabio and Unit Commander Rs2.1, Ojota, Assistant Corps commander Ganiyu Hamsat, during FRSC ‘Operation Scorpion’ at the Toll Gate to eradicate or reduce accidents caused by heavy duty vehicles in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole; Chancellor/Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayobami Salami, during the Visit of Obafemi Awolowo University Management to Etsu, in Niger State recently.

L-R: Director, Visionary Intensive Movie Production, Mr. Joseph Mawuunyinka; Director, Vision Network Drama Outreach International, Gwagwalada, Mr. Felix Bankole; representative of ECWA Theological College, Karu, Mr. Doulos Samson; Maimguwar Bassa of Karu, Mr. Jimba Jonah and Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Karu Danlami, during the launch of Visionary Intensive Movie Production in Abuja.

People In The Mirror

L-R: President, Next Generaion Youth Initiative International, Mr. Ambassador Onoja; National Coordinator, Standards Awareness Group, Barr. Mohammed Attah and Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, during a one day roundtable with CSOs and presentation of SON Operation Flush in Abuja. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Oba Babatunde Lawal Akinlowo 1 of Shasha Kingdom; Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Charles Alade; Chief Host and Founder, Gani Adams Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams and Guest Speaker, Prof. Alfred Aggrey-Fynn of North American University, Benin Republic, during a programme to commemorate the World Humanitarian Day in Lagos, on Wednesday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

President, Rotary Club of Jos Central, Laide Lawal (middle), Governor, Rotary Club International, District 9125, Dr. Mike Omotosho (right), presenting medical items to representative of the founder of ‘Open Door Special Education Centre, Mrs Maria Nwauze, in Jos.

L-R: Uche Nwagboso of PR & Communications, OLX; Markets Editor, West Africa, CNBC Africa, Wole Famurewa and Country Manager, OLX, Lola Masha, during a visit to CNBC Studios recently.

Arty News

Friday, August 21, 2015

Stephanie Linus’ Dry hits cinemas

Stephanie

RegIna otokpa

‘D

ry’ is one movie with an emotional story line that touches on the peril of girls and women, suffering from the cold hands of obestric fistula otherwise known as Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) across the country. Drawing a cross section of experts, relevant domestic and foreign agencies, prominent entertainment icons including concerned figures in society and the media to the Silverbird Galleria Abuja, Stephanie Linus brought to the fore, the causes, drastic negative effect of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), how it could be repaired and prevented in her movie ‘Dry’. The movie reveals that young girls and women suffer the disease due to early marriage and lack of proper obestric care but stands a chance of being repaired through proper surgical operation and medical care. Speaking during the premiere of the movie, she disclosed that VVF was not only found in the northern parts of the country, but in rural areas across the country where access to quality medical services was a mirage in addition to gross cultural practices especially early marriage and traditional birth system involving unqualified birth attendants. “I feel this is just a platform for us to create enough awareness about the things that women are going through in our country and give women who are devoid of a voice to express and make people understand their situation and make every relevant person who is involved, who is supposed to be doing what they are supposed to be doing from the government, the parent, we as a community on tbe need to step up to start doing the right things. “When your childhood and your innocence is taken away from you, you can never get it back. Allow them to be children, let them grow up so that they can make positive deci-

sions about what happens to their body, what happens to the lives and they will become more productive.” The producer, director, cum lead actress said she developed the passion to embark on medical pull effort missions to help repair affected VVF patients and also work towards preventing its occurrence after listening to a story revolving around VVF and its effects during her second year in the university. Dry is intended to intensify advocacy for the prevention of obstructed labour and obestric fistula in the country, foster strong partnership between governments at all level, relevant development agencies, communities, health professionals, families and concerned individuals and organizations across the globe. Supporting his wife, Linus Idahosa, maintained that access to quality education, good medical care, would cut down the rapid effect of VVF on young girls. Speaking to those suffering from the disease he said “Get all the education that you can and also know that there is a solution to this. A number of folks who have actually suffered from the scourge of VVF, have absolutely no idea that there was some sort of surgical solution to it so this movie actually opens all of that up and shows you that you can actually get such people repaired and at the same time you don’t have to be a child bride,” he advised. Through her pet project, the Extended Hands Foundation, Stephanie has helped several girls and women who suffer from VVF get their lives back on track by donating several surgical equipment and playing an instrumental role in their repairs in various states of the country. Olu Jacobs, Liz Benson Ameye, Darwin Shaw, Zubaida Ibrahim Fagge, Bill McNamara and a host of others bring their experiences to bear in this movie now showing in cinemas nationwide.

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British Council announces ‘UK/ Nigeria 2015-16’

rganised by the British Council, UK/Nigeria 2015–16 is a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria. Programmed in association with a host of partners, it features more than 30 projects and over 80 events in art, fashion, design, theatre, dance, music, literature and film throughout Nigeria and showcases of Nigerian arts and creative industries in the UK. UK/Nigeria 2015–16 has a focus on creating access to art, new digital work, innovation, art in public spaces and working with young people. Partnerships between Nigerian and British artists, insti-

tutions and organisations will be at the heart of the season which aims to develop skills and capacity across the creative industries. The programme will begin in September 2015 and run until April 2016, creating new connections in arts, education, innovation, trade and investment. Connie Price, Country Director Nigeria, British Council said: “Both our countries are renowned for the breadth of our cultures and for our dynamic creative industries so it is fitting to come together to initiate new collaborations. UK/NG 2015–16 is the biggest ever season of arts work by the British Council in Nigeria. We aim to foster cultural exchange as well as the flow of ideas and

develop stronger relationships between people, institutions and governments across Nigeria and the UK.” Some of the key season events will include work created by leading British Company Candoco Dance with a cast of disabled and non-disabled dancers from Nigeria and the UK; work in the North of the country around theatre and conflict; projects designed to boost the creative industries in Abuja and Calabar; an Inter-Ministerial Conference; the return of Lagos Theatre Festival; and a residency Interwoven: Go Woman Go! by British artist Laura Aldridge in Abuja and Lagos. The season announcement took place at the British Council office in Ikoyi, Lagos on August 20 2015.

93 Days: Nollywood captures Ebola saga IsIguzo DestIny

3 Days is a movie centred on the true-life story of men and women who risked their lives and made sacrifices to save us all from the consequences of the outbreak of the highly dreaded Ebola Virus Disease. It is a compelling human story of dedication, sacrifice, resilience and survival. The movie is directed by Steve Gukas, and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters, DotunOlakunri, Steve Gukas and Pemon Rami. The movie demonstrates the bravery of the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh and her colleagues from their encounter with the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer who was the index case of the Ebola Virus Disease to ensuring that the right medical procedures were in place to stop the spread of the disease in the country. During the period, they not only prevented a national catastrophe and international contagion, but also left a permanent mark on the society

93 Days crew

Late Adadevoh

and solidified their legacy as courageous Nigerians amid continuous support from the Lagos State Government, Federal Government, World Health Organisation (WHO), MSF and other organisations. “We recognize that we have to tell our own stories... Also recognize that hardly ever are all the stars aligned to allow Nigeria and Nigerians shine on the international scene.Our role is to celebrate our heroes and Nigeria on the global scene”- Bolanle AustenPeters The movie is definitely a must-watch with a perfect blend of both local and international casts to ensure excellent quality

and international exposure is achieved. Renowned American Theatre practitioner and Filmmaker Pemon Rami also joins the team as producer. “Our aim is to create a feature film that will resonate with many people across the world particularly in Nigeria and its sub-region”. At its core, 93 days is a tale of common humanity and just how much we can achieve when we stand united,” stated the producers of the movie. The project is a co-production between MichelAngelo Production, Bolanle Austen-Peters Production (BAP) and Native FilmWorks. Due to the unique nature of the movie and its importance for Nigeria and Africa, the production of the movie has enjoyed tremendous support and interest from different institutions and government including the Lagos State Ministry of health, Ford Foundation, First Consultant Hospital, Fieldco, AXAMANSARD, Nigerian Breweries, Fahrenheit Loft, First Bank, Chevron.

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Arty News

Friday, August 21, 2015

Music market dynamic in Nigeria –Chics You are a graduate of Accounting, would there be a specific reason behind opting for music as a career? The music industry for me is very big, though it all started because of the love and passion I have for it. I considered it as a bit of the corporate world but with the knowledge I was able to acquire in school, I discovered I could channel it into the music industry to apply the principles I have learnt into showbiz. This is what our Lagos talents are doing we need to go beyond our love for the talent to applying economics and some accounting to break in.

Chukwuma Ekwubiri, a music producer, song writer and artiste, is presently working on a new genre of music which he calls electronic high life music. The graduate of Accounting talks about his passion for the arts in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA Excerpts:

When did you go into music? Music started for me way back just like everyone of us would say but when I was in primary school I was the youngest member of a band. I mimed a lot back in secondary school in different groups then it developed from passion to a more focused direction. I had a lot of groups in the university and I have produced some of them also I have some industry friends that I have been working with in the background like Styl Plus who from way back I used to write and produce for. My official first single in 2009 was a song StylPlus featured me in ‘Jekasere Lo’ but they had a problem with the marketer which really affected the album and my coming out.

ship in Abuja, once you are not from a rich home it becomes difficult. Unfortunately, Lagos which happens to be the hub of entertainment, piracy is the greatest challenge. The marketers are the pirates, you can imagine we do not have a choice to give them our CDs for peanuts but by the end of the day they would help you move your songs everywhere. I was happy when the Vice President came out to assure artistes that challenge would be dealt with in this government so there is hope and at the same time fear.

So far, how well is that application working for you? Nigeria is a very dynamic market, so many things are not predictable. It’s been good but it boils down to a good promo plan to have endorsements and I am still trying to be out there.

I am a wrIter I understand why people are wrItIng the way they do

How many singles do you have now? I dropped a single this year on the 26th of April, my birthday, I did one with Styl Plus, I write and produce for Tunde one of the members of the group as well and we dropped an RnB song ‘Omoge’ February last year. I also did a French song last November ‘Sele mama’ with a Cameroonian artiste Didibebe who I write and produce for as well and ‘Don come’.

Being a musician, song writer, producer which is more challenging for you? Combination of the whole of them because I need to keep up with the demands of the job. The problem of people accepting my ability to do numerous things has been challenging for me.

Three stars short means we have challenges, what are those challenges Abuja wise and generally? The individuals who are in the industry and the market are the major challenges we are facing. Artistes in Abuja for example do not support each other, we don’t have people who are passionate and apart from the whole security issues, people in Abuja are very conservative though it doesn’t mean big shows don’t happen but artistes in Abuja are yet to benefit from these platforms because they have not been able to run promos like the Lagos people. We have a low level of sponsor-

How can we get things right especially in Abuja? The orientation in Abuja needs to change, we need to put our hearts into getting the songs out, go extra miles to get investors. We need to start a campaign to get people in Abuja channel some of their investments to artistes in Abuja, we need to unite to balance the equation. No matter how wack they want to make us feel we are, we should be given a chance to showcase what we have rather than always bring in only Lagos artistes to perform here in Abuja. Do Abuja promoters not have a role to play in this? We don’t really have promoters in Abuja. A few of them are trying to come up but they still need to learn so many things. A promoter is just one of the variables, most importantly we need investors. How then can Abuja artistes get investors believe in what they have to offer? Over the years we have been waiting for investors. It’s annoying to drive round Abuja and not see even one Abuja artiste endorsing any product. We need to meet the investors and talk to them to give us the respect we deserve. Lagos is exaggerated, the traffic situation alone want to make anybody go out from Monday to Monday so they prefer to wait till weekends but here in Abuja, Monday to Monday people are partying everywhere at one garden or the other to chill out and have fun. How would you rate content in Nigerian music? For now, I won’t say it’s bad even though all we hear is dance music. I am a writer I understand why people are writing the way they do. For example, there is fuel scarcity, there is always one problem or the other and the kind of songs we need to be listening to are not songs that should bring us down trying to remind us how bad things are but we need songs that would make us forget our troubles even though we are not exactly happy. People who market these music they all accept the songs we write but so many people do not know this part. We have artistes who do not see the relevance of taking a step further academic wise? If we have record labels that are willing to do what they are supposed to do to promote the songs and thinking of the economy of getting the songs out, the artiste wouldn’t have a lot of problem if he is educated enough but as an artiste, you need to acquire some form of knowledge. It mustn’t be that four year in the university, there are so many courses online. For example, I am undergoing an online programme and by the time I am done I would be a certified sound engineer. I was able to that as a result of a good friend who told me about it. It all boils down to all the individual bodies to organize workshops for their members because not everybody had the opportunity to go to school.

You talked about having worked with other industry friends at the background? The list is endless; X Project, Waje, OJB, Numero, Mecoyo, Mr Yaks, to mention a few. I have a project called cargo republic and we have recorded so many projects.

How would young rate entertainment generally in Nigeria? With respect to how far we have gone in promoting peace, women empowerment and the educative, humanitarian part and entertainment part, we still have a lot of things to do so I would rate it seven stars over ten.

Chics

How deep was your involvement as the national PRO PMAN? The problem with PMAN is priority. The guys who are in charge are so caught up with their own agenda and it’s wrong. No one has a problem if you are trying to chase a particular dream or philosophy but when you do it consider the general good of everybody. See little things like Abuja carnival, people who are in charge or people who are supposed to go for it they don’t go for it and now you see foreigners who come from Lagos and this is our carnival, even artistes in Abuja struggle to perform and even when they do they pay them peanuts. The name PMAN has been so bastardized they need to change the name, it is associated with failure. The cloud of the Abuja Governor who is working really hard cannot cover the darkness of PMAN.

Escape

Friday, August 21, 2015

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Saudi Arabia: Destination Aside its allure as the Mecca of Islamic pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has so many interesting locations for the average tourist. Imoelayo Fatunase WITH AGENCY REPORTS

audi Arabia, one of the greatest destinations in Middle East, officially known as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia consists of four major distinct regions; Hejaz, Najd, part of Eastern [Al-ahsa] and Southern Arabia [Asir]. The monarchy country was founded in 1932 by IBN SAUD who united the four regions into a single state through a series of conquests beginning in 1902 with the capture of Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the house of Saud. The country is the largest Arab State in western Asia with land area approximately 2,150,000km2 [830,000 sq mi]constituting the bulk of the Arabian PENINSULA and the second largest geographically in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north , Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain and the united Arab Emirates to the East, Oman to the Southeast and Yemen in the south, the country remains the only nation with both the Red sea coast and a Persian Gulf Coast with most of its terrain consists of barren landforms. A narrow plains run along the red sea where the Hijaz mountains rise sharply. At least one-third of the total area is a sandy desert, there are no lakes expect for Aryesian

Mecca Wells (Wells where water flows to the surface naturally] in the eastern oases, there are no rivers or streams where water flows. It is a dominant monarchy governed state along Islamic lines. Wahhabi Islam has been called the predominant feature of Saudi culture with Islam been the only dominant religion. Visitors come in and around the world to visit the land of the two holy Mosques, Al-Masjid alharam in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina which is the two most holy places in Islam. Mecca and Medina has become the major tourist centre in Saudi Arabia, the two holy land made Saudi Arabia the 19th most visited in the world with about 14. 3 million visitors in 2012. Almost all comes as pilgrims to Mecca but this visitors tend to stay only a few days, spend little and are concentrated in a few already wealthy parts of the country. The Al Masjid Nabawi

kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a total Population of about 28.7 millions of which 20milllions are Saudi nationals and 8million foreigners. In 1930s, Oil was discovered on the Arabian peninsula which made Saudi Arabia the world’s second largest oil producer and largest exporter. The kingdom control the world’s second largest hydrocarbon reserves. The economic future of the kingdom was almost instantly secured with the discovery of oil and signing in 1933 of Saudi Arabia’s first oil concessions. Some years later, the Arabian American oil company [ARAMCO] discovered commercial quantities of oil near Riyadh and in the area around Dammam in the east. The country is being backed by fossil fuels that makes the kingdom to be categorized as high income economy with a high human development index, Saudi Arabia remains the only Arab

Country to be part of the G-20 major economies. The discovery of oil create forum for Saudi Arabia to become a modernized entity, it create development of stronger industries in other areas such as Agriculture. Up to date, Saudi Arabia produces its own diary products and most of its own vegetables. President Roosevelt established the kingdom’s political importance by stating grandly that the kingdom was Vital for defense of the USA in 1943. Upon Ibn Saud’s death in 1943, his profligate son Saud became the king. Saud engaged himself to the ARAB in the street by supporting Egypt in the Suez crisis of 1956 but with the kingdom’s finances in deep trouble, Saud abdicated in 1964. Saud brother, Faisal proved more willing to provide the citizens with a stake in the economic benefits of oil in the Country, he introduced a fresh free health service for Saudis and began the building boom that has transformed Saudi Arabia from an impoverished desert kingdom into a nation of modern infrastructure. Saudi Arabia imposed an embargo on the USA in 1974 following the unconditional support of USA to Israel, this move quadrupled world oil prices that drew support from across the region and reminded the world of Saudi Arabia’s importance in a world economy dependent on oil. King Faisal was assassinated in 1975 by his nephew and the throne was passed to Faisal’s brother Khaled. Khaled is known for his piety, frugal lifestyle and closeness to his subjects and his people, the real power behind the throne was another of Faisal’s brothers, Fahd. However, Saudi Arabia remains a very peaceful kingdom

due to the restrictions and security level highly enforced in the state. The crime level is lower than that of many cities in the world, all visitors require a sponsor usually arranged months before the visit, Visas are only issued for relatives of Saudis, Muslim pilgrims and those coming for businesses. There is no room for general tourism, women and children are not allowed to travel to in and out of the country if they don’t posses permission from the male head of their household. The U.S. state department warns travelers on elevated risks of attacks on westerners and attacks on maritime vessels in certain areas of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has the least diversified economy in the Cooperation council for the States of the Gulf [GCC]. It is ruled by an authoritarian regime and ranked ‘not free’ by freedom house. Saudi Arabia has the fourth highest military expenditure in the world and the second world largest arm importers. The country is considered a regional and middle power, Saudi Arabia is also a member of organization of Islamic cooperation and OPEC. Hajj and Umrah paves way for foreigners to move and has access to Mecca, Medina and Jeddah within a limited given period of time. However there is restriction of non-Muslims to enter the holy lands. During the period of hajj pilgrims, the visitors from another countries and foreign citizens already living Saudi Arabia must obtain a permit with arrangements for transport and accommodation with government approved agent. Visitors passports are confiscated upon arrival and they are issued identity card and wristbands as there means of identification. People of Saudi Arabia maintains their tradition of the past, they are descended from tribes of nomadic sheep and goat herders. The kingdom forbid the eating of pork and drinking of alcohol because the culture as well as the law of the land is founded on Islamic principles including dietary restrictions. Some of their traditional foods eaten in the past and that still exist till today include fatir; also known as flat bread, arikah , hawayij; spice blend, kapsa[chicken and rice], kimaje; made from dry yeast, water, sugar, salt and all purpose flour. Others include Laban drink; it is a popular yoghurt drink made with plain yoghurt, ice cubes and ice water. Though there are foreign foods made in fast foods chains but they are mainly for foreigners.

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Escape

Friday, August 21, 2015

beyond religion Saudi ArabiA, known as a Muslim nation, The national holidays include Ramadan which is the month of fasting from sunup to sundown, Eid-al-fidtri [the feast of the end of Ramadan] and eidal adha which is the feast of sacrifice representing the story of God reenacting the story of God giving Ibrahim a ram to sacrifice instead of his son Ishmael. EidAl-Adha occurs at the end of the month of pilgrimage, it preaches and fulfills the requirement to give to the poor and aid to give to the poor, by having a lamb spiritually slaughtered and donating the meat to those in need. Saudi Arabia holiday meals include thick soups, stuffed vegetables, tabbouleh also called bean salads, hummus, rice and the flat bread that is eaten with all meals. Dates, raisins, and nuts are served as appetizers or snacks and sweet desert finish off the meal. When the meals are ready, Ornate rugs are laid out on the floor and the meals are placed on it while the feasters sit, cross legged on the floor around the meals and eat with their fingers sharing from the same dishes. Hands are ritually washed in accordance with Islamic law, before and after eating. Some of the occasionally dishes include Rice, Saudi rice and Tabbouleh [Bulgur Wheat Salad]. The Saudis in general receive general nutrition, the country’s agricultural system has been modernized and the government has made significant investment in irrigation. The farmers grow and raise almost enough crops and livestock to meet the needs of the population. Only the right hand is used for eating as the left hand is considered as unclean according to personal hygiene. there is ritual washing of hands after and before every meal. The hajj has made Mecca the major source of income for the Saudi Arabia government. An estimated 2.5 million Muslims began the annual hajj pilgrimage. The total number of tourists to Mecca and Medina , home to the prophet Mohammed is expected to rise from about 12million to almost 17million by 2025. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam,

Jamarat Bridge

It is an obligation on every able bodied Muslim who can afford to do it and a journey with rites that must be performed. The hajj has strong associations with the prophet Muhammed, its ritual stretch back thousands of years to the time of Ibrahim and symbolize his trials with God and Satan. The experience begins with millions of pilgrims orbiting the ka’bah, the black cubeat the heart of the Grand mosque in Mecca before shuttling between the hills of safa and marwah. Pilgrims travels from Mecca to Mina where they spend the night and then to mount Arafat for prayer and reflections. At sunset they leave for Muzdalifah where they collect 49pebbles in order to carry out the stoning of the devil ritual on their return to Mina throwing seven pebbles at vast pillars on three separate occasions, animals are sacrificed and pilgrims shave the hairs after the ritual. They then return to Mecca to perform another circuit of the Ka’bah going to Mina for three more rounds of pebble throwing. The country strength is strong and growing, religious tourism industry with some financial resources for infrastructure investments. Some of the latest efforts to improve the pilgrimage experience is at the al-Mashaaer al- Mugaddassah metro, which will carry people between Muzdalifah, Mina and Mount Arafat that are important locations for the pilgrimage rituals, it will transport about 72,000 passengers and go some way to reliving the interminable congestion and frayed nerves experienced every year. Some other notable tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia includes; Al- Masjid al Nabawi is the World holiest Mosque in the world, located in Medina. It is one of the most important symbols of the Islamic region of Saudi Arabia, Al-Masjid al Nabawi is built by the prophet himself and raised up to present stature by other Islamic rulers. Al-Ula is an ancient site that had once been the hub of trade and commerce. It is one of the most interesting tourist attrac-

tions in Saudi Arabia. Al-Ula is located between Al Madinah and Tabuk in the central region of Saudi Arabia. The jamarat bridge is a must see not only for the muslims but also others belonging to another religion as it holds a very significant place in among the places of tourist interest in Saudi Arabia. Jannat al-baqi is the burial ground named; Tree Garden of Heaven, The grave yard is of great historical significance to the Muslims as it contains the remains of many relatives, friends of the prophet Muhammed including his mother and grandfather. The place has has nearly seven thousand companions of prophet Muhammed and truly considered to be scaring. Tayma; The famous Tayma stones, inscribed in the Aramaic of two millenia or longer ago, are now in the Louvre, but thousands of other inscriptions of pre-Islamic Thamudic script have been found in the area and are stored in the city museum. Tayma is situatedin the northeastern part of the kingdom.it has been the a prosperous jewish settlement comprised of magnificent buildings and plenty of wells and other sources of water. Quba mosque; Quba mosque is the oldest mosque in the history of islam, it is the holiest of holies among the mosques in medina and it is been visited by muslims pilgrims every year during the Hajj period. Quba Mosque is the second largest and prestigious mosque in the city after the Prophet’s Mosque, but claims the first place owing to its importance in Islamic history having been built in the first year of the Islamic calendar. The Jawatha Mosque in Saudi Arabia was constructed in the 7th Century by a tribe known by the name of Bani Abdul Qais that inhabited the area in the early Islamic period. The jawatha mosque is situated in the Al Khilabiyah and you have to travel approximately a distance of 12 kilometers North east of Hofuf before you actually reach this place.

Madain Saleh

Al-ula

Burj Khalifa

Jannatul Baqi Graveyard

Medain Saleh Median saleh is one of the most significant Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions both in term of historical significance and beauty. It has served as a trade link between South Arabia and Petra and had once been the center of civilization. Medain Saleh in Saudi Arabia is an ancient city the place is dotted with the ruins of walls, towers and also houses.

Kingdom Centre

Friday, August 21, 2015

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Opposition against auto policy mounts Despite the modest gains the Federal government’s new automotive policy in the country seems to be garnering in recent time, opponents of the policy seems not giving up as they explore various means to frustrate it. How far can the antagonists of the auto go? Adejuwon Osunnuyi writes

bly plants in the country to create jobs for our people, but want to continue to import. ``They have been publishing all kinds of advertorials in the print media under fictitious names, and sponsoring false reports just to push through their agenda. ``in fact, they petitioned the presidency and the national assembly in june to say that the federal Government is losing revenue under the new policy. ``we have replied the petitions and made them to understand that these are the handiwork of people who want to keep feeding at the expense of the country,’’ jalal said. he emphasised that the country could no more afford massive importation of vehicles in the face of rising unemployment and devaluation of the naira. he advised those fighting the council and the policy to start exploring the numerous opportunities abound in the country for the development automotive industry. “The dealers and clearing agents are the two sets of people that are right now still against us. “They are afraid that if the importation of used cars is drastically reduced and the local assembly plants start massive production they will be out of job. “but we are telling them that they can still be dealers to the assembly plants, because there will be internal supply of vehicles and they are the ones to sell them. ``The clearing agents on their

‘

part are still the ones to clear the vehicle parts that are being imported, and i wonder why they are complaining,’’ he said. True to the words of jalal, expressing their displeasure to the auto policy, some stakeholders are insisting that despite the claim by government that the policy would generate employment if implemented, on the contrary it has started worsening the already bad condition of the middle class and common man. while some people submitted that the policy is detrimental to the economic situation of some critical economic stakeholders, others, especially the auto manufacturers believe it is the best policy to happen to nation’s economy in recent years. for ugochuckwu amadu, a graduate of marketing from lagos state university who decided early to engage himself in self employment rather than go for paid employment, as he is presently a clearing and forwarding agent said the new auto policy is like a death sentence. “i work from monday to saturday trying to earn a living. but this new policy seems to be taking away my business and my very source of livelihood” “The economy is nothing to write home about, so if government must discourage importation of vehicles, it should be a gradual process. They are talking about job creation, what about people like us who are clearing agents?” “i am a graduate. most of us doing this job are graduates.

They are afraid ThaT if The

imporTaTion of used cars is drasTically reduced and The local assembly planTs sTarT massive producTion They will be ouT of job

‘

ll seem not to be well with the implementation of the federal Government’s the new automotive policy as indications have emerged that those opposed to the policy have not given up. while the government of former president Goodluck jonathan had last year raised the import duty on cars, both old and new from 22 per cent to 70 per cent under the policy to discourage importation, some stakeholders had hope that new government of president mohammadu buhari would dislodge the policy. but since president buhari came to power in may, the nigerian custom service has been carrying out the implementation since there has not been any contrary pronouncement. speaking in an interview last week, the director-General of the national automotive design and development council (naddc), mr aminu jalal said those opposed to the new automotive policy in the country had not given up. jalal, who identified the antagonists as some vehicle dealers and seaport clearing agents said both groups were behind an ongoing campaign to derail the transformative auto policy in order to sustain their brisk business of massive vehicle importation. according to him, they petitioned the national assembly and the presidency in june alleging that some automobile companies were exploiting loopholes in the policy to defraud the federal Government. Their ultimate objectives, he stated, was to poison the mind of policy makers against the policy so that it can be discontinued. ``what these people are aiming to achieve is a reversal of the policy, which is gradually bearing fruits in the area of discouraging vehicle importation and promoting local production. ``These are the same people who have refused to set up assem-

Jalal

what happens to us? look at the sea of heads here, what happens to them when they lose their jobs? amadi decried the 70 per cent tariff on imported cars as the highest in the whole of africa. festus udemba who sells cars at the popular berger auto market said the customs and other regulatory bodies lack the capacity to implement the policy as at the end of the day, government would have only succeeded in throwing them out of business, while creating “a channel for criminals to feed fat on.” biodun adebayo said with the policy, many nigerians would not be able to afford to buy brand new cars. while describing the policy as ill thought-out, adebayo averred that presently, most nigerians cannot even afford buying new cars let alone when importation is highly taxed or prohibited. but the local auto manufacturers who are the direct beneficiaries of the policy are applauding the government for its timely intervention in the auto sector of the economy. arthur madueke, executive director of nigeria automotive manufacturer association (nama), said those who are kicking against the new policy

should realise that the common man will ultimately suffer. he accused the dealers, the major opposition to the policy as feeding fat on the ignorance of nigerians, saying they (the dealers) have nothing to lose. madueke explained that the fear of having a shortfall in supply is unfounded, as the local manufacturers will be given concession to import the shortfall to meet local demand. “presently some factories are not producing at optimum capacity before the policy came into place. The policy provides that you produce what you can locally and double what you produce. This measure will have the impact of meeting local demand. as capacity utilisation increases, he said the shortfall being imported by the plants would decrease. madueke explained that those who may not have ready cash for down payment to purchase cars, have been given the opportunity of obtaining loans from banks, questioning the rationale behind buying used cars when one can buy new ones at affordable prices. it would be recalled that the nigerian shippers’ council (nsc) and other stakeholders had unanimously warned of dire consequences that may arise from a hasty implementation of the auto policy. nsc warned that the implementation of the automotive policy introduced by the jonathan administration in 2013 has the potential of wrecking the operation of roll-on-roll-off (roro) terminals in the country. They also expressed fears over the implementation of the automotive policy introduced by the jonathan administration in 2013, even as they warned of the dire consequencies of going ahead with it. The nsc said the implementation of the policy has the potential of wrecking the operation of roll-on-roll-off (roro) terminals in the country. The stakeholders variously faulted the policy at a town hall meeting organised by ships and ports communication company to discuss implementation of the contentious policy. specifically, the nsc deputy director and head, public affairs, mr. ignatius nweke stated that there was need to exercise caution in the implementation of the policy. his words: “a word of caution and advice to nac (national automotive council) because when you have a policy that is coming in and there are other policies that have been in existence, one needs to tread with caution.

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Friday, August 21, 2015

LAGBUS accidents drop by 50% in 18 months

he management of LAGBUS Asset Management Limited has said the monthly average number of accidents involving the company’s buses has reduced by about 50 per cent in the last 18 months. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Babatunde Disu, said this while speaking with journalists during a sixweek training organised for 1,000 bus drivers in Lagos. Disu, who stressed that the speed limit of the LAGBUS had been pegged at 80km/hr on expressways, said the management of the company had put in place mechanisms to check the excesses of its drivers. Speaking on the purpose of the training, Disu said, “We want to improve on safety and service delivery and the bus captains so that they can improve on the job performance and lifestyle. They will be given medical checkup as well.

Disu

He said, “The speed limit is 80km/hr on expressways while for inner roads, the speed limit is between 40 and 60km/hr. We also have zero tolerance for accidents. This is how we have reduced the accident rate. In the last 18 months, accidents have reduced by 50 per cent despite having an increase in the number of buses on the roads by way of our franchise. “We are continuously trying to work on the accident rate. We sanction drivers when they

break traffic rules and we get complaints from the public and some of our members of staff that witness our captains drive rough.” On the nature of the medical tests that the drivers would undertake, the LAGBUS boss said, “We don’t do psychiatric test but we do alcohol and drug tests once in a while. We also have our people monitoring the conduct of our bus captains everywhere.” The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu, said the training was meant to keep the drivers going and ensure that they were at their best when on duty. Whenu said there were plans to replace the dilapidated buses on its fleet as efforts are on to improve the activities of the Bus Rapid Scheme in the light of its declining capacity He said, “On the condition of the buses, we are ensuring that the buses are replaced periodically. But sometimes, the condition of the road and weather also affect the buses.”

Mercedes-Benz expands SUV line-up in Nigeria with GLA

ustomers of MercedesBenz sport utility vehicle, SUV in Nigeria have been given a wider option of choice as the German company’s representatives in the country, Weststar Associates, adds yet another models to its lineup in this segment. The new addition to the Mercedes-Benz family, the GLA, is a compact sport utility vehicle with fascinating design, and array of luxury features to benchmark its class. Available in two variants, GLA 180 with 1.6 litre four cylinder engine which delivers 80 kw of power and 260 Nm of torque as well as the GLA 45 AMG with a top speed of 250km/h, which can accelerates from 0 to 100 km in 4.8 seconds the Mercedes-Benz GLA is equipped with a 7G-DCT which is very fuel efficient due to Mercedes-Benz Blue Efficient technology. The GLA is also fitted standard with ECO start/stop function which temporarily shuts down the engine when the vehicle is stationary, making it one of the most economical cars in its class in terms of fuel consumption. A potential class leader, the new GLA is optionally available with new generation 4MATIC All wheel drive, featuring fully variable torque distribution. This allwheel drive system excels with high traction reverse and agil-

ity, combined with driving safety and energy efficiency. The components of the new 4MATIC include the power takeoff to the rear axle which is integrated into the 7G-DCT automated dual clutch transmission, and the rear axle gear unit with integrated, hydraulically actuated multi-disc clutch. Mercedes-Benz equipped the model with 4MATIC with downhill speed Regulation (DSR) and an off-road transmission mode as standard. DSR is activated by a control button in the centre console and assisted the driver on descending downhill stretches by maintaining a slow manually selected vehicle speed with the physical limit when negotiating downhill gradients. This is done with the help of the engine and transmission control systems and by specific braking intervention. The GLA is a quiet car in every sense and yet powerful. A number of measures have also been taken to reduce wind noise in the GLA. These include a multi-level door sealing concept,

additional sealing of the joint between the tailgate and the roof and side seals on the tailgate. Particularly rigid window frames prevent the airflow from pulling on the doors at higher speeds, and reduce vibrations. External noise has also been minimised by the low A-pillar step mentioned above and by exterior mirrors connected to the body by a stem. The interior has a particularly high feel of quality that is achieved by the contours, and the choice and combinations of highgrade materials. The dashboard consists of an upper and lower section, allowing surface structures that are different in look and feel. Matt and glossy 3D geometries (graining) create an attractive light effect. The three-dimensional trim section of innovative membrane, aluminium, modern touch to the interior. The Matt satin finish of the wood trim further underscores the modern character and makes the surfaces particularly pleasant to the touch.

megacrown1@yahoo.com 08025237926

Firm unveils Mahindra two-wheelers

IP Merchandise Enterprises Ltd, representatives of Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd in Nigeria, has launched the Mahindra range of motorcycles in the Nigeria. The launch was attended by Mahindra officials from India, captains of industries, the Indian High Commission and some traditional rulers. Speaking at the occasion, Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd Head of Exports, Mr. Sandeep Kumar Singh, noted that the Mahindra Two Wheelers were made for Nigeria and African. “They were carefully designed to meet the customers’ needs as far as two wheelers are concerned,” he said. According to Mr. Singh, the Mahindra Two Wheelers are very strong, durable, reliable, easy to maintain with afford-

able and available spare parts. Compared to other motorcycles in the market, he said, there are 17 additional features in the new motorbike. For now, he said the Mahindra two-wheelers, Arro, which comes in different variant, is being introduced while the other models from the company will be joining later. Some of the unique features of the Mahindra Arro motorbike include the 110cc Mci 5 advanced engine, double cradle chassis as against one by other makers; big round headlamp, longer comfortable seat and bigger wheels. Other include, strong high capacity rear suspension, bigger fuel tank with petrol tank pad, stylish LED tail lamp, and twinpod modern speedometer console.

Automedics Autofest debuts, partners Lagos Television

new opportunity for automobile manufacturers and franchise holders to display their strength and capabilities in the Nigeria automobile industry has resurfaced with the introduction of a new automotive exhibition platform tagged ‘Automedics Autofest’. Initiated by Automedics Limited in partnership with Lagos Television, Ikeja, the Automedics Autofest scheduled to hold between September 28 and October 4, 2015 at the premises of the Lagos Television, is expected to serve as meeting platform for auto lovers/freaks, buyers and sellers to transact mutually beneficial business, interact and exchange ideas on their desired vehicle models, needed genuine parts, accessories and favorite lubricants. Speaking during a press conference in Lagos, Kunle Shonaike, MD/CEO Automedics Limited noted that the Automedics Autofest, which

Shonaike

is an annual show, would provide ample opportunity for exhibitors to launch new models into the market, reinforce the existing ones in the minds of teeming auto users and positively project their brand image in the highly competitive market. Shonaike said automobile companies, especially the manufacturers and over 30 franchise holders of several brands in the country have been yarning for a new auto show they can leverage to promote their brand values, express their brand promise and generate new database of prospects, sales and ultimately profit for their organization, which this fair promises to provide. According to the Automedics boss, “this is the first time such an exhibition is happening on the mainland in Lagos state, and the uniqueness lies in its proximity to the seat of power, the Central Business District, Alausa’ which houses the Lagos State Government secretariat. “In addition, the show will be taking place close to the biggest shopping mall in Lagos, the ‘Lagos City Mall’, with major brands such as Shoprite, Mr. Price, Games and many other international luxury brands. The over 50,000 human traffic visiting the mall daily and array of businessmen thronging the Governor’s Office for patronage are easy targets for exhibitors during the 7-day show.

Cocktail

Friday, August 21, 2015

Bear takes a swim in the pool, soaks in the hot tub

bear beating the heat in a British Columbia family’s swimming pool made sure to take time for a relaxing soak in the hot tub. Tony Diering of North Vancouver captured video Monday of the bear taking a break from the region’s nearrecord heat wave to cool off in his backyard swimming pool.

“It’s just amazing,” Diering told CTV News. “You see funny things on YouTube, but to have it happening in your own back yard...” Diering’s video shows the bear take a break from swimming to soak in the pool’s attached hot tub. He said the bear got into his yard by knocking down part of a wooden fence.

Oddities Oddities

‘Intoxicated man tried to dig up dad to send him to heaven’

uthorities in Kentucky said they arrested a man accused of drunkenly trying to dig up his father’s grave to help the nearly-40-yeardead man get to heaven. Michael May, 44, whose father, Odell, died in 1978, was arrested Monday night on charges of violating a grave, possession of marijuana, and public intoxica-

tion. May, who had allegedly been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana Monday evening, was discovered digging up a plot at the Pilot Baptist Church in rural Lincoln County by a constable whose suspicions were piqued when he saw May’s car. “I went back and hollered for him to step back in the

the elephant turned around and went like a tame lamb with him,” witness Alice de Groot told news website AD.nl. Circus Freiwald spokesman Gerard Guiking said the circus does not keep the 40-year-old elephant contained by a fence. “She’s never fixed and bears no collar. We cannot stop her,” he said. “She loves children and super sweet. She really is like a dog who goes sometimes to walk.”

May

Escaped circus elephant wanders through Dutch flea market

n escaped circus elephant was caught on camera taking a leisurely stroll through a Dutch flea market while stunned shoppers and vendors looked on and snapped photos. Wouter Louwerens, who posted his footage to YouTube, said he was attending the flea market in Noordwijkerhout with his girlfriend Sunday when an elephant wandered into the area and started walking up and down the aisles of the mar-

ket. “It was beautiful to see how she as well as the public stayed quite calm,” Louwerens wrote in the video’s description. Louwerens said the elephant was only at the market for a short time before her handler arrived and explained the pachyderm, a female named Buba, had wandered away from Circus Freiwald, which was stopped nearby. “[When her handler arrived] he called Buba, and

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light and he told me to step back to the dark. That’s when I went and got my flashlight. He started hollering out [Bible] verses at me,” Constable Delbert Mitchell told WLEX-TV. “He told me he was trying to dig his dad up, so his dad could go to heaven.” May told police he does not believe he was doing anything wrong by trying to

dig up his father’s grave. “I see the truth.. he needs to be on the ground. Not under it,” May said. Police asked May if he planned to make a second attempt to exhume his father’s remains. “It’s a possibility. If the truth doesn’t come out and nobody sees the truth, yeah I’ll do it again,” he said.

Friday, August 21, 2015

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Business Maritime

Dikko Abdullahi: Customs administration reform, results and lessons Tola akinmuTimi

rior to his appointment in August 2009, the just retired Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi, had served for over two decades in the Service during which he, according to his colleagues and some operators in the maritime industry, exhibited high sense of responsibility in the discharge of his assignments. On assumption of office, Abdullahi set what observers saw as an ambitious six-point agenda, to guide his plans and programmes of actions targeted at improving the capacity of the Service to play its roles in national development in line with global best practices. Specifically, he listed the key component of his transformation agenda for the Service to include, Capacity Building of Officers and Men; ICT- Maximization of the potential of e-customs; Moral Rebirth for Integrity Enhanced Welfare for Officers and Men; Collaboration with Stakeholders; and Coordinated Public Relations activities to foster mutual understanding. Last Monday, the Comptroller General voluntarily retired from service after six years in the saddle of the NCS, leaving behind a more technically competent workforce and a stronger, better Service than he met it based on available statistics on his performance A cursory appraisal of Abdullahi’s initiatives and the results until he bowed out last week indicated that he did a lot in key areas of human capital development, acquisition of operational assets, particularly Information and Communications Technology, ICT; and improvement of welfare of officers and men of the Service. Analysts and operators in the importexport trade monitoring and evaluation sector agree that the CG did so much to maximise the potential of the service through capacity building programmes as well as in inculcating a sense of discipline and integrity in his men and officers during his stint as the Service’s helmsman. Other areas Abdullahi’s scorecard could be described as good include, total commitment to improved productivity in the Service, deployment of modern technologies and solutions to drive the e-customs administration through the ASYCUDA for international best practices, and creating a better image for the agency through sundry public awareness campaigns on what the Service is doing. In the area of improving the welfare of the officers and motivating them to remain totally committed to the trans-

Dikko , former CG Customs

formation of the Service, Abdullahi purchased 120 units 3- bedroom detached duplexes housing estate and also initiated the construction of residential housing estate for comptroller general and members of the management team, and constructed first class hospital at Karu, in the Federal Capital Territory, amongst other measures. In addition, he also recruited about 10,144 youths from 2009 till date to boost workforce of the service during his tenure. Other strategic measures adopted by the Abdullahi-led team to combat the menace of smugglers and insurgency in some parts of the country include, the purchase of 400 units of Toyota Hilux vans for broader patrol operations, 3,800 AK 47 assault rifles with ammunition for anti-smuggling operations, training of 200 special anti- terrorisms squad by South African experts to empower them to cope with the insecurity challenges in the North Eastern part of the country. Far more important is the contributions of the Service to revenue generation into the Federation Account, its most important mandate. Analysts believe that the Customs boss was fortunate in terms of revenue available to carry on his reforms, particularly based on the revenue implications of the approved seven per cent cost of collection for Service as well as other benefits associated with the 2010 Port reforms that raised Nigeria’s cargo thorough put substantially during his tenure.

Far more important is the contributions oF the service to revenue generation into the Federation

account, its most important mandate

Available statistics showed that in 2011, the agency had generated a total of N602 billion into the Federation Account as at the end of October 2011, about N6 billion higher than the N509 billion revenue target set for it in the fiscal year. Encouraged by the efficacy of the system he had put in place to boost government revenue, Abdullahi at a forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, assured the government that the agency would surpass the N800 billion target set for it in the 2012 budget by about N400 billion, thereby raising the collectible revenues to N1.2 trillion in the fiscal year. He assured Nigerians that he would work hard to ensure that an additional N400 billion is added to the target given to the Customs Service, adding that “usually when I am given target, I do my best

to surpass the target. Let me assure Nigerians that I will surpass the target this year by N400 billion,” Although the target was not met, the Abdullahi-led men and officers were able to rake in N850.9 billion in 2012, about N248.9 billion higher than the 2011 collections. In 2013, the collections dropped to N833.4 billion while in last year, its total collected revenue stood at N977.09 billion. In the four-year period from 2011 to 2014, the total revenue generated by the Service stood at N3.048 trillion. The Comptroller-General attributed the improvements in the Service’s revenue collections in the years, despite the abuses in fiscal policy regime, to the stringent measures, including the creation of a System-Audit Unit in headquarters to monitor duty payment in all Ports, the automation of the entire Customs Clearance Procedure, automation of Excise payment procedures and the improved quality of Customs Workforce that is better-trained and motivated, as responsible for the improvements. By training, deploying and monitoring of his officers coordinating the workings of “single window network “, the Nigerian trade hub and PAAR Applications, statistics on the agency’s revenue collections were better when compared what accrued to the Federation Account in the past. By handling classifications, valuation, and inspection, the Abdullahi-led team was able to save for the government the initial 1% CISS paid to the erstwhile service providers, an amount which totalled N253.9 billion from 2004 -2012. For instance, from 1st January to 31st July 2014, 163,047 PAARs had been issued with a total value of N4.35 trillion and with a CISS saved value of N221.18 billion But then, Abdullahi did not score excellently in his battle to completely eliminate corrupt officers and men from the Service. Today, it may be difficult for him to convince Nigerians that some of his officers are less corrupt than they were before his assumption of office. This is notwithstanding his rigorous monitoring of activities of his officers which, many of them termed, high-handedness. Overall, one thing nobody may be able to take away from him is his passion for reform which today has substantially improved the capacity of the NCS to deliver on its mandate at all fronts. To many analysts, the retired Customs administration expert had done well in transforming substantial part of customs administration and bequeathed a legacy of efficiency of operations which, if consolidated upon by his successor, would make the NCS one of the most efficient revenue collection and import-export trade monitoring agencies globally in the years ahead.

Business Maritime

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Nigeria loses trans-shipment cargo to inefficient ports, high cost’ STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

trong indications emerged that many land locked African countries have dumped Nigeria’s seaports due to the twin problem of inefficiency and excessive port charges occasioned by the absence of an economic regulator. Available records show that before the port reform programme, which stripped the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA of its cargo handling functions and gave same to the private terminal operators, land-locked neighbours such as Republic of Niger and Chad used to ship their imports and exports to and from Asia, Europe and America through Nigeria’s seaports for onward transshipment through the land borders. Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, who spoke in Lagos, noted that Nigeria by her strategic position in Africa ought to be a transshipment hub for imports and export goods for neighbouring countries. According to him, before the reforms, which heralded the coming on stream of the private concessionaires, who took over cargo handling operations from NPA, Nigerian seaports handled all the transshipment import and export goods meant for neighbouring land locked coun-

Commander, Maritime Guard Command of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Captain Muddassiru Kabiru and Ag. Director General of the agency, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro during the promotion and shipping of stripes of surgeon Lieutenant Commander Ahmed Achaka, which took place at the head quarters of the agency recently. tries, which boosted the cargo throughput. He however regretted that the country has lost these consignments due to a combination of inefficiency, high operational cost and sundry challenges occasioned by the absence of an economic regulator for the concessioned port industry. “You media men have not asked what happened to the nation’s transshipment goods, as the owners of these goods now prefer ports of Republic of Benin and Togo to ship them”, he said. The NSC-boss however as-

sured that as the apex technical regulatory agency for the ports, the council was working towards a regime of user-friendly port tariffs system so that all lost

NIMASA restates commitment to partnership with Nigerian Navy T he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has said that it is more than ever committed to the

MOL settles on price fixing in US

apanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has agreed to settle in a class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by individual consumers and auto, truck and equipment dealerships against more than a dozen international companies accused of artificially driving up shipping costs. This marks the second significant settlement in the Vehicle Carrier Services Antitrust Litigation following an agreement reached last month with another Japanese shipping giant, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line). While the financial terms of both settlements remain confidential, they are expected to become public in documents

seeking court approval. “This is an important day for American consumers,” says Dallas attorney Warren T. Burns of Burns Charest LLP, who servers as interim colead counsel for the end-payor plaintiffs. “This is the second major settlement in a month, demonstrating the strength of our clients’ claims. This should send a strong signal to the remaining defendants that it is time to resolve this case.” Last month, the defendants asked U. S. District Judge Esther Salas of Newark to dismiss the lawsuit by arguing that the 1984 Shipping Act preempts state antitrust laws that protect indirect purchasers against price-fixing. Burns argued on behalf of all indirect

throughput would return and thus engender Nigeria’s emergence of a hub seaport in the region. Chairman of Seaport Ter-

minal Operators Association of Nigeria STOAN, umbrella body for the 25 concessionaires, Mrs. Vicky Hastruup, had in a recent interview in Lagos, ruled out the possibility of resuscitating the scheme, saying that the terms and conditions under which NPA carried out the contract are unfavourable and unprofitable to the terminal operators. According to her, the price which NPA charged them for the handling of the consignments was ridiculously low and so the private terminal operators will not do it at that rate and still remain in business, given the huge over head cost associated with terminal operation in Nigeria. “NPA did that as a government agency and was probably playing the normal “big brother” to neighbouring African countries but we are private people, we cannot do that father Charismas for anybody. If the land –locked countries are ready to pay the normal rates in cargo handling, we will be very willing to do business with them”, she said emphatically

purchasers that state antitrust laws complement the Shipping Act, and that Congress did not intend to bar such state claims. “We expect that the court will make a decision very soon,” says Burns. “We are confident that the court will work through the issues carefully and deny the defendants’ motions.” Additional defendants, among others, include Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) of Japan and Chileanbased Compania Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV), both of which previously pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy that is still being investigated by the federal government.

partnership with the Nigerian Navy as part of measures ensure maritime security within the nation’s territorial waters. The agency currently has subsisting Memorandum of Understanding MoU with the Nigerian Navy and the Air Force, which formed the Maritime Guard Command MGC for the manning of its platforms used for the patrol of Nigeria’s maritime domain. Acting Director General of the agency, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, who spoke during the promotion and shipping of stripes of Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Ahmed Achaka, an officer of the Nigerian Navy posted to the MGC, described the partnership between the agency and the Navy as beneficial to the growth and development of the maritime industry in particular and the nation at large. According to him, the MoU with the Navy which, brought about the formation of the MGC has boost security and surveillance activities on the nation’s territorial waterways. “NIMASA is committed

to ensuring that Nigeria becomes a safe haven for business activities to thrive, thereby achieving the maritime hub status in the West and Central African sub-resgion”, he said. While describing the newly promoted officer as a disciplined, modest and hard working officer, Mr. Jauro advised him not to relent in his commitment to duties and service to the nation. Lt. Cdr. Ahmed Achaka is a Medical Doctor by profession and has a Masters Degree in Orthopedic Surgery from the Second Military Medical University in Shanghai China. He was commissioned in 2007 as a member of Direct Short Service Commission DSSC course 17 as a Sub Lieutenant and has attended several military training in and outside the country. He is currently serving as the medical officer at the Search and Rescue clinic of the agency located at Kirikiri, Apapa Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, August 21, 2015

We stand by our report on NDCC’s unaccounted fund –OAGF T

he Office of the Auditor General for the Federation, said it stood by the audit report submitted to the National Assembly in which Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, was indicted for not accounting for about N183.7bn In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Office explained that it took the NDDC a period of about 16 months to grant the Office the permission to undertake the periodic checks which lasted between December 9, 2011 and May, 6 2013. It further stated that it took another 16 months and several reminders to the NDDC with effect from the 24th of April, 2014 to 12th August, 2015, before the final report was submitted to the National Assembly.

The Office clarified: “The attention of the Management of the Office of the AuditorGeneral for the Federation has been drawn to the claims by the Niger Delta Development Commission denying and casting aspersions on the Special Periodic Checks recently submitted to the National Assembly. “Ordinarily, the Management of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation would not have considered it worthy to join issues with the former. “Nevertheless, the Office make bold its statement public, based on the negative sentiments occasioned by the NDDC’s condemnation of the Special Periodic Checks in various media calculated to demean the efficacy of the Constitutional mandate carried out by the

Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation”, it added According to the Office, it took the Commission 16 months to grant the Office permission to commence the periodic checks beginning from 9thDecember, 2011 to 6th May, 2013 while it also took another 16 months and several reminders to the NDDC before the final

report was submitted to the National Assembly. It also stated that it may interest the reading public to know that at the time making this clarification, the Commission was yet to respond to the Special Periodic Checks, adding that it has a constitutional mandate to submit its Reports to the National Assembly and

in doing so, due process are usually followed. The Office therefore advised that any person or corporate organization that was not satisfied with the contents of the Special Report to defend itself before the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.

isaiah erhiawarien

penetration on its network by 42 percent, yet only 32 percent of the Nigerians have access to the Internet. The company said that currently, 68 per cent of the population has no access to the Internet, an indication that the potentials of the internet is not yet fully utilise in the country. Managing Director of MTN Nigeria, Mr Michael Ikpoki, who disclosed it during an interactive session with journalist in Lagos, said that MTN Nigeria is propelled by the vision to connect more Nigerians because of the economic impact of the internet on the life of people. According to him, the present state of internet access by Nigerians is responsible for the several packages that the company has introduced into the market using the smartphone technology. He explained: “In our network we have seen an increase of 42 percent smartphone penetration but in Nigeria we have 68 percent of the population who yet to have access to the internet”, he said saying that, “That tells us that there is a significant mark of opportunity that out there.” Ikpoki said that Nigeria re-

mained a country of great potential when issues of technology are discussed noting that entrepreneurship, innovation, drives and excitement are the key elements of the sector. Describing the present trend of technology growth in the country as interesting time, he called for the empowerment of more Nigerians to be connected to the Internet for them to work and play much more effectively than before. According to him, its recent partnership with Google, Infinix and Jumia to provide Nigerians with one gigabytes data at the cost of N500 for 12 months was one such initiative of getting more Nigerians on the internet through the smartphones. He explained that in addition the company was aggressively committed to rolling out effective network across the country stressing that “we have an extensive and quite significant data centre across Nigeria and we made bold to say that we are the biggest player in Nigeria and in Africa.” Ikpoki said that his company shared the same passion of innovation with global brands, noting that there is the need to join hands with such brands to enable Nigerians develop local content that are relevant to the market. He disclosed that the reality of the market is presently that of a mobile market saying that as the industry progress, the market will continue to go the mobile way, and as such MTN Nigeria is working to make the internet more accessible to Nigerians at affordable cost. Ikpoki said that his company worried that despite the huge potentials of the internet in economy development a usage of the internet is still very low compared to the population. He said that gave rise to the introduction of free download of market economy driven applications in the BetterMe campaign that it launched early in the year.

Only 32% Nigerians access Internet via smartphones - Telco

obile Telephone Network, MTN, Nigeria said that although it had been able to increase smartphone

L-R, Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Waheed Olagunju,, Gombe State Deputy Governor, Mr Charles Ilya, Gombe State Head of Service, Alh Usman Ahmed and MD/Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, during official commissioning of Gombe State BoI Zonal Office, in Gombe yesterday.

American firms target 50m jobs in Nigeria’s agric sector Olusegun KOiKi

lans are underway by two American-based companies to set up agro-cells jobs in Nigeria very soon. The organisations, a nongovernmental agency, First ForsterCare Foundation and Sotace Global Technologies and Energy Resources, LLC are partnering to create jobs opportunities to about 50 million teeming Nigerian youths in agriculture when fully operational. Leaders of both organisations, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Sotace Global Technolo-

gies, Mr. Okey Okafor and Vice President of First Fostercare Foundation, Angela Moneke revealed that their plan was to meet or exceed the goals for the Community Social Development Project, which was the Nigerian government’s strategy for poverty reduction. Okafor explained that an Agro-Cell was a node in the company’s overall Agro-Cell Network concept, adding that each Agro-Cell was a planned, developed and engineered community based on principles of applied sustainability. He pointed out that the Agro-Cell was fixed-sized development and that each Agro-Cell will be

designed and equipped for 5,000 people including adults and children.” Also the VP of First ForsterCare Foundation, Angela Moneke told the media that said that “the reason for this is so the assets and services can be designed accordingly. Of the 5,000, about 10 per cent, or 500, will be the professional, technical and skilled service and care providers that will train, manage the other residents. “In addition to housing and jobs, each Agro-Cell will be a fully-equipped town that contains all of the social resources, assets and livelihoods needed to make vulnerable groups

and individuals loved and secure. Our FFCF goal is to make each Agro-Cell a place that can be called ‘my home’ or ‘my village.” Both organisations said that Nigeria was the world’s largest producer of cassava, but Malaysia was the largest exporter, assuring that with their visions, such would change. The two partnering companies also enumerated other key cash crops they would export out of the country to other States as yams, groundnuts, cashews, cocoa, coffee, natural rubber, oil palm and palm kernel among others.

Business News

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Director, CFAN seek creation of Cooperative Devt Fund

he Federal Director of Cooperatives, Dr. Dickson Okolo, has advocated the need to establish the National Cooperative Development Fund in line with the recommendations of the National Cooperative Development Policy (2002 ) to guarantee access to finance by the Cooperative Societies for their members. Okolo made this known in Asaba, Delta state, while delivering a lecture on the topic

“Enhancing greater access to finance for Cooperatives through the establishment of a National Cooperative Development Fund” during the 1st CFAN Summit organized by the National Cooperative Financing Agency (CFAN). A communique signed jointly by the President (CFAN), Adebola Orolugbagbe and Executive Secretary (CFAN), Emmanuel Atama at the end of the Summit also recommended “an urgent

need to strengthen and upgrade the Federal Department of Cooperatives to a Commission or an agency with authority and budget to enable her properly supervise and regulate the Cooperative movement in Nigeria”. “The summit equally prefers that the recommended Cooperative Development agency/commission should be situated in either the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Devel-

opment or the Presidency”, the Communique stated. It noted that “some States in Nigeria like Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa states have implemented this and advised the Federal Government and other States of the Federation to take a cue from the aforementioned states”. With respect to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Summit recommended that “the Central Bank of Nigeria should as a matter of urgency include the Federal Department of Cooperatives (FDC) and the relevant apex financial cooperative body, CFAN, on the steering committee of the MSMEDF to ensure that the apex Bank is properly guided on decisions affecting the Cooperative movement as far as the said fund is concerned as against what presently exists”. Furthermore, the Communique recommended “need for urgent review of the existing

guidelines on the MSMEDF which shall take into account the peculiar nature of the cooperative structure and model to make it more cooperative friendly”. It was also resolved that the Rural Finance Building Programme (RUFIN) should directly interface with the National Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) as the apex Financial Cooperative body in Nigeria in the execution of its programmes on rural finance building for cooperatives. Earlier, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry for Delta State, Barrister (Mrs) Mary Iyasere, speaking on the theme “Wealth Creation; Tackling poverty in Nigeria using the cooperative model” assured that the State is putting everything in place to ensure that cooperatives become the driver of rural development goals of the government.

Six millionaires, 640 other winners emerge in FCMB’s Promo L-R: Manager Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Idiareno Atimomo; Cliqfest Car Winner/400L Mass Comm, Bayero University, Kano, Atine Attah, and Specialist, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh, at Cliqfest event, Bayero University Campus, Kano, recently.

CBN to review Guide to Bank Charges

he Central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday said it had begun the process of reviewing the Guide to Bank Charges (GBC) in the country. To facilitate the process, the apex banking institution requested banks and other financial institutions operating in the country to provide it three main lists. In its letter with Ref No FPR/ DIR/GEN/RGBC/01/013 dated August 18 and signed by A. U. Ubot, on behalf of the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, the CBN specifically asked the banks and financial institutions to provide “a list of their existing products and services as at the end of 31March, 2013, which were not adequately covered in the extant Guide to Bank Charges. It advised the banks and the financial institution to include in the category above the products and services which the prescribed charges in the current GBC are not sufficient to cover costs incurred by them to provide the products and services. The letter requested further

from the banks and affected financial institutions, a list of new products and services introduced from 1st April, 2013 to date, their fees and charges and justification for such fees and charges. In addition, it also sought from

the affected institutions, a list of products and services planned for introduction in the short to medium term, that is period not exceeding three years, their proposed tariffs and justification for the proposed tariffs.

Galaxy Backbone lists benefits of e-governance IsaIah ErhIawarIEn

overnment owned ICT infrastructure and services company, Galaxy Backbone Limited, has commended the role of e-governance in the promotion of credibility and transparency in governance in the country. The Managing Director of the company, Yusuf Kazaure, observed this in Lagos while receiving the Outstanding Government Agency award of the Year at the Titans of Tech Awards organised by Technology Africa in Lagos. He said that the award lends strength and credibility to the national interest in transparency in

governance driven by information and communications technologies. The company’s Group Head, Corporate Services, Mr. Owoicho Igoji, described the award as an external validation for the values Galaxy Backbone strives to inculcate in Galaxy especially under the Galaxy 2.0 initiative. He said that Galaxy Backbone at an E-Government Summit in Abuja unveiled its national e-government strategy referred to as “Whole-of-Government Approach” which is based on the deployment of a shared technology platform for e-Government services using its 1-Gov.net platform.

…Bank extends Rewards Scheme to next January

t was excitement galore on Wednesday as another set of 646 customers of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited smiled home with various amounts of cash and other fantastic gifts at the grand finale draws of the bank’s Millionaire Promo. Following this development and the success recorded during the reward scheme, which commenced in February this year, the Bank announced an extension of the promo till January 2016. At the end of the electronic selection exercise, three lucky customers of the Bank were each rewarded with the star prize of N5 million, while three others won N1million each at the Regional draws held in Lagos, Uyo (Akwa Ibom state) and Abuja. A total of 640 other account holders went home with LED televisions, generating sets, decoders, tablets, smart phones and other consolation prizes at the Zonal draws held in different parts of the country. The winners emerged at the electronic selection exercise which took place across the 3 Regions and 25

zones of the Bank nationwide. At the Lagos/South-West Regional draw, Mr. Nkem Egwuonwu, won the star prize of N5million, while Mrs. Philomena Ewohimen, was rewarded with the sum of N1million. At the Abuja/North draw, Mr. Adamu Oseni received N5million for emerging as the star prize winner, just as Dorcas Terfa received N1million. In the same vein, the winner of N5million at the South-East/ South-South draw was Mr. Peters Emmanuel and Mr. Oke Owhubetine smiled home with N1million. In all, a total of 1,932 winners emerged during the FCMB Millionaire Promo through the three draws conducted in April, June and the grand finale in August. The Promo is targeted at all segments of the society and for existing as well as potential savings account customers of the Bank. The eligible products/ accounts for the promo include FCMB basic savings, kids account, Nairawise, e-savings, premium savings and third party accounts.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

American investors target Nigeria’s mining, agric sectors Olufemi AdeOsun, AbujA

he Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, (NIPC) has expressed the readiness of a group of firms from the United States of America to invest in the nation’s agricultural, mining, infrastructure and energy sectors. It said the investment commitment was part of the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the United States of America (USA). In order to facilitate the inflow of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), members of the Nigeria Investment Council, USA has sealed a deal with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). The Executive Secretary of the NIPC, Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan Baba at a meeting with

Business News

Friday, August 21, 2015

members of the Nigeria Investment Council USA, expressed the readiness of the Commission to provide adequate information and give hand-holding support to any investor willing to take the advantage of the nation’s verse natural resources for investment purposes. She commended the delegation for their efforts in promoting the abundant investment opportunities to the United States Investors, stressing that the Commission’s immediate preoccupation was to identify and meet targeted investors who are committed and desirous to invest in the country as well as promoting priority sector, especially the non-oil sectors. The NIPC boss noted that visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States of America had opened window of

opportunities to potential and prospective investors to ensure that their presence is felt in the country. Earlier the leader of the delegation, Dr. Chris Nwanoro stated that the Council had been engaging top American Companies and Chief Executives, especially those seeking expansion of their businesses to Africa to consider Nigeria as the most preferred investment destination, adding that “We have identified some investors who have now indicated interest to invest in Nigeria. He expressed their organisations’ readiness to partner with the Commission to ensure that massive investments are attracted from the United States to Nigeria, maintaining that President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the US had opened such opportunities.

Kano govt constitutes innovation platform for Tomato Value Chain AbdulGAfAR OlAdimeji,

ano Kano State Government has launched a campaign to curb the waste of enormous tonnes of tomato being produced in the state and to encourage investment in its production, processing, marketing and export. Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Kano inaugurated a 12-man Innovation Platform on Tomato Value Chain Development to achieve the motive. While inaugurating the committee, the Governor said that Kano had one of the most advanced large-scale irrigation projects, is the hub of tomato production in Nigeria, which ranks as the second highest producer of tomatoes in Africa and 13th in the world (FAO 2011). According to him, despite the huge potential in tomato harvesting, being one of the world’s highly consumed vegetables, more than 50 per cent of the vegetable produced in the state in particular and other parts of the country in general is lost due to lack of preservation and subsequent wastages Ganduje pointed out that his government was determined to help the mainly agrarian population of the state to transit from subsistence to commercial agriculture for poverty reduction and rapid economic progress. “Development indicators have shown that we must move from producing just what we can

eat to exporting for economic development. We must harness our potential so that value would be added to the Tomato production chain”, the governor stated. He restated that the State Government was encouraging Dangote Group, through its newly established Tomato Processing factory in Kano, to acquire the raw material needed locally in order to encourage increase in the productive capacity of farmers. While noting that the 1,200 tonnes capacity per day factory being established in Kano would be producing fresh tomato paste for local consumption and export while about 40,000 farmers in the state would benefit from it through cooperative societies, the Governor listed the Ganduje, disclosed that the terms of reference of the Innovation Platform on Tomato Value Chain Development included, organizing tomato farmers into competent out-grower system would sustain commercial tomato production and supply to processors, marketers and direct consumers at all seasons. He tasked the group to enhance performance of tomato farmers by creating linkages amongst various actors in the tomato value chain that could improve access to inputs, services, information knowledge and markets as well as to improve coordination of activities of the various actors for establishment and sustainable management of tomato business joint ventures in Kano.

CSOs coalition endorses CBN’s foreign exchange policies L-R: Team Lead, Outreach, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Obiageli Onuorah; Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor and Chairman on the occasion, Dr. Lanre Aladeitan, during a round-table on oil and gas reforms in Abuja, yesterday.

NIPC inaugurates investment tracking Standing Committee Olufemi AdeOsun, AbujA

he Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has set up a Standing Committee “For Follow-Up on Targeted Investment” from all regions of the world. The objective is to ensure that investors who have shown interest to invest in Nigeria are provided with adequate information and given hand-holding support to actualize their investment in the country. According to the commission, the committee is expected to draw out a programme to ensure that intended investors are given the requisite infor-

mation and support to invest in the country. Speaking while inaugurating g the committee, the NIPC Executive Secretary, Mrs. Aida Hassan-Baba, disclosed that committee would act is a mechanism for processing the needs of investors at the pre-investment stage. She stated,“The Committee is expected to follow-up on leads and interactions with investors during forums for possible actualization of their indication of interest to invest in the Nigerian economy”, stressing that “there is the need to provide constant communication and quality information to enable prospective investors make informed decisions”.

She added that the work of the Committee was critical to the overall activities and mandate of the Commission as their functions would impact positively on the investment drive of the Organization, describing the Committee as the “marketing organ of the Commission”. The Executive Secretary further disclosed that members of the Standing Committee were deliberately selected from all the operational departments of the Commission in order to ensure holistic provision of postpromotion support to investors. She assured the Committee that all necessary support and logistics would be provided to enable them succeed without

jOel AjAYi AbujA

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups has endorsed the recent foreign exchange policy measures by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying it is designed to conserve the dwindling foreign exchange reserves and also ensure the stability of the naira. It said the recent measure by the bank was “designed to conserve our dwindling foreign exchange reserves.” The President of the group, Comrade Etuk Bassey, disclosed this yesterday at a media briefing in Abuja, where he said the essence of the policy was to encourage local production, thereby reducing unemployment rate. He said: “Given the fact that our major source of foreign exchange earnings has reduced drastically, we must commended the efforts by the CBN to conserve our foreign reserves by preventing excessive imports of

items like rice, eggs, toothpick, which can be produced in Nigeria.” Bassey emphasized that by this action, the CBN was indirectly creating a huge opportunity for Nigerians to begin to look inward tomorrow produce these locally, thus creating jobs for the teeming youths and wondered why Nigeria kept importing items for which she has comparative advantage to produce locally. He pointed out by allowing the importation of items like rice from Thailand, eggs from South Africa, beef from Zambia, furniture from Italy, and textile from China, we were simply importing poverty into Nigeria and exporting jobs to these countries. Bassey also described the recent restriction on cash deposits of dollars as a positive step which must be commended by all, noting that the recent admission by many banks of huge volumes of dollars in cash in their vaults raises questions on how these funds were obtained by depositors.

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FARA urges African govts on agribusinessfriendly environment AbolAji AdebAyo

he Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, FARA, has urged African governments to reduce Africa’s dependence on imports through the creation of new agro enterprises and ensure food security in the continent over the next three decades. A study undertaken by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, indicated that with booming population, the continent might face great challenges to match with food productivity with the surging population growth. In his address to delegates at the just concluded FARA conference, the key speaker, Tumusiime Rhoda-Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission, AUC, advocated the need for governments in the continent to adopt policies that will encourage youths to engage in agricbusiness, amongst other initiatives required to boost agricultural sector productivity. He said: “We must march forward with force to deal with emerging and contemporary scenarios in our agrifood sector. There is a need to develop a healthy agribusiness environment to reduce Africa’s dependence on imports through the creation of new agro enterprises” FARA has identified various agro technologies in Africa and Asia through its partner organisations and has commercialised them through the creation of a five-year $150 million, incubation programme. The African Agribusiness Incubation Program has been developed to roll out the creation of new agribusiness incubators and to support competitive SMEs in agribusiness. The Executive Director for FARA, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, said that the focus of the program, according to the report, is to engage in creating jobs in the agricultural sector and aims to employ over 65 per cent of Africa’s labour force, opening new doors for new agribusiness avenues. Rhoda-Peace explained that the African Union had bought into the programme and pledged support to raise funds for up-scaling the initiative, and that similar discussions were underway with African Development Bank, He hinted further that a number of universities, research organisations, private sector and governments had also expressed interest in partnering with FARA in agribusiness value chain development and to replicate the “Agripreneur” model. According to him, despite the abundant opportunities in the continent to boost food sup-

Tractor FARA hAs identiFied vARious AgRo technologies in AFRicA And AsiA thRough its pARtneR oRgAnisAtions And hAs commeRciAlised them thRough the cReAtion oF A Five-yeAR $150 million, incubAtion pRogRAmme ply, the quest for African entrepreneurs for new technologies has never been addressed, noting however that FARA’s Agribusiness Incubation Program and the promotion of youth engagement in agribusiness; agro entrepreneurs have a better chance of success in their ventures. He noted that benefits from the ventures promoted have started trickling down to the bottom of the pyramid and have benefitted thousands of households in Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Mali. He further said that the presence of over 570 stakeholders and partners convening from 26 to 28 November in Johannesburg would help to rework the numbers that will help make essential shifts in African agriculture, adding that the forum would be a network of the

worlds’ most prominent leaders in the agricultural sector who are introducing science led agricultural transformation as a solution to deliver Africa’s future over the next decade. International agencies support women farmers with N46m Abolaji Adebayo Women in agribusiness in Nigeria have been offered a better chance of advancing their farm level activities and also for those involved in the various parts of the value chain in the £150,000 (N46m) GEMS4 Challenge fund. It is an economic empowerment funding window under the Fund. The fund, a business contest, is aimed at private sector actors to encourage them to develop and adopt innovative business models and approaches that will create jobs and

improve the income of the financially challenged women who engaged in Wholesale and Retail trading. An AgroNigeria executive connected with the project, Abigial Anaba, observed that women contribute immensely to agricultural production, but unfortunately they hardly benefit from agricultural incentives and innovation because of economic suppression, social and traditional practices. Anaba said GEMS4 is a market development project in the country, funded by DFID/UKAid and supported by the World Bank with the mandate to stimulate market system changes that encourage growth and access. “It is expected to create 10,000 new jobs and increase incomes for 500,000 people, especially for resource poor men and women. “It is becoming increasingly difficult, given the economic climate, for the female gender especially, to access fund, therefore the need to address the issue of poor access to markets, inadequate business support services, low level of education, poor business skills and socio-cultural restrictions being suffered by women,” she said. Anaba also noted that there is £3.5 million private sector development matching grant to support initiatives from Lagos, Kano, Cross River, Kaduna and Enugu under the project. SA govt to provide R2bn to farmers The government of South Africa is pumping R2-billion into 44 district municipalities in a bid to develop emerging farmers and boost the agriculture sector. Despite past failed projects like the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa) and the Accelerated Growth Initiative of South Africa (Agisa), Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti is confident the plan to have agri-parks in municipalities will succeed. Nkwinti was talking in Addo yesterday at a consultative meeting with farmers from the Sarah Baartman District Municipality. He said the government had learnt a lot from mistakes they had made with Agisa and Jipsa and would now correct what was not done right. “We’re learning from the past all the time,” he said. “When we started Agisa, one of the things we did not take into account was that if you accelerate production, where are your markets? “We did not think about that, so in a sense we learnt from the inadequacies of past initiatives.” Nkwinti admitted that with the failed initiatives, the government had had no idea what was required to be done on the ground. But now, the government had decided to downscale the implementation of agri-parks to district municipalities, rather than doing it from provincial or national government level.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, August 21, 2015

FG raises N62.4bn in T-bills, equities drop 0.9% Johnson okanlawon

ederal Government yesterday raised N62.43 billion in Treasury bills with maturities of 3-month and 6-month at mixed returns amid poor demand for the note by investors asking for higher yields. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said total bids for the notes stood at N63.55 billion, down from N77.02 billion at the last auction on August 5, 2015. The bank sold N32.43 billion of the 3-month debt at 10 per cent, unchanged from the previous auction.

It auctioned N30 billion of six-month bills at 13 per cent, marginally up from 12.90 per cent previously. Meanwhile, trading in equities continued on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors dumped their holdings. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated 0.98 per cent to close at 29,747.57 points, compared to the decline of 0.23 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at N10.29 trillion. Market capitalisation shed N101 billion to close at N10.19 trillion, higher than the de-

crease of N24 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N10.29trillion. Skye Bank Plc led the gainers’ table with 14 kobo or 7.95 per cent to close at N1.90 per share, followed by Nestle Nigeria Plc with N42.00 or five per cent to close at N88.00 per share. Paints Manufacturing Company Plc gained five kobo or five per cent to close at N1.05 per share, while Access Bank Plc was up 20 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N4.27 per share. AIICO Insurance Plc appreciated four kobo or 4.82 per cent to close at 87 kobo per share.

On the flip side, Evans Medicals Plc depreciated six kobo or 8.22 per cent to close at 67 kobo per share, while Transcopr Plc lost 18 kobo or 7.59 per cent to close at N2.19 per share. Wema Bank Plc was down six kobo or 7.06 per cent to close at 79 kobo per share, while Champion Breweries Plc fell 24 kobo or 5.33 per cent to close at N4.26 per share. Academy Press Plc declined four kobo or five per cent to close at 76 kobo per share. A total of 2.87 million shares valued at N5.28 billion were traded in 4,014 deals.

Recapitalisation: SEC gives operators October 2 deadline Johnson okanlawon

ecurities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has said that any capital market operator that fails to comply with the new minimum capital requirement by October 2, 2015, would automatically be deregistered. The SEC granted an extension on the notification of intention by the operators that are considering reclassification of function, reduction of functions or merger/ acquisition in view of the recapitalization exercise.

A circular from the SEC website urged market operators to note that conversion/ migration to any of the options was not automatic as routine regulatory requirements must be fulfilled. The commission also reviewed the procedures on the various options, “to ensure a seamless and less rigorous exercise” According to the commission, for migration from broker/dealer to sub-broker, the broker/dealer should file a letter of application and complete a form together with a recommendation let-

ter from a sponsoring broker/dealer. It added that the letter should also contain an undertaking that the sponsoring broker/dealer would be held responsible for losses or liabilities arising from the action (or inaction) of the sub-broker. Apart from the letter, a copy of the agreement with the sponsoring broker/dealer specifying the rights and obligations of the sub-broker and the broker/dealer is required as well as evidence of a minimum paid-up capital of N5m.

The commission said approval of the application by it would be granted within five working days contingent upon filing of complete documentation. The NSE is also expected to issue letters of approval for the process, after which the CSCS would set up and migrate the sub-broker to its sponsoring broker/ dealer. The SEC had in December 2013 announced new capital requirement for market operators, setting the deadline for compliance at December 31, 2014.

Access Bank’s profit up 39%, declares 25k dividend

ccess Bank yesterday announced a profit after tax of N31.3 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of 39 per cent when compared to N22.6 billion recorded in the same period of 2014. The bank’s gross earnings 43 per cent to N168.3 billion in the review period, from N117.9 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014, while interest income increased to N98.9billion in the first half of 2015 from N83.6billion in the comparative period of 2014. According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the group posted a profit before tax of N39.1 billion which rose by 44 per cent from N27.1 billion in 2014. The bank proposes an interim dividend of 25Kobo per share.

There were also increases in other financial indices as non-interest income rose 101 per cent to N69.4 billion in 2015 from N34.6 billion in 2014, while operating income stood at N17.6 billion compared to N83.1 billion in the corresponding period of 2014. Return on average equity increased to 21.6 per cent in 2015, from 16.5 per cent recorded as at December 31, 2014. Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the results reflect the bank’s concerted efforts to deliver on its growth objectives for 2015. He noted that the first half of the year was defined by significant macro-economic and policy headwinds with major impact on all aspects of our business.

“We are particularly pleased with the strong support from our shareholders as they exercised their Rights during the recently concluded offer which raised N41.8 billion. “The successful Capital Raise underscores the overwhelming support of our shareholders and their belief in Management’s ability to deliver long term value,” he said. Wigwe explained that with the bank’s capital position secure, priority will be to focus on driving migration of our customers to alternative platforms to boost profitability, implementing customer service improvement initiatives and generating low-cost liability from continued engagement with customers. Others are growing risk assets by deepening

market share in target sectors, optimising and improving penetration of our customers’ value chain and driving operational efficiency through cost containment and procurement optimization measures. Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 29,747.57 points Market capitalisation 10.21trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

SKYEBANK

1.76

1.90

0.14

7.95

NESTLE

840.00

882.00

42.00

5.00

PAINTCOM

1.00

1.05

0.05

5.00

ACCESS

4.07

4.27

0.20

4.91

AIICO

0.83

0.87

0.04

4.82

MAYBAKER

1.30

1.36

0.06

4.62

UBCAP

1.24

1.29

0.05

4.03

LINKASSURE

0.50

0.52

0.02

4.00

UNITYBNK

1.63

1.69

0.06

3.68

NPFMCRFBK

0.85

0.88

0.03

3.53

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

EVANSMED

0.73

0.67

-0.06

-8.22

TRANSCORP

2.37

2.19

-0.18

-7.59

WEMABANK

0.85

0.79

-0.06

-7.06

CHAMPION

4.50

4.26

-0.24

-5.33

ACADEMY

0.80

0.76

-0.04

-5.00

SEPLAT

258.20

245.30

-12.90

-5.00

OKOMUOIL

22.85

21.71

-1.14

-4.99

IKEJAHOTEL

3.15

3.00

-0.15

-4.76

ASHAKACEM

23.00

22.00

-1.00

-4.35

DANGFLOUR

3.00

2.87

-0.13

-4.33

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

0.99

97.43

15.95

97.58

15.78

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.69

99.20

15.61

99.35

15.51

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.86

101.36

15.50

101.66

15.39

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.48

100.28

15.45

100.58

15.35

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.44

103.98

15.39

104.28

15.31

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.57

94.68

15.33

94.98

15.26

Closing Market Prices of July 30, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

26-Nov-15

14.67

15.27

WAUA

270

USD

197

18-Feb-16

13.42

14.38

EURO

214

4-Aug-16

14.08

16.27

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

30.8750

POUNDS STERLING

293

18.3158

20.4606

SDR

273

21.2936

NIBOR

The Fixings of August 6, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 21, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054

Equities as at August 20, 2015 Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

AGRICULTURE

Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 Crop Production

Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Totals Activity Summary onSpecialties Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Totals ESTATE CONSTRUCTION/REAL Building Structure/Completion/Other CONGLOMERATES COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Diversified Industries Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION Infrastructure/Heavy Construction OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N BERGER PLC. JULIUS NIG. PLC. Diversified IndustriesConstruction Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 15 8 23

Current Price 21.71 32.00

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

8 8

1.73

Quantity Traded 162,478 21,200 183,678

Value Traded 3,529,807.90 673,307.76 4,203,115.66

Quantity Traded 129,076 129,076

Value Traded 222,595.48 222,595.48

312,754

4,425,711.14

Symbol COSTAIN Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP Symbol UACN JBERGER

No. of Deals 8 No. of Deals 8 1 201 No. of Deals 51 5 253 5

Current Price 0.60 Current Price 1.00 2.19 Current Price 37.00 43.31

Quantity Traded 16,437 Quantity Traded 16,437 10,000 14,766,269 Quantity Traded 1,665,164 126,911 16,441,433 126,911

Value Traded 9,379.09 Value Traded 9,379.09 10,500.00 32,827,897.52 Value Traded 61,462,972.12 5,222,387.65 94,301,369.64 5,222,387.65

Symbol UAC-PROP

253 No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 7.89

16,441,433 Quantity Traded 68,938 68,938

94,301,369.64 Value Traded 545,959.70 545,959.70

212,286 Page

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Activity Summary on Board EQTY 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG.as FLOUR MILLS PLC. Daily Summary of 20/08/2015 Food Products Totals Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. CONSUMER GOODS VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Food Products Household Durables Totals DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY Personal/Household Products PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. PLC. P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA HONEYWELL FLOURPLC. MILL PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC Personal/Household Products Totals N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Totals Food Products Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

ICT IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 IT Services Totals Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054

Quantity Traded 115,080 425,969 42,250 1,185,641 1,768,940

Value Traded 491,798.80 50,383,130.45 749,399.30 144,653,425.28 196,277,753.83

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 190.00

Quantity Traded 18,387 18,387

Value Traded 3,496,896.93 3,496,896.93

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM

No. of Deals 25 27 93 35 15 1 196

Current Price 2.87 6.01 26.00 2.53 6.30 12.19

Quantity Traded 189,129 1,029,239 Page 550,555 429,128 176,245 4,000 2,378,296

Value Traded 547,836.42 10 2 6,199,231.39 of 14,331,341.85 1,092,938.36 1,064,152.44 46,360.00 23,281,860.46

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE Daily Summary

No. of Deals 9 45 (Equities) 54

Current Price 28.56 882.00

Quantity Traded 18,949 831,581 850,530

Value Traded 514,397.04 701,222,511.48 701,736,908.52

No. of Deals 59 7 No. of Deals 66 25 27 No. of Deals 936 35 40 15 46 1 571 196

Current Price 5.60 0.91 Current Price 2.87 6.01 Current Price 26.00 29.83 2.53 40.00 6.30 12.19

Quantity Traded 1,795,839 701,094 Quantity Traded 2,496,933 189,129 1,029,239 Quantity Traded 550,555 4,235 429,128 127,684 176,245 131,919 4,000 7,645,005 2,378,296

Value Traded 10,034,844.28 611,992.02 Value Traded 10,646,836.30 547,836.42 6,199,231.39 Value Traded 14,331,341.85 120,019.90 1,092,938.36 5,142,379.24 1,064,152.44 5,262,399.14 46,360.00 940,702,655.18 23,281,860.46

10 3 514,397.04 of 701,222,511.48 701,736,908.52

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 9 45 54

Current Price 28.56 882.00

Quantity Traded 18,949 Page 831,581 850,530

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 VONO14:32:54.054 PRODUCTS PLC. Printed 20/08/2015 Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 59 7 66

Current Price 5.60 0.91

Quantity Traded 1,795,839 701,094 2,496,933

Value Traded 10,034,844.28 611,992.02 10,646,836.30

Symbol PZ Summary Daily UNILEVER

No. of Deals 6 (Equities) 40 46

Current Price 29.83 40.00

Quantity Traded 4,235 127,684 131,919

Value Traded 120,019.90 5,142,379.24 5,262,399.14

7,645,005

940,702,655.18

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

No. of Deals 245 72 49 67 453 110 20 183 32 51 47 436 (Equities) 1,765

Current Price 4.27 3.00 18.60 1.29 22.00 1.90 2.14 3.22 6.95 1.69 0.79 15.80

Quantity Traded 51,991,221 Page 4,969,884 2,458,943 4,866,344 40,915,697 36,181,726 774,430 18,662,304 135,439 1,424,212 3,389,543 62,796,731 228,566,474

45,602,544.19 6,215,417.66 901,069,808.77 69,137,486.16 1,628,618.90 60,021,744.81 923,142.29 2,268,630.99 2,689,288.99 1,006,160,437.69 2,331,538,320.91

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE

No. of Deals 34 9

Current Price 0.87 0.84

Quantity Traded 5,282,500 240,000

Value Traded 4,589,225.00 205,754.88

Symbol EQUITYASUR HMARKINS LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS STACO UNITYKAP WAPIC

No. of Deals 109 1 5 5 3 11 5 1 1 2 186

Current Price 0.50 0.50 0.52 2.42 0.50 0.64 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,529,376,316 500 348,824 27,307 3,080,831 3,246,501 27,025,000 Page 110,000 500 83,126 2,568,821,405

250.00 41,563.00 1,286,961,468.81

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 10 10 (Equities)

Current Price 0.88

Quantity Traded 146,440 146,440

Value Traded 128,867.20 128,867.20

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © DIAMOND BANK PLC

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED FOR AFRICA PLC Daily Summary as of BANK 20/08/2015 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Activity Summary on Board AIICO INSURANCE PLC. EQTY CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. Published by The Nigerian TRUST Stock Exchange © STANDARD ASSURANCE PLC UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC Daily Summary as ofINSURANCE 20/08/2015 PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions

571

Daily Summary

Value Traded

Value Traded 221,043,603.32 10 3 of 14,777,597.14

Value Traded 1,264,688,158.00 250.00 176,412.00 68,474.78 1,540,415.50 2,083,465.65 13,512,500.00 10 4 of 55,000.00

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.88

Quantity Traded 146,440 146,440

Value Traded 128,867.20 128,867.20

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP FBNH FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 47 13 1 367 19 65 70

Current Price 2.65 4.15 0.64 6.08 2.33 18.00 1.29

Quantity Traded 2,824,140 1,085,023 500 25,885,409 794,687 3,951,409 6,377,857

Value Traded 7,412,267.49 4,495,623.99 305.00 157,542,699.68 1,913,200.71 71,161,807.37 8,029,461.43 5

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP

No. of Deals 10 8 14

Symbol CCNN DANGCEM PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 7 76 1 2 56 174

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 190 190

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Activity Summary on PLC. Board EQTY TOTAL NIGERIA Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals OIL AND GAS Exploration and Production Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 Exploration and Production Totals

Current Price 22.00 9.23 41.00 Current Price 8.75 177.00 1.05 4.14 100.02

10 6 80 7 No. of Deals 10 7 113 76 1 2 56 174

Value Traded 250,555,365.67

2,838,453,344

3,869,184,022.59

Quantity Traded 362,623 600 1,022,588 1,223,500 2,609,311

Value Traded 243,047.41 1,926.00 36,831,786.94 1,563,194.06 38,639,954.41

2,609,311

38,639,954.41

Quantity Traded 400 400

Value Traded 1,124.00 1,124.00

400

1,124.00

Quantity Traded 79,095 58,774 55,630

Value Traded 1,744,657.51 535,968.19 2,252,516.14 Value Traded 6 of 10 140,094.00 94,804,425.40 105,000.00 102,465.00 116,602,494.21 216,287,620.45

2,040,920

216,287,620.45

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100,100 100,100

Value Traded 50,050.00 50,050.00

Current Price 10.80

Quantity Traded 4,800,064 4,800,064

Value Traded 51,953,664.64 51,953,664.64

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL Symbol TOTAL CCNN DANGCEM PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 40,919,025

Quantity TradedPage 16,200 543,347 100,000 24,750 1,163,124 2,040,920

174

Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054

Current Price 2.95

No. of Deals 2 2

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Current Price 0.67 3.20 36.00 1.36

Symbol JAPAULOIL

33.28 1.90 219.00 151.20 Current152.20 Price 8.75 177.00 1.05 4.14 100.02

Quantity Traded 30,480 35,246 210,508 12,778 Quantity Traded 39,888 16,200 328,900 543,347 100,000 Page 24,750 1,163,124 2,040,920

174

Value Traded 963,777.60 66,767.40 45,467,420.96 1,916,419.75 Value Traded 6,063,343.16 140,094.00 54,477,728.87 94,804,425.40 10 7 105,000.00 of 102,465.00 116,602,494.21 216,287,620.45

2,040,920

216,287,620.45

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100,100 100,100

Value Traded 50,050.00 50,050.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 190 190

Current Price 10.80

Quantity Traded 4,800,064 4,800,064

Value Traded 51,953,664.64 51,953,664.64

No. of Deals 10 6 (Equities) 80 7 10 113

Current Price 33.28 1.90 219.00 151.20 152.20

Quantity Traded 30,480 35,246 210,508 12,778 39,888 328,900

Value Traded 963,777.60 66,767.40 45,467,420.96 1,916,419.75 6,063,343.16 54,477,728.87

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 245.30

Quantity Traded Page 20,362 20,362

Value Traded 7 of 10 5,037,274.55 5,037,274.55

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA Daily Summary FO MOBIL TOTAL

Symbol SEPLAT

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Activity Summary Board EQTY RT BRISCOEon PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Page

No. of Deals 6 1 16 20 43

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Quantity Traded Value Traded 2,824,140 7,412,267.49 1,085,023 4,495,623.99 500 305.00 Quantity Traded Value Traded 25,885,409 157,542,699.68 2,529,376,316 1,264,688,158.00 794,687 1,913,200.71 500 250.00 3,951,409 71,161,807.37 348,824 176,412.00 6,377,857 8,029,461.43 27,307 68,474.78 3,080,831 1,540,415.50 3,246,501 10 Page 52,083,465.65 of 27,025,000 13,512,500.00 110,000 55,000.00 500 250.00 83,126 41,563.00 2,568,821,405 1,286,961,468.81

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy and Services Totals Daily Summary as Equipment of 20/08/2015

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC.on Board EQTY Activity Summary FORTE OIL PLC. INDUSTRIAL GOODS MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Building TOTALMaterials NIGERIA PLC. CEMENTand CO.Petroleum OF NORTH.NIG. PLCDistributors Totals Petroleum Products DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

No. of Deals Current Price 47 2.65 13 4.15 1 0.64 No. of Deals Current Price 367 6.08 109 0.50 19 2.33 1 0.50 65 18.00 5 0.52 70 1.29 5 2.42 3 0.50 11 0.64 5 0.50 1 0.50 1 0.50 2 0.50 186

CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services FBN HOLDINGS PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. FCMB GROUP PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) © PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC ActivityBERGER Summary on Board PAINTS PLC EQTY CAP PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Quantity Traded

Current Price

2,543

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP Symbol FBNH EQUITYASUR FCMB HMARKINS STANBIC LINKASSURE UBCAP MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS STACO UNITYKAP WAPIC

Activity Summary on BoardREGISTRARS EQTY AFRICA PRUDENTIAL PLC

Quotation(N) No. of Deals 582

ICT Totals

5,777,726.44 10 of

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

No Of Deals Symbol

HEALTHCARE Totals

Current Price 4.26 116.00 18.45 122.00

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR Symbol FLOURMILL PZ HONYFLOUR UNILEVER NASCON NNFM

Company name

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

No. of Deals 7 71 8 107 (Equities) 193

Daily Summary

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

CONSUMER GOODS

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015

CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Sector

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Other Financial Institutions Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

322

5,249,426

111,518,718.06

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.57

Quantity Traded 33,368 33,368

Value Traded 18,352.40 18,352.40

Symbol Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. No. of of Deals Deals 2 4 6

Current Current Price Price 4.00 0.89

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 3,000 40,000 43,000

Value Value Traded Traded 11,670.00 34,674.00 46,344.00

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 89,200 89,200

Value Traded 44,600.00 44,600.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 3.00

Quantity Traded 124,560 124,560

Value Traded 376,308.00 376,308.00

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 7 4 11

Current Price 0.76 1.04

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 208,500 64,409 272,909 Page Quantity Traded 212,000 212,000

Value Traded 158,460.00 64,409.00 222,869.00 10 8 of Value Traded 112,360.00 112,360.00

Symbol INTERLINK

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 4 (Equities) 14 18

Current Price 4.43

Quantity Traded 300 300 Quantity Traded 117,331 32,397 Page 149,728

Value Traded 1,263.00 1,263.00 Value Traded 231,483.76 146,629.40 10 9 of 378,113.16

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 LEARN AFRICA PLC Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 Printing/Publishing Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Daily Summary as of 20/08/2015 Specialty Activity Summary on Board EQTY Printed 20/08/2015 14:32:54.054 INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC SERVICES Specialty Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

Daily Summary

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

EQTY Board Totals

SERVICES Totals

Exchange Traded Fund EQTY Board Totals Name

HALAL EQUITY ETF EquityLOTUS Activity Totals

NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Exchange Traded Fund ETF Board Totals

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

Current Price 1.98 4.50

50 Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 4,014 4 14 4,014 18

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Current Price 1.98 4.50

4,014

No. of Deals 4,014 1 1 1 3

No. of Deals 1 3 1 1 3

ETP Activity Totals

1,200,209.56 Value Traded 5,282,039,111.47 231,483.76 146,629.40 5,282,039,111.47 378,113.16

925,065

1,200,209.56

2,873,889,944

5,282,039,111.47

ETF Board Totals

925,065 Quantity Traded 2,873,889,944 117,331 32,397 2,873,889,944 149,728

Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded 9.85 2,873,889,944 25 5,282,039,111.47 246.25 2,164.00 211 456,604.00 13.35 5 66.75 241 456,917.00 Current Price 9.85 2,164.00 13.35

241

Quantity Traded 25 241 211 5 241 Page

241

456,917.00

Value Traded 246.25 456,917.00 456,604.00 66.75 456,917.00 10 of 10

456,917.00

241

Page

456,917.00

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror The level of looting in other sectors is better imagined hence the need to rally around this administration Lai Mohammed

Don advises Nigeria on poverty eradication Ayo EsAn

university don, Prof. Alfred Akpavirie AggreyFynn, has called on the Federal Government to abolish forthwith the security votes being given to governors, saying such funds should now be used to fight poverty in various states of the federation. The professor of economic development programme, public sector economics and petroleum and energy economics at the Houdegbe North American University, Republic of Benin, urged the country to stop governors’ security allocations if truly it serious about the crusade against poverty. Aggrey-Fynn, who was guest Speaker at the Nigeria Humanitarian Summit organised by the Gani Adams Foundation, GAF, a non-governmental and voluntary organisation, in commemoration of this year’s United Nations World Human-

itarian Day in Lagos, while delving into the topic: ‘Improving the living condition of the poor, the less privileged and the physically challenged during crises in Nigeria’, urged government at all levels to be genuinely concerned with peoples’ plight. He stated that the security vote allocated to state governors of the federation must be abolished forthwith. Summarily, the scholar urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency, create a task force on the eradication of poverty in the country, just as he advised the convener of the summit, Otunba Gani Adams to take a step further by establishing a subsidiary organisation to the GAF to be called: “Movement for the total eradication of poverty in Nigeria.” Speaking earlier, Adams explained that GAF was established to assist the indigent, the poor and oppressed citizenry, to reduce the burden imposed on them saying, “ we have also set

Man goes into hiding over family sanction olAjidE omojolomoju

36-year-old man, Lateef Adeola, alleged to have contravened family culture and engaged in what sources said was anti-social behavior in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has been declared missing. The father of three, it was learnt feared the consequences of his desecration, was alleged to have gone into hiding after elders of his family threatened grievous sanction against him for his misdemeanor and has not been seen in the last two months. His family members, who disclosed this to Community Mirror, said that they were worried that since the elders in the family threatened to deal with him, he has gone into hiding,and this development is giving them concern. Adeola’s sister, Mrs. Comfort Akinpelu, said that the threat of dealing with her brother in the“traditional way” made him

ran away scared of the consequences of the punishment. Mrs Akinpelu, who refused to disclose the cultural infringement, which she described as ‘further ridicule to the family,’ said that other family members have been pleading with the elders to temper justice with mercy, particularly as Adeola’s running away should be seen as a form of respect and fear for them. She said: “At this point,I think the elders might forget about the sanction for now, until we are able to locate him and possibly bring him home to beg them and others in the family.” Sources said that the agedfather of the missing Adeola has tasked his other siblings to fish him from wherever he might be hiding. The aged father was said to have urged the siblings to look for the missing man as he would not want a situation whereby he would pass away suddenly while his son was still missing.

up this body to assist and complement government’s effort at fulfilling its obligations to the people,” . Apart from visiting destitute homes, GAF added that its team also engage the youths in skill acquisition and vocational jobs, saying, “In fact, before the end of this month, we hope to give vocational training to 40 young people through our

academy for innovative arts and technology. “We have also made cash and material donations to more than 200 widows. We are poised to achieve more by extending the frontiers of humanitarian intervention,” he vowed. The convener explained that the GAF spent well over N5million on basic domestic items shared among various charity

homes, listing the distributed items to include toilet soaps, sanitary pads, tissue papers, pillows, groundnut oil and noodles. Beneficiaries who receives food and sanitary items at the GAF event included: the Red Cross, Girls brigade of Nigeria, boys brigade, Nigeria society for the blinds and Heritage home among others.

Electricity cable dangerously lying low at Onitolo, Surulere, Lagos PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Rivers attains 100% success in annual bread monitoring exercise

ational Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has certified breads in Rivers State free of potassium bromate following on the spot test carried out by the agency on bread baked in over 180 registered bakeries in the state. NAFDAC’s Rivers State Coordinator, Mrs. Mercy Ndukwe, said that the state achieved 100 percent success in the annual bread monitoring exercise due to effective regulation and enlightenment campaign embarked on by the agency over the years on harmful effect of using potassium bromate in bread baking. In his keynote address at the flag-off ceremony of the annual bread monitoring exercise in Port Harcourt, the Director General, Dr Paul Orhii, restatea the

determination of NAFDAC to enforce the ban on use of potassium bromate in bakery. The NAFDAC boss who was represented by NAFDAC SouthSouth Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Benson Kine said that, “use of potassium bromate in flour milling and bread baking was banned in Nigeria since 1993 and NAFDAC in her unflinching determination to enforce the ban has prescribed stiffer penalties, including prosecution of defaulters to serve as deterrent. In addition, continuous collaboration, dialogue and consultation with the stakeholders, Association of Master Bakers, Flower Millers etc are of strategies to enforce the ban.” He urged bakers to participate in the bread monitoring exercise which will be conducted annually and designed to include on the

spot testing of bread and if required the improver used for baking, training of bakers and issuance of certificate of attendance to participating bakers and list of approved bread improvers to be made available to bakers. “Bread consumption been widespread and unrivalled as a staple food cutting across cultural and religious barriers and is imperative that NAFDAC and Master Bakers ensure that the quality and safety of bread sold and distributed in Nigeria is produced under satisfactory GHP,” Orhii stated. “The variation in composition of flour necessitated the need for an improver and potassium bromate became attractive due to its low cost and ability to act as an efficient oxidizing agent,” he stated.

Transition

Friday, August 21, 2015

Michael Awosunle T he death has been announced of Elder Michael Okunola Awosunle, aged 80. Elder Michael Awosunle was born on 11th November, 1934 into the family of Late Mr. Francis Adereti Awosunle and Late Mrs. Cecilia Omoyeni Awosunle in Ejesi-Ika Compound, Ile Ife. He attended St. Peter and Paul Primary School in 1949-1954 and after he got his Standard Primary at the same school, he was employed as a pupil teacher and later, he attended Murrumba’s Teacher Training College in (R.C.M) Lagere Ile Ife. Then, he entered full teaching line where he taught in many primary schools around Ile Ife, later he became headmaster from one school to another like St. Raphael Primary School, Toro and later to Kwara in 1963 as a senior teacher at Ikoro-Iyagba Community Primary school now Kogi State and left for London in 1964 where he

studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Westeld College of Technology Holbon now called Queen Mary University London where he obtained HND in Electrical Engineering and B.Sc in C.E.C Engineering in the year 1964-1972.

He worked with many engineering companies in London and Birmingham as well and returned to Nigeria in 1974 to join James Kilpatrick Nig Ltd. as an electrical engineer for years before he later formed his own company known as Okun-Awo Engineering Nig. Ltd. as Executive Director of the company. Okun-Awo Nig. Ltd. operated mostly in the eastern part of Ni-

Magomed Suleimanov

agomed Aliyevich Suleimanov also known as Abu Usman Gimrinsky was a Dagestani Islamist in Russia and the third leader of the Caucasus Emirate militant group. An ethnic Avar from the Dagestani village of Gimry, Suleimanov studied at the Fatah al-Islami University in Damascus in 1992. In 2005, he returned to Dagestan and became the Qadi (judge) of the central mosque in Gimry. In 2006, Suleimanov joined Dagestan’s armed insurgency, however in

2008 he surrendered to authorities and received an amnesty. In 2009, Suleimanov rejoined the insurgency, where he would serve as both the Qadi of the Caucasus Emirate’s Vilayat Dagestan branch, and the military commander of Vilayat Dagestan’s Mountain Sector, which included his home village of Gimry. In 2014, Rustam Asildarov and a number of other senior Caucasus Emirate commanders announced their defection to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), swearing an

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

geria like Enugu, Calabar, Owerri, Yenagoa & Port Harcourt as the headquarters. He handled many projects at various towns and higher institutions like University of Port Harcourt, P & T Sta Quarters and General Hospital Okolobiri Rivers State. He was an elder in Christ Apostolic Church worldwide and a qualied academic reverend from Bible Seminary. A liberal oath of allegiance to its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Both Suleimanov and Caucasus Emirate leader Aliaskhab Kebekov condemned this as a betrayal. Following the killing of Aliaskhab Kebekov by Russian security forces in April 2015, Suleimanov was chosen as the new leader of the Caucasus Emirate; however he was not formally announced until 2 July 2015. On 11 August 2015, Magomed Suleimanov was killed in special operations by Russian security forces during a raid near Gimry in Russia’s republic of Dagestan. The Russian National Antiterrorist Committee (NAC) accounted the killing of four

man, Elder Awosunle loved the things of God as he always gave generously to the house of God where he worshipped in his lifetime at the Christ Apostolic Church Ifako, Agege, Lagos as testified by the Superintendent, Ifako Zone, Pastor Oludare Shabi. Late Elder Michael Okunola Awosunle is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

militants, who died during the clashes.

News Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

youth organization in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Akinyele Youth Forum (AYF), has launched a Library Foundation, Oba Isacc Babalola Akinyele Memorial Library, and provided free medical tests for no fewer than 650 members of Akinyele community. Giving a keynote speech at the ceremony held in Moniya, a Canadian and American-trained surveyor, Chief Muibi Tiamiyu, urged stakeholders, including government at all levels and politicians to provide enabling environment for youths in

Group gives free medical tests to community, launches library the country to realize their potentials. The Alagbe of Sagbe said the only way to end insurgency, promote hard work and reduce social vices in the country, was to encourage the youth on noble visions and missions to put their visions and missions into practice. He solicited the support of concerned stakeholders to support those who have such kind of vision in the society instead of engaging in social

vices. In her lecture titled, Importance of Library to the society”, an American based psychologist, Chief (Mrs.) Mojisola Folake Tiamiyu, said education remains the best legacy the present generation can bequeath to the incoming ones. She stated that libraries play an important role in education, declaring that public libraries are not just places where people gets information for leisure, study or work

but a university in quote. She posited further that library provides array of opportunities for development of the people and the society at large, maintaining that libraries are community builders which have over the centuries provide opportunities for various communities and people to realize their needs and meet them. The President of AYF, Comrade Abdullahi Alimi, while speaking on the foundation

Gombe floods: 150 households get relief from govt Williams attah GOMBE

ombe State government through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, yesterday sent relief materials to about 150 households affected by floods after a heavy downpour within the week in Wuro-Dole, Akko Local Government Area. Taking the relief materials to Wuro-Dole village at the boundary with Bauchi State, Head of Relief and Rehabili-

tation of SEMA, Mohammed Garba, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Danlami Arabs Rukujei, said Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo immediately approved dispatch of mattresses, mats, soaps and other household utensils to alleviate the suffering of the people. District Head of WuroDole, Mallam Hussaini Isiaku, while commending the state government over its timely intervention, however,

appealed to the government to come to the aid of the area in checking subsequent floods by creating waterways, culverts and storm-drains. Malam Husaini Isiaku had earlier told newsmen that the rains which lasted for several hours started around 3 o’clock am on Sunday and rendered hundreds of people homeless. He said some of those rendered homeless were evacuated to primary school. He said the member representing the constituency in

the state house of Asembly, Musa Mohammed, had already visited the village and donated 20 bags of maize to the victims. He said his people have remained hopeful since the Legislator promised to present the matter at the floor of the House, for deliberations on how a lasting solution to the flooding of the area could be brought. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

laying and free medical test which include HIV, blood pressure and weight among others for members of the community, implored stakeholders to help the association in realization of some of its projects. Highlighting some of the achievements of the organization so far, he sid it has carried out several projects such as visitation to rehabilitation centre, memorial lecture in honour of Oba Isacc Akinyele, visitation to the family of the royal father and other laudable projects. The event which was attended by various political stakeholders in the Akinyele local government area such as member of the state House of Assembly for Akinyele 2, Hon. Badmos Bolaji and his predecessor, Hon. Adigun Hammed also featured a lecture on the religious perspective as related to family planning/ child spacing delivered by Mrs. Morounfolu Okunfolure from Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), Ibadan.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 21, 2015

World News

"Erdogan (Turkey’s president) is back in the driver's seat. But the car's wheels are falling — and the car is breaking down."

Svante Cornell, Director of the Central Asia-

Burundi's president sworn in for third term Paul arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

ierre Nkurunziza was sworn in as Burundi's president yesterday and urged tens of thousands of people who fled political violence, sparked by his disputed decision to run for a third term, to return home. Nkurunziza also urged armed rebels who have vowed to use force to remove him from office, to end violence which has continued since he was declared the winner of July's vote. Burundi's opposition boycotted the poll, arguing, along with Western powers, that Nkurunziza was violating the constitution and provisions of a peace deal that ended a 1993-2005 civil war between the Hutu majority

Nkurunziza

and Tutsi minority. Although months of protests and an attempted coup in May were quelled, sporadic violence and killings

continue to take place in the capital and some rural districts. "We call on our fellow Burundians to return and join

other Burundians in building their nation," he said in a speech after the swearing in ceremony in parliament. The United Nations' Human Rights office said last week at least 96 people had been killed since the start of election-related violence in April. The U.N. refugee agency says more than 181,000 people fled Burundi due to the violence. General Leonard Ngendakumana, a deputy to the leader of the aborted coup, said in July they were prepared to use force to oust the president. "We recommend they give it up or else they will face God's judgment," Nkurunziza said. He did not elaborate. Adolphe Nshimirimana, the head of the presi-

dent's security, was gunned down earlier this month and a former head of the army Jean Bikomagu was killed two weeks later, showing the violence was not yet over. Residents of the capital said gunshots and the sound of explosions was heard the night before Nkurunziza's inauguration. Some of Nkurunziza's exiled opponents dismissed his call for refugees to return home, saying the newly sworn in head of state lacked legitimacy. "We now consider that Burundi has no president," said Deogratias Ndayishimiye, an opposition politician living outside the country. He did not wish his location to be disclosed for security reasons.

Journalist killed in S’Sudan after president threatens media

South Sudanese journalist was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the outskirts of the country's capital, his father said yesterday, in an attack that came days after President Salva Kiir was reported to have threatened to kill reporters "working against the country." Peter Julius Moi, a reporter for Corporate Weekly, was shot twice in the back Wednesday night, Moi's father, Julius Kilong Ramoi said. The international journalists' rights group, the Committee to Project Journalists, quoted Kiir as threatening journalists on Sunday. "If anybody among (journalists)

does not know that this country has killed people, we will demonstrate it one day, one time. ... Freedom of the press does not mean you work against the country," Kiir was reported telling journalists. Earlier this month, two newspapers said the government has stopped their operations in an apparent crackdown on the independent media over. Moi was shot dead in the Jebel area of the capital, Juba. Otieno Ogeda, chief executive officer of Corporate Weekly, said the media house had not received threats over recent articles Moi wrote, including two that focused on the scaling back of operations of South Sudan's only brewery. The body Kiir

was found near the brewery, but Moi also lived in the same area. Nothing was stolen from Moi during the attack, Ogeda said. "Everything was intact, even the money in his pocket was never stolen, even his phone was not taken away," he said. Moi is the seventh journalist to be killed in South Sudan this year. In December 2013, troops loyal to Kiir clashed with those loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar. Machar signed a peace deal on Monday to end the continued fighting while Kiir has promised to sign in coming days.

Senegal's top court rejects appeal to free ex-president's son

enegal’s highest court rejected yesterday an appeal by the son of former president Abdoulaye Wade against a six-year prison term for corruption, a setback to his hopes of contesting the next presidential election. Karim Wade was jailed in March for "illicit enrichment" during his father's 2000-2012 government and ordered to pay 138 billion CFA francs ($235 million) by a special court set up to fight graft in the West Afri-

can state. Wade, who has branded the prosecution a political witch hunt, was named by his father's Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) as its presidential candidate just before the March verdict. He denies any wrongdoing. Senegal’s next presidential election could come as early as 2017 if President Macky Sall wins approval in a referendum due next year to reduce the term to five years from seven. "The court analyzed the

details of the appeal and rejected all of them," said Aly Fall, a lawyer representing the Senegalese state. Outside the court, a small group of supporters shouted "Free Karim Wade". Mame Dior Diop, coordinator for Karim’s candidacy for the next presidential election, said his supporters would wage a political campaign for his release. "We have enough shown restraint in this case. It's high time we showed what

we are capable of," he said. Wade simultaneously ran several ministries during his father's government, earning him the nickname "the minister for heaven and earth". Sall was swept to power in 2012 amid popular protests against Abdoulaye Wade's attempts to win a third term in office despite a two-term constitutional limit in a country regarded as West Africa's most stable democracy. Sall pledged to end what

he said was rampant corruption under Wade's rule. Diplomats, however, have expressed concern about the format of the special court that convicted Wade, which required him to prove his innocence rather than vice versa. A U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in May expressed concern over Wade's lengthy detention before trial and over "irregularities" in the process.

WORLD BULLETIN

Congo to probe soldier rape charges in CAR Democratic Republic of Congo will investigate three of its soldiers accused of rape while serving in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in neighbouring Central African Republic, the justice minister said yesterday. The United Nations said on Wednesday that three females, including one minor, were allegedly raped in recent weeks by three members of the peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSCA. Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe acknowledged that the peacekeepers in question were Congolese and said national authorities would soon receive a dossier with evidence collected by U.N. investigators. "I have indeed ordered the auditor general of the armed forces to launch proceedings against the three soldiers who are implicated in the rapes in Central African Republic," he told Reuters. MINUSCA has been dogged by accusations of misconduct. Its head, Babacar Gaye, was dismissed from his post last week amid a series of allegations of sexual abuse.

Slovakia prefers Christian refugees under resettlement

Slovakia would prefer to accept Christian refugees under a European plan to resettle people who have fled from wars and poverty in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. The Central European country will take 100 people from refugee camps in Turkey and 100 people from Italy, preferably Christians, a ministry spokesman said. "We want to choose people who really want to start a new life in Slovakia. Slovakia as a Christian country can really help Christians from Syria to find new home in Slovakia," spokesman Ivan Netik said. "For most migrants we are only a transit country. In Slovakia we have really tiny community of Muslims. We even don´t have mosques." If Muslim asylum-seekers chose Slovakia, they would not be discriminated against, he said. But Slovakia would not take in refugees who did not want to stay in the country but intended to move on. "We do not discriminate against any religion, but it would be a false, insincere solidarity if we took people... who don´t want to live in Slovakia," he said.

World News

Friday, August 21, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Greek Prime Minister Tsipras resigns G reek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras submitted his resignation to the country's president yesterday to clear the way for early elections on September 20, a government official said. Tsipras formally submitted his resignation to President Prokopis Pavlopoulos Thursday night and asked the president to initiate procedures for an early election and set up a caretaker government. Tspiras, elected in January, was expected to make a televised state address yesterday evening. Tsipras effectively lost his parliamentary majority after a rebellion by

ormer U.S. President Jimmy Carter said yesterday that his cancer has spread to his brain and he will start radiation treatment for it later in the day, adding that his fate was "in the hands of God." Carter, 90, held a news conference on his condition barely a week after announcing he had undergone surgery for liver cancer. Appearing calm and lucid, the former president said he will cut back dramatically on his schedule to receive treatment every three weeks after doctors detected four "very small spots" of melanoma on his brain. Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981 and became active in humanitarian causes and monitoring elections after leaving office. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His one term in the White House was defined by national economic struggles

Carter

hardliners in his Syriza party who oppose a bailout agreement struck with

international lenders. He is standing down after only seven months

in office, in the face of fierce criticism from the "Left Platform" within his ruling Syriza party after accepting fresh austerity measures for a new bailout deal with the international creditors to avoid crashing out of the euro currency. Greece received the first 13-billion-euro ($14.5bn) tranche of the deal on Thursday -- with the overall package worth about 86 billion euros -- and immediately repaid 3.2 billion euros in government bonds held by the European Central Bank, avoiding defaulting on its debt. The bank confirmed the payment on Thursday.

Syriza had won the election in January on an antiausterity platform, and promised to scrap harsh measures imposed on the Greek government by its creditors. With a new round of voting in horizon within less than twelve months after the January polls, the president is required by the Greek constitution to first give a mandate to leaders of the opposition to try to form a government, starting with the largest party. The mandate lasts for three days and if efforts prove fruitless it is handed over to the second-largest party and then to the thirdlargest.

US ex-president Carter has brain cancer

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras leaves his office at Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, yesterday

and the embarrassing Iran hostage crisis. Asked on Thursday if he had any regrets, Carter said he wished he had sent one more helicopter in the failed attempt to rescue the Iran hostages, adding that

he would have been re-elected had the effort succeeded. Republican Ronald Reagan defeated Carter, a Democrat, in the 1980 presidential race. In a break from tradition, Carter chose to deliver the news about his illness to the

media himself. He arrived at the news conference at the non-profit Carter Centre in Atlanta walking normally, smiling and wearing blue jeans. “I am perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” Carter said, noting his deep Christian faith. "Now I feel this is in the hands of God." He said he was pleased that he did not become angry or despaired. “I am ready for anything and looking forward to a new adventure,” Carter added. "I have had an exciting and venturous and gratifying existence." Earlier this month, doctors removed about one tenth of his liver. A biopsy revealed it was a melanoma, a form of skin cancer that is believed to have originated elsewhere in his body and spread to the liver, he explained.

He announced at that time that his prognosis was excellent, though he was rearranging his schedule to receive treatment at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. It was shortly after the liver surgery that doctors found the spots of melanoma on his brain, Carter said yesterday. The cancer was "likely to show up in other places in my body" he said, without addressing whether doctors had told him how long he could expect to live. Initially after receiving the brain cancer diagnosis, Carter said, "I thought I had just a few weeks left," but he added that he remained "hopeful." His doctors were consulting with other cancer experts, and he said he did not currently feel any weakness or disability.

Tensions rise as North, South Korea exchange artillery fire

outh Korea fired dozens of artillery rounds toward North Korea yesterday after the North shelled across the border to protest against antiPyongyang propaganda broadcasts by Seoul - the first exchange of fire in 10 months. North Korea did not return fire but warned Seoul in a letter that it would take military action if the South did not stop the loudspeaker broadcasts along the border within 48 hours, the South's Defence Ministry said. In a separate letter, Pyongyang said it was willing to offer an opening to resolve the conflict even though it considers

the broadcasts a declaration of war, South Korea's Unification Ministry said. A South Korean military official said the broadcasts would continue. Seoul began blasting anti-North Korean propaganda from loudspeakers on the border on August 10, resuming a tactic that both sides had halted in 2004. South Korea said the North had fired one anti-aircraft shell followed by multiple shells from a direct fire weapon yesterday. South Korea's military, which said it fired dozens of artillery rounds in response, raised its

alert status to the highest level. Both countries said there were no casualties or damage in their territory. South Korean President Park Geun-hye told defense officials to "react firmly" to North Korean provocations, a spokesman quoted her as saying. "Our military has stepped up monitoring and is closely watching North Korean military movements," South Korea's defense ministry said. The North Korean army said the South fired 36 rounds, six of which landed near its guard posts, and called the South's firing "reckless provocation,"

Pyongyang's state KCNA news agency said. The United States, which has about 28,500 military personnel in South Korea, said it was concerned and closely monitoring the situation. "Such provocative actions heighten tensions, and we call on Pyongyang to refrain from actions and rhetoric that threaten regional peace and security," U.S. State Department spokesperson Katina Adams said. The Pentagon said it would "take prudent measures" to ensure the well-being of U.S. personnel, but did not elaborate.

WORLD BULLETIN

Britain to reopen embassy in Tehran Britain will reopen its embassy in Iran this weekend nearly four years after protesters ransacked the elegant ambassadorial residence and burned the British flag. The move marks a thawing of ties with Iran since it reached a nuclear deal with the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain. "The foreign secretary (Philip Hammond) will travel to Iran to reopen our embassy there," a British diplomatic source told Reuters yesterday. After more than a decade of casting the Islamic Republic as a rogue power seeking to sow turmoil through the Middle East, Britain has sought to improve ties with Iran, whose natural gas reserves are larger even than Russia's. Hammond will travel to Iran this weekend for the formal opening of the embassy on Sunday. He will take a small group of business leaders, including representatives from Royal Dutch Shell and other companies, with him on the trip, according to the source. The British minister will have meetings with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Ali Akbar Velayati, who is a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Israel urges UN to investigate official for misconduct

Israel's ambassador is urging the U.N.'s internal watchdog to investigate the head of a U.N. agency for misconduct, accusing her of "modern day anti-Semitism." Last year, he tried unsuccessfully to get Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to suspend Rima Khalaf. Ambassador Ron Prosor met Carmen Lapointe, the head of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, late last month and called for a disciplinary hearing against Khalaf, a Jordanian who heads the Beirut-based U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, which promotes economic and social development in 17 Arab countries. A letter from the ambassador to Lapointe obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press said "Ms. Khalaf has abused her position in order to promote an anti-Israel agenda, in a flagrant violation of U.N. obligations and principles." Khalaf told The Associated Press in Beirut on Wednesday that she stands by her statements highlighting "Israel's documented violations of international law against the Palestinian people" and rejecting "the concept of religious or ethnic purity of states." "I am surprised that rejecting discrimination, and reiterating the principles of equality and justice in the U.N. Charter, can still be contested by anyone," Khalaf said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Friday, Augusst 21, 2015

Chinese government to invest $1bn in Nasarawa Igbawase ukumba LAFIA

hinese government, through Tongyi groups, is to invest about $1bn in Nasarawa State in the next five years in the

area of power generation, mining, airport, job creation and road constructions. This was disclosed by the General Manger, China Public Procurement, Mr. Yong Shubo, during a chat with news-

men after an interaction with government officials at Government House Lafia. Mr. Shubo explained that China is looking at the possibility of making Nasarawa State an investment hop because

of the opportunities that are bound due to the proximity of the state to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. He added that Chinese government will equally look at the Karu international market and pre-

pare a proposal for partnership and job creation. According to him, the market is capable of creating over 100,000 jobs with a multiplier effect subsequently. Also speaking the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura ex-

pressed confidence in the group owing to their track record in other countries, adding that the collaboration with the Chinese investors will open up frontiers of investment opportunities and create wealth for the state.

NASS principal officers’ privileges should be removed –Ndume Inusa nDahI, MAIDUGURI

L-R: Secretary to Bauchi State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman; Governor Muhammed Abubakar and Permanent Secretary, General Services, Alhaji Ahmed Jarmajo, during the briefing by head of parastatals to the governor in Bauchi, yesterday.

Katsina needs 8,000 teachers –Masari James DanJuma, KATSINA

atsina State needs about 8,000 primary school teachers to augment the shortfall in schools across the state’s 34 council areas. Also, the state needs an additional 3,000 classrooms to comfortably accommodate the large number of pupils in both urban and rural areas. Speaking during an interactive session with headmasters and relevant stakeholders yesterday, Governor Aminu Bello Masari said the state was in need of massive turnaround at the primary schools level. Masari said the state was deficient of more than 7,564 primary school

teachers, even as he lamented the sorry state of the sector. He said primary school level was of foundational importance to development of quality education and grooming of tomorrow’s leaders, and that the neglect the sector faced in the past was worrisome. The governor said it was due to the situation primary education found itself, that the state was rated the 35th for poor performance in the recent West African School Certificate, WASC, examination. He said due to poor primary school background, students that had graduated from secondary schools are finding it difficult to gain admission into tertiary schools, and are be-

coming security threats to society. Masari said such a situation was unacceptable and that there was need for teachers and stakeholders to join hands with government to effectively address the problem. “The sorry state of our education in Katsina State is beyond partisan politics if we are serious to ensure total revival of the sector,” the governor said. He assured teachers in the state that government would look into their problem, especially as regards to welfare so as to motivate them in the discharge of their duties. He used the occasion to call on headmasters and other education stakeholders to move their children from private to public

PHOTO: NAN

schools in the state. He said the call was in line with his administration’s policy which he had promised the people of the state when he was campaigning. The governor said his administration has engaged the services of the Department of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria for training of teachers. Earlier, Chairman Committee on Education set up by the government, Dr. Badamasi Charanchi said the state has about 19,833 primary school teachers out of which 4,996 are female. Dr. Charanchi however said about 13,900 furniture were needed to accommodate pupils that sit on bare floor during classes.

NGF to parley with UN scribe on development ObIOra IfOh, ABUJA

igeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, will meet with the Secretary General of the United Nations, UN, Ban k-Moon on Sunday, to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals, the successor programme to the Millennium Development

Goals, MGDs. The Forum, which met in Abuja on Wednesday night, said the meeting is important because of the role state governors, as critical stakeholders, are expected to play in the implementation of the programme. Chairman of the Forum, Governor Abdul’aziz

Yari who read the communiqué at the end of the meeting, said the parley with k-Moon will be a follow to the one NGF had in 2011with the UN scribe, to assess the implementation of the MDGs. The UN had set 2015 to reduce extreme poverty in developing countries. Yari also disclosed that following the presentation

made by the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, on the operations of the National Integrated Power Project, the Forum resolved to appeal for a more comprehensive power sector policy and strategy, with a view to achieving a holistic solution to the power situation in the country.

enate Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called for the removal of privileges attached to the principal officers of the National Assembly. Ndume, who disclosed this in an interactive session with newsmen in Maiduguri, Borno State, said if these privileges are removed, it will make the office less attractive. He said the Senate president is just one among equals, adding that as soon a principal officer loses his office, he also lose his privileges. The majority leader, however, said with the emergence of new principal officers in the senate, the lawmakers have put all their differences aside to ensure justice and good legislative procedures.

Ndume said Nigerians will witness a rapid legislative transformation, as the senate is changing from what he called “analogue legislation to digital era”, where the business of the senate will be communicated to each senator a day before any plenary session, so that they will be prepared at least a day before sitting. He said Nigerians should hold members of the National Assembly accountable for whatever goes wrong in the country, as the President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to tackle issues of corruption, security and unemployment. On the demise of the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, Senator Ndume said he was yet to recover from the shock, as they were together at his Abuja lodge some few hours before his demise.

EU launches fresh N940m peace ınıtıatıve ın Plateau, Kaduna James abraham, JOS

uropean Union, EU, yesterday launched over N940m peace projects, which would cover Plateau and Kaduna states respectively. The launch, which was coming barely two years after the first phase of the project was launched at the cost of over N960m, is aimed at building architecture for peace, tolerance and reconciliation in the two states, which had been troubled by violent conflicts. The project is to be implemented by three non Governmental Organisations, including Apurimac Onlus, Deutsche Geseltschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeıt, GIZ, and Search for Common Ground, SFCG. Head of European Union delegation to the project launch, Mr. Alan Munday told journalists

that the need to prelaunch the peace project had become necessary in order to consolidate on the gains already recorded by the implementing partners in the past years. “We are impressed by the success already achieved by the implementing partners in bringing about permanent peace in the state and reconciliation among the people. “We believe that this second phase of the peace project will further consolidate on the achievements so far recorded and make peace a common aspiration among the people,” he said. Munday, who later paid a courtesy visit to Government House in Jos was assured by Governor Simon Lalong that his administration was committed towards partnering with organisations that are ready to complement governments effort in the peace process in the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 21, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Mrs. Ibrahim Roseline Oluwafunke, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Augustine Roseline Oluwafunke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Adewole Adekemi Moradeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kayode Adekemi Moradeke. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunyemi Victoria Omowumi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogundoro Victoria Omowumi.All former documents remain valid,Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Emekaobum Nnenna Juliana now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nlewechi Nnenna Juliana. All former documents remain valid, Umuahia South L.G.A and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MR. ADEBAYO AFOLABI IBRAHEEM, NOW WISH TO BE known and addressed as MR. ROBIU AFOLABI IBRAHEEM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Owode Olaoluwa Mary Temitope now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeyinka Olaoluwa Mary Temitope all former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Owoyemi Abiola Rianat,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Taiwo Abiola Rianat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as OKERE OLUCHI ELIZABETH (MISS), now wish to be known and addressed as OKAAH OLUCHI ELIZABETH (MRS.). All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss, Oni Tolulope Mercy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olagundoye Tolulope Mercy. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinwande Folasade Abiye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oni Folasade Abiye.All former document remain valid,Local Government council and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF AGE

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ofoma Juliet Akunna now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onyema Juliet Akunna. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEOYE ESTHER ASHAKE,now wish to be known called and addressed as MRS. OMOYA BOSEDE ABIMBOLA ASHAKE. All Documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Rabiu Olufunke Rabiat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osideko Olufunke Rabiat all former documents remain valid Ogun SUBEB Ijebu north East local government Education Authority and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dorcas Nentawe Gobit, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dorcas Nentawe Dennis. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mrs oppong mercy Adedoyin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Frederick Mercy Adedoyin., formerly Oppong Goodness Nyamesem now Fredrick goodness Oluwafunmilayo , formerly Oppong Miracle Afriyie now Fredrick Miracle Oluwatobi, formerly oppong Joshua now Fredrick Joshua Oluwagbemiga. All former documents remain valid L.G.E.A Odogbolu and general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the the general public of the loss of Deed of Conveyance dated 28th December 1932 and registered at No. 55 page 55 volume 349 in the land registry office, Ikeja in favour of late Sarata Ajoke who bequeathed the property to late Olabode Akibu Akintan in respect of property at No. 30 Ajakaiye street, Lagos Island. All effort to trace the document prove abortive. General Public Take Note.

PUBLIC NOTICE HUMAN RIGHT ENLIGHTMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE LESS PRIVILEDGE This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Comrade Saleh Mohammed 2. Dr. Haruna Saleh 3. Hajiya Shafa’atu mohammed 4. Mr. Andrew Wya 5. Mr. Sunday Olawale 6. Mr. Livenus Okereke 7. Hajiya Binta Sani 8. Barr. Sandrela John 9. Mrs. Rebecca Titus 10. Mamman Osari AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To support those their right demand and rescue those that are in need 2. To assist the less privilege at all level especially the indigent Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: Secretary

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Olalekan Yusuf Abiodun. now wish to be known and addressed as Omotayo Sodiq Olalekan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Babatunde Raimot Oyindamola. now wish to be known and addressed as Quadri Raimot Oyindamola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Mr Ojo Rufus Ige now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Ogunjobi Rufus Ige. All former documents remain valid,Ministry of information,Sports,Culture and Social Developement and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Bakare Nimota Biola. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Imam Nimota Biola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Bakare Jamiu Kehinde. now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Imam Jamiu kehinde. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I hereby state that the surname I used while applying for my international passport was my Great Grand Father’s name, BAKARE, Oluwatoyin Hakeem, is incorrect and my correct name is IMAM, Akeem Oluwatoyin. All documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ETHEL OBIAJULU AKUMABOR, now wish to be known and addressed as IKPAKPA DICKSON ETHEL OBIAJULU. All Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinluyi Eunice Folake, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunsimide Eunice Folakemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION/CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Coker Oluwatoyin Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Shaba Oluwatoyin Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly addressed and known as Mrs Akanbi Omobosinuola Sola now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Ojo Omobosinuola Sola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Onagbola Abimbola Janet now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Fabusuyi Abimbola Janet.All former document remain valid,and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Adeyemi Oluwabunmi Maureem now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekunle Oluwabunmi Maureem.All former documents remain valid. All Authority Concerned and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Moses Shulammite Oluchi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jonadub Shulammite Obidiya. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed Miss Iheke Rose Amarachi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okoronkwo Thompson Rose Amarachi. All former documents remain valid NYSC and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Adebayo Racheal Labake Now Mrs Adeleke Racheal Labake All Former Documents Remain Valid Oyo State TESCOM And General Public Should Take Note

Formerly Miss Ayantokun Florence Gbemisola Adunni Now Mrs Ogungbenro Florence Gbemisola Adunni All Former Documents Remain Valid Oyo State Local Government Service Commission And General Public Should Take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Adesanya Ramota Adebukonla now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Orekoya Ramota Abolore Adebukonla. All former documents remain valid and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

Adepoju Bamiro Adekunle is the same person as Adepoju Adekunle Abel and now wish to be known and addressed as Adepoju Bamiro Adekunle all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Dairo Kehinde Funke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyedele kehinde funke. All former documents remain valid Yemi Ogunbiyi Anglican School (YOAS) and general public take note .

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGADA SYNTHIA CHIAMAKA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBOKO CYNTHIA CHIAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNAJI ANWURIKA RACHAEL now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UBAGU ANWURIKA RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR IFEOMA CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ORJI IFEOMA CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE BUKURU CATTLE TRADERS’ ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2004. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bala Mohammed 2. Dauda Nyoman Adams 3. Yunusa Tendyel 4. Abdullahi Kabiru Musa 5. Sunusi Haruna 6. Garba Abubakar Adu 7. Sani Alhassan Tsoho 8. Husaini Usman

Chairman Vice Chairman I Vice Chairman II Secretary Financial sec Treasusrer

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote and safeguard the economic and social well being of its members 2. To protect and preserve the civil and economic rights of its members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: Secretary

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adelabu Christianah Kemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bayode Christianah Kemi. All former documents remain valid, State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

Formerly known as Mrs. Ibrahim Roseline Oluwafunke, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Augustine Roseline Oluwafunke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Iyabo Aiyedero now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Grace Temitayo Ojowa. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IROEGBU PROMISE ENYIOMA now wish to be known, called and addressed as FORTUNE PROMISE ENYIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please rake note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeosun Elizabeth Folake Bosede now wish to be known and called as Mrs Olowu Folake Bosede. All former documents remain valid. State of Osun TESCOM and general public should please take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

This is to confirm that I, Jonathan Olufemi Funmilayo Okunniyi is one and the same person as Jonathan Funmilayo Okunniyi. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINLOLU MOPELOLA TOSIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAYI MOPELOLA TOSIN. All former documents remain valid; Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), general public please take note.

I, formerly known as Miss Sakirat Modupe Badejo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sakirat Modupe Ajibose. All former documents remain valid. General public and Smile Comms Nig. Ltd. should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbonna Goodness Nneka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obinna Goodness Nneka. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

I formerly known as MRS. SOSANYA ANN OMOLOLA now wish to be known and Address as MRS. ADEYEMI ANN OMOLOLA. All former \ documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Obute Oluchi Carolyn, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omeja Oluchi Carolyn. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Oluwakemi Olayinka Adeeko now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Otunuga Olayinka Adeeko all former documents remain valid NSCDC and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Damilare Samuel Joseph now wish to be known and addressed as Damilare Samuel Fakoya all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

Formerly Miss Korodele Hellen Olabamipe. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKINDEMOWO HELLEN OLABAMIPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO CHINENYE IMMACULATE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWODO CHINENYE IMMACULATA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS PRECIOUS AMAKA JONATHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PRECIOUS AMAKA JONATHAN AGBO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IYOKE GLORIA UKAMAKA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU GLORIA UKAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MRS. SOSANYA ANN OMOLOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEYEMI ANN OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE ALAGBAKA COUNTRY CLUB This is to inform the general public that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2004. 1. Otunba Alabi Alaba Charles (president) 2. Mr Lawani Abiodun Ayodeji (Secretary) 3. Mr. Ademola Ogunbodede 4. Mr. Abayomi Akinwale Alo. Aims and objective 1. To provide for the less privileged and internally displaced persons. 2. To promote friendship and peaceful co-existence among the citizens. 3. To promote social-cultural values across the country. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twentyeight (28) days of this publication Signed Trustee.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, August 21, 2015

NFF shifts Fed Cup final

The EPL’s style suits me and I look forward to giving this club my all and hope we excel together

Sport

–Aston Villa striker, Jordan Ayew

AFCON 2017 qualifier

Why I axed Mikel S –Oliseh

Joel AJAyi

Mikel

uper Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, yesterday said that he left out Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, from his first squad because he has yet to establish contact with him. Mikel last played for Nigeria last year November against South Africa in a 2015 AFCON qualifier in Uyo. “I have not spoken to Mikel up till now, although I have contacted him on several occasions

with no reply,” Oliseh said at a media briefing in Abuja. “I sent him an sms, still no reply. I went to London, he plays in same club with Victor Moses, Victor came to the meeting, we spoke, but Mikel did not,” the 40-year-old gaffer added. “Every player we have invited, we have spoken to. “No player is special, every player is the same. We will not win games with just one player, but with eleven players.” Oliseh’s predecessor, Ste-

phen Keshi, had experienced a similar fate with the Chelsea player, who many have accused of indifference to the national team cause. The former Eagles’ captain, however, maintained that he would not pass any judgment on the Chelsea star until he has interacted with him. “I can’t pass judgment on a person I have not spoken to,” he insisted as held the homebased Eagles to another training session late afternoon yesterday.

…Says, ‘I am not comparable to Keshi’ Joel AJAyi ABUJA

S Oliseh

uper Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has urged Nigerians to stop drawing comparison between him and immediate past coach Stephen Keshi. “Personally I have not called Keshi since

I took up this job and I think we have different personality,” Oliseh said at a meet-the-media chat in Abuja yesterday. “I think it will be unfair to compare me with him and let us just leave things at that,” he added. On his relationship with the players, Oliseh

said: “There will be no special treatment for any player, be it foreign or home based. “What we want now is a formidable team and only productive players will get the chance. “Myself and my assistants are trying to see all invited players showing us what they

are capable of and I must say that the boys in camp are giving their best already. Asked if he learnt any lesson from his predecessor, Oliseh also said: “Now, we are a different crew and I have done everything to make it different. If we lose, criticise us and praise us if we win.”

Sports

Friday, August 21, 2015

NFF shifts Fed Cup final Paul ErEwuba

eneral Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi, says the 2015 Federation Cup final match between Lobi Stars and Akwa United billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on August 30

has been pushed forward. Sanusi explained yesterday that preparations the 11th African Games in billed for Brazzaville, Congo coincided with the date, saying the Fed Cup final will now be played after September 19 when the Games would have ended. “Lobi Stars and Akwa United are most likely to have their

best players among the Nigerian contingent to the Games,” he said. “We feel that it will be out of place to deny the clubs the use of their best players for the Cup final while they are on national assignment. Sunshine Queens will tackle Bayelsa Queens in women’s cadre of the Fed Cup.

AG 2015: C’wealth medalists top taekwondo list

ommonwealth gold medalists, Abubakar Adamu Isah and Mohammed Jamilu, topped the list of 16 athletes listed by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) for the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville. Isah, who will be competing in the men’s -54kg, is one of the experienced athletes in the team having featured at the 2014 World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) World Junior Championship in Chinese Taipei as well as the maiden 2014 Africa Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana. Jamilu (-58kg) is also an established taekwondist having won gold at the 2011 African Games in Mozambique as we as a quarterfinalist at the 2015 Alexandria Open in Egypt.

In the absence of his sibling, Chika, 2011 African Games gold medalist and captain of Team Nigeria, Uche Chukwumerije, who will jostle for medal in the men’s +87kg, will also be part of the team. Another experience taekwondist in the team is 2011 African Games bronze medalist, Sunday Onofe who will fight for medal in the men’s -80kg. Other members of the men’s team are Edwin Samson Nduka (-63kg), Koladn Paul (-68kg), Olushola Segun (-74kg), and Ayodele Temitope Ebenezer (-87kg). African Championship 2014 bronze medalist, Joy Ekhator (-49kg) will lead the female team as the most experienced athlete. Others are Jimoh Morufat (-46kg), Chinazum Nwosu (-52kg),

Fatimoh Abdullahi (-57kg), Ndu Vivian (-63kg), Ifeoma Dennis (-67kg), Uzoamaka Otuadinma (-73kg) and Esther Uzoukwu (+73kg). Nigeria settled for fourth place with two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals at the last African Games in Mozambique, while Egypt, Tunisia and Senegal finished as the top three teams in the taekwondo event.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lobi Stars are in Federation Cup 2015 and will meet Akwa United

Boxing: Power Lee seeks support ifEanyi duzor

ational heavyweight wrestling champion, Power Lee, has appealed to the Federal Government and Delta State government for financial support to enable him to win honour for the country. Power Lee will on September 19 at the Palaise De Sports, Yaounde, Cameroon meet Cameroonian Michel Noudem “Le Matrquer” for the vacant Pro Wrestling Africa Heavyweight title. Lee told National Mirror yesterday that he would not only win the title in Cameroon, but also defend it in Nigeria within a month of winning it if he had adequate support. “I am appealing to the Federal Government, Delta State Government, NDDC, DESOPADEC, Isoko Development Union, corporate organisations and well meaning Nige-

rians to help me achieve my dream of winning an African title for Nigeria,” said. “As a patriotic Nigerian, I have used my Gym at Ajah, “Winners Body Fitness Gym”, to produce many weightlifters, body builders, wrestlers and boxers for Nigeria and I am determined to use it more for this purpose,” the pugilist added. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Wrestling Federation, Olusesan Olukoya, has explained that Pro Wrestling Africa was set up as platform for African wrestlers at the international level, saying it will be great honour for a Nigerian to emerge champion of the body. “It is important that Power Lee receives all the encouragement required to win the heavyweight title in Cameroon where it is expected that wrestlers from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Mali and Congo DRC among others will battle for supremacy,” Olukoya said.

NTF boss, Ashiru

Gombe floats female football team williams attah GOMBE

ombe State Football Association Chairman, Auwalu Umar Musa, has said that the state is ready to establish a female football team

despite the cultural barrier. “Some proprietors have already indicated interest in floating the team but lack of adequate fund is hampering the idea,” Musa told National Mirror yesterday. “Although some local govern-

ments in the state will not accept the idea, we have resolved to push it through until we succeed,” he added, stressing, “We will continue to encourage the interested parties to further their ambition because at the end of the day, the state will be the better for it.”

Power Lee

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

U-17: Kano to host Buhari Cup

President Muhammadu Buhari

AbdulgAfAr OlAdimeji KANO

ano State will host the inaugural Muhammadu Buhari National U-17 Football Competition that would feature 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory next month.

Sports

Friday, August 21, 2015

Chairman, Kano State Chapter of African Youths Spots Federation, Alhaji Mukthari Adanna, revealed that preparation was at an advanced stage to ensure good hosting by the state. “The main focus is to discover young talent that would represent the country at the top level in football,” Adanna said yesterday. “We are reedy and Kano State government is ready. We are only waiting for the last word from the Presidency,” he added. Meanwhile, the National Executive Council of the African Youths Sports Federation (AYSOF) has appointed of a six-man to oversee the competition. Adanna is Chairman, while Abubakar Suleman is Secretary; Ahmed Babandi, Treasurer; Sagir Agi, Organizing Secretary; Ahmed Haruna, Financial Secretary, and Yusif Yusif, Public Relations Officer.

MANDATE

THE

SylveSter Ikuejamoye

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

Let Orji Uzor Kalu take a chance

Lagos set for U-18 S/west karate AfOlAbi gAmbAri

agos State Karate Association will tomorrow organise a one-day event tagged South West Under-18 Karate Championship as part of its effort at developing the sport. Sponsored by Uptimum Impact Company, a children and youth leadership development platform headed by Mrs. Oyin Kolawole Williams, the championship aims to improve karate standards as well as mentor young karatekas in the South

Lagos’ DOS, Tandoh

West Nigeria while providing the junior athletes an to learn from the seniors. The event , slated to hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Hall of Lagos State Sports Commission, Rowe Park, Yaba will feature about 152 athletes from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo states in Kata junior, Kumute junior and Kumute senior (male and female) categories. Organisers said yesterday that outstanding karatekas would get various prizes, while all athletes would receive certificates of participation.

The need for home support is important and crucial to the realisation of the dream of a Nigerian going back to the FIFA Executive seat, not to talk of contesting for the of the president of the organization. This is where in my humble opinion, the NFF should act fast and possibly double its efforts in selling Kalu to the FIFA Congress, starting from Africa; since charity must necessarily begin at home. That Kalu has paid his dues, particularly in the football arena, is not in doubt. Most football lovers will recall the massive moral and financial support he lavishly expended on the Enyimba of Aba and the height the club attained in the Africa during his tenure as Abia State governor. Kalu remains the only serving governor then who trained with a state-owned team on regular basis. It is not out of place to say Kalu eats, drinks and dreams football. Nigerians should encourage him to contest to make a statement. Win or not, please, Orji contest for the world to know that there are many more competent Nigerians who have what it takes to be President of FIFA. I’m convinced that Kalu is sufficiently and eminently qualified to aspire to the highest office in FIFA hierarchy. Let the Nigerian media deploy their arsenal toward helping Kalu to realise his ambition.

Orji Uzor Kalu

ome people may not be on the same page with me over the speculated ambition of the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kanu, to take over from the embattled current FIFA President, Josef Sepp Batter, whose reign has come to an abrupt end as a result of massive fraud uncovered by the American secret service and the Swiss police. Most followers of football believe Kalu is seen and considered as an outsider who lacks what it takes to muster the required necessary support for the top seat of FIFA. I beg to slightly disagree. It may be wrong to term Kalu an “outsider” in football affairs in Africa and indeed, in the world. What many may not know about this ardent and passionate football lover is the fact that he has consistently maintained a very warm relationship with CAF President Issa Hayatou. He was also said to have a sound relationship with many Executive Committee mem-

bers of FIFA and CAF respectively. Dr. Amos Adamu is the only known Nigerian that has served as Executive Committee member of both continental and world football ruling bodies consecutively and he is very hopeful of Kalu’s possibility of making a good impact at the election, should he decide to run. Submissions of people like Adamu should not be taken lightly. He has been in the system for years and remains one of the most connected FIFA and CAF family members even till date. Adamu believes that Nigerians should fully support Kalu’s candidacy. He is certainly not the only one asking Nigerians to garner support for Kalu. Some of my friends and fellow columnists and sport writers also hold same view. It is therefore important to appeal to Nigeria Football Federation to, as a matter of urgency, do the needful and the pursue best contacts it could muster to support Kalu whenever he makes his decision to contest public.

ASMA’s 3rd International Conference countdown begins in Abuja It was a gathering of who is who at the formal inauguration of the Organizing Committee for the 3rd edition of the African Sports Management Association (ASMA) held in Abuja on Thursday. The inauguration was performed by the former head of the civil service of the federation who was also former secretary to the government of the federation and the minister of defence, Alhaji (Dr.) Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR. The full import of the inauguration will form part of this column next week. Watch out!

Hard but the bitter truth Humility and simplicity are virtues. Learn to imbibe them. It pays to be so recognized otherwise, you are likely to hurt yourself fatally with arrogance and pride. Hard But The Bitter Truth. Until next week Friday, stay out of trouble and God bless Nigeria.

WORLD RECORD

Most baked beans eaten in five minutes

Vol. 05 No. 1182

Friday, August 21, 2015

N150

The most baked beans eaten with a cocktail stick in five minutes is 271 and was achieved by Ashrita Furman (USA) in Jamaica, New York, USA, on 11 August 2014.

Corruption and Buhari: Before the fatal distraction

t is no longer a secret that dingy paints of familiar ethnic, religion and politics-prompted colours are now being splashed at President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejuvenation of the campaign against massive graft in the land. One common and consensual refrain across all parts of the geographical expression called Nigeria, however, is that corruption has literally crippled the nation in both practical and visible terms. Nigeria, for decades, has been a fattened moron, indeed a ‘moke’, which the monstrous vice rides roughshod in the most absolute of terms. In Nigerian shores and, indeed, the world over, the give-and-take has been that this country – Nigeria – will emerge great and significantly scale down human suffering orchestrated by self-inflicted poverty, if corruption is given a good fight. United States’ Deputy Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken,

loyd Mayweather’s fight against Andre Berto in Las Vegas on September 12 will be the last of his career, according to Mayweather Promotions Chief Executive Officer, Leonard Ellerbe. The undefeated welter-

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) who visited Nigeria shortly before President Buhari’s recent trip to Washington for talks with President Barack Obama, among several other commentators on the subject, did say, for example, that “corruption is like a huge death weight that Nigeria has to carry around because it is denying resources to productive persons that would benefit all of the people of Nigeria. And of course, it also creates tremendous mistrust in government and alienates people from their leaders”. But until the dawn of the few drastic steps the Buhari government has taken so far to do real battle with graft, the country has been groping in the dark and lacking in determination to rein in the beast. And the reason is simple: corruption feeds poverty and poverty, in return, bows for corruption. Poverty in this context includes but is not confined to material poverty. Corruption and poverty thrive luxuriantly in the land because they have hardened cronies in ethnic, religion and politics bigots. But before President Buhari succumbs to blackmail or allows himself to be distracted by the hues and cries from the country’s four corners on the colour his administration’s fight against graft should wear, he should listen to this story that follows. It is a true life story told at the Africa Leadership Forum, Farm House Dialogue series, Dialogue Number 18, between September 20 and 22, 1991. The topic of the dialogue was ‘Poverty and Democracy’ and the venue of

CORRUPTION AND POVERTY THRIVE LUXURIANTLY IN THE LAND BECAUSE THEY HAVE HARDENED CRONIES IN ETHNIC, RELIGION AND POLITICS BIGOTS the talk was Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited, Ota, Ogun State. The forum was held before the collapse of the contrivance called ‘transition to civil rule’ by former military ‘President’, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd); and long before the gangling handcuffs of the goggled tyrant that drove away the interim government of Chief Ernest Shonekan gripped General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) and flung him into jail, from where he was elevated as civilian president in 1999. Present at the said dialogue, some dead, some alive, were Obasanjo himself, Stella Attoe, Fatima S. Abubakar, Jimi Olukoya, Gambo Seyi Mohammed, Tunji Abayomi, Femi Badejo, John Alex Hamah, Eddy I. Asadu, S. G. Ikoku, Tanko Abdullahi and Dr. Abioye Awopetu. The rest were Ayodele Aderinwale, Mrs. Oyatoye E.T.O. Mustapha Danesi, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Rimi, Dr.

Y.M. Maiangwa and Gabby Sasore; nineteen in all. Recall that the subject of the dialogue was ‘Poverty and Democracy’. When Obasanjo took the floor to render his introductory remarks, he was credited as labelling poverty as an all-consuming, complex and multi-dimensional concept with multifarious causes and no simple panacea or therapy. He said eradicating poverty or reducing the attendant problems it creates for democracy must equally be multi-dimensional; and must require the commitment of the entire society. He stated in addition that no matter how graphic the statistics or facts on poverty may appear, they can only paint a pale picture of the actual situation; and certainly cannot depict in sharp enough focus the inherent grinding deprivation and want. The said gathering proceeded to define poverty as “the inability to provide or secure basic needs”, perhaps due to lack of development of latent ability or mismanagement. They added: “It could also be self-induced or society-induced”. They then delved into the anatomy of poverty, dropping three broad classifications, namely: a. Poverty of material well-being; b. Poverty of ideas; and c. Poverty of courage. The overarching relations among the three were buttressed thus: the poverty of material well-being could influence the poverty of ideas or the poverty of courage. People who are not well-fed may not have the courage to rise up to caution the government as their primary concern would be one of survival. On the other hand, people may have ideas and the courage to express them even though their level of material well-being may be no more than modest. People, especially the well-to-do, may fear to challenge the system of governance because of the fear of sanctions that could greet their actions. Of all the three types of poverty identified, however, the Dialogue ranked the poverty of material well being as the most prominent, pernicious, overarching and almost all-embracing. Material poverty, according to them, has greatly impeded the development and sustenance of democracy. (To be continued)

Sport Extra Boxing: Promoter fixes ‘last fight’ for Mayweather weight, who has face criticism for refusing to fight British heavyweigh Amir Khan, will equal heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano’s long-standing unbeaten record of 49-0 if he defeats Berto.

Mayweather has the opportunity of further cementing his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats if he can surpass that record and extend his unbeaten record to 50 fights - but his trusted confidant

Ellerbe is adamant this will be the final time the 38-year-old will enter the ring. “Here’s a guy who’s made well over a half-billion dollars, doing it his way, and he can ride off

into the sunset after this,” Ellerbe said. “The fact is, this is Floyd’s last fight and the fans will get a chance to see him in a very exciting fight with a guy that we know is coming to fight.”

Mayweather

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