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Boko Haram: Nigeria gets $2.1bn World Bank loan to rebuild North East

I am alive, hale, hearty –Detained Jonathan’s former CSO

U.S. pledges to assist Nigeria recover ill-gotten wealth

ROTIMI FADEYI AND UBONG UKPONG

Olonisakin

Vol. 5 N0. 1161

he World Bank has unfolded a package that would include spending up to $2.1bn in rebuilding the devastated North-eastern part of the country ravaged for the past

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

six years by Boko Haram insurgency. At a meeting in Washington yesterday with representatives of the bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates FoundaCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

National Mirror Online

Buhari woos US investors

…says Nigeria has trade, investment opportunities

P.5

Obuah

@NationalMirror TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND ROTIMI FADEYI

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged United States entrepreneurs and other investors to take advantage of existing liberalised trade and investment policy regime in Nigeria to invest in the nation’s economy. The President gave the advice at a business forum

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organised by the United States Chamber of Commerce and The Corporate Council on Africa in Washington as part of his five-day official visit to the country. He explained that his administration would continue with the privatisation programme in various sectors, with a view to improving the efficiency of services by the privatised entities with the attendant implicaCONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Nigeria donates N200m to fight Ebola P.52

PPMC revokes bulk purchase agreement with three marketers P.6 Senate minority leader:

PDP chieftains move against Akpabio P.7

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President Muhammadu Buhari (left) at a joint press conference with United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, in Washington DC, yesterday.

Osinbajo, Yari meet over CBN bailout loan to states NEC meeting holds Thursday

Work to commence on petrochemical plant in A’Ibom

P.5 P.6

Oronsaye’s N1.2bn case: Judge accuses EFCC of intimidation P.4

News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Buhari woos US investors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tions for value-addition impact on the economy Buhari hinted that the privatisation programme would not only be pursued more vigorously but would be expanded to cover aviation, telecommunication, energy, gas, solid minerals, health, and infrastructure development sectors. He said: “It is my intention to create the necessary environment for future investment in Nigeria. We are the most populous nation and largest market in Africa with vast human and natural resources and blessed with abundant young skilled workforce “We are, therefore, proud candidates to become the destination of choice for United States investments in Africa. I will work assidu-

ously to welcome new investors to our country. I would like to remind you all that we are continuing in major privatisation programme with sectors ranging from telecommunication, energy, gas, solid minerals, aviation, health and infrastructural development, but with improved moral architecture. “We will also simplify visa procedures based on the principle of reciprocity. May I, therefore, seize this opportunity to formally invite the American business community to take advantage of our liberate trade and investment climate to do profitable business in Nigeria.” He also spoke on the excellent political relations between Nigeria and the U. S. which, he said, should be leveraged by the business

communities in the two countries and to increase trade and investments, including entering into joint venture projects in priority sectors of the economy. Specifically, he listed power generation, gas, agriculture value chain, mining, health, tourism, among others, as some of the key sectors requiring improved private sector investments and development. The President clarified further that while he recognised the pivotal role of government in facilitating and promoting economic growth, the private sector must play leading role as part of the engine of growth. While assuring the Americans of the Federal Government’s readiness to support genuine investors,

who are willing to come to Nigeria for solid mineral exploration, amongst other extractive ventures, he promised that his administration would implement its key campaign promises, particularly in providing employment opportunities for millions of Nigerian youths. “Generating employment was one of my key campaign promises. I will do my best to keep this promise. There is no other way to expand economic opportunities and create employment opportunities for millions of our youths than boosting domestic manufacturing, undertake infrastructural development and industrialisation. “Let me repeat, Nigeria will partner with genuine investors who are willing

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to join us to achieve our economic objective and at the same time realise handsome returns to recoup their investments. “There is more to Nigeria than oil. This is why I will continue to stress the need for increased United States investments in our non-oil sector. In this respect, the present administration will be attentive to the needs of the business community and pursue policy that will strengthen the sectors that drive the growth,” the President assured. As part of his administration’s commitment to promote transparency in the country, Buhari said the government would reduce waste in the management of the Nigerian economy through prudence, accountability, and good governance

Security personnel screening civil servants resuming for work after the Eid el-Fitr holidays at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, yesterday.

Boko Haram: Nigeria gets $2.1bn World Bank loan to rebuild North East CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tion and the World Health Organization, WHO, President Muhammadu Buhari said apart from rebuilding the region in terms of infrastructure, priority must also be given to resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who now number over one million. A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari also urged the World Bank to send a team, which would work in concert with the Federal Government, so that a proper assessment of needs could be done.

The statement said the bank would spend the $2.1bn through its International Development Agency, IDA, which gives low interest rate loans to government. The first ten years would be interest free while an additional 30 years would be at lower than capital market rate. The World Bank is eager to move in quickly, give out the loans, and give succour to the people of North-east, long at the mercy of an insurgency that has claimed over 20,000 lives. WHO is also to invest $300m on immunization against malaria in Nigeria,

while the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would collaborate with Dangote Foundation to ensure the country maintain its zero polio case recorded since last year. According to the statement, if the effort is sustained for another two years, Nigeria would be declared fully free of polio. Also yesterday, the United States government agreed to assist Nigeria recover illgotten wealth in countries in which they have jurisdiction, including the U.S. itself. A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu

said the U.S. would also offer training to judicial staff and prosecutors “in order to place Nigeria in a good position to uncover proceeds of corruption and for improved prosecution of cases of crime.” Details emerging from the meeting between Buhari and United States AttorneyGeneral, Loretta Lynch on the subject of support for the war on corruption in Nigeria indicate that the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty signed between the two countries in 1985, which came into effect in 2003 would be given some teeth. “There will be collabora-

tion. Each of the two countries will receive legal assistance from the other on criminal matters and that should cover the recovery of ill-gotten wealth. On extradition, we already have a treaty with United States by virtue of being a former British colonial territory. “There is however the possibility that Nigeria might negotiate a new extradition treaty to meet our other requirements. The negotiation will be done under the auspices of a ‘reenergized’ U.S-Nigeria BiNational Commission,” the statement further said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

as well as respect for the Rule of Law, strict compliance with and observance of contractual agreements. He urged United States foreign investment and funding agencies such as Overseas Investment Corporation and the United States Export–Import Bank to increase access to capital and funding of such businesses on favourable terms. In his remarks, the Chairman, Corporate Council on Africa, Mr. Paul Hinks, expressed the readiness of American investors to do business with Nigeria’s new government. He also used the opportunity to extend the Council’s invitation to Buhari to chair its Summit scheduled to hold in November in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf, in his reaction, noted that appealing to foreign investors to come to Nigeria was desirable given the abundant opportunities for investments in the economy. He pointed out however that to attract foreign investments to the economy required that the new administration should go beyond mere statements by vigorously taking steps that would make the country more investment friendly both for foreign and local investors. Yusuf quipped: “I think the President’s appeal to foreign investors is a welcome development but beyond the rhetoric, the new administration should improve the business environment through appropriate policy measures. “It is not just about foreign investments; this also has to do with the local investors too as an investment-friendly environment will support local and foreign businesses. “So, the President should prioritise the fashioning of appropriate policy and other measures in his efforts targeted at improving the performance of the economy in view of the social and economic benefits to the country. “This is the only way the right environment can be created for businesses to thrive.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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Photo News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

L-R: Former Resident, Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD), Mr. Vincent Nwanze; President/Chairman of governing council, Mr. Yemi Akeju; Guest Speaker, Prof. Deon Rossouw and former President, Chief (Mrs.) Eniola Fadayomi, during IOD quarterly business forum on “Governing the Ethics Performance of Organisation” in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

L-R: Non-Executive Director, Berger Paint Nigeria Plc, Engr. Patrick Buruche; Chairman, Dr. Oladimeji Alo; Managing Director, Mr. Peter Folikwe and non-Executive Director, Mr. Nelson Nweke, during the 55th annual general meeting of the company in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

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Chairperson, African Corporate Governance Network (ACGN), Jane Valls (left) and President, African Securities Exchange Association (ASEA), Mr. Oscar Onyema, during the signing of memorandum of understanding on corporate governance, in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Director of Welfare Services and Administration, Apostolic Faith Church, Amb. James Olaleye; District Superintendent, West and Central Africa, Rev. Bayo Adeniran and Director, Resource Directorate, Prof. Kayode Oje, during a news conference on the 2015 annual camp meeting of the church in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Alleged N1.2bn fraud: Judge accuses EFCC of intimidation Ise-Oluwa Ige ABUJA

federal high court judge in Abuja, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, yesterday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of intimidating him over the exercise of his judicial discretion to allow detained former Head of Service of the Federation, HOS, Steven Oronsaye, to go home free, pending hearing of his bail application. The judge, who was reacting to a comment by EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, to the effect that though the anti-graft agency had filed an application to oppose the bail of Orosanye and his alleged accomplice, he reasoned that there was no need moving it since the judge had granted them bail before the application

was to be moved. Jacobs had said what the EFCC wanted was that the judge should attach conditions to the earlier bail granted. The judge, though, interjected to explain that what he granted was an interim reprieve order and not bail order, the EFCC insisted there was no distinction between the two. The altercation compelled the judge to warn the EFCC of alleging bias against him in order to intimidate him to drop the case. He, however, said yesterday that he refused to be intimidated even as he ordered the immediate return of the case file to the chief judge for re-assignment when the court resumes from its vacation in September. He said the case file came to his court because he happened to be

the vacation judge. He further said that he earlier disclosed that he had a relationship with Orosanye before he commenced hearing in the case and that he asked them to make up their mind on whether or not they wanted him to proceed with the case. He threatened to reject the case file should the chief judge reassigns it to him in view of the development. He said he was not begging to hear any case, including the Orosanye’s. He consequently granted Orosanye formal bail on self- recognition. He however ordered that he surrenders his inter national and diplomatic passports to the deputy chief registrar of the Federal High Court as the only condition.

For the second accused person (Afe), he admitted him to bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties, one of who must be a civil servant on Grade Level 16. He further held that the second surety, who may be in corporate business or an entrepreneur, must have evidence of payment of personal income tax in the last three years with property which must be in Abuja, worth N75million. He also ordered that the two sureties depose to an af fidavit of means with their two recent passpor t photog raphs af fixed. The judge, however, released Afe to continue on the order of re prieve g ranted him at the last adjour ned date and g ave him till July 27 to meet the bail conditions, fail-

ing which the EFCC must re-ar rest and kee p him in its custody till the retur n date fixed for October 5. Jacobs said he never accused the judge of likelihood of bias, saying he was misre presented. He said he was worried that the judg e had to put all he said in his r uling when the r uling of the cour t was indeed predicated on misre presentation of his position. The EFCC, had, last week, arraigned Orosanye alongside Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, before the court for conspiring with one another to loot N1.2bn from the nation’s treasury between March 2010 and December 2011. The EFCC had requested the judge to

remand the for mer top bureaucrat in prison till the following day to allow it respond to the for mal application for bail filed by Orosanye. That was after the EFCC had pleaded with the cour t to reject an application by Orosanye and his alleged accomplice to be remanded in its (EFCC) custody. But Justice Kolawole had tur ned down EFCC’s request to send them to prison on the reasoning that sending Orosanye and Afe to prison would be punitive. The judge who declared that he had past relationship with Orosanye, said he could vouch for him that he would not bolt away if allowed temporary freedom before his bail application is heard.

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News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Osinbajo, Yari meet over CBN bailout loan to states ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

hairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Abdulaziz Yari yesterday said states still need intervention fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to be able to cope with payment of workers’ salaries. Speaking with State House Correspondents after meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Yari, who is also Zamfara State governor said at the last meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, it was agreed that there would be a special intervention fund to assist states that are not able to foot the salary arrears of their workers. Yari disclosed that he came to meet with Osinbajo in order to know the current position and how far the Federal Government had gone with the CBN in

ensuring the release of the intervention fund even as NEC is expected to meet on Thursday. He explained that the issue of unpaid salaries affected both Ffederal and state governments “So, we follow up to know how far they have gone with the CBN Governor and now we have gotten the brief but the CBN governor is out in Washington and immediately he comes back, we are going to take up the matter to see the end of issue of unpaid salaries to the workers,” Yari said. It would be recalled that early this month, President Muhammadu Buhari approved N400bn as relief package to states to settle workers that are being owed salaries for months. The N400bn was among a comprehensive package approved by the President to cushion the effect of current cash crunch being faced by the 36 states.

The packages include the sharing of about $2.1bn (N413.7bn) fresh allocation between states and the Federal Government, which was realised from recent Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, proceeds to the Federation Account. The President also approved a CBN-packaged special intervention fund that would offer financing to the states, ranging between N250bn to N300bn. This would be a soft loan made available to states to access for the payment of backlog of salaries. The CBN is expected to negotiate the terms with individual states. There was also a debt relief programme proposed

by the Debt Management Office, DMO, which will help states restructure their commercial loans currently put at over N660bn, and extend the life span of such loans while reducing their debtservicing expenditures. Speaking on insurgency and the ongoing Boko Haram attacks, the governor said members of the sect could not be found in a group clustered together for any attack, noting that they are scattered and from their hideouts engage in guerrilla warfare. He howeevr assured that government was doing everything possible to counter the insurgents and overcome terrorism in the country. According to him, it is re-

sponsibility of government to ensure security of lives and property of the people. “The issue of insurgency is a kind of something that is problem of all. Now the Boko Haram cannot be found in any forest, or in any local government among the occupied local governments in Borno, Yobe or Adamawa states. You cannot find them. “So, what we are now suffering is a kind of guerrilla war, checking the bombs, dislodging the suicide bombings and what have you. But to see a group of 100, 200 as Boko Haram members to confront our military, they cannot be found. “The issue of Boko Haram is number one that

Mr. President is discussing with the President of the United States and the supports he is going to give Nigeria to ensure that the issue of insurgency comes to an end. “The government is going to put their machinery in place, most especially the military and security in place to ensure that the insurgency comes to an end,” Yari said. The governor said lead poisoning in Zamfara State was aggravated by unemployment He, however, said the state government had organised the miners in smaller groups to educate them in mining techniques to avoid further disaster.

I am alive, hale, hearty –Detained Jonathan’s former CSO

ormer Chief Security Officer, CSO, to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Gordon Obuah, has dispelled rumours of his death in custody of the Department of State Services, DSS. Obuah, who was presented before journalists at the Yellow House headquarters of the Service, was however shielded from answering media enquiries. Since DSS has not unveiled its spokesperson, there was no official to respond to concerns raised by journalists. He, however, said there has been no adverse situation since he was taken into custody, hailing the DSS for being a professionally-conscious organisation. The former CSO, who has been in detention since last Thursday, is still an operative of the DSS. He said having completed his duties as CSO to former President Jonathan, the Service only took him in to give account of his stewardship. “Let me use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians and members of my family, who have expressed serious concerns for the past six days, because of the prevailing situation between I and my office. “This morning (yes-

terday), my attention was drawn to the fact that I had died in detention. This has caused very serious anxiety within the polity,” he said. Reportedly diabetic and hypertensive, Obuah who appeared very calm said he was in good health. “I’m healthy; I’m a staff of the DSS, and having completed my services to the past President, the Service feels that I should give account of my service. “So far, there is no adverse situation, and I’m optimistic that Nigerians will be availed the outcome of the situation. “Nigerians should be assured that the DSS is a very responsible service, and I believe that nothing adverse will be done to my person, since I’m a member of the SSS and I’m still in service; and I have limitations on addressing the press,” he explained. Meanwhile, Cross River State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ntufam John yesterday urged the Federal Government to charge Obuah and former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd,) to court instead of detaining them at the DSS cells. Okon stated this, while fielding questions from journalists on the arrest in Calabar.

New Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Abdullahi Muhammadu (left), and his predecessor, Dr. Ade Abolurin, at the handover in Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram: Nigeria gets $2.1bn World Bank loan to rebuild North East CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Meanwhile the military yesterday said a new time line to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the country would soon be announced. This was even as the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Maj-Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, charged the new appointed Service Chiefs to sit up towards meeting the new time line. Olonisakin, in his maiden address at the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, to formally takeover office, promised the resolve of the Armed Forces to redouble efforts in confronting the security challenges in the country. The Defence Chief told the Service Chiefs that he would demand more from

them to justify the confidence repose on them by President Buhari, which was the basis of their appointment. He said: “A lot has been done in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the north east; in furtherance of the successes so far achieved, we will look at ways to strengthen the existing arrangement as well as provide new strategic direction. “We will set specific timelines and milestones to be achieved; look at gaps in the ongoing efforts and do all that are needful, with the support of government, to address these gaps especially in the areas of actionable intelligence, logistics, communication and other criti-

cal equipment. “We must explore every available means to obtain real-time and actionable intelligence in all our operations.” The military boss said that he would move in quickly into the already established Military Command and Control Centre, MCCC in Maiduguri, Borno State, with a view to strengthening it by deploying required personnel and logistics for greater command in the war zone. In a related event, the Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has vowed to give sleepless nights to oil thieves and illegal bunkers. Ibas, who spoke at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja,

after taking over from his predecessor, Vice Admiral Usman Jibril, rtd, said the trust and confidence in his appointment would reflect in the decisions he would take in furtherance of national security. Ibas warned his men that he would at all times demand high standards, discipline, loyalty, integrity and teamwork, both from officers, ratings and civilian staff Earlier in his valedictory speech, Jubril, said that he had raised the bar in fighting crude oil theft. He said that under him in the past 18 months, crude oil theft dropped from 2.4million barrel per month to about 300, 000 barrels in the month of March.

National News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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PPMC revokes bulk purchase agreement with 3 marketers

•NUPENG embraces products haulage by railways

ipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, has revoked the bulk purchase agreements of three petroleum marketers caught diverting petroleum products out of the country, an official has said. Mr Nasir Imodagbe, Manager, Public Affairs and Community Relations of PPMC, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Imodagbe named the marketers as Funo Alfa Ltd, Organiser West Africa Ltd and Rich Oil Ltd. He said the marketers’ actions violated the bulk purchase agreement with PPMC. According to him, “the revocation is part of the corporation’s effort in sanitising the industry by checkmating marketers diverting products meant for domestic consumption. “This will also reduce

frequent petroleum hoarding and diversion by marketers. “The process is continuous and we are going to ensure adequate monitoring of marketers.’’ Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had on July 19 banned 113 oil tankers from entering Nigerian oil facilities and territorial waters. The corporation in a statement signed by

Gbenga Komolafe, Group General Manager Crude Oil Marketing Division, prohibited tankers “from engaging in crude oil and gas loading activities in any of the terminals within Nigerian territorial waters until further notice.” The company made the announcement in a letter dated July 15 and addressed to terminal operators in Nigeria. Meanwhile, National Union of Petroleum and

Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday said it had no objection to the use of railways to haul petroleum products across the country. The South-West Chairman of the union, Tokunbo Korodo, told NAN in Lagos. Korodo said it was a good development as long as Nigerians would not be deprived the right to get the products at the approved prices. “We do not have any ob-

jection to any mode of distribution so far it will get to the masses at a reasonable price,” he said. It would be recalled that NUPENG had on June 1 asked the Federal Government to rehabilitate railways for petroleum haulage. The union said this in a statement signed by its president, Mr Igwe Achese, adding that this would reduce the burden of traffic on the highways.

Abolurin hands over to new NSCDC CG Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

ewly-appointed CommandantGeneral of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Abdullahi Muhammadu, yesterday took over the reins of the outfit, assuring that he would work towards improving the legacies of his predecessor, Dr Ade Abolurin. At a hand-over ceremony in Abuja, Muhammadu thanked the former Commandant-General for his immense contribution to the corps. He, however, declined further comments, saying he would outline his policy-document in the next few days. Earlier, recounting the history of NSCDC, Abolurin said he met only 9,000

personnel when he was appointed in 2005. This figure, he said, has risen to 59,000 highly-motivated and academically sound personnel. Describing the new helmsman as a worthy successor and a pride to the corps, Abolurin recalled that in his 10-year sojourn at NSCDC, he never travelled abroad. He urged senior officers of the corps to shun greed and give opportunity to their subordinates to excel. Appointed in 2005, Abolurin steered the hitherto unknown NSCDC to an elite corps of professionals, moving it from its three-bedroom flat national headquarters and two operational vehicles to bring it at par with other paramilitary agencies in the country.

Ondo road crash kills 8 Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

ight persons yesterday evening perished in an auto crash at Ilara Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State. Eyewitnesses said the crash was caused by a lorry coming from the Akure end of Ilesa-Akure Expressway. The cement-laden lorry was said to have lost control and collided with a Toyota Sienna bus coming from Lagos. All eight passengers in the Sienna bus, including the driver identified as Sunday Efo, reportedly died in-

stantly, while the lorry’s driver sustained serious injuries. National Mirror learnt that the bus was coming from Ojota in Lagos to Ikare-Akoko when the accident occurred, some kilometres to its destination. Residents of the area were said to have made frantic efforts to save the lives of the victims but to no avail. Corpses of the victims have been deposited at the morgue of a government hospital in the state. Efforts to get the state commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, for his reaction failed as at the time of filing this report.

Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Usman Jibirin (left) handing over to his successor, Rear Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, in Abuja, yesterday.

Work to commence on petrochemical plant in A’Ibom

overnor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has said that work will soon commence on the $1.5 billion petrochemical plant in Ibeno. While chatting with journalists over the weekend, Emmanuel said the plant, whose groundbreaking ceremony was performed by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan last year in Ibeno, would generate a lot of employment

opportunities for people of the state when completed. He also said the government had put everything in place for take-off of the plant. “We have done the environmental impact assessment, the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) has been issued and site has been cleared and is ready for work to start. Once the gas purchase agreement with Exxon Mobil is finalised, work will commence

immediately,” he said. The governor also used the opportunity to commend the initiative of chairman of Quantum Petrochemicals, Jim Ovia, for believing in the state. His words: “We want to use this opportunity to thank the chairman of Quantum Petrochemicals Company Limited, Jim Ovia, for this huge investment in our State. This project will create

employment for thousands of our people and will also add to our efforts to rapidly industrialize our State. “Mr. Ovia is one unique Nigerian business mogul who believes in the endless possibilities of this great nation, the ‘can-do’ spirit that is embedded in our people. He is a man of impeccable character and his zeal for development is highly commendable.

Maritime workers give NPA July 30 ultimatum

aritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday gave the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, up till July 30 to meet its demands without which the workers would embark on strike. President of MWUN, Tony Nted, spoke on telephone to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

Nted told NAN that the union had met with NPA and agreed that its demands be met on or before July 30. “We met with NPA today (Tuesday) and we discussed on the way forward, which is meeting our demands. “We, however, told them that the demands should be met on or be-

fore July 30 or we will resort to strike. “We want to remain optimistic that the NPA will take the necessary steps as discussed,’’ Nted said. “Our demands still remain the issue of salary arrears being owed the workers and the need for the port access roads to be fixed.

“Other issues like that of the job definition of the cargo surveyors and the Tally clerks have been discussed too.’’ When contacted on the development, Musa Iliya, an Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of the NPA, said details of the meeting would be made known in a communiqué.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Senate minority leader: PDP chieftains move against Akpabio ISE-OLUWA IGE

wo chieftains of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alaye Don Pedro and Dr. Okechukwu Ibeh, have approached a Federal High Court in Abuja for an order prohibiting the nomination of former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, or any other unqualified senator for the post of Minority Leader in the 8th Senate. The chieftains are contending that nomination of the ex-governor or any other unqualified senator for

the position of principal officer of the Senate will be in breach of section 3(2) of the Senate Standing Rule. In a legal action instituted to stop the South-South Senate Caucus from presenting anybody caught by the provisions of section 3(2) of the Senate Standing Rule for the position of Minority Leader, the two chieftains argued that a first timer in the Senate was by the Senate rule not qualified to hold the office for now. Former governor Akpabio is a fresh senator caught by the provision. They applied for the order of the court to stop

the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, from accepting nomination of any unqualified senator so as to protect the sanctity of the Senate and the breach of its own laws. The legal action was instituted on their behalf by Mr. Joel Bankole Akomolafe and has the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and 16 others as defendants. The16 other defendant senators constituted South-South senate caucus in the Senate. In a motion ex-parte argued by their counsel yesterday, they asked the court to restrain the defendants from selecting or appointing the minority leader of the Senate by a procedure in breach of order 3 (2) of the Senate Standing Order 2015 as amended pending the determination of their suit. They also asked for an order prohibiting the Senate President from accepting, recognising or appointing the Minority Leader by a procedure in breach of order 3(2). In two separate affidavits in support of their motions, they claimed that new members of the Senate were excluded in holding any senate principal office.

PLATEAU STATE POLYTECHNIC P.M.B. 02023, BARKIN LADI, JOS, PLATEAU STATE OFFICE OF THE RECTOR

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDER OF CONTRACTORS FOR SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi desires to execute the following projects with her Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) year 2015 Special Interventions. 2.0 PROJECTS LOT 1: Construction of Hostel Development LOT 2: Furnishing of Hostel Development 3.0 ELIGIBILITY CRETERIA Interested contractors and companies are to apply and complete the pre-qualification documents with the following requirements: a. Company registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) b. Company Tax Clearance Certificate for the Past Three (3) Years. c. Evidence of registration with PENCOM d. Evidence of registration with ITF (Original Documents from A-D should be provided for sighting) e. Company profile with list of staff, including CVs of competencies, qualifications, registration with relevant professional bodies, and experienced key personnel. f. Evidence of similar and verifiable projects successfully executed by your company in the past 5 years including scope of projects, location of projects, contract sum, letter of award, and certificate of practical or final completion. g. Evidence of registration with Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi h. Bank reference i. 3 years Audited Accounts of the company. 4.0 TENDER DOCUMENTS Tender documents are obtainable within fourteen (14) days from the date of this publication between 10am to 3pm each day from the Office of the Rector, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin

Ladi, Jos, Plateau State. 5.0 SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION/ TENDER DOCUMENTS Completed documents should be submitted in a sealed and marked envelope with the title of the project on the top left hand corner of the envelope. It should be dropped in the prequalification/tender box in the office of the Rector not later than Wednesday, August 05, 2015 before 12:00 noon. 6.0 OPENING OF PRE-QUALIFICATION/ TENDER DOCUMENTS The pre-qualification and tender documents shall be opened same day Wednesday, August 05, 2015 at 12:00 noon in the Polytechnic Board room at the expiration of the time allowed for submission of documents. 7.0 IMPORTANT NOTICE: 1. The participation in the bid does not guarantee any contractor or company the right to be selected or given any job 2. That by the submission of tender document, the Polytechnic is neither committed nor obliged to award any contract to any contractor or agency. 3. That this advertisement for invitation to prequalification and tender shall not be misconstrued as a commitment on the part of the Polytechnic, nor shall entitle any contractor/firm to make any claims whatsoever and, or seek any indemnity from the Polytechnic. The Polytechnic reserves the right to reject any or all expression of interest and to terminate the selection process at any time without any liability to the Polytechnic. Any bid submitted after the closing date shall not be considered. Only pre-qualified contractors/companies will be invited for collection of financial bids and

Signed: PUBLIC NOTICE REGISTRAR

GOVERNMENT OF BENUE STATE OF NIGERIA RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION AGENCY BERWASSA NO. 179, AHMADU BELLO WAY, OLD GRA, MAKURDI.

RE: INVITATION TO TENDER FOR RURAL WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES IN BENUE STATE SANITATION, HYGIENE AND WATER IN NIGERIA (SHAWN) PROJECT II 1.0 PREAMBLE Benue State Government has received funding from DFID/UNICEF to support the delivery of water and sanitation services in rural communities of Benue State. Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency now invites bids to engage contractors for the drilling and completion of 100 Hand Pumps and 16 Motorized Boreholes within communities in Ogbadibo, Oju, Tarka and Konshisha LGAs of Benue State. 2.0 SCOPE OF WORK Construction of 100 No Hand pump and 16 Motorized Boreholes with distribution network. 3.0 REQUIREMENT Companies interested in the project are to submit company profiles which mustcontain the following: I. Evidence of Company Incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria. II. Evidence of registration with Benue State Tenders’ Board. III. Evidence of valid Tax Clearance Certificate for the past 3 years. IV. Evidence of VAT Registration. V. Audited Accounts of the Company for the last 3 years duly endorsed by a firm of Chartered Accountants. VI. List of relevant equipment. VII. List of verifiable documentary evidence of successfully executed/ ongoing projects in the past 3 years. VIII. List of key staff including professionals (if any) and their CVs. IX. Provision of Bid Security for all bids at 3% of the bid price from a reputable bank. X. Evidence of purchase of bid documents. 4.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS. Interested eligible contractors are to collect bidding documents from BERWASSA office address below, upon presentation of bank teller for payment of tender fee of N10,000.00 into the following BERWASSA Bank Account, 0025386126, Sort Code 032305168, Union Bank, Makurdi. Completed tender documents and company profile, which shall be in 5 copies (One original and 4 copies) with soft copies in a DVD (containing excel copy of the completed BOQ and PDF copies of other bid documents) are to be submitted in a sealed envelope marked with the company’s bid invitation number at the top left-hand corner, and addressed to: The General Manager, Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), No 179 Ahmadu Bello Way, New GRA, Makurdi, Benue State. Sealed envelopes are to be submitted and received at BERWASSA Office from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, from Tuesday 21st July, 2015, until 12 noon, August, 4th, 2015). Bid opening shall follow immediately after the submission deadline. 5.0 DISCLAIMER This advertisement for “Invitation to Tender” shall not be construed as a commitment on the part of BERWASSA, nor shall it entitle any company to make any claim whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from BERWASSA, or from the State Government and/or any of its departments, by virtue of such companies having responded to this advertisement. All expenses incurred in preparing “Invitation to Tender” response and all expenses otherwise associated with “Invitation to Tender” responses shall be borne solely by the prospective contractor.

Signed: Dr. James Aper General Manager, Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA).

South West

Wednesday, July 22 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Daramola’s murder: Police nab 2 suspects

Business activities resuming in Lagos Island, yesterday, after Eid el-Fitr holidays.

PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Odua group rolls out empowerment plan for S’West ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

odua Investment Group has designed a five-year plan to serve as platform for empowerment and employment of Southwest people. Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Adewale Raji, said the plan included manufacturing, community-based mechanised agriculture and skills acquisition programmes. Raji, who spoke in Ado-

Ekiti during a visit of the group’s top management to Ekiti State governor, lamented that the group had experienced a great deal of stagnation, hence the necessity to re-position it for bright future. He said the 40,000 hectares of land available to the organisation (10,000 of which is in Ekiti State) would be put to productive use for further development. According to him, Oodua Group will not shirk its responsibility of impacting on the society

through its platform of social responsibility programmes. In his remarks, Ekiti governor charged the new leadership to make frantic efforts to re-position the organisation and tackle the problems besetting it. The governor urged stakeholders in the organisation to have a change of attitude to pave way to revive the image and heritage of South Western states.” He lamented that the challenges that brought

the organisation to its knees dated back several years, saying selfish interests of key players in Oodua Investment Group had caused serious setback to the development of the legacies of the founding fathers. The governor, who said the companies under the Group had the potential to generate wealth for the five-owner states if well managed, promised to render necessary support within the power of the state to chart a better way forward for Oodua.

Osun summit ploy to cause mayhem –APC BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

ll Progressives Congress, APC, leaders in Ijesa zone of Osun State yesterday said the proposed summit by Osun Stakeholders is a “grand plot by elements in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to plunge the state into premeditated crisis. Also, a socio-political group based in the state, The Patriots, called on Osun police commissioner, Director of State Security Services and Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to beef up security in the state to avoid breach of peace and order by “suspected opposition ele-

ments planning violent protest.” Ijesa APC in a statement by its secretary, Prince Femi Kujembola, said the major players in the deal were people of “compromised value who could not be trusted for anything, as they rely on blackmail, mudslinging and all sorts of dirty jobs to survive.” Insisting that the summit’s organisers were acting the script handed over to them by PDP and some of its leading members, it added that the “kangaroo summit on ‘education and financial status’, which had a pre-conceived end, was being financed” allegedly by Senator Iyiola Omisore and Prince Ade Fadahunshi. It also described con-

veners of the summit as “detractors” who want to capitalise on the financial challenge in the country to crash the entire state through their evil plot. The party therefore, urged its members, indigenes and entire people of the state to disregard and dissociate themselves

from the summit, saying its organisation was to cause chaos by PDP surrogates. Similarly, The Patriots, in a statement by its spokesman, Sadiq Olajide, insisted that violence is never an option despite the current circumstances in the state.

omicide section of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspects as it commenced investigation into the killing of an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Salawe Daramola. The command’s spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the arrest yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Nwosu, who did not say if the two suspects were politicians, however, said they were arrested during Sallah celebration in various parts of the state. He said the suspects had been transferred to

Court okays medical trip for ex-Afribank boss WALE IGBINTADE

Lagos High Court judge, Olabisi Akinlade, yesterday granted the application of a former director of Afribank Nigeria Plc, Chinedu Onyia, to go for medical check-up in the United Kingdom. Onyia is standing trial alongside former managing director of Afribank, Sebastian Adigwe; a stockbroker, Peter Ololo, and his company, Falcon Securities Limited; former Chairman of Afribank, Osa Osunde and former executive directors – Jibrin Isah, Isa Zailani, Henry Arogundade and Isa Zailani. They are standing trial over alleged abuse of office, banking malpractices and money laundering to the tune of N55 billion filed against them by the Economic and Financial

3 kidnap suspects remanded in Ogun

n Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun yesterday remanded three men, Isaac Uche, 49, Sunday Aneato, 26, and Opeyemi Sodeinde, 18, in prison custody for allegedly kidnapping one Olalekan Olajide. Chief Magistrate A.O. Abimbola ordered the accused remanded in prison custody pending receipt of

legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The accused persons, whose addresses were not disclosed in court, are facing a three-count charge of kidnapping, murder and conspiracy. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused persons and others

the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation. The two gunmen, who came on motorcycle on Thursday evening, shot dead Daramola, a chieftain of APC in Ward B, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area. It was learnt that the assailants stormed the deceased’s residence at ‘K’ Close, 3rd Avenue, Festac Town, and shot him at close range three times. The suspects allegedly arrived at the place about 5:30pm to perpetrate the dastardly act. Nwosu said the suspects were first interrogated by the Area E Commander, ACP Frank Mba to ascertain their level of involvement, before being taken to SCID.

still at large, committed the offences on June 11 at 10, Basiriju Street, Babio BusStop, in Ota. Mustapha said the accused persons and their accomplices conspired to kidnap eight-year-old Olalekan Olajide and killed him in the process. Abimbola, however, adjourned the case till September 4 for mention.

Crimes Commission, EFCC. Onyia had in his application dated July 10, filed by his lawyer, Kolade Obafunmi, sought leave of the court to travel abroad for medical check-up. Moving the application, Onyia’s lawyer reminded the court that a similar application was granted by the court in 2011 allowing the defendant to travel out for treatment. In her ruling, Justice Akinlade granted the application but said the defendant must return his international passport to the court registrar latest by September 10. It would be recalled that a prosecution witness, Emmanuel Al-Hassan with EFCC had told the court that the defendants granted questionable loans to different companies to buy shares of blue chip organisations, which sums were later diverted. Led in evidence by counsel for the EFCC, Dr. K. Ekwueme, Al-Hassan told the court that Adigwe and other directors transferred N15 billion in favour of Rehoboth Asset Limited. According to him, the money was approved as loan by the defendants at the 252nd board meeting of Afribank to buy shares of blue chip companies on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

NAF to establish aircraft maintenance hangar OLUSEGUN KOIKI

L-R: National Vice President, Law Students Association of Nigeria, National Open University, Mrs. Ajiboye Adenike; President, Paul Oyemike; National Vice President, Bassy Nwibani and National Director of Programmes, Mr. Eugene Ogbonna, during the first national grand dinner in honour of law graduates of the National Open University in Abuja on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

ASUU threatens strike over salary arrears in LAUTECH KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

cademic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso chapter, yesterday called on Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, respectively, to pay the 13 months’ salaries they owe workers of the institution without further delay. The union also threatened industrial crisis should the workers’ arrears of salaries be unpaid on time by the two-owner states.

Chairman of ASUU, LAUTECH chapter, Dr. Oyebamiji Oyegoke, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, said staff members of the institution were finding it difficult to survive and nobody is willing to loan money to them to meet their basic needs. According to him, workers of the institution are facing untold hardship as the owner states have abdicated their responsibilities, culminating in workers being owed 13 months’ salaries. He added that the call on the two governors became imperative in view of the bailout granted states owing salaries by President

Muhammadu Buhari. While calling for judicious use of the funds to boost the well-being of the workers, Oyegoke demanded regular payment of salaries from monthly government subventions and not from internallygenerated revenue which is supposed to be used for other welfare and development projects. He said: “The two ownerstates jointly owe the university workers 13-months’ salaries, thus forcing the university to keep the system running via financial interventions.” While lamenting that there has been no visible projects on the campus in

the last five years, Oyegoke said the projects visible on the campus are products of ASUU’s struggles and TETFUND’s interventions. Warning of imminent industrial disharmony between the workers and the government of the two owner-states, he wondered whether Governors Ajimobi and Aregbesola forgot their promise of “spending the necessary monies on LAUTECH to turn it into a model university among its peers.” The ASUU boss insisted that the two state governments have abdicated their responsibilities of providing funding as expected for the university.

Ambode orders recovery of land from grabbers FRANCIS SUBERU

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has ordered immediate recovery of 250 acres of land in Gberigbe, Ikorodu area of Lagos allegedly taken over illegally by a notorious land grabber. The governor, who yesterday instructed the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offence Unit to recover the land, said the state would not take kindly to activities of land grabbers. The land in question, it was gathered, had been given to Shoreman Agro for farming in the early 80s

by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative to encourage farming and boost food production. But the land was violently taken over by one Lamina, popularly known as Sir Kay, who was accused of selling the land and pulling down over 12,000 palm trees in the farm. According to a representative of Shoreman Agro, who craved anonymity because he has no authority to speak with the press, staffs of the farm were forcefully sent away by Lamina, who claimed to be working for some land grabbers. He said: “We got that land between 1982 and 1983; we have the neces-

sary document and approval from the state government and the families who also claimed ownership of the land. The land was a jungle when we started developing it for agricultural purposes. Our farm won the Best Farmer of the Year award in 1989, both in the state and at federal level. “The land grabbers led by Lamina, also known as Sir Kay, invaded and destroyed our farms, tractors and other facilities. About 12,000 palm trees were also destroyed while our workers were chased away by Lamina’s thugs.” The Shoreman representative added that the farm’s trouble with the

land grabbers started in 2005 when one of the lawyers who was a signatory to the acquisition of the land passed on. Commenting on Governor Ambode’s directive, chairman of the state’s task force, Mr. Akeem Adedeji, said the state government would not condone illegal eviction of rightful landlords from their properties by miscreants, adding that the era of land grabbing in Lagos is over. In line with the governor’s directive, Adedeji said the agency would storm the land in question and serve quit notice on its occupant who must have bought it from the land grabbers.

he era of Nigerian commercial airlines carrying out scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of their aircraft overseas may soon come to an end with the planned establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility by the Nigerian Air Force, NAF. Chief of Air Staff, COAS, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos during a one-day seminar organised by National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE. Abubakar was represented on the occasion by Commander, 401Aircraft Maintenance Depot, Ikeja, Air Commodore Emmanuel Eze. Abubakar said on completion of the hangar, the Air Force would commercialise and make it available to Nigerian carriers - both commercial and military - which would enable them to carry out maintenance of their aircraft in the country.

He told the gathering that the essence of the hangar was to ensure reduction in the cost of maintaining aircraft by airline owners and operators in the country. Abubakar also disclosed that the Air Force has set up an international helicopter training school that has graduated two sets of students, adding that the school is not restricted to NAF personnel, but equally serves members of the public. He added that soon, NAF would set up a fixed wing training school in the country, stressing that work is ongoing for the establishment of a directorate of regulations and airworthiness in the Air Force, which he said would further ensure provision of competent professionals for the country’s aviation industry. He added: “We are assiduously working to see that the capacity of NAF personnel is well developed. We are working with NCAA to ensure that we develop the civil aviation sector in Nigeria.”

Insecurity: Cleric calls for prayers

pastor, Rev. Emmanuel Okechukwu Attah, has said the rise in crime, insurgency and violent attacks across the country is an opportunity for Christians to pray for reversal of the ugly situation. Attah, a senior pastor with the Foursquare Gospel Church, Pedro, in Lagos State, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, told National Mirror shortly after the event that the church’s role in crisis situation was divinely mandated. His words: “Ours is a biblical injunction to pray for the nation. First, we pray; that shows we trust God for intervention, for only He can subdue every challenge. Recall that nothing is impossible with God.” Aside prayers, he said the church is known as the light and that Christians must continue to live a good, moral life and constantly teach biblical truths to change the society for good. While suing for calm between Fulani herdsmen and

farmers, the Kogi-born minister who has a PGD in Peace and Conflict Resolution, said despite the extreme sufferings of victims of insurgency and violent attacks, the promotion of peace remains the most apt solution. He debunked the insinuation that Boko Haram activities were targeted solely at Christians. “In the past we thought the Church was the target. But subsequent bombings, including the recent one in Jos have shown that Muslims and Christians are equally affected,” he said while also canvassing support to eradicate it. Earlier in his congratulatory message, general overseer of the church Rev. Felix Meduoye, who was represented by Mrs. Idejo Bene, described Pastor Attah as a jovial, principled and committed minister and member of the National Ministerial Council, one of the highest organs of the church charged with welfare of ministers.

South East

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pension arrears: NUP vows to ground activities in Imo Chris Njoku OWERRI

igeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, yesterday resolved to embark on a demonstration that would paralyse socio-economic activities in Imo State, if after its seven days notice, the government fails to pay pensioners all their outstanding arrears. The union also resolved after its emergency meeting

at its World Bank council secretariat, Owerri, not to participate in any verification exercise conducted by the state government, having participated in two previous exercises. It insisted on immediate payment of its members’ salary arrears without further delay. In a communiqué signed by its state chairman, Chief G.U. Ezeji, and principal secretary, Evang. Livinus Asiegbu, the union resolved

to stage the demonstration after expiration of the seven days’ notice, having given the government 14 days notice, which expired yesterday. Stating their grievances which include non-payment of 18 months’ arrears owed retired primary school teachers, six months’ arrears owed local government pensioners, five months arrears owed civil pensioners, arrears of gratuity from 2001 to date, pay-

ment of arrears of Abdulsalami Abubakar’s 180 per cent award of 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo’s 142 per cent award of 2000. The union observed that Governor Rochas Okorocha has not shown any sign of responsive governance towards resolving these grievances. It said it would no longer tolerate inconsistency of government towards the plight of its members, adding that many of the mem-

bers have died in agony without money to even buy drugs. According to them the union had followed all due processes to address the problems of Imo pensioners without success. “Our suffering continues; our agog continues without a stop. We are dying in thousands; we cannot be alive to sing our requiem. We have resolved to put a stop to our suffering,” it stated.

The union demanded that the governor goes to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to borrow money to pay the pensioners who supported him to win his return election. “Fortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari has given the governors a bailout to pay salaries; our governor should use the bailout to pay the pensioners in the state or go to a commercial bank or the CBN to borrow to pay us,” the union added.

Police arrest 2 cult suspects in Enugu

nugu Police Command said on Tuesday it has arrested two suspected cultists. The suspects, who were said to be members of a cult group, Vikings, were arrested at Maryland Boys Secondary School, Enugu. A statement issued by police spokesman in the state, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said one of the suspects was a 24-year-old mason, who hails from Aguabosi Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area. The statement quoted the suspect as saying he joined the group while in secondary school in 2012 in Port Harcourt. The second suspect, a

22-year-old, who hails from Uburu in Ebonyi State, was said to have joined the JVC cult in 2008 when he was in junior secondary school. The statement added that items recovered from him included a single barrel gun with one cartridge, while investigations into the incident has commenced. Similarly, the police said it had on July 16 arrested another suspect for being in possession of a locally-made revolver with two rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. The statement quoted the suspect as saying that a yetto-be arrested accomplice asked him to procure the gun for his use during a community festival.

NIMASA appoints Acting DG

igerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, yesterday announced Mr. Calistus Obi as acting director-general and chief executive officer of the agency. Deputy director/head of public relations of NIMASA, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, in a statement in Lagos said the appointment followed the handover by Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi to him. The statement recalled that the Federal Government had last week relieved Akpobolokemi of his appointment as chief executive officer of the agency. He was directed to hand over the property of the agency to the most senior officer there. The statement said Obi was, until this appointment, the executive director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services in the agency.

It added that Obi had acquired over two decades of experience in law practice as well as in the maritime industry. The statement said Obi, born on May 1, 1964, hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Imo State and studied Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. “After duly completing the mandatory Law School programme, he bagged a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,’’ the statement said. According to the statement Obi, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association was called to the Bar in 1991. It explained that Obi was also a member of the International Bar Association, fellow, Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators as well as other professional associations.

L-R: National officers of Prison Officers’ Wives Association (PROWA), Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Henrietta Toby; Secretary, Mrs. Afujue Ogechukwu and President, Mrs. Lizzie Ekpendu, during a fund-raising for PROWA Nursery and Primary School in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Provide trailer parks, FRSC urges Anambra govt

nambra State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Sunday Ajayi, has appealed to the state government to provide parks for articulated vehicles, especially in the Onitsha axis. Ajayi made the appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Awka on Tuesday. He said the command

had been decongesting roads and highways in the state of broken down and abandoned vehicles to make them safe for motorists. The sector commander said the FRSC, however, had challenges with the exercise in Nkpor, Tarzan area and the defunct toll gate at Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. He said these areas have remained congested because there is no alternative place for transporters who

service businesses in Onitsha to park. Ajayi, however, described the traffic during the last Sallah period in Anambra State as free, saying there were no crashes or deaths in spite of the increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. He attributed the happy development to better driving behaviour of the motorists as well as the diligence by the officers and men of

Ebonyi govt, labour disagree over pay cut

bonyi State government and organised labour unions yesterday disagreed over payment of salaries at a stakeholders’ forum convened by Governor Dave Umahi. During the forum, the workers openly rejected with shouts of ‘no-oo-oo’ to the governor’s numerous suggestions and pleas for them to accept the old structure being paid them

before his predecessor effected a 50 per cent salary increase. Umahi explained that the government remains committed to paying workers the full minimum wage salary structure. He, however, urged the workers to accept a salary cut due to the state’s poor financial predicament. The governor remarked that it was the same finan-

cial situation that made the government not to appoint caretaker chairmen and development coordinators at local government areas. Umahi noted that for the civil servants, the government had studied the salary structure of workers in other South East states and discovered that labour’s new demand was ‘strange’.

the command on duty during the period. “Our Sallah patrol was successful; we did not record crashes and deaths during the period. “Thanks to God for the safety-consciousness of drivers and our men, who were on the highways to ensure adherence to traffic guidelines. “We have been trying to clear the roads, but our major challenge is that it has not been effective around Onitsha because there are no parks for the vehicles. “The Anambra State government has been very supportive of our activities, but we want it to provide a place for these vehicles so that they can move out of the roads and reduce the danger they pose,” he said. Ajayi cautioned drivers plying the Enugu-Onitsha expressway to be careful as it was still under construction.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South south

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Jonathan’s $100,000 election fund splits UPU Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

he over $100,000 given to Urhobo apex socio-cultural body, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, by former President Goodluck Jonathan towards his reelection bid, is currently causing disquiet and division among the hierarchy of UPU, as allegation of mismanagement of funds has pitched some executive members of the organisation against the PresidentGeneral, Mr. Joe Omene. National Mirror gathered yesterday that plot to suspend and thereafter expel the president-general is currently gaining momentum as stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with the Omene-led UPU

since assuming office as president-general over eight months ago. However, Omene has declared his readiness for any debate or probe of any alleged financial misappropriation of the purse of the union. A letter to Omene by his former loyalists, which was obtained by our correspondent, demanded that he (Omene) give detailed financial account of the union. Some of the aggrieved executive members who signed the letter include Chief Austin Uloho, Deputy President General; Chief Albert Akpomudje, Secretary General; Chief Mike Ederewhevbe, Treasurer; Chief R.E. Emecho, Financial Secretary; Chief Dafe Akpedeye

(SAN), Legal Adviser, and four others, also demanded that Chief Omene presents two of his bank account statements in the last one year to the executive as proof of his innocence. “Having been inundated with several newspaper publications alleging that the union executives were given huge sums of money for the election of President Goodluck Jonathan, wild as the allegations are, it is robbing on the good names of the executive members who were not privy to the alleged money given to the executive by the presidency”, the letter specifically addressed to UPU President stated. It could be recalled that factional President

General of UPU, Chief Tuesday Onoge, had accused Omene of collecting monies running into billions from former President Goodluck Jonathan to endorse him as Urhobo consensus candidate for the election against the “Uvwiamuge Declaration.” Omene former supporters alleged further in the letter; “Executive members are however, on the know that all monetary transaction with the presidency were exclusively handled by the President General who reported to the executive that he was given the sum of N25 million to enable the union organise a rally for the president which he also single handedly disbursed. “Prior to the above,

Refuse dump spilling over a bridge at Tombia junction in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. PHOTO: NAN

Groups slam Dickson over N46m security payment …say money meant to unleash mayhem during election Osahon Julius YENAGOA

coalition of civil society groups in Bayelsa State yesterday slammed Governor Seriake Dickson over presentation of N46 million for the payment of stipends and allowances to members of a local security outfit known as Bayelsa Volunteers, saying such payment does not represent empowerment or development of youths in the state. The groups stated that such fund was a waste of public resources, adding

that it was a deliberate attempt by the governor to use public fund to pay for planned violence against people of the state during the forthcoming governorship election, which comes up in December this year. Led by youth development and empowerment activist, Comrade Bright Igrubia, they said though a youth empowerment and mobilisation plan was presented to the administration of Seriake Dickson, the establishment of Bayelsa Volunteers and presentation of the funds was not part of the plan

and does not meet the youth empowerment plan. Igrubia, while speaking yesterday in Yenagoa said the governor had failed youths in the state, adding that the last 34 months have shown that various youths and women empowerment initiatives presented to the administration have failed. Igrubia, who is President of the National Youths Council of Nigeria, NYCN, said though the sponsorship of Bayelsa Volunteers was part of counter development efforts embarked on by the present administration

in the state, “the various advocacies for youths empowerment policy by the present administration is short-term and has failed. Igrubia, who rated the present administration performance on youths and women empowerment as very poor, reiterated the resolves of the angry youths and members of the civil society groups to file a suit against the state governor, Seriake Dickson in the court of law over his poor youth policy and the non-implementation of earlier agreed arrangement to settle some youths who renounce cultism.

the president general also brought the sum of $100,000.00 which he said was sent to executive members and other organs of the union to mobilise them and assist in Mr. President’s (President Goodluck Jonathan) bid. “Apart from the above sums, executive members are not privy to the sum of N1.2 billion allegedly given to UPU executive by the presidency.” But, embattled UPU

Osahon Julius

YENAGOA

undreds of women from the Niger Delta region yesterday staged a protest against the sack of 13 ex-militants undergoing training as pilots with Lufthansa Airline Training School in Frankfurt, Germany, due to the refusal of Federal Government to pay the training fees and scholarship grants. The 13 ex-militants were last week sent away from the institution over nonpayment of fees, just as others have also been sent packing by their various institutions in South Africa, Russia, Germany, Ukraine and other countries in Europe. The protesting women from coastal communities in the region during the protest march to the office of the ex-militant leaders known as the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, LPCDI, said President Muhammadu Buhari should be held responsible if there is resurgence of violence in the Niger Delta region. The protesting women said they were already feeling the heat, as disgruntled youths continue to gather in numbers in the communities, adding that the refusal to pay the amnesty training fees is causing problem in their homes and communities. One of the protesting women, Madam Ebiere Ankiomete, said though President Muhammadu Buhari’s actions have so far given hope to the people of the region, but his refusal

President in his response alleged that most members of the UPU executive, particularly some members of the splinter group, are not interested in the progress of the Urhobo nation let alone the union. He posited that now that elections are over, runaway executive members of the union should return to pursue the interests of the Urhobo nation as the union is not all about politics.

to appoint a substantive chairman for the Presidential Amnesty Committee to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Finance to pay the amnesty training fees was worrisome. “If the appointment is delayed till September, amnesty beneficiaries in institutions abroad would have been denied approved trainings,” the women stated. Addressing the aggrieved women, President of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiatives, PCDI, General Reuben Wilson, appealed for calm and called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow the Presidential Amnesty Programme disintegrated owing to lack of funding to meet the aims and the objectives of the program. According to Wilson: “The passionate appeal comes on the heels of avalanche of complaints received by the indigent parents of the amnesty beneficiaries home and abroad that their children and wards are currently experiencing hardship due to lack of funds to the programme . ‘’Mr President should not lose sight of the gamine issue that brought about the programme and save it from total collapse. ‘’Mr. President, we use this medium to remind you and the good people of Nigeria of promises to the people of Niger Delta about positive changes. Nigerians have since voted you into power because they need change, but from what we have seen so far we have reasons to doubt how soon, if at all, the change will come,” he said.

North

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

B’Haram: Deported IDPs stranded at Nigeria-Cameroun border LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

A humanitarian crisis is currently brewing at the Nigeria-Cameroun border, near Sagoda in Mubi area of Adamawa State, over the repatriation of 1,500 internally displaced Nigerians by Cameroun authorities, prompting the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to appeal to governors of Adamawa and

Borno states to come to the rescue of these citizens, National Mirror can authoritatively report. Investigations by National Mirror following report of the repatriation of over 500 IDPs by Cameroun authorities and another additional 1,500 from reliable sources prompted a visit to the commandant in charge of immigrations in Adamawa and Taraba states Command, Mr.

Ubi Ikpi Nkanu, who made the appeal yesterday in his office. Nkanu, Adamawa State Comptroller of the NIS, when contacted said he was only aware of another 300 who were brought in over the weekend and that since he was just returning from the Sallah break he wouldn’t know if the figure had reached 1,500 being speculated.

He, however, appealed to the governors of Adamawa and Borno to come and evacuate the IDPs and help provide them with social amenities because they were running out of food and sanitary items in the camps they were being held. He also disclosed that the Cameroun authorities has been experiencing a string of bombings close to some IDP camps located on their

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III (right), presenting fertilizer allocation paper to Alhaji Inuwa Baba, at Rabah in Sokoto, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Yobe blast: IGP promotes deceased officers OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

mpressed with what he described as high level professionalism exhibited by some deceased policemen in Yobe State, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, has ordered a posthumous promotion of affected officers. The officers were killed in a suicide bomb attack on their checkpoint on Monday. A statement signed by

Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, and made available to journalists yesterday, said the IGP equally saluted the courage and gallantry displayed by officers of Yobe State Police Command in containing the menace of insurgency in the state. National Mirror gathered that no fewer than three policemen were killed in the blast, although eyewitness reports said at least five policemen were feared killed in the blast. Ojukwu said the IGP was

highly pleased that in spite of imminent challenges, the officers exhibited a high sense of patriotism and dedication to duty. The IGP observed that but for the indomitable spirit, sacrifice and professionalism of the deceased officers the terrorists would have detonated the explosives in a high profile target area. “To further consolidate the commendation, the IGP has approved the posthumous promotion of the deceased officers,” he said.

The IGP has also ordered the Medical Department to foot the medical bill of the injured officer. In addition, four children each of the deceased officers will be offered scholarship up to secondary school level while the families will be afforded priority in the budding Police Housing Scheme, said Ojukwu. “Similar gesture will be extended to other officers who paid the supreme sacrifice in the course of fighting insurgency”, the statement added.

Family of slain Benue politician petitions IGP OMEIZA AJAYI AND OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

amily of slain Second Republic politician, Honourable Atoza Ihindan, has petitioned Inspector General of Police, IGP, urging him to unravel and bring to book those involved in the dastardly act. Ihindan was a two-time member of the Benue State House of Assembly. Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, one

of the children of the late politician, Terfa Ihindan, said the family suspects some political opponents of his father of being behind the killing. The deceased, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was last Friday gunned down by suspected assassins in Katsina-Ala, Benue State. However, the deceased’s son alleged that prior to his father’s death he had various issues with a certain policeman he described as a politician in

police uniform. He said his family has proof and witnesses linking the policeman and the other suspect to the gruesome murder, but added that he would avail the police of his evidences at the appropriate time in order not to jeopardise the fact of the case. Ihindan, who expressed his absolute confidence in the police to fish out those involved in the gruesome killing, said he was distressed by the spate of political assassinations in

the country. He added that killing of people because of political differences was not only reprehensible, but also an affront on the nation’s democracy. “Human life is sacred and those that deprive other humans of their lives should be held to account for their crimes. I call on you to assist me to bring the killers of my father to book and to be vigilant so that together we can put away this sad and horrendous act from our national life,” he added.

soil and therefore, felt it wise for safety reasons to allow the IDPs return to Nigeria. He also dismissed as untrue, insinuations that the Immigration Service lacked the logistics to evacuate the IDPs, noting that it was the responsibility of the affected state to governments who have been informed of the situation after the Immigration Service had screened them, to evacuate them and provide them with social support. National Mirror gathered that in the past one week alone, the number of Nigerians deported by the Camerounian government has risen to over 2000, the affected persons National Mirror investigations learnt, are internally displaced persons taking refuge on Camerounian soil as the later tries to grapple with worsening insecurity as a result of attacks by the deadly Boko Haram sect. Only last week Nigerian Immigration Service Comptroller in charge of Adamawa and Taraba state, Mr. Ubi Ikpi Nkanu, disclosed to newsmen that the repatriation of 520 Nigerian IDPs by Cameroun authorities. Although no reason was advanced for the action of

the Cameroun officials, who handed the IDPs to their Nigerian counterparts, corroborating his boss, Mr. Nehemiah, deputy comptroller in charge of border patrol, added that the recent strings of deportation of Nigerian IDPs in Cameroun was not unconnected with security concerns. He added that with this development, “the Cameroun government has begun the closure of IDP camps at its borders, with the repatriation of IDPs in Cameroun back to Nigeria.” He explained that the action of the Cameroun authorities was not willful, but as a result of security concerns based on their suspicion that some of the attacks on their soil were perpetrated with the collaboration of some IDPs”. He further said the fear that some members of the dreaded sect may be amongst the IDPs, caused the Cameroun authorities to take the action of repatriating the 1500 IDPs and thereby dismantling the camps in the affected location. According to him, most of the repatriated persons mostly comprised of women and children.

Murder: Court remands 9 in prison custody

ine persons standing trial over alleged murder were on Tuesday remanded in prison by an Ilorin magistrate’s court. Magistrate Olusegun Balogun ordered the accused persons’ remand pending conclusion of investigation in the case. The accused, Mohammed Oni, Christopher Adeoti, Omotayo Abidogun, Sunday Adeyemi, Ganiyu Farahim, Dauda Ibrahim, Oladele Oyedeji, Tunde Abolaji and Abdulrasak Oyeniyi, are facing two-count charge of conspiracy and culpable homicide. The accused, all resident in Oro-Ago in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were alleged to have murdered one Umaru Mohammed at OmuAran on June 1, 2015. The prosecutor, Inspector Zaccheus Funsho, told the court that the accused conspired to kill the deceased and set ablaze his corpse.

Funsho said the deceased was a witness in a case of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and mischief preferred against the nine suspects on April 13, 2015. According to him, the deceased had identified the accused persons as members of a vigilante group that ordered the April 13 attack and killing of several Fulani men during a settlement meeting at Oro-Ago market square. He said the accused, who were later granted police administrative bail pending completion of investigation into allegations against them, allegedly killed the deceased to derail police investigation. Funsho said that the offences committed by the nine men contravened Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code. He urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending the completion of the investigation.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Buhari is a man of impeccable character –Ogunsola

Ekiti 2018: APC groups merge to dislodge PDP Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

wo major groups in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, the G-35 and the Ekiti Restoration Group, ERG, have merged with the target to displacing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2018 governorship election in the state. A former member of the Federal House of Representatives and ERG chief, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, said the merger was part of the efforts to foster unity and ensure proper realign of forces ahead of the 2018 governorship poll. Faparusi told journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the two groups decided to merge since they shared “the same vision and mission of ensuring that Ekiti APC remains a strong indivisible entity for the party to be able to offer credible alternative to the ruling PDP in the next governorship election”. While ERG consists of immediate past House of Representatives members including Bimbo Daramola, Bamidele Faparusi, Oyetunde Ojo and others, the G-35 comprises notable politicians including former Council Chairman, Mr Paul Abegunde, Ayodele Esan, Prince Oladele Adeniyi, Bunmi Akinniyi and Benson Omotayo among others. Faparusi said: “The APC does not only owe it a duty to present a credible opposition to the administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose, we should also form a united front to be able to bounce to reckoning and defeat the PDP in 2018. “We are working hard to ensure unity in our party and in doing this, no group will be sidelined. We are ready to bring everybody on board. Enough of politics of division and acrimony in our party, we should be focused to help President Muhammadu Buhari realise his dream for Nige-

ria”. Esan, who spoke on behalf of G-35, described the APC as the only party that could banish corruption from the country, saying President Buhari had proved this in his actions and deeds since he assumed office. The G-35 chief canvassed harmonisation of all interests in the party to be able to form a formidable front to wrest power in 2018 from the PDP. Saying the party leaders will use all the machinery at their disposal to ensure unity in the party, Esan added that there was nothing to fight about now, “but to rejoice that we have won the federal. Since we are able to achieve that tall feat, I don’t think Ekiti will be a herculean task.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

I have a working master plan for Kogi –Dr. Habeeb

Politicians, intellectuals must synergise for African nations development – Fayemi …reveals how late Ghanaian President predicted Buhari’s victory

Ebere Ndukwu

ormer Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said that African nations must discard the false dichotomy between the intellectual and politician, but rather work out a blend of the two tendencies in order to rejuvenate public service and transformative governance that would lead to socio-political and economic advancement. Adding that, it was only when the two tendencies are approached as complimentary rather than contradictory, would the public good, which is the essence of democratic governance, can be fully realised. These formed part of

Fayemi’s submission as keynote speaker at the 3rd edition of the President Atta Mills Memorial lecture held at the John Evans Atta Mills Centre for Law and Governance, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, GIMPA, Achimota, Accra Ghana on Tuesday. Speaking on the topic: “Intellectuals in Politics and Governance in Africa: The lessons and legacies of John Evans Atta Mills”, Fayemi who noted the contributions of notable public intellectuals, including Nnamdi Azikwe, Kwame Nkruma, Julius Nyerere, Obafemi Awolowo and Leopold Senghor in the liberation struggle and early democratic governments in

Africa, said the idea of philosopher king in the contemporary African politics is to “advocate the marriage of politics and principle, and to yoke public policy to public intellection.” “The good politicians may not need to be brilliant intellectuals, but they also should not have contemptuous disdain for the life of the mind”, said Fayemi, who advocated a hybrid of the two. “This is why perhaps the issue for us should not be one of transition from intellection to politics, but the extent to which we are able to achieve fundamental synergy between the two in the quest to add value to our society and our democracy. “We need politicians willing and able to rise above

L-R: Executive Director, PLAC, Clement Nwankwo; former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and Acting Chairman, INEC, Mrs. Amina Zakari, during the presentation of Situation Room Reports on 2015 general elections, and achievement award to Prof. Jega in Abuja, yesterday.

Ugbane carpets Audu over hijack of PDP defectors’ reception rally Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

front line All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship aspirant in Kogi State, Senator Nicolas Yahaya Ugbane has carpeted his former boss, Prince Abubarka Audu, ex governor of the state for allegedly hijacking the reception rally for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,

defectors into APC. Senator Ugbane who expressed disappointment while speaking in a chat with newsmen at his country home in Egume in Dekina Local Government Area of the state yesterday, said that the rally was scheduled to receive all PDP personalities that joined APC in the state. He said that he was officially invited by the chairman of the party,

Alahi Haddy Ametuo to join other members of APC at the reception rally to welcome the PDP defectors into APC, stressing that instead of the former governor to introduce the defectors, he was busy selling his aspiration to crowd of supporters. He said: “If I had known that Prince Abubarka Audu would hijack the reception rally, I would not have come to the place. I want to sell myself too.

I have pedigree, I have capacity and I know the problem of Kogi State. Jesus Christ is only Messiah and not any human being, so the claim that somebody is Messiah does not hold water.” The two term senator and former commissioner under Audu’s administration restated his commitment to contest the APC governorship primary, stressing that he will not step down for anybody.

their own power interests, or the particular interests of their political parties or states, and act in accord with the fundamental interests of today’s humanity - that is, to behave the way everyone should behave, even though most may fail to do so.” Speaking to a large audience comprising top government officials, parliamentarians, academics, diplomats, politicians and activists, Fayemi also lauded the contributions of the late President Atta Mills to the socio-economic development of Ghana during his short but eventful tenure in office. Describing him as a gentleman and intellectual par excellence, who played a prominent role in the intellectual wing of the Rawlings revolution and whose three years as President of Ghana saw the country become the world fastest growing economy in 2011. Fayemi who shared President Buhari’s account of his meeting with President Mills said: “When I informed President Buhari of this speaking engagement last week in the middle of a conversation about his on-going trip to the United States of America, I was curious when he became very quiet. A man of not too many words, when he eventually spoke, he said: ‘Governor, President Atta Mills was a good man; a very good man; one of the very best from our continent. We spoke extensively during my stay in Ghana but two things he said to me during those conversations stuck in my memory. First, he was among the few, probably even the first to predict at a time that I had given up on contesting for the presidency, that I will win the next election in Nigeria if I persevered. He admonished me to take a cue from his example and remain calm but resolute. Second, he said to me at one point’, ‘I came into this world with nothing. I shall leave it with nothing”.

Politics

n the past few weeks, the National Assembly has been in turmoil over its leadership. What do you make of this? It’s quite unfortunate that the calibre of people we have at the National Assembly at this particular time are not modest and cultured. The National Assembly should be a place where people of refined minds and character should be found. People that love their country and who have her interest at heart and not people that are there for their own selfish interest. Unfortunately, these are the kind of people we have in our National Assembly today. They are fighting over money and leadership positions. They think it is business as usual. We are quite conversant with what happened in the seventh Assembly when they were quarreling over money, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described them as looters. The replica of that is what is currently happening at the legislative chambers now; fighting over position simply because of the benefits attached to such posts, behaviours which are not expected of honourable men. In some other places where democracy is practised, this kind of thing does not happen, especially where their representatives have the fear of God and love for their country. They do things appropriately, as expected of them. We are fortunate to have a person like Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs; I think he will be able to handle the crisis. They will ruin themselves. There is a need to call them to order because what they are doing shouldn’t be heard of honourable lawmakers; it is disgraceful! Do you think President Buhari will be able to fight corruption with the array of lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which has been allegedly linked with corruption? We need prayers; we need to pray for the President. Buhari no doubt is a man of impeccable character and integrity. But from the look of things, he might find it extremely difficult because the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara have not really done well. But we pray that God should change their hearts to always put the love of the people first. They might even plot to have him (Buhari) removed. We see what Saraki did to emerge Senate President. They may want to engineer such a ‘coup’ to oust the President in a bid to stall his endeavours against corruption. Buhari should be very careful and tread softly. Nigerians trust him so much and is either the lawmakers fall in line with him or they face difficulty as well. Nigerians may even rise against them if they try to frustrate Buhari’s effort in stamping out corruption. It is no more business as usual; PDP is believed to have ruined this country and if they think they can still drag us into more corruption, Nigerians will react against them. It is over six weeks since Buhari was sworn in but he is yet to appoint his ministers. Don’t you think this might slow down the success of his administration? Well, I don’t think so. For him to get the right peg in the right hole might be difficult for him for now. An average Nigerian is corrupt and for him to really do a thorough job, he needs a team that shares his philosophy, such that will be able to work well with him. It may take some time but he doesn’t need to be rushed. He has to be calculative and look for more competent people. Nigerians should be patient with Buhari, he will do more than expectations. Do you see the eighth National Assembly passing into law the resolutions of the national conference? Well, I have my doubts about this Assembly. First, they didn’t start well and it is important they pass into law, bills that are beneficial to Nigerians. This they are expected to do creditably well. But unfortunately since they were inaugurated, they have not done anything

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari is a man of impeccable character –Ogunsola Chief Tunde Ogunsola, a political analyst and Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Education Times, speaks with ROBERT AWOKUSE on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, government and its present challenges which may hamper a smooth start. Excerpts: this regard. I just want to appeal to Nigerians to be patient with him, watch him closely; he has just declared his asset. He is a man who believes that Nigerian resources belong to all Nigerians and not just for a set of individuals. Definitely you will be surprised that all those who corruptly acquired oil wells may have them confiscated and be given to Nigerian as government property to boost our economy, preventing those exploiting us and reaping where they did not sow. I believe he is going to right the wrongs. I pray his energy will not fail him to achieve his goals and well meaning Nigerians will support him. And if he ultimately gets his ministerial appointment right, he is going to record great success.

Ogunsola

profitable rather they busy themselves with leadership tussle and selfish interests which snowballed to fisticuffs. This is not our issue now; we want lawmakers that are committed to our calls to come on board. My prayer is that God will change their minds for them to have a proper thought for the people they represent. Considering the crisis rocking the APC, do you see the party fulfilling all its campaign promises? That might be difficult for the APC because the country is experiencing economic hardship. For instance, the free lunch for children at school promised during their campaign has not been implemented. It is not clear if that will be possible. But it is a laudable task; it is good, if the government can do it. I don’t know where they will get more money for now to execute such huge task. A lot of problems are there but we hope they will fulfill those promises, though the possibility is very low. But I believe he will do more than half of the promises. What are your fears for this present Buhari-APC led government? My fears are the ability of Buhari to deliver on his campaign promises. First, age is not on his side. No doubt he has a good record, but the present situation of the country, with emphasis on economic downturn, terrorism and corruption, may pose great challenges to him and the National Assembly may not help him in

Nigerians should not cease in telling senators and

members of the National

Assembly the truth. They have disappointed us.

Do you envisage any possible disintegration or disharmony in the ruling APC following the crisis currently rocking the party? No, at the end of the tunnel certainly there must be light. But however, my take is that Nigerians should not cease in telling senators and members of the National Assembly the truth. They have disappointed us. If we don’t relent in telling them their wrongs, they may change and tow the right path of proper conduct so that progress can be made. The APC leadership also needs to redress the wrong. The mistake is from the party; it didn’t employ the right approach which led to the leadership tussle in the NASS. The party would have left the position to whomever wants to contest to do so rather than impose a preferred candidate; this is democracy and taking cognizance of the fact that the principle of federal character is upheld. By this, the leadership and principal offices should be zoned in order to ensure that all the six geopolitical zones have equal share in power. So the APC, through the zoning policy, should have allowed interested candidates to have contested on the floor of the Assembly. In other words, the leadership of the party should have followed due process in electing leaders of the National Assembly. But I believe after the turbulence, there will be calmness for fruitful legislations to commence. And we as a people must keep telling the lawmakers to imbibe good character as representatives of Nigerians. They must also ensure that their legislations are people-oriented. What advice do you have for the Buhari-led APC government? First and foremost, the party and its members must promote party supremacy, because in any democracy there must be party supremacy, although this must be in accordance with the provisions of the constitution as party’s power is drawn from the constitution. There is no party rule that must contrast the constitution. If it does so, then it becomes null and void. There should be party discipline. Secondly Buhari and the APC leadership should be wary of any individual that might want to accrue or arrogate powers of the party to himself by not allowing such a person to control the party; the party is greater than any individual. Any decision that must be taken should be based on consensus; such opinion must be well considered before being taken and with that they will move forward. Also the President as the leader of the party should always portray good example for others to imitate, because the image of the leader tells so much about the organisation.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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From the Civil Service

Anambra partners NTDC on Green City development JOEL AJAYI, ABUJA

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Director, Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, during a meeting with Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.

FG drums support for African Centre for Disease Control MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

he Federal Government has drummed support for the creation of African Centre for Disease Control, ACDC. It however said the Centre must be designed as a veritable institution to strengthen and enhance health systems on the continent. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, gave the pledge at the meeting of African Ministers of Health, on the Establishment of the ACDC, as contained in the statement made available to National Mirror by Director of Information, in the ministry, Mrs Ayo Adesugba. At the event which took place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, according to the release,

Awute said the ACDC, being envisaged as a health security tool for Africa, must be owned by the Member States with support from the African Union (AU), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners. “Regional centres for disease control or designated institutions selected by the various regional organizations, according to Mr. Awute, should work collaboratively and effectively with the continental centre for disease control when established. “He pointed out that regions in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have taken the initiative to set the pace by establishing its Regional Centre for Disease Control, recognizing that the Nige-

Why Nigerians should be empowered technologically - Experts

PAGE 48

ria Centre for Disease Control should serve as the ECOWAS Regional CDC, in recognition of Nigeria’s role in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The Permanent Secretary assured that Nigeria was ready to share its experiences in establishing its CDC and its role in the establishment of the ECOWAS Regional CDC. “The call for an African Centre for Disease Control was formally advanced when Member States of the African Union (AU) held a Special Summit on HIV, TB and Malaria in Abuja in July 2013. At this Summit, member states affirmed the need for an African Centre for Disease Control (ACDC). Subsequently, the decision of the African Union: Assembly/AU/Dec.499

(XXII) adopted at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2014 stressed the urgency of establishing the African Centre for Disease Control and requested the AU Commission to submit a report to the Assembly in January 2015 that will include the legal, structural and financial implication of the establishment of the African CDC,” the release said. The African Union Assembly had in January this year officially endorsed the establishment of the ACDC with the responsibility of promoting the prevention and control of diseases in Africa. The ACDC is also expected to serve as a platform for member states to share knowledge, exchange lessons CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

FG, Multi-Net sign pact to develop modern abattoir PAGE 41

ope has risen for the actualisation of the Green City Project of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), as the Anambra State government has declared its readiness to partner with the apex tourism body in Nigeria to kick-start the project in Awka, the capital of the state. Speaking at the OneDay Sensitisation Workshop for Stakeholders on Tourism in Anambra State, held at the state capital, Awka, the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who lauded the foresight of the NTDC boss, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, said his administration is ready to give the project the needed push to ensure its success in the state. Obiano who said tourism development and promotion is prioritised by his administration described the Green City project as a viable catalyst to creating employment in the state and the country at large, and also ensure a clean environment, which my administration has been committed to since

its inception. He also said Anambra State government was looking forward to have a good and progressive relationship with NTDC assured tourism stakeholders that his administration will open up one of the unique tourist attractions in the state, Ogbunike Caves, located in Ogbunike town in the Oyi local government area of the state. State governor added that the government would advertise the cave to enable the people of the state benefit from the tourist attraction. “Ogbunike Caves has 11 entrances, but only one has been explored. We shall open up other entrances to the unique tourist site, build a 5-star hotel and a game centre, among other world standard facilities around the site; then advertise it, and our people will maximally benefit from it,” Obiano assured. On her remark, Mrs Sally Mbanefo who had earlier lauded the efforts of the state government at ensuring a clean environment said the Green City Project is apt for the state, as it remains one of the major commercial hubs of the nation.

Gov. Obiano

64 million youth unemployed in Nigeria –FCC PAGE 42

Civil Service

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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CS0s task FG on NAFDAC fraud ADEOLA TUKURU, ABUJA

ivil Society groups has called on the Federal government to look into the allegation of alleged acts of corruption and financial mismanagement at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control ( NAFDAC) and prosecute all those found wanting. In a press statement signed by the National President of the Nigerians United Against Corruption (NUAC), Comrade Ola Oluwasanmi,yesterday in Abuja called on the presidency and all antigraft agencies to look into the matter with urgency so as to save the nation from disaster. “It was also learnt that about 70 per cent of contracts awards by NAFDAC are usually unadvertised and awarded by the DG over the phone to contractors who determine how much they want to be paid for the job, while the 30 per cent advertised still lack due process. “The DG it was learnt, in some cases directly station staff to siphon money for him, even as he is said to be in the habit of cutting offenders loose of administrative charges in return for personal gratification. “He gives waivers to people without due process; no one knows the terms of such waivers or why the beneficiaries

should be entitled to such waivers or the amount of the waivers,” “The nation at a time as this should be ready to investigate traces of corruption, as it will certainly dent the nation’s image which has already made enough negative fame from the past administration,” he said. The group further called on the presidency to ensure that an investigation be initiated into the affairs of the Commission and all parties involved be made to serve the resultant consequences without sparing anyone to serve as deterrent to others. He said issues bordering on a monitoring agency as NAFDAC should not be treated with kids gloves as millions of Nigerian lives depend on this establishment and as such not to allow fraudulent to run it aground. According to Oluwasanmi, the allegations are too grievous to be ignored and they will certainly stain the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who has vowed to stamp out corruption and has already started with the prosecution of former Governors Lamido and Nyako. The group has however commended the president for the recent giant strides in the fight against corruption which has already began reaping benefits as well as put intending looters in check.

NEMA officials during visit to IDP camp in Maiduguri, recently.

Why Nigerians should be empowered technologically - Experts JOEL AJAYI, ABUJA

“It is imperative to empower Nigerians especially the young one through communication and technology to ensure economic development in the country,” Experts in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector have said. The Chief Executive Officer of Xavier Communications Ltd, Mr Nick Hayes and the Managing Director of AXPD Resources Ltd, Mr Segun Adefope agreed that the only way for Nigeria to es-

cape imminent economic collapse is to diversify its economy as over dependence on oil speaks doom to the country. The duo, while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Technological Expos in 20 October tagged; ‘The Present and Future of Technology in Nigeria; Prospects and other Matters Arising’ in Abuja, said the future prospect of the country and its people lies in technology. Mr. Adefope said there is possibility that the Nigeria’s crude oil could being abandoned by the international buyers go-

ing by the Iran’s oil which is very close to India, the largest buyer of the Nigeria’s oil. “At a time like this, the country needs to diversify; the only way to help Nigerians is to create a conducive environment for business to grow. Technology is the future and that is what we want to sell,” he said. In his remarks, Mr. Hayes explained that the expo was designed “to provide vital leads on the latest advances in technology as well as point out what it holds, particularly in the area of job creation

for Nigerian youths. “To engender a great opportunity for visitors to the expo especially targeted youths, to tap into the huge job opportunities the sector has the capacity to provide. “To create an avenue for government (policy makers0 and stakeholder in the sector, to rub minds and point the way forward for increased activity in the sector, to the greater benefit of young Nigerian entrepreneurs and job seekers who constitute about 65 percent of Nigeria’s estimated population of 170 million people.”

According to the statement, the Director General of SEC, Mr Mournir Gwarzo has assured his commitment toward ensuring the implementation of the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan. “I have only one agenda for the market, which is to faithfully and religiously implement the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan,’’ Gwarzo was quoted as saying. The statement recalled that SEC had set up three committees to drive market growth and the best brains in the market participated in the three committees. It noted that the committees had worked tirelessly and came up with an excellence report

which was launched last year, adding the country lacked faithful implementation of reports. The statement said that those invited to attend the expanded session were chief executive officers of all registered capital market firms, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers. It said that the Financial Markets Dealers Quotations, Africa Exchange Holdings, Nigeria Commodity Exchange, Central Securities Clearing System, and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers were invited for the session. It further said that a member from each

observer group such as Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Central Bank of Nigeria, Corporate Affairs Commission and Debt Management Office would be in attendance. It named others to include, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation and Investment and Securities Tribunal. It said that the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, National Insurance Commission, National Pension Commission, Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee have also been invited to attend.

Ex-militants to partner with Navy against oil theft SEC to hold 2nd Quarter CMC meeting July 28 JOEL AJAYI, ABUJA

group of Exmilitants has expressed readiness to partner the Nigerian Navy to secure the waterways and prevent persistent pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. The group, under the aegis of Niger Delta Amnesty Leaders Progressive Change for Buhari said there was little or no achievement recorded in the protection of waterway in the region because there was round peg in a square hole. The President of the group, Commander Bibi Oduku after a meeting in Abuja said the partnership became imperative for the safety and benefits of the people living in the creek and the country as whole.

Oduku said: “I have the boys who know the nooks and crannies of the creek. Some of them can provide information on when and where pipeline vandalism is likely to take place. “So with partner with the Nigerian Navy, the exmilitants can support the navy who does not know this region like us. We can then design strategies on how to curtail the situation whenever the need arises.” According to him, if the partnership is sustained, it would go a long way to salvaging increased oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region. He explained that the communities are in a better place to back the government up in the struggle, adding that the group had over 20, 000 members across all states in the Niger Delta region.

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it would hold the second quarter Capital Market Committee ( CMC ) meeting in Lagos on July 28. This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the commission on Monday in Abuja. The statement said that top on the agenda at the meeting would be the Capital Market Master Plan implementation. It recalled that the 10year master plan for the Nigerian capital market which was expected to refocus the market and help double its size over time and grow the economy was unveiled in November 2014.

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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Oyeweso: A remarkable university administrator RAHEEM OLUWAFUNMINIYI

t was the Scottish historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881) who once said: “No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” Carlyle’s thought above wouldn’t have meant anything save for the fact that it was to tell the significant essence of great men in any society. I was a pioneer student in the Ikire Campus of Osun State University, Osogbo (UNIOSUN), when the university kicked off in 2007. Attempting to secure admission into a relatively new yet unknown university was a risk I had taken. I resumed sometime in September as a student of English and International Studies. Sooner had I started receiving lectures than about 31 of us in the same class were quickly transferred to the Department of History and International Studies. I had wanted to know why I in particular was abruptly moved from my choice of study to one I was never familiar with and never wished to study in the first instance. This would bring me on a collision course with the pioneer Provost, Ikire Campus of UNIOSUN, one Professor Siyan Abdul-Gafar Oyeweso. All pleas to allow me return to my previous department proved abortive. He would, however, keep saying that I will one day come back to appreciate him for sending

me to the department of history and international studies rather than my preferred choice, a statement and action I would truly forever be grateful for. Today, I work as a highly rated publicist for a multi-billion dollar oil and gas company in Abuja. I had studied history, why would I be working as a publicist, people may ask? The answer to this is not far-fetched. Apart from diverse knowledge historians are known to exhibit, studying under the unique tutelage and mentorship of Prof. Oyeweso was a rare privilege. I could recall vividly his first class and course under him, Culture History of Africa, where I learnt a wide range of evolutionary history of African societies. It was a class which till date remains one of my favourites. Right there, our relationship blossomed. I had been taught Military in African Politics, Philosophy of History, Special Paper I and II among other interesting courses that shaped my perception about local and global politics. The way and manner Prof. Oyeweso imbibed in us academic knowledge remains worthy of mention. It was with a special and unique professorial touch lacking today in most Nigerian universities that we all later became proud and respected historians. Prof. Oyeweso’s firm grasp of diverse fields of study in the humanities turned a rare gift I would come to emulate. This he brought to bear in all of his classes.

: P ROF . O YEWESO , BEYOND THE

CLASSROOM , MEANT QUITE A LOT TO MANY OF US It was under him we first knew about the Martinique-born political theorist and revolutionary thinker, Franz Fanon whose struggles led to Algerian independence through his violent propositions against the French. Under the course Revolutionary Wars in Africa, we got to understand the very nature of colonial struggles among African people and how each movement yielded the positive declaration of independence in most parts of the continent between the 1950s and 60s. I would understand through him that Portuguese rule in Africa ended in 1974 only because Portugal had also been swallowed by a revolution. Prof. Oyeweso, beyond the classroom, meant quite a lot to many of us. He was not only a mentor, but an avowed disciplinarian. He never condoned disrespect to authority or acts of indolence. That is not to say there were no available channels for us students to express most of our grievances. The Student Colloquium he always anchored held at least once every semester provided viable interaction and debate, in the absence of a student union at the time, between staff and stu-

dents on a wide range of issues bothering us. While most were resolved, others remained pending due to bureaucratic bottlenecks. This idea was of course credited to Prof. Oyeweso and the many think-tanks that UNIOSUN was endowed with at the time. Prof. Oyeweso’s contributions to the growth and development of not only Ikire Campus but also the University as a whole remain indubitable. As one of the university’s founding fathers, he helped built the university from the scratch and turned it into an enviable university which has grown in leaps and bounds today. His penchant for academic excellence and love for the university left resounding achievements and legacies. Wherever most of us are today, we owe our success largely to UNIOSUN and the diverse number of teaching and non-teaching staff that dot the university throughout our period there. If the success of Ikire campus could be talked about quite a lot with envy, it is because few people took the pain to drive it to where it is today. Their sacrifices should therefore, not go in vain. Their sweat should not be for nothing. They should be appreciated, rather than be vilified. Prof. Oyeweso must be accorded all the dignity a scholar and great man deserves. Oluwafunminiyi wrote via creativitysells@gmail.com

Go Keshi, it is well! BOBSON GBINIJE

he philosophical principles of Tempus Fugit (time flies), buttressed by the observation of the English playwright, William Shakespeare that “There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which when taken at the floods, leads on to fortune, Omitted all the voyage in their lives is bound in shallows and in miseries.” This quote is apt in capturing Stephen Okechukwu Keshi’s sojourn in Nigeria as chief coach of the Super Eagles. Looking at his tapestry holistically, one is right to say: He came, he saw, and he conquered (Vini, Vidi, Vici). The issue of whether to terminate Keshi’s appointment as coach of the Super Eagles has been dangling and oscillating in the landscape of public discourse, the hierarchy of Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) and beyond for some years now. It virtually took the mien and characteristic of the crab’s eye which ruminates and flagellates delicately as if it is going to fall. But it hardly ever does. The crab’s eye finally fell. However, there are open-ended questions sequel to Keshi’s sack. Did Keshi deserve to be sacked? Did he contribute anything positive to the development of Nigerian football as a player and coach? Was Keshi corrupt and undisciplined? And was he qualified and

KESHI SHOULD HAVE RESIGNED WHEN THE PLAUDITS AND OVATIONS WERE LOUDEST competent as a coach of the Super Eagles? There will be as many answers and opinions as there are fans, pundits and football aficionados etc to these questions. But it is unambiguously clear that Keshi grew in football, not only from the grassroots level, but from root hair base to tree top heights as a player and coach. At academicals level in Lagos (CMS Grammar School) and in Bendel State (Eghosa Grammar school, Benin City), he was indeed, a diaphanous diadem. At club level and captain of the New Nigeria Bank Football Club, Benin City he captained the club to win the West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup three times. He captained the Nigerian national team to win the Africa Cup of Nations, and he coached the national teams of Togo and Mali to reach great heights. He coached the Super Eagles to win the Africa Confederation Cup. But a little slip and faux pas turned the whole world against him. It is my humble and candid opinion that barring political acrobatics and Machiavellian manoeuvres, Keshi is still the most qualified Nige-

rian coach to handle the Super Eagles, because he has the pragmatic cerebral carriage, the verve, the exergual architectonics, the palpable experience and exposure to still contribute positively to Nigerian football growth and development. However, Keshi should have resigned when the plaudits and ovations were loudest. In the midst of all the brouhaha and rumpus kicked-up after losing vital matches, he should have indeed resigned. He didn’t understand the politics, dynamics, nuts and bolts and the chemistry of football in Nigeria vis-à-vis the great expectations of our fanatical fans and an NFF administrative organogram that is sunken in the oubliette and labyrinth of cluelessness. He had a very big eye, but could not decipher the miasmatic contours of skullduggery and manipulative zeitgeist cocooning the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). What is wrong with a prospective coach applying for a job outside the NFF that was sunken in the cesspit of prevarication, planlessness, cluelessness and tergiversation? We only hope that the NFF and its new crew will take football to the next level and beyond in Nigeria because broken is ‘Apollos Bow’, the only bow that grew and shot fully straight. We wish the NFF and their coaches the best of luck. We pray that the words of their mouth, the meditations of their hearts and the élan of their zeal be ac-

ceptable in the sight of ALLAH, in JESUS name, Amen. We beseech God Almighty to direct Keshi to the right path in his future job hunts. He should be sagacious enough to beware of back stabbers, moral reprobates, cheats and hierarchical entropy. He must note that godfathers and godfatherisms come and go, so are favours and influences. Hence, an Urhobo adage says “akpobrisi goma o ji we akalamudo wo keroma forke ro fowi” – (the great spiritual and powerful tree still had to rely on a trusted friendly tree because of unforeseen circumstances). Finally, Sapele boys say “when one door close, another one go open”. Keshi, no matter what they say, you etched your name in the hall, rubrics and the pantheon of fame for soccer greats in Nigeria and you have left your foot prints in the sands of time in Nigeria. Indeed, you came, you saw, and you conquered (Vini, Vidi, Vici). Journey on, oh good coacg. Keshi go; it is well! Chief Gbinije, is founder of Mandate Against Poverty, Warri, Delta State and can be reached on 08023250378 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

Editorial

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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

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

Reservations about CBN’s forex restrictions

n its characteristic quick response to government policies that have negative consequences especially on the organised private sector, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), recently criticised the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) restriction of foreign exchange that singled out 41 items it considered not valid for forex allocation. Recall that in a June 23, 2015 circular signed by Mr. Olakanmi Gbadamosi, CBN’s Director in charge of Trade and Exchange, the apex bank stated that “in the continuing efforts to sustain the stability of the forex market and ensure efficient utilisation of forex; and the derivation of optimum benefits from goods and services imported into the country; it has become imperative to exclude importers of some goods and services from accessing foreign exchange at the Nigerian forex markets in order to encourage local production of these items’’. Among the items blacklisted by the CBN are poultry products – turkey, chicken and eggs especially; tinned fish-in-sauce, tomato paste, margarine, vegetable oil, palm kernel, rice, kitchen utensils, tableware, toothpicks, cosmetics and soap. Others are private jets, galvanised steel, cold rolled steel sheets, steel drum, steel pipes, wire mesh, steel nails, wire rods, security wire, metal

THE CHALLENGE, HOWEVER, IS HOW PREPARED THE GOVERNMENT IS IN FOSTERING A HOSPITABLE LOCAL BUSINESS CLIMATE boxes and containers, enamelware, glass and glassware, roofing sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans, wood particles and boards, wood fibre boards and panels, plywood boards and panels, wooden doors, wooden fabrics, cement, tiles, plastic and rubber products, textiles, Indian incense, etc. President of LCCI, Mr. Remi Bello, says, however, at a recent forum with the CBN in Lagos that the inclusion of “intermediate products” on the 41 items excluded is injurious to private sector players. According to him, the CBN did not converse with the private sector before rolling out the policy. Reports also indicate anxious moments in sections of the private sector affected by the policy. Quite obvious, however, is the possibility that entrepreneurs badly hit by the new CBN forex initiative are desperately seeking avenues to influence the reversal of same because of the short-term losses it would visit on them. But we are in sympathy with CBN’s Monetary

Policy Director, Mr. Moses Tule’s position that no economy is run on wasting foreign exchange; and that the CBN is not bound to engage in copious consultations before taking sensitive decisions like the type under review. We are not oblivious of government’s policy inconsistencies, like the granting of unnecessary import waivers and other incentives which end up creating jobs in foreign lands, on the one hand and complicating the unemployment nightmare in the country, on the other. Before our very eyes, however, are outstanding proofs that lots of Nigerian businessmen prefer the quick-fix of importing all manner of products, even junks, into the country, considering its large market and appetite for the consumption of anything branded as foreign, instead of painfully taking steps to install plants that could produce the products locally with enough quantum of local raw material and manpower input. It is for this reason, for instance, that Nigeria has millions of her citizens as commercial motorcycles and tricycles riders; and stick to same as professions, just to survive, while the real profits and employment gains from the products are enjoyed by the countries that produce and ship them to Nigeria. Tule said from January to May

ON THIS DAY

this year, Nigeria spent $575 million importing wheat, in a country that has large expanse of land and millions of farmers. The country spent $349 million within the same period importing electrical and electronics products; when nothing stops the importers involved from insisting that their business partners overseas set up manufacturing plants in Nigeria. References were also made concerning how government policy, shortly before the 2015 general elections, impaired the growth of local rice production, following the licences the Federal Government granted some importers of the product who had ‘long legs’. Indeed, if the FG is truly committed to growing the economy and creating employment in the country, lobbyists seeking to upturn the new CBN forex policy should drop the idea. The truth is most government import-restriction policies are spectacles of putting the cart before the horse. In other words, such policies are put into effect even when there are no local alternatives. But we believe the latest measure by the CBN can help shore up the value of the naira and boost the nation’s foreign reserve. The challenge, however, is how prepared the government is in fostering a hospitable local business climate capable of making locally made products competitive in every sense in a globalised economy.

July 22, 1976

July 22, 2003

July 22, 2013

Japan completed its last reparation to the Philippines for war crimes committed during the imperial Japan’s conquest of the country in the Second World War. World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world’s nations, including all of the great powers, who eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.

Members of 101st Airborne of the United States, aided by Special Forces, attacked a compound in Iraq, killing Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay, along with Mustapha Hussein, Qusay’s 14-year-old son, and a bodyguard. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (April 28, 1937 – 30 December 2006) was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from July 16, 1979 until April 9, 2003 when he was chased out of office.

Series of earthquakes in Dingxi, China, killed at least 89 people and injured more than 500 others. The first struck at 07:45 China Standard Time with the epicenter located at the border of Min County and Zhang County. The magnitude of the initial earthquake was locally placed at Ms 6.6, with a focal depth of 20.0 kilometres (12 mi); while it was measured at Mw 5.9 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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Health & Wellbeing Why we support FG on pain management – American Cancer Society 22

FRANKA OSAKWE

efore today is over, about 2 persons would have died from bladder cancer in Nigeria. And going by the annual statistics of deaths from bladder cancer, 600 more deaths are expected to occur by the end of this year. This was made known by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECPNigeria) in a release to mark this year’s Bladder Cancer Awareness Month-July. According to the Executive Secretary, CECP-Nigeria, Dr. Abia Nzelu, there are about 1000 new cases of bladder cancer in Nigeria and over 600 deaths annually. “This number excludes so many victims who die of the ailment undiagnosed, due to poor diagnostic facilities especially in rural areas where it is prevalent. A recent well-known casualty was Rt. Hon Samuel Ajayi Adesina, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly who died in February, 2014, at the age of 56”, she said. Facts from World Health Organisation (WHO), says Bladder cancer is the second most common urogenital cancer after prostate cancer. Globally, the record says there were about 430,000 new cases of bladder cancer and about 165,000 deaths from bladder cancer in 2012. However, unlike the western world where tobacco smoking is the main contributor to bladder cancer, the major risk factor in Nigeria, according to the CECP, is infection with a parasitic flatworm called Schistosoma hematobium. “This infection is known as schistosomiasis (bilharziasis) or “snail fever”. The infection usually occurs in childhood. Prevalence and intensity of infection increase with age, peaking in the 5 to 14 year age group. If untreated it could result in bladder cancer in adulthood with a peak age incidence in the late 40s and 50s. The majority of bladder cancer cases occur in farmers and fishermen living in regions along the river. “Schistosomiasis ranks second only to malaria as the most common parasitic disease. However, it is the most deadly Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) – the so-called forgotten diseases of forgotten people - killing an estimated 280,000 people globally, each year”, Dr. Nzelu explained. But Schistosomiasi is not just a Nigerian problem, according to her; about 700 million people are at risk of schistosomiasis in 78 countries, with almost 240 million people infected worldwide. “The infection is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas, in poor communities without potable water and adequate sanitation, with 90% of the burden occurring in Africa. Sadly, Nigeria is thought to have the greatest number of people infected with schistosomiasis in the world, with approximately 20 million sufferers — mostly children. “Delta, Edo, Plateau and Nasarawa

Port Health Service intensifies Ebola surveillance 21

Bladder cancer kills 600 Nigerians yearly –CECP ... Nigeria marks awareness month

Schistosomiasis infection is the leading cause of bladder cancer in Nigeria

states have the highest incidence. For communities already burdened by poverty and ravaged by scourges such as malaria and tuberculosis, schistosomiasis is especially devastating, weakening the body’s resistance to other infections and preventing children from reaching their full potential”, she said. On the mode of transmission, Dr. Nzelu revealed that Schistosomiasis is transmitted through contact with contaminated fresh water (lakes and ponds, rivers, dams) inhabited by snails carrying the Schistosoma parasite. Also, swimming, bathing, fishing and domestic chores such as laundry can put people at risk of contracting the disease, she said, noting that Hygiene and play habits make children especially vulnerable to infection. “Larvae emerge from the snails and swim in the water until they come into contact with and penetrate human skin. Once inside the body, the larvae develop into worms which live together in the blood vessels for years. Female worms release thousands of eggs which are passed out of the body in the urine and feces. “If people urinate or defecate in bodies of freshwater, the eggs migrate to snails where they eventually hatch and begin the cycle again. Some Schistosoma eggs, however, remain trapped in the body and migrate to specific organs where they

IF UNTREATED IT COULD RESULT IN BLADDER CANCER IN ADULTHOOD WITH A PEAK AGE INCIDENCE

IN THE LATE 40S AND

50S. THE MAJORITY

OF BLADDER CANCER CASES OCCUR IN FARMERS AND FISHERMEN LIVING ALONG THE RIVER can inflict major damage. Urinary schistosomiasis causes scarring of the bladder and kidneys, and can lead to bladder cancer”, she said. For the avoidance of doubt, she stressed that neither snail farming nor snail consumption puts a person or community at the risk of schistosomiasis or bladder cancer. Ironically, the incidence of schistosomiasis is so high in some communities

in Nigeria that youths regard the bloody urine passed at some stage of the disease as a sign of attainment of maturity, a rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood. Therefore, they do not seek medical advice or treatment. Symptoms of bladder cancer are similar to that of schistosomiasis. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine; which can happen suddenly and may come and go. The mainstay of schistosomiasis control is treatment with a single dose of a tablet known as Praziquantel. Other control measures include improved sanitation, health education and control of freshwater snails. Early and regular administration of Praziquantel reduces the occurrence, extent, severity, and long-term consequences of the disease. The goal should be to achieve a minimum target of regular administration of Praziquantel to at least 75% of all school-age children and at risk special groups. Schistosomiasis outbreaks can be identified by mapping the rates of blood in the urine of school-age children. If the rates are high, the drug is distributed to the entire community at risk. Annual dosing of Praziquantel is recommended for areas at high risk for re-infection, and to help reduce the severity of symptoms in chronic sufferers.

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health Chizoba Benson chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)

rtificial sweeteners are natural sugar substitute that are added in foods, drinks or ingredients to make up for the sugar that was removed. Today, these artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes in foods and beverages are marketed as “sugar-free” or “diet,” in soft drinks, sodas, diary products, ice cream, yogurt, chewing gum, baked foods, biscuits, some drugs, toothpaste, canned foods, candy/sweets, fruit juice, beverages, and so on. So many people erroneously believe that as long as you are drinking fruit juice, or “diet” sodas, it’s a healthy choice but this is a misleading belief that encourages the rising rates of weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. In 2009, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a scientific statement about sugar intake and heart health, pointing out that there is evidence for a relationship

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health hazards associated with artificial sweeteners, sugar substitutes

between the two. According to the abstract: “High intake of dietary sugars in the setting of a worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease have heightened concerns about the adverse effects of excessive consumption of sugars”. Excessive consumption of sugars has therefore, been linked with several metabolic abnormalities and adverse health conditions, as well as shortfalls of essential nutrients. Aspartame, which is one of the commonly known artificial sweeteners for instance, when exposed to heat, releases methanol which is converted to formaldehyde in the body, when in excess amounts can cause blindness, neurological problems, migraine, depression, brain cancer, chest pains, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, etc. Another artificial sweetener sucralose (splenda), a chlorinated artificial sweetener, in a study, showed that, sucralose (splenda) reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50 percent; increased the pH level in the intestines; contributed to increase in body weight and affected P-glycoprotein levels in

such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected. People who use sucralose (splenda) experience depression, anxiety, joint pain, blurry vision, frequent need to urinate at night, weight gain, increased blood sugar, etc. Saccharin sodium is a type of artificial sweetener that is sweeter than sucrose but has a bitter aftertaste. Saccharin sodium is often used to sweeten soft drinks, candy, biscuits, some drugs and toothpaste. Its side effects are allergic reactions, may increase weight gain, decreases insulin sensitivity, increase one’s risk for developing diabetes, diarrhea and skin problems. Early safety studies of saccharin showed that the sweetener caused bladder cancer in rats.

The US Food and Drugs Administration lifted the requirement that saccharin be labeled as a probable carcinogen on food packaging. Natural sweeteners such as honey and agave may seem like a healthier choice, but not only are they loaded with fructose, most are also highly processed. The health effects will be the same, since it’s the fructose that causes the harm. But if honey is seen in its natural form, it is advisable to use moderately. Consequently, people have taken “diet” sodas as the best option that consumption would help them loose weight. Drinking sodas are bad for your health in so many ways from increase in insulin levels to high blood pressure, high

cholesterol levels, diabetes, and even overweight. Sodas are made up of phosphoric acid, which can hinder the body’s ability to use calcium which could lead to osteoporosis. Sugar, in sodas increases the insulin levels, leading to heart diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging, etc. Aspartame is usually used as sugar substitute in diet sodas. The various side effects of aspartame are mentioned above. Tap water is another component used. It may carry any chemicals like chlorine, lead, cadmium, and various organic pollutants which are not healthy for the body. Sodas also contain caffeine, which may cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, birth defects, and others. Further more, studies have also shown that sodas cause DNA damage because of the sodium benzoate, a common preservative found in many sodas and soft drinks, which has the ability to switch off vital parts of the DNA leading to cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson’s disease. It is vital therefore, to drink more pure water or switch to natural sweeteners like stevia, Lo Han or chicory root which are two of the best sugar substitutes gotten from the plant kingdom.

Sexual solutions and love products for adults I am in love with a woman who is much older than me. She is 44 years old and I am 29. But we are very fond of each other and I want to take the relationship to the next level by telling her outright that I want her to be my girlfriend. What do you think? – Kevin Dear Kevin, clearly her age is of concern to you which is why you have written us. But here is the thing about these kinds of relationships. The two people involved are really all that matters. You are an adult and so is she. If you are both looking for a casual relationship, I see no reason why you shouldn’t go for it. The two main issues when it comes to the age gap are the ability to relate and starting a family. The general assumption is that if the person you are in love with is so much older than you, then you will have nothing in common and as such, the relationship won’t work. But that is not necessarily the case all of the time. At 29, you have had a bit of life experience. You are not a teenager, so I assume you will be mature enough to cope with the relationship demands you will encounter dating a woman in her forties. And secondly, when it comes to having children, an older woman may not be able to give you kids as she advances in age. Infact, some women experience menopause in their forties and this lady you love could be one of those women. So for as long as you are aware of the child bearing constraints of marrying an older woman, then the stage is set for both of you to pursue a relationship. Go ahead and ask her out. You like each other already so it shouldn’t be hard. The key to asking a woman out is boldness and patience. Women are turned off by fear and insecurity. They love bold men. Secondly, it is normal

for a woman to blow you off a few times before she says yes. They do it because they don’t want to appear cheap. So if she gives you a hard time by turning you down once or twice, just hang in there. Sooner or later, she will say yes – Uche I am interested in those colognes that helps one attract women. I hope they work – Iyke Yes Iyke they work but it is not like black magic. They are called Pheromones and they basically improve your chances of having a girl respond to your advances. When you spray it, you still need to walk up to a girl and start a conversation. But you will stand a better chance of having her like you. One of such pheromones is the Optimale Pheromone Cologne for men – Uche I wanted to know what the big deal was about this X Again Enhancer everybody has been talking about so I tried it. I am 59 years old and I had the best sex of my life. My erections came back and I had sex four times in one evening. I can’t believe it. I had given up on sex before I tried this drug – Olakunle As always, I am happy to hear all these testimonies. X Again has helped a lot of people – Uche Sometimes when I ejaculate during intercourse, the semen is rather small Kaleb Ask for Max Load supplement. It increases semen quantity, sexual enjoyment and the intensity of your climax. It is also a natural supplement and has no side effects – Uche Please is it true that there is a cream that a man can use to stop premature ejaculation? I have a terrible case of

premature ejaculation and I have tried everything with no success - Moses Yes it is true. There are many of them such as Forever Yours Delay Cream and Gladiator Power Cream . Apply any of these all over your penis minutes before penetrative intercourse and you will last longer– Uche A friend of mine told me about a drug she bought from you to improve her libido – Mrs Anyaoku Yes there are two different types at the moment. There is Kangaroo for Her and Total Diva. They are both very good and help with arousal, lubrication and satisfaction. The effects last for days too – Uche I just got the Arousal Cobra Vibrator I ordered. Your packaging is impressive and you deliver on time. Very professional - Carol Thank you Carol – Uche Adults in

need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Port Health Service intensifies Ebola surveillance FRANKA OSAKWE

ue to the reported new case of Ebola virus in Liberia, the Port Health Services (PHS) says it has intensi-

fied surveillance activities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. In an interview with newsmen, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the Deputy General Manager, Public Affairs, Fed-

eral Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), disclosed that the surveillance activities of the Port Health Services were still on. Yakubu added that even though the activities had been relaxed at the domestic

wing, the management has continued to provide hand sanitisers in all the toilets at the airport. With the new discovery of Ebola case in Liberia, she said the airport authority would redouble efforts to keep the airports

safe. Confirming this, a passenger, Mr Halim Danladi, said that Ebola screening was still being carried out at the international wing of the airport, but noted that there was no such exercise at the domestic wing currently. Danladi, however said that hand sanitisers were no longer on display at the airports as it was during the period of Ebola outbreak in the country. He urged the Federal Government to put in place measures to prevent the outbreak of the virus in the country since Liberia was no longer free as expected.

“Surveillance activities should be intensified around airports, seaports and land borders, to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2014. Activities of Port Health Services should also be extended to local airports,” he said. Also, Danladi, stressed the need to enhance Ebola surveillance again, to ensure that Nigeria remained free of Ebola virus. Danladi also expressed concern that Ebola screening had been relaxed at the local airports and urged the airport authority to provide more hand sanitisers at different locations, as it was in the past.

UNODC trains 540 Nigerians on terrorism

L-R - Bassey Akpanyung (National Planning Commission); Trevor Rajah (UNODC); Koli Kouame (UNODC) and Alan Munday (European Union) at a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja to disseminate and discuss achievements of UNODC project.

Grasshoppers highly nutritious, says don SAIDAT ALAUSA

University Don has disclosed that the consumption of insects like grasshoppers remained good sources of nutrients such as protein, vitamins, fiber and mineral contents for man. Prof. Adewumi Idowu of the Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, College of Biosciences (COLBIOS, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State made this known while delivering the 50th Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled “The Animal in Lens of a Zoologist”.

According to him, grasshoppers, even though they’re re characterized by several features, including having an offensive body odour, they always remained highly nutritious. He called on relevant authorities to embrace the practice of entomophagy, which simply means ‘insecteating’, by making insects one of the common delicacies that could be comparable with other conventional and unconventional protein sources such as beef, pork, elephant among others which may likely play significant roles in the survival of mankind by 2050 when the world will host 9 billion people. The inaugural lecturer

also observed that despite the existence of several publications that were of immense benefits to researchers, lecturers and students in the study of the biology of African grasshoppers, the government still needed to do more in carrying out research into the activities of African grasshoppers and thereafter issue a white paper on the 1977 report submitted by the United Kingdom’s Centre for Overseas Pest Research (COPR), that could facilitate the realisation of this goal. The Don further charged the government to create the enabling environment for mass production, processing and marketing of insects by

putting more resources into the funding of researches, feeding trials and campaigns on entomophagy, which is capable of generating huge employment for the populace. The lecturer, who is also a member of the Zoological Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Entomological Society, stated that lack of Nigerian specimens is one major constraint in the teaching of zoology in higher institutions. “We still depend mostly on foreign species in practical classes and even as examples in textbooks authored by Nigerians. It is a major task that will need government motivation and support.”

IAS award grants for paediatric HIV research FRANKA OSAKWE

s part of its continued commitment to support young and emerging investigators and address priority research gaps in paediatric HIV, the International AIDS Society (IAS) has announced its 2015 award winners for the IAS Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education and Research (CIPHER) Grant Programme. The awards were presented at the 8th IAS Conference on

HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2015) in Vancouver, Canada. Announcing this year’s winners, IAS President, Dr. Chris Beyrer, said this year’s CIPHER grantees are all rising leaders in the HIV research field. The 2015 awardees and respective research topics include: Suvaporn Anugulruengkitt (Thailand)Adverse events of 6-week zidovudine/lamivudine/ nevirapine antiretroviral prophylaxis regimen for prevention of HIV mother-

to-child transmission among high risk newborns in Thailand; Heather Bailey (United Kingdom)- Characteristics, outcomes and models of service provision for HIVpositive youth in Ukraine; Jackson Kijumba B. Mukonzo (Uganda)- Optimization of paediatric antiretroviral therapy during co-treatment of HIV-associated cancers; Irene Nyambura Njuguna (Kenya)- Financial incentives to increase paediatric HIV testing; Birkneh Tadesse (Ethiopia)- Improving treatment of HIV-infected Ethiopian children through earlier

detection of treatment failure. With generous support from ViiV Healthcare, the CIPHER Grant Programme was established in 2012 to support projects that address priority gaps in paediatric HIV research. This includes addressing the lack of investment in paediatric researchers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), by prioritizing applicants from those nations. This year, the programme is pleased to award $750,000 to five early stage investigators – four of whom are from LMICs – to support innovative research efforts.

he United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has trained 640 Nigerians in different aspects of antiterrorism intervention to boost the national response to terrorism and multi-dimensional security threats in the country. Drawn from 33 organizations, beneficiaries of the training will serve as in-country counterterrorism national officials. The training was conducted over a 20-month period, with funds provided by the European Union under the framework of the NigeriaEU-UNODC-CTED Partnership on Strengthening Criminal Justice Responses for Multidimensional Security. Trainees included investigators, prosecutors, legal advisers of relevant government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and judges of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Speaking at a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja to disseminate and discuss achievements of the project, Mr. Alan Munday, Head of Political Governance and Democracy (Development Cooperation) at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the knowledge gained from this training was significant and very important. “The training has delivered a core of better trained and better aware Nigerian officials dealing with counter-terrorism in different ways and at different levels. We hope that the program has helped to strengthen the ability not only to counter terrorism

but to also deal with perpetrators of the terrorism act,” he said. UNODC is actively involved in the fight against terrorism globally and provides capacity building programs that are adapted to local needs. The counterterrorism project in Nigeria aims to enhance criminal justice capacity for effective rule-of-law-based investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of terrorist cases; promote interagency collaboration on counter-terrorism matters, enhance the national legal regime against terrorism, strengthen international cooperation against terrorism and ensure respect for human rights. The project featured 24 training sessions with practical lessons, role-plays, mentoring, and experience-sharing by counter-terrorism professionals from different parts of the world. “The capacity building program has been focused on practical issues relevant to the challenges that Nigeria is facing right now. We’re making sure that the technical assistance is specific and tailored to the needs of Nigeria,” said Mr. Trevor Rajah, Chief of Terrorism Prevention Branch at UNODC headquarters. “UNODC is pleased to serve an important role of building capacity to bring terrorists to justice. The project has been successful and we hope that it will help in taking the fight against terrorism further,” said Mr. KoliKouame, UNODC Nigeria Country Representative.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why we support FG on pain management – American Cancer society Relief recently came the way of sufferers of moderate and severe pains arising from diverse ailments in the country with the launch of Pain Free Hospital Initiative in Abuja by American Cancer Society and the Federal Ministry of Health. Health reporter, MARCUS FATUNMOLE, spoke with National Coordinator of the programme, James Yakubu, on the significance of the project for Nigerians. Excerpt: What is your collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria about? The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and American Cancer Society is a response to a need or a challenge that is bedeviling, especially the low-income country, which Nigeria happens to be one. Nigeria is third in terms of percentage of total untreated deaths in pain. If you have 100 percent of those who die in untreated pain, Nigeria constitutes seven percent; India constitutes 24 percent. And, that is the highest. China, with all its population constitutes 10 percent. That is the second highest. Russia Federation constitutes eight percent. Nigeria with 170 million people constitutes seven percent. That constitutes a big percentage if you consider that India constitutes one-sixth of the world population. It is a serious issue; what that means is that people are usually dying in pain. It is actually something that we can take care of; it is something that we can surmount. The medication is very cheap, the medication is available, the medication is easy to administer. So, why don’t we take advantage and go along with the modern trend in the treatment of pain so that people who die through pain due to diseases such as cancer, HIV/ AIDS and other conditions can live. That is the essence of our collaboration; to make essential pain medicine available to patients. How did this collaboration come about? Did Nigerian government approach the American Cancer Society for help? Actually, the American Cancer Society has been working with International Narcotic Control Board to mitigate this challenge. As part of the effort to mitigate the challenge, they came into this country and initiated collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, to

help the ministry with technical support so that we will solve this problem in our country. Like I said, it is collaboration, the ministry is involved, the American Cancer Society is involved. It was said at the launch of your programme in Abuja that you would give us drug (morphine) in the next one year. How do you intend to execute this? Let me put it on record that the American Cancer Society has not given free medicine to the Federal Ministry of Health. We provide technical support to ministry with this Pain Free Initiative. We hope to train doctors in the participating hospitals to be able to effectively treat moderate and severe pains. But, let me say that the collaboration is a growing one. So, it might reach a level where we would expect the American Cancer Society to intervene in terms of supply. But, at the moment, that is not the aim. But, you presented four boxes believed to be morphine to four federal government-owned hospitals at the launch. Were they not containing the drug? Those boxes were not medicine. Sorry we didn’t explain that. The boxes you saw were not medicine. These were training kits that will aid the training of the doctors in the various hospitals so that they can certainly treat moderate and severe pains. The boxes contain visual analogue scale, (VAS), for measuring pain, brooches, lapel pins, pens, oval stickers, USBs containing training slides, few T-shirts. There are also clip boards with helpful information on pain treatment that weren’t brought to the venue of the press briefing. All these were given to the four hospitals in addition to lap tops and $8,500. What diseases are we targeting with this drug? Sickle cell disease comes

Yakubu

MORPHINE IS CONSIDERED BY

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AS AN ESSENTIAL MEDICINE FOR TREATMENT OF MODERATE OR SEVERE PAIN with a lot of pain. Trauma comes with a lot of pain, myocardial infraction, cancer, HIV/ AIDS come with a lot of pain. Then, labour comes with a lot of pain. These are some of the conditions. But, suffice it to say that 80 to 90 percent of these conditions come with pain. We are concerned with severe and moderate pain. These are just a few of the conditions that come with pain. You told us at the briefing that morphine would be reduced by about 80 percent of its original price through this programme. How do we get the drug and who is procuring it? If you followed the presentation very well (at the Federal Ministry of Health) I did say that between 2012 and 2013, Nigeria had procured a total of 30kg morphine equivalent. As I speak with you, Nigeria has in stock, pulverized morphine at Federal Medical Store Oshodi. Now, there is a protocol for picking up pulverized morphine from Federal Medical Store Oshodi. It is a

well-guided protocol. It is a well-established protocol. Federal tertiary health facilities are aware of the protocol and they have been procuring. 27 Teaching Hospitals have been picking this morphine from the Federal Medical Store and constituting it into oral morphine solution for patients in their hospitals. There are banned substances and drugs used by people to mitigate pain, could you differentiate morphine from such? Morphine is not a substance of abuse, especially if it is used according to prescription. Like I said, morphine is considered by World Health Organization as an essential medicine for treatment of moderate or severe pain. There are other substances of abuse such as steroids; people take them to either feel high like cocaine, heroin, and codeine. These are substances of abuse. People get addicted to them. They care for and live on them. That is dangerous to our society. But, morphine, es-

pecially oral morphine doesn’t have the tendency for any such dependence. And, it could be good to distinguish between what we call physical dependence and psychological dependence. With morphine, you can have physical dependence, but not psychological dependence. It is physical dependence just like you have aldomet in the treatment of hypertension. Now, if you have hypertension like high blood pressure, and you don’t take your medication, what happens? Your BP rises. And, you are forced to go back and start taking your medication, and the BP begins to drop. That means any time you don’t take your medication, the BP goes up and you are forced to go and take your medication. That is physical dependence. You are not psychologically dependent on the medicine. You are forced to take the medicine only when your BP is high. It is the same thing with morphine. You are only forced to take your medication when you have the pain. And, when the pain comes down, you don’t crave for it. You don’t say I must take my medication when the pain is not there. Where do patients get morphine, chemist shops or hospitals? Let me say that only the Federal Government has the license and the legitimate right to procure this set of medicines. We call them controlled medicines. So, I don’t expect that you go to the pharmacy and you see some of these medications on the shelf. My advice would be for our physicians, our nurses, and our pharmacists to really get in touch with modern trend of pain treatment so that they can be well-prepared to really treat moderate and severe pain from whichever source. The programme at the moment cannot cover all the facilities in the country, but I do know that our physicians can study the modern trend in the treatment of pain. The guideline is very simple; we have the WHO analgesic ladder. They can always contact us; we can supply them with this analgesic ladder and they can use it to treat moderate and severe pain. We are very much available at Ministry of Health; and we are willing to support them to give them all these guidelines.

Wednesday, july 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge The sky’s the limit for me now –Uzoma

Filmmakers unite for ‘iArise4Nigeria Initiative’

Rescuing literary works in local languages Reading books written in African languages has grown from ‘passion to a mere academic exercise’. But there are concerns, regrettably, that it may be heading to extinction. Isiguzo Destiny

igerian indigenous languages are facing extinction due to the growing popularity of English language as the language of expression in creative literature. This issue prompted the recent outburst of one of Nigerian’s creative writers and the multiple award winner and writer of “Half of a Yellow Sun”, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to voice her concern on the scantiness of recent creative writings in Nigerian’s indigenous languages. Speaking on the issue, Adichie revealed that there is dearth of literary works in our indigenous languages and encouraged writers and parents to write and teach their children our local languages in order not to let them die. Art Lounge gathered that this development is because many Nigerians have embraced the English language and cannot read their local languages. In a revealing phone interview with Odia Ofeimun, he ironically asked “who said they don’t exist?” Odia said, “The problem with writing in indigenous language is not that people don’t write but that there are no places to buy them. Publishers are not willing to publish such works because they know that people will not buy them. Even the English written ones are nowhere to be found”. When pressed to mention recent literary publications in Nigerians indigenous language, the award winning poet asked “Do you know that Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ was translated to Yoruba language before he died by Wale Ogunyemei and published by New Horn Press but it is very hard to find where to buy it. Also, ‘Death and the King’s Horse Man’ by Wole Soyinka has received the same gesture but the truth is that there are willing writers and unwilling readers and publishers to patronise our indigenous languages. Many have blamed the poor readership of literary works by Nigerians as part of the issue limiting creative exploration in our indigenous languages. Creative writers like Akinwunmi Isola wrote literary pieces like “Efunsetan Aniwura” and “O Leku” in Yoruba language but the pieces are hardly found in bookshops. Others like Pita Nwana, the author of ‘Omenuko’ a novel written in Igbo and D. O Fagunwa have written in their various languages even before some of the recent writers in indigenous language but all their works

are hardly seen. A visit to some bookshops around Lagos revealed that while some of the books written in English can be seen, none of its counterparts written in Nigerian languages were seen. Emeka Opara, a book shop owner along Herbert Macaulay Way told Art Lounge that he used to stock some of the books in local languages but that it took a lot of time to sell them. He said, “I used to have for instance ‘Omenuko’ in this shop but they were here for more than six years before I could sell them. After then, I didn’t buy it again. In fact, I didn’t even sell all of them come to think of the fact I bought only twelve of them”. A visit to a bookshop at Ozone Cinema complex at Yaba lent credence to the fact that either the readers are not demanding for books in indigenous languages or the publishers are unwilling to publish them due to the scarcity of such books in all the bookshops visited. Speaking on the importance of creative works in Nigerian’s indigenous languages, Akinwunmi Isola, the acclaimed Yoruba writer averred that Nigeria’s indigenous languages are a kind of culture carrier that tells who Nigerians are and their ways of life. “Around each language is a culture and it is the culture that sets certain standards about social interactions. Every culture of the world has acceptable standards of right and wrong. It is the local language that is used to pass it on to the younger generation. You have to socialize the younger ones into the culture. If you want to create a society with acceptable standards of right and wrong, with values such as fairness, justice, accountability, and honesty, it is through the language. Every language has a way of doing it: it is not the same all over, such that if you want to make development sustainable, then you must promote the culture in the local languages. The language, the proverbs, names of trees, flowers plants birds, animals and so on are put together to train the young ones. The contention is that, when the child is very young, from age one to the teen age, you must build in his mind, images that will guide him throughout his life”. Assessing the situation, Taofeek Olatunbosun, a playwright who recently published a satire titled, “Mr Grammar” rejected writing in our indigenous language. He argued that English has become a universal language and if literature is universal why then should one write in a language that cannot be assessed by most readers in the world? He said: “The best

Library of books

Late Fagunwa

Isola

bet is to do what Achebe did in most of his classics, bringing English to bear the burden of the oratorical nuances of our local languages”. For him, writing in Nigeria’s indigenous languages will suggest that Nigerian writers are writing closed literature which can be hardly assessed. But Odia insisted that the importance of our language especially as a medium of expression in literature cannot be overemphasized but unfortunately, it seems that the Yoruba language is doing better although there are attempts by other indigenous language speakers to emulate the Yoruba. “There have been failed attempts to translate ‘Things Fall Apart’ in Igbo and I also heard that Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe will be soon translated in one of the local languages in Edo State”. Odia lamented that “if a book like ‘Things Fall Apart’ translated in Yoruba could not be accepted, then the importance of our local

The truth is that there are willing writers and unwilling readers and publishers to patronise our indigenous languages

language as we see it in this country must be re-evaluated”. This issue must be addressed in order to re-launch our languages to favourably compete with the English language. One suggestion by an art journalist, Ngozi Dike is for “all writers, especially those writing within the country, to begin to engage in bilingual writing. If you can write in one’s mother tongue, then write in your mother tongue and translate into English or write in English and translate into your mother tongue. This approach has helped writers like Ngugi Wa Thiong’o who is very popular for his exploration of his imaginative writings in his Kikuyu language”. A professor of Yoruba, Oluyemisi Adebowale is of the view that, “there is need for creative writers to write in the indigenous African languages. Since literature serves as cultural repository, it is worthless trying to use a totally strange and foreign language to preserve African culture.” She stressed the importance of involving everybody in resuscitating our local languages saying “in order not to jettison literature in the mother tongue, urgent attention must be paid to the issue of speaking, reading and writing in the mother tongue. All categories of the populace must be encouraged to read literature in the indigenous languages. By so doing, they learn a lot about the people, their culture and language.”

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Pursuing our dreams

Uru Eke

reams: our vivid imaginations and aspiration that birth endless possibilities in our minds, the promise of real existence. I say real existence because one cannot truly exist if they are not living their dreams and being their true self. We often hear of ‘a higher purpose,’ and that the human existence will be void of true accomplishment if we do not find it. Sounds abstract? Let me break it down a bit, everyone has been made for a particular path that will contribute immensely to their journey of finding personal fulfillment, but with no securities promised, each one to his own. Ever had a dream that utterly scared you and made you wonder? Welcome to my world once upon a time; but in all, I have found that the ability for your dreams to thrive and blossom into reality is within you. You just have to find it in the process. Going through life in denial of your dreams and the responsibility it carries may seem like an easy way out, but in the long run it isn’t. According to Aruni Futuronsky: “The energy it takes to ignore an inner longing is greater than the leap of faith it takes to move you in the direction of your dreams” This is so apt because if it is really your true passion, it will continue to consume you, and you’ll never quite know what boundless opportunities could have come your way. Also, the immense satisfaction it could have brought you. In pursuing your dreams, there will be naysayers and divergent perspectives from gatekeepers, family and friends. Dealing with this can sometimes be the most difficult, because these are people who you share your life with, whose loyalty and love you can vouch for, yet they do not share your passion. Now that can be tough. For me it was no easy feat getting everyone aboard my new chosen path, an acting career in Nollywood, leaving a prestigious UK career in IT consulting. In fact, a close friend opened up at

Eke

some point and said to me: “Isn’t it better to pursue a more traditional and sensible career route other than giving up a juicy IT job, and going after an acting career in Nollywood?” Not even Hollywood she said. It was difficult to listen to, but it only made me more determined to follow my heart and give it my best shot. As

Walter Bagehot said; “The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” Make no mistake, I’m still on a journey towards the full realisation of my dreams; but I must say that, boy has it been rewarding. Having said that I still wake up every day with a new drive to

Going through life in denial of your dreams and the responsibility it carries

may seem like an easy way out, but in the long run it isn’t

Memorable Reads What is your favourite book of all time? Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, has been a very inspiring book and since I got hold of it I have read it several times and it has been very instructive. It’s been one of those books that I see that majority of young people in Nigeria can pick it and see how they can transform themselves from a low level to a very high one. You can then achieve the same thing that President Obama has achieved. How did you get introduced to reading? I got introduced to reading because I write and I believe that for you to be a good writer you must be an avid reader. Read everything that you can get hold of not necessarily a textbook. How much do you spend on books annually? I don’t mind spending close to about $10,000 on all kinds of books including medical ones. I

Lateef A. Olopoenia

Professor

like books more than even clothing because information that I get from books transform me and make me to become a better person. Are you reading any of the young Nigerian writers, do you find any of them interesting? Chinua Achebe is one of the writers that I find very interesting, also Wole Soyinka. Unfortunately because I have been in the United States for a long time I have been reading a lot of these western and American books. I hope to read more of the local writers. Is there any character in the books you have read that you relate to? Not a particular person but the books generally inspire me a lot and mould me into a much better person life. In life we have to get experiences from other people I don’t have to make mistakes to learn I can learn from other peoples’ mistakes and sometimes you get this in these fictional books.

push… and that is what passion does. The satisfaction and inner peace….no words can describe. The key is to set out, one step at a time because there is never a good time to get going. Here is what you should know, accomplishing a dream or a set goal will serve as a catalyst for bigger accomplishments, it makes you say to yourself, ‘all I do is win’, and that positive attitude garners wins. On the other hand, a feeling of un-accomplishment that stems from the lack of action will over time annihilate your drive and passion for the pursuit of your dreams, presenting the risk of deep seated regret and never knowing what it could become, how far you could have gone. A few things guided me in my decision to jump ship, I asked myself these questions: 1) Does this excite you Uru? The answer was “YES”!!! 2¬) Does it open up your heart in some special type of way? By opening your heart, I mean does it make you think outside the box? It stimulates creativity and excellence. 3) Are you skilled in this Uru? If not, can it be developed? Next, I outlined steps in transiting to my dream career and looked into an immediate financial plan for the transition process. And so did the journey begin. No matter what you are confronted with in accomplishing your dreams, stay inspired and celebrate your little successes. It may be a career change or the fact that you have to move continents or states to kick start a cause or a skill. My personal mantra is “go out there and get it because no one will hand it to you” Whatever form your dream takes, pursue it today. Take a bold step. It won’t be easy, It won’t be fancy, and it may damn well never work out…but you made an effort. Why live a life of what ifs? When you can live a life of what you did! Only then can you live a life of fulfillment. •Uru Eke, a Nollywood actress had her breakthrough in the blockbuster, Last Flight to Abuja, produced and directed by Obi Emelonye.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

Sky is the limit for me now –Uzoma Genny Uzoma has been rising steadily in the film industry. She explains the journey so far. Ngozi Emedolibe

he entered the film industry in 2004, while studying at the Enugu State University of Technology. But after she graduated, Genny Uzoma got employed in a telecommunication company, where she had a somewhat unsatisfying job encounter for seven years. Her next decision? Going Back to Nollywood! She feels she needs to actualise this in her life. “I knew it was time to leave. Life is too short to not be doing what you love, not being where you are meant to be. So I put the fear of the unknown behind me, summoned courage, took a bold step and resigned. I’ve already been in many productions since I made a comeback. Actually, the sky is the limit for me now. I plan to keep acting. I will probably go to a film school to refine my skills and perhaps do a bit of modeling and presenting. I am entertainment and entertainment is me so I see a whole lot out there for me. I’m not limiting myself in acting.” Born to parents from Mbaitolu, in Imo State, Genny grew up in Enugu, a town that has also distinguished itself in artistic endeavours, primarily influenced by books and movies. “Well I’ve always loved movies. I used to watch a lot as child especially Indian movies. I also read lots of novels. I loved literature as a child, and I still do. Actually I was the Best Graduating student in Literature in high school. I always wanted to act because I loved the make believe world. So I got myself into the Actors Guild of Nigeria at Enugu in 2004. After registering, I started with the extra roles and I didn’t mind one bit because I was schooling and acting and it was all good. Then the roles started getting big especially after schooling. I had to come down to Lagos. I shot with Rita Dominic as her best friend, shot with Monalisa Chinda as her daughter, shot with a couple of other big names in the industry. Then even as a youth corper, I would come to Lagos to shoot”.

With films like ‘Royal Doom’, ‘Classical Fraud’, ‘Lumber Boys’, ‘Best of the Game’, ‘Twist fo Fate’, before Genny Uzoma moved into the corporate world, there is no doubt that her return to the movies will certainly thrill some of the reputable directors and producers who have worked with her. For the actress, one factor that has helped in shaping her life and career is education. “My parents actually wanted the best for me which was why they gave me education. I am thankful for that because, it has helped in making me who I am today. I attended from primary to tertiary schools in Enugu state. I started at Command Children’s School Abakpa, before going to Holy Rosary College, and finally I moved to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, where I earned a degree in Political Science. How easy was it coping in the corporate world after a stint in movies? “It wasn’t easy settling in at work at first with my weird actress, but I adapted after a while and I actually became very good at it, winning the best customer service agent a couple of times and top sales consultant for the month as well. Though at the back of my mind, I just wasn’t happy or fulfilled. I knew I had to do something about it so I quit after months of self introspection. I wouldn’t say I regret going into the corporate world; I wouldn’t say that. I mean, I have that working experience which has taught me how to deal with different people because personalities vary and I also met different sets of amazing individuals with different mindsets, career goals, focus and objectives”. Aside movies, which has spawned her great respect for American actress Meryl Streep, Genny Uzoma is particularly intrigued by writing and photography. “I could pen a fiction novel one day, and it could be a best seller. Then I am passionate about photography as well”.

Well I’ve always loved movies. I used to watch a lot especially Indian movies. I also read lots of novels. I loved literature as a child, and I still do. Actually I was the Best Graduating student in Literature in high school

MIDWEEK JUMP

Ogbunike Cave City Film Festival 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature 2015

ilmmakers worldwide who have Igbo language feature films can submit their works for screening at the forthcoming Ogbunike Cave City Film Festival slated to commence on the 9th of August, 2015 at Ogbunike Civic Centre, Amawa, Ogbunike, Anambra State. Entry closes on the 1st of August, 2015. The event supported by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Nollywood and the Anambra State Ministry of Culture and Tourism is being organised to deepen interest in the production of audio-visual contents in Igbo language. Ogbunike Cave

tisalat has announced the call for entries for the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature which is in its third year. The prize is the first ever Pan African prize celebrating debut African writers of published fiction. The Judging panel for the 2015 edition will be chaired by Professor Ato Quayson, a Professor of English and inaugural Director of the Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University of Toronto; alongside Molara Wood, writer, blogger, journalist, critic and editor and Zukiswa Wanner, author of The Madams and Men of the South. Submission of entries are ongoing, having opened June 18, 2015 and would close

August 27, 2015. The winner receives a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia under the mentorship of award-winning author, Professor Giles Foden. The winner will also receive a sponsored three-city book tour while the two other shortlisted writers will receive a sponsored two-city book tour to promote their books. Entries must be a writer’s first work of fiction of over 30,000 words, and published within the last 24 months. Etisalat Prize for Literature

Arts Lounge

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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

FAR AND NEAR

Filmmakers unite for iArise4Nigeria Initiative

AFRIMA honours artistes at conference

Ngozi Emedolibe

iqued by the need to foster unity in the nation, a group of celebrities, led by filmmaker Dickson Iroegbu, has launched the iArise4Nigeria Initiative as a flagship of the Greenwood Dialogue Foundation. And at a recent conference held in Abuja by the group which attracted many personalities from the media and creative industry, the group reiterated the need to strengthen the bond of nationhood in Nigeria. According to a communiqué made available by the group after the event, “the recent conflict of interests in the National Assembly further polarises the electoral process in Nigeria. We totally and strongly condemn this ugly development and unequivocally call for instant change in the narrative. Leadership is a call to service and not a medium to promote selfish, egocentric and unpatriotic agenda. The Executive and Legislative arms of Government as presently constituted, should hit the ground running in driving the change Nigerians earnestly desire and voted for rather than allow itself to be distracted by primordial sentiments and external interferences. We also call on the Judicial arm of Government to rise up to their responsibilities and offer Nigerians the much needed succour through prompt dispensation of justice and equity. Global facts have repeatedly shown that young people constitute 60% of the population of the Federal

Artistes flaunting their AFRIMA trophies

t was a day of joy for South African artiste, Mkhululi Siqula best known as ‘Heavy-k DRUMBOSS’ as he received his 2014 AFRIMA Trophy at the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA stakeholders’ conference which held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, The Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Filmmaker Dickson Iroegbu, right and a guest

Republic of Nigeria. Sadly, this critical mass of young people has continuously been grossly denied relevance and active participation in governance. This ugly trend needs to be nipped in the bud beyond rhetoric of job creation and youth empowerment but also through immediate inclusion of young people in key positions like ministerial appointments, directors of key agencies and Departments of Government. We want to use this avenue to appreciate the support of the International Community and at the same time demand for the sincerity of purpose in addressing key issues like terrorism, economic sabotage and corruption. The local and international media must be

iArise4Nigeria Initiative conference

seen to be professional and objective in their reportage. The role of the media in nation building cannot be overemphasised in a fledgling democratic dispensation and as a result, every form of negative propaganda against the Nigerian State is unacceptable. In this same vein, the new media (social media) are called to action as agents for national development and not advocates of devilish acts like terrorism, disintegration and general overheating of the polity.” Greenwood Dialogue Foundation is an NGO with the vision to promote patriotism, constructive dialogue approach to conflict resolution and good governance in Nigeria.

AVRS tasks FG on war against piracy

Ali Balogun

Adewunmi Peters

udio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Nigeria’s sole Collective Management Organisation for films, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for paying attention to the need to end movie piracy and related forms of intellectual property rights abuse in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that during his recent meeting with the permanent secretary and directors of the Federal Ministry of Information, President Buhari had charged law enforcement agencies to “identify the perpetrators, sponsors and collaborators of copyright piracy, and bring them to justice.” According to reports, the President specifically urged law enforcement agencies to curb piracy in the entertainment industry, particularly Nollywood, noting that Nollywood

practitioners have built a world-class industry through their own sweat and it was therefore incumbent on government to accord the industry necessary support. However, responding to this development, AVRS chairman, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun commended the significant presidential directive and expressed the readiness of AVRS to partner with law enforcement agencies and the media in the task to curb movie piracy in Nigeria, which, according to him, has continued to hamper growth efforts in Nollywood. Ali-Balogun, stated that the President needs to do more than just admonishing the law enforcement agencies. “He needs to urgently follow up with the following initiatives: An immediate constitution of anti-piracy squad akin to SARS with an AIG/DIG in charge just as OBJ did for drugs counterfeiting; An Executive Bill to amend the copyright law and make piracy an economic crime-like stealing, bunkering, drug trafficking with stiffer penalty with no option of fine.” According to the AVRS’ boss, the creative industries’ contribution to the GDP can no longer be ignored going by the figures spurned by the current rebasing of the nation’s economy, hence the urgent need for all hands to be on deck to fight this piracy menace with every might that could be mustered.

Accepting his award for 2014 “Best Male in Southern Africa” category featuring Professor in “Beautiful War”, Heavy K echoed his words with excitement “At my age winning and carrying this (AFRIMA) trophy, it is overwhelming, like am so excited right now. I just thank AFRIMA and fans across Africa, it means a lot to me. I regretted not being at the last edition but I will be there at the AFRIMA 2015 edition in November 13 - 15, Lagos.” The AFRIMA South Africa stakeholders’ conference featured panelists from Southern Africa region; Artiste, Malaika’s Tshedi Mholo (South Africa); AFRIMA Sponsorship and Communication Director, Matlou Tsotsetsi (South Africa); AFRIMA Jury members from Southern Africa, Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe); Assistant Communication Manager, ONE campaign, Yannick Tshimanga (South Africa). The panelist from AFRIMA secretariat include Chairman, AFRIMA International Media Committee, Steve Ayorinde (Nigeria); AFRIMA Executive Producer/President, Mike Dada among others from the AFRIMA secretariat. The conference which brought together artistes from Southern Africa, the media, AFRIMA partners and other music industry stakeholders was centred on the vision, mission and transparent adjudication process of AFRIMA as well as the 2015 AFRIMA Entry Submission which closed on Monday July 20, 2015 and other build up events which include the Africa Music Summit; and the AFRIMA Music Village, towards 2015 AFRIMA ceremony coming up later in November, 2015. Speaking as a panelist, the award-winning South African Afro-pop, Malaika’s Tshedi Mholo, said: “I am happy to be on AFRIMA panel. I have seen awards across Africa but AFRIMA is more than an award. It is a platform to sell our story, our uniqueness, and our culture as an Africa to the rest of the world. The conference today has definitely enriched my knowledge that we (artistes) are in business to sell Africa through our songs, our dressings, and our life style which is in line with the vision and objectives of AFRIMA aimed at showcasing Africa as a center of possibilities, development, peaceful and prosperous continent.”

Business Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Local meter producers require support to boost local content, create jobs –Ewesor 28

WAAPP-Nigeria trains 50 on cassava processing, fruit juice packaging

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Ban of 113 oil vessels, desirable for upstream sector transparency 33 –Analysts

Cabotage: Ship owners decry foreign vessels’ domination of maritime business FRANCIS EZEM

ndigenous shipping firms under the aegis of Nigeria Shipowners Association NISA, at the weekend took a swipe at succeeding governments in the country over their inability to enforce the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage policy, saying that the nation’s coastal waters are dominated with foreign ships, more than 10 years after the Cabotage Act was enacted. President of the association, Captain Niyi Labinjo, who spoke in Lagos, disclosed that no fewer than 3, 000 foreign ships and smaller crafts operate within the nation’s coastal and inland waters, which have taken over the jobs that should have ordinarily be exclusively preserved for Nigerian ship owners under the Cabotage regime. He blamed this rather ugly development on the failure of succeeding Nigerian government to muster the needed political will to enforce the legislation, which he blamed on corrupt nature of these governments. “The greatest obstacle to strict enforcement of the Cabotage regime in the country is the total lack of political will fuelled by corruption on the part of the government to insist that certain things must be done in certain ways to ensure the realisation of the aims and objectives of the legislation”,

he Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has tasked Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in the country to partner with the new government in its fight against corruption at all levels of government by reporting any individual or organization engaging in corrupt practices. Idris made this call while receiving members of the Civil So-

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES

…say over 3,000 foreign vessels operate illegally he lamented. “It has become a common occurrence for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and AMCON to hound and dock the Nigerian ship owners while the foreign shipping firms, which now dominate the business smile regularly to the banks”, he also said. Labinjo, who also took a swipe at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC and some other related govern-

ment agencies for tacitly aiding and abating the takeover of jobs meant for Nigerian ship owners by ships owned by Europeans, Americans, Indians and Philippines, who he described as hawks. It was also gathered that moves by the indigenous ship owners to halt this trend, which led to a meeting with some top government officials could not achieve the desired goals, as government reneged on its promise of ensuring that the Nigerian ship owners

were given cargo regularly. Investigations also showed that part of the resolutions at the meeting between members of the association and top government officials led by the former Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar was that the association would create the NISA Marshal, a kind of taskforce that would arret foreign ships trading illegally within the nation’s maritime domain.

Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air

L-R: Zonal Business Manager, North West Zone, Airtel Nigeria, Thankgod Otorkpa; Head CSR, Chinda Manjor and Deputy Team Leader/Health Coordinator, Dr. Eyitayo Ojo, at the Airtel partnership with Millennium Villages Project in Kaduna, at the weekend.

AGF urges CSOs to support govt’s anti-corruption war TOLA AKINMUTIMI

ciety of Nigeria, a body comprising over 25 civil societies, who visited his office. He noted that as civil societies and not security agencies, they should act as whistle blowers by reporting all forms of corrupt practices witnessed in the system, adding that they should do this objectively without fear or favour. He said: “No society will develop if it indulges in any form of corruption and as a Nation, if we do not imbibe the culture of

good governance, transparency, accountability and strict compliance to rules and regulation stipulated in the relevant documents guiding the nation, we cannot reach our destination as a nation” The AGF noted that elected the President based on his track record of zero tolerance for corruption and his unquestionable passion to make Nigeria better, saying however that the President cannot win the war alone, thereby necessitating the support of all Nigerians especially

the civil societies. Idris assured prudent management of the nation’s treasury during his tenure to ensure that the change promised by the new administration positively impact on the lives of Nigerians. Earlier, the President of the group, Comrade Femi Osabinu, congratulated the AGF on his appointment, and pledged the support of the civil societies to improve public service performance in the years ahead.

Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Local meter producers require support to The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL) also known as Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Engr. Peter Ewesor, in this interview with CHIDI UGWU speaks on the organisation’s efforts to enforce quality standards by frontally tackling the problem of fake products’ importation amongst other sundry issues in the nation’s power sector.

Ewesor

There is very a huge metering gap in the nation’s electricity sector with a lot of manufacturers and importers working hard to fill the gap. What is your organisation doing to ensure that fake meters are not imported into the country as importers scramble to bridge the gap? Our main work is to ensure that we do due diligence on any new meter that is going to come. We have two types of certifications. We have the one we call type test. Type test means when the meter is coming into the country for the first time we must find out whether or not that type of meter is going to meet the environmental condition, in addition to the specified standards in terms of accuracy, in terms of connection configuration, in terms of the requirements that would protect against theft of energy. That is the anti theft provision on the meter. The suppliers or manufacturers of the meters will bring them. We take them to our meter test stations, they will test them out and after they have tested them out and found out that the meter is good for use in Nigeria, it is not bought off the shelve. What that means is that we are going to issue a certificate that this type of meter can be used in Nigeria.

THERE IS NOWHERE, I REPEAT, THERE IS NOWHERE IN EPSR ACT WHERE IT IS STATED THAT NERC CAN APPOINT ANYBODY TO TEST AND CERTIFY. IT IS NOT THERE SO THAT UNIQUENESS OF OUR FUNCTION IS THERE DATING

50 YEARS BACK STATING THAT WE ARE

THE ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONS TO DO THE JOB Then, when the person now starts importing the quantity, because this first one is just a sample for us to test, the meter is coming to Nigeria for the first time. After that, the person now needs to approach Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission for licensing because until we have given our certification, NERC cannot give a license for them to import or manufacture. So, if he now starts bringing in large quantity we do what we call routine test. This means that meters he is bring we are going to carry out sample test on percentage of the meters to ensure that they meet that requirements that was approved for him to import or

manufacture as the case maybe. We do this because it is possible for people to go out there and bring in the best meters for testing and after we have tested and given certification, the person can go back and bring in substandard meters and say you have approved this for me. But to make sure that doesn’t happen we have to test a percentage of the one he is now bringing into the country. Once we have done that particular exercise, after the routine check, then we would have been able to check and prevent fake meters. But it is not completely foolproof because it is the ones that have passed through our meter test stations that we have tested. There

could be some that can go directly into the system without us knowing. So what we are doing is that, when we start doing what we call recertification of meters, because under the Metering Code, there is a recertification requirement because if you deploy a meter in the field for two to three years, that meter will be retested to ensure that it is still maintaining the properties in terms of accuracy to ensure that what it receives and dispense is the required quantity of power and that nobody is being shortchanged. In the process of doing this recertification, if we now discover any meter that do not have our seal and we suspect that the meter has actually entered the system without passing through our test station, we have to find out from the distribution company concerned how it managed to enter the system. And in the process, the person has a penalty to pay. And if we should test the meter at that time and it fails, of course the Discos knows there is a penalty to pay because if you put a meter that is not dispensing power in the right quantity then it becomes a challenge.

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

boost local content, create jobs –Ewesor So where we come in to ensure that Nigeria is not made a dumping ground is to ensure that all meters pass through our test stations. As an industry expert, do you recommend a particular kind of meter for electricity consumers in the country given the Nigeria environment? Well, you see we have what we call the Nigeria Metering Code, the NMC is the regulation that gives the standard a specification of meters. And the specifications of meters are clearly stated out and what we have in Nigeria metering code is British standard and IAC standard once the IUC and British standard and the configuration of their terminals are right, definitely that is the recommended for us in Nigeria which we feel is quite very right and correct. We ensure that these meters meet that standard and every time something is discovered in the system that they feel is not correct, there is a standing metering code panel that we can refer such cases to. It is in our position too, ensure that we do not allow what we call multiplicity of standards. For instance, such that you have German standard is being used in Kano, Chinese standard being used in Calabar, No!, so the metering code has made it clear that you can only have one standard that is used in a country which is called Unification. Those who put the metering code together actually did a lot of analysis and looked at conditions prevailing in Nigeria before they said our meters must meet IAC standard, must meet British standard. In that metering code too, they specified condition precedent for us to give approval. If you bring a meter and say the temperature it can withstand is just about maybe 25 degree centigrade, first and foremost we won’t test it at all because even with the psychical criteria it has failed. Then you look at the humidity, of what humidity it can be exposed to. Then you look at the level of temperature instead of weather it is very hard or low because there is a boundary which a limit is specified for meters. There has been clamour by local meter manufacturers to be producing meters locally. Do you think they have the capacity to take up this enormous responsibility in the face of various challenges facing local manufacturers today? Well, I don’t think I want to start talking about the commercial capabilities of local manufacturers. I want to tell you that there are local manufacturers that we have actually checked out their factories. We have checked out their production and manufacturing facilities and we are satisfied and we have given them certificates. The only thing I have to say is that I think Nigeria has local content policy and wants to encourage local content, at the same time that will create employment for Nigerians and it will bring a lot of expertise development locally. But whether they have capacity to pro-

IF YOU DON’T PATRONISE YOUR MANUFACTURERS AND YOU DEPEND ON IMPORTATION THEN THE ECONOMY WILL NOT GROW AND IT WON’T

DEVELOP AND

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT

WE NEED TO LOOK AT duce all the metres we require in Nigeria I do not have all the statistics to be able to tell you but I know they have the capability and capacity to produce metres for use in the environment. And many of them we have given the certification and I think that is the policy of the government which I will leave to the policy makers. Our own is to ensure that whoever is producing metres, or importing meters meets the required standard and local manufacturers needs to be encouraged by government because that is the only way we can develop our own economy. If you don’t patronise your manufactures and you depend on importation then the economy will not grow and it won’t develop and I think this is something that we need to look at but really metering is a very crucial thing to the Federal Government. But within our own purview the angle which should be reported on is the angle of ensuring that the meters meet requirements standard and at least that the meters have been properly tested. NERC recently inaugurated 14 inspectors which many believed had been given the same mandate as NEMSA, how do you react to this development? Well, I have reacted to this in many fora. The first thing I would like to tell you is that we in NEMSA do not want to be distracted by anything. And we do want to be bothered by anything

Ewesor

that somebody else is doing. Rather, we want to concentrate on our functions. The thing is that the mandate given to EMSL is not given to any other person. And like I told you, NEMSA is not just an organisation that came into being just yesterday. It is an organisation that metamorphosed from the department of electrical inspectorate services in the ministry of power. And then the quality control unit for the meter test station for the old Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). These formed NEMSA so inspectorate work did not just start today. The only people that have the mandate to carry out inspectors’ work, inspection, testing and certification, is NEMSA. And if you read our Act very well you will see that the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NEMSA is also the chief electrical inspector of the federation. So, if somebody say he is appointing inspectors those ones are called interlopers. They are intruders and they will be so treated in the industry. For us, we will continue to do our work and if we meet somebody else who is doing our work the law is there to take its course. But we do not want to be distracted by somebody else appointing inspectors. The person could have appointed inspectors just to go and do commercial auditing, commercial checking of documents which the EPSR Act allows because the act say that NERC could ap-

point inspectors to go and check if there has been a breach in the regulatory framework and platform. And to check whether there is a breach of the license they have been given. There is nowhere, I repeat, there is nowhere in EPSR Act where it is stated that NERC can appoint anybody to test and certify. It is not there so that uniqueness of our function is there dating 50 years back stating that we are the only authorized persons to do the job. If you take electricity Act, not EPRS Act which actually gave birth to EPSR Act you will see it there electrical inspectorate services is well reflected. And that is why in this EPSR Act it is clearly stated that inspectorate services work means inspection, testing and certification. I will tell you clearly that those people if they say they have appointed, they are going to be regarded as interlopers because inspectors work is not all comers job. You are trained and you have the expertise. In this country today, no person has that capacity and capability to carry out inspectorate work than the electrical inspectors that we have in the ministry of power. It is a skill developed over the years. So, if they said they have appointed inspectors for us, it has no implication on our job. And I am sure they knew what they were doing, they knew there is a law there. They knew what the law says so like I said to you, we do not want it to bother us. We do not want it to distract us from doing our work. One the main focus of the new administration is improving power generation and distribution, how do think this can be easily achieved? Well, I think Mr. President has said he is coming for positive change because without electricity there cannot be any meaningful growth in the economy, and any meaningful development. And for us who are his foot soldiers, we will definitely know the implication of his statement. So we are going to do all it takes to actualise that very objective. And first and foremost as NEMSA we are going to ensure that any power project that has been conceived designed and executed must meet the specifications for which it was designed. And we are going to make sure that the project when it is completed before we will allow it to be put into use meets all the parameters that it is going to deliver the service for which it was planned for by the government. That is the first cardinal point. You plan power for people to have power supply, for example, you are given somebody a facility 500Kva transformer and the person goes and put a 300kva transformer, in the first instance, you are short-changing Mr. President and the nation. Because when you put a transformer lesser than what was designed what that means is that when it goes above the capacity the transformer will pack up. We are going to ensure that people building power plants, we are going to ensure that the power plants are in line with what has been designed.

Business News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WAAPP-Nigeria trains 50 on cassava processing, fruit juice packaging TOLA AKINMUTIMI

he West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) in Nigeria on Monday disclosed that the training of 50 persons from the South-South geo-political zone on cassava processing, production and packaging of fruit juice had been flagged off. WAAPP-Nigeria’s National Project Coordinator of, Prof. Damian Chikwendu, who disclosed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the opening ceremony of the 2015 WAAPP Entrepreneurship Training for the South-South, said that cassava as the raw material was chosen based on the relative advantage of the region. Represented by a Technical Assistant, Mr Bernard Ogbu, the Coordinator explained that participants at the training session would be taught how to process cassava into high quality cassava flour, odourless ``fufu’’ flour, industrial starch and cassava-based adhesive.

According to him, the juice processing would involve production and packaging of the fruit juice, adding that the trainees are expected at the end of the training to assess the quality of their raw materials, produce and market the products profitably. Chikwendu pointed out that the main objective of the training

was to promote opportunities for job creation among unemployed youths and women in selected technologies by He explained that WAAPP sought to use its capacity building intervention to improve and increase agricultural productivity from start to finish and also farmers’ livelihood in every pos-

sible way. In her remarks, the DirectorGeneral, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Gloria Elemo, said WAAPP had chosen FIIRO as its trainer in the programme. Represented by the Deputy Director (Production) in FIIRO, Mr Felix Ajuebor, the FIIRO boss

disclosed that the Institute had developed 250 indigenous technologies since its establishment in 1956, adding that since 1986 it had trained 500,000 techno-entrepreneurs in Nigeria. WAAPP is a sub-regional programme of ECOWAS funded by the World Bank.

FCMB emerges 4th most customer-focused bank

irst City Monument Bank Limited has been rated as the 4th most customer-focused bank in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) with a score of 74.94 percent and 5th in retail banking with 73.16 percent by bank customers surveyed nationwide. The latest rating by KPMG, a leading international consulting firm, showed that the various valued added initiatives being pursued by the Bank to enhance its operations and customer experience have continued to receive positive affirmation globally.

The feat, which is coming barely four years after the Bank transformed to become a retail and commercial banking-led lender, is an improvement when compared to 2014 where the Bank occupied the 8th and 7th position in the SMEs segment and retail banking space, respectively. The rating, as contained in the 2015 report of the KPMG Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS), was on the basis of Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), which took into account convenience, product/service offering, executional excellence,

and value for money and customer care. The KPMG BICSS survey was launched in 2007 to heighten the consciousness of service delivery among Nigerian Banks. The survey has evolved over the years and in 2015, the scope covered over 23,000 retail customers, 2,800 SMEs and 400 corporate/commercial organisations across the country. The research highlighted quality of service experience as a major reason customers maintain or switch banking relationships, followed by financial stability before

image and reputation. It was also stated that banks that customers perceive as offering high quality online and mobile capabilities recorded high overall customer satisfaction scores. These are factors that contributed to the leap in rating by FCMB. In 2015, FCMB developed and executed various operational and service delivery initiatives. For instance, the financial institution has continued to transform its service offerings, while rigorously improving processes and operational efficiency.

SEC holds Q2 Capital Market Committee’s meeting

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has slated 2nd Quarter 2015 Capital Market Committee, CMC, meeting for next Tuesday in Lagos A statement issued by the Commission indicated that the Capital Market Master Plan implementation would be amongst the issues that would be prioritized in the meeting’s agenda. The 10-year Master Plan, which is expected to refocus the market and help double its size over time and grow the economy, was unveiled last November. The SEC Director General, Mournir Gwarzo, had recently assured his commitment to the implementation of the Plan. He said: “I have only one agenda for the market, my agenda for the market is to faithfully and religiously implement the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan. “It will be recalled last year SEC set up three committees to drive market growth and the best brains in the market participated in the three committees and they worked tirelessly and came up with an excellence report which was launched last year, what we lacked in the country is the faithful implementation of reports” he added. According to the Commission, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)

of all registered capital market firms (i.e Broker Dealer, Capital Market Solicitors, Custodians, Fund Managers, Issuing Houses, Rating Agencies, Registrars, Reporting Accountants, Trustees, and Consultants); had been invited to the meeting. Other invitees are, Chief Executive Officers of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), The Financial Markets Dealers Quotations (FMDQ), Africa Exchange Holdings (AFEX), Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

L-R: Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Sesan Sobowale; Country Director Nigeria, Concern Universal, Tim Kellow and Sustainable Development Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Osita Abana, during the media briefing to showcase the Guinness Nigeria/Concern Universal Safe Water and Improved Sanitation and Hygiene (SWISH) Project in Cross River State.

GOtv expands service to Nnewi ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

igital terrestrial payTV, GOtv has expanded its services to people in Nnewi, Anambra state, complementing the initiative with the introduction of the GOtv Double Double promo. A statement by the company indicated that it had previously covered Awka and Onitsha but that the latest move would avail more Nigerians the opportunity

to benefit from the GOtv Double Double promo. New subscribers in Nnewi and other parts of Nigeria who buy a GOtv T2-approved decoder and outdoor antenna for N4500, and pay one month GOtv Plus subscription within 48 hours of decoder purchase will be rewarded with two months extra viewing. This means that at the expiration of the first subscription to the GOtv Plus bouquet, the subscriber will for another two months have access to 42 of

the best international and local channels including; AfricaMagic Family, AIT, M-Net Movies Zone, Telemundo, Zee World, Discovery World, SuperSport Select, Al Jazeera, CNN, MTV Base, Soundcity, Disney Junior, Nickelodeon, JimJam, Islam Channel and Faith. Public Relations Manager GOtv, Ms Efe Obiomah said: television lovers in Nnewi and environs, who take advantage of the GOtv Double Double promo, will live in a world of unforgettable

experiences and enjoy a double dose of entertainment. “By paying a one month subscription within 48 hours of decoder purchase, they will enjoy double drama on Africa Magic, double sporting action on SuperSport, double adventure on the best kiddies’ channels, and double romance from the latest telenovelas and Bollywood series”. GOtv offers two bouquets; GOtv Plus with a 42-channel offering and GOtv Value which gives 28 channels.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Why we contributed N1bn to East-West Road project –Intels FRANCIS EZEM

ntegrated Logistics Nigeria Limited Intels has said that its decision to make N1 billion contribution out of a total of N3 billion needed to fix the sixkilometre East-West Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State was in line with the company’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility CSR and also ease traffic congestion along the ports. Rivers State Government and six other companies comprising, the Indorama Petroleum Limited, West African Container Terminal Limited, Port Harcourt Refining

Company Limited, Nigerian Ports Authority, Oil and Gas Free Zones, Onne had reached an agreement to contribute to the rehabilitation of the failed portions of the road, which is critical to economic activities in the state. Public Relations Manager of Intels, Mr Isidore Sambol, told National Mirror that the company had since redeemed it pledge of N1billion towards the road project, insisting that as a responsible corporate citizen, it did not need to be reminded of its pledge. According to him, the company fully paid up its share of the repair cost for the six kilometre portion of the dilapidated because

of its strategic importance to the socio-economic development of Rivers State in particular and the Nigerian nation as a whole, adding that the company will remain committed to its CSR in the environment where it operates and to members of its host communities. He said that as an oil and gas cargo handling company which has been operating for over 30 years, Intels took delight in impacting positively on the lives of Nigerians living within its areas of operation. Sambol commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesome Wike for the initiative of mobilising the six companies operating

within the area to raise the funds needed to fix the road which has been a nightmare to Port Harcourt residents and other users for several years. He said: “Our workers stand to benefit from the repair of the road because they suffer a lot each working day trying to manoeuvre their way through the heavy traffic experienced daily on the road due to the attendant pot holes as they make their way to the office,” “Every day, they get to the office so tired and usually spend some time to reorganise and readjust themselves to the work environment before facing the task for the day. This can be very frus-

trating and counter-productive for the company and hence the need to contribute to the repairs”, the copmany’s spokesman added. Governor Wike had, while flagging off the repair works on the road last week, threatened that the government would disrupt operations of contributing companies to the road project that fails to meet their obligations towards the project. “If you don’t pay your contribution, I will not allow you to operate. We must do something based on the agreement we reached on the rehabilitation of the road,” the governor threatened.

CIS engages accounting students on capital market career talk

he Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has held a one-day career talk for the students of Accounting Department of University of Calabar in collaboration with the Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Association (NUASA). The initiative is part of the Institute’s efforts to grow its membership base through sustained education of youths on the procedures and benefits of making a career in the capital market. The career talk with the theme “Students Capacity Building for Professionals Coping in the 21st Century” exposed the participants to the concept of the capital market, its relationship with the economy, the regulators, operators and investment opportunities. The team from the CIS gave prominence to an array of career opportunities in the capital market and exposed the participants to the various professional programmes being run by the CIS and how these future accountants can take advantage of these programmes to make a career in the market. Making a presentation entitled “Mass Unemployment: The Way Forward, Life after College, Your Plan, Your Future”, the Institutes’ Marketing and Media Liaising Officer, Mr Olumide Coker, explained that unemployment was one of the most critical problems being faced

by Nigerian youths, despite the nation’s yet-to-be-fully tapped human and natural resources endowments. He attributed the socio-economic challenges the country was contending with to years of corruption, civil war, military rule and mismanagement. According to him, unemployment has social consequences as it increases the rate of crime, pointing out that current statistics on structure of the unemployed population showed that secondary school graduates accounted for nearly 35 per cent to 50 per cent while those in the age groups of 20 to 24 years and 15 to 19 years are 40 per cent and 31 per cent rates respectively. Corroborating him, the leader of the team and second Vice President of CIS, Mr Dapo Adekoje spoke extensively on the Institute’s Professional Diploma Programme as a fundamental opportunity for the youths to launch themselves into the capital market. Adekoje explained that there were incentives that would make the budding accountants participate in the examination and the institute has been working very closly with the National University Commission (NUC) to accredit some of the programmes for enhanced mobility of the beneficiaries in terms of job opportunities and career enhancement.

L-R: Client Service Director, Centrespread, Claude Nwamba; Chief Operating Officer, (COO) Akinwale Akintunde and Director of Strategy, Yomi Martins, during an Interactive media chat, at Centrespread corporate office, in Lagos, at the weekend.

Airtel commissions renovated school in Kwara State DAVID AUDU

irtel Nigeria, under the Adopt-a-School CSR programme, has commissioned its newly adopted school in Offa, Kwara State. The company renovated blocks of classrooms and also donated toilet facilities, borehole for potable water, 400 school bags, 1, 400 notebooks, 400 uniforms, and packs of pen, among other items. The newly adopted Iyeru-Okin

Primary School will join the four other Airtel adopted primary schools spread across Nigeria, namely Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St. John’s Primary School, Oke-Agbo, IjebuIgbo, Ogun; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo and Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State. Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Lamid Alabi, noted that Airtel’s

Stakeholders to mark 90th anniversary of aviation devt in Nigeria

viation stakeholders and professionals in the Nigerian aviation industry have indicated their interest to celebrate the emergence of the sector in the country with a two-day seminar being put together by Media Age Communications. Media statement by the coordinator of the event, Mr. Ariyo Akinfenwa, stated that all the

major companies and agencies including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, EAN Aviation and Pathfinders International among others have indicated readiness to be a part of the event. He said that the two-day event with the theme: ’90 years of aviation in Nigeria: Pat, Present and Future would kick off in the first

week of November to be followed the next day with a Road Walk from the headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to the agency’s annex along the international airport road in Lagos Airport. Akinfenwa emphasized that from the first flight that landed in Kano in November 1925, Nigeria’s aviation industry had continued to witness developments that had

been multi-dimensional in nature. He stated: “This event has drawn much interest as FAAN, NAMA and others have registered their sponsorship and support. The breakfast seminar will be graced by invited aviation stakeholders where a guest speaker will be on ground and a panel of discussants will be constituted afterward to deliberate on the journey so far and looking ahead.

CSR initiative aligned with the state’s educational infrastructure development programme. The Governor said: “I understand that Airtel has upgraded three blocks of classrooms and equipped them with whiteboards, chairs and tables, Furthermore, the company is providing uniforms, school bags for 400 hundred pupils including other support infrastructure and materials. “Clearly, what Airtel has done at this school deserves our commendation and applause. The project represents a contribution to our educational development through corporate social responsibility intervention.” Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Managing Director of the telecommunication company, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said that the company recognised the interest of the state government in uplifting the standard of education in Kwara State and was therefore pleased to partner with it and people.

Business News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Toshiba to restate $1.2 bn National carrier key to Nigeria’s of past profits competitiveness in aviation sector –Kyari D A AVID

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Federal Government has been advised to ensure the re-establishment of a national carrier for Nigeria in order for aviation industry in the country to blossom. The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Finum Aviation Services, Engr. Sheri Kyari, in an interview with our Correspondent, said that Nigeria required a national carrier that all stakeholders and professionals must put in their efforts to ensure its success. He however noted that the carrier must not be wholly owned by the Federal Government, but the government should provide a platform for it to excel, adding that the formation of a national carrier for the country would reduce the number of capital flights, ensure the expansion of Nigeria to several cities around the world and create more employment for

qualified professionals in the sector. He said: “We must have a national carrier and put everything into it to make it work. I quickly want to correct this impression on the national carrier re-establishment for Nigeria. Some of us that are clamouring for a national or flag carrier; we are not talking about a carrier that the government would come in and pump money. “We are talking about a carrier that Nigerians would be so eager and interested in and invest in so that we can make it a mega carrier too like some other countries are doing with their airlines and we would be able to start and reach out to a lots of places that Nigerians fly to.” He added that with such carriers, the passengers’ capacity of foreign carriers in Nigeria would reduce by almost half, stressing that most of the foreign carriers operating in and out of the nation

were flying Nigerians to various cities abroad. He explained that the current crisis between the Middle East and American carriers indicated that there would be serious competition in the air in the coming months, noting that for Nigeria to be a part of the intense competition, it needed a national carrier. “If we have an airline in the next 10 to 15 years that can boast of 50 wide body aeroplanes, I think we would have virtually reduce the dependence on foreign carriers in this country and if we can corner Nigerians into our national carrier, I think we would have done more than we think because there is money and we allow this money to be taken everyday out of this country. “So, let’s do something that would make the money stay in this country even if there is little going out, it would not be what we are seeing today.”

UDU

oshiba Corp must correct at least 152 billion yen ($1.2 billion) of pretax earnings over a six year period after an internal accounting probe revealed the company overstated profits under pressure from management. The amount is almost triple the 55 billion yen write down the Tokyo-based company estimated earlier and is in addition to 4.4 billion yen in inaccurate entries found by the company. Toshiba announced summary findings from a third-party committee investigation Monday. Toshiba has lost $3.6 billion in market value since May 8, when it withdrew its earnings forecasts, canceled the year-end dividend and widened the accounting probe. The findings raise questions about the involvement of

World Bank, China establish $50m fund to fight poverty SYLVA ENEKA-OKEREKE

Porters carrying load at Idumota market in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Desertification, threat to Nigeria’s attainment of MDGs, says Ahmed ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

he Director-General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall, GGW, Goni Ahmed, has disclosed that over N10.5 billion was being lost yearly by Nigeria to environmental challenges, thereby endangering the livelihood of about 46.4 million people living in the 11 Northern frontline states. Ahmed gave the hint at the launch of the GGW school club/ tree planting campaign at Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, Abuja. According to him, these chal-

lenges among which were deforestation, drought and desertification, had undermined Nigeria’s efforts in ensuring a stable and sustainable future for country’s resources and economy at large. He therefore called for collaborative effort to tackle desertification in the north, adding that the agency has taken the tree planting campaign to the schools in order to create awareness among school children on the need to plant trees to combat the problem of land degradation and climate change. Ahmed clarified that desertification was a major constraint to economic and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, , adding that the World Bank es-

timated over N10.5 billion as annual loss through desertification, deforestation and drought. He noted that the people living in the affected region were heavily dependent on land, water and vegetation resources for their livelihood which was fast deteriorating as a result of desertification. “If we can collectively take action against deforestation and other related environmental issues, we will not only improve land productivity, but will provide the bedrock for agriculture growth, create employment leading to a positive cycle of economic growth,” he said.

Tanaka and Vice Chairman Norio Sasaki in the largest Japanese accounting scandal since Olympus Corp. admitted to hiding $1.7 billion in losses. Tanaka sought to delay booking losses and workers were unable to go against management orders, according to the probe. Executives at the company had “systematic” involvement in the improper accounting and internal controls failed to operate properly, Toshiba said, citing the report. President Tanaka will announce his resignation, the Sankei newspaper reported July 17, without saying where it obtained the information. The company was run by Sasaki for most of the period in question. Sasaki was replaced in 2013 by Tanaka. The largest single earnings figure to be corrected is 85.8 billion yen of pretax profit in the 2012 fiscal year, according to the probe.

orld Bank and the Peoples Republic of China have established a $50 million global fund to reduce poverty. The fund is coming on the heels of planned establishment of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, AIIB. World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said the initiatives would reinforce the growing partnership with China. China is the Bank’s third-largest shareholder and important contributor to the International Development Association, IDA, the institution’s designated fund for poor nations as well as the Global Infrastructure Facility.

While commending China for its growing role in global development during his meeting with senior leaders of the country, including the Finance Minister, Lou Jiwei and Governor Zhou Xiaochuan of the People’s Bank of China, President Kim said he had a far-reaching decision on global economy, development finance and the need for health reforms in the country. Signing the $50 million fund, he said, “China is a strong partner in development and a strong partner for the World Bank Group, and we share the commitment to end poverty and boost prosperity, Kim said “I look forward to a continued strong, cooperative, and productive relationship, which will benefit developing countries around the world.”

Glo ambassadors win MAMA Awards ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

mbassadors of Nigeria’s t e l e c o m m u n i c at i o n s solutions provider, Globacom, bagged awards at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), held in Durban, South Africa at the weekend. Leading the Glo ambassadors’ awardees was a singer and songwriter, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (D’Banj), also known as the ‘koko master’, who won the maiden MAMA Evolution Award. He beats other stars like 2face and Asa, among others, to emerge winner. The category was introduced

in the 2015 edition of the awards to celebrate artistes who have made huge impact on the African music scene, taking African music beyond the African continent through hard work and uncommon creativity. The winner for the category was jointly decided by MTV Base and online voting via Twitter and Instagram. Two other major categories of the awards were carted home by long time Globacom ambassadors, Psquare. They won the ‘Best Group’ award, beating South Africa’s house sensations, Beatenberg, Kenya’s power musicians, Sauti Sol, and Angola’s B4.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Shell resumes crude export at Forcados terminal

Chinese firm to invest $12bn in electricity 36 transmission

Nigeria’s peak power demand forecast rises to 14,630mw 38

Ban of 113 oil vessels, desirable for upstream sector transparency –Analysts Despite the pronouncements of many government officials, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft have outlived past administrations with negative consequences on the nation and its economy. But UDEME AKPAN and CHIDI UGWU report that intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration could culminate in taming the monsters.

Oil vessel

or several years, pipeline vandalisation and crude oil theft had haunted the nation without any decisive intervention to tackle them. These affected the operations of virtually all oil and gas companies. Take the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC an example. In 2014 alone, the Corporation maintained that it recorded 3,700 cases of pipeline vandalism, leading to a revenue loss of about N60 billion ($299 million). It indicated that the incident rose by 4.54 per cent, compared to the preceding year. The Corporation, is not alone. The Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell which confirmed

IN 2014, THE SPDC JV SIGNED A SERIES OF AGREEMENTS WITH COMMUNITIES IN

OGONILAND - WHICH HAS SEEN SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF THEFT IN RECENT YEARS the development in its authoritative report maintained that an average of 37,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) were stolen from the SPDC JV network in 2014, with an additional 110,000 boe/d of production deferred due to illegal in-

terference with pipelines and other illegal activities such as theft of well head equipment. The oil and gas producer disclosed that a key priority for Shell globally is to achieve the goal of no spills. It indi-

cated that regrettably, in addition to spills caused by criminal activity there were 37 operational spills of more than 100kg in volume from the SPDC JV network during 2014, compared to 30 in 2013. The company stressed that the volume of oil spilled in operational incidents was reduced to 0.3 thousand tonnes in 2014, from 0.4 thousand tonnes in 2013. “In 2014, the SPDC JV signed a series of agreements with communities in Ogoniland - which has seen some of the highest rates of theft in recent years – using CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ban of 113 oil vessels, desirable for upstream sector transparency –Analysts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model through which the majority of SPDC JV social investment projects have been delivered since 2006. Under these Ogoni GMoUs the JV provides funding to support unarmed community patrols which report pipeline incursions and suspicious activity directly to the security forces.” “SPDC meanwhile works with communities and civil society across the Niger Delta to build greater trust in spill response and clean-up processes. Representatives of the principal NGO coalition in the Niger Delta, National Coalition on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta (NACGOND), are invited to join all joint investigation visits (JIVs), by which the cause and extent of oil spills is assessed. SPDC is the only oil and gas company operating in Nigeria to publish its spills data online,” it added. Besides, a recent data released by Oilprice.com showed Nigeria remains a nation with the highest incidents of crude oil theft in the world. According to the medium, as much as 400,000 barrels of crude oil is stolen daily. The nation is said to be worse than Mexico, Iraq, Russia and Indonesia in oil theft. Specifically, the report puts Nigeria’s losses to crude theft at $1.7 billion, about N272 billion per month, representing 7.7 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. “This represents 7.7 percent of Nigeria’s GDP vanishing, or more than the country spends on education and healthcare. These numbers paint a harsh picture about the inability of the Nigerian government and the multinational oil companies in Niger Delta, to do anything about this rampant theft hence the recent move is applauded by stakeholders,” it maintained. Also, the Global Financial Initiative pointed out that ‘stolen Nigerian crude oil is transported on internationally registered vessels, sold to international buyers, processed by international oil refineries and paid for using international bank accounts’. The Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe who confirmed the development added, “It is sad that the nation has witnessed frequent oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Already, the nation has lost a lot of resources as a result of oil theft and vandalism. For instance, whenever a pipeline is vandalised, we lost not only crude oil or petroleum products; the operators also incur huge cost in maintaining their facilities. This partly explains why cost of operations remains very high in Nigeria compared to other countries. While it cost much to produce a barrel of crude oil in Nigeria because of some factors, it cost only about $20 to produce a barrel of oil in Saudi Arabia.” But the sad situation may change for good as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has embarked on measures to tackle major irregularities in the oil and gas industry. For instance, the government has banned 113 crude oil vessels from lifting the nation’s crude oil. The ban was conveyed via a memo to oil terminal operators by the Group General

Buhari

Hilary

Dawha

Osagie

SPECIFICALLY, THE REPORT PUTS NIGERIA’S LOSSES TO CRUDE THEFT AT $1.7 BILLION, ABOUT N272 BILLION PER MONTH, REPRESENTING 7.7 PERCENT OF NIGERIA’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, GDP Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Gbenga O. Komolafe. Though the memo was silent on the reason for the ban, which became effective on July 15, 2015, it was reliably gathered that the ban may be in connection with the festering oil theft perpetrated in collusion with organised international criminal rings which rip the country off billions of dollars. It was learnt that the ban followed discrepancies in the volume of crude lifted from Nigerian terminals and the volume eventually discharged abroad to buyers. This is said to be a bold step in the right direction. The National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi remarked that it would culminate in the blockage of leakages in the entire process of production and lift-

ing of the nation’s crude oil. He said it would also lead to increased earnings for stakeholders, including NNPC and the International Oil Companies, IOCs. The government intervention would also culminate in improved accountability and transparency in the industry. Already, the government has made it known that it would implement the recommendations contained in the Audit Reports of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI. The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance while receiving the Chair of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI, Clare Short and her delegation at the Defense House, Abuja. The Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Governments’ commitment to the implementation of the EITI principles as

part of the plans to reform the oil and gas sector. Professor Osinbajo commended NEITI for its courage, diligence and commitment to corporate good governance of the oil, gas and mining industries. He said that the Federal Government will carefully study the Reports with a view to ensuring that the findings and recommendations guide government actions on the reforms. The Chair of the EITI, Clare Short advised the government to consider a major shakeup in the oil and gas industry if the benefits from Nigeria’s abundant resources are to be felt by all Nigerians. “The NEITI Reports have all the information and data that will guide the government to reform the industry. It is also important that the government integrates the NEITI into its overall economic policy team.” The Chairman of NEITI, Ledum Mitee appealed to the government to overhaul the Inter Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) set up to implement NEITI reports arguing that the Team has recorded very little progress. The Executive Secretary of NEITI urged the government to take urgent steps to divest Nigeria’s interest in the joint ventures operations to free the Country from huge burden imposed by Joint Venture obligations. Ahmed also advised the government to critically examine the management of domestic crude allocations, consider the removal of oil subsidy, abrogation of oil swap arrangement and take urgent steps to recover huge sums that are outstanding in the hands of companies as a result of underpayments, underassessment of taxes, rents and royalties. The Nigeria joined the global EITI in 2003 and began implementation in 2004 and supported same with a law in 2007. The NEITI Audit Reports between 1999 and 2011 had revealed a total revenue loss of $9.8billion to the Federation. This loss is as a result of underpayments, underassessment of taxes, rents, royalties and other process lapses. Of the $9.8billion, NEITI working with other agencies has recovered $2.4 Billion. The breakdown of the recoveries shows that $1 billion was recovered from 1999 to 2004 Audit Reports, $550million was recovered from the NEITI Audit Reports of 2005, and the 2006 to 2008 Audit Report led to a recovery of $447million while NEITI Reports of 2009 to 2011 made possible a recovery of $416 million. Ahmed and others are hopeful that President Buhari’s administration will provide the necessary political will to enable NEITI recover the outstanding $7.4Billion into government coffers. However, the President of Global Education and Infrastructure Services (GEISE), LLC that is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA and President of the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction, Prof. Hilary I. Inyang observed that the bold intervention of the present administration is essential, especially now that the low crude oil prices in the global market has drastically slashed the nation’s oil earnings, thus threatening the execution of many important projects and programmes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Shell resumes crude export at forcados terminal

STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

he Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC has resumed the export of forcados following the lifting of its force majeure. “The Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture lifted the force majeure on exports from Forcados Terminal,” Shell said in a statement. “This followed the completion of repairs on the NPDC-operated Trans Forcados Pipeline.” The oil and gas producing company declared force majeure on May 5 following a series of leaks in the Trans Forcados pipeline that brings the oil to the export terminal. It indicated that it has kicked off the second phase of its grassroots campaign against crude oil theft and illegal oil refining activities in Ogoni land. The first phase of the campaign in 2014 reached over 7,000 community people from Eleme, Gokana, Khana, and Tai local government areas. “The 2015 campaign is targeted at Ogoni youths for whom we have designed some alternative empowerment programmes such as the Ogoni LIVEwire which in January trained 105 Ogoni youths in different skills and offered them start-up funds and support,” said the Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor. “We are therefore focusing on raising awareness among the youths on the environmental, socio-economic and health risks associated with crude oil theft and sabotage of pipelines,”

Oil rig

Osagie said, adding that the initiative was in collaboration with the Rivers State Government and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). Speaking at the launch in Biara community, the Director, Inspectorate and Enforcement in the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Charles George commended the people for their efforts towards reducing pipeline vandalism. He reiterated that meaningful development can only take place in Ogoni land if crude oil theft activities end, and assured that government is working with relevant stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report. “Crude oil theft and artisanal refining are criminal acts that are not only against the law but capable of mortgaging the future of the community,” said Melvin Odo-

do, a Principal Environmental Scientist who represented the Zonal Director of NOSDRA, Rivers State at the event. An Ogoni monarch, King Barnabas B. Paago Bagia, said that the campaign had the blessings of the council of elders in the area. King Paago Bagia, who was represented by Chief Pegior Raphael, added that the elders were doing all they could to educate the youths against crude theft activities that were causing the communities untold hardship. SPDC’s Ogoni Restoration Project Manager, Augustine Igbuku, said the campaign is a key pillar of the implementation of the UNEP report which recommended, among others, that Ogoni communities take actions that will stop further environmental pollution resulting from crude oil theft and illegal oil refining.

Cartel puts non-OPEC oil supply growth at 0.86 mb/d

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC has put non-member supply growth at 0.86 barrels per day. The cartel indicated in its latest report that non-OPEC oil supply growth in 2015 has been revised up by 0.18 mb/d to stand at 0.86 mb/d, mainly driven by OECD Americas, Latin America and the FSU. “In 2016, non-OPEC oil supply is projected to grow by 0.30 mb/d to average 57.69 mb/d. OPEC NGLs are expected to grow by 0.17 mb/d in 2016, down from 0.19 mb/d in the current year.“ “In June, OPEC production increased by 283 tb/d to average 31.38 mb/d, according to secondary sources,” it main-

tained. It maintained that product markets in the Atlantic Basin were mixed in June. The US driving season pushed up gasoline demand to around 9.5 mb/d, a level not seen in years, providing support to the gasoline crack spreads. The cartel indicated that this partially offset the weakness in the middle of the barrel, allowing refinery margins to remain healthy in the region. It disclosed that Asian margins retained the strength seen in the previous month as regional demand amid a heavy maintenance season continued lending support to the Asian market. Meanwhile, the price of OPEC bas-

ket of 12 crudes stood at $54.94 per barrel compared with $54.55 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). The OPEC Reference Basket averaged $60.21/b in June, representing a decline of $1.95 while Crude oil fu-

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

50.44

-0.45

-0.88%

11:34:34

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

56.80

-0.30

-0.53%

11:35:06

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

44,000.00

+180.00

+0.41%

14:59:12

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.82

-0.05

-1.88%

11:34:16

Source: Bloomberg as at July 20, 2015

tures prices saw mixed movement with ICE Brent falling by $1.86 to average $63.75/b, while Nymex WTI gained 46¢ to reach $59.83/b. This caused the Brent-WTI spread to narrow to around $3.90/b for the month. Money managers further reduced netlong positions in the futures markets. World economic growth for 2016 is forecast at 3.5per cent, slightly higher than this year’s growth of 3.2per cent. The OECD economies are expected to expand by 2.1% in 2016, compared to 2.0% in the current year. China is expected to decelerate to 6.5% from 6.9per cent in 2015, while India is forecast to reach higher growth at 7.7per cent in 2016, compared to 7.5per cent this year. Positively, both Russia and Brazil are forecast to move out of recession. Risks to the global economic growth forecast appear to be slightly on the downside. World oil demand in 2015 is now expected to grow by 1.28 mb/d, following an upward revision of 0.10 mb/d since the last report.

Energy Week

Fuel prices remain high, operators extort consumers

perators in the downstream sector continue to exploit motorists and other users of petrol in Lagos and its environs. A survey over the weekend showed that many independent and some major marketers sell fuel in excess of the Federal Government N87 per liter regulated price. Investigations showed that the high prices of the product are not limited to Lagos but also other parts of the nation. For instance, the Petroleum Dealers and Owners Association in Ondo and Ekiti States said it would not be able to sell fuel at the pump price of N87 per litre due to nonavailability of the product. IPMAN-fuel pump Chairman of the association, Mr. Jimi Oladapo, said at a news conference in Akure that petrol was not available at the NNPC depots, adding that members had been sourcing it through other means at exorbitant cost. Some filling stations in the areas were recently sealed by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for selling fuel above the government recommended price. Oladapo said rather than forcing them to sell at unrealistic price, the Federal Government should deregulate the downstream oil sector to enable them to sell at appropriate prices. According to him, the true cost of a litre of petrol varies from the source. “Specifically, total cost per litre of fuel from Lagos ranges between N104 and N108 while the landing cost per litre from Oghara/Warri in Delta State is between N105 and N108 per litre. “`The landing cost is exclusive of operating expenses such as diesel to run the station, staff salaries and wages, strategies, office and pump maintenance. “From the analysis, you will agree with us that it will be impossible for us to sell at the government approved price of N87 per litre”, he said. Adedapo also noted that even when NNPC gives out fuel, the cost to them at their stations are above N89 per litre. “One wonders how a businessman with responsibilities can sell below cost price. The ordinary law of supply and demand will not allow it’’, he stressed. The chairman contended that despite their plight, the regulatory authorities, particularly the DPR in Akure, had gone ahead to seal off stations in the two states. “Rather than running our stations at a loss, since most of us are on loan from financial institutions, we have resolved not to procure the products until it is readily available at NNPC depots”, he added.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chinese firm to invest $12bn in electricity transmission STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

Chinese company, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), has concluded plans to invest up to $12 billion in Nigeria’s electricity transmission projects. The projects are to be executed through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited in the phase two of the NIPP. Available statistics showed that SGCC is the largest stateowned electricity utilities company in the world, which transmits and distributes power in China which has offered to invest first $8 billion and then $4 billion later as equity and loan participation in key electricity transmission projects in the second phase of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP). The information is reportedly contained in a status report on Nigeria’s power sector, which was presented by the NDPHC to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari

that SGCC had made the offer in consortium with its other partners, CET Power and Westron. The report indicated that within the prevailing transmission challenges of the power sector, SGCC’s funding portfolio in the sector could rise to $18 billion if the government would smartly resolve inherent challenges in projects’ financing in the transmission network, visà-vis the country’s power sector. These projects, it was learnt may include Lot 5A Ikot Abasi 330kV transmission substation, Lot 6F, G and H Owerri-NnewiOnitsha 330kV line, Lot 7A and B evacuation from Oke Aro, and Lot 18A and B Ikot Abasi-Ikot Ekpene 330kV line. Others, it was gathered may also include Lot 19-3C-Turnin of Benin-Onitsha 330kV line in Ihovbor, Lot 20-1A Ikom 132/33kV substation, Lot 20-2 Obudu 132/33kV substation, Lot 20-3A and B Abakaliki-IkomObudu 132kV line, Lot 25-3C Calabar EPZ 132/33kV substation as well as Lot 25-4C AdiaboCalabar EPZ 132kV line. In his presentation, the Man-

aging Director of NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu noted that the transmission projects are 15 of the 114 transmission projects that would not be completed in the first phase of the NIPP. He said they have been transferred to the phase two of the NIPP for consideration and approval by the board. It is these projects and a couple of others that SGCC and its other partners have indicated interest to fund. NDPHC is expected to deploy parts of the funds earned from

the sale of its 10 thermal power plants in an ongoing shares divestment programme, to help improve the capacity and reliability of the national grid to meet up with expected increase in the sector’s generation capacity. SGCC reportedly manages electricity transmission and distribution from subsidiaries in Northern China, Northeastern China, Eastern China, Middle China and North-western China. Also, a number of gas supplies and electricity distribution assets worth about $2 billion will likely be transferred to the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) and electricity distribution companies (Discos) in the country by the NDPHC. The assets according to the status report are slated to be disposed to the NGC and the 11 Discos in the country for use to improve on their operations in the power sector. Their value, the report added will be recovered within a 10-year period from the time the transfer is consummated.

ing sleeve completion installed. Clean-up and initial production testing of the first two intervals has resulted in combined initial flow test rate of 3,020 bopd. The cleanup and initial flow test of the commingled zones XIX and XXb will be undertaken after drilling the UMU-14 horizontal well.” “Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited, operator of the Umusadege field and SunTrust Oil Company Limited are providing the following updates on Umusadege field production for June 2015 and other operations,” it maintained. It indicated that Umusadege field production during June 2015 averaged approximately 15,750 bopd resulting in total production of approximately 472,500 bbls for the month. Aggregate calculated Umusadege field downtime during June 2015 was approximately 2.7 days (based upon days with production of more than 10,000 bopd being considered to have no downtime). The company maintained that there were shutdowns of the Trans Forcados export pipeline and the NAOC export pipeline during June 2015 due to operational interruptions for

general pipeline maintenance and repairs due to vandalism, but ongoing production from the Umusadege field was managed by the ability of the field operator to alternate production between the Trans Forcados and NAOC export pipelines. “The average field production based on producing days was approximately 17,300 bopd in June 2015. The combined net delivery of oil from the Umusadege field through the Umugini pipeline and NAOC export pipeline totaled approximately 454,050 bbls in June 2015 before estimated pipeline and export facility losses, and approximately 400,570 bbls after deduction of combined pipeline and export facility losses estimated for June 2015 by Mart.” “Total net crude oil deliveries into the NAOC export pipeline from the Umusadege field for June 2015 were approximately 108,200 bbls before pipeline losses. Based upon the 12-month rolling average rate of pipeline and export facility losses from December 2013 to November 2014 of 17.46%, Mart estimates NAOC export pipeline and Brass River export facility losses for June 2015 will be approximately 18,890 bbls,’ it added.

Olotu

Agip’s Umusadege field’s output hits 15, 750 bpd

he Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NOAC’s Umusadege field production averaged approximately 15,750 barrels of oil per day in June this year. The company indicated that during June 2015 based on calendar days; average field production based on production days was approximately 17,300 bopd during June 2015. It maintained that total production from the Umusadege field in June 2015 was approximately 472,500 barrels of oil. “The combined net delivery of oil from the Umusadege field through the Umugini pipeline

Oil men at work

and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited export pipeline totaled approximately 454,050 bbls in June 2015 before estimated combined pipeline and export facility losses, and approximately 400,570 bbls after deduction of combined pipeline and export facility losses for June 2015 as estimated by Mart.” “Aggregate calculated downtime during June 2015 totaled approximately 2.7 days. After sidetracking and deepening the UMU-8 well, the XIIc, XIX, XXb, and XXI sands were perforated and a dual string, slid-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Local content to benefit oil, gas indsutry F stakeholders – Kentebe

FG exploits markets for oil in Asia

STORIES: CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

chieving success in the implementation of Nigerian Content is of great benefit to every stakeholder in the oil and gas industry, including the international oil companies, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Denzil Kentebe has said. Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State recently when he played host to General Managers of Nigerian Content Divisions in the international oil companies (IOCs) who paid him a courtesy visit, the Executive Secretary explained that the Act was not being implemented in an oppositional manner whereby the Board and the operators viewed themselves as adversaries. Rather than adopt such a posture, he said the Board decided from inception in 2010 to collaborate with the IOCs

and other operating and service industry stakeholders, adding that this model had proven very effective in stimulating compliance with provisions of the Act. He stressed that the developmental role of the Board was very critical and it involved close collaboration with stakeholders to develop in-country capacities and capabilities which make it possible to execute most industry projects hitherto taken abroad before the advent of the Act. While acknowledging the partnership of operating companies with the Board over the years and their support to the development of local capacity through various initiatives, Kentebe charged the companies not to rest on their oars as he is new on the saddle and in view of the operational challenges facing the industry at the moment. He assured that the Board would work closely with Nigerian Content GMs to find solutions to problems their com-

panies might have relating to Nigerian Content compliance in their projects. In her comments, the General Manager, Nigerian Content, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mrs. Callista Azogu underscored the IOCs avowed commitment to Nigerian Content development, which according to her began before the enactment of the Act in April 2010. Azogu who is the chairperson of the group admitted that there were often challenges with operators complying with Kentebe some expectations of the Nigerian Content Act, noting howev- Nigerian assets and facilities in er, that such difficulties were al- the operations of the oil and gas ways resolved with the Board to industry, retain a greater part of the industry spend in-counthe benefit of all stakeholders. Also contributing, the Gen- try and transform the Nigerian eral Manager-Nigerian Content economy through the oil and gas Development, Chevron Nigeria industry. He added that Nigerian ConLimited, Mr. Raymond Wilcox stated that their group and tent had taken root in the operatthe Board pursued the same ing companies and members of objectives, which included to their group were the vanguards increase the participation of of the philosophy in their organNigerians and utilization of isations.

NNPC to supply 20% local petrol demand

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has concluded plans to provide about 20 per cent of the nation’s petrol demand. The Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemicals, Mr. Ian Udoh, who confirmed the development a bulk of the product, would come from its refineries. He indicated that he expected to receive six cargoes per month of Nigerian Bonny Light and Escravos crude oil to run 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) or 40 percent, of Nigeria’s total refining

Refinery

capacity. Udoh maintained that he expected to produce 8 million litres a day of petrol, accounting for about 20 percent of Nigeria’s estimated consumption. He said the 125,000 bpd Warri refinery resumed last week after maintenance and is expected to run at 60,000 bpd. Udoh said the Port Harcourt complex will start ramping up over the next one week but only the newer of the two plants at the site is functional and at 90,000 bpd versus its

150,000 bpd capacity. The nation’s refineries were neglected for many years, operating sometimes just at 20 percent capacity, and did not even have functioning gasoline producing units at one point, Udoh said. He maintained that up to $1 billion would be needed to replace just one of the key pipelines and an overhaul of the jetties was necessary to receive more vessels. Udoh said the restart of Kaduna refinery will take about two more weeks to repair the pipeline bringing crude from the Niger Delta. He disclosed that during the last eight months, no crude was sent to the refineries. A government document also showed that the deliveries stopped last year but a month earlier, in October. The country has wholly depended on subsidised fuel imports and crude-for-product swap agreements and suffered acute fuel shortages in May. The downstream industry in Nigeria is well established. NNPC has four refineries, two in Port Harcourt (PHRC), and one each in Kaduna (KRPC) and Warri (WRPC).

The refineries have a combined installed capacity of 445,000 bpd. A comprehensive network of pipelines and depots strategically located throughout Nigeria links these refineries. The PHRC is made up of two refineries, located at Alesa Eleme near Port Harcourt with a jetty (for product import and export). The jetty is located 7.5km away from the refinery complex. In 1983, the Port Harcourt refinery with 60,000 bpsd name plate CDU capacity and the tankage facilities were acquired by NNPC from SHELL. Subsequently, a new 150,000 bpsd export refinery was built in 1988 and commissioned in 1989. Therefore, the current combined installed capacity of PHRC is 210,000 bpsd. The installed capacities of KRPC and WRPC are 110,000 bpsd and 125,000 bpsd respectively. NNPC, through its subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), supplies only to bulk customers. They, in turn, meet the needs of millions of customers across the country for products ranging from gasoline and jet fuel to diesel, fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas.

ederal Government has started to exploit market opportunities for the nation’s crude oil and natural gas in Asia as a result of findings that the continents hold more prospects than other continents. Investigations showed that some experts, including International Oil Companies, IOCs have already advised the President Buhari-led administration to explore market opportunities in the two continents because of huge demand forecasts. A source in the presidency who confirmed the development said in a telephone interview that the nation would continue to export crude oil and natural gas to other markets while exploiting the huge market potentials of Asia and Europe. He said priority would be given to the two continents because of the possibility of meeting higher demand which are to be driven by increased socio-economic growth in the next few decades. “The economies of Asia and Europe are still expanding despite the present global recession, and there are even greater prospect for expansion in the future. This and other factors clearly explain why this administration would explore more opportunities to export to the economies.” The nation used to enjoy such export opportunities in the United States until the emergence of the country as a major producer of shale oil became a reality a few years ago. It therefore, it critical that we explore other reliable markets while making efforts to diversify the nation’s economy,” he said. The position of the government is supported by ExxonMobil which has predicted that the economies of Asia and Europe would continue to grow at unprecedented rates, thus calling for increased utilisation of energy, especially oil and gas. The Upstream Treasurer of the company, Mr. Anibor Kragha who presented the company’s 2015 Energy Outlook to stakeholders in Lagos yesterday affirmed that the demand levels in the two continents look good for oil producers around the world. He said that crude oil and natural gas will constitute 60 per cent of global energy demand by 2040. The company maintained crude oil and natural gas will continue to dominate the world’s energy mix for a very long period. “Oil and natural gas will supply about 60 per cent of global energy demand in 2040. Use of nuclear power and renewable energy will also grow, will peak around 2025 and then gradually decline. Evolving demand and supply patterns will open the door for increased global trade opportunities. The Outlook provides a window to the future, a view that ExxonMobil uses to guide our own strategies and investments.”

Energy Week

TOTAL donates projects to communities

otal E&P Nigeria Ltd has constructed and donated 10 market stalls and 10 boreholes to some of its host communities in Oil Mining License (OML) 58 in Rivers State. The 10 market stalls were donated to Elele-Alimini community in Emohua Local Government area of the state while the 10 boreholes were donated to Elele-Okinali community in Ikwerre Local Government area of the state. “The gesture was in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the company and its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its host communities,” said Community Affairs Manager, Mr. Okechukwu Obara who handed over the project on behalf of Total. Obara, who charged the benefitting communities to imbibe maintenance culture and make good use of the facilities, advised them to always nominate projects that will have direct impact on the lives of the people. He also urged the host communities to always bring people with good character to represent them in the firm and promised that TEPNG will continue to try its best to live up to its corporate social responsibilities. Responding on behalf of EleleOkinali community, Chief Emmanuel Okah thanked the multinational oil firm for the gesture and demanded for more meaningful developmental projects for the community. Also responding, the vice chairman of Elele-Alimini Community Development Committee (CDC), Livinus Oloko, called on TEPNG to ensure that it provide employment for teeming unemployed youths in its host communities. Total Nigeria Plc presented starter packs to 15 graduating youths of its Skills Acquisition Program (SAP). 10 in Kakuri and Makera districts of Kaduna State and 5 in Koko, Delta state. The Skills Acquisition Program is a sustainable youth development program designed to empower less privileged youths of our host communities. The youths are trained in vocations of their choice which include Welding & Fabrication, Fish & Crop farming, Fashion Designing, Computer Studies, Furniture making Hair dressing etc. This program has since its inception in 2006, graduated 60 youths in Kaduna state and 40 in Delta state. The youths are screened and selected for training placements in certified training centers. Training materials and allowances are provided for the beneficiaries and their trainers to ensure they are well equipped with the necessary learning tools.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s peak power demand forecast rises to 14,630mw STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

he nation’s peak electricity demand has risen from 12,800 to 14,630 megawatts, mw because of increased use of electricity in the nation. The forecast is aid to have increased as consumers have more needs to consume power in many parts of the country. The Presidential Task Force on Power maintained that the nation’s power stations collectively generated 4,044.68 megawatts, mw over the weekend. The Task Force maintained that of the megawatts generated, 3,950.43mw was distributed while the balance was conserved to stabilise the system. Addressing a Delegation from the European Union in Abuja recently, Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Dr. Sam Amadi said the sector which was faced with vandalism and inadequate gas supply is now improving. “The gas problem is getting

better. We had meeting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and officials told us of improvements coming up. We hope that by the end of July, with the repair work going on, we might be able to do maybe above 5500mw,’ he said. Amadi remarked that when the East-West Gas Pipeline is completed by ending of 2016, NNPC assured of more gas that could raise supply above 6000mw. He said the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had “moved to 5,500mw wheeling capacity. Gas is a challenge but it is being addressed. Hopefully, the new government would do more with vandalism.” Representative of the Delegation, Gerrit William Clarke said they look forward to having adequate and sustainable power supply in the nation. Already NERC has stressed that consumers would be made to pay for only electricity supplied to them. The Commission earlier in

the year put collection loss at zero value unless a distribution company makes case for its justification. The Commission questioned the framework that led to huge collection losses passed to electricity consumers and kicked against it because it was against international best practice and encouraged lack of performance on the part of the distribution companies. ‘’We want a transparent, participatory and cost reflective tariff. We have outsourced the tariff making process to the distribution companies and provided them strict guidelines. The regulatory question is about what should be passed to the consumers. “One school of thought is legalism and another is about what is right. So essentially, we ruled out collection losses and put it at zero,’’ NERC maintained. It added that electricity distribution companies must consult with the consumers before it can approach the Commis-

Sam Amadi

sion for tariff review. The Commission informed the visitors that as part of Commission’s drive to enhance electricity supply, it has been advocating embedded generation, which is already yielding fruits. According to the NERC, ‘’the process of improving power supply lies with embedded generation. For now, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company is making progress and other distribution companies would soon follow suit.”

Egbin power generates peaks at1,000mw

he Egbin power plant has increased its power generation from about 700 megawatts mw to 1,000mw as a result of increased gas supply in the past few days. The chairman of the company, Mr. Kola Adesina maintained in a statement that the feat follows the continuous investment and upgrade activities on the plant by the owners, Sahara Power Group and

Power plant

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO). Adesina remarked that this is the second time the plant has hit and maintained the 1,000mw mark, the first being eight years ago. He stated that the milestone shows the success of the privatization process and power sector reform in Nigeria. The plant is the largest power generating station in Nige-

ria with an installed capacity of 1320mw consisting of 6 Units of 220mw each. The station is located at Egbin, near Ijede Town, about 40 km North East of the city of Lagos in Ikorodu Local Government Area. The plant is also situated on a low land and bounded by the Lagoon to the South, Agura/ Gberigbe to the North and Ijede town to the West.

The first unit of the plant was commissioned in July 1985, while the last was commissioned in September 1986. The station is of reheat type with high intermediate low pressure impulse reaction turbine design and a hydrogen cooled generator. Construction work started in 1982 by Marubeni Consortium which used Hitachi Company of Japan for the Electric/ Mechanical and Bouygues of France for Civil works. The first unit (Unit 3) was completed and commissioned on the 13th May, 1985 and the rest five (5) units were commissioned at six monthly intervals. Upon completion of the ramp-structured edifice, the commissioning was carried out under the auspice of the then Head of States and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. The Egbin Thermal Power Plant is a gas-fired plant with six 220mw independent boiler turbine units. It can also run on High Pour Fuel Oil, commonly called HPFO.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Industry & SMEs

MSMEs devt: LCCI, NASME, others set agenda for Presidents Obama, Buhari ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

s the ongoing meeting between United State’s President Barack Obama and his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and the US, stakeholders in Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, subsector have set agenda on some issues to be prioritized during the leaders’ discussions. One of the major constraints to the development of the Nigerian MSMEs is the poor perception of made-in-Nigeria products at international markets. The Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Muda Yusuf, during a chat with National Mirror, specifically identified four areas that the US Government could support Nigeria for the development of its MSMEs sub -sector. He said there was the need for extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, by the US for about five to ten years, which according to him allows exportation of Nigerian products to American market duty-free. Yusuf, who noted that Nigeria had not efficiently explored the market opportunities availed by the AGOA, argued that its extension beyond September 2015 expiration would be an advantage for development of Nigerian MSMEs. He projected that the extension would aid the development of MSMEs in that they can export their products to international market without any problem. In addition, he wanted the US to support Nigeria in the area of security, which as he said constituted a great challenge to the development of MSMEs especially in the northern part of the country. Yusuf also sought America’s support in the development of Nigerian infrastructure in its capacity, adding that the biggest problem confronting the

Manufacturing industry

President Buhari

Ekezie

IF THE NIGERIAN PRODUCTS COULD BE ALLOWED TO BE EXPORTED INTO THE AMERICAN MARKET, THE SMES IN THE PRODUCTION ASPECT WOULD BEGIN TO GROW TO THE DESIRED STANDARD, THEREBY CREATING THE REQUIRED EMPLOYMENT FOR THE TEAMING UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS IN THE COUNTRY MSMEs deficiency in infrastructure, which has made cost of doing business in the country unbearable for majority of MSME operators. In addition, the LCCI boss appealed to the American President to earnestly support Nigeria in fighting corruption, which he identified to be another greater factor militating against the country’s economic development. The Director, Membership Services and Public Relations, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Nerus Ekezie, wanted President Buhari to seek help from the US for the immediate termination of the activities of Boko Haram menace, which has

stifled the development of MSMEs in virtually all part of the Northern Region. To Ekezie, if the Boko Haram menace is terminated, the small scale entrepreneurs would manage other challenges at least to thrive within their operational areas. He also wanted the US render help in the aspect of manpower training and strengthening of institutions that are providing support services to SMEs in Nigeria through the provision of grants. As a matter of financial bailout for the SMEs, Ekezie said Buhari should discuss with Obama on influencing the World Bank to use its subsidiaries on access to fund to provide intervention funds to the sector with soft conditionalities in order to empower the sector for greater stability. In his remarks, the Director General, Association of Enterprise Risk Management, Mr. Oloyinka Odutola, said the major factor working against the strength of the Nigerian economy, especially the MSME sub-sector, remained lack of market access for many goods produced locally but based best quality standards. While noting that the current fall in oil prices and devaluation of naira were also undermining the development of informal sector, he also identified negative perception of the country’s products as substandard as worsening the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the sub-sector in the past year. Odutola explained that despite many

Obama

good things that come out of the country, its image, as projected around the world especially the European countries, has continued presenting the country as the riskiest nation for investment to thrive. He pointed out that all other things produced in Nigeria are equally presented to the world as substandard and fake, as a result, rendering the country uncompetitive among global economies. “One of the hurdles Nigeria needs to sail to achieve economic growth is the poor perception of Nigerian products,” he stated. This has prompted the risk management expert to appeal to the US President through the Nigerian President to give Nigerian products American market access, especially those goods in which Nigeria has comparative advantage, such as Agric and Agro-allied products. According to him, if the Nigerian products could be allowed to be exported into the American market, the SMEs in the production aspect would begin to grow to the desired standard, thereby creating the required employment for the teaming unemployed youths in the country. The issue of insecurity, especially the Boko Haram insurgency has widely been identified as the key factor militating against the growth of MSMEs in the country. Since the Boko Haram started its nefarious activities in 2009, many businesses have been affected. Many analysts have conceded that lack of access to finance is the most important hurdle in the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. It has been persistently reported that most of the SME operators could not access bank loans due to stringent conditions attached to the loans most of the time, while some claimed that financial policies, despite the government’s focus on enterprise development, do not make it easy to develop entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

Cocktail

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Burglar takes video selfie with home owner’s phone

os Angeles police are looking for a suspect in a home burglary who took a selfie with the victim’s phone. According to the Los Angeles Police Department the suspect entered the home around 7 a.m. on July 11 and dug through the home while two 15-year-old girls and a woman were sleeping in a bedroom. KTLA, a local LA news station, reported that while rummaging, the burglar picked up an iPhone and

“accidentally activated a video application, which recorded him standing in the victims’ living room.” The thief took the phone and left through the same side door. Police released the video to the public Thursday in hopes of tracking the suspect, whom they identified as a black man, wearing a dark hat, down. KTLA posted the video on Facebook asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to contact the police.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Squirrel gets drunk, trashes bar

hen the secretary of a members-only bar in Britain opened up one day to find the premises trashed, he wasn’t expecting the culprit to be a squirrel, let alone a drunk one. Sam Boulter, 62, the secretary of the Honeybourne Railway Club near Evesham in Worcestershire, told the BBC he found the bar covered in beer and smashed glasses and beer bottles when

he opened up Sunday evening. After making the discovery, he said he saw a squirrel “staggering around,” coming out from behind a box of potato chips. “There were bottles scattered around, money scattered around, and he had obviously run across the bar’s pumps and managed to turn on the Caffrey’s tap,” Boul-

ter said. “He must have flung himself on the handle and drank some, as he was staggering around all over the place and moving a bit slowly. “I’ve never seen a drunk squirrel before. He was sozzled and looked a bit worse for wear, shall we say,” he added. Boulter told the Daily Mail he and two customers spent about an hour

chasing around the squirrel, trying to get him out of the bar. He eventually caught the rodent in a trash can and let him go out a window. He said the squirrel’s antics cost the bar about $470 in damage. “He is the rowdiest customer we have ever had but I hope he enjoyed his lock-in,” Boulter said.

Mayor institutes daily nap time for entire city

Spanish mayor has become the first in the country to issue a proclamation creating an official afternoon nap time for the entire city. Mayor Joan Faus Vitoria of Ador in Valencia declared 2 to 5 p.m. as the official time for the city’s residents to take their afternoon siestas. The edict asks residents to keep quiet during the siesta hours and the mayor recommended children be kept

inside to prevent noise from travelling into open windows. The mayor said the nap time was chosen due to the high afternoon heat making 2 to 5 p.m. the ideal time to take a break from working in fields. Vitoria said there will be no penalties for violations, and the edict should be treated as “merely a suggestion” rather than an “obligation.” A study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &

Metabolism in February espoused the health benefits of an afternoon siesta. “Our data suggests a 30-minute nap can reverse the hormonal impact of a night of poor sleep,” said study author Brice Faraut of the Universite Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cite in France. “This is the first study that found napping could restore biomarkers of neuroendocrine and immune health to normal levels.”

A squirrel broke into a members-only bar in Britain, got drunk and made a mess to the tune of $470.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

FG, Multi-Net sign pact to develop modern abattoir CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA

he Federal government through the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has signed a partnership with Multi-Net Group Limited to establish a modern abattoir. Chairman of the company, Dr. Uzoma Obiyo disclosed that a Nation-wide International Standard Modern Abattoir the MoU will also be part of Agricultural Entrepreneurial revolution.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc. Sonny Echono, who signed on behalf of the federal government noted that Africa and Nigeria should not be relying on imported meat products of which the hygiene and quality are questionable as he stated that it only economic viable to develop a meat and livestock process value-chain whereby there will be traceability in our meat products, and also the quality and hygiene will be guaranteed. According to him, “at

the moment, such facility and process is lacking, so it is of no surprise that most of the large hotels and restaurants in Nigeria, import their meat and livestock products from South Africa, which has so far placed huge cost on the nation, a chunk of its scarce dollars in capital flight and of cause denying our local farmers their needed income”. He disclosed further that the concept of the project is geared towards achieving entrepreneurial enhancement to businesses and attract young unem-

ployed youths into farming and live-stock production. He fore-sees a situation where a young person will be proud to say that he or she is a butchery expert and earning good living with it . As part of the vision, he said, “we have set a large farming settlement that will not only produce quality products but will grow organic fruits and vegetables and it will be sold fresh while left-overs will be stored or processed using it as job creation mechanism and empowerment for local communities.

he Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), on Tuesday sought for collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to train trailer drivers to check incessant cases of accidents involving trailers. Dr Aminu Yusuf, NITT Director-General made the suggestion when he received FRSC Assistant Corps Marshal in-charge of Manpower Development, Mr Kingsley Agumo, who paid him a courtesy call. This is contained in a statement by the institute’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Paul Mshelizah, made available to newsmen in Zaria, Kaduna State. “It is expedient to have working relationship with

the FRSC in the area of training and re-training of trailer drivers across the federation to check the incessant cases of accidents involving trailers. “The collaboration is very essential due to the fact that both organizations share many things in common and it will open opportunities for both to design curriculum which will serve as model for training and retraining of trailer drivers. “I am confident that the move will aid in the reduction of speed, recklessness and also enforce strict adherence to the rules and regulations governing the profession,” Yusuf said. The DG said to achieve the set target, resource

persons would be contracted to lecture drivers on road safety issues. According to him, NITT is endowed with facilities in Zaria, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and at its two new centres in Gombe and Enugu to conduct such training. He said that the institute plans to deploy mobile simulators to designated centres to facilitate adequate training of drivers in rural communities across Nigeria. Responding, Agumo said the FRSC was interested in conducting uniform training and re-training exercise for drivers all over the country. He said that the training would include drug test check, physical and

with Federal and State governments and agencies to partner with them in food production and also making foods and livestock, healthy, hygienic and affordable for all. He believes that the time is now and sees evidential seriousness, sincerity and honesty in the present administration. He predicts a situation where Nigeria will soon dominate the rest of the world in food export and production, therefore plans for the production of healthy and fresh quality food for Nigeria with zero wastage since according to him, everything in the farm and in the abattoir will be utilised and by doing so, will eliminate waste because at the moment he sees lots of wastes in the food, agricultural and livestock chain. He has also got a viable and implementable plan to go into fisheries and fish processing and storage and is now calling the government, all Nigerians, especially his fellow entrepreneurs to take a cue from the CBN and governor and support his patriotic and dedication to achieving the cause.

NPC assures Nigerians towards purposeful 2016 Census

Staff of Plateau State Ministry of Education at the verification for payment of salaries in Jos, yesterday

NITT seeks collaboration with FRSC to train trailer drivers

The Group Chairman of Multi-Net who assured that the project must succeed said he will not stop until Nigeria and Africa is self-sufficient in feeding its populations and providing them with adequate energy for domestic use and industrialisation and also able to provide locally produced petroleum products for local use. He believes that we have the capacity both in human-resources and natural resources and it is for that reason, that he is a passionate supporter and promoter of Local Content in every sector, because he sees no reason while our best are running out of the country and helping to build other country’s viable economy while we are employing those from those foreign countries, whom their own countries will not employ. He also expressed concerned about the quality of the foods that are being imported into our country when we all know and scientifically proven that fresh food is best for human health and of cause more nutritious. Speaking further on the deal, he expressed readiness to collaborate

ADEOLA TUKURU, ABUJA

mental state of drivers, awareness in changes in vehicle, road and environment issues among others. The road marshal said the commission was streamlining the operations of driving schools nationwide to ensure that they confor m to standard. “The commission had devised a system that will enable the it deter mine certified driving schools which is a yardstick for issuance of driver licenses. “I must commend the NITT for granting FRSC the needed support to work together to ensure safety standards on the nation’s highways,” he added

hairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief EzeDuruiheoma, has assured Nigerians of the commitment of the Commission towards purposeful management of Nigeria’s population for sustainable development through the provision of accurate and reliable demographic data for planning purposes and effective implementation of the National Population Policy. The Chairman in a press statement signed by the Public Affairs, Simon Otene, also called on stakeholders and the general public to support the Commission in the effort to conduct the 2016 Population and Housing Census and other activities of the Commission.

The Director also commended the rare display of diligence and steadfastness exhibited by Muslims in praying for the peace and progress of the country during the holy month. According to him, Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its national confronted with challenges of conflict and insurgency in the North East and dwindling economic fortune due to the fall in the oil prices. There is no other time Nigeria needs divine intervention than now. He enjoined Muslims and adherents of other religions not to relent in their prayers for the nation and continue to imbibe the spirit of selflessness, sacrifice, good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence and faithfulness which Ramadan symbolizes.

Civil Service

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PSC disowns recruitment advertisement

Participants at the maiden National Annual Conference of the Association for Moral Education in Awka, yesterday.

64 million youth unemployed in Nigeria –FCC ADEOLA TUKURU, ABUJA

onourable commissioner of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Alhaji Nasiru Shehu Zarummai, has said Nigeria has the youth population of about 80million and 64million of them are unemployed. Zarummai, noted this yesterday at the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum in Abuja, with theme: Harnessing the potentials of Internet Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria, further explained that according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 50 percent of the total population of the country are youth. He explained that the Internet Technology is very important for youth because that

is the basic for them to become entrepreneurs, adding entrepreneurs have created billion of dollars opportunity and it is not necessary for them to work for the Federal Government. He explained that the Internet business gives one self sufficiency, self reliant, less Bureaucratic in decision making and flexibility and freedom of choice. He estimated that there are now 2 billion people connected to the internet worldwide and the number is growing by 200million each year. On the issue of waivers, the commissioner explained that FCC still gives waivers to agencies and is part of the FCC policy, adding that they give out waivers not advertised. “That does not remove the agency from following the due processes that are connected to the

FCC principles that also depend on the number. FCC has a policy and will grant waivers as appropriate depending on the number of candidates,” he said. Also the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Peter Jack, said they are planning to create an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to manage the economy activities in their various communities that will include e-government services. “It will create 1.2million jobs, if we consider 200,000 units across the country; it will be a total of 600,000 units. We plan to partner with the Bank of Industry, CBN and we are working with quite a number of agencies” “We will focus mainly on government officials; we are planning to implement e-government both in the Federal, State and Local govern-

ment. We are selecting them according to some basic criteria’s. We have a train the trainer programme. We plan to train Federal Government personnel’s across the country,” he said. Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF), Mrs Mary Nduma, explained that the aim of the conference is to stimulate interest among the youth to key into Internet opportunity. “We want to look at how the youth can build the internet government in Nigeria in their own parts. We are trying to encourage proper behavior on the internet inside the improper behavior, that the youths will see the positive side of the internet and use it positively and to the growth of Nigeria. “A lot of business opportunities are available for the youth if only they can convert it into good use,” she said.

FG drums support for African Centre for Disease Control FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

learned, build capacity and provide technical assistance to one another. “Although the African CDC was conceptualized prior to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the response to the scourge of the Ebola epidemic height-

ened the need of a continental public health agency. “This consequently resulted in African Ministers of Health convening in Malabo, Equatorial on July 19, 2015 to deliberate on the draft plan for the implementation and takeoff of the African

CDC formulated by experts who had met earlier. “The African Health Ministers during the meeting, expressed various shade of opinions, however, central to the debate was that African countries must take ownership of the ACDC.

Some of the concerns raised centered on the roles of the African CDC and WHO and how to avoid duplication of functions in the face the existing public health protocols under disease emergencies of a pandemic nature,” the release concluded.

he Police Service Commission has disown an online advertisement on the recruitment of general duty police officers. This is contained in statement issued in Abuja on Monday by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission. ``The attention of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to an online publication of an advertisement for the recruitment of cadet ASPs in the professional cadre purported to emanate from the commission. “The commission wishes to state that the said publication did not originate from

its office and it is not presently recruiting that category of police officers,” it said. The statement advised the public to discountenance the publication. It said that the commission was currently investigating the source of the advertisement. The statement appealed to the media to always crosscheck any information before publication. It said that the commission would continue to use its established channels of communication in dissemination of information. The statement said that masterminds of the advertisement would be dealt with.

FG says Civil Service will be well equipped OMEIZA AJAYI & REGINA OTOKPA ABUJA

n order to realize the electioneering campaign promises made by the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration, the federal government as assured of its resolve to develop a wellequipped civil service. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi disclosed recently during a session with civil servants in commemoration of the Civil Service Week in Abuja.

According to him, a Structured Mandatory Assessment-Based Training Programme (SMAT-P) has been put in place to equip civil servants with basic skills and knowledge needed to discharge their duties in a more professional, knowledgeable, competent and effective manner. He said his office having identified the need to build the capacity of the civil service across the board, developed the SMAT-P in partnership with reputable international training organizations and world-class experts. He said, “The curriculum and training material for the scheme have been fully developed in partnership with the Management

Development Institutes, both local and international training experts. The OHCSF is currently receiving nominations from MDAs for the commencement of the programme in July 2015.” Kifasi further noted that given the dwindling economic resources in Nigeria, and the need to encourage the in-country capacity building, a circular had been issued restricting foreign trainings and trips by public servants. “Specifically, the circular stated that most training activities should now take place in Nigeria and that attendance at the foreign events should now be at no cost to government. The effect of the circular is that there has been a drastic reduction on the number of requests for permission to travel abroad. “This has saved government a lot of money in the short time that it has been in force and has the potential of growing locally based training in Nigeria. The OHCSF has embarked on some key initiatives that have the potential to reposition the civil service in particular and the public service at large.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

hy are you leaving banking job for murky water of Nigeria politics? I have been reshaping today for a brighter tomorrow while taking a cue from the past. As an ardent believer in training and building people and assigning them responsibilities through effective delegation for the creation of an incorruptible, efficient, resilient and responsive service system, my antecedents in the banking hall will be further utilised to galvanise Kogi State to a truly working state. Haven being engaged in numerous community development and award programmes, fighting for the oppressed and believing in a systemic economic improvement, the truth is that we cannot all sit down to watch the state being underdeveloped. I believe it is a moral duty for me to come to the rescue of my people and bring development to a state that has never witnessed development since its creation. My desire is to leave a landmark in the history of time. That is why I have to leave my lucrative job of banking to serve humanity. Also, God has endowed me with leadership and intellectual abilities which I want to put to the service of humanity. My experiences of how many countries like Malaysia, Singapore and India developed will be brought to bear in developing Kogi State. Such service of massive human and socio-economic development for a whole state cannot be achieved by remaining on my banking job.

Are you not afraid of politicians like former Governor Abubakar Audu? I have only God the Creator to fear. My focus is the transformation of Kogi State to a developed state that all my people home and abroad will be proud of and I am very resolute to achieve that. I have a dream and a vision that cannot be thwarted by any individual and there is a ray of light at the dark end of the tunnel as I offer myself to serve my people. I am well acquainted with the sufferings and aspirations of our people. I believe that we must not allow our generation to be tagged a “wasted generation”. Now is the time to make real the dividends of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of servitude to the sun-lit path of prosperity and liberation. Now is the time to lift our state from the quick sand of injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. It would be fatal for the people of Kogi State to overlook the urgency of the moment. We all have a job to do – to save Kogi people from doldrums and give them hope and basic amenities to make life more meaningful. No one person can do it alone. It is a collective effort. Suggestion boxes shall be introduced in every local government headquarters with constant town and city meetings to carry the grass-roots along. If there is one thing I have learnt in this life, it is that when a people are propelled by a strong will, anchored firmly on a vision and set goals, they will definitely succeed. Kogi State, with the right people like me in government, can serve as a model state in Nigeria. What is new that Kogi people should expect from you? I will be happy to keep seeing array of distinguished Kogi sons and daughters active in all sectors of the economy, I feel energised and strengthened in my belief that we shall all collectively expel poverty, misery and squalor from the state. As the National Chairman of an international nongovernmental organisation, NGO, Humanity First, HF, which is engaged in life-saving services to humanity, we have drilled boreholes in Lagos, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Osun, Niger and Borno states. Many people have regained their sights through the free eye surgery sponsored by the organisation. I currently run scholarship schemes for primary and secondary schools in Aiyegunle Gbedde, where I awards 30 scholarships yearly for six year running to primary, JSS and SSS and at Al-Azhar International College, Lokoja. I can do much more if given the mandate. As the resource person to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Committee, RMAFC, of the Constitutional Conference, I proved my mettle there that the chairman of the committee wrote to me stating: “Your contributions to the success of the committee in this national assignment are highly appreciated; ...it is hoped that you will respond with equal enthusiasm, dedication and consciousness any time in the future you are called upon to serve this country.” Furthermore, as a consistent and loyal member of APC,

I have a working master plan for Kogi –Dr. Habeeb Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb, is a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in forthcoming Kogi gubernatorial election. He tells DEBORAH DIDI in this interview that he will run an all-inclusive, people-oriented government when he becomes the governor of Kogi State. Excerpts:

Kogi State, with the right people like me in

government, can serve as a model state in

Habeeb

a grass-root mobiliser, a prudent manager of human and material resources, a man of high integrity, reputation, I am indeed the all-round developmental change spirit and agent the people of Kogi deserve. In a meeting with Kogi indigenes in the United State of American last week, where they promised to give me their support, I assured them of our administration’s plan to empower the citizens economically to have streams of income to sustain them beyond one generation. We are going to do things differently and will not be waiting for months still thinking of what to do. I will hit the ground running from day one. I just want to appeal to our people not to sell their votes and conscience for moneybags who will be looking for ways to get back what they spent in manifold. When I become the governor; I will set up industries to

Nigeria.

create employment opportunities starting with the Ajaokuta Steel Mill. We will build medical tourism centre in Kogi with all necessary infrastructures in place. I am deeply interested in developing the state. We have been doing this before now on a small scale and just want to do it on a larger scale. Integrity has been my watchword and many people have attested to this. It is not just about campaign promises but my words are my bonds. Knowledge is very key to governance and this I also have; you cannot give what you do not have. The experience is there and I am ready to use this in developing my state. We already have a master plan. I have already outlined my action plan for the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Mill. We will require about N200 billion to revive Ajaokuta and this will not be difficult to do considering the huge benefits that will accrue from the project. Apart from raising bond, another way to revamp Ajaokuta is to go to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and seek for an intervention fund. Also, I have met with people outside the country who are leading steel industries owners in the world and they are ready to come and run it. So once you put up these three, all you need is to work closely with the Federal Government to see the benefits for Nigeria, for my state and everybody. These are the options; let us pick the one that is the best. It is a moral duty for me to come to the rescue and bring development to a state that has never witnessed development since its creation. The problem with the previous efforts to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Mill is lack of patriotism and political will to execute the project. Just like many Kogi people home and abroad are calling for change, I am hoping that my people will not be tempted again by moneybags who are only interested in what they will get in return but are not truly out to serve the people and develop the state.

Kwara has diverted N2b bailout fund – PDP

•It’s not true –KWSG Wole Adedeji ILORIN

wara State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised alarm that the state government has diverted the N2billion bailout fund it received from the Federal Government to pay salary arrears of workers. PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Rex Olawoye, in a statement on Monday said the government took about N3 billion on July 8 and since then has kept sealed lips without paying salaries to workers. Olawoye said: “The general public is hereby alerted that the Kwara State government has di-

verted the over N3 billion received to pay the salaries and pensions of workers and retirees of the state. Our party is alarmed by this curious conduct and we dare say that the diversion is criminal, insensitive and a total negation of the spirit behind the funds’ release.” PDP said it “reliably learnt that the Kwara State share of the bailout funds was paid on Wednesday, July 8. But till this very moment, over five months’ salaries being owed some categories of workers in the state are yet to be paid.” Calling on organised labour in the state to prevail on the state government to immediately commence payment of salaries and

pensions owed the state workers and pensioners, PDP said “Even more curious is the fact that the Kwara State government has kept mute about the exact amount it got from the Consolidated Revenue Account in bailout. Whereas, virtually all states of the federation, particularly Abia, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Kastina and Kaduna states have publicly declared how much they got in bailout from the Federal Government.” However, in a swift reaction, the Kwara State government through the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Muyideen Akorede, dismissed insinuations that it had

diverted the N2.1billion received recently from the Federal Government. It also denied receiving N3billion from the central government, stressing that it had only received its share of NLNG dividend recently distributed to all tiers of government. He said: “The state government had neither received a bail out from the Federal Government nor the N3billion claimed by the opposition party.” He added that organized labour in the state was duly informed during meetings held last week to update them on the funds received and how they will be utilised, adding that the information was also in the public domain.

Politics

Formative years:

s the only boy, I grew up on Lagos Island with my maternal grandmother, who had a great influence in my upbringing would not allow me to go to a Muslim school because she was a beneficiary of the Christian education, and knew the value of education, not by going to school but by relationship with the likes of Ven. Adelaja. Although born a Muslim, I attended a Christian missionary school, CMS Grammar School. Two of us from our set in 1968 passed the common entrance: Durojaiye Taiwo, very brilliant boy, was the monitor of “A” and I, the monitor of “B.” Taiwo was also admitted to King’s College and I was the only one that went to CMS Grammar School. While at CMS, I was a member of the school choir, because we were being tutored right from the Christ Church Cathedral where I did my primary school. There was no discrimination among Muslims and Christians then. It was fun. We entered the chorister group by ourselves without being coerced. And I was very good, with the likes of Rasheed Benson and co. Confirmation at CMS Grammar School was always a great party. We had an outing on Saturday and I came home with the confirmation letter. My grandma did not allow me to go back to school that day and personally took me back on Sunday. She went straight to the principal to plead that I be excused from the confirmation, being the only boy child of Lape. The Principal assented to her wish. She even went further to take permission that I would be going for the holy pilgrimage in Mecca and the principal equally granted it. Two weeks later, my passport and everything were ready and I became the first Muslim while in school to go on Holy Pilgrimage in Mecca with my mother and returned to school to continue my education. When I came back, deliberately I had the golden tooth. That was how they started calling me Alhaji at CMS Grammar School from Form 2 till I finished. It was only after the death of my grandmother that I shifted to my real mother and she was also a great influence in my life and equally showered so much attention on me. She infused me with a lot of wisdom, taught me godliness, that everything is of God, and it is Him that designs and defines everything, but you must be up and doing. You must be able to know opportunity, grab it and use it maximally yet remaining humble and living within one’s means. She also taught me loyalty and sincerity and spirit of camaraderie. It is from her that my penchant for loyalty came. I don’t shift for ordinary courses.

Politics: I had known Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu while we were in the United States. I was in Lagos, but he, through the NADECO wahala, had gone away. The only politician we were looking at in Lagos then was Funsho Williams. Everybody was saying that he would be the next governor. But when Tinubu came back, I started shifting my allegiance to him. I told my other friend, Chief Babatunde Daramola, an ardent supporter about my interest in Tinubu. As a matter of fact, Chief Daramola encouraged me to come into politics. I told him that wherever Tinubu is in politics whenever he comes back, that is where I am going to be. So when it was decided that Tinubu was going to run, I said he would emerge as the next governor of Lagos State, but my friend disagreed saying it was Williams. That was how we parted ways politically, though we are still friends up till tomorrow. Tinubu came in; I had played my major role at that time. When he became governor-elect, he assigned me, along with some others, to give him a blueprint on the reformation of the local government. I delivered the paper way back then. He never promised to make me a commissioner, but I was hoping seriously that he would make me one, since he knew me, knew my background and I knew him, we shared common friends and common “egbons.” When the list was to come out, he told me, and I am quoting him here: “Ashafa, you know what? I know you that you will accept what I am going to tell you. It might be painful, but you will not make the list of commissioners. You are going back to the system, where you are most prominent. You are coming with me at the state level.” So he advised me as the governor-elect to apply directly to the state on the basis of my colleagues still in active service, he promised to bring me in on whatever level my colleagues were. His idea was that I was to convert the civil service to his side. Anyone conversant with the civil service then would realize that the civil service belonged to Williams. The civil service was hostile to Tinubu when he first came in. They

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ashafa, at 60, wants senators to make sacrifice Senator Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa, represents Lagos East in the Senate. Going by his trajectory and the wish of his mother, whom he saw as his confidant, he is a fulfilled man at 60, having served in all the three tiers of government in flying colours. His one desire is to see his political leader and mentor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, institutionalised with ‘Bola-Tinubuism’ becoming a course of study in universities across Africa. opened up on Tinubu. I have never seen a man so generous. I have been hearing about MKO Abiola. I am talking from what I have seen, known, felt, suffered and enjoyed with him. I have seen him down, crying, not for something of his own but for a disappointment that should not have been. Even Jesus Christ said you would see my disciples denying me at a point. Tinubu is human. He has his shortcoming. Once or twice I have seen him apologised. You thought it could not happen and he was the first to think it out, take it out and walk the talk. All of a sudden you want to demean and bring him down. It won’t happen. Tinubu did not get to where he is overnight.

At the Senate

Ashafa

People have criticised the bicameral legislative system vis a viz the nation’s economy on the ground of expenses. But, looking at my background, you will see that I am a man of the system. In whatever we do, I will always look for the guidelines. What did we, as a country, opt for constitutionally? If we opted constitutionally to go democratic through the presidential system, why can’t we put in all it takes to make sure it works? See how we at the National Assembly can take a cue from the president and the vice president and cut down on our expenses. On our own part, the 109 senators, we are going ahead to do it. And I am sure whatever the senators do, other parliamentarians, both at the national and states level will do.

didn’t really know him. I was put in charge of the local government and I was managing the relationship.

Nigeria in 2020:

On Tinubu: I thank God almighty for giving me the opportunity to work with Tinubu. I won’t say “for” because he doesn’t like people saying they work for him. Some of us copied a lot from him. In the 30 years that I can remember vividly what politics is, that would be half my age, I have not seen a Nigerian that has expended so much energy, resources, intellectual capability and capacity to free his people. I am not talking about South-West alone. Whoever is saying Tinubu is a regional leader is just being mischievous. He has demonstrated statesmanship, leadership at the highest level, such that can be compared to any leader that has fought to free his people and give them freedom in any part of the world. For those who think that Tinubu’s star can be dimmed at this period, they are killing themselves. The reason is that his political prowess has gone beyond the shores of Nigeria a long time ago. Go all over and you will know what he has done politically. They are studying him and they are developing their own countries. So, why are we not doing the same here? It is pure envy and the earliest they come to terms with what God has given the world in Tinubu, who happens to be a Nigerian and who happens to be a Yorubaman, the better. I am lucky to have worked with him and know him this much. I never thought I would sit down and talk about him like this. A lot of people will be shocked that Ashafa has

For those who think that Tinubu’s star can be dimmed at this

period, they are killing

themselves.

The reason is

that his political prowess has gone beyond the shores of

Nigeria

The problem that would have consumed Nigeria midway has reared its head early enough. Once we are able to take care of all these, I am telling you that by the end of the first term of President Buhari, Nigerians would start asking themselves why they didn’t take Asiwaju Tinubu seriously when 10 years ago he gave us the blueprint on how to move Nigeria forward and become great among comity of nations. That blueprint is already on ground and has produced Buhari. That blueprint will bring economic rejuvenation in a manner that the economy of Nigeria will be restructured. That blueprint will create jobs for Nigerians, particularly the youths that are crying out in their thousands. It will put agriculture in the forefront, not the paper agriculture we witnessed. It will give us infrastructural development in a manner that FDI will be flowing in. I want to be able to establish a vocational centre in my name in the next four years to celebrate my 60s. So, in the next five years and given the foundation Buhari is laying now, by not jumping the gun and just bringing in all sorts of people with no clue about problems of Nigeria, then I am happy to be a senator in the eighth Assembly and I would do my own bit and would rub it off on some of my colleagues to let us sacrifice whatever we can for Nigeria to witness a great leap. This is the best country any Nigerian can be. Even those doing all these destructions cannot afford to live outside Nigeria. Like Prof Bolaji Akinyemi rightly said, we must now be looking for Nigerian-coloured democracy, the one that will fit us perfectly well.

Words for coming generations: I will want our emerging youths to have the fear of God in whatever they do. That is very, very important. Even in the United States, as much as a lot of people don’t see them as worshipping God, their motto says: In God we trust. The emerging youths must realize that they are not Nigerians by accident. They are Nigerians by divine arrangement. And they must do everything possible to ensure that this country remains the best place for any Nigerian to live in. An average Nigerian must put Nigeria first after God.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Index rises 0.9%, Oando leads gainers

Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities recorded a second day rebound yesterday, allaying fears of a lengthy bear run in the last few weeks. The All Share Index appreciated 0.92 per cent to close at 31,332.39 points, compared to the increase of 0.25 per cent on Thursday to close at 31, 047.99 points. Market capitalisation gained N98 billion to close at N10.7 trillion, compared

to the rise of N51 billion recorded on Thursday to close at N10.6 trillion. Analysts at GTI Securities Limited noted that in the face of weak domestic economic cues and heightened inflationary pressure, the risk appetite of many long-term and value investors has not recovered with their asset allocation weighted in cash, real estate and fixed income securities. Also, research analysts at DLM Securities Limited said that the market is ex-

pected to continue transition within current range this week. “Moreover, policy directions of the new government are needed at this point in time. This we believe will provide a good measure of confidence to investors,” the firm added. Oando Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.29 or 10.24 per cent to close at N13.89 per share, followed by Transcorp Plc with 21 kobo or 9.91 per cent to close at N2.33 per share. FCMB Plc gained 15

kobo or 5.26 per cent to close at N3.00 per share, while Beta Glass Plc appreciated N1.71 or five per cent to close at N35.91 per share. Dangote Flour Mills Plc rose 15 kobo or 4.92 per cent to close at N3.20 per share. Conversely, Transnational Express Plc dropped 10 kobo or 9.01 per cent to close at N1.01 per share, while Berger Paints Plc shed 49 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N9.36 per share.

Wema Bank’s net income, PBT dip in first half of 2015

…MD blames result on tough operating environment

ema Bank Plc yesterday announced that its net interest income in the first half of the 2015 financial year dropped to N9.06 billion, from N9.71billion in the first half of the corresponding period last year. The Bank also reported a similar decline in its Profit Before Tax, PBT, which dipped to N1.17 billion from N1.70 billion recorded in the previous year. Even then, the Bank in a statement issued in Lagos, disclosed that its gross earnings appreciated to N20.87 billion in its first half of this year, representing an increase of 2.4 per cent from N20.82 billion recorded in the corresponding period of last year

Further analysis of the bank’s performance in the six-month period ended June 30 this year showed that its other operating expenses fell to N4.98 billion compared to N5.04 billion achieved in 2014. According to the bank, loans and advances dropped to N134.57 billion, from N149.29 billion as at December 2014 while deposits went down to N234.1billion, from N258.96 billion in 2014. The Managing Director of the bank, Segun Oloketuyi, attributed the poor result to a tough operating environment occasioned by economic challenges, regulatory restrictions and political uncertainty. Oloketuyi clarified: “The first quarter of the year was characterized by election-

related activities and political maneuverings with limited emphasis on economic matters. While the second quarter was largely characterized by the continued pressure on the currency, the tight monetary policy conditions and the low level supply of petroleum products. “All these issues affected consumer discretionary spending and indeed the growth in our retail volumes,” he added. Oloketuyi explained that lack of economic policy clarity so far in the year made investment decisions difficult, adding that the Cash Reserves Ratio (CRR) harmonisation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had reduced liquidity

with significant impact on margins from money market investments. The bank’s Chief Finance Officer, Tunde Mabawonku, said that the bank had continued to efficiently deploy its assets for improved performance. For instance, he explained that the loans to deposits ratio had moderated to 57.1 per cent compared to 57.6 per cent as at December 2014. He attributed this to the cautious approach the management had adopted to lending, pending policy clarity from the new administration. Mabawonku said that the liquidity squeeze and tight monetary policy conditions affected the bank’s yields from money market investments.

Naira steady ahead of Friday’s MPC meeting Johnson Okanlawon

WITH AGENCY REPORT

rading in naira was stable yesterday, as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, deployed a new measure to curb speculation on the currency. Traders also said expectations that the CBN could make pronouncements on the forex exchange market at its monetary policy committee meeting on Friday were supporting the naira. “Demand for the dollar slowed down a bit today and the naira recovered due to speculations the central bank could intervene in the market this week ahead of its monetary policy meeting,” one dealer said.

The currency closed at N197 to the dollar on the interbank market, unchanged from Thursday’s closing level. Markets were closed on Friday and Monday for public holidays. The naira was trading at N240 to the dollar at the parallel market, compared with N241 per dollar on Thursday. Traders said the CBN had asked bureau de change operators to request dollar buyers to provide their Bank Verification Number, BVN, in a bid to curb speculative bids. Operators said the move was meant to help the CBN trace all transactions in the foreign exchange market. The CBN sells an aver-

age of $80 million to bureau de change operators each week, while operators also source dollars from individuals and corporations. Another trader said the directive on the inclusion of a verification number in all transactions could discourage people from entering the foreign currency market, exacerbating the dollar shortage and increasing pressure on the naira. Demand for the dollar rose sharply at the parallel market after the CBN banned some importers from accessing hard currency at the official interbank market last month. That led to a scramble for dollars in the unofficial market. A Reuters poll showed

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

US Dollar

N196.95 Market indicators All-Share Index 31,332.39points Market capitalisation 10.72trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

MOBIL

147.00

154.35

7.35

5.00

CAVERTON

3.55

3.69

0.14

3.94

ETI

20.45

21.00

0.55

2.69

UBA

4.20

4.30

0.10

2.38

LINKASSURE

0.50

0.51

0.01

2.00

ABCTRANS

0.51

0.52

0.01

1.96

GUINNESS

139.80

139.91

0.11

0.08

DANGCEM

170.00

170.01

0.01

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

LEARNAFRCA

1.25

1.14

-0.11

-8.80

TRANSCORP

2.50

2.28

-0.22

-8.80

PRESCO

34.00

32.30

-1.70

-5.00

DANGFLOUR

3.40

3.23

-0.17

-5.00

NASCON

7.45

7.08

-0.37

-4.97

DANGSUGAR

6.27

5.96

-0.31

-4.94

OANDO

13.96

13.27

-0.69

-4.94

NAHCO

5.50

5.23

-0.27

-4.91

PORTPAINT

5.10

4.85

-0.25

-4.90

HONYFLOUR

3.07

2.92

-0.15

-4.89

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Nigeria would hold interest rates for now and wait until September to raise them.

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.07

98.35

14.75

98.50

14.59

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.77

100.39

14.80

100.54

14.70

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.94

103.29

14.86

103.59

14.76

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.57

101.82

14.97

102.12

14.87

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.52

106.01

14.91

106.31

14.84

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.65

96.54

14.91

96.84

14.85

Closing Market Prices of July 21, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

15-Oct-15

13.45

13.89

WAUA

270

21-Jan-16

12.73

13.60

USD

196.96

EURO

214

02-Jun-16

12.64

14.20

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

9.8750

14.4839

POUNDS STERLING

293

16.0501

SDR

273

16.7874

NIBOR

The Fixings of July 21, 2015

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025

Equities as at July 21, 2015 Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Daily Summary (Equities)

1st Tier Securities

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Symbol REGALINS STDINSURE UNIVINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 4 1 2 9 124

Current Price 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 600 15,000 1,512,500 104,701 40,158,823

Value Traded 300.00 7,500.00 756,250.00 52,350.50 23,668,492.09

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 8 31 39

Current Price 25.82 31.19

Quantity Traded 15,036 135,833 150,869

Value Traded 400,875.80 4,260,037.34 4,660,913.14

Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. Fishing/Hunting/Trapping Totals

Symbol ELLAHLAKES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 4.26

Quantity Traded 13 13

Value Traded 52.65 52.65

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 1.05

Quantity Traded 75,229 75,229

Value Traded 78,590.45 78,590.45

Livestock/Animal Specialties

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 2.02

Quantity Traded 354,054 354,054

Value Traded 718,246.47 718,246.47

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol ABBEYBDS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.25

Quantity Traded 484 484

Value Traded 575.96 575.96

504,936

5,379,212.26

OtherasFinancial Institutions Daily Summary of 21/07/2015 AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES

No. of Deals 61 14 1 319 66 (Equities) 1 37 54 553

Current Price 2.72 4.00 0.64 7.78 3.00 0.50 23.65 1.39

Quantity Traded 1,646,934 1,986,663 174 8,278,193 9,103,228 1,000 3,323,143 2,635,700 26,975,035

Value Traded 4,489,806.02 7,946,393.20 106.14 64,096,084.92 26,076,679.67 500.00 78,596,360.12 3,596,219.97 184,802,150.04

969,207,180

15,070,136,055.30

LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015

Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary onPLC. Board EQTY CHELLARAMS JOHN HOLT PLC. CONGLOMERATES S C O A NIG. PLC. Diversified Industries TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC Published by U The Nigerian AC N PLC.Stock Exchange ©

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM JOHNHOLT SCOA Symbol TRANSCORP UACN

Diversified Industries Totals

No. of Deals Current Price 6 1.15 1 3.95 1 0.94 1 4.44 No. of Deals Current Price 53 2.33 49 41.18 111

CONGLOMERATES Totals

111

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. Building Construction Totals Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Daily Summary as PLC of 21/07/2015 G CAPPA Printed 21/07/2015 Building15:38:25.025 Structure/Completion/Other Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Real Totals(REITs) RealEstate EstateDevelopment Investment Trusts UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Investment Trusts©(REITs) Totals Published by TheEstate Nigerian Stock Exchange

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 GUINNESS NIG PLC Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Value Traded 84.80 84.80

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

No. of Deals 12 1 13

Current Price 0.64 14.46

Quantity Traded 161,554 13 161,567

Value Traded 105,424.34 178.62 105,602.96

No. of Deals 1 (Equities) 1 2

Current Price 47.97 6.29

Quantity Traded 222 533 755

Value Traded 10,118.76 3,517.80 13,636.56

No. of Deals 10 10 No. of Deals

Current Price 9.80

Quantity Traded 45,570 45,570 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 460,808.71 460,808.71 Value Traded

Symbol UAC-PROP Symbol UHOMREIT UPDCREIT

1 1 2

Personal/Household Products P ZSummary CUSSONSon NIGERIA Activity Board PLC. EQTY UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Personal/Household Products Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY Banking CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES ACCESS BANK PLC. Banking BANK PLC Published by DIAMOND The Nigerian Stock Exchange © ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 45.22 10.00

27 296 323 Page

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Healthcare Providers Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 EKOCORP PLC. Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. HEALTHCARE FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC Pharmaceuticals

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

208,231

584,252.95

Page

ICT IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC IT Services Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB Daily Summary PREMBREW

Symbol 7UP Symbol UHOMREIT UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

No. of Deals 43 55 16 1 109 (Equities) 3 227

Current Price 5.39 141.80 18.74 1.66 129.60 3.26

Quantity Traded 984,488 140,698 114,100 75 493,822 9,385 1,742,568

Value Traded 5,245,150.28 19,950,778.93 2,086,896.35 118.50 64,208,396.78 29,093.50 91,520,434.34

No. of Deals 32 32 No. of Deals

Current Price 183.15

Quantity Traded 1,050,727 1,050,727 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 192,366,782.26 192,366,782.26 Value Traded

1 1 2

Current Price 45.22 10.00

Symbol DUNLOP

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB PREMBREW Daily Summary Symbol 7UP Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UNIONDICON UTC

27 296 323 Page 208,231

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

No. of Deals 43 55 16 1 109 3 (Equities) 227

Current Price 5.39 141.80 18.74 1.66 129.60 3.26

Quantity Traded 984,488 140,698 114,100 75 493,822 9,385 1,742,568

Value Traded 5,245,150.28 19,950,778.93 2,086,896.35 118.50 64,208,396.78 29,093.50 91,520,434.34

No. of Deals 32 32 No. of Deals 24 38 63 8 55 1 1 190

Current Price 183.15

Quantity Traded 1,050,727 1,050,727 Quantity Traded 124,781 359,272 337,205 Page 29,000 2,095,187 31 1,000 2,946,476

14,512,382.04 348.75 500.00 26,993,057.79

No. of Deals 5 54 59

Current Price 35.05 856.93

Quantity Traded 3,812 129,374 133,186

Value Traded 126,939.60 109,558,449.50 109,685,389.10

Symbol ENAMELWA VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 1 48 49

Current Price 30.23 5.70

Quantity Traded 7 1,901,594 1,901,601

Value Traded 201.04 10,566,391.10 10,566,592.14

No. of Deals 30 41 71 No. of Deals 629 169 No. of Deals 21 42 95 314 76 11 188 26 59 20 263 1,284

Current Price 27.88 38.10

Quantity Traded 104,882 474,723 579,605 Quantity Traded 8,356,163 65,626,750 Quantity Traded Page 8,738,462

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol

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

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST GUINEAINS LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE

No. of Deals 24 39 1 1 6 2 3 30 1 1

Current Price 5.22 Current Price 4.06 22.00 1.61 25.50 2.10 2.05 4.35 8.37 2.40 0.94 17.84

Current Price 0.97 0.89 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.75 0.50 0.63 0.50 0.50

952,447 16,284,893 51,538,246 4,758,179 703,184 17,894,745 49,476 5,291,325 1,059,759 729,100,143 901,997,609

Quantity Traded 55 51,703,674 51,703,729

Value Traded 194.70 25,851,837.00 25,852,031.70

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.82

Quantity Traded 16 16

Value Traded 27.68 27.68

Daily Summary (Equities) MORISON Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON Symbol GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 6

Current Price 0.70

Quantity Traded 158,777

10 No. of Deals 16 32 22 86

3.31 Current Price 43.50 1.45 1.33

49,350 Quantity Traded 27,539 741,250 1,354,421 2,331,337

Value Traded 111,143.90 156,642.18 Value Traded 1,139,369.16 1,075,538.10 1,734,881.91 4,217,575.25

54,035,082

30,069,634.63

Quantity Traded 50,593 50,593

Value Traded 156,878.30 156,878.30

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 3 3

Quantity Traded 4,304,107 3,173,400 2,000 20,000 27,555,368 2,792 819,000 2,645,355 2,000 2,000 Page Page

Symbol AFRPAINTS ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP Daily Summary CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PAINTCOM PORTPAINT Symbol

No. of Deals 1 14 20 33 (Equities) 37 34 6 1 1 No. of Deals

Current Price 2.72 21.92 9.36 41.00 9.60 170.46 0.76 1.33 4.85 Current Price

1 38 186

10.93 100.00

PREMPAINTS WAPCO

Quantity Traded 40 164,164 186,131 61,014 361,202 120,326 52,189 89 30 Quantity Traded

156,878.30 of 15

Value Traded 103.60 3,614,047.35 1,747,329.65 2,330,063.46 3,475,908.06 20,474,458.76 39,674.33 113.03 147.00 Value Traded

13 Page 775,366 1,720,564

135.07 15 977,400,429.00 of 109,082,409.31

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 1.57

Quantity Traded 321,543 321,543

Value Traded 501,819.36 501,819.36

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 3 5

Current Price 1.52 35.91

Quantity Traded 1,579 53,700 55,279

Value Traded 2,299.82 1,925,652.00 1,927,951.82

2,097,386

111,512,180.49

Quantity Traded 49 49

Value Traded 244.51 244.51

Quantity Traded 24 1,377 1,401

Value Traded 237.84 10,148.49 10,386.33

Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Activity SummaryMANUFACTURING on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC ALUMINIUM Metals Totals NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL Daily Summary asRESOURCES of 21/07/2015 Totals Printed 21/07/2015 Daily Summary as15:38:25.025 of 21/07/2015 OIL GAS Published byAND The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services Activity Summary OANDO PLC on Board EQTY Integrated Oil and Services Activity Summary onGas Board EQTYTotals SERVICES Printing/Publishing Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors SERVICES ACADEMY PRESS PLC. BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLCPLC. CONOIL PLC ACADEMY PRESS UNIVERSITY ETERNA PLC.PRESS LEARN AFRICA PLC PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals FORTE OIL PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC.

195

Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 4.86

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

1 1 2

10.35 7.75

1,450

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 1 1 (Equities)

Current Price 0.50

123 123

13.89

OANDO Symbol Symbol

ACADEMY BECOPETRO Symbol LEARNAFRCA CONOIL ACADEMY UPL ETERNA LEARNAFRCA

139 3

Symbol MCNICHOLS

3,468 Current Price No. of Deals 3 1.26 3,468 3 3

ASeM Board Totals

3,471 3

Daily Summary (ETP)

Exchange Traded Fund

Equity Activity Totals

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Exchange Traded Fund Totals Name ETFLOTUS BoardHALAL TotalsEQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF ETP Activity Totals Exchange Traded Fund Totals

ETP Activity Totals

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD Daily Summary VETGRIF30 Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

(ETP)

Value Traded 25,000.00 25,000.00

Quantity Traded 1,510,655 1,510,655

Value Traded 20,926,109.63 20,926,109.63

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 56,934 9,786,200 Quantity Traded 3,236 81,320 56,934 2,836 205,920 3,236 63,006 108,221 2,836

Value Value Traded Traded 54,084.70 4,893,100.00 Value Traded 3,527.24 3,156,029.20 54,084.70 16,250.28 431,209.39 3,527.24 73,862.22 20,458,798.05 16,250.28

52,037 63,006 Quantity Traded 28 80,000 Quantity Traded 31,523 80,000 80,000 10,265,249 80,000 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 27 Quantity Traded 5,048 27 27 5,048 27 Quantity Traded 11,830,952 49,983 Quantity Traded 229,146 49,983 Page 279,129 229,146 279,129 Quantity Traded 51,300 Quantity Traded Traded Quantity 51,300 51,300 435 51,300 435 3,665,953

8,035,845.18 73,862.22 Value Traded 1,321.04 42,000.00 Value Traded 5,162,121.35 42,000.00 42,000.00 42,138,424.21 42,000.00 Value Traded Value Traded 113.67 Value Traded 1,616,030.00 113.67 113.67 1,616,030.00 113.67 Value Traded 64,705,563.84 99,277.24 Value Traded 1,084,852.88 99,277.24 15 111,184,130.12 of 1,084,852.88 1,184,130.12 Value Traded 180,063.00 Value Traded Value Traded 180,063.00 180,063.00 528.00 180,063.00 528.00 6,319,202.50

3,665,953 435

6,319,202.50 528.00

1,056,034,359 Quantity Traded 15,780,036,689.26 Value Traded 1,056,034,359 435 528.00 15,780,036,689.26 435 528.00 15 Page 14 of 435 528.00 15 14 of 1,056,034,794Page15,780,037,217.26 435 528.00

435

528.00

3,471

1,056,034,794

15,780,037,217.26

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3 No. of Deals 3 1 1 1 3 3

3 3

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

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

No. No. of of Deals Deals Current Current Price Price 132 Current Price 0.91 0.50 No. of Deals 3 1.14 14 40.85 13 0.91 43 6.03 11 2.09 1.14 20 FO 464 190.00 UPL 6.03 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MOBIL 14 155.00 Printing/Publishing Totals 20 Road Transportation Symbol No. of Deals Current Price MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. MRS 1 49.66 ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC ABCTRANS 7 0.52 Road Transportation Symbol No. of Deals Price TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL 17 Current164.95 Road Transportation 7 ASSOCIATED BUSTotals COMPANY PLC ABCTRANS 0.52 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals 1057 Road Transportation Totals 7 Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 Specialty Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Exploration and Production Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC INTERLINK 1 4.43 Specialty Symbol No. of Deals Price SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD SEPLAT 12 Current319.00 Specialty Totals TECHNOLOGIES PLC 1 INTERLINKED INTERLINK 4.43 Exploration and Production Totals 121 Specialty Totals 1 Transport-Related Services Symbol No. of Deals Current Price OIL AND GAS Totals 241 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC AIRSERVICE 7 Current Price 2.08 Daily Summary (Equities) Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 Transport-Related Services Symbol No. of Deals NIGERIAN AVIATIONAND HANDLING COMPANY NAHCO 407 4.76 Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 AIRLINE SERVICES LOGISTICS PLC PLC AIRSERVICE 2.08 Published by The NigerianAVIATION Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals 47 NIGERIAN HANDLING NAHCO 40 4.76 Activity Summary on Board ASeM COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals 47 Support and Logistics Symbol No. of Deals Current Price CONSUMER GOODS CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC CAVERTON 3 Current Price 3.51 Support and Logistics Symbol No. of of Deals Deals Daily Summary (Equities) Food Products Symbol No. Current Price Support and Logistics Totals 3 CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC CAVERTON 3.51 MCNICHOLS PLC MCNICHOLS 33 1.26 Support and Logistics Totals 3 FoodSummary Products 3 Activity on Board ASeM SERVICES Totals Totals 139

10,630.84

Page

SERVICES Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals

50,593 Page

Symbol CUTIX

EQTY Board Totals Food Products

Value Traded 4,097,995.92 2,822,003.50 1,000.00 10,000.00 13,777,684.00 7,760.12 409,500.00 1,724,148.05 1,000.00 1,000.00 15 5 of

Current Price 3.10

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

20,942,273.14 25,883,286.72 1,321,146,327.56 10,220,679.83 1,455,644.31 77,396,811.76 410,969.16 12,708,005.18 996,820.11 13,014,249,914.36 14,861,586,246.76

Current Price 3.72 0.50

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

Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 NATURAL RESOURCES Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

Value Traded 2,947,676.31 17,911,243.67 20,858,919.98 Value Traded 451,992,175.61 341,604,257.57 Value Traded 15 434,571,257.06 of

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Building Materials Totals

Value Traded 192,366,782.26 192,366,782.26 Value Traded 397,196.69 2,159,212.08 9,839,498.23 15 3 of 83,920.00

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

Daily PZSummary (Equities)

1,159.92 2,960.00 4,119.92 15 of 584,252.95

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.20 5.71 29.20 2.80 7.00 11.84 0.50

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 Building15:38:25.025 Materials Printed 21/07/2015 AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY DN MEYER PLC. PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Building Materials

Symbol EKOCORP UNIONDAC

HEALTHCARE Totals

1,159.92 2,960.00 4,119.92 15 of

1,966

Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015

Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 Household Durables Daily Summary as of 21/07/2015 NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

39,170,902.54

Quantity Traded 16 16

Symbol DUNLOP

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

39,170,902.54

6,076,433

Current Price 5.30

CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

CHAMPION PLC. Daily Summary as ofBREW. 21/07/2015

6,076,433

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

GUINNESS NIG PLC Printed 21/07/2015 15:38:25.025 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Value Traded 297,782.30 300.80 41.36 303.84 Value Traded 12,036,600.14 15 1 of 26,835,874.10

Symbol ARBICO

Symbol JBERGER Daily Summary ROADS

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Quantity Traded 257,084 80 44 72 Quantity Traded 5,168,315 Page 650,838

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP FBNH FCMB Daily Summary ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

Current Price 10.24 2,126.00 14.28 Current Price 10.24 2,126.00 14.28

Quantity Traded 10 55 15 80 Quantity Traded 80 10 55 15 80 80

Value Traded 102.40 116,930.00 214.20 117,246.60 Value Traded 117,246.60 102.40 116,930.00 214.20 117,246.60 117,246.60

117,246.60

Page

117,246.60

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror The shift of resources and command directly to the front line in addition to the replacement of the head of State Security Service, and new emphasis on working in partnership with our neighbours, have equipped us to take the fight directly to Boko Haram. –President Muhammadu Buhari

Police nab suspected serial rapist in Lekki Adeleke Adesanya

suspected serial rapist, Imonite Ilen-Ituma, has been apprehended by the operatives of Lagos Police Command over an offence bothering on drugging and raping of a young lady in Lekki area of Lagos. A source close to the victim, who identified himself as Johnson, said the raped girl, who is currently receiving treatment at Lagos State Teaching Hospital, was lured by Imonite to a waterfall at Lekki area of Lagos where he forcefully had canal knowledge of her after drugging her. The victim, while speaking with our reporter explained that her daughter after being raped and beaten by the sus-

pect, managed to send her picture to her to alert her on the incident. “On arriving home yesterday evening, I was surprised not to see my daughter at home, and when I called her, her phone was not available and I was afraid of what must have happened to her. But the following morning around 5:00a.m, I received messages from her, telling me what happened. “Immediately, we made effort to rescue her from where she was dropped after been raped by the suspect. Shortly after that, we reported the matter to Maroko Police Division where the suspect was confirmed to have been a serial rapist who has earlier been arrested by the police at the division in May this year over another

rape case”, she stated. Narrating further she said, “Imonite had before asked my daughter out for relationship in which my daughter gave condition of not having premarital sex not until he lured her to a water fall in Lekki where she was drugged, raped and beaten mercilessly and threaten to kill her if she report the case to the police. Director Lagos State Public Defender Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, while condemning the acts said the case has been taken up by her office which will ensure that justice prevails as soon as possible. She further stated that the office of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode will be made aware of the evil deed which has landed the victim who is a sickle cell patient in hospital shortly after the in-

cident. She also maintained that she was aware that the case has been transferred to Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further

investigation. However, the Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu while contacted over the case could not be reached as the press time.

Union hails NAFDAC DG on staff welfare Dare Akogun

edical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, has lauded the effort of Director General of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, in staff welfare.

Just as it urged the agency to address the issue of insubordination without further delay by the erstwhile NAFDAC Director of Finance/Accounts, Mr. Andrew Ademola Mogbojuri, who is protesting his redeployment to another department. Addressing newsmen at NAFDAC Laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos, the union Chairman, Comrade Attah Ibrahim, alleged that there are a lot of issues bordering on staff salaries and welfare paid selectively by the Finance and Accounts directorate. Reacting to the refusal of Mogbojuri to accept his redeployment based on the report of the union to the governing board of the agency, saying a situation whereby certain staffs will be paid and other refused payment for the same work done based on some perceived reasons and or personal relationship with the directorate. he noted such act should not be

condone especially from senior a staff who is expected to be grounded in the civil service rules and regulations. He urged the management to nip it in the bud without further delay proffer appropriate punishment as stipulated in the civil service Act to serve as deterrent to others. Speaking in the same vein Secretary of the union Comrade Anzaku Peter expressed dismay as to how a civil servant with knowledge of the extant statutes guiding the civil service refused redeployment, neither resigning nor ceasing to be a staff of the service. He reiterated that any act of indiscipline and impunity by any staffs will be left to the management to deal with appropriately, but in a situation where it affects the wellbeing of the staffs the union will not hesitate to take lawful actions and decisions to correct the defects. The union stance can be connected to the refusal of erstwhile Director of the Finance/Accounts Directorate, NAFDAC Mr. Andrew Mogbojuri who was redeployed first to the Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate, then to the NAFDAC Training Institute, Kaduna but he is yet to resume even after the redeployment was ratified by the governing board of the agency.

Man, 20, remanded for defiling schoolgirl Flooded part of Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, after a downpour in Lagos, at the weekend. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Abandoned corpse causes scare in Osun Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

ecomposing corpse abandoned by the roadside at Naira &Kobo area of Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, has become source of worry for many residents. Residents told Community Mirror yesterday that the

corpse was dumped in the area almost two weeks ago, adding that they had reported the matter to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ikire and the local government authority. Two residents of the area, Kazeem Adejoju and Tajudeen Iwalesin expressed concern over the health implications of the stench from the corpse on the residents. They however appealed to

concerned authorities to evacuate the corpse to prevent outbreak of epidemic in the area. “When we saw the corpse, we reported to the police and local government immediately, but we are surprised that those concerned have failed to evacuate the dead body since two weeks ago and you can perceive the unpleasant odour from the corpse”, Iwalesin explained.

n Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday remanded 20-year-old, Michael Bassey in prison custody for allegedly defiling a 19-year-old secondary school girl.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Abiola Onifade, who gave the order, said the accused should be kept behind bars at Oba Prisons near Abeokuta pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Bassey, whose address is unknown, is facing a two-count charge bordering on rape. According to the prosecutor, Insp. Idowu Ogunleye, the accused committed the offences on

June 10 at Command Day Secondary School, Lafenwa, Abeokuta. Ogunleye said:``The 19-yearold girl, who attends Premiere Secondary School, Abeokuta, was sent on an errand to Command Day Secondary School. ``Half way to the school, the accused appeared suddenly, dragged her into the bush, filled her mouth with sand and raped her mercilessly, causing her to lose her virginity in the process. ``She managed to crawl to one of the ar my checkpoints in the area with blood stains.” The accused was, however, apprehended by soldiers who immediately launched a manhunt for him, the prosecutor said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Man nabbed over attempt to sell son for N100,000 in Calabar

peratives of Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 40-yearold man, Monday Okon Inyang while attempting to sell his 11-year-old son identified as David Monday Inyang to an Alhaji for the sum of N100,000 in Bogobiri area of Calabar, the state capital.

Inyang, 40, was arrested by the State Criminal Investigation Department, when the alleged buyer alerted the police that Inyang, who is an indigene of Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, attempted to sell his son to him. It was gathered that 40-yearold Inyang’s decision to sell his

son was informed by the fact that his son back in June, 2015, voluntarily confessed to being a wizard and possessed by an evil spirit. The 11-year-old was said to have pleaded with his father to forgive him for all the troubles he had caused him, as he was under the influ-

ence of the evil spirit. A neighbour, Mr. Bassey Joseph, while commenting on the incident, expressed shock and disbelief, saying: “It is quite unfortunate that such ugly incident occurred in our community. The boy confessed to the father that he was a wizard, and he took him to various churches for prayer and deliverance. He even took him to some herbalists to exorcise the evil spirit.” “But somehow, the devil added a dangerous twist to the situation, and planted an evil idea in the head of his father, who decided to sell him off, and subsequently approached the Alhaji on June 22, 2015, to conclude the sales.” Reacting to the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Henry Fadairo, said the Alhaji who claimed to be a child trafficker struck a deal with Inyang, on the sales of the boy, pretend-

ing to be going to a bank to withdraw the agreed sum of N100,000. But went to the State Police Area Commander where he reported the matter. Following the Aklhaji’s report, police officers were said to have accompanied him to his office, where Inyang was apprehended and the 11-year-old boy taken as exhibit, to the office of the Commissioner of Police. It was further learnt that while in the CP’s office, the boy recounted how he had confessed to his father of been a wizard and begged him for forgiveness. The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Ganiyu Salami while confirming the matter said Inyang during investigation had confessed to attempting to sell his son, adding that the matter was still being investigated.

Lagos community seeks govt help over burnt properties Paul Erewuba

R A man carrying locally-made pots on his motorcycle in Iwo road, Ibadan. PHOTO: ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED

Taxi drivers go on rampage in Calabar Richard Ndoma CALABAR

axi drivers on Tuesday took to the streets of Calabar metropolis, protesting alleged extortion by officials of Cross River State Transport Regulatory Agency. The protesters chanted war songs while displaying various placards with different inscriptions to register their displeasure over the situation. The demonstration temporarily brought the flow of traffic to a halt along the busy MCC road as well as Murtala Mohammed highway in Calabar metropolis. It would be recalled that upon assumption of office, Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, disbanded the state’s Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, CTRA, due to several

complaints against the body. One of the commercial driver who simply identified himself as Ekpenyoung, said most often in the course of doing his legitimate business the agency’s officials harass, molest and extort cash from him based on frivolous traffic offenses. Ekpeyong maintained that even when taxi drivers load and disembark passengers at the government designated bus stops in the metropolis, the officials still pounce on them and extort monies ranging from N3, 000 - N7, 000. The taxi cab driver pointed out that the protest became necessary following failure of the state’s taxi union leadership to protect the interests of its members and accused the union’s leadership of obtaining a franchise to operate their own businesses to the detriment of their business.

“Whenever they collect money from us, our leaders are less concern because they are trying to protect their selfish interests. They have given them free license to operate. He maintained One of the cab driver who preferred anonymity accused officials of the transport regulatory agency as be ignorant of the law. The taxi driver appealed to

the

state

government

through its Department of Public Transport, DOPT, to wade into the matter and described the conduct of the transport agency workers as ‘uncivil and reckless’, adding that their action makes life unbearable to both taxi operators and the passengers alike. Efforts by our reporter to reach the heads of CTRA and DOPT before going to press were abortive.

esidents of Ilasamaja, a Lagos community in Oshodi/Isolo area of Lagos whose properties were lost in an inferno has appealed to Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to come to their aid. The residents were thrown into mourning during Sallah celebration as fire engulfed buildings, destroying properties worth millions of naira at Temitope Street in the area. It was learnt that the fire occurred at about 11:00pm over the weekend, causing pandemonium and panic among residents who fled the neigbourhood leaving their properties, which was razed to ashes. Firefighters from Alausa were called to help put out the fire but before they could arrive, the residents were already counting their loss. According to an eyewitness simply known as Murtala, the fire began when two Danfo buses that were carrying chemical substance tried to negotiate their way on the culvert that leads to the street. “Around 11:00pm, we saw two Danfo buses carrying chemical. The first bus tried to climb the culvert and what we saw was an explosion, I ran to evacuate my family. Some people said the vehicle was being pursued by the

police but we did not see any police.” Narrating her ordeal, Landlady of the burnt building, Alhaja Ganiyat Murtala said although no life was lost, her tenants now live like refugees. “We did not remove a pin from our rooms as the fire raged. We lost our money, clothes everything to fire. We do not have clothes, no food and we now beg neighbours for livelihood. We are begging Governor Ambode to assist us”, she lamented. Speaking on the issue, while on a sympathy visit to the residents, Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu, representing Oshodi/Isolo state Constituency II, said it was unfortunate, describing it as tragic. “I have visited the affected residents to see things by myself and to sympathize with them. Aside the house that was totally burnt down, other houses were affected. “I will take the issue to the Assembly and discuss with my colleagues in the house. I will also intimate my Governor about the issue and I am very optimistic that he will come to their aid. “But I have personally given the victims a token to enable them buy clothes and feed for the main time pending when Governor Ambode will intervene”, Idimogu stated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

‘US disturbed by Iranian leader’s criticism after nuke deal’

World News

I have great hopes in the Paris summit (on climate change). I have great hopes that a fundamental agreement is reached. The United Nations needs to take a very strong stand on this.

– POPE FRANCIS

Paul Arhewe,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

igerian President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday a multinational African force will be in place within 10 days to take the fight to the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram that has killed thousands and was behind the abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls. Buhari predicted in an interview with The Associated Press that Boko Haram would be defeated in 18 months or less. But he conceded that Nigerian authorities lack intelligence about the girls still missing after the mass-kidnapping from the northern town of Chibok in April 2014 — an act that stirred international outrage and a campaign to “Bring Back Our Girls” that reached as far as the White House. He said his government is open to freeing detained militants in exchange for the girls’ freedom, but only if it finds credible Boko Haram leaders to negotiate with. “I think Nigeria will make as much sacrifice as humanly possible to get the girls back. This is our main objective,” Buhari said, a day after meeting with President Barack Obama. Buhari spoke at the presidential guest house opposite the White House in a room decorated with murals of ceremonial Washington. He wore a traditional embroidered hat, popular among Muslims in northern Nigeria. The visit by the 72-year old former dictator comes two months after taking office. Both Nigeria

Forces ready soon to take on Boko Haram –Buhari

Buhari

and the United States look to improve relations that soured because of government and military failures under Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, who was defeated in March elections. Obama said Monday the U.S. wants to cooperate on counter-terrorism and in combating corruption in Africa’s largest economy and oil producer. The elections heralded the first democratic change of power in the West African nation that has suffered decades of military rule, but Buhari faces formidable challenges — not least the Boko Haram insurgency that has

killed more than 13,000 people and driven another 1.5 million from their homes. Buhari, a former general, last week fired the service chiefs of the once-mighty Nigerian military, which he has accused of corruption. But he expressed confidence that the Islamists that have launched suicide bombings and village attacks since his inauguration, killing hundreds, would be surrounded and eliminated with the help of neighbouring Benin, Chad, Cameroon and Niger. He said the multinational force would be ready by the end of the month.

“We are going to deny them recruitment. We are going to deny them free movement across borders. We are going to deny them training. We are going to deny them receiving reinforcement in terms of equipment,” said Buhari, who studied 35 years ago at the U.S. Army War College. Boko Haram in March declared an affiliation with the Islamic State group, and Buhari said it has links with Islamist militants in northern Mali. But he predicted that the multinational force could break the back of Boko Haram within 18 months.

Habre’s trial suspended after his lawyers boycott session

he trial of Chad’s former ruler Hissene Habre for thousands of killings during his 1982-1990 rule was suspended yesterday until September after the court named new lawyers because his defense team shunned the session. Habre, who has refused to recognize the African Union-backed tribunal trying him in Senegal, had to be forced to appear at the second day of the trial, billed as a test case for Africa’s legal institutions. The proceedings cap a 15-year battle by victims and rights campaigners to bring the former strongman to justice in Senegal, where he fled after being toppled in a coup in his central African nation. Habre, who faces charges of war crimes, torture and crimes against humanity, could face a

maximum of life in prison. The session was suspended after a few minutes yesterday when his lawyers did not show and the presiding judge appointed three lawyers to represent him. The new lawyers were given 45 days

to prepare and the trial is due to resume on September 7. “The victims have been fighting for 25 years. They don’t want to, but they can wait 45 days,” said Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch, who has been pursuing the

Former Chad President Hissene Habre (r) he leaves court in Dakar escorted by a Senegalese policeman

case since 1999. When the victims first brought their case in Senegal in 2000, courts ruled they did not have the authority to try crimes committed in Chad. The African Union later refused to extradite Habre to face trial in Belgium and asked Senegal to pass legislation giving its courts jurisdiction for foreign crimes. It was not until President Macky Sall took office in Senegal in 2012 that the process picked up speed, with the creation of the Extraordinary African Tribunal (CAE) a year later. A successful trial, conducted to high standards and leading to a credible verdict, would strengthen African countries’ argument that they should try their own, amid criticism of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for indicting only Africans.

AFRICA BULLETIN

Pope urges UN to take strong action on climate change Francis on Tuesday urged the United Nations to take a “very strong stand” on climate change at a landmark summit this year in Paris on global warming. The pope spoke at a Vaticanhosted conference of mayors and governors from major world cities who signed a declaration urging global leaders to take bold action at the U.N. summit, saying it may be the last chance to tackle human-induced global warming. “I have a great hopes in the Paris summit,” he said. “I have great hopes that a fundamental agreement is reached. The United Nations needs to take a very strong stand on this.” Last month, the pope issued an encyclical on climate change, the first ever dedicated to the environment. The call to his church’s 1.2 billion members could spur the world’s Catholics to lobby policymakers on ecology issues and climate change. The Vatican conference linked climate change and modern slavery because, according to an introductory paper, “global warming is one of the causes of poverty and forced migration”.

Tutu discharged from hospital after treatment Veteran South African anti-apartheid campaigner Desmond Tutu was discharged from hospital on Tuesday after a week fighting a persistent infection that is not related to his prostate cancer, his daughter said. Tutu, 83, who has been living with prostate cancer for 18 years, underwent a course of intravenous antibiotics in a Cape Town hospital, according to his family. It was not clear what infection Tutu was being treated for, but his daughter, the Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu, has said his cancer remains dormant and well under control. Mpho said in a statement yesterday that her father’s medical team had prescribed lots of rest. “They have been fantastic and we’ll be doing our best not to disappoint them,” she said.

Two killed in violence amid Burundi’s poll At least one policeman and a civilian were killed in overnight violence before Burundi’s presidential vote yesterday, a presidential official said, after blasts and gunfire echoed around the capital. Presidential adviser Willy Nyamitwe blamed the opposition and those behind weeks of protests for the violence, putting the death toll at two. “People do it to intimidate voters. They don’t want the voters to go to the polls,” he told Reuters.

News

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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Aero Contractors’ aircraft lands with burst tyre Olusegun Koiki

here was palpable fear at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday afternoon, as an Aero Contractors’ aircraft departing Lagos to Abuja made an emergency landing due to a burst tyre few minutes after take-off. The incident happened barely 96 hours after an incident involving two FirstNation aircraft clipped their wings at the same airport. Yesterday’s aircraft was a Boeing 737 with registration number NG127. The number of passengers in the plane could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report. A source close to the scene of the incident told our correspondent that

immediately the pilot noticed the incident, the pilot sent a distress call to air traffic controllers on duty at the airport, telling them that one of his tyres had burst. The source told our correspondent that tens of fire fighters from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, were mobilised to avert the danger. The source added that when the pilot announced the emergency landing to the passengers, fear grips most of them as they resulted to prayers. A press release from Aero Contractors, issued by Mr. Simon Tumba, who confirmed the incident, however said that the pilot did the right thing by not trying to abort the takeoff. The statement stated that the pilot controlled

the airplane into the “air and following all trained procedures, brought the plane back to a safe landing,” adding that “at no time during all of these were the passengers lives are at risk.” Just last Friday, two FirstNation aircraft collided at the same airport. One of the aircraft involved in the incident was taxing from the runway to Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, to dis-

engage passengers while the other aircraft was preparing to take off to Port Harcourt Airport from the same terminal. The FirstNation had accused the marshallers of misdirecting the pilot to taxi to that part of the apron. It would be recalled that last month, another Aero aircraft with over 100 passengers on board from Lagos to Kaduna experienced depressurisa-

tion in the aircraft cabin leading to dropping of oxygen masks. The technical problem developed by the aircraft midair forced the pilot to divert the flight to Abuja to enable the airline’s fix the aircraft. The airline in a short message service, SMS, confirmed the depressurisation in the aircraft cabin leading to the dropping of oxygen mask. Meanwhile, Nigerian

Civil Aviation Authority NCAA has confirmed the air return made by Aero Contractors’ plane from Abuja Tuesday afternoon. According to a statement from Mr Fan Ndubuoke, General Manager Public Affairs of NCAA, the aircraft which took off from the MMA2 at about 3pm to Abuja from Lagos developed technical problem and made an air return as the normal procedure.

‘US disturbed by Iranian leader’s criticism after nuke deal’

he United States said yesterday it was disturbed by anti-U.S. hostility voiced by Iran’s top leader after a nuclear deal, as both countries’ top diplomats sought to calm opposition to the accord from hardliners at home. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said a speech by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday vowing to defy American policies in the region despite a deal with world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program was “very troubling”. “I don’t know how to interpret it at this point in time, except to take it at face value, that that’s his policy,” he said in the interview with Saudiowned Al Arabiya television. “But I do know that often comments are made publicly and things can evolve that are different. If it is the policy, it’s very disturbing, it’s very troubling,” he added. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in Iran, told supporters on Saturday that U.S. policies in the region were “180 degrees” opposed to

Iran’s, in a Tehran speech punctuated by chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”. Under the accord reached in Vienna last week, Iran will be subjected to long-term curbs on its nuclear program in return for the lifting of U.S., European Union and U.N. sanctions. The deal was signed by the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. It was a major policy achievement for both U.S. President Barack Obama and Iran’s pragmatic elected President Hassan Rouhani. But both leaders have to sell it at home to powerful hardliners in countries that have been enemies for decades, referring to each other as the “Great Satan” and a member of the “Axis of Evil”. In the case of Iran, the deal must win final acceptance from the National Security Council and ultimately Khamenei, who has so far withheld final judgment, thanking the negotiators while saying the text must still be scrutinized and approved.

L-R: Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during the handing over ceremony at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Turkey suicide bombing suspect identified

suspect has been identified in the suicide bomb attack that killed 32 young activists in Turkey, the country’s prime minister has said. Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking near the scene of the blast in Suruc near the Syrian border, said the suspect’s international and domestic

links were being investigated. He said there was a “high probability” the Islamic State group was to blame. The gover nment has now vowed to increase security at the Syrian border. “What’s necessary will be done against whomever is responsible,” said Mr Davuto-

glu. “This is an attack that targeted Turkey.” He rejected claims that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had not done enough to combat IS militants, saying the government had “never tolerated any terrorist group”. A cabinet meeting on Wednesday was due to examine additional se-

curity measures along the border with Syria. IS militants have not responded to claims that they were behind the bombing. Officials initially suggested the bomber might have been female, but Turkish media outlets have subsequently named a man in connection with the attack.

Morocco arrests eight over jihadist attack plots

orocco said eight people were arrested yesterday over alleged plots to carry out attacks mainly targeting security officials on behalf of the Islamic State jihadist group. The newly formed Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation, dubbed Morocco’s FBI by the media, said an

eight-member “terrorist cell” was dismantled across the country in the towns of Tangiers, Bouznika, Khouribga and Taounate. The suspects had been in contact with IS leaders and given refuge to fighters who had received “intensive training in producing explosives and gang warfare”, the interior

ministry added. It said members of the network, which included women, were planning “a series of terrorist operations” against security officials and sensitive sites. They also had links with former Al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan, it said. Morocco, which is on guard against deadly

attacks of the type carried out by IS in Tunisia, prides itself on being a bastion in North Africa against Islamist extremism with its anti-jihadist unit and training of

imams to

preach tolerance. An

estimated

1,500

Moroccans, however, figure among the ranks of jihadist groups.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Buhari won’t jail Jonathan, say N’East youths …congratulate Buratai, Monguno, Abubakar PETE EKANEM

orth-East youths under the aegis of North-East Youths, Peace, Development and Empowerment Association, a non-partisan sociocultural group, have commended the choice of new service chiefs appointed last Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying they will deliver on their mandate to rid the nation of Boko Haram insurgency. In a congratulatory message to the new appointees, the youths tasked those of North-east extraction, Major-General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff;

Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; and Major-General Babagana Monguno, National Security Adviser, as illustrious sons of the zone, to bring their combined experiences and utmost commitment to bear to ensure outright victory as the nation introduces new measures in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. Speaking through the association’s National president, Kyari Idris Abubakar, the North East youths while welcoming the service chiefs to “Maiduguri (Borno State capital), the centre of insurgency in Nigeria,” stated their readiness to

work with the new chiefs “to bring peace, unity and development to the region.” The group also dismissed as mere speculation alleged plan by Buhari to jail former President Goodluck Jonathan over corrupt practices, saying: “Buhari won’t jail Jonathan. He is very conscious of the peace the ex-president ushered in by early concession of defeat in the election. “If not for the move for peace by the former president, the peace currently being enjoyed today in the country would be a mirage.” Abubakar further insisted that the schism in the All Progressive Congress, APC, where some politi-

cians and lawmakers were at loggerheads with founding fathers is dangerous to the existence of the party. “Removing Chief John Oyegun (APC national chairman) will be counterproductive. In fact, Northeast youths are not happy with how Chief Bola Tinubu is being treated. Without Tinubu who played key role in APC’s formation and election victory, APC will be in trouble. Now people who joined the party about two months to election are pointing fingers at him. We won’t allow him to be rubbished. “Saraki, Dogara joined few months to election. Atiku is behind Saraki to build foundation for

2019. He’s opposing Tinubu that he is working towards 2019. Atiku behind the problem (of APC); he can’t be president. He should rather help the country move forward,” he stated. To ensure stability in

APC, Abubakar said, “Let’s allow sleeping dogs lie. Position is given by God. Let those already in place continue their job. But they should respect their elders, the party and constitution.”

Man, 26, commits suicide in Bauchi EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

26-year-old civil servant from Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State has committed suicide, throwing his family and friends into mourning. The deceased, Haruna Daniel, last Sunday allegedly drank Gamalin 20, a poisonous chemical substance popularly used to kill rodents. National Mirror learnt that Daniel was battling with alcoholic addiction, a development that made him to be in constant need of money. According to a family member, who pleaded anonymity, Daniel, who lived with his younger brother, Musa, came home late last

Saturday and asked his younger brother for food. Musa replied that Daniel had left with the money to prepare meal that fateful day and he was unable to cook. He was later woken from sleep by Daniel’s groaning. Thinking his brother was drunk as usual, Musa made unsuccessful effort to purchase milk that night. Later that morning, Daniel told Musa to invite some family members, and admitted to them that he took poison to kill himself, and begged for forgiveness. Daniel was rushed to General Hospital, Dass, on Sunday morning where he died. Doctors, according to the family source, said he died of poisoning. He said the deceased has been buried in Dass.

Election tribunal: Maku seeks extension of time IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (middle), during inauguration of sale of fertilizer in Gombe, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Kaduna taskforce recovers 2,000 cows

…three rustlers killed, nine arrested AZA MSUE KADUNA

ecent joint security operation to end cattle rustling in Kaduna State has yielded fruit in the recovery of over 2,000 cows in Birnin Gwari council area of the state. Briefing journalists shortly after visiting sites of assembled rescued cows in Birnin Gwari, Governor Nasir el-Rufai commended the Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies for the breakthrough operations that yielded positive results, stressing that the problem of bandits in the area had lingered for

long. El-Rufai, who said similar joint security operations were ongoing in other states like Niger, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi, called on the people of Kaduna to pray for security personnel to end activities of bandits in the state. He said: “So far so good, we are very proud of the work done by Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies in trying to solve this lingering problem. The problem has lingered for long. We ask our people to pray for the security agencies carrying out this operation so that there will be minimal problems. The operation is a joint

one currently going on in the five states of Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger that have forests where bandits hide to commit crime. The army, Air Force, Police, SSS and Civil Defence are all in this operation.” It would be recalled that governors of the five states met recently and agreed on a joint security operation to fish out bandits hiding in the forests. Conducting el-Rufai and his entourage round the operation site in Damari, Birnin Gwari, Captain A. Ujah, who spoke on behalf of Brig. Gen. S.Malu, said nine bandits were arrested and three were killed

during the exchange of gunfire: “The operation is ongoing and we believe victory will be ours based on the progress we have made so far. The joint security operations headed by our boss, Brig.Gen.Malu, has recovered cows, rams and a donkey,” he said. One of the arrested rustlers, who gave his name as Gambo Audu, confessed to committing the crime and pleaded for mercy. Earlier, Birnin Gwari residents broke into jubilation when the governor arrived the area which had experienced attacks which killed many and sealed operations of commercial banks in the past.

andidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the 2015 governorship election in Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku, yesterday testified before the election tribunal in Lafia. Maku tendered exhibits from 11 of the 13 local government areas of the state, otherwise known as Form EC8, and was led in evidence by his counsel, Joseph Kyari Gazama, SAN, where he claimed that he won the most votes cast in the April 11 governorship election in the state, but was robbed of victory. Maku, under cross examination, told the tribunal that his agents were represented at all the polling units in the state during the election, but that some of his agents were driven away at certain units. On why he did not complain during the poll, the

APGA governorship candidate insisted that the tribunal was the proper place to make his grievances known as contained in his petition. Earlier in the day, the tribunal had frowned at the persistent requests to extend the time for inspection of election materials by the petitioner. The displeasure followed Gazama’s request for more time to enable his team complete the inspection of election materials used in the governorship election in the state. The petitioner argued that the earlier extension granted them was not enough to complete the exercise. But Counsel to the first respondent, Yusuf Ali, SAN, had argued against the extension of time, stating that the petitioner should not be complaining when they had earlier abandoned the inspection half-way when ordered by the tribunal.

Wednesday, July 22 , 2015

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Hunsu Florence Yonzan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sanuewa Florencè. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Hospital Management Board and General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Banire Sekinat Doyinsola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Logunleko Sekinat Doyinsola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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I formerly known and addressed as Agnes Ndidiamaka Onyeokoro, now wish to be known as Mrs. Agnes Nwamaka Oduobi. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General Public should please take note.

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JOHN : Formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel John, now wish to be known and addressed as Joseph Ishaya. All former documents remains valid. L.G E. A Makarfi, Kaduna State Education Board and General public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorie Anayochi Glory, now wish ti be addressed as Mrs. Ikenna Anayochi Glory. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Teaching Service and general public take note.

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ALADE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Bisola Bride Alade, now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Bisola Bride Bolanle Bajomo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME We, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Emmanuel Ejikeme Nweke andMrs. Kate Izukanachi Nweke now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Emmanuel Ejikeme Nwachukwu and Mrs. Kate Izukanachi Nwachukwu All former documents remain valid. General public should please

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PUBLIC NOTICE

ALIVE GLOBAL MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Aﬀairs Commission for registration under the part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Adagbor Abel Amaraonye 2. Abel Abraham 3. Patience Ndidi 4. Okafor Henry 5. Henry Mabel AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1. To preach the word of god to people. 2. To raise souls for the kingdom of God Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Aﬀairs Commission, Plot 420 Trigis Crescent, oﬀ Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja,within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: ADAGBOR ABEL AMARAONYE

ADELAJA: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adelaja Oluwaseyifunmi Abosede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeyemi Oluwaseyifunmi Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

WARRI JUSTICE DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE /CARITAS

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Aﬀairs Commission for registration under the part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bishop John Oke Afareha 2. Rev. Fr. Martin Akusu 3. Rev. Fr. Clement Akobo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote the good quality of life for all people 2. To promote and protect the human rights of the oppressed. Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Aﬀairs Commission, Plot 420 Trigis Crescent, oﬀ Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BISHOP JOHN OKE AFAREHA

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Nigeria donates N230m to fight Ebola MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday donated $1million (about N230 million) to support the fight against Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. The announcement came a year after Nigeria recorded its first Ebola case and death through LiberianAmerican, Patrick Sawyer, who brought the disease into the country. Sawyer arrived in Nigeria on July 20, 2014, and died four days later after testing positive to the virus at the First Consultant Hospital, Lagos State, shortly after he took ill at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja. Buhari said the fund was to underscore the importance of Africa ridding the continent of EVD. CHANGE OF NAME

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SAMUEL : Formerly known and addressed as Goodness Chinecherem Okoli-Oge now wish to be known and addressed as Goodness Chinecherem Samuel . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EZEANOKWASA: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Chiamaka Priscilla Ezeanokwasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chiamaka Priscilla Ohagwu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWOYE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Nwoye Modesta Nneka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okafor Modesta Nneka. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sopebi Odunola Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwaogu Odunola Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Olowe Bunmi Oluwatosin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odunayo Bunmi Oluwatosin. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLAIYA: I, formerly known and addressed as Olaiya Abiodun, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Alesinloye Olaiya Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Omobola Saheed, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Raheem Saheed Omobola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Represented by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Linus Awute, the President said the grant was in addition to earlier contributions by Nigeria to stem the disease in the region. The announcement came at the International Conference on Africa’s Fight Against Ebola in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, according to a press release made available by Director of Information in the ministry, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba. The president pointed out that the recent flare-ups and upsurge of cases in Sierra Leone and Guinea and the reappearance of cases in Liberia, after being certified Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation, confirmed that Africa is dealing with a regional and international health security emergency of larger proportion. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Awolumate Mopelola Folakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adedire Mopelola Folakemi. All former document remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADA-EZE: Formerly known and addressed as Ada-Eze Chidinma Okoli-Oge now wish to be known and addressed as Princess Chidinma Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

‎DIVINE: Formerly known and addressed as Favour Chiedozie Okoli-Oge now wish to be known and addressed as Divine Favour Chiedozie Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UNIGWE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Joy Anulika Unigwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joy Uchenna Nkwa. All former documents remain valid. NYSC/Osisatech Polytechnic Enugu and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Okechukwu Dorathy Obianuju, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Franklin Dorathy Obianuju. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kolawole Comfort Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kolawole Awonusi comfort Titilayo all former documents remain valid, Nigeria Banks, Nigeria Immigration Service and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbebi Temitope Rebecca now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osobe Temitope Rebecca. All former documents remain valid Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHIDULUE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidulue Azuka Constance, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Duru Azuka Constance. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omaga Ojone Philomina. now wish to be known and addressed as Achor Ojone Philomina. All previous documents are still valid. Happy Children Nursery and Primary School, Our Lady of School Anyigba, Benue State School of Midwivery Makurdi, Kogi State College of Nursing Obangide Okene, Federal Medical Centre, Nguru Yobe State and the general public note.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

We will try to do all that we can to make Steven Gerrard settle in quickly here

Why we presented Oliseh to Glo –Pinnick

–LA Galaxy striker, Robbie Keane

Siasia U-23 team in pre-kickoff ceremony with Congo players last Sunday in Port Harcourt

Rio 2016:

NFF summons Siasia, Falcons’ coach Everest Onyewuchi

ith Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the football event of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics hanging in the balance, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has summoned Coach of the U-23 National Team, Samson Siasia and his counterpart handling the Super Falcons, Christopher Danjuma, to a firequenching meeting. Following last weekend’s uninspiring

results of the U-23 and Falcons qualification matches, the NFF yesterday, directed Siasia and Danjuma to appear before its technical and development committee chaired by Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu today. Falcons could only draw 1-1 with their counterparts from Equatorial Guinea in their third round, first leg clash in Abuja last Saturday, making the second leg in Bata on August 2 a potentially gritty affair, while Siasia’s wards managed a slim 2-1 win over their Congo opponents in Port Harcourt last Sunday, meaning the

return leg away in Point Noire in two weeks will also be explosive. Anyansi-Agwu said yesterday that the meeting, also to be attended by his deputy, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh and Technical Director, Shaibu Amodu, will adopt a must-win approach to both teams’ away Olympic qualifying matches. “We are adopting a must-win approach to both matches. The NFF is taking these two matches as very serious business. You would understand our position if you remember that both teams failed to

Fed Cup: Rangers, Kwara United in suspense

he Round of 16 matches of this year’s men’s Federation Cup competition will take place across the country today, with only one match tomorrow. In Abuja this afternoon, FC IfeanyiUbah, victors over fellow Glo Premier League side, Bayelsa United, in the Round of 32, will be up against FC Taraba, winners against Papilo FC, at the Area 3 Playground. The same venue will tomorrow wel-

come two other Glo Premier League clubs, Kwara United and Enugu Rangers, in what is perhaps the most anticipated game of the Round of 16. The other all-top division clash, between Nasarawa United and Abia Warriors, is scheduled for the Oshogbo Township Stadium today.. Rojenny Stadium, Oba will play host to the clash between Remo Stars of Ogun State, who eliminated champions Enyimba and premier league side, Lobi Stars.

In Makurdi, Heartland FC will battle BJ Foundation from Edo State, which eliminated Sportlight FC of Kaduna in the Round of 32. Akwa United will see themselves as favourites against Prime FC at Oleh Township Stadium, and El-Kanemi Warriors take the battle to giant –killing Plateau United, which claimed the scalps of both Shooting Stars and Kano Pillars. Their match comes up at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna.

qualify for the last Olympics in London,” Anyansi-Agwu said in a statement. He added, “The NFF will do everything within its power to ensure this does not happen this time. We will put everything into this. We are meeting Chris Danjuma and Samson Siasia for them to tell us what precise support they require to win their matches away from home.” Siasia, whose team is training for the return leg match in Port Harcourt, will fly into Abuja this morning and return later same day.

The Fixtures: Remo Stars

Lobi Stars

Heartland

BJ Foundation

Plateau Utd

El-Kanemi

Nasarawa

Abia Warriors

Ifeanyi Ubah

FC Taraba

Price FC

Akwa Utd

Tornadoes

Dolphins FC

Kwara Utd

Rangers

Sports

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why I sponsor squash –Akinfenwa Why we presented Oliseh to Glo –Pinnick

resident of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, says the respect thaty the federation has for Globacom informed its decision to present new Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, to the telecommunications company in Lagos last week. “We felt that such a personality as Oliseh should first be taken to our prime sponsor, Globacom, which has done a lot in supporting the federation and promot-

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick

ing the success of the national teams,” Pinnick said. “We are proud of our relationship with Globacom and will keep building and maintaining the partnership,” he added, stressing that Oliseh had been task with the job of building sustainable football development for Nigeria. “Oliseh will work with various components and units of the NFF. He is cerebral and scientific, in addition to being IT-compliant and we will support him fully.” The new Eagles gaffer also commended Globacom which he described as a global brand that had contributed immensely to football development in the country. Coordinator Business Solutions of Globacom, Mr. Ike Oraekwuotu, said the company’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. had acceded to Oliseh’s appointment. “He is eminently qualified for the Eagles’ job,” Oraekwuotu quoted Adenuga as saying.

NBBF unveils D’Tigers crew Joel Ajayi ABUJA

he Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) yesterday officially presented William Voigt as Head Coach of the national basketball men’s team, D’Tigers. The American had resumed work last week ahead of this year’s Afrobasket tournament which takes place next month in Tunisia. NBBF President, Tijani Umar, said at the presentation that the federation aimed success for the team staring from September’s All Africa Games in Congo. “We have received tremendous support from the National Sports Commission before the opening of the camp and the camp is already bubbling,” Umar said.

New D’Tigers Coach William Voigt (3rd from left) and his crew at their unveiling in Abuja yesterday

Voigt promised to deliver on his mandate, stressing: “We have wonderful group of people and we shall try our best to win every match we play and again represent the country in the best way we can.” He will be assisted by Ayinla Johnson and John Bryant. Meanwhile, the country’s U-16 national basketball female team was yesterday received by the National Sports Commission, a day after they returned from Madagascar, venue of this year’s African U-16 basketball Championship. “We have stood behind these young girls all through,” Yakmut remarked, adding, “I’m confident that we are in the right direction in our quest to galvanize them to make the country proud in the nearest future.”

For eleven unbroken years, Shina Akinfenwa’s Cargolux Merchant Express Limited has bankrolled a national squash tournament among all recreational clubs in Nigeria and has now included under age male and female categories to deepen interest in the sport among younger folks. The retired airline pilot reminisces in this interview on the growth of the tournament from a three-club affair to its current16-club format, as well as his aspiration to turn the competition to hunting platform for future stars Cargolux Merchant’s Shina Akinfenwa (2nd left) during a past tournament

What motivates Cargolux Merchant to sponsor the annual Express Squash Tournament? The main motivation is to give back to the society, to help and encourage young players to play squash. As a recreation, I have found a lot of reward playing the sport for upwards of three decades now and still playing very actively. For the young ones to imbibe the habit, we have since included the U-15 and U-19 boys and girls categories. Last year, about 150 of them converged on the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja for five days playing squash. That is what we want and are ever happy to do. This is the 11th year running… When you find joy in doing something, you just find yourself continuing it forever. When we started 11 years ago, truly we didn’t know we would be here today as sponsors of clearly the most popular and prestigious squash tournament in the land and our company is proud to be associated with it. Why squash sponsorship? Squash is easily the most exciting sporting activity you can have. All the others are very dull, although I’m sure there are people who may not agree with that assertion. What have been the challenges and the impact as well after 10 years of organising this tournament? The organisers are usually the squash section of the Lagos Country Club headed by the chairman. They are the organizers, we are just sponsors. I cannot say much about the challenges because even if there were challenges, they did not make them known to me, which means that whatever challenges may have come up were attended to professionally but over the years, I found the organizers have made a lot of improvements evidenced by the massive enhancements in the tournament’s equity that we have witnessed over the years. And this has rubbed off well on our company’s image as well.

How has the annual Cargolux Merchant Express Squash Tournament helped to make the sport more popular among Nigerians? When we started eleven years ago, we had only 3 clubs participating. Now we have between13 and sometime in the past up to16 clubs. We have introduced the U-16 and U-19, the professional league, the classic and so many others. As things stand, all squash players in the country attend the Cargolux Merchant Express Squash Tournament. What new features are expected this year? As I said, we are introducing the junior players, the U-16 and U-19, the classic which is the professionals, apart from the regular players. So it’s actually expanding. What advice will you give those who have developed interest in squash? I will encourage them to come around. We run an open house here Monday to Saturday. They can come around. Even parents who have children who are interested can bring them around. I also encourage my kids to play. What hope is there for people in their 30s and 40s? Anyone can play, so long as they are physically fit and don’t have medical encumbrances. Any plans to make this competition international or invite foreign squash players here? At this point, we do not want to compete with Nigeria Squash Racket Association (NSRA). This is purely a private initiative. If we want to invite foreign players, then we will have to go through the NSRA, unless of course the players are coming on their own privately. Your final word as the 11th edition of this tournament serves off… It’s an open house and everybody is welcome to enjoy good squash for one week. It’s going to be a jamboree.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Midweek League with PAUL EREWUBA 08032138738

Table

Ndifreke delivers Abia Warriors

Actions as this face disruption when the league resumes in a fortnight

N NPL broadcast right:

Total Promotions, Supersport set to tango

he Nigeria Premier League broadcast right owner, Total Promotions Limited, has secured a motion ex-parte from a Lagos High Court to stop South African satellite television outfit, Supersport from further broadcasting of Nigeria Premier League matches. In a four-paragraph ruling delivered by Justice W. Animahun of High Court No. 50, TPL was granted the leeway to serve Supersport an originating process at their registered corporate office at 137, Bram Fischer Drive, Ferndale, Randburg, 2194 Guateng, South Africa via prepaid courier delivery by DHL International Courier Service or any other similar courier

service capable of reaching the Defendant. TPL had dragged Supersport to court over breach of contract agreement between both companies over broadcasting of the Nigerian league in Suit No.LD/747GCMW/15. While granting the prayers of the claimant, Justice Animahun gave an order of interim injunction restraining Supersport “whether by itself, its servants, agents, assigns, collaborators and or privies from attempting to appoint, review or abrogate the existing right to broadcast or/and telecast the Nigeria Premier League vested in the Claimant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice herein and/or

pending arbitral proceedings.” The court also gave an order of interim injunction restraining the Defendant (Supersport) whether by itself, its servants, agents, assigns, collaborators and/or privies from telecasting or broadcasting the Nigeria Premier League matches on any DSTV and GOTV channels or any other channels or broadcasting outfit under the control of or affiliated to the Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice herein and/or pending arbitral proceedings. The case has been adjourned to July 22 for hearing while the UK leg of the legal battle before Arbitration will soon commence.

‘Low morale bane of Taraba’

lo Premier League side, FC Taraba, ended the first half of the 2015 season at the base of the log after a good start to the season but the Pride of Jalingo striker, Stephen Ada who scored some important goals for his club has given reason why the Jalingo based club has struggled. “It has been a very difficult

situation with us in the first round of the league here at FC Taraba,” Stephen Ada said. Stephen has struggled with injuries but since he made his comeback, he has hit the back of the net twice. He however insisted that FC Taraba won’t relegate if the Taraba State Government releases money for the club to offset outstanding salaries.

“I don’t think that FC Taraba will relegate if the Government releases funds for the club to clear outstanding salaries and bonuses owed us. The morale of the players will be very high. The players will focus and not harbor a lot in their head and that will in turn give result that will help the club out of the relegation zone,” Stephen concluded.

difreke Effiong continued his scoring spree for Abia Warriors at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba as he netted the winner in Warriors’ victory over FC IfeanyiUbah. Effiong’s 72nd minute penalty separated both sides in an evenlymatched Oriental Derby, one of the two of such derbies on Matchday 19 of the Glo Premier League. Warriors who were still without star striker Chisom Chikatara were able to call on league veteran Ike ThankGod for the first time this season as he joined captain Austin Obaroakpo in the Warriors’ defence. The first chance of the game fell to Ndifreke inside the opening three minutes but the utility star was denied by a fine save from former junior international Jonah Usman who impressed in goal for IfeanyiUbah. The defining moment of the game also came through a foul when IfeanyiUbah midfielder Isaac Emeka was penalized for a clumsy challenge inside the six-yard box. Although goalkeeper Usman got a hand to the ball, Effiong’s kick was too strong to be kept out. The goal sealed all three points albeit in a nail biting fashion for Warriors who thus ended the first stanza on a high having won all their games while playing at home in Aba with Effiong on target in each game.

Teams

Sunshine

Enyimba

Wikki

Heartland

Giwa

Wolves

Abia

Ifeanyi

Pillars

Rangers

3SC

Nasarawa

Akwa

El-Kanemi

Kwara

Lobi Stars

Sharks

Bayelsa Utd

Dolphins

Taraba

Pillars’ boss sings progress tune Abdulgafar Oladimeji KANO

ewly appointed Pillars FC of Kano Chairman, Kabiru Beita, says he has mapped out strategies that will revive the players’ winning mentality as the league goes on a twoweek recess. “The management is aware of the club’s poor run but the task of turning things around is not insurmountable,” Baita said yesterday. “We are taking over at a very critical time and we are determined to succeed. “I want to appeal to our fans to exercise patience while cooperating with the new board,” he added. Other members of the new board are Abba Danbazau, Hassan Abdullahi Garo, Naziru Aminu Wapa, and Garba Mohammed Nawamba.

Ali

WORLD RECORD

First time to rush 1,000 yards in an NFL season Vol. 05 No. 1161

N150

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Michael Vick and teammate War rick Dunn (both USA) became the first quar terback-r unning back teammates to r un for 1,000 yards in the same season in 2006

Buhari and uncanny ‘Baba go slow’ stigmatization

ot wanting to be classified as “failures” after their “hero” lost the last presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari’s opponents or better still critics appear to be cruising off with an early lead. The most recent his critics have done is to label him “Baba Go Slow”, referring to his seeming lack of activities. But is it all about an early lead? Watching from a far, I have come to realise that Buhari’s critics can fall under any of the following categories: First, are the career Jonathanians or GEJites as they are now popularly known. Leading this pack is our dear Femi Aribisala. In fact, one of these people had openly written that he will not accept Buhari as his president. These people were so sure that their boss or hero will win no matter the

WOULD

Guest Columnist

Adigun

costs. They prophesied Buhari would never “smell” Aso Rock. In the second group are those having issues either personally with Buhari or the All Progressives Congress (APC). This group accommodates people like a former governor of old Kaduna State Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa and a renowned writer, Okey Ndibe. One really cannot explain Balarabe Musa’s issues with Buhari considering the fact that they are from the same state, Katsina. He was noted to have criticised Jonathan vociferously at some points and I am not aware he has rescinded on his opinion about Jonathan. His criticisms of President Buhari is what one finds hard to explain, other than the fact that he may probably know something about Buhari that is not to public knowledge. On the other hand Okey Ndibe’s case can be because he had issues at some point with the way the APC was been run. I am not sure Ndibe will be your first choice of a Jonathanian or GEJite. Members of the third group are perhaps the most reckless. They are nothing but tribal pirates, ethnic buccaneers and religious Vikings. In this group we boldly include Radio Biafra and its sponsors. They are myopic in views; tactless in approach and reckless in criticisms. On the one hand they urged their “people” not to vote in the election on the other hand, yet they want Jonathan to win in an election

Ihenacho shines in City’s win over Roma

anchester City youngster, Kelechi Ihenacho, continued his rich vein of form yesterday in Australia when he scored and provided an assist as the EPL side defeated Roma

Olalekan Waheed

5-4 on penalties after the game ended 2-2 in regulation time. The Flying Eagles player, who was declared fit for this game after a slight hamstring complaint, scored to give City a 2-1

FOR THOSE CELEBRATING BUHARI’S “SLUGGISHNESS”, IT IS ONLY A DEMONSTRATION OF THE FACT THAT THEY ARE BEREFT OF POLITICAL WISDOM they forced their people not to participate. I find it difficult to reconcile these contrasting objectives. More confuse was I when I knew that former President Jonathan is Ijaw, a tribe that proudly supported the Federal Army during the Nigerian Civil War. It was only this radio that broadcast the news that President Buhari authorised the bombarding of “Biafran territories”, by which they mean Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom. While they told their viewers that “Igbos are not Nigerians”, one is left to wonder at what point did the Efiks, Ibibios, Orons, etc (which they also claim as part of “Biafran territories”) became Igbos. Apart from this pirate radio which, I later knew, broadcast from London, no other credible news medium reported the “bombardment”! The fourth group can be neglected as mere “professional” critics, wanting no more than mere attention or patronage. Some of them may have good intentions you never can tell!

The most ingenious of these criticisms is “Baba Go Slow”. I only laugh anytime I hear these critics on social media make this argument. While not making excuses for sluggishness, I think these critics must get their facts right. First, they have done their very best to compare Buhari to Jonathan. They tend to forget that Jonathan’s early missteps were just enough to turn Nigerians against him. Second, they also tend to forget that unlike Buhari, Jonathan had close to two years before his election in 2011; so there were no issues about “smooth transition”. Third, Jonathanians, in particular, must by now be aware that the Buhari transition committee submitted its report only recently because the Jonathan administration will not cooperate with the committee. When they hammer the argument that Buhari administration is slow, two things come to my mind. The first is the Aesop’s fable on The Hare and the Tortoise. The moral of that story is very simple: Thoroughness and quality counts for more in the long run than speed. The race is usually not to the swift as there is no sense in starting fast and ending poorly. Alas! This is one of Life’s terrible lessons. For those celebrating Buhari’s “sluggishness”, it is only a demonstration of the fact that they are bereft of political wisdom. They are revealing their cards too early into the game. They perhaps need to be reminded that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had congratulated the then President Jonathan for his “early lead” as the results for six states were been announced. In fact, the loquacious Femi Fani-Kayode, the PDP Campaign spokesman, had told the world that the party was in “early lead” in 22 states. This is how “early lead” win! This is my humble opinion, I may be wrong! Adigun, a political analyst and strategist, wrote from Lagos via olalekan@olalekanadigun.com and can be followed on twitter @adgorwell

Sport Extra

lead in the 52nd minute after he had assisted Raheem Sterling to the opening goal just three minutes into his debut. Iheanacho finished superbly after he cashed in on a defensive error by the

Italian club, but Adem Ljajic’s free kick four minutes from time sent the game into penalties. “I am filled with joy at my performance,” Iheanacho, who played a bit part role as Nigeria wobbled at

the recent FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, said. “Ultimately, I am happy that we won the game and even happier that I have put the experience into lesson as we progress on the pre-season,” he added.

Ihenacho

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